The golden rules of cheap UK family holidays

Holidays. We love them. We enjoy them. We…spend a lot of money on them? Not necessarily. In fact, you can save yourself a lot of stress and hassle by following these simple tips to help you plan a cheap UK family holiday.

Choosing your holiday

One of the fastest, easiest ways to cut costs is to choose to camp. Campsites offer affordable pricing in a way that no hotels or cottage rentals possibly can. Some people get stuck with images of camping from decades ago. Tiny, leaky tents stuck in the pouring rain with no loos and no such thing as a hot shower. Thankfully, things have changed and the options of ways you can camp are now huge, from traditional tents through to yurts, tipis, caravans, motorhomes and lodges. And yes, most have hot showers as standard, though sadly we can’t make any promises about the pouring rain!

Finding your holiday

Researching a hotel holiday abroad can take a lot of time and money. Phone calls, wading through books of research, talking to travel agents, it all adds stress to what should be a simple procedure. With camping, booking can be easy, quick and won’t cost you the earth.

Get online and check out the Campsites.co.uk website. It is one of the easiest ways to narrow down campsite choices by location, campsite features and by your family’s needs. Then you can contact the campsite directly to book. Simple! If you only have a vague idea of where you want to holiday, you can also browse by location to get inspiration.

Also part of the Campsites UK network is the Camping Insider. Each month this e-newsletter will bring you discounts, information about special offers and reviews of different holiday areas across the UK. By subscribing, you can also enter special ‘campetitions’ to win free goodies!

Funding your holiday

One thing that puts people off camping is the thought of all the equipment you need and the massive price tag that comes with it. However, even this does not need to be as pricey as you think. If you are only planning on using the tent for a short break, you can cut costs by getting cheap camping equipment from supermarkets, Argos, or even some clothes stores like Primark! Bargain tents and sleeping bags can be a great choice if you’re testing the waters to see if camping is right for you. A fun, affordable option is to try out a pop-up tent! These come in bright patterns and colours, and are great for kids and festival-goers.

Meals are often one of the more expensive parts of a family holiday. Some campsites allow open fires or camping stoves, so be sure to check when booking. This can be a great way to eat for cheap, rather than going out for meals every night. Who doesn’t love a barbecued sausage in a bun? Or a toasted marshmallow on a stick> Stove food is easy too! Think pasta, beans or soup (particularly great for any cold evenings), just remember to pack the can opener!

Packed lunches are another great way to save money. Buy special offer multipacks of food (such as crisps, raisins, cereal bars, bottles of water or juice boxes) at the nearest supermarket and you’ll be set with picnics for a few days. Kids will love the change from school dinners and an outdoor meal can make a great halfway break during a day of walking or hiking.

Cheap camping holidays needn’t be boring! Your family can enjoy active and exciting activities with a low price tag. Many campsites allow you to bring bicycles (just check with the campsite owner first) and it can be a fantastic way to explore the local landscape for free. Families will love places which are particularly friendly to cyclists. Check out cycle trails in Cornwall and national parks such as the New Forest and Lake District. Alternatively, plan a family hike or a day at the beach for free fun in the sun.

Camping is often the most suitable option for those looking for a cheap UK holiday with their family. Holidays don’t need to break the bank to be brilliant. We hope that you enjoy your affordable camping holiday!