Christmas - very long shot

[vanillacinamon]

This is a real long shot
Does anyone know of anywhere cheap/free a mum could go to with her two small children (girl of 3 yrs boy of 18 months) for Christmas. I am thinking of somewhere like a retreat or an empty house due to the occupants visiting their own family etc
Money is a real issue so it would need to be free or v cheap but clearly a refundable deposit might be appropriate as security for returning in immaculate condition.
I am expecting no replies to this but just incase, i thought i would post
thanks

why can't you be at home? :(

And where are you located?

oxfordshire/buckinghamshire
not looking for anywhere fancy, just safe, accessible by road or rail and with one room in the property which could be heated (i will pay for all gas/electric used plus as i say a refundable deposit as assurance that i will leave the place immactulate when i leave and the owners return)
i am guessing the answer is no which is fair enough

What a lovely idea. Would also mean someone has peace of mind that their home looks occupied while they're away.

Unfortunately we're at home over Christmas otherwise would offer you our house.

I guess it's similar to a house exchange, but only one side of it.

Hope you're ok and that something turns up for you xx

I'm bumping this. I hope you and your LOs are ok vanilla.

I'm sorry i can't help you, i'm hoping someone is going to come along that can and with the power of mumsnet, that may be achievable!

I'm guessing there is a good reason why you can't be at home, so i'm hoping you get somewhere safe and secure to go to :)

Sorry I can't help either but bumping in case anyone else can.

Is it just for Christmas day or a few hours or a few days?

In the home exchange thread someone posted a link to a web site that was for house sitters. People who are away get someone else to stay in their house for security. You might find something that way.

When we go away dh likes to have people stay if possible and have had younger colleagues or babysitters who still live at home come to stay with their partners but we are home this year.