Holiday Meal Ideas: Cooking in Your Holiday Home

A couple with a young girl sat at an outside table of a luxury lodge on a sunny, blue sky day eating a meal outside
Self-catering holidays give you the best of both worlds: the freedom to cook at your own pace and the choice to eat out when you fancy a break.

At Waterside, all our accommodation comes with a fully equipped kitchen, perfect for rustling up family favourites or quick meals after a day of fun.

To make life even easier, here’s a simple 3-day meal plan to help you settle in, including a handy shopping list and a few helpful things to pack from home.  

3-Day Holiday Meal Plan

Day 1 - Arrival Day

Keep it simple after a journey, treat yourself to a stress-free dinner out. 

Dinner: Skip the cooking and head to Drift Bar & Grill (Bowleaze), Breeze Bar & Grill (Chesil), The Country Club (Osmington Mills) or Stargazy Bar & Grill (Tregoad) for a relaxed, family-friendly meal. Whether you’re craving burgers, seafood, wood-fired pizza or a Sunday roast, we’ve got you covered. 

Dessert: Ice cream or a sweet treat from The Frostbite (Bowleaze) or a scoop from a local parlour. 

 

Day 2 - Family Favourite Day

A full day of park adventures followed by a fun, family-style dinner in.

Breakfast: Bacon or veggie sausage sandwiches.

Lunch: Cold picnic - sandwiches, crisps, fruit, and drinks. 

Dinner: DIY taco night - soft shells, seasoned mince or beans, grated cheese, salsa, salad.

 

Day 3 - Easy and Light Day

Ideal for relaxed days or eating before heading home.

Breakfast: Cereal, fruit, and yoghurt.

Lunch: Jacket potatoes with beans, cheese, or tuna.

Dinner: Quick veggie stir fry with noodles and your choice of sauce.

What to Bring From Home

While most ingredients can be picked up locally, it’s worth bringing a few smaller essentials you may not want to buy in full-size packs:

Cooking oil

Salt and pepper

A couple of your favourite herbs and spices

Tea bags or coffee of your choice

Sugar or sweetener

A small amount of washing-up liquid

Zip-lock bags, foil or clingfilm

Condiments (ketchup, mayo, etc.)

Your favourite reusable water bottle or lunch box

These small items can make a big difference, especially for quick breakfasts or packed lunches. 

Download Your Holiday Shopping List

We’ve pulled together everything you’ll need for these small meals in a handy, printable shopping list to take with you or save to your phone.

Download your Waterside Holiday Shopping List.

Make Meals Part of the Fun

Cooking on holiday doesn’t need to feel like a chore. With a simple plan, a little prep, and the option to enjoy our fantastic on-park restaurants when you’d rather not cook, you can truly make mealtimes your own. 

So whether it’s breakfast in your PJs, taco night with the kids, or a sunset dinner with a view, there’s no shortage of ways to eat well at Waterside.

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