The ‘Parenting Pause’ putting Cornwall on parents’ wish lists

When did you last go away without packing snacks, chargers and a spare set of clothes for somebody else?

For a lot of mums and dads, the honest answer is “not for years”. But plenty of them seem ready to change that. A new survey suggests almost three quarters of British parents are keen to book a child-free break with their partner. And Cornwall is one of the places on their minds.

Searches for child-free holidays are soaring

Global Google searches for “kid free holiday” have soared 1,421% in the last year, according to Parkdean Resorts, while UK searches have risen by 242% in the last three months.

The holiday park operator, which offers UK couples breaks, surveyed 500 Brits on their attitudes to child-free holidays. It found 72% of parents are keen to plan what it calls a “Parenting Pause”, time away to reconnect with their partner and reset from the challenges of daily life.

Some are eyeing up a pre-Christmas trip to enjoy some quality time before the festive rush. Others are looking ahead to the new year.

The top five reasons parents gave for wanting a child-free break were:

1. To reconnect with their partner (42%)
2. To escape the stressors of daily life (21%)
3. To break from their usual routine (13%)
4. To take a break from parenting (10%)
5. To reconnect with themselves (9%)

How long does it take to recharge?

Less time than you might expect. Six in 10 parents (61%) said a short break of less than a week would be enough to reset. Only one in 10 would take a two-week child-free break.

Jessica Alderson, a relationship coach and co-founder of dating platform So Syncd, says a single night probably won’t do it, though.

“A minimum of three nights is ideal to fully reconnect. One or two nights away is better than nothing but three-plus nights is where you get a chance to properly unwind, as the first day is often spent decompressing and getting out of parent mode.”

Sea air, country retreats and Cornwall

Beach breaks came out on top, with 44% saying they’d love to get a breath of sea air. One in three (30%) would prefer a secluded country retreat, while one in five (21%) would choose an adventure holiday with activities such as cycling or hiking.

The top trending holiday destinations include Cornwall, East Anglia and the North Yorkshire coast, all of which offer the best of these activities, according to Parkdean Resorts.

As for how they’d actually spend the time, over half of those surveyed (54%) simply want to unwind in a peaceful setting with their partner. Three in 10 (30%) would rather head out to be wined and dined. Just under one in six (16%) want to take part in sports, activities or shared hobbies.

So who’s minding the children?

Grandparents, mostly. Six in 10 parents (60%) said they’d be happy to let them take over back at home. Another 17% rely on aunties and uncles, while 16% leave the kids with older siblings.

Why the trend is growing

Jessica puts it down to two bigger shifts.

“This rise in child-free holidays really comes down to two broader trends: a growing focus on mental health and social media making adults-only breaks feel aspirational rather than selfish. On top of that, the surge in Google searches over the past three months likely reflects the post-summer period after several weeks of non-stop childcare, which leaves many parents craving time for themselves.”

A spokesperson for Parkdean Resorts said the company had seen the same pattern in the growing popularity of its Grown-Up Getaways activities.

“We recognise that there’s been a real rise in parents taking relaxing breaks away to recharge their own batteries. The trend has been reflected in the growing popularity of our Grown-Up Getaways activities, which offer everything from relaxing workshops to new events. Everyone deserves the chance to make lasting holiday memories, and sometimes that means putting yourself first for a change.”

Leaving the guilt at home

For anyone who feels a pang about leaving the kids behind, Jessica has one thing to remember.

“One of the best things you can give your children is happy, healthy parents. If a few nights away to recharge means you return home calmer and more present, think of it as an investment that your children benefit from too.”