Bringing three generations together under one roof sounds heart-warming – and it can be – but let’s be honest, it also has serious “why is Grandma hiding in the pantry?” potential. The trick? Planning. And snacks. Lots of snacks.

Pick the Right House

Forget quaint and cosy – you need ‘space’. Think big bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, a dining table that seats everyone, and preferably a second lounge for those needing a toddler-free zone. A garden? Essential. Bonus points for a hot tub and more than one kettle.

Get Organised (ish)

Before you arrive, chat about expectations. Who’s cooking? Are lie-ins sacred? What activities are on the cards? Clear the air before anyone hides behind a tea towel muttering about passive-aggressive bin notes.

Create a meal plan – or at least a vague rota. Share the load. Nobody wants to spend their holiday peeling spuds for 12.

Mix it Up

Plan one gentle group activity per day – a walk, a pub lunch, a visit to a castle. Let people dip in and out. Respect the quiet readers, the nappers, and the teenagers surgically attached to headphones.

Set up age-friendly zones – toy corners for toddlers, reading nooks for grandparents, a space for board games (and possibly therapy after Monopoly).

Expect the Unexpected

There will be drama. Someone will forget the ketchup. The dog will steal the sausages. There might be tears over breakfast (from a 3-year-old or a 63-year-old – hard to say).

Let it go. Laugh it off. Pour another drink.

Make Memories, Not Perfection

A big family holiday isn’t about Pinterest-worthy table settings or colour-coded itineraries. It’s about moments – shared stories, unexpected giggles, and the feeling that, despite the noise and mess, you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

So take the group photo. Even if half the kids are crying, Dad’s blinking, and someone’s holding a sausage roll. That’s the memory you’ll treasure.

In short:

Multigenerational holidays are chaotic, noisy, and occasionally exhausting… but they’re also brilliant. Plan a little, relax a lot, and enjoy the glorious madness of it all.

Big House Holiday Lets
w: bhhl.co.uk
e: enquiries@bhhl.co.uk
t: 01600 732050