On Monday, I wrote about Holidays: Abroad Vs Staycations and I mentioned that later in the week, I would be writing about family summer holidays under £1000. I decided to use the places from my 3 places I loved post for the holidays abroad, and for the holidays at home, I chose two places I’ve visited and 1 place (Butlins) that is always a popular choice for UK holidays.
Family Summer Holidays Under £1000: Abroad
For these three holidays, I chose to keep all the following details the same so you can get a good idea of how the prices compare to each other:
- All holidays are based on a family of four – two adults and two children. Where prompted, I entered the children’s ages as 4 years and 8 years.
- All are 1 week bed and breakfast and all fly on June 20th
- All the chosen hotels are 3* and all have a Trip Advisor rating of good
- All of the flights are with Ryanair and all of these package holidays are available now on Low Cost Holidays (insurance and transfers are not included but are usually cheaper to book separately anyway).
Benidorm, Spain
Gran Bali Hotel: Total price for a family of four is £852.51
Albufeira, Portugal
Janelas Do Mar Hotel: Total price for a family of four is £741.53
Rome, Italy
Ostia Antica Park Hotel: Total price for a family of four is £998.39
Family Summer Holidays Under £1000: UK
It isn’t as easy to keep all the details the same on the UK holidays as the rating systems etc are different because the accommodation types are different. Below is the list of what is the same and the other things are listed with each holiday:
- The three holidays below are again based on a family of four (2 adults, 2 children) with the children’s ages listed as 4 years and 8 years.
- All are one week, arriving on June 20th
- No meals included
Haven, Haggerston Castle Holiday Park
Deluxe, 2 bedroom caravan: Total price for a family of four is £479
Available to book now on Haven’s website.
Butlins, Skegness
Silver (ratings are bronze, silver and gold) apartment: Total price for a family of four is £511
Available to book now on the Butlins website.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
The Big Blue Hotel, rated Superb in user reviews: Total price for a family of four is £939
Available to book now on Booking.com
As you can see the costs do vary depending on where you want to go. The packages abroad do come out slightly dearer, but the cost of buying things abroad is cheaper than the UK so some of the price will be offset against the spending money. Also bear in mind that the UK holidays don’t include travel, so you would need to factor in travel costs too.
Will you be visiting any of these places this year? What bargain breaks have you found? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love)
Butlins is great, we’ve just booked our last term-time family holiday there and really looking forward to it. Fab list of holiday ideas 🙂
Debbie, My Random Musings
Oh, sounds good Louise, I hope you all have a fab time! Thank you 🙂
Luke Strickland
We’ve enjoyed Butlins, mainly Minehead although I’ve been to Skegness when I was a teenager. We’ve also taken advantage of the Sun holidays scheme to stay in great little caravan parks (eg John Fowler ones) for a pittance! Hopefully summer is on the way… #AnythingGoes
Debbie, My Random Musings
Those Sun deals are fantastic aren’t they! Such good value 🙂
Mackenzie Glanville
oh you are so lucky to be able to pop over to other countries so cheaply. In Australia that is impossible to do, I am super jealous! #anythinggoes
Debbie, My Random Musings
Oh no, that’s not good! It used to more expensive here but then the likes of EasyJet and Ryanair came along and now it is pretty cheap to fly short haul.
Cheryl @ ReimerandRuby
Me and my husband are off for two weeks in August in time for school holidays, so was thinking of looking for packaged holidays, probably closer to time and go for last minute deals as they’re cheaper although availability is not always guaranteed. Thanks for sharing this great travel ideas… #AnythingGoes
Debbie, My Random Musings
Sounds great, I hope you find something fab! I think if you go in with an open mind about where you go you’ll find something. Thank you 🙂
laughing mum
ah fab! I have yet to book our holiday so I’ll take a peek into these 🙂 #anythinggoes
Debbie, My Random Musings
I hope you find something you like the look of 🙂
Sassy
These deals are great! Although if I were going to spend that much money, I’d rather go abroad! 🙂 xxx #AnythingGoes
Debbie, My Random Musings
Me too to be honest, if you all have passports already I think it works out cheaper when you include travel and spending money too x
jeremy@thirstydaddy
We’re about ten days out from a trip to New Hampshire for four days. A little closer to home than the places you mentioned, but I’m looking forward to it.
