Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Cost of living

Stretching your budget? Share tips and advice to discuss budgeting and energy saving here. For the latest deals and discounts, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Have you done a mega-budget holiday in the uk? HOW?

29 replies

eisbaer · 27/06/2013 05:52

Had hoped to get away with no holiday this year, but sons are realising most people are doing something over the big break. Just wondered if there were any good websites/ways to allow a very very cheap seaside getaway for us, even for 2 nights? Tell me how you did it! I just looked at caravan websites, they're a fortune for 3 nights even. thanks

OP posts:
Silverlace · 27/06/2013 06:11

Have you tried the Owners Direct website? As it says you book direct with the owner of a cottage/caravan etc and it works out a lot cheaper than going through an agency and they are often flexible with dates for short breaks.

If you want to risk it leave it until.the last minute and then ring round you may get a good deal.at a b&b or hotel.

My friend wanted a cheap break so put a message on Facebook and a friend of a friend has let her have their caravan for next to nothing so you could also try that.

Good luck, I hope you find something. It drives me potty the way holidays go up so much in the summer.

Original poster
eisbaer · 27/06/2013 06:17

Great I'll look at owners direct. Just been looking at last last minute caravan rental and they are much cheaper in Cornwall and places like that. Was looking in Scotland before. Ironic, given the weather! I'll post anything I find

OP posts:
Salbertina · 27/06/2013 06:20

Yes camping and houseswap

Silverlace · 27/06/2013 06:29

Have you looked at Pembrokeshire? Lovely beaches, lovely countryside and lots to do but less busy than Cornwall.

Curlyfrizzball · 27/06/2013 06:35

Slightly risky, but we bought a holiday on eBay this year - some great last minute deals on there!
Alternatively, a Travel Lodge near a beach to use as a base, just for a couple of nights? Food might get quite expensive that way though.

Original poster
eisbaer · 27/06/2013 06:36

House swap interests me- did it take long to set up? Any websites recommended?

OP posts:
nkf · 27/06/2013 06:37

Yha. Basic but friendly. You can cook your own meals.

MojitoMagnet · 27/06/2013 06:39

Do you have a stash of tesco clubcard tokens? these can be used for breaks at hotels and Butlins for an almost-free break if you have enough.

Original poster
eisbaer · 27/06/2013 06:48

Looking into eBay and yha- would never have thought of either! Thanks

OP posts:
Triumphoveradversity · 27/06/2013 16:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

huddyblell · 28/06/2013 13:49

What sort of budget are you looking at? May have a few ideas but would be good to know what your top budget is

BrianButterfield · 28/06/2013 13:55

Try breakfreeholidays.co.uk - they often do the Sun holiday type deals but without having to collect tokens or anything. They have some Haven breaks on for cheap at the moment.

fanoftheinvisibleman · 28/06/2013 13:58

Depends what you class as budget I guess but we always go May half term and never pay over £400. It doesn't help you this year but you usually save money by booking before end of january

YourHandInMyHand · 28/06/2013 14:01

Could you borrow a tent and go camping?

I second YHA or Travelodge too. Both good for cheap breaks.

Wallison · 28/06/2013 14:04

YHA is expensive now!

christmasmum · 28/06/2013 14:06

I've done a few house swaps and they've all been great and FREE!! I used the NCT site figuring everyone would have children and it's worked out well. No need to take toys with us and some really good places to visit. Also, makes you tidy your own home which is nice to come back to... It's quite a lot of work in the week before but that's the only downside.

PatsysPyjamas · 28/06/2013 14:10

We are having a holiday in another family member's house while they are abroad somewhere more exotic! Costs nothing but the travel and we will have a great time.

Yha is also a good option. I've been to two recently and both were just as nice as a budget hotel, plus they had lounge and games room, and you could cook your own meals. The kids thought this was all dead exciting and for us it was nicer than being stuck in our hotel room after dinner.

City breaks can be a good idea as often there are loads of free museums to explore.

apatchylass · 28/06/2013 14:26

Hi

I've found you 4 nights in August here for under £300.

Upsides of the place:
It's stunning - set in woodland with a ruined stately home and a ruined martello tower, red squirrels, rabbits, and the most beautiful beach in England (sorry Holkham Bay but it is!) About 7 miles of soft white sand, great rock pools, great beach combing.

Shop that sells home made ice cream.

Also has a small but lovely playpark and a basic swimming pool, kids club disco etc in high season.

And there's a nature reserve with a bird hide and lake.

Staff are really friendly, caravans are clean, the silver one is spacious and the bronze is fine. (We go there quite a lot! :) ) If you look in lower season you can get a four night break there for £69 - even at Easter or half term.

Downside - it's really very VERY quiet there. No shops, nothing to do except play and go down to the beach - but that could be a good thing if you want to spend no money.

Tip: shop at Asda in Ashington before you arrive, as the camp shop hasn't much choice and is really expensive.

apatchylass · 28/06/2013 14:28

Forgot to say, if you go by car, then you can visit the gorgeous Bamburgh castle and Alnwick castle where they filmed Harry Potter. DC are open mouthed at going to Hogwarts.

flipchart · 28/06/2013 14:36

I agree that the YHA's aren't cheap anymore.
They used to be great if you were on a budget but now it works out quite expensive to stop in a family room.

When we didn't have much money we used to use the Travel Lodges and Premier inns. Premier Inns are really good value as the breakfast is a reasonable cost and kids 15 and under eat free.

I've also left it until the very last minute. Literally an hour before we have set off to book a late availability cottage.

fanoftheinvisibleman · 28/06/2013 14:37

apatchylass that is where we went at May half term! Beach is indeed lovely. We had to pay £50 for the dog but still came in around 400 for a week.

Amble nearby was lovely for an afternoon mooching and ds loved Walkworth castle and the gardens at Belsay.

apatchylass · 28/06/2013 21:02

It's gorgeous isn't it? And there's loads to do in Northumberland, or you can just stay on the beach.

I didn't know dogs were extra. There were loads of lovely dogs around when we last went up there.

Dysgu · 28/06/2013 21:30

I second NCT Houseswap. We have done several house swaps and they are some of the best holidays my children have had, according to them. It costs about £30 to join the NCT and then you can access the site for free and contact people online.

check it out here

I tend to look at the blog posts or the most recently added photos - looks like there are lots of people looking for this summer still.

I would swap but we are off to Scotland for the first half of the summer holidays and are very excited about going from one end of the country to the other.

Other than travel to the swap (and the tidying up - which I see as a good thing!) it costs no more than being at home. Use of kitchen, fridge, freezer, washing machine (so not bringing all the laundry home!) and the children just love playing with others' toys and sleeping in others' beds.

As easy as being at home but more fun!

fanoftheinvisibleman · 28/06/2013 22:10

It was was worth every penny apatchylass, he loved it. Especially when he managed to find a puffin head on the beach and screamed off with it whilst he tried to dive on him!

Yes, it is beautiful. And so much to look at. We took out English Heritage membership whilst there and took full advantage.

Mandy21 · 28/06/2013 22:21

We did YHA last night and the children loved it! If you choose the hostel carefully, they can still be reasonably priced. Would someone lend you a tent for a few days? Would be very cheap! We also stayed in the lakes in a wooden lodge, think it was £40 a night for the 4 of us. Will find a link.www.abbotsreadingfarm-octolodges.co.uk/octolodges.php Perfect for exploring the Lakes.