Cheap Camping This Summer Holiday

Going away on holiday is rarely a cheap affair, and with the global recession taking its toll on holiday-maker’s wallets, the quest to find maximum value for money when planning a vacation is on the rise.

Assuming you have already decided that a caravan or camping holiday is the cheapest option available when getting away, you will most likely be looking for cheap but robust camping equipment and caravan equipment to make your holiday a pleasurable experience.

Camping & Caravan Equipment

First of all, you need to plan exactly what caravan and camping equipment you need. Buying cheap camping and caravan equipment can be a false economy, cheaply manufactured equipment will either be throw away or useless if the weather turns bad.

You should always look at your purchases as a long term investment, to be used again time after time. That said, you can still buy quality camp gear at cheap prices, this is achieved by looking for last season’s stock or discount camping gear, there are always discounted sections and products in any reputable camping or caravan store, some of the greatest discount camping gear can be found online.

Another option is to view your local papers and free ads for second hand equipment such as tents or caravan and camping furniture. e-bay is also a great way to pick up second hand bargains. Some people will have bought high quality camping and caravanning gear and then simply do not find the time or have the ability to get away, and some may need the cash hence they are driven to sell camping equipment which has had little use but may be of high quality.

If you’re looking on websites such as e-bay or gumtree then care must be taken to ensure the person  your are trading with has a reputable feedback score, you do not want to end up paying out and not receiving your purchase, or worse still, investing in stolen goods.

Hiring a Camper-van or Static Caravan

Some people instantly rule out a caravan or camper-van holiday because they assume they will need to outlay great amounts of cash to buy the vehicles. This is not necessarily the case though, there are plenty of camper-can hire companies throughout the UK which offer fantastic deals on hire, whether it be for a few days or even weeks away on the road. This choice is popular if you don’t have the urge to invest in a camper-van and merely want the flexibility of holiday travel for just a few weeks of each year.

Self catering static caravans can also be a far cheaper holiday option than holiday cottages and other accommodation such as bed and breakfasts, hotels and villas.

A static caravan will often have all the amenities you could need for a great stay, whether the weather is rain or shine. The space will be more restricted but most static caravan parks are in beautiful locations close to a beach, river or rural walks. You may also want to consider a holiday lodge as these can be more affordable than bed and breakfasts, hotels and other similar accommodation.

Affordable Campsites

Some campsites can be quite expensive these days and the facilities do not always match the price you pay. However, with a bit of careful research on UK Campsite Finder you will find some great deals for camping, especially if you’re going away in a big group or family.

A campsite with basic facilities will sometimes be equally as enjoyable as an top end site. Don’t forget the whole idea of camping is to get closer to nature, so being stuck on a purpose built holiday park may suit some but if you’re on a tight budget go for the more rural site with minimum features and make sure the price reflects that.

On the flip side, don’t end up in a farmers field with a single porta-loo being charged full whack. Once you’ve decided on a location, shop around and see what you can find, a good country pub which does food nearby is probably going to be as good if not better value than a holiday park restaurant.

In all, a holiday by tent, camper-van or caravan can be the ultimate budget holiday and can leave you with some great memories.