A FAMILY has revealed how they have ditched their fancy holidays abroad for UK staycations – and now visit the same place every month.
Laura Edwards and her husband Mike started holidaying in the Isle of Wight during the coronavirus pandemic.
Laura and her husband Mike visit the same UK destination 12 times a yearLaura Edwards
Laura EdwardsThe Edwards family started going on holiday to the Isle of Wight during the coronavirus pandemic[/caption]
Inside the family’s static caravan on the Isle of Wight
The family’s view from the static caravan
The couple first went to the UK island with their three kids when Covid restrictions eased in 2020 – and haven’t looked back since.
Laura told Sun Online Travel: “I hadn’t been on the island until the pandemic, but I decided to book a static caravan when we were allowed to dine outdoors.
“We went over to the island and we absolutely fell in love with the place.”
After the family‘s first visit to the island, they also went on other static home holidays to places like Kent and Cornwall.
However, Laura, 43, added: “Nothing quite did it for us like the Isle of Wight, it’s just a lovely place.”
“It almost feels like you’re going abroad because you get the boat across, which makes it a different experience to other places we’ve visited.
“We were always abroad people before we went to the Isle of Wight, and we never holidayed in the UK.
“We always went to different places, and loved Mexico and places like that.”
After visiting the island so often, Laura and Mike decided to buy a static home instead, using money from a van they sold.
Mike actually won the van in a competition – but it was too small to transport his work tools, so used the proceeds to buy the family holiday home.
Laura said: “Our caravan site is absolutely beautiful, it’s on the top of a hill and the views are breathtaking.”
The family now visits the Isle of Wight at least once a month.
They go during the school holidays, half-term weeks, and even on the weekends when they’re up for the drive from south London.
And it isn’t just Laura and Mike who love being on the island – their kids are smitten with the place too.
Laura added: “It’s great for the kids too because they’re allowed to go off and play with their friends and ride their bikes.
“It’s very carefree on the island and it’s like you’ve gone back in time.
“In the summer, I let the kids play out until 9pm and then I go and find them and bring them back inside.”
“When my teenage daughter comes, she’s very relaxed.
“We recently became members of English Heritage and when she started videoing the sites on her phone, I knew she was having fun.”
Despite there “always being something new to do”, Laura’s youngest kids Louie, 12, and Darcy, 11, always have the same thing on their Isle of Wight bucket list.
She said: “The kids’ favourite thing is to go to the amusement parks and spend time in the arcades, as well as going out on their paddle boards.”
Even though the family recently returned from a week-long stay on the island, they’re planning on heading back in two weeks’ time.
While many Brits crave trips abroad, the Edwards family is happy with their UK staycation.
Laura added: “It’s like a home away from home.”
The Isle of Wight is also home to the UK’s oldest theme park – which recently announced a brand new ride.
Blackgang Chine opened 180 years ago – and to celebrate, has opened their brand new Extinction attraction.
The island is also home to the last hovercraft in Europe – here is what it’s like.
Laura said it’s like going abroad because you have to get the boatLaura Edwards
On every visit, the family always tries something newLaura Edwards
The family goes to the island during the school holidays, half-term holidays, and at weekendsLaura Edwards Read More