My favourite cheap UK holiday parks with lazy rivers, cabanas & fairgrounds from £13 a night – plus a Center Parcs dupe
A SUMMER getaway that offers fun for all the family and doesn’t cost a fortune can be hard to find.
Factor in airport stress and extra costs and many of us are put off planning a holiday before we even begin.
Infinity pools and palm trees might feel like the summer dream, but closer to home there is a budget alternative to jetting off and you can still enjoy an Aperol spritz with a sea view.
As a travel blogger for my site Passport Stamps and influencer, I’m regularly being asked for my favourite holiday parks here in the UK – and we’re fortunate to have so many to choose from.
Great British holiday parks have been growing in popularity since the 1930s.
Almost 100 years later, budget-conscious families are still escaping to holiday camps around the UK for a fun and affordable summer holiday.
Nowadays, these mini resorts offer almost as much as an overseas trip, but for a significantly smaller cost.
With beachfront locations, spacious accommodation and slides into the swimming pool, some of the best holiday parks in the UK are only a few hours from home.
Enjoy a full programme of family entertainment, kids’ clubs, adult activities and time to relax for as little as £13 a night for the whole family.
The Met Office has predicted record temperatures for 2025, meaning there is no better time to plan a summer staycation.
Plus, with none of the budget needed for flights, you might be able to book an even longer trip and enjoy some extra fun in the sun.
From secret hideaways on the Jurassic Coast to the top spots of the big brands, Sun Club has found the 10 best cheap UK holiday parks in the UK.
The only catch is, they sell out fast so be ready to book that bargain.
1. Cove Resorts, Seal Bay Resort, Selsey
- Price per night: £87 (Based on three nights in a two-bed holiday caravan. Sleeps six).
Selsey, on the sunny Sussex coast is a charming seaside town with a wide shingle beach.
Only a short drive from both Chichester and Bognor Regis, Selsey-by-the-sea is thought to be one of the sunniest spots in the UK, making it perfect for a summer staycation.
With indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river and an outdoor lido sun deck with a splash pad, sun loungers and cabanas, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d escaped to the Italian Riviera.
Adults can slip away to a slick spa and gym, while kids meet characters from Madagascar and Paddington.
With the beach walking distance from your front door and three restaurants on-site, as well as a choice of takeaways, including Papa Johns and Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, it’s a top holiday park for those who want to stay and play
- Good for: Younger families, single parent families and sunseekers.
- Book: cove.co.uk/sealbayresort
2. Bluestone National Park Resort, Pembrokeshire
- Price per night: £115 (Based on a seven-night break in the Caldey Lodge. Sleeps four)
Set over 500 acres of National Park, Bluestone is often thought of as a luxury resort and “better than Center Parcs” by its fans, and it’s easy to see why.
With superior lodgings, an incredible location and a great atmosphere, prices to stay at Bluestone can rocket in the holidays.
But, if you book early for a mid-week stay, you can snap up some super deals.
Weather isn’t an issue, with an indoor water park, adventure playground and day-long entertainment, including live
music, fairytale parties and a choice of excellent on-site restaurants.
However, if you’re a family who prefer adventure, the resort is surrounded by woodland trails and the stunning Welsh countryside.
There is hiking, biking, kayaking and more, so booking a longer stay is
highly recommended.
- Good for: Adventure lovers, longer stays, pre-teens and hassle-free planning.
- Book: bluestonewales.com
3. Cofton Holiday Park, Devon
- Price per night: £38, (Based on four nights in a two-bed static caravan. Sleeps four)
If brash and bold holiday parks are not your style and you’re looking for something a bit more zen, this chilled and charming holiday camp in South Devon is a picture-perfect spot.
Set in the green West Country, the family-run resort has both indoor
and outdoor pools (the outdoor pool is only open seasonally from May to September).
There is a good range of free activities, such a pond dipping, bike tracks and an adventure playground.
Evenings are covered, with inclusive on-site entertainment including a variety show, live singers, bingo and comedy nights, plus special events for kids.
If you would rather tuck the little ones in and switch off from the world, upgrade to a hot tub cabin (starting from £90 a night) and enjoy evenings on your own deck, under the stars.
- Good for: A less commercial and more laid-back experience. It’s 12 miles from Exeter, so great for day trips.
- Book: coftonholidays.co.uk
4. AWAY Resorts Newperran, Newquay, Cornwall
- Price per night: £46 (Based on four nights in a luxury caravan. Sleeps 4)
Another brand known for a serene staycation and top sites that offer a great mix of thrill and chill is Away Resorts.
