Ideas for days out with elderly parents around the UK

Taking day trips with elderly parents

Days out can be incredibly important for older adults to give them experiences outside the home, opportunities to socialise with friends and family, physical exercise, and cognitive stimulation. There are lots of great options in the UK, so here, we are exploring why days out matter for your older parents, how to plan a safe and enjoyable day out with them, the best experiences for older adults here in the UK, tips for a comfortable day out, and how to plan a great day with or without a professional caregiver. 

At Home Instead, our aim is to help people age positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 20 years, we have been providing the highest standard of care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals. Today, we are the world’s largest global domiciliary care network, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have about days out with older adults, we can help.

What to consider when planning a day out with older parents

A day out with an older parent is not always as simple and straightforward as it would be for a group of people who are all physically able. Old people often need some mobility support, and if they have any medical conditions, they may need additional things to ensure they stay comfortable throughout the day. 

Additionally, many older people feel more anxious about leaving their home than they would have in years gone by, due to things like fear of falling. An estimated 8% of older adults live with an anxiety disorder, so it is important to take steps to address their health needs, safety, mobility needs, and comfort when planning a day out. You can learn more in our guide to handling stress and anxiety in older adults.

Some of the factors to consider when planning include: 

• Bringing any mobility aids your parent may need, such as a walker or a wheelchair 
• Bringing anything required to manage their health conditions, such as medications
• Managing their energy levels and going out during times when they feel most able and less fatigued 
• Checking the accessibility of the places you plan to go, and the facilities they have which you may need to use, such as lifts or ramps 
• Preparing transport to make sure they are as comfortable as possible, and that there is room to bring any mobility aids (for example, booking a larger taxi if needed)
• Giving them a clear plan or itinerary beforehand so they can feel less anxious about the unknown 
• Choosing a day out that fits their abilities, such as a gentle walk in a park instead of an inclined hike, or somewhere with a lot of seating 
• Bringing essentials to help make their day more comfortable, such as snacks, water, any medication they need, and some layered clothing in case they get cold
• Creating a plan B in case things don’t work out as you had hoped, to make sure you can still have a great day out no matter what happens

In the worst case scenario, it may also help to have a plan for if your older parent feels unwell or falls during their day out, so you can get them the help they need — you can learn more in our guide on what to do if an elderly person falls.

Ideas for days out with older parents

With appropriate planning, a day out with older parents can be safe while also being enjoyable for you both. Here are some of the best things to do on your day out: 

Cultural and Historical Experiences

According to Museum Next, “A visit to a museum or art gallery is more than just an opportunity to leave the house. These visits are often the catalyst for isolated older people to break out of patterns that trigger feelings of loneliness.”

Many older people enjoy historical locations and artefacts, so a visit to a museum, gallery or heritage site could create a cognitively stimulating day out for them. Consider taking them to:

• A historic stately home — the National Trust has information on many of these all over the country
• A castle or ruin where you can take a guided tour — if outdoors, make sure there is an indoor area in case of bad weather
• A significant landmark, particularly if it has a connection to their life in some way
• A museum which offers a glimpse into a particular time period they are interested in — studies find that seeing museum scenes or historical objects can increase the wellbeing of those with various health conditions
• An art gallery — this is a great one to stimulate conversation beforehand by having them look at the website and choose which galleries they want to see most 
• A guided tour of an area tailored to older people — this might take into account all abilities by offering options for vision or hearing impaired individuals 

These enriching days out rarely fail to interest older adults, so they are great options if you are planning activities. National Trust are particularly helpful as they often encompass historical buildings, beautifully maintained gardens, and cafés in the same area, and accessibility is usually not a problem. 

Nature and Outdoor Activities

A 2025 study found that nature-based interventions could have spiritual, behavioural, social and ecological benefits for older adults that come in addition to the obvious physical and wellbeing benefits that being in nature offers.  

There are lots of outdoor activities and locations throughout the UK that can be lovely outings for an older person, such as:

• A walk through botanical gardens
• A trip to their local park
• A visit to one of the many National Trust parks that often have facilities like cafés 
• Scenic countryside walks or strolls along canals 
• Accessible nature trails that can be enjoyed by those with mobility issues 
• Wildlife centres or areas of conservation that provide great birdwatching opportunities 
• Seasonal outings, such as spotting the first changing leaves of autumn 

All of these activities help to get older people moving, provide mental stimulation, and can improve their emotional wellbeing by having thoughtful conversations during the outing, or simply by being around other people if they usually spend time alone. 

Coastal and Seaside Outings

Data from Natural England found that 97% of people reported feeling “refreshed” and “revitalised” after a coastal walk, which indicates potential wellbeing benefits from coastal and seaside outings. Although walks and activities by the coast will not be accessible to everyone in the country, for those who are able to reach these areas, there is a lot to be gained from taking an older person to be beside water. You could:

• Visit a quaint seaside town with a tea room 
• Visit a notable pier or promenade with nostalgic treats and games 
• Find an accessible beach walk or a walk along a coastal path that can be accessed by someone with mobility issues
• Take a sightseeing boat trip for a unique day out 
• Help an older loved one paddle in shallow water by the sea 

These settings offer an engaging combination of fresh, sea air and gentle physical activity, as well as great talking points for your day out. Spot seagulls, collect shells, watch for ships far out at sea — there are lots of interesting ways to spend the day that can be mentally stimulating and enjoyable. 

