Budget holiday - 1st week July, £500 max - any ideas?

[broken biscuit]

We are on holiday from 2nd July. Having been skint, we haven't booked anything. I was looking at a week on the Norfolk broads, but the boats are out of my price range. The holiday needs to be for 2 adults, a 3yr old and a dog.

Criteria are
- near the coast
- UK only - neither mrs biscuit or the boy have a passport.
- things to do with the boy
- dog friendly

Theory behind a boating holiday was that once we are there, there wouldn't be a great amount of expense, whereas a hotel / b+b would mean alot more expense for meals out, day trips / entry fees.

Any ideas or suggestions welcome. I don't really want to end up on a Haven site or similar, but may look that way if SWMBO has her way and I can't come up with anything better.

[andrew_huxtable]

Try looking for a self catering cottage, we have done this the past couple of years, as we also dont have much spare cash around. What we normally do is take some food with us, cook lunch or dinner at the cottage and go out for the other meals. Sounds a bit depressing but if you want away on a budget its good

[zcacogp]

You can find some cracking deals on ownersdirect.co.uk. We have had some great holidays with places booked through there.


Oli.

[russ_a]

I'm in the same boat. Looks like we are going to end up on a Parkdean site..

Wouldn't fancy a boat holiday with my 3 year old though. I just know I would be fishing him out of the water every 5 mins!

Tried to nudge the other half to go here http://www.helevalley.co.uk/

[CHIEF]

Currently sat a lovely static caravan on a nice peaceful site around 8 miles from St Ives. Cost me £260 quid all in. Outdoor pool and a kiddies play area. Bar is not great and no restaurant on site but some very nice pubs within a few miles and St Ives is 15 minutes away.

[richardxjr]

You can just about get into Centerparcs Sherwood Forest, with the dog, midweek Mon4th - Fri8th, for £499

Plenty to do (take bikes) come rain or shine.

[broken biscuit]

Sorted - found one of the 'cheap holiday deals' breaks in our local rag. Went online and booked a mon-fri break for £70. Tack on a couple of nights in a hotel at the beginning and i have my week away. Dog is going into our cousin's kennels for a few nights, I have converted a load of clubcard vouchers for days out saving myself £130. Total price of holiday for a week away - £150 + fuel, food and spending money. Result.

(Ok its nothing great, and the accomodation will be crap, but its better than sitting at home all week)

[richardxjr]

Sounds alright!

Enough left over for This if the budget for future holidays looks tight