As the summer draws near and the children start looking forward to those long, lazy days away from school the family bank account can start to look dangerously fragile. There is no need to worry though as holidays do not have to involve flying off to foreign climes at great expense.

Camping and Caravanning

When we were all taking advantage of budget airlines and discovering Europe, the joys of camping and caravanning got a bad reputation. They are, however, a great way to discover the beauty of the United Kingdom. You may also be surprised by the luxury on offer.

Jolly Days Campsite in North Yorkshire will amaze you with its provision. The site goes a long way toward combining a love of camping and a boutique hotel. Set in beautiful natural environments, the site hosts 14 tents, lodges and bells, nestled in a woodland. The lodges cover more than 75 square metres, which is bigger than most hotel rooms and come with blankets and cotton sheets. Once you see the four-poster bed you will wonder why you turned your back on camping.
The bell tents sleep four and come complete with a separate area for cooking. And gone are the days of rolling around on the floor, each guest gets a futon. There is plenty to see and do while staying here and you are not far from York city and all its attractions.

Or why not try Talacre Beach in North Wales? Home to a fantastic five star caravan park, you’ll wonder why you have not visited before. It has won a number of tourism awards and conservation awards, for the way it embraces the environment around it.

The site's static caravans are an oasis among the well maintained grounds that will make you forget the rat race. Complete with indoor facilities and a range of activities, the site is open ten months a year. The family will love the shifting ancient sand dunes, the seventeenth century lighthouse and the nature reserve.

Chalets, Bed and breakfasts and farm breaks

Bridging the gap between camping and hotels is the novel approach taken by Woodend Chalets in Aberdeenshire. This small family-run enterprise offers a secluded alternative to the hustle and bustle of bigger sites. The self-catering chalets are set in woodland with plenty of space for the kids to run around in. Most of the chalets will sleep a whole family comfortably within reaching distance of nearby Banchory.

If woods are not your thing you can always go for a B&B by the sea. Dotted all over the coast, these traditional seaside accommodation options have come a long way since the traditional image of the 1900s. Set in Victorian houses, surrounded by well-kept gardens and always with stunning views of the sea, this could be your ticket to the perfect family holiday.

Moving inland, you could always treat the kids to a dose of Britain's majestic countryside. Hoe Grange Farm is a perfect example, set in the rolling downs of Derbyshire. The farm provides a pair of cabins that are all fully equipped for everything a family could possibly need.

Author bio: Francesca is a freelance writer based in the UK with a passion for all things travel. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of great travel destinations around the world and currently writes on behalf of North Wales Borderlands.