Affordable family holiday destinations in the UK

The most affordable family holiday destinations in the UK include Lincolnshire, North Wales, Dorset, and Essex. With budget-friendly accommodation, free things to do close-by, and plenty of family-friendly activities, they make fantastic choices for affordable getaways with the whole family. So you get all the memory-making without breaking the bank!

In this guide, we take a look at the top affordable family holiday destinations in the UK, alongside some money-saving tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your budget-friendly break.

What is the average cost of a family holiday in the UK?

While the average family holiday in the UK can cost anywhere from £1,000 to £2,500 for a family of four, there are plenty of options for more budget-friendly family holidays, with some of our caravan holidays starting from £124 for four nights.

The cost of a family holiday will vary depending on a number of factors, including:

The length of the holiday
The time of year (peak season vs off-peak)
Location
Accommodation type
Holiday activities

If you want to book a family getaway in the UK without splashing the cash, then you’re in the right place. Away Resorts offers various holidays that don’t break the bank, with options to pay installments or even book with a minimal deposit.

Most affordable family holiday destinations in the UK

The most affordable family holiday destinations in the UK include Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire, Golden Sands in North Wales, East Fleet Farm in Dorset, and Mersea Island in Essex. Each holiday park offers affordable accommodation such as caravan holidays or camping pitches, as well as fantastic deals on kids’ meals and free on-site entertainment, so you can make lots of memories without emptying your bank account.

Destination	Where to stay	Free things to do	Best for
Lincolnshire	Tattershall Lakes	Rockpooling at Skegness Beach Local nature parks Water railway cycling routes Museum of Lincolnshire Life	Cheap family holidays in the countryside
North Wales	Golden Sands	Llandudno Pier Dog-friendly beaches Aber Falls waterfall Seal-spotting at Angel Bay	Cheap dog-friendly holidays
Dorset	East Fleet Farm	Fossil hunting Durdle Door Wildlife-spotting at local nature reserves Animal rescue centres	Affordable family camping holidays
Essex	Mersea Island	Visit Essex’s stunning beaches St Botolph’s Priory Cudmore Grove Country Park The Gruffalo Trail in Brentwood	Cheap family holidays by the sea

"There's so much included in your holiday, from entertainment, swimming pools and arcade fun to direct beach access. With low-cost activities and meal deals on park too, Golden Sands is a great place for a fun-filled family holiday that won't break the bank." - Lyndsey, General manager at Golden Sands

Two people playing in the arcade at our holiday park in North Wales, Golden Sands.

Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire is a great choice for an affordable UK holiday in the countryside. With its rolling green hills, beautiful national parks, and charming coastal villages, there are endless things to do with the kids without needing to empty the piggy bank. In fact, Lincolnshire is known for being a cheap staycation spot for couples and families alike, with affordable dining and attractions that all ages can enjoy.

Free things to do in Lincolnshire

Spend a day at Skegness Beach and go rockpooling at low tide.
Explore local nature parks, such as Whisby Nature Park which is great for birdwatching and letting the kids run and play.
Cycle the water railway - a traffic-free and entirely flat 33-mile route that even little cyclists can manage.
Spend a rainy day at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life and learn all about the area’s rich history and culture.

Where to stay in Lincolnshire: Tattershall Lakes

Tattershall Lakes is a great place to stay for an affordable family holiday in Lincolnshire if you want a budget-friendly break without skimping on luxury. Tattershall Lakes has a wide range of facilities and entertainment on-site to keep the whole family happy, as well as affordable dining options and special offers on kids’ meals.

For budget-friendly accommodation, Tattershall Lakes has a number of affordable options to choose from, including value caravans and comfort lodges that have everything you need for a memorable family holiday.

North Wales

North Wales is the perfect destination for affordable dog-friendly holidays. From mountainside adventures to historic castles and sweeping coastlines, North Wales has everything you need for a budget-friendly break with the whole family (four-legged members included!). There are plenty of low-cost, fun activities for kids to enjoy, and if you travel off-peak, you can enjoy all of the area’s natural beauty without the crowds.

Free things to do in North Wales

Walk along the famous Llandudno Pier and explore the seaside attractions.
Go for long walks along some of North Wales’ most picturesque dog-friendly beaches.
Take a short, child-friendly hike up to Aber Falls to catch a glimpse of the dramatic 37-metre waterfall.
Head up to the headland at Angel Bay to spot wild seals basking in the sand.

