Mum-of-22 Sue Radford had to ‘reorganise Santa’s grotto to fit us all in’ as she takes kids on holiday to Center Parcs
MUM-OF-22 Sue Radford has shared a close-up look inside her festive family holiday to Center Parcs.
Not only did Britain’s Biggest Family have to ‘reorganise Santa’s grotto’ so they could all fit in, but they also enjoyed hot chocolate and pottery painting too.
It’s their 14th holiday of 2024 so far, and the family’s matriarch took to social media to share some intimate snaps from their trip.
The family spent time at the Center Parcs resort at Whinfell Forest, which is often celebrated for its enchanting atmosphere and central location, nestled on the edge of the Lake District.
Alongside the pictures, Sue, 49, who stars in Channel 5’s 22 Kids & Counting, wrote: “The most amazing weekend @centerparcsuk.
“This is definitely going to become a Christmas tradition for us, it’s just such a magical place to be.”
She also claimed: “You know you have a big family when they have to reorganise Santa’s grotto to fit you all in.”
Not only did Sue share lovely photos of her and Noel, 53, alongside their children and grandchildren in Santa’s grotto, but she also posted a picture of her youngsters meeting Santa.
The kids posed in matching jumpers and Sue, who had a glam red manicure for their trip, enjoyed a deluxe hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream.
Sue shared a series of snaps from the trip, which Chloe Radford, who is currently pregnant, was noticeably absent from.
The eldest Radford child, Chris, was also absent, whilst Katie, who recently gave birth to her first child, Ronnie Hudson Carter, was there, with her two-month-old son.
Millie Radford, who recently got married, also went on the trip, with her husband Harley Passmore.
And of course before leaving the kids sent letters to Santa and went to the resort’s Winter Wonderland, which is complete with playful elves and Christmas-themed activities.
The Radford post has clearly impressed many, as it has quickly racked up 7,707 likes in just two days.
It was just magical. We will be back next year
Sue Radford
Radford fans flocked to the comments to share their thoughts and send their well wishes, as one person said: “Saw you in the swimming pool. Loved the winter wonderland, it’s magical.”
Another added: “We visited last weekend too and it was magical! Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas together.”
Who's who in the Radford family?
The Radfords are Britain's biggest family with 22 children.
Here are the kids from eldest to youngest include:
- Chris – born May 7, 1989
- Sophie – born December 13, 1993
- Chloe – born July 31, 1995
- Jack – born April 9, 1997
- Daniel – born March 3, 1999
- Luke – born October 1, 2000
- Millie Radford – born August 29, 2001
- Katie – born November 14, 2002
- James – born October 17, 2003
- Ellie – born May 6, 2005
- Aimee – born April 21, 2006
- Josh – born July 3, 2007
- Max – born December 11, 2008
- Tillie – born May 2, 2010
- Oscar – born October 22, 2011
- Casper, – born October 3, 2012
- Hallie – born June 3, 2015
- Phoebe – born July 24, 2016
- Archie – born September 18, 2017
- Bonnie – born November 6, 2018
- Heidie – born April 3, 2020
A third commented: “Merry Christmas to the best and kindest family in the UK.”
Whilst Katie Radford penned: “The best weekend.”
How does family-of-22 the Radfords afford to live?
AS Britain’s biggest family, it may come as no surprise that Sue and Noel Radford must have some hefty bills.
Between them, they have a whopping 22 children and seven dogs, which often has some people wonder how they manage their money.
The Radfords support themselves with the proceeds of Noel’s bakery, The Radford Pie Company, which is located near their home.
On their website, it says: “We have owned our own lovely bakery since 1999 which is how we manage to provide for (and feed) our huge and expanding family as well as for the local people of Heysham and Morecambe.”
The family expanded their business to cater to online orders placed across the UK.
The business is a family affair, with Noel at the helm, and some of their children helping out.
The older kids, who are working at least part-time, don’t get a free ride as they’re made to pay a small amount of rent to their parents.
“Us older ones do pay a little bit of board. Granted it’s not a lot but I’m also trying to save up for my own house at the moment.” their daughter Chloe said in a video on the YouTube channel.
Sue added: “We’ve always said if you want to buy somewhere, renting is a bit of dead money, so we’d rather you saved that money up and stayed at home a bit longer.
“I also do believe they should pay board if they are earning. We’ve always been brought up by our parents that we had to pay board.”
Noel and Sue famously don’t rely on benefits for their bumper brood and live off their pie shop for income.
They also revealed they make money from brand partnerships on social media.
The Radford family stars in their own reality TV show 22 Kids and Counting – which has run for four series.
Brand expert Andy Barr believes Noel and Sue have been paid less than £10,000 for each show.
He told the Daily Mail: “The typical fee per episode is going to be in the thousands rather than the tens or hundreds of thousands that people often think is the case with TV shows of this nature.
“If they continue to get commissioned for a fourth or fifth season, then they are going to be able to command a higher fee.”
He estimates that the Radfords make £ 5,000 an episode.
Meanwhile, Center Parcs asked: “What was the best part of your break?”
To this, Sue confirmed: “Honestly all of it.
“We have asked all the children this question and they all answered with ‘we loved it all’.
“The pottery painting, swimming, the elves and Santa – it was just magical.
“We will be back next year.”