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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I hate my budget holiday

362 replies

ValentinaTheVampire · 23/08/2023 19:19

We have small children to do things on a budget so we tend to do self catering in the UK to avoid paying for flights and also so we aren't all squashed into a hotel room.

But ugh, it has been so miserable this time (we are away at the moment). The weather where we are staying is pretty miserable. We are staying near family where I grew up as we tried to do holiday and family visit in one and I am honestly just counting down the days. I'm so tired from all the driving about and visiting and trying to keep kids entertained in the rain with none of their usual stuff around to help.

The cottages we've had the past few holidays have been so tired looking and even then they are so expensive.

I have a small but perfectly nice house at home. Kids aren't exactly getting a cultural experience here (although they are loving seeing family).

Dh wants to do another holiday cottage for my 40th birthday which is coming up over other school holidays and I've just told him no fucking way 😂.

I'd rather spend the money on my house or save for a nicer holiday even if we don't get one as often.

I can't tell if holidays have got worse or if I have become a that who just likes staying at home.

OP posts:
Newmumatlast · 23/08/2023 20:19

That said OP I get it. If you're not enjoying yourself its pointless putting yourself through it and I really agree with PP that with young kids they'd be happy having more treats than usual at home. If you think about the stuff kids like a holiday for, you could replicate lots of that at home without the stress of packing, traveling as much, being away from home etc.

cocksstrideintheevening · 23/08/2023 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

You're a peach aren't you

sparklynewprincessname · 23/08/2023 20:19

I haven't read the full thread so this may already have been mentioned, but we have enjoyed staying in youth hostels when taking short break holidays in the UK with the kids. Not sure I'd want to stay more than three or four nights but they're good to escape to or for touring. They're (relatively) cheap and cheerful and usually in interesting places. I've also found them to be clean. The family rooms will often have a double bed for mum and dad. Some of them have a range of accommodation, not just dorms but private ensuite rooms (very basic but clean), camping pods and yurts. We like the fact that you can cook but many also serve food if you don't feel like it. You meet all sorts of fascinating people in them too.

Tortoisetowers · 23/08/2023 20:20

We haven't booked a holiday this summer for the first time.
We have done a load of day trips and had the best time. We have been able to treat the kids in the gift shops, buy food instead of packing picnics and still saved a load of money compared to what we would have spent on a holiday.

That said, it wouldn't be something we would do every year and we have a holiday booked for next summer 😎

cocksstrideintheevening · 23/08/2023 20:21

GettingOldWithoutStyle · 23/08/2023 20:11

I'm also off to Butlins next week for the first time 😅 not sure what to expect. Three kids, 5 and under. Its going to be spectacular or terrible from what I hear..

The weather has been truly crap this year in the UK so you have my sympathies op. We had a list of things to do with the kids (I'm also on mat leave so have time off on my side) and so many big plans have been skipped because we didn't want to waste the wow factor by trudging along in the rain. No advice but you have my sympathies.

Embrace it. My kids are older now and lucky enough to have been all over, it's butlins they still talk about.

Goldbar · 23/08/2023 20:22

Newmumatlast · 23/08/2023 20:19

That said OP I get it. If you're not enjoying yourself its pointless putting yourself through it and I really agree with PP that with young kids they'd be happy having more treats than usual at home. If you think about the stuff kids like a holiday for, you could replicate lots of that at home without the stress of packing, traveling as much, being away from home etc.

The thing my 5yo liked best from our last holiday and remembered and told the grandparents about was, wait for it... a slinky.

The world's most expensive slinky... it only cost us a few grand 🙄.

NalafromtheLionKing · 23/08/2023 20:22

OP, are you comfortable giving a rough budget and timing for your 40th birthday holiday (plus how many people would go)? I bet we can come up with some good alternatives for you 😊

sparklynewprincessname · 23/08/2023 20:22

Should have said that I commiserate, op. Been there, done that and bought the T-shirt! The suggestion for YH is an idea to get away on the cheap while saving up to go abroad if you don't want to camp in the UK.

MissMarplesGoddaughter · 23/08/2023 20:23

OP- you have my sympathy, I well remember a wet, miserable week spent in Cornwall. We came home early and really felt like we hadn't had a holiday.....

Namddf · 23/08/2023 20:24

Royalbloo · 23/08/2023 19:31

Butlins next week with my 6.5yr old. We are going to have the best time even though it's not a hat I would choose. Be grateful for what you have? Paid time off and a kid of your own? Sorry if that's harsh.

That’s not very nice. Also some big assumptions there…

Jellybean23 · 23/08/2023 20:25

Have you explored house swaps for your holidays? The money you save on accommodation would cover meals out and treats.

GettingOldWithoutStyle · 23/08/2023 20:25

Aww thanks @cocksstrideintheevening . I think it will be happy chaos as they're still so little. I think me and DH will come back a bit broken and overstimulated 😀😂 were going to bognor @Royalbloo as we heard it's best for tiny ones and happens to be our closest but we know no more tbh. DD has just started walking in the past few weeks so It's going to be absolute carnage 😂😂 we were too scared of trying to go abroad with three under 5 (how, just how 😱) and just can't afford it either tbh.

