Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
Upset with UK weekend aways
JulyDreams · 31/05/2022 22:50
To feel completely deflated with British weekend aways…
I don’t mean to come across as ungrateful especially considering with what is going on at the moment with all the travel in the airports! This is one reason we booked a weekend away in the UK, just can’t win.
Everywhere and I mean everywhere is now totally understaffed. Prices have gone through the roof. Me and DP ordered a coffee and a tea- £9. X3 different places were working out between £9-£16 for just a tea and coffee. Weather crappy also 
Everywhere also adds service charge.
I just wanted a little break while we could and we’ve had the worse time really. We are on our way home tomorrow and back to normality
ToastandJamandTea · 01/06/2022 16:55
Just back from the Peak District cottage break and it was shockingly expensive.
Cheap chain pub was £22 for burger and chips. Five of us, 2 ordering off the kids menu only having a main and one drink was over £100 and it was awful.
Three hot drinks and 2 slush drinks was £22 in a country park.
Have to say that everyone was so lovely and friendly but I don't think we can afford to do another UK break this year other than our self catering camping breaks.
BattenbergdowntheHatches · 01/06/2022 17:07
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MinnieMountain · 01/06/2022 19:07
Nobody is forcing you to read the Holiday section @grapehyacinthisactuallyblue .
grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 01/06/2022 19:14
MinnieMountain · 01/06/2022 19:07
Nobody is forcing you to read the Holiday section @grapehyacinthisactuallyblue .
Yeah, tell that to HQ then. It just comes up on active.
Hellsbe · 01/06/2022 19:23
grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 01/06/2022 16:41
I'm sorry, but from a pov of a person who can't afford weekend away, it's none issue.
Maybe you are lucky you can spend £9 on tea/coffee when people in the world is starving to death. Just embrace your luck.
Why are you coming on holiday threads if you can’t afford to go on one?
Do you want everyone else who can afford to go on holiday not t to because you can’t?
HairyToity · 01/06/2022 19:31
We're home from a lovely break. We went to Away Resorts Barmouth Bay. It was well staffed. We took bracing walks along beach from our caravan, swam in the indoor pool on site, and got the train to Barmouth and Harlech Castle.
I think for UK breaks, you have to lower your expectations, and go with the flow.
Jubileeeeeeee · 01/06/2022 20:09
I must be the exception as have had about 5 really good weekends away/mini breaks in the UK recently. I’d give them all 9/10 or more.
One thing that’s happened during the pandemic is I’ve realised I love UK breaks.
33goingon64 · 01/06/2022 20:19
Currently in West Wales. The weather is amazing, the food and drink very affordable, huge sandy beaches, beautiful scenery and everyone very welcoming. Maybe try Wales next time? For those jumping in to comment on weather, we were here same week last year and had great weather then too.
TizerorFizz · 01/06/2022 20:52
@Hellsbe
Have you seen all the current angst and loss of holidays abroad? Not fun for these families.
Most areas in this country have coffee prices that are fairly standard. We often use farm shops and bakery cafes. We can sniff out reasonable places if we need to. Never use chain eateries if we can avoid it. Going abroad is not cheap and prices can be hefty too.
My 3 bed house in Cornwall rents out for £1800 a week in high season. £3000 for 2 beds is silly. Even if it’s beach front.
Hellsbe · 01/06/2022 21:58
TizerorFizz · 01/06/2022 20:52
@Hellsbe
Have you seen all the current angst and loss of holidays abroad? Not fun for these families.
Most areas in this country have coffee prices that are fairly standard. We often use farm shops and bakery cafes. We can sniff out reasonable places if we need to. Never use chain eateries if we can avoid it. Going abroad is not cheap and prices can be hefty too.
My 3 bed house in Cornwall rents out for £1800 a week in high season. £3000 for 2 beds is silly. Even if it’s beach front.
I think £1800 a week is crazy tbh! I understand that people obviously pay these prices and more, but to me I would rather stay at home than pay that for a week in the uk.
Yes, there’s a lot of shit going on with flying at the moment, delays cancellation etc. I have had a flight cancelled on short notice. We will re book though, when things settle down..
