Save money on making memories (Image: undefined via Getty Images)
As summer approaches, many families are looking for ways to plan affordable holidays here in the UK without compromising on enjoyment. With rising travel costs, simple, practical tips can help save money without missing out on holiday memories.
Javier Sobrino, founder of travel platform Descubriendo Viajes, has shared his top tips on how to help keep unnecessary costs to a minimum, including one simple booking preference that can make a big difference. According to Sobrino, choosing accommodation with kitchen facilities could significantly reduce the cost of getting away. By preparing at least breakfast and one other meal daily, holidaymakers could slash food costs by up to half.
One of the biggest budget-drainers on family holidays is eating at restaurants for every meal. “Even using a kitchen for just breakfast and one other meal daily can cut your food budget by 50%,” explains Sobrino.
Eating out three times a day, especially with children, rapidly escalates into one of the heftiest expenditures during a holiday. While holidaying here in the UK can help to cut down travel costs, restaurants and takeaways can still be very pricey.
For families catering to children with dietary restrictions or fussy eaters, having a kitchen also simplifies the task of creating familiar meals. It also presents an opportunity to make healthier food choices, as parents can monitor ingredients and portion sizes.
Haven Gold Caravan fully equipped kitchen (Image: Haven )
Many UK holiday resorts offer self-catering accommodation with kitchens, providing families the option to prepare their own meals and reduce overall holiday costs. Haven Holidays, for example, offers caravans and lodges equipped with kitchen facilities across its coastal parks. These kitchens typically include a hob, oven, microwave, fridge and essential cookware, allowing guests to self-cater throughout their stay.
Being able to cook in the comfort of your own accomodation also provides flexibility around mealtimes, allowing guests to eat whenever it suits their schedule rather than relying on restaurant opening hours.
Many caravans, especially the premium models, feature wrap-around decking with tables for outdoor dining. This allows visitors to eat as a family while watching the sun go down or taking in the views out across the park and beyond.
Haven parks offer a wide range of family-friendly activities, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sports courts, arcades and organised entertainment such as live shows and kids’ clubs. Many parks are located near beaches and nature trails, for easy access to seaside fun and outdoor exploration.
With 38 parks to choose from, prices start from as little as £95 for a four night, midweek stay in Skegness in June.
If Haven isn’t quite right, Parkdean Resorts operates 66 holiday parks across the UK, many of which offer caravans and lodges with kitchen facilities. Standard amenities usually include a cooker, microwave, fridge, and all parks have plenty of family-friendly activies to enjoy.
Another option to consider is Butlins. With locations in Minehead, Skegness and Bognor Regis, guests can enjoy a variety of activities including Splash Waterworld, classic fairground rides, the £15 million PLAYXPERIENCE attraction, live entertainment and seasonal events. Apartments at Butlins come complete with fully equipped kitchens and a dining area.
For holidaymakers who are happy to pay more, Center Parcs offers lodges in forest locations across the UK, all of which include fully equipped kitchens with appliances such as an oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher, and fridge-freezer. While Center Parcs is generally more expensive, especially during peak times, the inclusion of kitchen facilities allows guests to manage food costs by preparing their own meals.
Alternatively, a holiday home, apartment or cottage will be like a home from home, making them a popular choice with families who are happy to find their own entertaiment while away. Sykes Cottages has a huge range to choose from, with plenty of photos and reviews on the website. At the moment, guest can save up to 30% on selected accommodation for the summer.
Guests who have stayed at various Haven Holiday Parks have shared their experience of being able to cook for themselves on Trip Advisor. One visitor said: “We fell in love with Allhallows Haven the minute we stepped into the van. A lovely balcony overlooking the water with a table and four chairs. Very well fitted kitchen, everything you’d expect plus a dishwasher and washing machine.”
Kitchen facilities could help to cut holiday expenses by half (Image: Getty Images)
Another added: “The caravan was perfect, it was a dog friendly silver caravan with outdoor balcony, there was a table and four chairs. The kitchen area had everything you would have at home with all the kitchen tools and utensils all crockery, toaster, kettle, microwave, full fridge, full hob oven grill and all pans and cooking trays you would need.”
It’s not just the kitchens that have impressed visitors. One guest who stayed at the Kent Coast resort said: “Just got back from 5 days here with 2 little kids and had to write a review as it was amazing! Gorgeous new facilities, lovely massive park and really nice places to eat and drink. Entertainment on a lot and lots of things to book for kids.”
Some people were less satisfied with their stay. One guest who stayed at the Caister on Sea park left a three-star review that said: “Not what we expected of Haven at all! Once in our caravan it was clear the bowls was not clean, it actually looked like it was used then put straight back in the cupboard! Signage of the site is not good , it’s such large camp it’s easy to get lost.”