School holidays

Our guide to surviving the 6 week holidays (whilst still running a small business)

Its that time of year again when we are in the thick of 6 weeks of summer holidays.

It fills me with excitement for all the adventures we are having and are going to have but also dread as I have to entertain, feed and keep the house functioning around the sprogs whilst still running Big Sam's.

If you’ve ever tried running a business during the school summer holidays while keeping small humans entertained, you’ll know it’s basically like juggling flaming lawn strimmer's while being asked for snacks every 6.5 seconds and breaking up fights over who's turn it is to pet the dog!

Welcome to my world - I’m Leanne, admin ninja and the 'Boss' lady for Big Sam The Mowing Man and Big Sam The Window Man.

In the last 9 years we have grown to 4 window cleaners out on the road, and 4 full days a week of mowing to squeeze in (as per our last BLOG of Darrel being Out Of Action this summer) but there is still just little old me manning the office for all our customer needs, Big Sam team asks and all the added the extras.

With August being one of our busiest months, it also means Sam is out earlier in the mornings and later in the evenings, ensuring your lawns look sharper than a school uniform on the first day of term and your windows are so shiny you can spot a nose print from 10 feet away.

Just because the children are home from school, it doesn't mean work stops and I manage my time most effectively with early mornings and late evenings, sandwiching the children entertainment in the middle, as well as a lot of screen time for them.

All of us at Big Sam's are very fortunate to have savours of grandparents, friends and family to jump in and mind the children when I am called out to mow or it all 'gets a bit too much' and with childcare costing roughly the same as a weekend in the Maldives, we’ve been on a mission to find the best free (or practically free) days out in and around Horam, perfect for keeping the kids entertained without spending a fortune.

So here it is: our very own tried-and-tested guide to surviving the summer holidays – Big Sam style!

Library Reading Challenge – Peace, Glorious Peace!

First stop on our Summer holiday list is The Summer Reading Challenge at Heathfield Library.

Both kids signed up with excitement (once Bennie was convinced there wouldn’t be a test at the end), and honestly, its been a summer sanity saver.

Pippa’s deep into her David Walliams phase, while Bennie is currently obsessed with anything involving sport or toilet humour.

Most local libraries like Uckfield, Hailsham,

and Crowborough are running the challenge, so do get involved. It’s free, full of stickers and prizes, as well as keeping up there reading skills during the school break and buys you a quiet cuppa. Bliss!

The children can even opt to have there certificate of completion sent to their school for when they return in September.

The Cuckoo Trail – Biking and Scooting

We started one of our days on the Cuckoo Trail from Horam, and made it down to Hellingly with only three snack stops, one grazed knee, and about six billion 'are we nearly there yet'.

We also plan to bus (or ask Sam to lift us) to Hellingly and reverse the route next time.

It's traffic-free, full of wildlife and fun stopping points, and suitable for everything from dogs and scooters to teens pretending they’re not enjoying themselves.

Just remember to bring snacks. And more snacks! Or schedule in a stop at one of the many Cafes along the route.

Wilderness Wood – Hadlow Down

Just a stone’s throw from Horam, Wilderness Wood has been a summer hit. We met some friends at this little hide away, took a picnic (and a flask, I’m no amateur), and the kids climbed, ran wild, and made “potions” out of twigs and mud.

Entry is donation-based, and there’s always something going on, den building, fairy trails, or just the good old fashioned joy of getting grubby.

Highly recommend if your kids enjoy nature and you enjoy a decent coffee while watching them “survive” in the woods.

Abbots Wood – Near Hailsham

Darches Wood - Near Waldron

Sapperton Woods- Near Maynards Green

These one’s are great for all ages. Pushchair-friendly paths, wild play areas, and enough space to shout “STOP LICKING THE TREE” without judgement.

We generally save these gems for when the temperatures sore and they provide a good area for sheltered play out of the blistering heat (which both our gingers definitely need) yet allowing somewhere to run off the ice-cream energy.

These are also prime locations for a bit of Geocaching - the biggest treasure hunt across the world.
We downloaded the App for FREE 2 years ago and it definitely keeps those tired little legs walking when they know they have a cache to hunt out, especially when its a trading box.

The Seaside

Whether its an early morning paddle or sea swim, rock pooling at low tide, walking or treasure hunting. The local seaside is a great day out for us all. Even better when Sam gets an earlier finish and we head down for an evening of fish and chips.

