Dover Castle. Image courtesy of VisitEngland/VisitKent / Visit Kent
How can we recreate the memorable moments we had as kids with our own children? Do we have to work harder to create unforgettable holidays, or do simple pleasures still win through?
At our #OMGBFamily Twitter chat, we heard what you think makes an unforgettable British family holiday – from quintessential ingredients to family rites of passage, must-pack items and favourite places and activities.
The party was sponsored by Visit England Homeofamazing.com, which celebrates all the wonderful experiences families can have in the UK. Follow Visit England on @VisitEngland.
11 things you should pack
Wouldn’t be the same without sandwiches before a long drive to a nice coastal beach @milyellex
We always pack a picnic. Then struggle to find somewhere to sit as we don’t have a blanket @LyndsayRoseG
Suncream just in case you get half an hour of sun, raincoat, tea bags, bucket and spade and a seaside creature spot book @hayleyrob01
Everything including an umbrella. And wear layers! @tots2travel
Always pack our boots @PINKTEEGAN
Tend to pack for every season as sometimes we have all 4 on the one day @jojomc182
I love UK holidays as you can load the car with everything you might need and off you go. No worries about luggage weight @TiredMummyofTwo
30 essential ingredients for a great British family holiday
A great British holiday needs a jumper https://t.co/AvJZPDskt5 @peacockfeather
Cream teas, fish and chips, Mr Whippys …with a sprinkling of rain! @VicWelton
Beach, fleece, ice cream … and shells. Deckchair for Mum, flask of tea for Dad! @supavillain999
Kites, BBQ, pub lunch, sandcastles, sea swimming, National Trust, wood walks! @KirstyGreer
Got to be: tinned food, wetty-coats and arguments over who sits where in the car! Can you tell we went camping a lot? @littlepicklemom
Caravans, warm sandwiches and sandy chips all equal happy childhood memories for me @EssexKate
Soggy socks, sandy sarnies, saltwater skin, giggles, a deck of cards and a stick of rock! @TheAlphaMummy
13 inspired ideas for a UK family holiday
Always fun getting up close and personal with the meerkats at @BristolZooGdns https://t.co/RhQtSUoOmH @BristolGal
I love going to the beach in the rain @TiredMummyofTwo
What makes a quintessentially #British #holiday? Drinking well – from tearoom to tavern, from #ale to fresh apple @tots2travel
BBQ on the beach was on our family bucket list. Ticked that off when we visited North Wales! https://t.co/9mgOKpxdoe @MeTheManAndKids
Isle of Wight – Where else can you visit dinosaurs with a dinosaur-obsessed toddler? @toddler_fun
Donkey rides! Here is my little girl enjoying her very first donkey ride! https://t.co/2QPGDI6WCe @Tantrums2Smiles
Visiting historic landmarks is a top favourite thing for our holidays! @Luckysammyg
Lucky to have beautiful outdoor pool in village — perfect over summer https://t.co/ZhL7O94dRt @Charlotte_Jones
If we can find a friendly farm on our hols that’s always a winner! https://t.co/4JjfVvY59F @angep1969
Keep your eyes on the water! https://t.co/ya4ougR1e7 @LancsKaren [Editor’s note: i.e. explore inland waterways…with captain’s hats!]
