How to Survive (and Even Enjoy) a Multigenerational Family Holiday in a Big House Holiday Let

1. Choose the Right House – Space is Everything

This is not the time for a charming cottage with "cosy nooks". You need **space**. Bedrooms with doors that shut. Multiple bathrooms. Separate sitting areas (ideally one where no one can hear CBeebies). A garden for the kids to let loose, and maybe even a hot tub for the adults to escape to after 8pm.

Look for properties with big dining tables, enough seating for everyone in the lounge, and ideally two fridges – one for food, one for wine. It’s not luxury. It’s survival and Big House Holiday Lets have several for you to choose from.

2. Set Expectations – Then Lower Them

Grandma might be dreaming of tranquil breakfasts in the sun. Your brother is planning hiking expeditions at dawn. The teenagers want lie-ins and Wi-Fi. And the toddlers? Chaos. Glorious, sticky chaos.

Have a pre-holiday chat. Who’s up for what? What are the *non-negotiables*? Does anyone need quiet time? Are we all chipping in for food? Lay it out gently, with humour and love – or risk passive-aggressive Post-It notes on the fridge.

3. Plan Meals Like a Military Operation

Food will make or break your trip. Take turns cooking – no one wants to be head chef all week. Create a rota or theme nights: BBQ night, curry night, DIY sandwich night (low effort, high praise).

Bring essentials: snacks, tea, coffee, condiments, and biscuits. Lots of biscuits.

Top tip: a ‘help yourself’ breakfast bar can save your sanity. Cereals, pastries, fruit, toast. No one needs a full English at 7am every day. Not even Dad.

4. Respect Each Other’s Rhythms

Your niece may rise like a Disney princess at 6am. Your brother-in-law may still be in his dressing gown at noon. That’s fine. Everyone's different – especially across generations.

Let early birds do their thing. Night owls too. Don’t force constant group activity – you’re not on The Apprentice. A good multigenerational holiday allows for togetherness and alone time.

5. Create Age-Friendly Zones

Kids need space to play. Grandparents might need peace and comfy chairs. Teenagers need plugs, privacy, and the ability to pretend they’re not with the family.

Set up zones: a quiet corner with books and puzzles. A play area with toys and games. An adults-only wine-and-whinge zone (preferably near the kitchen).

If the house has multiple lounges, use them strategically. One can be ‘No Kids After 8pm’ territory. Enforce it lovingly, with snacks.

6. Have a Loose Itinerary (But Stay Flexible)

Plan a few things, but don’t over-schedule. Pick one group activity per day: a walk, pub lunch, paddle boarding, local attraction. Let people opt in or out – no guilt allowed.

Build in downtime. Don’t fear the quiet afternoons. That’s when real memories happen – spontaneous games of Uno, shared stories, unexpected chats over tea.

7. Bring Games, Gadgets & a Sense of Humour

Board games are great – just avoid Monopoly unless you enjoy family drama. Bring cards, puzzles, a Bluetooth speaker, and possibly a Nerf gun for light revenge missions.

For evenings, think quiz nights, film nights, talent shows (yes really), or a nostalgic karaoke session fuelled by wine and misplaced confidence.

Bonus points if you involve the grandparents – turns out Nan does a mean version of Beyoncé.

8. Sort Out Tech Early

If there’s no Wi-Fi, brace yourself. Teens may mutiny. Adults will suddenly ‘need to check work emails’. Bring a dongle or portable router just in case.

Also, bring multiple phone chargers, extension leads, and a speaker. And maybe a designated ‘Charging Station’ to stop the under-10s nicking your cable at 2% battery.

9. Establish the Golden Rules

Every group needs ground rules. Not too many – just enough to keep the peace.

* No politics before coffee.

* Everyone helps with washing up (or we love a dishwasher, all BHHL houses have them of course).

* Respect the bathroom queue – and for the love of all things sacred, open a window.

* Silence between 10pm and 7am unless someone’s bleeding or the wine’s run out.

10. Don’t Aim for Perfection

There will be squabbles. Someone will forget the ketchup. The kids will refuse to wear coats. Someone will get lost. Nan will fall asleep mid-conversation.

That’s OK. It’s family. It’s messy. But it’s also wonderful.

The key is to embrace the chaos and not let small annoyances fester. Laugh about it. Pour another drink. Tell that story about your dad and the donkey sanctuary again, even if no one asked.

In Summary:

A multigenerational holiday in a big house can be the best kind of bonkers – the kind where generations bond, memories are made, and you’re already laughing about it before the car’s even reversed off the driveway.

Choose the right house, communicate kindly, respect each other’s quirks, and don’t forget to book the week after off work to recover.

And most importantly – take the group photo. Even if someone’s blinking, the dog’s run off, and Uncle Dave’s in his socks. Because in ten years, you’ll look back and realise: this chaos? This was the good stuff.

BHHL have 12 wonderful large houses for breaks in the Wye Valley, with some being more ideal for multi generational use - downstairs bedrooms etc. Get in touch and we can work out the best set up for your family:

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