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Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Is £230 enough spending money to go to Cornwall for 5 days?

420 replies

MascalPascal · 14/02/2025 09:03

Going to Cornwall for Feb half term. Booked a lovely caravan which was very cheap owing it to it still being out of season. Going to St Ives.

Everything is booked and paid for, including all activities. Over the last 6 months i have been booking things slowly. Biggest expense really will be a food shop and petrol (I need to pay for return journey petrol from this money too).
Should that be enough?

OP posts:
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NovemberMorn · 14/02/2025 16:53

In my experience, some of the best holidays have been when I didn't have lots of spare cash to splash about.
Being on a budget, (and the OP's is plenty, considering she has planned and prepaid for things in advance) is good for the soul. It makes us appreciate things so much more.
I think this 5 day break, just her and her daughter, sounds like heaven.
Caravan holidays are the best....you come and go as you please.

It sounds so good, I wish I was going with them. 😀

WestwardHo1 · 14/02/2025 17:03

ExercicenformedeZ · 14/02/2025 16:27

I hope that they have a great time. It wouldn't be for me, personally. I would be too worried that something would go wrong. I think that if the money didn't need to stretch to petrol as well, it would be less of a problem. I think it's tight, but I hope that they have great weather and a lovely time.

Well it's a good thing you're not going then 🙂

ExercicenformedeZ · 14/02/2025 17:10

WestwardHo1 · 14/02/2025 17:03

Well it's a good thing you're not going then 🙂

Yes, it is! I'd be in a panic the whole time.

Stepfordian · 14/02/2025 17:16

whatawonderfultime · 14/02/2025 12:53

It's better to save upfront than overpay for catered at Butlins. Also it really restricts your days because you have to plan them around food.

Edited

I plan all my days around food, so that’s not a problem 😂

WiddlinDiddlin · 14/02/2025 17:16

Oioisavaloy27 · 14/02/2025 16:32

She already has a full tank for getting there, she just needs petrol for on the way back.

I know, I already calculated for that - if it costs say £80 to get there, and she has £60 in the tank already, then she will need to fill up part way there, plus another £80 to get back -thats £160 - minus £60 = £100!

The fuel calculator I used for a small family car based on 35 to the gallon suggested £77.something. So I rounded up as it doesn't calculate for traffic or getting lost.

And she needs petrol to drive around too - and driving around Cornwall can really rack up as its not very economical driving round country roads and the risk of getting lost is increased and the distances are longer than you tend to think simply looking at a map!

Fencehedge · 14/02/2025 17:27

Hopefully they're doing Eden on the way home, as it's an almost 100 mile round trip from St Ives

Although that's only £15 in petrol anyway so..

sposabagnata · 14/02/2025 17:30

ExercicenformedeZ · 14/02/2025 17:10

Yes, it is! I'd be in a panic the whole time.

So just to be clear, your contribution to this thread could be summarised as ‘well, I don’t have to stick to that kind of a budget on holiday, but if I did, I’d find it very stressful’?

I’m sure the OP is very glad of your input.

Have a wonderful time, @MascalPascal Flowers

Mainoo72 · 14/02/2025 17:44

Hazylazydays · 14/02/2025 15:26

Well this post isn’t about you @ExercicenformedeZ I’m sure your bragging post is no help at all to the OP.

OP I think you’ll have an amazing time, you’ve planned really well and have lots of varied activities. I think kids love taking out a picnic, and you will find ways to keep to your budget. The Paint and Create at Cornish gold is inexpensive and great fun. I do agree if you can get hold of a free NT ticket do so, they will have activities on for half term, most of them free.

A picnic in Cornwall in February?

ExercicenformedeZ · 14/02/2025 17:45

sposabagnata · 14/02/2025 17:30

So just to be clear, your contribution to this thread could be summarised as ‘well, I don’t have to stick to that kind of a budget on holiday, but if I did, I’d find it very stressful’?

I’m sure the OP is very glad of your input.

Have a wonderful time, @MascalPascal Flowers

I would think anyone would find it pretty stressful!

ExercicenformedeZ · 14/02/2025 17:45

Mainoo72 · 14/02/2025 17:44

A picnic in Cornwall in February?

