Inside the Radfords’ 17 holidays from the Maldives to Florida in 20 months… and they’re planning even more
GOING on holiday as a family when you have little ones is an amazing chance to make cherished memories that will last a lifetime – but it can also be incredibly stressful.
So spare a thought for mum-of-22 Sue Radford, who recently revealed the hardest part of having such a large brood was planning their family holidays.
When asked what she found tricky about being a large family, Sue said: “I think it’s like planning holidays and going out on day trips and stuff and making sure everybody is all together.
“I think that’s probably the hardest part.”
However, that hasn’t stopped the Radford family having at least 17 holidays in 20 months – since December 2021.
Parents Sue and Noel share children Chris, 33, Sophie, 29, Chloe, 27, Jack, 25, Daniel, 24, Luke, 22, Millie, 22, Katie, 20, James, 19, Ellie, 17, Aimee, 16, Josh, 15, Max, 14, Tillie, 12, Oscar, 11, Casper, 10, Alfie, who was tragically stillborn in 2014, Hallie, seven, Phoebe, six, Archie, five, Bonnie, four and Heidie, two, and regularly plan trips away.
Here, we take a closer look at the 17 holidays the Radford family have enjoyed in under two years, from sunny staycations to big blow-out trips abroad..
Cornwall
When? May 2023
Making the most of the great weather we’ve been having in the UK lately, the Radfords – who star in their own Channel 5 show 22 Kids and Counting – used the half term holiday to enjoy a sun-soaked seaside break in Cornwall.
They were joined by fellow busy parents Rebecca and Jamie Walker and their 10 children.
The families spent their time enjoying various activities, including archery, beach BBQs and crazy golf.
Last year the family splashed out on a luxury motorhome, which has enabled them to go on plenty of last-minute staycations.
The Lakes
When? May 2023, November 2022, October 2022, May 2022
When they get a spare weekend, the family love to take a trip in their motorhome in and around the Lakes, which is a short drive from their Morecambe home.
In May 2022, the family posted on their YouTube channel, saying: “We had a brilliant time for our first trip away in the motorhome.
“We went to Holgates Holiday Parks in Silverdale and the kids loved it.”
The park is just south of the Lake District, and is situated near a beach.
The family have also enjoyed pitching up in Park Foot Holiday Park, in Pooley Bridge, which boasts activities including pony trekking and canoeing.
Disney World, Florida
When? April 2023, August 2022, April 2022
It’s known as one of the most magical places on earth, especially for kids – so it’s hardly surprising the Radford brood love a tip to Disney World, Florida.
The family most recently visited Orlando in April during the Easter holidays.
They also went to Disney in Florida in April 2022, and a big family trip to Florida last September.
Sue also recently revealed she has booked to take her family to Disney for a fifth time in just over a year.
Wild camping, Scotland
When? March 2023
Earlier this year, the couple took some of their youngest kids on a motorhome holiday to Edinburgh.
They were visiting friends near the capital and planned to wild camp for a night.
Hailing the trip a huge success, they said: “Our first wild camping night in Betsy, our motorhome, went brilliantly.
“We were so cosy and we woke up to the most stunning views”
A RAD TIME
Here's the lowdown on where the family have holidayed since December 2021...
- December 2021 – Lapland
- April 2022 – Disney World
- May 2022 – First motorhome holiday, South Lakes
- June 2022 – Legoland weekend
- July 2022 – Alton Towers weekend
- August 2022 – Disney World, Florida
- October 2022 – Motorhome weekend, The Lakes
- October 2022 – Alton Towers weekend
- October 2022 – Maldives
- November 2022 – Motorhome weekend, The Lakes
- December 2022 – Disneyland Paris
- December 2022 – New York
- February 2023 – Adventure holiday, France
- March 2023 – Wild camping, Scotland
- April 2023 – Disneyworld, Florida
- May 2023 – Motorhome weekend away, Lake District
- May 2023 – Cornwall week away
Adventure holiday, France
When? February 2023
In an episode of 22 Kids and Counting aired in February, concerned parents Noel and Sue were worried about their son Josh’s behaviour.
To tackle the problem, the couple decided to take Josh and the family on an adventure trip to the Ardeche Gorge in France, to try and improve his confidence.
During some much needed father/ son bonding, Noel explained: “You’ve got to knuckle down and get your education, rather than dossing about.
“There’s two paths in life, you can go the right way or the wrong way.
“The wrong way seems more of a laugh, but you’ve got your whole life ahead of you and it’s not always going to be like that.
“Make the right choices while you’re young and everything will be better when you’re older.”
New York
When? December 2022
Last Christmas Sue and three of her daughters enjoyed a girls’ trip and jetted off to New York, which was booked as a surprise by Noel.
While there, they enjoyed all the festive decorations and soaking up the atmosphere, as well as some retail therapy at Macy’s and a luxury bus tour.
The family also took a trip to the Rockefeller Center to admire the famous Christmas tree, and went ice skating.
Disneyland, Paris
When? December
In the spirit of making precious family memories, the couple splashed out taking their youngest ones to Disneyland Paris at Christmas last year.
They decided to do this instead of buying loads of gifts, with Sue saying: “We decided to do the same as what we did last year with Lapland.
“We thought it’s better to do a nice little Christmas trip away for them, making memories rather than getting present they probably won’t even play with, don’t even want.”
Maldives
When? October 2022
Childhood sweethearts Sue and Noel married in 1992, and decided to mark their pearl anniversary by jetting to the Maldives to spend some quality time together.
During the luxurious getaway, the loved-up couple enjoyed a period of pure luxury and relaxation, including a romantic candlelight dinner.
Sue gushed: “We had the best day yesterday celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary.
“We finished the day off with a beautiful meal in the most beautiful setting I’ve ever seen.”
Alton Towers
When? October 2022, July 2022
The family also love a trip to a theme park, and stayed at the Cbeebies Land hotel, which the Sue said the kids “absolutely love”.
They enjoyed a live show from The Octonauts, and also a trip to the Halloween attraction, Trick or Treat town.
Legoland
When? June 2022
In an adorable video shared on the family YouTube channel, last June Sue surprised daughter Hallie with a trip away to Legoland for her 7th birthday.
The kids were shown excitedly checking out the hotel, and were gobsmacked by the fun pirate-themed room before enjoying dinner at the restaurant.
Lapland
When? December 2021
As well as a Christmas trip to Disneyland Paris last year, the year before that the family also marked the festive season with a holiday abroad.
And it was an extra special break, to magical, snowy Lapland.
Sue and Noel marked the occasion with 13 of their brood, spoiling them with husky rides and a meeting with Santa.
Sue has also previously suggested they may visit Miami and has recently confirmed they have another trip to Florida on the horizon too.
Given their love of travel, who knows what additional trips they have up their sleeve for the rest of the year?