Anyone got any tips on bargain camping breaks in Brittany for May half term?

[Cloudhopper]

We managed to get a last minute break cheaply one year, but it required a Dover-Calais crossing and a very very long drive.

I wondered if anyone else has come up with any cheaper ways than the usual Matthews/Eurocamp options?

The ferry crossings seem to be the stumbling block.

By the way, if I find anything I will post it here too.

Have you tried booking direct with a campsite and then booking whichever ferry crossing suits you best?

Yes - the ferry crossings direct are more expensive than the packages from the tour operators.

I think I am going to have to pay full whack or stay at home - half term is a real pain.

But the tour operator packages probably only include the Dover-Calais crossing - you would have to pay extra for a different route anyway. If you do a search on my name there was a thread recently where someone said they could get a Eurocamp holiday at half term for a reasonable price (but I think it involved taking the kids out of school a day early...)

Thanks KTeePee - I will look for that thread!

You don't have to take them out of school that early. here's the tip

Leave at 3pm Friday and cross in to France and stay one night at the campsite offered by the tour operator which is closest to the ferry port ie near Calais eyc and your holiday is counted as having started there and then and you get a cheaper holiday even though you then go on to have 6 or 7 nights in the campsite you wanted to stay in. You travel on the Saturday and get a head start over everybody else.

slalomsuki - now there is a good idea! I know of a great campsite a stone's throw from Calais.