Bargain basement family holiday with 5 and 2 yo - anyone?

[WoolyMammoth55]

Hi wise Holiday MN folks,

We are frighteningly skint at the moment but I know for my MH I need something to look forward to! So am hoping to find at least 1 week and ideally 2 somewhere warm, needs to be school holidays (sadly).

I would draw the line at a tent since I'd get no sleep! But would definitely be fine in a static caravan/cabin, ideally with separate area for the kids so that DH's snoring doesn't wake them...

I do crave sun, would love a walkable beach. 5 yo loves to swim but is scared of the sea so a pool would be good. He likes slides too but only the 'baby' ones, we wouldn't get good value out of a proper massive waterpark because he'd be too scared to go on 90% of it :)

I don't have high expectations, am happy to SC, don't need anywhere to eat out or go out in the evening! Just a supermarket for food and some sun and a change of scene...

Can anyone recommend anything? I feel really overwhelmed so would love any starting points for finding somewhere doable!

Thanks for any thoughts :) xx

I’d look at yelloh or eurocamp in France, and you could drive over.

Brittany ferries do some good deals on holidays with ferry included, or used to. They have sites on the West coast of France if you can get to Portsmouth or Plymouth for the ferry. Or Eurocamp, Canvas have good deals and do a discount on ferry and I think tunnel crossing as well. Look at May half term as other European schools aren’t off it’s usually cheaper.

Ryanair fare finder is a good place to start. Find a cheap flight first, then accommodation is usually the easy bit.

House swap? Do you live somewhere that is close enough to attractions to swap with a similar family?

Find the cheapest flights on Ryanair, try places that you wouldn't normally look at, Germany is fab.

Stay in cheap hotels and use local outdoor pools. If you can get cheap flights to Munich then Michaelibad is fantastic.

There's a Facebook group called HOLIDAYS booked and paid for but can't go (snappy!), which does what it says on the tin. Might be worth a look, people sometimes sell cheaper to get rid

Hi OP if you would consider the UK Hoeseasons has some cheap breaks. These prices are for during the Easter hols for a 4 night or seven night break. There are 30 choices under £300 for the Mon-Friday break.

We are going to Skegness for £200 Monday - Fri during Easter.

What about a holiday park in the uk, Isle of Wight is good with lots to do for DC that age.

We stayed at Whitecliffe Bay on IOW many years ago, it was our bargain bucket holiday. Has the pool, beach, playground etc you want.

With the way recent summers have been if you are short of money I'd go for a uk holiday park. Odds are it will be hot and sunny here too

Thanks all, these are really helpful! :) Going to enjoy this little project when I get a minute to look at all your ideas x

Would give Hemsby beach a miss; the beach is closed currently due to coastal erosion. It was featured in this news article only a day or so ago.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-64772348

What's your budget op?

Would you consider a mobile home holiday in Norfolk?

https://www.haven.com/parks/norfolk/caister-on-sea

This is a lovely park(don't let the fact it says Great Yarmouth put you off, it's in a small village). I've a some cheap weekends there with friends, the park is literally on the beach and it's a easy walk into Caister where there is a lidls.
When my Dc were small and we were skint a holiday park in either UK or Europe was a great choice. Started by some weeks in advance so just fresh needed when there. Also made a few meals and frozen them for a few night.

We love a bargain as if we spend wisely we can have an extra holiday!
We have used this site with great success
www.ukcaravans4hire.com

North Wales has some great things to see and do for all budgets, why not have a city break on the way ? Liverpool is great value as it has a lot of free attractions even two beaches.
www.donthibernate.co.uk/liverpool/

What’s your budget?

We went here www.loveholidays.com/holidays/l?masterId=302042&nights=7&rooms=2-5-2&date=2023-08-26
a few years ago. It was very reasonably priced and walking distance to the beach and a supermarket. Hey did a free bus to the local town to when we stayed. would probably be good for kids the age of yours, but no slides unfortunately.

If you’re tied to school holidays it’s really no more expensive to go abroad. My holiday to Greece b&b in the summer hols is costing me less than a week in a bronze caravan in Cornwall, self catering, for the same week!

crazy but that’s the reality.