The seaside allows both the children the opportunity to find something to do or someone to play with, without bothering me too much as I try to catch up on the laptop. I am also keen on hunting out those Sealife creatures as the children impatiently yell 'Get it mummy!'

As we sit here now the kids wanted to share their favourite parts:

Pippa's favourites: Paddle boarding, pebble decorating (we always carry a set of permanent markers).

Bennie's must dos: finding treasure and crabs or building the biggest castle. Ice-cream!

Meanwhile… Business Doesn’t Stop!

While the kids are exploring and I’m bribing them with Cheese crackers, Big Sam and the team are out doing their thing across Horam, Heathfield, Uckfield, and Hailsham. Mowing lawns, cleaning windows, clearing gutters and providing a slight bit of entertainment for the customers kids as they all struggle through too.

I’m juggling it all from home - answering messages between snack breaks and trying to remember who I’ve invoiced while Pippa gives me live commentary on the book she’s reading and Bennie asks how much we’d have to pay to keep a goat in the garden.

It’s busy, it’s bonkers, and it’s very real. We love our work, and we love our customers even more when they’re patient while I’m also mediating a dispute about who stole whose felt-tip.

If your garden’s looking a bit jungle like or your windows could do with a summer sparkle, we’ve got you!

Whether you're in Horam, Heathfield, Blackboys, Buxted, or Hailsham, we’re still booking mowing and window cleaning jobs throughout the holidays. Just message us (or text, if you’re a fellow multi-tasking parent – we get it!).

Summer holidays with kids while running a small business is…. intense. But it’s also full of adventure, unexpected laughs, and a lot of “help” with admin.

So here’s to the jugglers, the snack bringers, the working parents, and the local multitaskers supporting small businesses like ours.

If you see us out and about or, around Horam, phone in one hand and two kids scooting off ahead – just give me a wave.

Need more inspiration to keep the kids off the screens and out of the snack cupboard? Here are some budget-friendly spots around wider East Sussex that we’ve either tried ourselves or have on the summer hit list:

Close to Home (Horam & Surrounding Villages)

Horam Recreation Ground – Perfect for scooting, football, picnics, and burning off that energy (be sure to keep an eye open for Skatejam hosted by the Parish council)

Wilderness Wood, Hadlow Down – Magical woodland for climbing, den building, and fairy hunting. Entry by donation..

Blackboys Playground – A peaceful spot with great equipment for younger kids.

Heathfield Millennium Green – A calm natural space ideal for mini adventures and bug hunts.

Ghyll Road Park, Heathfield – One of the best parks in the area, with loads of play equipment for older and younger children.

Buxted Park – A lovely spot for a family walk, with a lake, woodland trails, and a play area tucked away.

Isfield Locks - A short walk across the fields and follow the river for some historic locks and beautiful fountains. Might be lucky to see the odd boater from Barcombe Mills too.

Lake Wood????? - Surreal woodland and pond, great for exploring and rock clambering

Arlington reservoir - A circular walk which can be extended across the local fields. Can highly recommend the cake son offer in the Kiosk, all home made.

Across East Sussex – Worth the Drive

Seven Sisters Country Park, near Seaford – Cliffs, riverside walks, and paddling spots.

Classic East Sussex views and loads of fresh air.

Friston Forest – Woodland trails galore, ideal for older kids on bikes or exploring.

Crowborough Country Park – Peaceful and full of wildlife, perfect for nature lovers.

Hampden Park, Eastbourne – Big play area, duck ponds, skate park, woodland, and often a free event or two in the summer.

Princes Park, Eastbourne – Lakes, a play park, and wide open spaces – perfect for a picnic.

Shinewater Park – Open fields, nature trails, and great views – plus free parking!

Battle Abbey Field Walks – You don’t have to pay to go inside the abbey – just wander the historic grounds and soak up the atmosphere.

Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve – Quirky wooden walkways, riverside spots and a good mix of wildlife and wildflowers.

Ashdown Forest (Winnie the Pooh country!) – Explore the famous Pooh Bridge, pack a picnic, and let imaginations run wild.

Enjoy the rest of your summer holidays and remember, we will be dreading the school run in a few weeks, hunting out the PE kits and fighting with misplaced water bottles again, so make the most of the good times and carefree mornings.

Leanne

Big Sam admin

(and exhausted Mother)

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