When are they going back to school again?

Parents in the UK will spend a staggering £2,474 on childcare and entertainment this summer, according to a new study.

The overall cost of the school holidays includes an average spend of £351 on childcare, £504 on days out and £665 on additional transport and food.

Researchers also found that the financial and emotional effect of the summer break is giving 73 per cent of parents sleepless nights as they worry over how to keep their children occupied over 42 days.

The ‘School’s Out’ study by budget hotel chain Travelodge, which surveyed 5,000 British parents, revealed that the US trend of coupon collecting has become increasingly popular in the UK, with a third of British parents devoting between two to three hours each week voucher-hunting to save on household costs.

The report also found that 17 per cent of parents with children under 18 will not be taking a holiday this year, while 53 per cent of those who are taking a break are planning to stay in the UK.

And the impact of the recession was clear, with less than a third of parents able to afford to take more than one break a year.

Meanwhile reservations data from Travelodge has revealed that a new staycation trend has emerged - the revival of British road trips.

'We’re calling it "hotel hopping". People are visiting two or three destinations in a week rather than staying at just one,' said Travelodge spokeswoman Shakila Ahmed.

'Families might stop off at Eastbourne, Brighton and Bognor Regis exploring the Sussex coast, for example.
'It’s a great example of the British ability to make the best of making do – one holiday suddenly feels like more.'

The report also revealed that coastal destinations top the staycation list with 46 per cent of families heading to the sea-side this summer.

Cornwall, Edinburgh, Lake District, Devon and Blackpool were the most popular destinations for families.
However families viewed the unpredictable weather as the most significant disadvantage of staying in the UK, with 81 per cent of parents admitting that their school holiday budgets could be blown if the wet summer continues.

'Parents told us that entertaining children on rainy days is £53 more expensive than on dry days,' Shakila added. 'More rain could really put the Wellington boot into already cash-strapped parent’s budgets.

'Going to the beach and having picnics were two of the top three activities mums and dads have planned for their kids – both low cost but heavily reliant on clear skies.

'Despite aiming to spend an average of £150 less this summer than last, parents are now bracing themselves to spend hundreds of pounds more, if the weather doesn’t improve for the duration.'
NETMUMS founder Siobhan Freegard also states that a washout summer would have a major financial impact on families this season.

'Summer can be tough for families who are already struggling, as the holidays mean increased food and childcare bills, so less to spend on short breaks and days out,' she said.

'When it's sunny there are lots of options for free activities, such as outdoor treasure hunts or picnics in the park. But rainy days are harder to manage as kids are often full of energy but cooped up in the house.
'You can't beat the British weather so why not make a virtue of it? Wrap up the children in wellies and waterproofs and go puddle jumping or try a nature walk in the rain spotting snails and slugs?

'If you are stuck for indoor inspiration, think back to your youth – a pack of cards, marbles, torches in the bedroom, cardboard box robots - the things you loved as a child can all be re-introduced for the new generation.

'While getting creative takes more time to plan than a trip to a pricey theme park, it makes memories your children will treasure forever. All the research shows children want time with their parent’s more than expensive days out.'

Working parents will be taking an average 12 days off during the summer holidays according to the survey, with fifty two per cent of working parents reporting difficulties getting time off during the school holidays due to competition with colleagues who also have children and co-workers who don’t have children and don’t understand the practicalities of school holidays.

A quarter of parents felt that summer school holidays should be reduced as they found it too expensive to keep children entertained for over six weeks.

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Is Cornwall Greenest Holiday Destination?

Cornwall remains high on the list of favourite UK holiday destinations. Three Cornish resorts featured in the top 10 British resorts in the TripAdvisor Awards, a Which? holiday survey put two Cornish resorts amongst Britain's top ten favourite seaside towns, the British Travel Awards recently voted Cornwall the best UK Holiday County or Region and Sunday Times readers voted Cornwall their Favourite UK Country Escape.

Little surprise then that two of the most popular of Haven Holidays' 35 UK family holiday parks are Riviere Sands near Hayle and Perran Sands near Perranporth. Riviere Sands enjoys an enviable position with direct access to the South West Path and stunning views across the Hayle estuary to St Ives whilst some 26 miles further north along the coast path, Perran Sands is set amidst Cornwall's largest dune system overlooking the long stretch of Perran Beach and perfect for surfing.

Families and couples travel from all over the UK to holiday here each year, many returning time after time drawn by the gorgeous scenery, beaches and local attractions as well the wide choice of facilities, sports, activities and entertainment on the parks. There's always something to do - whether it's introducing the kids to fencing, getting involved in 'Messy Mornings' with your toddler, a round of Adventure Golf, a swim in an heated leisure pool or just sitting back and enjoying the entertainment.