The Newperran holiday park in Cornwall is just 10 minutes from Newquay and its key attractions, including the Newquay Zoo, Blue Reef Aquarium and of, course, the world-famous beaches.
At the resort, everything is more chilled with accommodation ranging from caravans, lodges and a tent camping option.
There is no scheduled evening entertainment here, so it’s ideal for families who like the quiet life or groups who want to enjoy time together.
It’s an excellent base to explore Cornwall and the local area, which is beautiful.
- Good for: Taking time out, a great base to explore, extended family groups.
- Book: awayresorts.co.uk
5. Hoseasons Norfolk Woods Resort and Spa
- Price per night: £68 (Based on seven nights in an Oxburgh Lodge. Sleeps 4).
Hoseasons recently launched Go Active Breaks, which promote active relaxation and are ideal for families that want to enjoy time together rather than split their time between adult and child attractions.
The Norfolk Woods Resort was highly recommended by Sun readers for being excellent value for the location, which is a great base to explore the Norfolk countryside and coastline.
Although the camp itself is not as high-octane as some family-centred resorts, on-site activities include archery, an outdoor adventure play area and an activity programme for ages 3-7.
There is also an indoor swimming pool, outdoor splash area for kids and a small, yet serene spa.
Evenings are quiet, but there is a bar and restaurant on-site for those who want to stay close to home after dark.
- Good for: Outdoorsy types, child-free stays, families with pre-teens and teenagers.
- Book: hoseasons.co.uk
6. Butlin’s, Minehead
- Price per night: £13 (Based on four people for four nights, staying in a comfort room).
- £25 with all-inclusive food court dining or £51 premium dining*). *Midweek only.
The OG Holiday Park, Butlin‘s, certainly knows how to keep families entertained on a budget.
From an on-site fairground and themed weekends, each of the
three famous parks (Minehead, Skegness and Bognor Regis) has a multitude of entertainment for any age group or family type, with accommodation ranging from budget rooms to spacious apartments.
Evening entertainment is top of the holiday park game, with
immersive shows including the year-round pantomime, Snow White and her Magnificent Friends, as well as guest singers and bands.
If you have children with a disability or additional needs, the Minehead and Skegness locations are fantastic options, as the newly installed SKYPARK is an inclusive and interactive playground for children of all abilities, including wheelchair users.
What is it like to go on a Butlin's all-inclusive?
EARLIER this year, the Sun's Caroline Iggulden tried out Butlin’s new all-inclusive holidays where food and drink is free.
I visited Butlin’s Bognor Regis resort for a 3 night-break at half term and opted for their all-inclusive drinks package, which during school holidays costs £30.95 a day per adult and £10.50 per child.
The package includes draught beers-including my husband’s favourite Guinness, wine, spirits and a decent list of cocktails. But it also includes unlimited hot drinks from Costa concessions around the resort. Kids packages include soft drinks and hot drinks.
We also opted for a pre-paid dining package. There are various options on offer including buffet dining or a ‘dine around’ option which allows you to eat at the resort’s stand-alone restaurants and pubs using vouchers.
For families like mine, the best part of a Butlin’s holiday is that the price of your accommodation also includes all live shows and activities, with free flow access to the brilliant Splash! Swimming and waterslide complex, unlimited fairground rides, playgrounds and soft-play.
But best value of all comes with the newly launched all-inclusive bundles available across the Bognor Regis, Skegness and Minehead resorts, starting at £399 for a family of four on a four-night break.
The package is only available on Showtime breaks, which are in term time and aimed at families with children who are younger than school age.
That include accommodation, dining plan, all Inclusive drinks pages and access to all the normal facilities.
This brings the cost of an all-inclusive holiday with food, drinks and entertainment in at just under £100 per person, making it pretty hard to beat.
For an extra spend, Butlin’s have just announced a new all-inclusive four-night breaks from under £100pp, based on two adults and two children (five and under).
Available exclusively on Showtime Term-Time, midweek breaks, there are five different dining plans on offer, from all-you-can-eat buffet packages to the DineAround plan, which covers sit-down restaurants.
With this deal, the whole family can enjoy free access to the Splash Waterworld pool with rides, slides and flumes, unlimited fairground rides and soft play.
- Good for: Value for money, term time perks for pre-school kids, accessible-friendly breaks.
