The word holiday instantly evokes images of lying on a foreign beach, or making your way around the Acropolis in shorts, map in hand. The fact is, more and more Britons are choosing to holiday in their own country because it is cheaper, you don't have to fly, and actually, because the UK has a lot to offer. You can have just as many adventures discovering your own country, you just won't be guaranteed the weather!
Do Your Research
The things that cost the most on holiday are travelling, food and accommodation. If you can work out ways to minimise these before you set off, you're already winning. Print out vouchers for restaurants in the areas, look for 2 for 1s on activities and plan routes and transport links to avoid spending loads on petrol and unnecessary taxis. Nowadays, you can even get a holiday budgeting app to ensure you spend on the right things on your holiday. (Photo "London Westminster at Dusk" by T om Merkli)
Get Back to Nature
A good way to save on accommodation costs is to go camping, especially if there is a big group of you. Paying only for your pitch, camping is a great way to really appreciate the outdoors, and means you can cook everything for yourself, saving huge amounts on pricey restaurants, which slowly grate away at your budget. There's nothing like waking up to nature in the morning and sitting in your camping chair outside your tent and watching the sunrise with a cup of tea - absolute bliss!
Alternative Accommodation
If camping isn't your thing, you're guaranteed to still save money by staying in a cottage, or even by doing a free house swap. It sounds scary, but millions of people do it each year, meaning everyone gets to enjoy a place from the comfort of a home, without chalking up hotel bills. You can also make use of the kitchen to sort out evening meals and packed lunches. Ideal!
Think Outside the Box
Hot tourist destinations hike up the prices, think London, Devon, Cornwall, even the Lakes are guilty of exploiting this. So why not try one of the UK's hidden gems? Why not head to a place off the tourist trail where there is loads to do and see, but you don't have to remortgage your house just to get around. We suggest places like the West Midlands that have more to offer than you could imagine. Click here to compare hotel prices in the area.
With a little pre-planning and a lot of thought, there are many ways you can extend any budget to a holiday within the UK. People fall into the trap of thinking holidays must be luxurious and free from all the stresses of daily routines, but actually, isn't it more about discovering new places and being with family and friends rather than being at work? Holidays are what you make of them, and that has nothing to do with price.
