We don't camp because its cheap, we camp because we love camping and its good for the kids. But also because its so accessible.
We live within our means, but we don't scrimp - we have the odd takeaway but don't spend much more than when at home. The kids love the beach and walks, we have brought up our kids to enjoy nature and life, and find adventure and fun without expensive activties. Camping has been a big part of it.
That said, next year I'm upgrading the trailer and bikes, so it will be more expensive than this year.
Over the last few years i've seen our camping costs soar. Mainly on food and drink. You know the score "lets nip to the supermarket for some bread and milk" you come back to the tent with half the supermarket! This year we pre-cooked and froze meals for 3 nights (kept almost frozen in the fridge...and froze the cucumber oops) and took fresh meat for BBQ's and lunches. We went to the supermarket once and topped up on milk from the site shop. By doing this we dramatically reduced the cost of the holiday. BUT the rain made us beat a hasty retreat to the pub so any money saved went on a pub tea!
------------- North Wales May 2014
Wirral July 2014
Arrowe brook farm July 2014
Bellingham August 2014
North Wales October 2014
Hayfield August 2014
We started off because we wanted to save money and go on holiday when I became redundant 4 years ago.
Now we love camping and camp because of this reason rather than we cannot afford to go on a package holiday,in fact I will at least 20 + flights a year mainly long haul, so doing again to go on holiday is not my bag either
We spent a lot of money over a 2 week holiday, it is of course cheaper than a S/C Cottage, so it is my chance to say "yes" to the kids nags now and again and relax.
------------- It's better to ask a silly question than make a silly mistake.
It's been an expensive year for camping, chez-tentage. But that's because we've invested in a load of new kit which will last for years and years to come.
Although I first got into tent camping because it was a cheap way to have a nice holiday, that's not why I've carried on with it. The choice of beautiful locations and the freedom of camping have more to do with it these days. For city breaks, I'd still choose a B&B or hotel though.
Quote: Originally posted by madmum2000 on 22/8/2013
It's cheap for us. £25 a night for 5 of us next week. We cook and eat what we would at home so no more expensive. We use Tesco vouchers for days out and make packed lunches. Walks, evenings playing cards, talking. I agree you can do it on the cheap and I love it that way. If we'd have gone to a cottage it would have been £1,000 ish.
Sounds like me.
I always change my tesco vouchers. We have two dogs so spend a large amount of time finding and enjoying places to walk them, I have found camping more relaxing than our holidays abroad and static van holidays.
Quote: Originally posted by sarahsop on 28/8/2013
Over the last few years i've seen our camping costs soar. Mainly on food and drink. You know the score "lets nip to the supermarket for some bread and milk" you come back to the tent with half the supermarket! This year we pre-cooked and froze meals for 3 nights (kept almost frozen in the fridge...and froze the cucumber oops) and took fresh meat for BBQ's and lunches. We went to the supermarket once and topped up on milk from the site shop. By doing this we dramatically reduced the cost of the holiday. BUT the rain made us beat a hasty retreat to the pub so any money saved went on a pub tea!
Yes I am one of those terrible "just popping to tesco to get a few bits" person! Hence me spending so much camping , on pretty much just food !
I have borrowed a large coolbox,got lots of tips from this site and going prepared this time. The site we use is basic which is how I like it, the less there is the less the kids actually moan and want things, they find their own fun when there's none to be "bought".
It is £25 a night set rate for EHU and that's a good price for the new forest, 2 adults, 2 teens, 1 child and 2 dogs, oh and two cars ! Other sites I've found try the add this fee and that fee and pay for dogs and pay to have wee etc etc and it soon mounts up for us.
We usually don't have any extravagant days out , we visit the forest, we go the beach and generally relax by the tent, the Bournemouth airshow is on this weekend so we will drive over to watch that too but this time with a picnic.
I haven't spent too much on camping really, I bought my tent and all accessories second hand £200 for an outwell Michigan with extension and carpet which was a very good price and all our other bits and bobs we bought in the sale and have added to it over the past year, my latest bargain being my kitchen unit, I can't wait to try it.
So I will now always remember the comment "it's as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be"
Thanks everyone
It's cheap for us, as alternatives would usually be City breaks. We eat out for most meals, but we would do the same when visiting a City. After our initial kit buying, it works out much cheaper for us to go camping that to keep going on City breaks and paying £100 per night in hotels.
Although because of this, we do it more often! I suppose you always find a way to spend the money you have/cut your cloth according as necessary.
In my opinion there are two types of campers, those who enjoy camping and those who are looking for a cheap holiday.
Unfortunately if you want all of the home comforts then you end up spending a lot of money and it would be more economic to have a package holiday abroad.
I have spent much of my working life staying in hotels midweek, both in the UK and abroad, so that is the last thing that I want to do on holiday and I am happy to spend my money on good quality camping equipment.
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: How cheap is camping really ?
so any money saved went on a pub tea! 
