So how far can a family of 5 get on £1000?

[MitziKinsky]

Including accommodation.

During the school holidays.

Starting in the Midlands

DH and I have no idea what kind of holiday we want.

majorca?

A tent in the back garden?

cottage for a week somewhere in the UK? Pembrokeshire is nice and north pemb is cheaper than south. do tesco's still do vouchers for tunnel and do you have a tent?

You can have a week camping on the Continong including ferries, e.g. in France with Canvas Holidays - this is what the tents are like, which they put up for you.

I've never done Canvas holidays but have browsed longingly through their brochure on a frequent basis. Obviously much cheaper if you find a nice municipal camping in France and put up your own tent but with three kids I would much rather have someone do it for me. Also depends if your spending money is on top of that or needs to be included.

Stay in the Uk and keep your carbon footprint low! We go to Borth y gest, Bath and Wringworthy Holiday cottages in Looe all within your budget.

Are you talking school summer hols ?

to be honest didn't think you could afford a canvas type holiday in france...but having a brief peep at the keycamp website you may be able to if you travel via dover and don't mind bit of driving the other end. we did this for 10 years or so (different crossing) when the kids were younger and its a brilliant holiday. happy to advice on sites in brittany if you are interested. Keycamp, eurocamp and canvas are all pretty similar - some slightly better on some sites than others.

It doesn't have to be summer, but it does have to be school holidays.

We usually have a week in Cornwall either in Summer half term or the summer holiday, but were thinking of something a bit different. DS1 is 12 and would rather look at something interesting (like The White House ) than sit on a beach, but I think it's important the DC go to the beach at least once a year.

The DC tend to argue a lot in the car, so I would rather avoid a long car journey, but Brittany sounds doable.Any info on Britany warmly welcomed. I'm also considering going on the train to somewhere in Europe, but don't know where to start (or end up!).

Spending money could be on top, but I'd like to keep the holiday as cheap as possible as we have a lot to pay for next year.

That pays for two weeks self catering accommodation on Mull for us. Ferry would be another £100ish and then you need food and fuel. Good beaches there.

But isn't Mull cold? (If beautiful). A little bit of sun and warmth would be nice.

We've got sunburnt plenty of times. It's not tropical but very often very nice.

sites we've been to are:
dol de bretagne - quite large and busy, has great football pitch, north so less travelling, but 30 min drive to decent beaches
perros - le ranolien - nice pool complex and near sea - can walk along coast. bit squashed in - only went once
fouesnant - camping altantique - can walk through woods to nice beach
carnac - favourite area in south - good at half term, might be overly busy in summer. la grande metairie. also one in centre which haven't been to but is in fab position near one of the best beaches anywhere
raguenes - les deux fontaines - liked this site as can walk through fields to good beach and fair amount of room on site.

happy to answer questions on these. also been to n vendee which didn't like as less character and longer drive. weather in south brit more reliable. think cornwall with less tat/people and better weather.

we do the longer crossing from portsmouth to st malo which reduces driving and go for largest van with dishwasher - but this is expensive. suggest contacting canvas, keycamp and eurocamp, and thomson all fresco and getting quotes and advice on crossings etc.

ukcampsites have reviews. this is excellent hol for kids - though we know some people who hate it. we like having lots of activities and kids having some freedom.

Thanks, dreamingofsun, that points me in the right direction, and gives me lots to google.

How about Jersey, loads of good days out and feels like you have been abroad.

We got a lovely cottage in the middle of Windermere, mid august in 2009 and it was only £700 - 3 double bedrooms , 1 twin bedroom, 2 bathrooms and playroom in the cellar. Loads to do and see in the Lake District. Was with Sykes cottages

Sorry - 2 double bedrooms!

We did Windemere last half term .

I would never have thought of Jersey! Sounds interesting.