Help me, need an urgent, cheap holiday alternative!!

[ningaj]

Hi all. Never posted in Chat before but hoping might get a few replies...

I recently booked a weekend away, in October school hols (25th-28th) as part of my husbands birthday present. It was a massive bargain (£70) because we were going to borrow my mums campervan.

The campervan is now no longer driveable 😬, the site won't refund me and I can't afford to upgrade to one of their lodges (£425 for 3 nights). My husband knows we're going away as part of his present and has booked the time off work.

I've looked at hiring a camper but it's around £200 and money is a bit tight. I need a CHEAP alternative weekend away for me, husband and 2 small kids (3&5)

HELP!!!!!!!!!

Travelodge? Premier inn? Youth hostels?

I doubt you'll get anything cheap in the half-term holidays tbh.

Tent?

House swap?

This is a long shot. Do you by any chance shop at Tesco? If so and you have vouchers they are worth triple value against some hotels and also a holiday selling site which also has self catering accommodation. You can mix and match using vouchers for part and cash for part.

your not going to get a £70 bargain but look at youth hostels they are not the grim share a huge barn they used to be i dont know where you live but the ones in the lake district are really nice we stayed in the one at borrowdale and it was ace

Camp it. Take extra blankets.

@shiningstar2 I do have some Clubcard vouchers and didn't know that!! Will look into it, thanks

I have a tent, which we had our summer hol in, but worried end of October will be too cold for camping. Maybe a camping pod, it's just finding one available in school hols!!!

If money is tight, probably best to look closeish to where you live to save travel costs. It can still be a nice break away and time together.

Where in the country are you?

Are you in the NW ?

@BarbaraofSeville East Midlands, so pretty central with regards to travelling. The original
Place was booked in Norfolk x

Try Airbnb
Both of these around the 100 pound mark for 3 nights

abnb.me/N6CxVKfpSZ
abnb.me/GADg4NjpSZ

Ok this is a really cheap 80 pound one in Norfolk!
abnb.me/Z3FrglypSZ

Not much help but I'd name and shame the campsite who won't refund you the money. They'll not have problems renting out your space if it is the school holidays. Also, if they won't refund then I'd not let on I wasn't going that way they won't be able to re-rent it. Gits.

Last year we got a three night deal on a static caravan in Devon for about £120 on wowcher. Might be worth looking on there.

@BananaBooBoo Air b'n'b is also a great idea! Didn't even think of that, thanks

Camp? Take both sleeping bags and duvets and ensure you have inflatable mattress with a fleece blanket on top to lie on to insulate from the cold

Have been known to take a portable
Heater (on of those oil filled radiators) camping in October! With duvets and sleeping bags, hot water bottles, hot chocolate and wine it's a real adventure

What about this one?
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/33878244?location=East%20Midlands%2C%20United%20Kingdom&children=2&adults=2&checkin=2019-10-25&checkkout=2019-10-28&sourceimpressionnid=p315681456366_VGYqxBtJVkPuuyFl

Not checked, but a nosey around the Innkeepers Lodge site may give s bit of inspiration. They are usually very good for family rooms, you get plenty of space usually and comfy sofa beds for the DC, and toast, croissants etc for breakfast. Ilkley Moor has been the nicest I have found but can be very popular at weekends.

Fingers crossed you find something! Keep us posted OP

How about a boat on the broads?

www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/the-broads?adult=2&child=2&infant=0&pets=0&nights=3&range=3&start=25-10-2019

If not they’re mobile homes look a bargain.

Thanks for all the ideas. Not booked anything yet, still in 'discussions' with the first place about getting some money back. Have seen a few good options though!