Debbie, My Random Musings
Oh, sounds good, I hope you all have a great time!
ShoeboxofM
I cried a little at the title of this blog but after a trip to Center Parcs I can see how a family holiday can reach £1000. I’m sure Blackpool is lovely but not £1000 worth of lovely!
#anythinggoes
Debbie, My Random Musings
Blackpool is great if you like cheesy sea side places, but I agree a grand is steep!
Laura - dear bear and beany
We have just come back from Portugal and not far from Albuferia, such a lovely place to go. That is a bargain holiday! I adore Italy and Rome is my favourite, such a gorgeous place and the food is amazing!!! Blackpool is on my list to go to, never been and really want to see what it is all about x
Debbie, My Random Musings
Portugal is lovely isn’t it. I adore Rome too, it’s one of those places where even just strolling around is an experience in itself. Blackpool is great if you like cheesy, fun seaside places! x
Rach
Very useful post! What I’d give to return to Rome – not that expensive either, which I’m surprised at! #bloggerclubuk
Debbie, My Random Musings
Thank you 🙂 I know, I didn’t think I’d be able to find Rome under a grand!
wendy
We’ve just had our holiday in Somerset and it was lovely. It is nice to go abroad but sometimes staying in the UK can be just as fun. You’ve found some great holidays here, I’ll see if I can convince hubby to take us away for some fun in the sun, I doubt it but I can dream haha xx #BloggerClubUK
Debbie, My Random Musings
I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Work on the hubby, it’s got to be worth a try lol x
Mrs Taylor
Great post, we haven’t booked a summer holiday yet our plan is to do a very last minute deal grab our cases and go! Fingers crossed #Bloggerclubuk
Debbie, My Random Musings
Great way to get a good deal!
Angela at Daysinbed
We love Butlins Skegness and have been there 4 times..all before i was married and got ill. It’s one of my favourite places.
Debbie, My Random Musings
Hopefully you’ll go again one day Angela
Ellen
I love a good caravan holiday in the UK! We are considering going abroad next year with my husband’s family as there would be lots of people to help with bubba on the plane etc! We’d probably do a self catered thing. It’s interesting how much you can spend even when you stay in the UK though – my friend is staying in a holiday cottage in st Ives and it’s costing them almost two grand or something crazy. #BloggerClubUK
Debbie, My Random Musings
I like a caravan holiday too! Would be good going abroad as a family, like you say there’ll be plenty of help available. Wow, that’s crazy prices!
Nia Patten
I’ll have to check out low cost holidays. Gagging for a break and my eldest has just started school. Holidays are crazy expensive in the summer xx #bloggerclubuk
Debbie, My Random Musings
Yeah, the prices fly up during school holidays! x
Ky
We haven’t book a holiday this year, but all of those sound great. Luckily we have family who live in North Devon right near the coast so we can always escape down there for a little trip away to the seaside.x #bloggerclubuk
Debbie, My Random Musings
Thank you 🙂 That’s great, Devon is a beautiful place x
Becky, Cuddle Fairy
You have some great choices here Debbie. It’s expensive to travel as a family. Cheap flights is a great way to start planning – we fly Ryanair as much as possible. #AnythingGoes x
Debbie, My Random Musings
Thank you 🙂 I agree cheap flights are the way to go x
An imperfect mum (Catie)
I can’t believe you found family holidays so cheap. It can be such an expensive thing. We went to Butlins in Skegness a few times when I was younger and loved it. We are not holidaying this year as we needed to do somethings in the house but these are very affordable.
Debbie, My Random Musings
I know, I thought it was going to be much of a struggle to be honest.
