Cheap and Cheerful holiday ideas

[CaviarAndCigarettes]

Hi all. We are heading to Norfolk near Great Yarmouth in the summer. My husband has big budget plans but realistically we don't have the money to do all of his ideas! I'm thinking more along the lines of mostly cheap days and a slushie at the end of it. Two adults, three children under 9

So far I'm thinking -
beach days, weather permitting.
Travelling to Cromer etc where there are beaches with rock pools to explore
Geocaching

And then I'm stuck! Any cheap and cheerful ideas will be very welcome. We will take bikes and scooters and footballs and kites etc

Hello @CaviarAndCigarettes
We went to Cromer a few weeks back. It's a lovely place with lovely sandy beaches.

We were also on a budget so tried to find nice days out for minimal cost. Amazona Zoo was great with lots of animals to see and not too pricey. Also Hillside Animal Sanctuary in West Runton (really close to Cromer) was a brilliant few hours out. They rescue unwanted animals and you can go around and see them all and pet them. There's also a play area and cafe.
We drove down to Sea Palling as there are seals you can see on the beach at certain times.

Horsey Beach for the seals

Penny arcade
Redwings horse sanctuary - entry is by a suggested voluntary donation

It's also probably worth thinking about reducing the cost of the things you want to do. Set your DH the task of finding discounts for his 'big budget ideas', eg 2 for 1 on attraction entries, saves loads compared with paying full price on the day.

If you'll be visiting National Trust or English Heritage places, or even using their car parks it can be worth worth getting a membership.

Look at ways of reducing the cost of food and drink to free up more money for other things. Eg if you want an ice cream, a multipack from a supermarket or even a convenience store will be way cheaper than buying from kiosk. Likewise for sandwiches, drinks etc. You could probably feed all of you from a supermarket for the price of one meal or even sandwich and drink at the attraction cafe.

Barbecue or easy food in your accommodation to reduce the cost of eating out. Make sure your DH does his share of thinking, planning, food preparation and cleaning up, so it's not all on you.

How old are your children ? We always took a football, a cricket set and a frisbee for games on the beach . Rock pooling or crabbing was popular. If you can find an old fashioned amusement arcade with 2p machines our children loved to have a little bag of coins each. A good cool bag and ice packs so you can take your own sandwiches and drinks. If you are near a shop buying a multi pack of ice creams saves lots of money .

Save up lots of 2p coins for the amusements.

Holt Country Park is free and there's plenty of space for them to run around, build dens etc, also a viewing tower. Take a picnic.

Happisburgh beach is good for fossil hunting, West Runton too, also has great rock pools (go left at the bottom of the slope).

Baconsthorpe near Holt has a ruined castle to play in/on. Again, take a picnic.

The Time and Tide Museum in Great Yarmouth is really good too, not sure of the cost.

Have a great trip!

Just seen that Dippy the diplodocus from the Natural History Museum is on display in the grounds of Norwich Cathedral from 13th July.

The RAF Radar Museum, Neatishead, NR12 8YB
Well I found it interesting anyway.

I also came on to say the arcades (if age appropriate)!

Mine were always happy to just pretend to drive the cars/motorbikes etc. We didn't need to put any money in those ones. I don't think they even realised you were supposed to.

The penny falls, you get hours of fun for a couple of pounds.

And then you have air hockey etc. which is usually only a £1 a go and lasts for a while.

Scavenger/treasure hunt also really good fun.

What was your husband planning to do?

Longstanton Spice Museum

Arcades are always good fun, DC's love to have a bag of 2ps to spend.
There's a programme on Channel 5 this Wednesday about Great Yarmouth that might give you some more ideas.
www.channel5.com/show/susan-calmans-grand-week-by-the-sea/
Hope you have a great holiday

Rock pooling, hunting for unusual rocks or shells on the beach, building sandcastles, picnic on the beach, walks, slot machines, watching people fishing for crabs, playing cards etc etc.