The UK has some frequently cited disadvantages when it comes to an assessment of potential as a location for the family holiday.  Chief amongst these challenges has to be the uncertain nature of the British summer.  Despite the fact that the summer months can often feature days in which all four seasons seem to be experienced, the stats from holiday park operators like Park Resorts may be surprising at first, indicating an increase in the number of people taking family holidays UK over the last few years.  Here we take a closer look at some of the advantages of keeping family holidays UK based.

As an antipodean acquaintance once put this to me: it is easy enough to don protective garments when the weather takes a down turn, but there is a limit to what you can take off when it starts to get too hot.  As a modern caveat to this advice, which would perhaps have been less obvious a couple of decades ago, the fact is that strong sun requires more clothing, especially for active small children, if you are to adequately protect skin from ultraviolet radiation.

Now the fact that you have to worry less about sun burn during the British summer may seem a less than convincing reason not to head off abroad, but the theme of safety extends beyond the more modest sun cream budget required for family holidays UK.  Health and Safety culture in the U.K. is arguably stronger than any other country in the world, and while this may be seen as an inconvenience by the more adrenalin seeking adult, this must be reassuring to parents with active children.

Despite the unpredictable weather, the U.K. features some world class opportunities for adventure sports from canoeing and bouldering, to hill walking and mountain biking.  Such activities present the perfect diversion for children easily bored by the formlessness of the school summer holidays, and being active of course also provides important health benefits.  Thanks to the culture of formal expert training and certification that underpins the activities of all major adventure sports providers in Britain, the main challenge to the health of the nation’s youngsters is not getting involved.  The robust health and safety culture that permeates the UK means that house bound computer console addicts are at greater risk to health from inactivity than will ever be faced in a well organised day mountain biking or climbing.

As well as being able to trust the rigorous risk assessment and resultant precautions required of activity providers by UK insurers, certification provides a defined route and goal structure that can keep children focussed.  Formally recognized achievement in different sports and activities can make all the difference to children with challenges in other spheres of life, such as academia.  The boost to self confidence that can result from participation in new activities and developing new skill sets can ensure that the summer holidays are a chance for essential personal development, and not just time to be filled.