holiday on the cheap (very) - need help

[slowdive]

I hadn't booked holiday for the summer as I couldn't afford.

Had just a £1000 windfall and would love to take the DC away.

They are 8 and 10. older DC has severe autism and camping/caravan is not an option with her (tried and failed miserably, don't ask). otherwise we are open.

we do have passports (not that I expect a grand to take us all the way to Spain, but you never know).

We like it quiet and outdoorsy and ideally for 5-7 days. DC have never had a proper holiday and DC2 has to suck up a local because of her sister so I really would like to give them a change of scenery.

Google isn't helpful. it all seems to cost £££ but does anybody on here have an idea what we could maybe do? we are based in the north west and I don't drive. and it's just for the 3 of us.

Look on Lastminute.com and also holiday packages through the tour operators for last minute deals.

If you're thinking about going abroad try loveholidays.com. We've had some great holidays with them in Tenerife (Puerto de la Cruz in the north is much quieter and cosmopolitan than the resorts in the south)

Another option in the UK could be staying in a YHA youth hospital - cheap and cheerful but quite nice nowadays and some have family rooms which would suit you. Also lots of UK universities rent out rooms in halls in the holidays - a good option if you want to visit a city.

Let us know where you go!

Teletext holidays website is very cheap and very good.
Good luck

Depending on how fixed you are on dates and destinations, Jet 2 holidays offer free child places. I've been with them a couple of times and they've always been quite reasonable.

Sark! Perfect for your kids ages. No cars. I’ll repeat that, no cars on the whole of the island. Hire bikes and explore. Chocolate factory, beaches, walks, horse and carriage rides, swimming, wildlife, tractor rides, boat rides...

Last year, mid August, we had coves to ourselves. There were still vacancy signs in self catering cottage windows (unfortunately, I think they are having a bad time at present as a few of the shops have closed). It was the cheapest and one of the best holidays we’ve ever had.

You can go by ferry to guernsey then across to Sark.

It’s idyllic for children. Google!

thanks.

do I leave last-minute kind of hols until later (thinking late August) or is it better to book sooner? maybe a silly question but I really have no idea.

will check out youth hostels! thanks . I dont mind staying in the UK at all.

I got a family of 5 to Majorca for a week for 1200 last August by booking on Travel Republic.
Hotel wasn't 4* but it was only somewhere to rest our bodies from the wonderful holiday we had.

I'd look at Portugal, Malaga and Greece, all doable for under £1000 for the three of you, probably half board but you may find a deal on all inclusive, if that's what you want.

I'd never even heard of Sark, frasier - it looks amazing!

We've just booked turkey for 3 weeks time. 2 adults 1 child, all inclusive for £1200 and that wasn't the cheapest. Got it through on the beach . Com could be worth a try?

There were quite a few cottages coming up at well under £1000 when I had a look on cottages.com for the last week in July

Have you checked out coach tours to destinations in the UK? When I didn't drive I thought these were great and budget friendly.

Ryanair or easy jet flights to Eindhoven or Amsterdam. It's only an 85 minute flight and they fly there daily so can usually fly quite cheaply.
Car hire for a week is around £100-£140.
Landal Het Vennenbos is like center parcs, snd around a 25 minute drive from Eindhoven. Your own self catering accommodation, large indoor & outdoor swimming centre, playground, activities, mini farm etc. Locally there is Efteling theme park (similar size to Alton Towers) around a 40 minute drive and Beekse Bergen Safari Park around 20 minutes away. We've just come back from there during half term. Family of 4 flights cost us £200 with 2 suitcases included, car hire was £130, but I could have paid less for a smaller car and our accommodation was £400 (£300 when we booked and £100 in random fees for bedding, towels and taxes when we got there).
Kids loved it, weather was great too.

FindoGask We used to go as children and when I had DS I thought I’d recreate those family holidays! It was everything I remember but as I say, it seems to be out of favour at the moment... thus it’s the time to go before they get their advertising in order and it gets popular!

Centre Parcs? My two love holidays there

Look at the prices

www.airbnb.co.uk/s/Sark--Guernsey

(I have no vested interest, honest, I just love the place.)

wow, so many ideas. glad I posted. I actually like the Airbnb idea not too far away from home so we don't lose time with flights etc.

I would go up to the lakes and hire a cottage. Airbnb or owners direct. You should be able to get somewhere for about £100 a night. Get the coach there it will be cheaper than the train. Stay somewhere like Keswick so you don't need a car.

Hi Op

Familydealfinder always has good offers on

If you want a desination holiday then onthebeach does good flash deals too

Xxx

Have a look on air bnb. We have booked a bungalow for a week in August for £640 and last year we had a holiday cottage on a holiday park for just under £800.

Contact CLC world. We got an almost free holiday in costa del sol with them last year in return for attending a time-share talk thing. Have a look at this link on trip advisor:

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g580271-d1421780-Reviews-CLC_Club_La_Costa_World-Mijas_Costa_del_Sol_Province_of_Malaga_Andalucia.html

How about a home exchange ?

homelink.org/

Rent a cottage in the U.K. for a week - Sykes cottages, Homeaway or the like.
You'll get the whole house to yourself - home from home!

I use Airbnb for me and DC. You could either do UK or look at where the budget airlines fly from your nearest airport. UK is less hassle but abroad would be more dramatic change of scene. Could do a city break. Alternatively, look at package holiday.

Either 5 days or a week in Gdansk flying from Manchester staying in an air b&b. City and beach.