“Gramping” rise signals success for Cumbria holiday park

Young families joining forces with grandparents for holidays have seen a marked rise this year, according to a major Lake District holiday park.

Silverdale park in South Cumbria says that “gramping”, as it’s known, has been making a big comeback after decades of decline.

But park owner Michael Holgate believes that teaming-up with gran and grandad is about more than simply spreading the costs of a break.

He says that multi-generation holidays are a chance for extended families to spend quality time together during their increasingly busy working lives.

Gramping also boosts regional tourism economies, says Michael, because the larger party sizes mean more money being spent with local businesses.

“When Silverdale first started out in business sixty years ago, it was quite common for three generations of the same family to go away on holiday together,” he said.

“Extended family breaks fell from favour as overseas holidays gained ground, and people began leading more separate lives from one another.

“But now British staycations are back in demand, families are using the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company in the way they once did.

“As well as sharing the expense, it also means mum and dad have a built-in child care service so that they can make an occasional escape and be just a couple again,” he added.

Michael says that the gramping phenomenon is also resulting in more families sharing the cost of buying a caravan holiday home.

Grandparents pooling their purchasing power with their grown-up children, he points out, can cut in half the cost of owning and running a holiday home.

“We’ve been seeing many more people this year doing their sums and realising the considerable  financial benefits of shared ownership,” says Michael.

“And once again, it’s the local economy which benefits as more visits mean more spending in businesses such as shops, pubs, restaurants and visitor attractions,” he added.

Silverdale provides over 500 caravan holiday homes to buy and to let, pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents, and luxury timber-built camping pods.

Guests also have use of a raft of leisure facilities including a swimming pool, gym, spa, American-themed bowling alley, and a highly acclaimed restaurant.

There is more information about Silverdale Holiday Park, and the five other Cumbria and North Lancashire parks belonging to the Holgates group, at www.holgates.co.uk