But for General Manager June Donnery, who looks after both parks, one of the most important aspects of running park holidays is to ensure that it operates with minimal impact on the environment.

'So many people have voted for Cornwall in so many different holiday surveys and awards we truly believe it's our duty to make sure we can welcome visitors without damaging what it is they come here to enjoy.' June is passionate about ensuring that the eco-credentials of both parks are an integral part of everything she does.

Both parks have held a David Bellamy Conservation Award Perran Sands ten years Riviere Sands 5 years and both hold the prestigious 'Gold' Green Tourism Business Scheme award. For larger businesses this means meeting significant standards across a wide range of criteria from recycling waste and minimising utilities to working alongside local communities and keeping visitors informed about local flora and fauna.


A self-confessed sustainability geek, June is keen to encourage her team to get involved in green projects too. Before the current holiday season started Team Members at Riviere Sands carried out a litter pick on the Gwithian Towns and collected a staggering 45 bags of rubbish from this are and the beachfront.

And everyone is expected to get involved in the annual Big Green Weekend that provides a real show-case for their eco-endeavours, with all sorts of 'green' activities that involve holidaymakers and the local community as well as team members. From green fancy dress and recycled sculpture competitions to guided walks across the dunes led by Park Ranger Sarah Taylor a combination of fun activities and more serious events highlight the parks' ethos when it comes to the environment.

Continuing investment in both parks ensures that the product remains fresh and exciting for visitors - but June insists that the environment should be taken into consideration with any new building projects.

This year GBP 1.5million has been spent on a new touring facility. 'Camping and caravanning holidays have such a low carbon footprint,' says June. 'It's a fantastic way to get really close to nature and spend time outdoors and we wanted to make it as convenient and comfortable as possible for our touring guests.'

The new shower and washroom blocks have been designed to blend in with the sand dunes so the visual impact is as modest as their environmental footprint. Curved roofs are covered in grass and designed to harvest rainwater to make them self-watering. Water for the showers is solar heated and the exterior is clad in cedar which will fade over time to a silvery-grey to blend in with the natural environment.

Energy efficient under-floor heating, rooflights to maximise the natural light and high efficiency condenser boilers ensure that the buildings work to best environmental standards as well as looking attractive. Inside, the interior has been quirkily designed to make one block redolent of the camper vans much loved by local surfers whilst the other captures a 'beach hut' feel with lots of seaside brightly coloured beach hut cubicles.

What's more, Perran will be the first Cornwall Holiday Park to feature geo-domes as an alternative accommodation for touring guests. Following the success of their yurts (they have four) and a new village of safari tents, June commissioned a handful of geo-dome tents, complete with separate sleeping pods for children. Similar in shape to the famous domes of the Eden Project, the new tents will be fully furnished in 'shabby chic' style with a corner sofa and comfortable beds.

The 'seaside' theme continues at Riviere Sands where the new Cornish Cafe is decorated in natural timber cladding with mural of St.Ives bay- and stocks plenty of local produce, with Cornish cream teas and Cornish ice cream. It even features hand carved Cornish pasties as door handles - with a local artist commissioned for the job.

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Butlins summer holidays available now

So that UK families can spend some quality time together this summer, holiday company Butlins is offering some fantastic summer holidays, all of which offer fantastic things to do for all ages.

Butlins is one of the UK’s favourite holiday companies and has three seaside resorts in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness, all of which are family-friendly and fun-filled. With top quality live entertainment and a variety of restaurants families will be able to find more than enough to do together.

Parents searching for family-friendly breaks in the UK this year should head for the official Butlins website now to see the wide range of dates available for the summertime. The holiday provider has lots of superb holidays at its three resorts and families everywhere will be able to enjoy live entertainment, numerous activities, great accommodation and delicious dining options.

With some of the best beaches in the UK just a stone’s throw from the three Butlins resorts families will be able to go for a dip in the sea or catch up on some sunbathing throughout their holidays. If the weather isn’t cooperating, the Butlins resorts can provide shelter – there’s a Splash Waterworld at all three resorts, as well as well as entertainment shows from Stephen Mulhern, acrobatic circuses, Redcoat shows and BMX and skate displays.

There’s also bowling alleys, cinemas, children’s play areas, arts and crafts events and much more at the resorts and guests can also take part in unique activities while staying at Butlins. When booking breaks consider signing up for lessons in archery, fencing or indoor rock climbing, or go for some go-karting. There are children’s clubs too, and at the Bognor Regis and Skegness resorts adults can chill out at the spa.

Prices for Butlins summer holidays start from just £65 per person per break, and dining plans can be added for around £13.50 per adult per day.

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