We have booked a couple of nights in Wales on a travel zoo voucher, as we had already booked the time off work and it was cheap as chips. I’m managing my expectations mind you😮
JulyDreams · 02/06/2022 23:33
£2.90 for a simple ice cream. £4.00
Got 2 scoops. £4.50 for a dollop of ice cream covered in sprinkles.
Also was tramps begging us every time we sat down anywhere. Restaurants totally understaffed. Really wasn't the break we had planned.
JulyDreams · 02/06/2022 23:33
OnceuponaRainbow18 · 01/06/2022 16:33
Everywhere’s expensive at the mo, we got 4 ice creams for £15
Jesus Christ
JulyDreams · 02/06/2022 23:33
grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 01/06/2022 16:41
I'm sorry, but from a pov of a person who can't afford weekend away, it's none issue.
Maybe you are lucky you can spend £9 on tea/coffee when people in the world is starving to death. Just embrace your luck.
We really can't afford it at all.
JulyDreams · 02/06/2022 23:35
Hellsbe · 01/06/2022 19:18
UK holidays are pretty shit! Go abroad next time.
I think we have definitely decided that.
TizerorFizz · 03/06/2022 00:38
What did anyone really expect post Brexit? A huge influx of Brits doing hospitality jobs? Or care assistant jobs for that matter? We don’t have the staff so manage expectations. Go somewhere family run. Abroad won’t be cheaper now.,Everyone has similar issues. You just have to be savvy buyers. I’ve never seen the homeless near restaurants. There are plenty about everywhere. Abroad too! I used to have a seaside flat near Bournemouth and that area was tramp free! Cornwall is more or less ok.
TheRoadToRuin · 03/06/2022 08:51
What did anyone really expect post Brexit? .....Go somewhere family run. Abroad won’t be cheaper now.,Everyone has similar issues.
How can it be Brexit if it's the same abroad?
This is about UK hospitality trying to cash in on the pandemic when most Brits didn't travel abroad. They have upped prices far more than in line with inflation because they had a monopoly last year. I had some sympathy for UK hospitality increasing prices in line with demand last year, because they were hard hit in lockdowns but they are now driving tourists away.
TheYearOfSmallThings · 03/06/2022 08:58
We rarely book breaks in the UK - you get so little for your money. Even self catering, it works out cheaper to fly to Greece or somewhere and rent an apartment there.
Having said that, places like Holiday Inn are good value and reliable if you just need to be in a different location and are not trying to plan something special.
And it isn't Brexit tbh, this has long been an issue.
motogirl · 03/06/2022 09:23
I've never paid that much, not even in London hotels. I'm guessing they were very large fancy drinks not just ordinary tea and coffee
motogirl · 03/06/2022 09:25
@Whammyyammy
I live in Somerset and the going rate for ice cream (single) is £3-3.50 even at the fancy gelato place. We go out on the motorbike down the Somerset and Devon coast most weekends.
motogirl · 03/06/2022 09:28
By the way - if you think the U.K. is expensive, do not go the USA! $9 for not even a full British pint (American pints are smaller)
CottonSock · 03/06/2022 09:30
I'm away in West Wales too. Yesterday we got a pub meal x 4 and 4 drinks for £40. Some places are saying they have a reduced menu due to staffing, but we've had no issues. And yes lovely weather.
etulosba · 03/06/2022 09:35
What did anyone really expect post Brexit?
Spain is having exactly the same problems. Brexit?
inews.co.uk/news/world/britons-heading-to-spain-face-hospitality-chaos-with-100000-worker-shortage-1660839
lalaloopyhead · 03/06/2022 09:39
I've just come back from a lovely few days in Norfolk...weather not blazing sunshine but ok. Prices have increased a bit but nothing crazy. Four drinks in a cafe about £12...mini fish and chips including a coffee was £6.70 from chip shop in Wells (was decent size and delicious too). A lot of places were not busy though so I can't imagine they could justify crazy prices...maybe more issues in the South and places that are still really busy.
I suppose it all comes down to expectations too..I love a UK holiday, so many beautiful places to go but I am happy with a picnic and a pac-a-mac!
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