I understand what the OP was saying and i think we are all actually agreeing about most things here! Camping can be as cheap or as expensive as we want it to be, we do it because we like it and maybe from time to time some of us get a little irritated because the wold assumes we are second class citizens because we can't afford their type of holiday, rather than recognising that we simply don't choose it. I know I do.
Some people love lying on a beach, surrounded by others, or going out clubbing all night (some like to do that then go back to a tent!) or skiing or whatever. Personally I love nothing more than sitting outside my yent with a cup of tea and a relaxing book. One of the best days of my life was spent on a shropshire farm in spring, simply sitting watching new born calves, a pair of cock phesants having a mighty ruck, birds of prey overhead, laughing about it all with my best mate. If i respect that for some people that would be boring, it is frustrating that they cannot accept that to me it is bliss!
I agree with Claire Hope. I have done the laying on the beach holidays and the big city holidays, but I was single. I have progressed from then and find now want to have a peaceful time and camping is the best way to do it. Not because we can't afford to jet off somewhere but because we don't choose to. I haven't lived in Britain for many years so do not know of the current trends in holidays. Camping is very common in America, and in France camper-vans are popular right now. All sorts of people camp, many go skiing in the winter and camping in the summer. It is a life style. One I rather like.
We have paid nearly £2000 for 2 weeks in Brittany in a basic caravan and not one of those key camp ones as we have to go in school holidays. Due to this we hope to purchase our first folding camper when we return. We have worked out we can still go on the same site with all the facilities for less than half that as well as all the other holidays we are going to take in it. We camped at a haven site for May day weekend we usually pay £200 for a weekend in a caravan and paid only £50 for our tent pitch.
We are hoping to save loads and have more comfort than our tent.
Muskeym, I know what you mean, you are doing the right thing...we priced up for a static at Stanwix...we were much better off using our own camper so thats what we have done.......off there next week....
It really depends on what you mean by cheap. A family of four can have a week's holiday for between, say, £90 and £245 site fees [I guess it can be a bit cheaper or slightly dearer than this on some sites]
But where else can a family of four have a week's holiday at that price? Again, it depends on how much your camping kit costs which needs to be factored in but these can last for years and 'per night' costs will depend on how often you use it.
As this website shows people go away 3,4, 6 + times a year. No 'normal' family could afford to do this if they weren't camping.
What other form of holiday can be had for less [or 'cheaper']? I certainly can't think of any.
To be honest the original post was never about camping being or not being cheaper than any other type of holiday. I was more about the loose use of the word cheap being associated with camping. Camping can be expensive or inexpensive depending on how we go about it and what we want out of it. We have read that throught this post.
To summearise if I were selling my camper I would not sell as being great for cheap holidays I would advertise it as being great for quality holidays which represent great value for money.......
Camping is simply brilliant, an its my favourite type of break wheather its for a weekend or holiday you just can't beat it........
I guess the Thread Title got me confused. I suppose we could ask the question: "Is there a cheaper holiday than camping" - to which the answer must be no. [Unless staying with relatives is classed as a holiday!?].
Camping IS cheap.
Also, this bit of string I have here is this long.
You first need to define cheap, Then define camping.
We (and many families I know) go camping as a cheap holiday. And it IS cheap, but our holiday, our equipment and our definitions of cheap are almost certainly different to everyone elses. As with most things, its all relative
however i also agree with aikens...camping can be cheap if we want it to be
It all depends on our individual tastes..some like top of the range vans some prefer small tents, some like large sites with entertainment galore,,whilst others like a site with nothing but the wildlife around.
we have tried a tent and it wasnt for us...now we have a lovely caravan...(bought just 3 weeks ago)..and the cost of all the extras we wanted (not needed) is still adding up
however we have got the camping bug "big style now" and find it a great way to have a brilliant value for money time with our children
so far we havent been to a site i would consider cheap,,we have been limited as they are mainly all booked now for peak season.
we have been to rudding park-2 nights 79.00 VERY EXPENSIVE I THOUGHT
we have also been to thirklby hall 20 quid a night...reasonable and site staff great
we are going to crows nest within the 6 weeks hols for 8 days total of 225
so on that note peeps....total agreement on camping isnt cheap...lol...it is however a great way to enjoy total family time and a great way to meet new friends!! happy camping to you all, and hope your all having as much fun as us (even tho the bank may groan!)
Camping IS cheap. Full stop.
To describe something as cheap it means that you are comparing it to something else which is similar in nature or purpose.
To take a family of 4 away on holiday for one week per year in August for 5 years with a real good quality tent and accessories(say £1500) coupled with pitch fees of £30 per night (£210) x 5 = £1050
Average miles travelled = 500 at 15p per mile = £75 x 5 = £375.
Food would have to be comparable to other holidays as you would probably end up having to go SC if you were going abroad to get a cheap holiday.
Excursions and family outings etc. is definitely cheaper in this country than abroad. (Think about how much you spend in Spain on those bloody 1 euro motorised scooters! "I used to have to sit with half a bottle of Blue Sapphire on the balcony at night to numb the ringing of "Dad can I have a Euro?" in my ears before going to bed. Even other people's kids used to ask me for a euro.)
Cheap last minute deals are about £275 per person (you don't normally get to know where you are staying when booking at this price either) off the internet to some cruddy apartment with the cast off Benidorm as your neighbours (actually I would pay good money for that, but you get my point!)
so each year = £275 x 4 + airport car park of £50 = £1150
Comparison ---- camping £2925
holiday in benidorm -- £5750
Plus you can sell your gear at the end of 5 years
You cannot say it is not cheap by saying that you have to spend money on it. It has to be compared to a realistic alternative.
Camping is well expensive if you want to holiday in your house though.
just come back from our jaunt down the gower.if we wanted to stay for 2wks there it would have cost us £312(not bad really for 4 of us)£27 a night.Thing is, i've been told on here and others i spoke to to join the camping nad caravan club which was £10 a night.So it would have cost us £140 or £100 cos we are back after 10 days.WISH I BLOODY JOINED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thing is they are booked up for Aug Bank Hols and i think cos its a little jaunt it would cost more?but the C&CC are down there for the same price of £10.Oh yeah and they were down there in Whitsun when we had all that bloody hot weather!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Cheap Holidays ???