Where to stay in North Wales: Golden Sands

Golden Sands Holiday Park has everything you need for an affordable and dog-friendly family holiday in North Wales. Book a stay in one of the park’s caravans or chalets for comfortable accommodation that has all the little luxuries you need without breaking the bank.

Golden Sands also has plenty of on-site entertainment to keep the family busy without having to splash the cash, including an arcade, adventure playground, indoor heated swimming pool, and fantastic on-site dining options that allow furry friends.

Dorset

Dorset is one of the most affordable family holiday destinations if you’re up for a bit of camping! Dorset’s beautiful sandy beaches, stunning cliffsides, and peaceful countryside have everything you need for a budget-friendly and distraction-free family break. Swap the screens for starry skies, tents, and the fresh sea breeze, and enjoy all of Dorset’s iconic attractions, right on your doorstep.

Free things to do in Dorset

Scavenge for fossils along the Jurassic Coast and see what treasures you can find.
Check out the iconic Durdle Door.
Explore local nature reserves and parks to spot wildlife.
Visit the Margaret Green Animal Rescue and say hello to its many animal residents.

Where to stay in Dorset: East Fleet Farm

East Fleet Farm makes an ideal base for an affordable camping holiday in Dorset, with various pitches available and all the on-site amenities you need for a memorable trip. Make use of the on-site shop for all your essentials, and let the kids blow off some steam in the outdoor play area. Just three miles away from Weymouth’s golden sands, East Fleet Farm is the ultimate affordable holiday destination for quality family time.

Essex

Essex is a great choice for cheap family holidays by the coast. Essex offers the perfect combination of seaside fun, wildlife park adventures, and interactive museums, all at little to no cost. Just outside of London, Essex also has fantastic transport links, making travel easy and relatively cheap so you can explore everything the area has to offer. If you want a seaside holiday without the hefty price tag, Essex is the place for you.

Free things to do in Essex

Paddle in the sea, go rock pooling, and build sand castles at some of Essex’s most beloved beaches.
Explore the archways and towering pillars at St Botolph’s Priory.
Take the kids to Cudmore Grove Country Park and watch them blow off some steam at one of Essex’s top playgrounds for children.
Wander the Gruffalo Trail in Brentwood and spot the hand-crafted character sculptures.

Where to stay in Essex: Mersea Island

Mersea Island holiday park is an ideal base for an affordable family holiday in Essex, combining direct beach access with budget-friendly accommodation for an unforgettable break that doesn’t require emptying your savings. There’s plenty of exclusive accommodations with their own unique touch, but there’s cheaper options too, like our caravans or camping pitches. Mersea Island has everything you need for a cheap getaway with the family, including an indoor pool, seasonal entertainment, and great savings on food and drinks.

Best time to book cheap family holidays in the UK

If you want to avoid peak-season costs, the best time to book affordable family holidays in the UK is during the off-peak seasons. Autumn and winter months will often be significantly cheaper than the peak summer season due to school holidays. Mid-week breaks are also a great option for affordable getaways.

If you can’t book outside of school holidays, keep an eye out for last-minute deals, or consider booking early for lower prices. You know what they say: the early bird gets the worm!

Tips to save money on family holidays

Here are some of our favourite money-saving tips to get the most out of your budget-friendly family break:

Make use of special offers on food and drinks. At Away Resorts, many of our holiday parks offer special savings on meals, including £12 meal deals, Happy Hours, and kids’ main courses for just £1.
Keep accommodation simple. There are plenty of accommodation options that tick all the right boxes without emptying the bank account. Opt for a caravan break or one of our comfort lodges for just the right amount of luxury at affordable prices.
Eat in where possible. Self-catering holidays are a great way to save money on your family breaks, with home cooked meals that are just as delicious as a meal out at a local restaurant, but at a fraction of the cost.
Pick a destination with plenty of free things to do. Holiday entertainment doesn’t have to be expensive. From nature parks to beach days and local animal rescue centres, there are endless options to keep kids busy at little to no cost.

Affordable UK holidays at Away Resorts

Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a mini weekend break, or a summer holiday with the whole family, Away Resorts has a holiday for every budget. With affordable accommodation options like our value caravans and comfort lodges, as well as free on-site entertainment, and special offers on food and drinks, you can have all of the memories without the hefty price tags.

Explore our cheap family holidays and last-minute breaks to find your perfect getaway, or get in touch with our team to find out more.