Catherine Lofthouse shared her experience of taking a budget winter caravan holiday in Spain with her family, which cost less than £80 for a week. They stayed at Vilanova Park, located above the town of Vilanova i la Geltru on the Costa Dorada. The accommodation was more basic compared to what they were used to in the UK, with chilly nights and flimsy beds. Despite some stormy weather, the family enjoyed the park's outdoor pools, water slides, and indoor pool (with mandatory brown swim hats). The park also offered a supermarket and a restaurant but had limited entertainment and activities during the off-season. Catherine noted the popularity of the park among retired Brits who spend extended winter stays there, and she reminded readers of the 90-day Schengen limit post-Brexit. The trip also included a visit to Barcelona, balancing holiday park life with a city break.

Journalist Catherine Lofthouse shares her strategy for getting two family holidays for the price of one by utilizing cashback sites and booking providers' loyalty schemes. She details how booking through sites like Quidco and Hotels.com instead of directly with hotels can yield significant cashback, which she then uses to fund additional vacations. For example, a trip to Innsbruck, Austria, earned her family credit towards a summer stay in the UK, and a visit to Cape Verde resulted in enough cashback to cover a holiday park break. Lofthouse emphasizes the importance of comparing booking options and being aware of cashback conditions, such as the exclusion of taxes and fees and the time it takes for cashback to be confirmed.

Catherine Lofthouse shares her 40-year experience with Butlin's, a chain of holiday parks in the UK. She recounts her childhood memories and how the parks have evolved over the years, offering more entertainment and activities. Catherine notes the improvements and rebranding efforts that Butlin's has undergone, particularly in the last decade, with new attractions like the pool at Bognor Regis and the Skypark at Skegness. She also reminisces about past attractions like the monorails and chasing a villain around the park, which are no longer present. Despite some changes, she appreciates the continuity of the Butlin's experience and enjoys introducing her sons to the parks, continuing a family tradition spanning four generations.

Billing Aquadrome, a holiday park near Northampton, UK, which has been operating for nearly 80 years, went into administration earlier this year. Despite this, the park continues to offer affordable family fun, with a variety of activities such as soft play areas, exotic animal sessions, music events, circus skills, kids' shows, bingo, and a funfair. The park assures that it's business as usual for the summer, with administrators from Grant Thornton UK LLP expressing confidence in finding a solution to keep the site running. The article provides a firsthand account of the park's offerings and its appeal to families looking for budget-friendly vacations. The park's history dates back to the end of WWII and is compared to the family-friendly atmosphere of traditional British holiday camps.

The article discusses the benefits of booking family holidays during the October half term, particularly highlighting the affordability of such vacations this year. The author shares their personal experience of booking a holiday at Haven Hopton for just £100, emphasizing the value for money given the typically high staycation prices post-pandemic. The staggered school holidays across different regions are mentioned as a reason for the lower prices, allowing families to find bargains. The author also reminisces about past holidays at various parks, including Butlin's Bognor Regis and Duinrell in Holland, and notes the potential for good weather and seasonal activities during this period. Additionally, the article touches on the challenges of coordinating holidays with friends and family due to staggered term dates and provides tips from experts on avoiding costly mistakes when booking holidays.

The article discusses the benefits of bringing a health grill on family holidays, particularly when staying in UK hotels without cooking facilities. The author shares personal experiences of using the grill at various destinations such as Alton Towers, Butlin's, and Legoland, highlighting its convenience for preparing meals like toasties, nuggets, and sausages. The grill is praised for being space-efficient, easy to clean, and versatile, although it requires careful use due to safety concerns in small hotel rooms. The author also touches on the strategy of buying discounted food items and the logistics of food storage without a fridge. While there is uncertainty about hotel policies on bringing personal electrical appliances, the author compares the grill's safety to that of hair straighteners or phone chargers when used responsibly.

The article describes a family's adventure to a secluded beach in Wales, accessible only at low tide through a narrow tunnel. The beach, near the Pembrokeshire coastal path and close to Tenby, offers a sense of isolation and the opportunity to swim and explore cave formations. The family stayed at YHA Manorbier, a hostel costing £38.25 for a night for a family of five, with an additional £17 for unlimited breakfast. The hostel, a renovated former military building, offers various accommodations and amenities such as a cafe, bar, self-catering kitchen, games room, and laundry facilities. The article emphasizes the importance of timing the visit with the tide to avoid being stranded and highlights the natural beauty and affordability of the experience.

Billing Aquadrome, a holiday park near Northampton, UK, which has been operating for nearly 80 years, went into administration earlier this year. Despite this, the park continues to offer affordable family vacations and day visits, with a range of amenities such as soft play areas, exotic animal sessions, music events, and a funfair. The park is confident of remaining operational through the summer, with administrators from Grant Thornton UK LLP actively seeking a sale and expressing optimism about finding a solution. The article provides a firsthand account of the park's offerings and its appeal to families looking for budget-friendly holiday options.

The article discusses a simple money-saving hack for family holidays, which involves booking a trip just before the school year resumes in September, when prices are lower. The author shares personal experiences of staying at Haven Wild Duck near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk and Parkdean Breydon Water, also near Great Yarmouth, for significantly less than the peak summer prices. The article highlights the benefits of fewer crowds, more relaxed atmosphere, and the ability to manage the holiday budget more effectively after summer expenses. It also mentions that Haven is offering 2024 UK holidays at low prices and recommends the best Haven holiday parks with pools.

An affordable piece of hand luggage, specifically booster seat backpacks, has proven to be a gamechanger for families traveling with young children. These backpacks, which can double as car seats, offer a cost-effective and safe solution for car travel, both domestically and internationally. The article highlights the benefits of using Boostapaks by Trunki, which are certified to European Union safety standards, and shares personal experiences of the author's family. The text also mentions the importance of checking airline and car seat safety regulations when traveling.