How To Enjoy A Holiday Park Break On A Budget

In a year when the recession and the falling value of the pound is forcing us all to tighten our belts, it's estimated that one in ten of us will be spending this year's summer holiday at a UK holiday park. And in some ways it's not a bad compromise. If you've booked a week at a caravan park, you've made a wise financial move. Much of the entertainment is free, and you can expect a high standard from your accommodation.

Unfortunately, it's all the expenses that you incur when you actually leave the confines of the holiday park that hit the wallet, and all those hidden extras that slowly mount up. So avoid lunch at the motorway services on the journey down there, as the time has come to make your own sandwiches instead. And when you arrive, perhaps a little planning wouldn't go amiss; if you use your imagination you're sure to come up with dozens of ways to make hefty savings, yet still have a whale of a time.

1. Have a barbecue outside your chalet

Most holiday park chalets and caravans are set within small gardens with built-in barbecues and this is a great way to unwind with the family. You could even invite the neighbours, sharing the cost of the food and drink, and spend a great evening getting to know each other.

2. Enjoy a day out cycling

This is a fabulous way to see the countryside, it's absolutely free and is an all-body workout, helping you to lose weight and tone up. Did you know that cycling for an hour can burn off up to 600 calories? Just the thing if you've spent the rest of the year glued to a desk and piled on the pounds. You'll feel amazing when you get back and after all that exercise and fresh air, you'll be guaranteed a good night's sleep.

3. Have a picnic by the river

The UK's holiday parks are set within some of the most stunning countryside in Britain, close to rivers and lakes which form the perfect backdrop for a family picnic. So find an idyllic spot, and shake the dust from the old patchwork tablecloth. Pack the picnic hamper with plenty of good wholesome home-made tuck and feel the grass beneath your feet.

4. Spend a day at the beach

Whichever holiday park you choose, it's likely you're not too far away from a sandy beach, and if the weather's good, you simply have to take advantage. The beach is a great alternative to a major attraction; a family day at the zoo for instance will set you back over £50, and that's before the refreshments and the souvenirs. The beach is completely free, and so are the fun and games you can have there, from building sand castles to volleyball.

5. Set up your own countryside treasure hunt

This will take some clever planning and a lot of imagination, and dad will have to go out and plant the clues beforehand. But imagine what fun you can then have as a family, working your way through those cryptic clues, bonding as a family, and exploring the countryside.