Cost effective caravanning!

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Right now, we’re all looking for ways to save a bit of money, so read on to discover some top tips and ideas to make your caravanning or motorhoming holiday as cost effective as possible, whilst retaining all the fun!

Whether you’re a seasoned caravanner or you’re thinking about starting your leisure vehicle journey in 2023, we can give you the information you need to make your 2023 trips fun, fulfilling and great value for money.

Enjoy what’s on your doorstep

A great way to keep costs down is to stay relatively close to home to save on fuel costs. The UK undoubtedly has many fantastic holiday destinations including those across the borders in Wales, Scotland and Ireland, as well as the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District in northern England, which are all stunning. 

These locations may be best saved for another time when living costs have levelled out. In the meantime, from our location in the south, we have many great counties and areas nearby to explore!

• New Forest
  Set in Hampshire on the south coast, the New Forest has so much to offer and so many places to choose from. The great outdoors is right on your doorstep wherever you opt to pitch, with plenty of open spaces and wooded areas to enjoy. From outdoor pursuits to leisurely lunches, lush forest treks to calm coastal walks. Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Lymington, Lyndhurst and Milford-on-Sea are just a few of the places you should earmark to visit - don’t forget your picnic basket!

• Jurassic Coast
  A World Heritage Site in southern England, the Jurassic Coast comprises 95 miles of coastline from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset. It is famous for its unique and well-preserved geological features, including cliffs, bays, and islands, which provide a record of 185 million years of Earth's history. It encompasses a number of towns and cities, including Exmouth, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Bridport and West Bay. Country walks, bike rides and lunches in pub gardens are great other ways to pass the time here.

• Isle of Wight
  The Isle of Wight is just across the water! You can see it from the south coast and it’s just a 45-minute ferry crossing to get there. The beauty of opting for the IOW is that you get that holiday feeling the moment you drive onto the ferry! There are plenty of lovely towns and villages you could choose to stay in, many of which are picturesque and will provide the ideal base from which to explore. There’s lots to do here including the IOW Zoo, Dinosaur Isle, Amazon World, Robin Hill Country Park, Blackgang Chine and of course the iconic Needles…

• Chichester
  West Sussex is famed for being the sunniest county in the UK, so who wouldn’t want to visit? The City of Chichester is steeped in history, with its Cathedral dating back almost a thousand years. Chichester is surrounded by other great places to visit including Arundel, Worthing, Horsham, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton. The South Downs National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, runs throughout the West Sussex region, providing beautiful landscapes abundant in wildlife. It offers great opportunities for keen walkers and cyclists and was awarded National Park status in 2011.

• Salisbury
  Salisbury is the only city in Wiltshire and a beautiful one at that. It has a rich history and is packed full of fantastic eateries, boutique shops and interesting architecture. The Cathedral is one of the finest in the UK and houses one of only four surviving copies of the Magna Carter. Its spire is the tallest in England at 404 feet and the 14th century clock is the oldest working mechanical clock in the world. There are many other historic sites to explore nearby including the National Trust site Mompesson House, the Old Sarum, and of course, Stonehenge, which is nine miles to the north. 
  
  

Free activities and days out

There are plenty of activities you can do whilst away that won’t cost you a penny! Outdoor pursuits such as walks and hikes, bicycle rides, trips to local beaches or forests, fishing and paddling in streams and rivers are all free and lots of fun! And don’t forget fun family activities such as:

• Paddleboarding (if you own a board or can borrow one from a friend)

• Picnics

• Country parks

• Visits to gardens and stately homes 

• Museums and galleries

• Swimming (it’s free in the sea!)

Check out what’s available in the area you’re visiting. You can research the area by going to Trip Advisor and clicking on the ‘Things to do’ tab - input your destination and it’ll list the top attractions. Dayoutwiththekids.co.uk is also a great place to get ideas. You can also do a Google search for ‘Top places to visit in Hampshire’ (or any county you're visiting) and it will show you a website dedicated to that county. Visit-hampshire.co.uk is the one for Hampshire for example.

Self catering

Cooking in your caravan rather than eating out at pubs and restaurants is a great way to keep costs down during your trip. And it’s fun too! Caravans and motorhomes are fully equipped with everything you could possibly need to cook a great meal - fridges for food storage, workspace for prepping and an oven, hob and microwave for cooking.

BBQs are great for a bit of alfresco dining if the weather is good. There are plenty of options too, so there’s no chance of getting bored of the barbie! As well as the usual sausages and burgers, you could go for chicken thighs, pork escalopes, kebabs, halloumi, corn on the cobs and roasted peppers. The possibilities are endless and they won’t break the bank!

Cost-effective meal ideas

Chilli - Simply throw mince, veggies, beans and chopped tomatoes into a frying pan with a little chilli powder and you’re done! Boil a pan of rice alongside for a tasty and filling meal.

Spag bol - A pan for the spaghetti and a pan for the meat and sauce - it’s always a family favourite. Serve with garlic bread or ciabatta.

Pasta - Such a versatile dish - simply boil in a pan on the hob and it’s done! Add a jar of sauce or make your own using passata and a few veggies, herbs and garlic. Stick to veggie or introduce any meat you like - chorizo is good if you like an extra kick!

Jacket potatoes - Cook the jackets in the oven - or even the microwave if time is short - and enjoy with the topping of your choice! Minimum prep needed!

Hot dogs - Simply warm some frankfurters and serve in bread rolls with onion, ketchup and mustard to suit your tastes.

Frozen pizzas - Another quick and easy one - serve with salad and coleslaw for a bit of variety.

Omelette - They’re quick and easy to make and can be customised to suit each family member! Cheese and ham, tomato and onion, meat feast, or just as it is - the choice is yours!

Bangers and mash - Can be done with just a hob - fry the sausages and boil and mash the potatoes. Serve with gravy and your choice of veg. A firm family favourite!

Book in advance

Try to plan your trips ahead as booking in advance may enable you to secure better rates. If sites get busy, some may increase their prices in line with demand. Also think about when you’re going away - if you’re not travelling with children, try to avoid the school holidays as these will be classed as peak time, which will cost more. If you are travelling with children, try to steer clear of bank holidays as these are usually a little extra too.

Pop in and see us!

We’re always ready and waiting to assist you with any queries you may have, so pop in and see us! Whether you want to browse our new or pre owned caravan ranges, have a nose around our motorhomes, check out our accessory shop or just get some advice, our friendly team are always on hand. 

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