Something Crunchy Mummy
Brilliant selection. Those abroad holidays are brilliant prices and you can’t beat a uk butlins holiday! #bloggerclubuk xx
Debbie, My Random Musings
Thank you 🙂 I’ve never tried Butlins but I know loads of people who love it x
Mess and Merlot
I love a good staycation! Not a big sun worshiper so the GB weather suits me fine 🙂 We’re very lucky to have a family caravan at Haven nr Gt Yarmouth which the kids absolutely LOVE (Mummy not so much :/ ) but it keeps them happy and entertained and I can take my own wine supply to see me through! 🙂 #BloggerClubUK
Debbie, My Random Musings
I love the sun so I like going abroad, but I must admit Haven is my guilty UK pleasure 🙂
laura dove
Great list, we have done Butlins the last couple of years, but for us as a family of six prices are substantially more! At Butlins for example, we would need to hire two apartments which instantly doubles the cost, the same with hotel rooms too. It’s impossible to find anything cheaper than a grand, if not double!! But, that said, we save all year for our summer holiday and although we have only done UK holidays the last few years, we really do have an amazing time! #BloggerClubUK
Debbie, My Random Musings
It’s very expensive when you need multiple rooms. You should give Haven a whirl, they have caravans that sleep up to 8 people. I think it’s worth the money though if you enjoy it 🙂
Mum-Work-Repeat
I always find a good low cost airline and airbnb or Home Owners Direct combined together make for some brilliant get aways that don’t break the bank #BloggerClubUK
Debbie, My Random Musings
Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
Coombe Mill - Fiona
A very interesting comparison, what we can lack in the UK is the guaranteed sun, but we usually make up for it with other facilities we offer. It is interesting how there is no real standard in the UK to measure against. There have been many attempts to create them but they have never caught on by holiday owners or holidaymakers. #bloggerclubUK
Debbie, My Random Musings
Yes, often it’s word of mouth in the UK, I have been to places that claim to be 5* and they wouldn’t a 3 abroad, likewise I have been to 2* places that should be much higher!
Emma
we are big haven fans here 🙂 #bloggerclubuk
Debbie, My Random Musings
Me too 🙂
Cheryl @ Tea or Wine
Some of these are not nearly as expensive as I thought! I’m quite happy to stay in this country but I’d love it to be warm (warmer than this!). We are off to Devon this July to stay at my parents’ flat so fingers crossed for some sunshine! #BloggerClubUK
Debbie, My Random Musings
I was surprised how many fab offers there are out there at the minute! Oh lovely, fingers crossed for you 🙂
Jaki
This has made me even more excited for my upcoming holiday! Great bit of research there though – very handy if people are a bit stuck! 🙂 #BloggerClubUK
Jaylan - Diapers at Dawn
We’re still in two minds about going away, I’ve suggested we stay in the UK and do something here hubby wants to go back to North Cyprus. I can now give him some ideas of where we can go over here! Thanks x #BloggerClubUK
Debbie, My Random Musings
You’re going to have compromise and do both lol 😉 I hope you have a great time whatever you choose to do x
Helena
Always great to snag a bargain. #BloggerClubUK
Debbie, My Random Musings
It sure is!
Laura@raisingelves
What a great last. I’ll have to bookmark this for the next time we’re planning a holiday. Since having kids we usually stick to lanzarote which is more expensive to get to but I found it much cheaper than when I was in the balearocs (ibiza). My friend is going to benidorm this year so I must find out what she thinks.
Debbie, My Random Musings
I’ve never been to Lanzarote, but I know some people who go back year after year because they love it so much. Benidorm is fab, I’m sure your friend will have a great time!
