Rip-off Britain??

[RobDavies]

Because we can't really afford a "proper" holiday this year, we promised our two lads (8 & 4) some decent days out instead.

James, the eldest, has been on at me for ages about going to Cadbury World so we thought we'd definitely do that this year. I decided that as we were in the midlands already, we should probably stay overnight and go to Warwick Castle the following day (slightly more 'cultural' than chocolate!).

The expense involved in this little jaunt is incredible.....

Family ticket for Cadbury World: £41.00 (inc booking fee)

Family ticket for Warwick Castle: £62.00 (inc Ghost exhibition and booking fee)

Family room at Solihull Travel-Inn: £60.00

Petrol (estimate): £60.00

Total: £223.00

Thats 223 quid for 2 days out and that doesn't include any food or drinks!

Anyone got any other suggestions for slightly cheaper excursions? Preferably in the South? Cheers.

[Mark_R]

English Heritage offer family memberships and then free access to all their properties. There are lots of castles and forts for you to explore along the south coast (Dover Castle ect). Its pretty cheap to join, you get a guide book to all their properties, audio tapes to keep the family happy while walking around and theres nothing more that a kid like to do than pretend to be a soilder.

[Honey Tone]

Our summer holiday on Islay is going to be a complete back to basics affair.

Apart from the petrol costs, and the ferry fair (£113 for the car and three passengers), the only money that will be spent will be on food and drink.

The week will be filled with exploring, rock pooling, sea fishing and beach camping... I can't wait.

[fatherjack]

A family ticket for Dover Castle costs £25.80 - there's loads to see there medieval tunnels, wartime tunnels, cannon, etc. You're close to car park at the cliffs which gives an excellent view of the harbour.

Unfortunately, the town itself is as ugly as a box of frogs and is dying on its arse (I should know, I live there), but if you want to make a weekend of it, you're only 15 miles away from Canterbury with its jolly splendid cathedral and a better range of shops if you want that sort of thing.

[Sporky_McGuffin]

Get "Bollocks to Alton Towers" and "Far From The Sodding Crowd" - lots of cheap interesting stuff to do.

[JonEve]

Rob - do a bike ride in the new forest!! We had an excellent day out yesterday and only spent £15 on teacakes, scones, tea and a milkshake afterwards

We're having the same issue as we've had two weeks off and were planning on doing the "day trip" thing but haven't done much other than Alton Towers, the New Forest and er...a couple of other things...But it's all very expensive.

There's monkey world in Wareham, Dorset (www.monkeyworld.org) but a family ticket is £31...But closer to where you live so not so much in petrol.

[deedee]

Cadbury world is at best, a long half day out anyway... "At Bristol" is a science based thingy and is pretty good.

Plus, there is a very good zoo near Winchester, thats worth a look

[Shpeil]

Train to London then the Natural History Museum and Science Museum? I loved them when I first visited, aged 11. Maybe I'm a bit strange.

[Sporky_McGuffin]

I did too. I still liked them when I went back a year or so ago; the only downside is that as a growed-up one gets funny looks when playing with all the interactive stuff.

[suityou316]

Originally Posted by fatherjack

A family ticket for Dover Castle costs £25.80 - there's loads to see there medieval tunnels, wartime tunnels, cannon, etc. You're close to car park at the cliffs which gives an excellent view of the harbour.

Is Dover Castle in Yorkshire?
And if not, then why not, Leeds fucking Castle is in Kent!