Of all the years we had extra leave to use and the weather is so so poor 🤦

Crikeyalmighty · 23/08/2023 20:26

Eurocamp can be particularly good value at end of August and I've seen some great offers for weeks in lovely parks which even with crossings and fuel ( if you are on a budget maybe stick to Normandy, Brittany , Loire valley to keep fuel costs down) won't break £1800 - many cottages and holiday parks in uk can be this.

Original poster
ValentinaTheVampire · 23/08/2023 20:26

Thanks @NalafromtheLionKing 😊

We spent £115 / night on this cottage. That's two bedrooms for five people.

Altogether, travel and accommodation was about £1650 for us all but that was two weeks. It's quite a lot of money which is why I'm a bit pissed off about it.

OP posts:
MargotMoon · 23/08/2023 20:27

IME best holidays with small kids is either to holiday in UK in a bigger group with friends who have kids similar ages (communal childcare!) OR go abroad where they've got load of activities, kids club etc.

Namddf · 23/08/2023 20:27

Royalbloo · 23/08/2023 20:01

Don't then - go somewhere else?!

Show quote history

Ffs. She’s already there you doofus. Hence the thread.

Who invited this one??

rookiemere · 23/08/2023 20:27

The rubbish weather we have had this summer has not helped.

We went to Jersey- just DH and I as DS on school trip - it was not cheap and was marred by being cold and windy most of the time.
I'd booked a cheap Airbnb for the last half and whilst it was clean and well maintained, it was a converted garage and getting up and down from the bed involved climbing on galley steps.

If the weather had been good, suspect it would all have been great.

Newmumatlast · 23/08/2023 20:27

Goldbar · 23/08/2023 20:22

The thing my 5yo liked best from our last holiday and remembered and told the grandparents about was, wait for it... a slinky.

The world's most expensive slinky... it only cost us a few grand 🙄.

Show quote history

Haha this is why the majority of our holidays recently have been within a very short travelling distance of home and super, super cheap deals on caravan sites or butlins via tesco vouchers and the like. Ultimately my eldest just wants to dance and run about, go to parks and get tat. And that's what she will talk about!

SunsizOut · 23/08/2023 20:28

OP have you tried a caravan on a holiday park, I used to enjoy these when my DC were young? That way you won’t be comparing accommodation to your home as it obviously a caravan not a house. Sometimes you can book just Monday to Friday to save costs.

Original poster
ValentinaTheVampire · 23/08/2023 20:28

@Jellybean23 maybe for future, but tbh, I'm a bit put off staying in other people's houses after a few crap cottages and air bnbs over the years!

I just want to forget it and save for something a bit nicer

OP posts:
Makeitsunnyandwarm · 23/08/2023 20:30

We go to Hoburne Holiday Parks (static caravans), indoor and outdoor pools, play area, evening entertainment and daytime activities - never have any problems-really nice atmosphere and book through booking sites so direct with owners which is cheaper and caravans always been immaculate. Not so weather dependent as plenty to do and kids love it. There are a few of them- in the South/South West so if family are there that might be an option.

SunsizOut · 23/08/2023 20:30

I’ve just noticed you booked for two weeks, how about trying a nicer place for one week? For £115 a night for 5 people it’s not going to be great.

Carol52 · 23/08/2023 20:30

Aw bless you. Holidays have got so expensive. Nothing is cheap but to be honest the price of a week in a cottage you could get somewhere abroad at a nice hotel and the kids go free. Might be a idea for DH to take on board. There are sone lively hotels just check. Trip advisor as long as there's things to entertain the kids and it's clean.
Good luck and keep counting the days for home

DailyMaui · 23/08/2023 20:31

You def need to look to camping/lodge/chalet/caravan in France. Weather is better, usually fab pools, beaches or lakes. And it will probably be cheaper, especially if you go late August just before the schools are back. We have had some fabulous holidays on french campsites and the kids will have a ball - there's a lot of freedom on a campsite. Loire valley and the Vendee are decent drives from ferry ports. Bit longer from the tunnel but I always put on a long film and stopped twenty minutes after it finished for a break then another long film!

I stopped going on holiday in the UK many, many years ago after a week in Norfolk in August where the highlight was going round Hemsby mega maze in the pissing rain.

sockarefootwear · 23/08/2023 20:31

We did quite a few cheap UK holidays when the DC were small but now that we're tied to school holidays we find that it works out more expensive and less enjoyable than a budget holiday in the sun. Once you add in petrol, days out (especially if the weather is bad) and the odd meal out it's not a lot cheaper than going somewhere with guaranteed sunshine. We also find that even if the accommodation is quite basic if we're in a place where we can relax by the pool/beach by day and have a drink outside in the evenings it's a very different feeling from being in a small dingy cottage in the rain.