Can't afford a holiday

[cantaffordahol]

Really pissed off. Was hoping we could get away this year. We managed to go on Eurocamp in Spain in 2019. Nothing 2020 and a short break camping in 2021.I have health issues and struggle with camping. We just don't seem to have any disposable income for holidays with everything going up.
We could probably scrape maybe £ 700 for a holiday for 2 adults 2 kids aged 10 and 7. However, we only have annual leave in August and is the only time we can go.Had a look and even a caravan holiday is coming out at over 1k for a week.
What on earth can we get with £700 for a week in August? Any ideas on cheap holidays with kids appreciated. Need to find spending and fuel money as well ☹️

I had an august week booked in a cottage in Northumberland for less than £700 but had to cancel last week.

elwickfarmholidaycottages.tel

It's doable!

@LilacPoppy- sorry I always fly then train/bus/ or use get transfer the other end. I am a lone parent and refuse to drive on holiday as cannot share it, it is actually very doable because public transport is so much better and often cheaper in Europe. I have friends who drive though because one of the parents hates flying so doable and they can take lots of stuff with them. We met a family one year at a site in the South of France/ almost att the border with Spain who had driven and just stopped for some nights on route at another site. I think there are comparison sites for ferries but all the deals are obviously for the shorter crossings from the South- so a trip down the A1 before boarding for people I know who do it. Also remember to add the cost of tolls in France.

Also try the parkdean site at Whitley Bay. It's nothing fancy but 2 min walk to the beach, there's a good cycle path runs past, you're a short drive from Northumberland or to get the Metro or bus into Newcastle, loads to do without spending much money once you're there. The caravans were very clean, i did Mon-Fri in Aug last year for under £100 a night.

Thankyou. This website is incredible!

Thankyou so much. I am overwhelmed with all the responses and even going abroad could be a possibility.
I am going to go through each and every one of your links in detail and will let you know what bargain I booked!
Thank you so much!

Thanks for the info @willstarttomorrow I hadn’t considered flying because of using public transport as a wheelchair user but I could look into it. I live in the North so not driving South then again in France is tempting.

If you can't get away then I would do as others suggest and have a lovely staycation at home. With £700 you could do quite a lot.

I understand it's disappointing if you can't get away though.

We aren't doing summer this year as have booked to go abroad next year so I am planning things to do with DS. My son is 8 and he understands why we aren't going this year. Can you explain to your children?

www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cottage/59147-osprey?n=7&sd=06082022

www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cottage/59116-hornbeam-cottage?n=7&sd=06082022

www.walescottageholidays.co.uk/mid-wales-the-brecon-beacons/welshpool-cottages/75703-bwthyn-efyrnwy?adults=4&fromdate=2022-08-05&nights=7&sleeps=%3E4&guests=4

www.walescottageholidays.co.uk/mid-wales-the-brecon-beacons/llandeilo-cottages/waw313-beudy?adults=4&fromdate=2022-08-09&nights=7&sleeps=%3E4&guests=4

www.walescottageholidays.co.uk/search?attribute428=false&changedayrules=true&form_build_id=form-BaPwxe37peSZ9CtnYoIxJvEyU-fL3Yfa0UNpYWZgCMM&form_id=webform_submission_search_filter_form_add_form&fromdate=2022-08-06&nights=7&pagetags=&pagetype=search&plusminus=3&sleeps=%3E4&page=4

Put on a few 2 for Northumberland and 3 for Wales New Quay I can really recommend it's very Cornwall esque. Everywhere in Northumberland is lovely you need to drive around but Alnwick Alnmouth Bednall Bay Seahouses Bamborough all amazing.

THIS!

My kids have always loved Whitley Bay. We went one Easter with my 3best mates and all the kids Mon-Fri. It was so affordable and we had a phenomenal time. The kids still talk about their best holiday ever- and this is from my friend's kids who go to Malaysia and Dubai all the time!

I adore Northumberland. Tynemouth is right nearby and a bit further up is Seahouses/ Bamburgh/ Alnwick etc. Brilliant area.

I would do camping if you have the stuff and maybe mix up half a staycation with half a camping trip?

Or a a trip to a theme park with a short break? They often do 2 days entry plus b&b for a reasonable cost.

Or premier inn? Family rooms are often around £60-£70 per night and breakfast is free for kids if adults are eating. You could do 3/4 nights and some day trips?

Also camping and caravan club have some safari tents you can book even if you aren’t a member and the price is ok. Or if you join the camping and caravan club for £42 per year, there are loads of very cheap campsites for tents £10 etc

We stayed in a very similar property last July was going to suggest the same area , it's georgus.

Brilliant! Leaves you a buffer for the ferry and trips too.

5 nights in Madrid 18th Aug with Thomas cook from Manchester for a studio appt £836.

4 nights Costa Brava from LeedsBradford for £690 for hotel, room only with a pool on the coast.

You'd need to factor in food, airport transfers and insurance too. Flights are with Jet2 so you could just look at booking direct with them and then finding an airbnb or campsite yourself.

When we were really broke, I used my tesco
clubcard points to get a ferry to France, then booked a campsite about 90 mins from Calais. Wish I could remember the name, but there are loads with caravans/safari tents and facilities such as pools. We went to the supermarket and stocked up on baguettes and wine.

Booking.com is good for finding apartments, cottages etc. Sort by low to high! I once got a week in Devon for about £400 in a cute little cottage during the school hols. It was cheap
because it was about half hour from the beach, so not such a touristy area.

Also, agree with the PP who said Premier Inn. Travelodge too. Look out for sales. You won’t get the really great beachfront locations in the offers but plenty of places close to holiday spots. They’re fine for a few days when you just want a place to crash.

I’m so sorry…I’ve just read your original post and saw that you don’t camp. It was the eurocamp that threw me off…

@cantaffordahol Where di you decide to go?

It’s a three year old thread, @TheUniquePombear. The OP has probably been on several trips since then.

Start a new thread if you want to discuss holidays.

Totally understand your situation. My dh and I work full time and restricted to school holidays as I work in a school and prices are ridiculous. I don't want to get into debt for a holiday but don't want to spend a fortune!!!

We know people around us who have several expensive holidays each year some even go to Florida every year.

Thankfully my daughters enjoy holidays in the uk but even those are becoming more expensive.

So annoying people upping prices in the school holidays.