Cheapest family holiday

[beeyourself]

I'm aware this is probably the holy grail but thought I'd ask just in case.

We could really do with a holiday in the summer - 2 adults, 2 kids. But we have very little cash this year. Any idea how we could get away without breaking the bank? It has to be in summer holidays, which doesn't help.

Camping is out, but would consider anything else.

Tia

Could you do one of those Sun newspaper type things where you collect the vouchers and get a really cheap deal?

House swap?

Yeah, house swap. We've done several, in the UK and abroad. Great when you've got kids as you can swap toys, bikes etc. as well. We have used Homelink.

I thought about the sun deals but last time I checked they weren't on in school holidays.

Good idea about house swaps, I'll look into that

OP do you all have passports? I find the UK unaffordable and as a single lone parent I have a very restricted budget. I usually look at Skyscanner for cheap flights and head to somewhere with a low cost of living when there. If I cannot find a cheap direct flight back I have sometimes taken a cheap £10 flight to somewhere (usually Germany or Belguim) and then been able to get a similarly priced flight back from there. Hand luggage is enough or just one big suitcase for everyone. The last week of August is usually cheaper for accomodation as a lot of European holidays are over. Eurocamp style sites can be amazing value as long as you do not use Eurocamp. Find a site you like and google it, this will bring up results for other operators at the same site which are often cheaper. Avoid eating out if you are somewhere with higher prices. To be honest after a few years of all-inclusive I am totally over it and would much prefer an apartment/mobile home so we get our own space and just buy picnic type food or maybe bbq. Somewhere with kids entertainment/ a great pool can really make the difference. You can relax and not worry about finding and paying for endless excursions and the children love the freedom to meet new friends. It is doable but takes research.

We cat sat for some relatives in Devon- cheapest holiday ever!

Air b n b?

I think the UK is more expensive than abroad, if you are looking for a good deal I just booked a holiday with sunshine.co.uk you pay it up and it just needs payed off 2 weeks before you go, we were £600 for a week in salou 2 adults 2 kids 4* all inclusive, including flights. Not in the summer holidays but worth a look

Summer holidays is either sky high prices, or fully booked

www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-holiday-rentals/ Some ideas here

What’s your price range? There are holidays from around £200pp here m.holidaydiscountcentre.co.uk/resultsv2.php?type=sun&departure_date=17%2F08%2F2019&flexibility=3&duration=7&sun_destination=ACE%2CADB%2CAGA%2CAGP%2CALC%2CAYT%2CBCN%2CBJV%2CBOJ%2CCFU%2CCHQ%2CDBV%2CDLM%2CEFL%2CFAO%2CFAO%2CFNC%2CFUE%2CGRO%2CHER%2CIBZ%2CJMK%2CJSI%2CJTR%2CKGS%2CKLX%2CKVA%2CLCA%2CLEI%2CLPA%2CMAH%2CMJT%2CMJV%2CMLA%2CPFO%2CPMI%2CPUY%2CPVK%2CREU%2CRHO%2CSKG%2CSMI%2CSPC%2CSPU%2CTFS%2CVAR%2CVCE%2CZTH&resort=ANY&departure_airport=BLK%2CLPL%2CMAN&board=SC&stars=0&dosearch=1 if you want to go abroad.

You can sort by lowest price on the hoseasons website. Hoseasons.

We've managed to get a few bargains that way as we're not bothered about entertainment, kids clubs, pool etc as we prefer to be out and about exploring the area so can usually find something for a decent price even in school hols. In our experience the cheapest accommodation is usually pretty good and we can't understand why people pay £££ more for newer caravans as we're not buying the place -
just staying there for a week! You can find local pools, local play areas etc so you don't need to pay a lot more for those facilities.

How about finding a family room in a premier inn for £29 a night, at this price it could well be on an industrial estate but it's still away in a hotel isn't it with lovely bed linen and towels If you have a car you can then drive to nice places during the day and stock up on budget food at supermarkets.

I like the premier inn idea. You could do a road trip and visit a few places using budget hotels. My dcs think a premier inn with breakfast is the height of luxury

We've got first week of the school holidays with Sun holidays a week for around £250 (that included upgrading to deluxe caravans which you don't need to do). If we did a mon-fri only it would've been about £130.

We paid £170 for a fab 5* eurocamp site in s/W France last year with Sun holidays. It was for the last week of August. Another £180 for the ferry from Plymouth-Roscoff and £200 for fuel.
We took £1k spending (eating out etc) but you could probably get away with half that.

Going again this year to the South of France. Similar cost except we're flying.

Cheap holidays can be found if you're willing to spend a bit of time looking for them!

If you drive you could just book a house online for the week anywhere you fancy. It is so much cheaper than renting a caravan in the same area. Most of the time anyway. You can get a house to sleep 4 for around 200 pounds.

Then you just need petrol money and spending money. You could even book an online shop to arrive the evening you get there.

How old are your children bee?

What is your budget? How old are your dc? Do you drive or would it have to be on public transport? Whereabouts are you?

youth hostels are reasonably priced and do have private rooms as well as shared dorms and they are usually in very nice country areas

Thanks all - I've not read all the links as I've been run off my feet today.

As for the holiday -
Kids are 4 & 9, so need stuff for them to do
We can drive
I can't do the last 2 weeks in August as I have to work sadly
Youngest doesn't yet have a passport, but planning on getting one soon

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I'm going to read through now.