Yvonne
I am in desperate need of a holiday! Portugal sounds fabulous 🙂 #AnythingGoes xxx
Debbie, My Random Musings
It really is, get yourself there! x
Mum in Brum
Love the trips you’ve found – I hate looking for holidays so this post would be ideal for me if we were planning to go away this year! I do love a trip abroad but we’ve decided to stay in the UK this year – there really are some great places to visit. I haven’t been to Blackpool for years but used to go regularly as a kid and had so much fun! #BloggerClubUK x
Debbie, My Random Musings
I love looking for holidays, I often do it just to pass the time and end up booking something I probably shouldn’t! I hope you have a great staycation, wherever you end up! x
Sharon Parry
Thanks for the great tips. We got a great bargain last year at the Magic Natura Resort in Benidorm. For the first time ever, I risked going to a hotel that was not built when I booked it. This is not a strategy that I would recommend to people with younger children as it has the potential to go horribly wrong but as mine were 17, 13 and 9 years old at the time I thought I’d take a chance! It worked out very well and we had a great time. You can often find this sort of deal on package holiday websites by sorting by ‘savings’ and the un-built hotels come to the top of the list. #BloggerClubUK 🙂
Debbie, My Random Musings
Brilliant tip there, I didn’t even know you could pre-book a hotel that hadn’t been built yet! If it’s a good deal, and like you say, you don’t have small children, it would definitely be worth doing, thanks for sharing 🙂
Rachel (Lifeofmyfamilyandme)
Ah we need to start having family holidays but i never know where to go! Thanks for sharing this useful information 🙂 #bloggerclukbuk
Debbie, My Random Musings
I hope this has helped you think of some places to go 🙂
The Pramshed
An interesting post as I often think about this, we are fortunute enough to have free accommodation in Spain and only have to pay for the flights, we are off next week and paid about £450.00 for flights for 2 adults, and a 10 month old baby. We also enjoy holidaying at Centre Parcs in the UK that costs about £800.00 for 6 people for 3 nights. I hope you have a great holiday. Claire x #BloggerClubUK
Debbie, My Random Musings
Thank you 🙂 Oh that’s great, a holiday whenever you fancy it! x
Silly Mummy
Lots of choices for a good price here! I actually really like staycations. However, I have never been to Butlins, ever – I wonder if I’m the only person! #anythinggoes
Debbie, My Random Musings
No, I haven’t either, I always seem to go to Haven if it’s a caravan holiday!
Clare
This is a really useful post! We are desperate for a holiday this year, so seeing that you can actually find better deals is something that spurs me on to find a bargain! We think we are going to try and get a last minute bargain this year, then at least we know we can definitely afford it, then I think we will be booking way in advance for next year to give us time to save the money. #bloggerclubuk
Debbie, My Random Musings
Thank you 🙂 I hope you find a fab deal! Last minute bookings are an idea way to save money if you aren’t limited to one destination you want to go to
Baby Isabella
Staycations are definitely going up in price which is a shame, it seems that CentreParcs is really expensive. However reading your post were exited about going on our staycation in a could of weeks! Eeeeek! Great round-up X #BloggerClubUK
Debbie, My Random Musings
CentreParcs is extortionate, you need a bank loan for a weekend lol! I hope you have a good time, thank you 🙂 x
Annette, 3 Little Buttons
Lots of great picks. It’s amazing how close in price holidays home and abroad can be. We haven’t booked anything yet, but I think we will be doing a few mini UK breaks once the weather gets better. I have a fancy for tying out Centre Parcs but everyone says it’s very expensive. #BloggerClubUk
Debbie, My Random Musings
Thank you 🙂 I’ve never been to Centre Parcs but I couldn’t find a deal under £1000 for this post, and everyone I know who’s been says it’s really expensive, but most of them say it’s worth it too
A Moment With Franca
What an interesting post. I can see how the holidays in the UK are going up in prices. We went to Bluestone a month ago and we loved it. It is less expensive than CentreParcs. I have heard a lot about Butlins but I have never been there. Lately we have travel around the UK for our holidays however you always have the weather as potential problem whereas normally if you go abroad to Spain for example you know that you will have a great weather for sure. So not sure where are we going to our next holidays yet. Thanks for hosting, 🙂 x #BloggerClubUk
Debbie, My Random Musings
I’ve never been to Bluestone, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yes, the weather can definitely spoil a UK holiday – even if you at peak season there’s no guarantees. Thanks for linking up 🙂 x