holidays...

[lilypoppyfre]

as a single parent, working part-time, my new neighbour does not have much money to give her children a holiday.

Are there any websites who deal specially with holidays for single parent families in England ? I had mentioned Pontins or Butlins but it seems that they have become quite expensive....The children are under 11 and she was thinking of a seaside holiday...of course during the school holidays.....when prices are even higher....

I welcome any suggestions....I do the research as she isn't on line.

[sallybb]

camping holiday? plenty of places at the moment selling large family tents very cheaply.

[mummyh]

Camping? Probably a bit much like hard work, but cheaper than staying elsewhere, and she could probably get quite near a beach. And obviously the kit costs, but perhaps she could borrow from friends?

[Bobbisox]

a caravan holiday by the sea?

[mummyh]

or a 'staycation' - staying at home, but having days out... swimming, parks, a train trip etc?

[Maydup]

How about renting a caravan near the coast? They could take their own food and a few toys and play on the beach with picnics.

If they are near a seaside town they will have a few activities to keep them quiet on a rainy day or as a treat at the end of the week.

Where abouts are you and how far can they travel?

[lilypoppyfre]

I note your answers with interest sallybb and mummyyh....

children 2, 4 ,7 ,11......remembering MY holidays under tent in the rain all those decades ago......I am not sure I would be so brave....however I shall tell her of your suggestions.....

many thanks

[lilypoppyfre]

I just read the other suggestions. ..many thanks.

they live in West Yorkshire and travel by coach/train

last year they rented a caravan near Scaborough. This year the same caravan costs £400 for the week.....

Vacations at home is an option I had mentioned to her....

[marval]

These people might be able to help.

http://www.gingerbread.org.uk/

[annie0000]

Youth Hostelling? They often offer family rooms now

[annie0000]

or, travel lodge - might manage to get a sale room for a few nights somewhere

[bimbo123456]

Obviously missed the Sun offer then....Why not try last minute.com. They sometimes have large houses. Or hostels.com. This is not as dire as it sounds. We booked a room in Florence (yes, I know that's abroad but you can get local ones) which, although basic, turned out to be great. In my experience staycations can be really expensive when you are paying out for all those children for each visit.

[Kassee]

I save up the coupons in the Sun for my holidays each year - £9.50 per person. I am on my own with children too. Of course it works out more than that, but I can go away for about £60 or £80. I usually go twice a year, and do a Friday to Monday (3 night, 4 days) away. At the moment I am booking my second holiday away and am looking at Friday 2nd September, just before they go back to school (my kids dont go back to Tuesday 6th), so prices are very reasonable at that time of year, and they wont miss any school

[leanne_1987]

thorpe park caravan park in cleethorpes is quite cheap around 150-200 for a weekn a caravan

[annie0000]

Haven:

http://www.haven.com/....aspx?&linkname=HPI03

[leanne_1987]

woah forget what i put, checked and its gone up alot since i last went!!

[annie0000]

when I was a child, I only went one holiday in my whole life to a caravan about 10 miles away from my house, but I still have great memories of the school holidays. we would make up sandwiches and have a picnic in the park, or go to the museum 'cos it was free, we would also go swimming which was really cheap, make tents in the garden, go for walks, trips on the bus, I can't remember being bored much and there were 7 of us kids and not much money but my parents made the effort just to get us out and about and take the food we would have had anyway with us for the day. I certainly didn't feel deprived.