Staycation Survival Guide

With the October break on the horizon and our luxe vacations abroad still on hold (for most anyway), we’ve decided to put together a simple guide on how to break routine and really enjoy your time off at home. All you need is a positive out-of-the-box attitude and you’re set to make some amazing staycation memories!

Besides the obvious financial gain there are some great benefits of holidaying at home; you can learn about your local area by exploring what’s literally on your door step, it can actually be more relaxing and restorative than travelling (no airport stress or yucky aeroplane skin) and perhaps most importantly it can benefit your local community.

All zoomed out? Us too! Create quizzes with questions that are tailored to you and your family’s holidays, birthdays and past events. You can even dig out some old baby photos for a fun throwback quiz! And if all else fails there is always scrabble.

We now have great outdoor facilities that cater for video drive through. Grab some snacks and jump in the car for a whole different type of cinematic experience! And if it’s not accessible for you, just create your own movie night! Attention to detail is key here – create and print off tickets, snack menus (popcorn is a must!) and a listing of your movie choices. Whether it’s an old, new or a marathon movie set ensure you make a real night of it!

We are lucky to live in a country that’s filled with culture and history so there’s no excuse to not grab your bike or your walking shoes and get outside! From the Camel Trail in Cornwall to the Lakeland Loop in the Lake District – wherever you are there are beautiful scenic adventures right on your doorstep. Simply research your route before setting off (parks and beaches will offer information and maps on local routes), dress appropriately and most importantly – check the weather!

Literally! Throw down a blanket and get ready to sit awkwardly! Incorporate your picnic with your newfound cycle or walking route for a fun day out. But please leave the cliched picnic food on the supermarket shelf and create something a little more luxurious. Pack yourself a cheese board complete with anti-pasto, olives, fruit and fresh bread from your local shop and don’t forget to pack some bubbles! You’re on staycation afterall!

Don’t worry we won’t suggest another Mexican themed night with sombrero’s (no matter how much we enjoy sticking on a novelty moustache). Leave the cooking to a professional and hire a chef to your house! We recommend using La Belle Assiette (labelleassiette.co.uk) – it’s an online service where you choose your chef and menu based on your location. They’ll purchase the finest ingredients, cook and serve each dish to perfection and clean-up after themselves. Have your table set and candles at the ready – this is perfect for a romantic date night.

Why not indulge yourself? You’re on staycation afterall (yes, we will use this excuse every time). Grab yourself some lush linen bed sheets and pillows for a restful night’s sleep (we recommend Linen Shed linenshed.co.uk), along with new fluffy bathrobes and slippers! Complete your spa like experience with a new moisturising skin routine and a chocolate mint on your pillow each night.

Now that you’ve got the ideas for your staycation we’d also recommend creating a rough itinerary of your time. Having a plan means you can clean the house and run your errands all before settling into staycation mode. You don’t do chores when you’re on vacation so why do them on staycation?!