Quite. Still, let's hope the weather is ok for OP and her child.

OMGitsnotgood · 14/02/2025 17:56

We've had many a picnic in the car!

Fencehedge · 14/02/2025 17:58

OMGitsnotgood · 14/02/2025 17:56

We've had many a picnic in the car!

Exactly! So many lovely places to sit looking out to sea, munching on a sarnie. I think some here are just jealous

EcruCardigan · 14/02/2025 17:59

Mainoo72 · 14/02/2025 17:44

A picnic in Cornwall in February?

What could beat a bag of chips by the sea?

EcruCardigan · 14/02/2025 18:01

Hey OP, this isn't a sneaky ad for the Cornwall Tourist Board is it? I'm really fancying a few days there.

iwentjasonwaterfalls · 14/02/2025 18:01

Mainoo72 · 14/02/2025 17:44

A picnic in Cornwall in February?

Picnics can be sandwiches in the car sheltering from the rain, it doesn't need to be a picnic rug in glorious sunshine.

PullTheBricksDown · 14/02/2025 18:47

Fencehedge · 14/02/2025 17:27

Hopefully they're doing Eden on the way home, as it's an almost 100 mile round trip from St Ives

Although that's only £15 in petrol anyway so..

Edited

May have been said already but Eden Project is terrific but very expensive food. That's one to take a picnic for.

EcruCardigan · 14/02/2025 19:12

Take a flask for having hot chocolates or coffees when you're out and about.

Indianajet · 14/02/2025 19:58

I have had many picnics in the car, looking at the sea.
My honeymoon (51 years ago!) was spent in Cornwall on a very tight budget, with no credit cards for back up.

MascalPascal · 14/02/2025 22:54

mewkins · 14/02/2025 16:24

It's completely possible to make it last. Ring fence the petrol money and the rest is plenty for food and a little soending money for an adult and a child for five days. There's a Tesco and big Asda etc for meal deals pizzas etc, it will be fine.

This was kindve my thought process. Caravan holidays are within my means so I try not to overstretch myself and book things I can't afford. I'm going to do a shop in Tesco when we get there and as long as I've got food and petrol money I think we'll be ok. I've learnt to budget really well being a one income household. I book holidays well in advance so I can pay them off slowly. I booked this Feb half terms holiday last Feb half term!

OP posts:
MascalPascal · 14/02/2025 22:55

Fencehedge · 14/02/2025 14:51

There's cheap swimming at Ayr Holiday Park, quite a walk up the hill though, stunning views and good drinks in the cafe / restaurant

We're going there to swim. Have booked a session :)

OP posts:
C8H10N4O2 · 14/02/2025 23:06

MascalPascal · 14/02/2025 22:55

We're going there to swim. Have booked a session :)

You have plenty booked - spend the rest of the time doing low cost activities and just hanging out together.

Wandering around a beach and rock pooling, walk around the harbours, going up to the moors for a picnic and to see old tin mines and ancient sites such as Chysauster if petrol budget allows. With all you have booked you don't need a big stash of money on top - the odd ice cream/chips should do.

Notquitegrownup2 · 14/02/2025 23:11

Don't forget to take a favourite board game or pack of cards - best part of caravan holidays is playing games whilst the wind blows outside, with a cup of hot chocolate/marshmallows. And take hot water bottles too. .

And don't forget to fill up with petrol at a supermarket just off the motorway and not at the service station as the supermarkets are much cheaper. There's a Sainsburys 100m from junction 25 on the M5 which is half way there for you. Just go round the roundabout and follow the signs fo Taunton. The Sainsburys is 100m away, just off a mini roundabout.

Have a lovely time.

mewkins · 14/02/2025 23:24

MascalPascal · 14/02/2025 22:54

This was kindve my thought process. Caravan holidays are within my means so I try not to overstretch myself and book things I can't afford. I'm going to do a shop in Tesco when we get there and as long as I've got food and petrol money I think we'll be ok. I've learnt to budget really well being a one income household. I book holidays well in advance so I can pay them off slowly. I booked this Feb half terms holiday last Feb half term!

Perfect, have a lovely time. X

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 15/02/2025 07:38

Have a fantastic time OP. Please let us know how it goes.

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