OK, so I want a family holiday (3 of us) in the UK in August for about £400. Am I dreaming?

[northerner]

Somewhere near a beach, with kids activities, pool, self catering.

Not bothered about type of accommodation - will do caravan type park.

Everything I've found is at least £700

1 week only.

Caravan parks are surprisingly expensive because of the activities on site. We stayed in a flat in Swanage once - it was 1970's decor but clean. I think it was about 5 years ago and about £300 for the week. Swanage is great for young children. Punch & Judy on the beach, that sort of thing. (At least there was up till 4 or 5 years ago.)

Some of the smaller caravans at St Ives Bay Caravan Park fall into that price bracket. It doesn't have much in the way of kids activities, but does have an indoor pool and is right onto a lovely beach. Although paying £400 you will not have a sea view!

And another idea... rent a cottage with another family. That brings the cost right down and you have someone to have a drink with in the evening when the little ones are tucked up in bed. But anywhere right on the beach will tend to be a lot dearer than somewhere 20 miles from the beach.

Try Welcome Cottages. They will have some properties I would have thought.

Just done a quick search for August, 2 bed, August and close to sea - and come up with these .

Do you fancy camping?

Trevornick in Cornwall have ready erected tents for £375.

We've used the Cottages4you website several times. Here's one for you available in Aug...
Start Day: Saturday
Sleeps: 4
Pets: no
Prop Ref: W7870
Price: £354.50
Grade: Norton, nr. Dartmouth

Use of shared swimming pool Terraced chalet bungalow for 2/4 This chalet bungalow is set in a holiday park, with other predominately privately owned properties and is suitable for a family with 2 chil...

if your children are under 5 then u don't pay for them here worth every penny, its stunning

Fab youth hostel in Port Enyon on the Gower Peninsula, literally on the beach - old lifeboat building. Steps leading down to the sand. Family rooms about £35.00 a night. That's the price even in high season. Self catering. Keep meaning to go myself!

how about the wigwam village in northumberland

here

no pool but looks such fun and very cheap

Tigermoth is right. The YHA has a few other Welsh coastal hostels in that area too (Solva for starters)
Worthing also has a fab new hostel (eg with ensuite rooms) adjacent to the beach and the town pool.
Or if you feel you can do it, camp. North Morte Farm in North Devon has all the stunning scenery of the expensive nearby cabin parks and is very highly rated.

Northumberland's beaches are soooo beautiful. A bit bracing, though!

Try Parkdean holidays, we have been a few times, they are reasonably priced. The best one we went to was Trecco Bay, loads to entertain the kids and the nearby beach is lovely.

oh, marina, the new place in worthing sounds really good, and not too far away either. I must take a look at the YHA website.

wow fio LOVE those yurts!

Wow! Want one..... Next year.

sorry, havent read all tihs post but we have just booked 4 days at Butlins in Minhead ( right on the beach) - for £381.00
This was for a Gold accomadation which includes breakfast and dinner!
Havent done butlins for years but so much for DS there( 4.5 ) - if he is having fun then we are!!
This was for w/c 2nd July

pinkranger - haven't stayed at Butlins but Minehead is fun for kids - your son will love having a ride on the steam railway. It goes 20 miles but you can buy a ticket and get on and off on the journey. Mine liked the little harbour at Watchet and there used to be an animal park part way along, too. At the far end there is a signal box where they can pull levers and things.

We've just booked a one bed apartment at Woolacombe bay for £355, special offer, see below link at the "Golden Coast" site. We've stayed there on a number of occasions and they have LOADS for kids to do! They also have a courtesy bus service to the beach.

\link{http://www.woolacombe.co.uk/site/news/news.phpClematis appt with Woolacombe bay}

Note that you have to phone up to get the offer - no online availability for this. We booked a week ago, so hopefully they'll still have vacancies...

Alternatively I also recommend St Ives bay. It is CONSIDERABLY cheaper in the week beginning 25 August (bank holiday). Last year we stayed in the cheapest caravan which was absolutely fine, no complaints there, but if you want the sea view for your budget, then go 25 August (which is what we're doing!)

Lets try again with that link...

Clematis appt with Woolacombe bay

thta sounds great fortyplus - im really excited about it!