While we can’t promise sunny skies, these holiday park getaways offer unbeatable value for family entertainment this summer.
Accommodations start at just £6.40 per person per night – cheaper than a single cocktail – making these diverse British holiday parks ideal for those watching their budgets in these challenging economic times.
During the pandemic, the cost of staycations surged and has remained elevated. However, British holiday parks continue to provide excellent affordability for family vacations.
Off-peak Essex
A week from £6.40 per person, per night
Prices drop in early summer, with a good chance of pleasant weather. At Essex’s Steeple Bay Park, Gold Plus two-bedroom caravans are available at significant discounts for June. This section of the Essex coast, close to Southminster, is bustling with boats and features an on-site heated outdoor pool and a well-stocked fishing lake.
Nearby attraction: The Mangapps Railway Museum, offering heritage train journeys, is located approximately six miles south (mangapps.co.uk).
Book it: Seven nights for six in a two-bedroom caravan on June 17 from £269 (parkholidays.com).
Eco-friendly Cornwall
Four nights from £21.77 per person, per night
The Lovat brand combines a boutique atmosphere with affordable pricing. Stay in one of the stylish holiday homes at Parbola Park in Cornwall during the May half-term, and you’re just a 15-minute drive from the upscale dining and harbor views in St Ives. Set in 16 acres of wooded glades, the accommodations are perfect for families and include a heated outdoor pool and high-speed wifi.
Nearby attraction: St Ives is located ten miles to the west (visitcornwall.com).
Book it: Four nights for six in a two-bedroom holiday home on May 27 from £522.50 (lovatparks.com).
Butlin’s summer
A week from £15.39 per person, per night
Butlin’s, Britain’s iconic holiday park brand, continues to entertain with the debut of the futuristic Skypark playground at its Minehead location this summer. The accommodation options range from economical to luxurious, featuring large thrill slides at Splash Waterworld and appearances by TV star Stephen Mulhern on select summer nights.
Nearby attractions: Enjoy a journey on the 20-mile West Somerset Railway heritage line from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard (west-somerset-railway.co.uk).
Book it: Seven nights for four in a two-bedroom chalet on July 19 from £431 (butlins.com).
Northumberland in August
Five nights from £12.63 per person, per night
Cap off the summer with a five-night stay at Hoseasons’ Cresswell Towers park, overlooking Druridge Bay in Northumberland, available over the Bank Holiday. The modern caravan accommodates six, perfect for bringing the grandparents along, and provides access to an indoor pool, sports court, and a children’s entertainment program. Nearby day trips include the Farne Islands and Alnwick Castle, famous for its role in two Harry Potter films.
Nearby attractions: Alnwick Castle and its beautiful gardens are just a half-hour drive north (alnwickcastle.com).
Book it: Five nights for six in a two-bedroom caravan on August 29 from £379 (hoseasons.co.uk).
Perthshire Farm Stay
Four nights from £22.25 per person, per night
Experience Highland serenity at a bargain; Cruachan Farm Holiday Park offers caravan rentals in the shadow of the seven-Munro Ben Lawers range, close to the verdant Loch Tay. The proprietors organize summer activities like archery, kayaking, and white-water rafting.
Nearby attractions: The Falls of Dochart are just four miles to the west (visitscotland.com).
Book it: Four nights for four in a one-bedroom caravan on July 29 from £356 (largoleisure.co.uk).
North Yorkshire Easter
Four nights from £30.62 per person, per night
The seaside town of Filey on the east coast is a charming destination, complete with trendy apartments at The Bay Filey park. These units offer all the essentials for self-catering and feature cozy duvets, surrounded by stunning North Yorkshire scenery. The park is pet-friendly and includes a gym, swimming pool, and five miles of beachfront.
Nearby attractions: Scarborough is just eight miles north along the coast.
Book it: Four nights for two in a one-bedroom apartment on April 8 from £245 (awayresorts.co.uk).