Wales: Going down a coal mine http://amodernmother.com/2014/03/blaenovan-making-industrial-revolution-come-life-south-wales.html … @AModernMother
@AModernMother recommends going down a mine. Picture: A Modern Mother
Garden visit essential for Brit family hols in our book. 1 to travel for: Trentham Gardens http://www.jenography.net/2016/03/trentham-gardens-review-family-friendly-gardens/ … @Jhowze
Visiting gardens makes @JHowze‘s list. Picture: Jenography.net
Both my girls love visiting castles and exploring history as well as having space to run around @TiredMummyofTwo
22 places we love
We went glamping in Yorkshire in Feb & loved it – even had snow! @Charlotte_Jones
Definitely I love South Lakes Wild Animal Park @TiredMummyofTwo
Visiting family in Suffolk and then road-trip to visit friends in Leeds and then over to Manchester @islandliving365
Come together for an #OMGBFamily moment at The Beatles Story, Liverpool. http://bit.ly/25d6eOy @beatlesstory
We went to Blackpool every year and loved every minute of the beach and on the pleasure beach! https://t.co/a3qlPW2lLq @PINKTEEGAN
The #PeakDistrict an ideal place for creating family memories @vpdd
Living in Worcestershire we’ve found lots to explore on our doorstep! We love @NTCroome https://t.co/ourOWiyjoJ @MeTheManandKids
Wiltshire is such an amazing and beautiful place to visit @LuckySammyg
We’re not just all about the seaside. We love exploring the forest! https://t.co/ditKVxXTbs @MeTheManandKids
Look how excited my little girl was when we went to Benone beach https://t.co/DJqvJL3jJ9 @jojomc182
City breaks are fab, family loves a trip to the capital city @KirstyGreer
Another of our favourite trips was #NorfolkBroads. So, so relaxing. https://t.co/SXRdN375vj @LancsKaren
#haylingisland Blue Flag beach perfect for families https://t.co/mXtn24RAVn @Emsworthandhi
One of my favourite beaches has to be Burton Bradstock @ChelseaMamma
Another great place is @SoarMillCove, great hotel such a beautiful area https://t.co/2uq1pldazy @VicWelton
We love to visit Devon. Beautiful beaches https://t.co/OyW94End7v @Miamoos_mummy
Nothing beats a day beside this seaside…#Broadstairs #visitKent https://t.co/xUMrJ6Rr0o @VisitKent
Lily’s 1st beach trip @LoveWeymouth! Her lip when we told her it’s time to go https://t.co/2TfRj8Xai5 @snowkaz84
Looks almost tropical but it is Shanklin Chine here on IOW, perfect for family fun in the sun https://t.co/fjGLf5D1qh @KirstyGreer
Visiting local attractions like Osborne House are a great way to spend a family summer day https://t.co/X3f0mBa3xL @KirstyGreer
10 ways we’ve made memories on British family holidays
Watching my own children splashing in the sea and remembering my own childhood! https://t.co/fcVIhRFm7l @Tantrums2Smiles
So many memories of sandy sandwiches, seagulls stealing the picnic and burying each other in the sand! @TiredMummyofTwo
This was me on my 12th birthday. We were on holiday in Dawlish Warren, Devon https://t.co/SWpdenB7Ep @BugBirdBee
We took an inflatable dingy with us everywhere @BugBirdBee
One memory is messing around with a wind-up fish in a rock pool and tricking my family in to thinking I found a real one @TiredMummyofTwo
Me and my younger brother on the beach in Cornwall @BugBirdBee
Fond memories of catching a fish in a flip-flop @kateonthinice
I remember heading to the New Forest and funnily enough Dorset – now I live here @ChelseaMamma
2 pence slot machines at amusements arcades – my daughter, like my Mum, loves them @kateonthinice
Rock pool rambles … Great childhood memories recreated with own children @McAllisterandCo
The last words
Keep it simple. Kids love the simple things in life @amininorrisblog
We love a UK trip! Even just a day can be SO enlightening and exciting! @Luckysammyg
I love the UK and one hour is not enough to sing its praises @Kateonthinice
About
BritMums is the UK’s original collective of lifestyle bloggers and digital influencers, fueling the country’s most influential social content. We lead the online conversation with members who are parent social influencers creating content on topics ranging from food, parenting, travel, politics, style and more.
Julia Thomas
Friday 16th of September 2016
Going for a holiday is just an amazing feeling and in addition getting ideas just like this from here is also nice and useful.I want to share a page which has exciting deals and many more offers.
Elizabeth
Thursday 8th of September 2016
There are so many beautiful places all across the UK, we love holidaying here. From the less explored Hebrides, the Lake District, Peak District and then down to Cornwall, Devon, so many places to pick.
Emma - Me, The Man & The Kids
Monday 4th of July 2016
Enjoyed joining in! Thanks for hosting guys :)