Entertainment and Leisure Options

Most towns and cities around the country have various entertainment and leisure options that suit older adults, and some even provide special events just for older age groups. These could include things like: 

• Attending a theatre show such as London’s West End, or in a local theatre — the London Theatre website has great information on accessibility at West End theatres
• Attending a music concert for an artist or style of music they like
• Going to the cinema for a matinee showing (many cinemas offer senior screenings)
• Going to a local festival or community event 
• Swimming at a local leisure club 
• Attending a local workshop designed for older people, such as talks by authors, cooking classes, or seasonal crafts 
• Finding a sports centre that offers age-appropriate activities that can be done with family, like badminton or tai chi 

These activities provide mental stimulation, enjoyment and social connection for older adults, opening them up to new cultural experiences that they may not be able to access on their own. 

Food and Dining Experiences

Most people love going out to eat, and while you may need to take into account an older parent’s dental issues, allergies or difficulty swallowing, as long as they feel comfortable eating around others, they can get a lot from sharing a meal with family members. You could consider taking them to:

• An afternoon tea 
• A casual lunch somewhere with a cuisine they have never tried before 
• A cute café
• A local farmer’s market with seating 
• A cafeteria or food hall with multiple cuisine options to choose from (a great option if they tend to be picky eaters) 
• The opening of a new restaurant where they can share their thoughts on the menu 
• A picnic with all of their favourite foods 

It is important to ensure you are catering to their dietary needs and comfort when taking them out to eat, such as choosing a restaurant that you know doesn’t play music too loud, or that has comfortable booths they can sit in. There are many food and dining experiences that older adults will love, and they are made even better when they get to socialise and have conversations with family.  

Short Breaks and Day Trips by Transport

If your loved one feels up to a longer day out or even an overnight, there are many day trips and short breaks designed with older adults in mind. Provided they are fit and healthy enough to stay away from their own home for a longer period of time, you could take a train to a village they have always wanted to visit, or that they have nostalgic memories of visiting years ago, take a scenic drive to somewhere nice for the day, arrange a guided tour of a city to learn more about the history, or something else. 

As long as you consider accessible transport options and seating that works for your parent’s mobility needs, this can be a fun day out where you can combine multiple attractions into one trip. 

If it’s possible and they are keen to do so, you could book a night or two somewhere further afield so they have the chance to explore even more. This may involve bringing along many of their home comforts to ensure they have everything they need (such as medications and mobility aids) but this is usually worth it for the experience they have and the memories you can make as a family. 

You can learn more in our guide to supported holidays for older adults.

Resources and support for planning trips in the UK

If you would prefer more support and help to plan a safe and comfortable trip for an older loved one, there are resources available to help you do this. Your parent’s GP may be able to answer any questions you have about their health and mobility so you can better plan an appropriate day out for them, and the NHS has various resources that can prompt ideas for days out. For example, they have advice on activities for dementia patients, and guidance on physical activity for older people. Age UK is another great resource when planning, as they have advice onsocial activitiesand you can usually use their regional pages to find activities in your area. 

There is also helpful information on Visit Britain through their Accessible Britainguide, which shares information on how to enjoy days out in the UK with people who need extra help getting around and staying safe. 

Local councils, community programmes and social clubs in your area might offer day trips and group outings for older adults, which focus on safe, structured experiences, and are often led by trained staff or volunteers who can help to make the experience more comfortable. 

Many transport companies will offer accessible options and will even help you get on and off, or find the best seating for your needs. For example, National Rail has a Passenger Assistservice that helps older people navigate the stations, make sure they board on time, arrange for ramps to be used when boarding and disembarking, and more. You may also find helpful information in our guide to getting out and about for the over 60s.

Many hotels will offer accessible rooms and may even offer senior discounts in some cases. Reaching out to hotels in the area where you want to visit can help you find the best option for your older parent, and don’t forget to read online reviews to see what other older travellers thought of the facilities in a particular hotel. cineworld.co.uk/cineseniors

By utilising what is available in your area and beyond, you can design a safe, comfortable and highly enjoyable day out for your older parent, which offers them physical exercise, mental stimulation and social engagement, all at once. 

You might find some other helpful information at the following links:

• Visit Scotland
• Visit Wales
• Visit Ireland 
• Visit England
• Day Out In England
• English Heritage 
• National Trust 
• National Trust for Scotland 

How home care professionals can support safe outings

Home care is often thought of as in-home care, but in many cases, a professional caregiver can also accompany an older adult and their family to activities outside of the home to ensure their safety, and to offer a new experience that keeps them mentally stimulated. At Home Instead, our experienced Care Professionals can:

• Provide assistance with mobility to ensure older adults can get around safely 
• Help older people navigate transport options, or in some cases, drive the person to and from an activity 
• Monitor their health throughout the experience and manage any medications they need
• Assist with planning a comfortable day out that is tailored to their care needs and interests 
• Take on the organising and timekeeping so the older person can have a stress-free day out 
• Offer companionship during activities so they have someone to share and discuss the experience with 
• Carry any belongings needed, such as mobility aids not in use, snacks and drinks, medications, extra clothing, and more 
• Be on hand to help with specific medical needs, or if things like continence care or stoma care are needed on the go, to ensure their comfort at all times 

Our Care Professionals play a vital role in making sure outings are safe and comfortable for older adults who want to get out of the house. Whether alongside family members or to take your older parent on an outing while you are away, we can help provide the support your family needs. 

As well as help with a day trip, our Care Professionals can also cover the basic needs of an older person while they travel, such as mobility support, personal careor specialist carewhen out and about. 

Whatever you need to create an enjoyable experience for your older parent, we are here to help. From general companionship to complex care to housekeeping while you take them out for the day, there are lots of ways we can support the needs of you and your loved one. Reach out to your local Home Instead office to discuss your options.

We’re an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest-quality relationship-led care for older people in their own homes. Arranging care for yourself or your loved one shouldn’t be stressful, so whatever questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to the Home Instead team to discuss your needs.