Ayrshire adventure
A week from £11.16 per person, per night
Enjoy a seven-night stay in a caravan at Sandylands Holiday Park in Ayrshire for only £117 per person for a family of four, or around £80 per person if six share. The park features an indoor pool, live entertainment, and dining at the Fish and Chippery. Glasgow is less than an hour’s drive away.
Nearby attractions: The Scottish Maritime Museum is nearby, and the town of Irvine is worth exploring (scottishmaritimemuseum.org).
Book it: Seven nights for six in a two-bedroom caravan on August 12 from £469 (parkdeanresorts.co.uk).
Devon heaven
Four nights from £27.50 per person, per night
May is an ideal time to explore the English Riviera before the peak tourist season. Stay in a Classic Plus caravan at Hoburne Devon Bay park for a Monday to Friday break and spend five days beach-hopping among Brixham, Torbay, and Paignton.
If you prefer to relax on-site, the entertainment hub has been completely renovated, featuring a lineup of local singers and DJs during the half-term.
Nearby attractions: Paignton Zoo is just two miles away (paigntonzoo.org.uk).
Book it: Four nights for four in a two-bedroom caravan on May 27 from £440 (hoburne.com).
Welsh spring
Four nights from £10.93 per person, per night
Experience the beauty of Wales during Easter, a prime time to see the daffodils in full bloom. A Caravan Saver break at Quay West park in Ceredigion places you close to the beaches at New Quay, known for its occasional wild dolphin sightings. On-site, children will enjoy the indoor pool, Nerf gun camp, and tree-top aerial adventure.
Nearby attractions: The coastal town of Aberaeron is a 15-minute drive away (visitwales.com).
Book it: Four nights for four in a two-bedroom caravan on April 8 from £175 (haven.com).
Sherwood Forest fun
Four nights from £54.12 per person, per night
Forget static caravans; Center Parcs offers well-placed wooden lodges and has been attracting middle-class British families since its debut in 1987 in Robin Hood’s territory. The five UK sites each feature a watersports lake, Subtropical Swimming Paradise, and Aqua Sana spa, with some locations hosting chain restaurants like Cafe Rouge and Las Iguanas.
Book it: Four nights for six in a three-bedroom lodge on April 8 from £1,299 (centerparcs.co.uk).
How the great British holiday park is evolving
Is that a trendy Airstream food truck next to a firepit for marshmallow roasting?
Such sights are unexpected at traditional holiday parks, yet that’s exactly what you’ll find at Green Hill Farm Holiday Village on the edge of the New Forest, home to the region’s famous roaming ponies.
Owned by Lovat Parks, the 50-acre Green Hill offers activities like archery, fishing, and Segway tours, part of a new wave of sites transforming the UK holiday park scene.
Our glamping lodge came with a hot tub and high-speed Wifi, catering to all budgets. I strolled past tents, static caravans, and shepherd’s huts to a shop offering organic local goods and a fine selection of wines.
The UK holiday park has been a successful model for decades, but these innovative newcomers are set to attract a broader audience.
A four-night Easter break for eight in a static caravan at Green Hill Farm Holiday Village on April 8 starts at £720 (lovatparks.com).
Keeping costs down: try these top tips
Securing a last-minute deal can lead to significant savings.
Travel during school term-time if you don’t have children. For example, a two-bedroom lodge at Center Parcs in Whinfell, Cumbria costs £2,148 in the last week of August but drops to £1,248 in the first week of September, saving £900.
Opt for midweek starts. A week in a ‘luxury caravan’ by Away Resorts at St Helens on the Isle of Wight is priced at £1,348 starting on a Saturday, compared to £819 on a Wednesday – a £529 difference.
Consider heading north: holiday parks in northern England and Scotland tend to be less expensive than those in the south.
Check if local schools have different vacation schedules. If they break up earlier or later, you might find lower prices during times when other schools are still in session. Check gov.uk/school-term-holiday-dates for details.
Booking as a group can reduce individual costs. For instance, a week at Hoseasons Whitley Bay Park in Northumberland costs the same for a group of eight as it does for four in August: £399.
Maximize your stay by arriving early and leaving late. Some parks allow you to use facilities outside of check-in and check-out times.