Weekend Breaks in England Can Be Just as Cheap as Holiday Abroad
Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside – especially when there’s lots to do that won’t cost a penny. Air shows, kids’ festivals, carnivals, surfing contests… you’d be surprised what our top resorts are laying on for families this summer. So check out what’s free by the sea during the school holidays…
Here are some ideas for weekend breaks in England
The air festival is set to be bigger than ever this year (August 20 -23) with a wartime Spitfire and state-of-the-art Eurofighter Typhoon, displays by the Red Arrows and aerobatic teams. Night-time activities in the Lower Gardens include the Royal Marines band and combat display commandos, hot-air balloons, fireworks and street entertainers.
On other Fridays until August 28, a Family Festa in the Lower Gardens will feature storytellers, magicians, stilt walkers and a children’s disco. The evenings finish with seafront fireworks.
A Kids’ Family Fun Festival on August 31 includes puppet shows, clowns, “have-a-go” workshops and games. Music lovers should head to Meyrick Park on August 7-8 for a Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra concert.
Or pop along to nearby Poole Quay next Thursday (or Sandbanks beach in August) for bands and children’s entertainers followed by fireworks. More info: www.bournemouth.co.uk
Where To Stay: The Lampeter Hotel £400 for four nights’ B& B, £700 for seven nights (www.lampeterhotel.co.uk). An apartment for a week costs £795 through Riviera Holiday Apartments (www.rivierabournemouth.co.uk).
Join the seafront Lammas Festival Carnival Parade (August 1 to 2) with morris dancers, drummers, live music, ceilidh and children’s entertainment. The international airshow (August 13-16) features similar overhead action to Bournemouth, with a big firework display on the Sunday. Go Fast! is the country’s only downhill racing event (August 21- 23), when more than 200 skateboarders, dirt-surfers and gravity bikers take the road from Beachy Head.
Take the kids to pick up a free activity pack from the Lifeguard Station or go rockpooling with them at Falling Sands, a marine conservation area. Older ones might enjoy free tennis on the seafront courts or skating along the prom to the skate park. More info: www.visiteastbourne.com
