An exciting day trip should be something everyone can look forward to. The UK is full of amazing, accessible places to visit, including picturesque countryside, vibrant towns and cities, and some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world.
Whether you’re looking for rich heritage, coastal charm or simply stunning views, this guide highlights some of the best trips for older adults across the country.
Museums
Museums are an ideal UK day trip option for older adults. They offer rich history to immerse yourselves in, and your loved one might even have ties to certain exhibits. A day trip to a museum is a low-cost option for the whole family, providing an opportunity to connect and learn.
There are certain considerations to take into account when choosing the museum:
- Simple layout: Older adults may find a museum more enjoyable if it’s easy to walk around and navigate.
- Stairs and lifts: Check that the museum you choose hasn’t got too many stairs or a suitable alternative if your loved one experiences limited mobility.
- Easily accessible facilities: It’s important to make sure the toilets, cafe and other facilities are quick and easy to access for your loved one.
- Guided tours: The small print around exhibits might be difficult to read, so a self-guided tour could allow your loved one to immerse themselves in their day out.
National Trust Locations
The National Trust is one of the UK’s largest charities, focusing their efforts on preserving historic properties, gardens, stately homes and parklands. With more than 200 beautiful locations to choose from, you can plan plenty of day outs for older relatives. National Trust also offers a discounted membership to seniors.
When choosing a National Trust location for your day out, consider:
- Accessibility: Some National Trust locations include stately homes and tight trails, which might not be suitable for older adults with limited mobility.
- Activities on location: Gardens and parklands might have more activities tailored to children, making it fun for all the family.
- Extra amenities: If your loved one requires close access to bathrooms, make sure the location you choose has suitable access without too much walking.
- Terrain: Consider whether your loved one will be able to move safely over grass, bark, sand, gravel and pavers before choosing a National Trust location.
Beach Days
The UK’s beaches aren’t always the warmest, but they still make a wonderful day trip for all ages. Relaxing by the seaside for a day is amazing for older adults, especially when they have memories of the beach from childhood. Visiting the same beach provides an added benefit of nostalgia, which can be helpful for older adults experiencing dementia symptoms.
Things to consider before planning a beach day include:
- Amenities: Choose a beach with plenty of amenities, such as a pier, cafe, toilets and beach shops to explore.
- Weather: Keep an eye on weather predictions and plan accordingly to avoid getting caught out in the rain.
- Busy times: Planning to visit the beach outside of peak times might be less stressful for your loved one, especially if you’re hoping for a relaxing experience.
- Accessibility: If your loved one can’t walk across sand easily, make sure there are boardwalks or stable paths to navigate the beach.
Afternoon Tea
A simple activity that doesn’t require too much walking is afternoon tea. Enjoy some amazing food while spending quality time together. Afternoon tea can take a few hours, so it’s a wonderful choice if your loved one gets tired easily. Plenty of cafes and restaurants offer afternoon tea experiences, so find one in a nostalgic or favourite spot of your older relative and end with a short stroll around the local area.
When planning an afternoon tea for an older adult, consider:
- Dietary restrictions: Prioritise your loved one’s dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, low-sugar and decaffeinated needs. Certain foods might interfere with the effectiveness of medications.
- Food textures: If your loved one has difficulty chewing and swallowing, make sure the place you choose includes soft foods, such as sandwiches and soups.
- Comfortable environment: Select a venue that’s easily accessible and has comfortable, secure seating to make your loved one feel comfortable.
- Eating aids: If your relative needs eating aids to make their experience more independent and enjoyable, make sure you call ahead and ensure these are allowed within your chosen establishment.
Visiting Loved Ones
Another simple and affordable day trip in the UK is to spend time with loved ones who live a little further afield. Catching up with old friends and family can be a real joy, especially if you haven’t seen each other in a long time. It also gives you the opportunity to explore the local area with a guided tour from your loved one.
When visiting friends and family during your day trip, think about:
- Travel plans: While a car might be the most convenient way to travel, public transport like a coach or train might be more comfortable for older adults with health conditions.
- Ability to get around: Consider where their loved ones live and whether they’ll be able to get around easily without extra walking or mobility aids.
- Pack thoroughly and accordingly: It’s easy to forget important things when you’re visiting a friend and family’s home, as you assume they already have them.
- Option to stay over: Depending on how long the trip was, consider whether there’s somewhere to stay should your loved one become too tired to travel home on the same day.
Special Activities
When planning a day out, instead of focusing on the location, why not consider a specific activity? It could be something they used to enjoy when they were younger, or something they’ve always wanted to do but never got around to.
Consider their mobility, fitness levels and sense of adventure before planning one of the following activities:
- Wine tasting: If your loved one enjoys a tipple or is interested in the process of making wine, consider a guided tour at a local distillery with a tasting at the end.
- Race days: Make an event of your day trip and get dressed up to visit your local racecourse and enjoy some races.
- See a show: The West End offers plenty of accessibility-friendly live shows, so plan a trip to London and marvel in unrivalled talent and atmosphere.
- Theme parks: Some older adults still love a thrill from visiting a theme park like Alton Towers, which also has lovely gardens to explore when taking a break from rides.
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