- Book: butlins.com
7. Hoburne, Devon Bay (South Devon)
- Price per night: £34 (Based on four nights in a Classic Plus Caravan. Sleeps 4)
This Devon park is a great resort with a lively clubhouse, large indoor and outdoor pools and accommodations surrounded by lush gardens and woodland.
Kids are kept fully entertained with inspired activities including a GhostBusters slime hunt and a Dinosaur Adventure show.
You can also try your hand at Archery, high ropes and hydro globes.
Plus, adjacent Avon Beach is a beautiful sandy stretch with swimmable water and lifeguard patrol.
By night, the recently renovated The Pier House has sunset beach views, a great menu and live music every night from guest performers.
- Good for: Beach lovers, first-time holiday campers, larger groups and extended families
- Book: hoburne.com
8. Parkdean, Eyemouth, Berwickshire (Scottish Borders)
- Price per night: £33 (Based on a four-night stay in a Coastal Caravan. Sleeps 8)
This holiday park is in a stunning location, next to the beach and close to the village of St Abbs, surrounded by beautiful coastal walks and dramatic landscapes.
There is no swimming pool at the park, but guests have unlimited use of the local pool and there’s always the beach if you fancy a brisk sea swim in the crystal-clear waters.
The holiday park itself is compact, but there is a lot to keep you occupied.
There is a lively clubhouse, the Driftwood Complex, with entertainment on selected nights and a casual restaurant and bar.
This resort does lack the variety of facilities on offer at other sites, but the beautiful location more than compensates and with caravans that sleep eight, that works out less than £5 per person, per night. Fantastic value.
- Good for: Nature lovers, beautiful setting and value for money
- Book: parkdeanresorts.co.uk
9. Haven Craig Tara Holiday Park
- Price per night: £49 (Based on a four-night stay in a Saver Caravan. Sleeps 4)
A Scotland holiday park with a serious amount to do is Haven Craig Tara.
The Adventure Village is an attraction in itself with all-weather indoor and outdoor activities, including trampolines, zip lines and even Segway rides.
But, even more impressive is the huge Splashaway Bay pool area, which is officially Scotland’s biggest waterpark.
Hot summer days are sorted, with multiple slides and interactive water features, plus a brilliant toddler pool.
This is a fully-serviced park where you could easily stay all week without needing to leave.
Beach adjacent and with views over the Isle of Arran, the location is ideal, but if you do want to venture further, Craig Tara is surrounded by some of the most beautiful coastline in Scotland.
Oh and, don’t forget the on-site Nerf training camp… although, maybe that one is best left to the kids!
- Good for: Waterslides, Tweens and pre-teens, lots to do in one place
- Book: haven.com/parks/scotland/craig-tara
10. Park Holidays, Sand Le Mere
- Price per night: £33 (Based on a four-night stay in a Gold Plus Caravan. Sleeps 6)
Bucket and spade holidays don’t get much better than a holiday park
located on the beach and golden sands stretching as far as the eye can see.
The park itself is small, yet lively and buzzing with jolly Yorkshire spirit, complete with excellent evening entertainment in the newly-restored clubhouse.
The leisure complex has a heated indoor pool, splash park and soft play.
For families who want to add a few fun days to their itinerary, Sand Le Mere is close to a host of attractions, including Bugtopia Hornsea Zoo, The Deep Aquarium and Spurn National Nature Reserve.
Caravans along the beachfront cost a little more, but waking up to the sound of the waves is what summer holidays are made of.
- Good for: Family activities, beach lovers, recent revamp
- Book: parkholidays.com
*All prices are based on two adults, two children sharing.
Seven items to take on every holiday park break
HOLIDAY Park expert Robbie Lane recently revealed the seven items he always packs before heading on a holiday park break with his family.
Here’s what he takes…
- Swimming trunks – an essential for days at the beach.
- A bottle of wine because on-site shops often have inflated prices, meaning the cost of food and drink will be higher.
- Bikes/scooters, which come in particularly useful when staying at larger sites.
- Blackout blinds for kids’ rooms to keep out any unwanted sunlight ensuring a good night’s kip.
- A multi-socket extension because some caravans or lodges simply don’t have enough sockets.
- A fan to help keep places cool, especially in the hot weather.
- And a can of WD40 to get rid of any annoying squeaks in door frames.
Earlier this year, The Holiday Park Guru revealed England’s top three underrated holiday parks – with private beaches, indoor water parks and jet skis for kids.
And here are the other lesser-known holiday parks named among the best in the UK.