How to holiday this summer - a cheap stacation!

[Harmonyrays]

Any ideas welcome. For the first time in 15 years we are having the prospect of no summer holiday abroad. We have a 5 year old and a 5 month old. As we are going to be in the UK I need ideas for cusp

Sorry posted to soon! I need ideas for cheap places to stay that are child /baby friendly.

Where are you (roughly) based and how far would you go within uk?

We live in the south east, willing to travel around 150 to 200 miles. Budget fit the wind 5 weeks will be around 600 pounds for accommodation, trips, food etc

Sorry budget for the whole five weeks is 600 pounds

£600 for 5 weeks? Cheapest campsites with own tent or home swap(s)?

Hmm a friend just came back from some of those glamping sites shaped like big pig arks (sorry farmer here) said they were really cosy. We are Northern Ireland but I've seen them in Scotland and Yorkshire too so probably some further down too.
Does anyone know how to attach a link in the app before I win an award for least helpful post ever?

i think youll need to borrow a tent and find a campsite. Even sites with loads of facilities are quite reasonable if you bring your own tent

With £600 to cover the whole summer holidays activities I'd probably choose to not spend any of the budget on hotels/cottages but instead I'd stay at home and

1. get an annual family pass for your local zoo - you can always bring a picnic when you visit to cut down on their food costs. Ours is £100 for the family (but your 5 month old will be free) -this way you can take the kids out in sunny weather to have a good few hours of running round, playing in the playground, etc. Not sure where in the south east you are but wingham zoo is a firm favourite and has an indoor playgym , giant dinosaurs, etc.

2. Have a couple of day trips to the beach (budget for petrol, parking, fish and chips on the beach and some overpriced ice cream)

3. have a look at some local holiday clubs your 5 year old could go to one morning/afternoon a week (this will wear him out plus give you a bit of a break)

4. if you have any money left over and you can drive to folkestone the eurotunnel do a day return to France starting from £60 - it's very exciting driving a car onto a train! But your 5 month old will need a passport.

5. look at groupon for days out/activity offers - this may have random things you've never done but the dc would enjoy.

6. if you do decide to go camping book one very near to your house so that if you give up at 3.00am you can all just get back home and come back the next day to pack up your tent.

Thanks, done really useful ideas there

i think that since your oldest is only 5, id look to taking him out of school and going somewhere for a few days before the main holidays start. You could save a few hundred and i dont think missing a few days of school at 5 is a big deal