Kirsty's Home Hints: how to spend a bank holiday at weekend at home

Welcome back to Kirsty’s Home Hints! Now, I’m sure you’re looking forward to the upcoming late May Bank Holiday just as much as I am. I think that a three-day weekend, a four-day work week next week and the promise of some good weather is just what we all need.

I'll admit, I’m usually one to spend my bank holiday weekends jet-setting to wherever has the best deals, or finding a nice staycation somewhere in the UK, but I return to work feeling more tired than I was the week before. Sound familiar? Well, in a bid to put that behind me, I spent May Day Bank Holiday at home earlier this month, and I absolutely loved it. I saw friends and family, got on top of all the things I needed to do around the house and felt recharged and ready for the following week. If this sounds like your idea of a weekend well spent, then keep reading to find out my eight top-tips on how to spend a bank holiday at home.

Attend YCP’s Family Fun Day:

Not to sound self-serving, but you could always come and visit us! On the 25th of May, we are hosting a Family Fun Day event from our Experience Hub at our Shepley site between 11:00am-3:00pm. This is your opportunity to view our exceptional homes and see first-hand why they are the perfect choice for you. You’ll be able to view plots 4, 7, 8, 9 and 13. Plus, we have special offers* launching at the event:

• Plot 8 is reduced by £31,000 to £543,900!

• Plot 13 is reduced by a huge £50,000 to £599,950!

• When you purchase plots 4 and 7, you’ll receive £5,000 to spend as you wish and make your dream home a reality!

• All available plots have carpets and flooring included, are ready to move into and have Porcelanosa tiling.

Imagine what you could do with the extra savings! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make one of these fantastic houses your new home. The day will be filled with fun for all the family – there will be an ice cream van with free 99s**, a balloon artist and craft fairy entertainment.

Mark your calendars and join us for a day of fun and fantastic deals. We look forward to seeing you there and helping you find your dream home!

Get your garden summer ready:

If you haven’t already, it’s time to take the furniture out of the garage and get your garden summer-ready! Maybe your BBQ needs a good clean, or your patio could do with a jetwash – whatever it is, now is your time to do it. Turning your garden into your own sanctuary provides you with the perfect space to relax this weekend and for the rest of the summer. Have you read my recent blog, ‘Transform your space: Make your garden a stress-free haven with Kirsty’s Home Hints’? Read it here to find out my top 10 tips.

Have a picnic:

A picnic is a fun, low-budget way to spend your bank holiday weekend. You can do this with friends, family, the kids or everyone! Dust off the cool box, make or buy your favourite picky bits and find a local park (my favourite is The Sands in Holmfirth) to spend the afternoon in. Alternatively, although getting out and enjoying the lovely surrounding nature is great, you don’t have to travel far for a picnic if you don’t want to. With just a blanket, you can have a fantastic picnic in the comfort of your own garden. A great game to play at a picnic is bean bag toss for the kids, or boules for the adults. It is amazing how competitive people get! You can buy inexpensive kits for both games online, and they’ll last you for many summers to come.

Visit a vineyard:

Did you know that Holmfirth is home to a gorgeous vineyard? Spend a day at the Sheveling Wine Estate at Holmfirth Vineyard, where you can try great local wines and take in the gorgeous views of the Yorkshire countryside. You can dine in their tasting lounge, which offers panoramic views of the Holme Valley (I recommend the Afternoon Tea), discover the history of the vineyard and try their award-winning English wines on a tour and tasting session. You can even stay the night in one of their carbon-neutral apartments.

Host friends and family for a BBQ:

If the weather permits, why not have your friends and family for a bank holiday BBQ? YCP homes are the best place for this, as they all have bi-fold doors from the kitchen/lounge into the garden, creating a great, sociable space to catch up with your loved ones – plus, it allows quick and easy access for a drink top-up! You could even go the extra mile to really wow your guests and make the planning stage easier for yourself by ordering ingredients from local Butchers and Food Hall, J Brindon Addy. They have high-quality, locally sourced meat and produce, perfect for all the delicious dishes you’ll make.

Go for a walk:

Soak up the gorgeous Yorkshire countryside and walk off the weekend wine with a long walk in Holmfirth. This is a budget friendly way to get outdoors, breathe in some fresh air and move your body. My go-to routes are both near Holmfirth – a beautiful short route round Honley Woods Circular and a longer route at Digley Reservoir. You could even incorporate a picnic pit-stop into your walk to make it double the fun!

Work on a mini project:

If you prefer to stay in all weekend and enjoy your lovely YCP home, why not spend it working on a mini project? You could upcycle some old furniture into a brand-new item. For a fraction of the cost, you could transform and refresh your space. I love watching @casalawson on TikTok for all of her upcycling tips. It’s amazing what a bit of graft can do!

Do you have a wardrobe full of clothes that you’ll never wear again but can’t bear to sort out? Now is the time to do it! Sort them into four piles: Bin, Donate, Sell, Keep. Donate your clothes to a local charity shop, for example, the brilliant Kirkwood Hospice shop in Holmfirth, which uses the money they make from donations to provide high-quality care for its patients and their families.

Did you find clothes that still have the tags on that you forgot to return and have not touched since you bought them? Selling these unwanted clothes on reselling sites like Vinted or Depop can make you a bit of passive income. That means more money for your summer wardrobe refresh!

As the latest edition of Kirsty’s Home Hints comes to a close, I look forward to the upcoming bank holiday. It holds a multitude of possibilities, from revamping your space to enjoying the beautiful Yorkshire countryside with a walk or a picnic. Don’t forget to mark your calendars with our Family Fun Day at our Shepley site on Saturday 25th May between 11:00am-3:00pm for a day filled with fun and fantastic deals. You can tag us at @yorkshirecountryproperties with all of your pictures. However you spend your bank holiday weekend, I hope it is relaxing and rejuvenating!

*Up to £50,000 off original price on selected plots. Advertised price includes reduction. See website for more information, terms and conditions apply.

**One free ice cream per person. You’ll receive a voucher upon visiting our open houses entitling you to one ice cream, while stocks last.