Trip destinations within the UK
1. The Lake District
The Lake District is an excellent travel destination for elderly explorers. One of the most popular staycations in England, expect to be inundated with scenic routes, marvellous lakes and handsome countryside.
The Dove Cottage is a wonderful stop to make while exploring in a camper or minibus, where you’ll learn plenty of history surrounding the famous poet William Wordsworth. A local guide can show you all the hidden gems the Lake District has to offer, or you can explore at your own pace and find them for yourself.
The Lake District is wonderful for older adults thanks to its gentle walking routes and historical attractions that can be explored at a leisurely pace. Scenic boat trips are also available for visitors who aren’t able to walk as far.
2. Devon
Devon is a popular holiday destination for families, thanks to its endless activities and stretching beaches. Devon is known for its long and dramatic coastline, perfect for dog walks and bird watching. This is lined with benches for quick stops to enjoy the sea air.
With plenty of towns to explore, including Torquay, Paignton and Dartmouth, you won’t run out of things to see or do here. Devon offers a slower pace of life, making it ideal for elderly explorers who want a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle of their usual routine.
What’s more, Devon strongly focuses on supporting older adults and ensuring their independence as much as possible. There’s excellent access to healthcare services and transport links, allowing you to get around freely without having to depend on family or friends.
3. The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are becoming a popular retirement destination, with growing efforts to make the area as accessible as possible for older adults.. The idyllic setting combines its natural beauty with practical benefits, including excellent healthcare facilities, lots of leisure activities and step-free towns.
One of the main draws of The Cotswolds for older adults is how accessible it is. Its scenic walks are not only beautiful, but also well-maintained with minimal inclines – perfect no matter your mobility level.
Once you’ve taken in the breath taking views The Cotswolds have to offer, relax in the strong community spirit by visiting a local cafe or special interest club. You may even find a sense of belonging strong enough to encourage a move to a local village!
4. Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a fan-favourite holiday destination in the UK, with its beach ranking 5th best in Europe. Not only is there endless coastal beauty to immerse yourself in, but also good healthcare facilities and a welcoming community.
The mild climate and beaches make it a wonderful option for those who enjoy spending time outdoors, while the clubs and community groups offer plenty of indoor activities on slower days.
Bournemouth features plenty of transportation links to extend your trip, including a ferry dock in Poole to Swanage, the Isle of Wight, Jersey and Guernsey. Public transport can also take you to other coastal towns, such as Weymouth and Portsmouth, providing exciting opportunities without over-exerting yourself.
5. Cornwall
Cornwall is another great destination for older adults thanks to its scenery, historical sites and vibrant culture. Relaxing walks along the coastal paths are perfect for watching surfers on the horizon. Cornwall can be rural, but there are several accessible transport options to ensure elderly explorers can still get around.
Of course, you can’t visit Cornwall without admiring its stunning coastline, with plenty of beaches to visit and relax on. Cornwall often gets busy during peak summer, but there are several quieter beaches ideal for older adults. Nanjizal, Porth Joke, Pentire Steps and Rinsey Cove are less crowded beaches offering a peaceful escape from busy Cornish towns.
Cornwall features several gardens and parks, such as The Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project, that are wheelchair accessible and great for elderly adults. These attractions can get busy during the afternoon, so we recommend visiting at opening times for the most relaxing experience.
There are plenty more amazing staycations in the UK. Explore our article on accessible UK holiday destinations for inspiration.
Trip destinations outside of the UK
6. Majorca, Spain
Spain is one of the best holiday destinations for the whole family, so it’s a good option if you’re hoping to enjoy quality time with the younger generations. With a flight time of less than three hours from the UK and resorts close to the airport, you’ll have a wonderful time without unnecessarily long travel days.
The Mediterranean climate offers a warm summer and mild winter, so no matter when you’re looking to travel, the island ensures comfort for elderly explorers. Its beach promenades are wide and flat, making them ideal for wheelchairs and people with limited mobility. Thanks to it being a smaller island, Majorca’s main attractions are all close enough to each other to avoid long public transport journeys with multiple changes.
7. Upper Middle Rhine Valley, Germany
Germany is known for its gorgeous sights, and the Upper Middle Rhine Valley offers picturesque views and fairytale castles in line with the rest of the country. Located between the towns of Koblenz and Bingen, the Rhine Gorge has everything you need for a relaxing, scenic exploration.
This UNESCO-heritage site is perfect for older adults who are eager to learn more about history with a glass of wine in their hand, produced in one of the local vineyards. The imposing mountains are equally striking, but don’t worry about a strenuous hike to the Valley – take a leisurely river cruise instead.
While there are some challenging trails along the way, Upper Middle Rhine Valley also features many flat walking paths along the rivers or through its vineyards, perfect for older travellers. The region is well-connected by trains and buses, so it’s easy to travel further afield to other promising attractions.
8. Cannes, France
Cannes offers a balance of style, culture and ease, making it an excellent choice for older travellers. The famous Boulevard de la Croisette is perfect for a gentle stroll, with plenty of cafés and seating along the way to stop, relax and take in the sea views. Many of the city’s main attractions are close together, which means less time travelling and more time enjoying the sights for those who may get fatigued quickly.
For a step back in time, Le Suquet, the old quarter, has winding streets and medieval architecture to explore at a leisurely pace. If you’d prefer a quieter setting, a short ferry ride to the Iles de Lérins provides a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature, offering a welcome pause from the bustle of the city.
9. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is the perfect blend of modernity and picturesque charm, and it has a wonderful public transport system – ideal for older adults who don’t want to waste their energy travelling from place to place.
Stockholm is also a great option if you’re travelling on a budget. There are several discounts available to older adults all around the city, including hotel prices, train travel and even ferry crossings from Sweden to Denmark.
While Stockholm has some hilly areas, the majority of the city is flat and easily accessible for older travellers. The city offers discounted travel cards for people over 65, so you can make the most of the public transport links without worrying about your budget.
10. Reykjavik, Iceland
If you’re hoping to travel during the off-season, Reykjavik in Iceland is a wonderful choice. Between November and February is when this destination really shines, with the Northern Lights being most prevalent. Reykjavik is known for its age-friendly infrastructure and services, accessible transportation, outdoor spaces and cultural activities.
The Northern Lights are only one attraction to explore in Iceland. There are also plenty of geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, volcanoes and geothermal spas. There’s so much to fit into your holiday, we recommend taking advantage of day tours to minimise the amount of planning you’ll need to do.
Talk to our dedicated team of experts today
The standards set by Patricia White 30 years ago still apply today. Call our experienced team today on 01293 224712 to discuss your home care needs and receive a free, no-obligation quotation.
Or feel free to send us a message using our online enquiry form. A member of our expert care team will respond as soon as possible, typically within 24 hours.
