The average family break during the school summer holidays costs anywhere between £2,000 and £4,000, depending on which report you read. But there’s plenty of holiday fun to be had for a fraction of that price. We’ve rounded up ten of 2017’s best summer holidays, all for less than a grand. And yes, that includes flights. Enjoy!
All prices are based on a family of four.
1/10 7 nights in Conwy, Wales
Self catering cottage
26 August–2 September, £875
Maes Masarn is nestled in the extensive grounds of a beautiful Welsh country house on the border of Snowdonia National Park. There are more nearby activities than guests will be able to pack into a week, from the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre to the local National Trust gardens.
Take mountain bikes on the family friendly cycle trails, visit the glorious Tudor castle of Gwydir or leave the greenery behind for a day and take in the sights of the Victorian seaside town of Llandudno. There is also a watersports centre 3 miles away and and zipwire and trampolining centres are a half-hour’s drive away. The cottage has a private walled garden as well as a games room.
What: 7 nights’ self catering in the 3-bedroom ‘Maes Masarn cottage’
Where: Conwy, Snowdonia
Price: £875
Find out more and book this holiday in Conwy with Wales Cottage Holidays
2/10 7 nights in Brittany, France
Eurocamp self-catering mobile home
27 August–3 September, £882
With an incredible five pools and six waterslides as well as a host of other outdoor activities, kids will be entertained all week at Domaine des Ormes Eurocamp in Brittany.
Children will love the kids’ club and adults can enjoy a variety of sports including horse riding and golf; the 200-hectare country estate setting makes it the perfect place to soak up the sun. Why not get the whole family involved in a high-wire course adventure ?
What: Return Dover–Calais ferry crossing for a car plus 7 nights’ self-catering in a 3 bedroom mobile home
Where: Dol-de-Bretagne, Brittany, France
Price: £882
Find out more and book this holiday in Britanny with Eurocamp
3/10 7 nights in Rome, Italy
4* room-only hotel accommodation
9–16 August, £720
Use the Summer holidays to give the kids a classical education with a trip to the vibrant city of Rome. Children will love a personal tour of the Colosseum where all the gory detail of the Roman empire is brought to life. Sample the best of Italy’s pizza and gelato in the capital, throw a coin in the Trevi fountain and race a Slinky down the Spanish steps; Rome is certainly a family-friendly city.
Rome’s Holiday Inn has a gym so parents can feel as though they really earned their gelato.
What: Return flights from London Stansted plus room-only accommodation at Holiday Inn
Where: Rome, Italy
Price: £720
Find out more and book this holiday in Rome with Love Holidays
4/10 7 nights in Umbria, Italy
Self-catering farmhouse
8–15 August, £800
The rolling hills of Umbria are perfect for a rustic country retreat. Stay in a 13th century farmhouse with many of its original features encapsulating the history of the local area. The Poggio delle Civitelle estate is nestled in the hills near the town of Bevagna and is an ideal base from which to explore the countryside.
What: Return flights from London Stansted plus room-only farmhouse accommodation at Poggio delle Civitelle estate
Where: Umbria, Italy
Price: £800
Find out more and book this holiday in Umbria with Love Holidays
5/10 7 nights in Barcelona, Spain
Bed and breakfast accommodation
17–23 August, £1000
A bohemian city with its own beach, Barcelona gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to holidaying with kids. Take in iconic sights such as Gaudi architecture and the hustle and bustle of Las Ramblas, before grabbing a bucket and spade and heading down to the sand. Enjoy leisurely lunches of tapas and sangria, with Barcelona’s famous hot chocolate for the kids; so thick you can stand a spoon in it. Then siesta at your 4* hotel or take a dip in the pool.
What: Return flights from London Luton plus 7 nights’ B&B at 4* Eurohotel Gran Via Fira.
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Price: £1000
Find out more and book this Barcelona holiday with icelolly.com
6/10 7 nights in Anglesey, Wales
Self catering cottage
26 August–2 September, £593
Famous as the former home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Anglesey provides a scenic base for a holiday of fresh air and immersive nature. Stroll along the coast, visit the huge aquarium and bird of prey centre or enjoy selecting fresh ingredients from the farmers’ market.
Then cosy up in the character cottage, have afternoon tea in the conservatory or play outdoor games before firing up the barbecue.
What: 7 nights’ self catering in the 3-bedroom ‘Blochdy cottage’
Where: Llanfair, Anglesey, Wales
Price: £593
Find out more and book this Anglesey holiday with Wales Cottage Holidays
7/10 4 nights in Somerset, England
Glamping
14–18 August, £665
This ‘Lanterns & Larks’ glampsite is situated within the grounds of a 260 acre organic farm in the Somerset countryside. Guests can meet the playful goats, see the other furry residents of the farm and even collect their own eggs from the chicken coop for breakfast. Explore nearby rural villages, grab some binoculars for a nature walk or drive to Cheddar Gorge for more breathtaking scenery.
The three-bedroom tents are so luxurious that it is easy to forget they are on a campsite; that is until the marshmallows and toasting sticks come out of course.
What: 4 nights’ self catering accommodation in a luxury 3 bedroom tent.
Where: Somerset, England
Price: £665
Find out more and book this glamping holiday with Lanterns and Larks
8/10 7 nights in a Moroccan Riad
4* bed & breakfast accommodation
21–28 August, £996
Discover the exotic sights and sounds of Marrakesh with a stay at the Riad Boutouil. The owners will welcome you with a cup of Moroccan mint tea and give you all the information you need to have a great holiday. Guests can relax on the outdoor sofas and find all the most Instagram-worthy spots around the riad with its bold Moroccan colours and patterns.
Venturing outside, the Medina and Souk are within walking distance so soak up the smells of spices and get bartering!
What: Return flights from Luton airport and 7 nights’ B&B accommodation at the Riad Boutouil.
Where: Marrakesh, Morocco
Price: £996
Find out more and book this Marrakesh holiday with Ice Lolly
9/10 7 nights in Algarve, Portugal
Self-catering apartment
9–16 August, £934
Flexibility is key when holidaying with young children, and the Mirachoro self-catering apartments give guests just that. Stroll down the famous Montechoro strip and let the kids choose which restaurant or cafe to eat in, or pick up some fresh food from the nearby shops and dine in your room.
Relax on a sun lounger while the kids splash in the children’s pool or take a dip yourself before heading down to the beach just a short drive away.
What: Return flights from Stansted plus 7 nights’ self-catering apartment accommodation
Where: Albufeira, Portugal
Price: £934
Find out more and book this Barcelona holiday with Teletext Holidays
10/10 4-nights in Norfolk, England
Canal boat break
31 July–4 August, £921
For those who have always fancied owning a boat, this Norfolk Broads summer break gives you the chance to play at being captain. With two comfortable cabins, a sun deck for fishing or sunbathing and even a DVD player tucked into the saloon, this is the perfect starter boat for those who have never sailed before.
With full sailing tuition and a map of the Broads included in the price, guests can enjoy a luxury holiday without feeling as though they have pushed the boat out!
What: 4 nights’ boat hire plus fuel, sailing tuition and canal map
Where: Norfolk, UK
Price: £921