The long school summer holidays are just around the corner. Perhaps for this summer, more so than ever, grandparents will be stepping in to look after their grandchildren during the summer break as a question mark hangs over holidays abroad. During ‘normal times’ it is estimated that a third of grandparents look after their grandchildren more than three times a week during the summer holidays (according to a recent survey for Saga Motor Insurance). However, with foreign travel restricted due to the pandemic, it is likely that this number will increase during this summer. The same poll found that 28% of grandparents said they would be entertaining their grandchildren at home, while 26% were planning trips to nearby attractions. The team across all UK award-winning LifeCare Residences’ communities pride themselves on ensuring that families are always warmly welcomed – whether it’s simply for a family Sunday lunch or for longer periods over the summer holidays.

For many, moving to a retirement community involves downsizing. At LifeCare Residences there is always room to accommodate visiting family in the guest apartments, enabling them to get involved in the vast array of activities on-site. Battersea Place is a stone’s throw away from the vast Battersea Park, with its own zoo, as well as being a short drive from the famous Natural History and Science Museums. Caroline Hamilton retired to a two-bedroom apartment in Battersea Place, the first luxury retirement community in London after selling her five-bedroom family home and has never looked back. Enjoying a spacious apartment in addition to an array of communal activities, she is able to host and entertain family and friends frequently. “My family are greeted warmly at Battersea Place. I have a lovely home and I really appreciate the support of all the lovely staff. The fact that my family are able to visit often is the icing on the cake – I can enjoy my easier, more relaxed lifestyle and still have my children and grandchildren over to stay as I would do in my old house.” Caroline’s apartment at Battersea Place makes the ideal destination for younger summer visitors, as she concludes, “My grandchildren love coming to visit because we can all go out exploring together. Last time some of them came, we tried to squeeze in as many museums as possible. Needless to say, my granddaughter also loves being close to all the shops along the Kings Road.”

It is not just Battersea Place that provides a wonderful environment for grandparents and their visiting grandchildren. All LifeCare Residences communities offer a wealth of activities for young and old alike to enjoy, whether on-site or nearby.

There is nothing youngsters enjoy more than simply running about outside in the fresh air, followed by a picnic. At Battersea Place, residents are able to take their grandchildren by the hand and simply step over the road to explore the 200 acres of wide-open space at Battersea Park. At Grove Place, a beautiful retirement community set in the rural Hampshire countryside, grandparents can let their grandchildren explore not only the 27 acres of spectacular grounds but also the nearby New Forest inhabited by gorgeous wild ponies which are great fun to observe. At Somerleigh Court in Dorchester, Dorset, residents are right on the doorstep of Borough Gardens, a beautiful 19th century park that also has tennis courts which are open all year round.

All LifeCare Residences are ideally placed nearby to child-friendly attractions for plenty of family summer fun. Somerleigh Court has the added bonus of being situated in Dorset with its stunning beaches and also gets more sun than most places with approximately 364 more hours than the national average which means more opportunities to enjoy an ice-cream or two! Those with visiting grandchildren are spoilt for choice with the many historical sites to visit, some of which date back to pre-Roman Britain, as well as the nearby Maumbury Rings monument which is regularly used for open-air concerts, festivals and historical re-enactments. Children will love being taken to the Teddy Bear Museum, the Dorset Country Museum or even the Dinosaur Museum. Dorchester and Dorset have a fascinating Jurassic past that really does appeal to all generations.

From free museums and family-friendly restaurants to fun kids’ activities, there are plenty of things to do in London with children. Residents at Battersea Place are fortunate to have everything that London has to offer, right on their doorstep with a diverse mix of history and culture to treat the grandchildren to. There are museums and galleries a plenty such as the Tate, the Victoria and Albert Museum as well as the London Eye and world-famous aquarium to name but a few. Grandparents keen to treat their little visitors are spoilt for choice as London is considered to be the shopping capital of the world with its famous shopping destinations such as Bond Street, Oxford Street, as well as the two Westfield Shopping Centres.

Grove Place is ideally situated by the New Forest which offers a wealth of fun days out with the grandchildren. From there families can explore the great outdoors and marvel at the acres of woodlands and heathlands or discover local history at one of the fascinating museums. There are numerous theme parks and activity centres on the doorstep, including Paulton’s Family Theme Park and Peppa Pig World, New Forest Waterpark, and Go Ape Moors Valley. There are the Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway to enjoy as well as many animal parks and sanctuaries to visit such as Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary and New Forest Wildlife Park. Families are spoilt for choice!

For family friendly entertainment closer to home, both Battersea Place and Grove Place boast well-equipped indoor gyms and heated indoor swimming pools which are only available for the exclusive use of residents and their families. Both villages have a billiards room which has proven popular for a spot of inter-generational competition. The team at Battersea Place enjoys hosting family friendly events – including an Alice in Wonderland inspired party where actors came dressed up as key characters from the story and everyone was invited to play games such as Giant Jenga. Grove Pace hosted a Grandparent and Grandchildren Open Day which involved lots of fun with face painting, pony rides and traditional games as well as lots of giveaways. The team enjoys family gatherings so much that they also host an Easter Egg hunt every year. Grandchildren and grandparents alike relish the ice-cream cart that has been recently introduced to Somerleigh Place – a perfect addition for the summer holidays!

If you would like to learn more about our offering and how we can enhance the ‘every day’ please call T. 0800 009 6950.
For those who are unable to visit in person, we are also able to offer virtual tours of our communities at your convenience.
www.lifecareresidences.co.uk