How to Save Money with a Caravan Holiday in Brittany
When the summer holidays draw closer, an increasing number of package holiday deals drop into our inboxes. Scrolling through the photos is like a slice of digital sunshine. But then I immediately think of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on our holiday fund. If you own a caravan, exploring Europe can be cheaper and easier than you think.
Exploring Europe on a Budget
Last year, I received details of a fantastic villa holiday that included flights and car hire. Perched on the edge of a coastal town in Brittany, it had a pool and was a short stroll from the beach. With school-age kids, peak-season prices are unavoidable, so a seven-day break for our family of four in August was an eye-watering £4,500. In the swinging Sixties, one in seven Brits would holiday in a caravan, so I wondered how much cash I could save by taking a Bailey Phoenix+ 650 caravan to a similar location with comparable facilities. Could we holiday as a family for a around £1,000 instead of £4,500?
Planning Your Caravan Holiday
I began by searching for cost-effective ways to cross the Channel with a caravan. A comparison website looked to be an early winner until I spotted a combined deal with The Caravan and Motorhome Club that saved £200 on the crossing alone if I booked the ferry and campsites at the same time. Moreover, our caravan holiday was ABTA bonded. And while air travel is quick, land travel is immersive, and the savings meant we could enjoy seven nights in Brittany plus an additional four nights in the Hauts-de-France and Normandy as we wound our way towards the Bay of Biscay.
Exploring Brittany on a Budget
The Gallic sunshine was a welcome start with a stop-off at the 5H Camping La Bien Assise, just outside Calais. Set in lush parkland, it features a restaurant in a lovely rustic former farm building. Our next stop was Risle-Seine les Etangs, a lake-side site with a pool. It was the perfect base as we traced the footsteps of family members who landed in Normandy on D-Day.
Enjoying the Caravan Experience
Our final destination in Brittany was Benodet, a popular spot for French holidaymakers thanks to the wide, sandy beach and bars and cafes that line the promenade. The 4H Camping Du Poulquer, sits on the eastern edge of the beach and was chosen not just for the location, but also for facilities that rivalled that of the villa holiday. The outside pool upped the ante with some great slides and rides in the water park.
Making the Most of Your Caravan Holiday
Flying to a villa or hotel may be the norm for many, but towing your accommodation behind you allows you to really explore while saving a serious amount of money.
GO: Brittany
GETTING / STAYING THERE: The return Dover-to-Calais ferry crossing plus stays at campsites en route and in Benodet were booked through the Caravan and Motorhome Club and came to £834. See caravanclub.co.uk.
FUEL COSTS: I use a caravan-friendly satnav when towing, and although it lists fuel stations along our chosen route, the (free) Waze navigation app allows me to select one based on price. We filled up with diesel just 300 yards from the dual-carriageway, saving 30 euro cents (26p) per litre. Fuel costs for the whole journey totalled £266.
FOOD & DRINK: Restaurants on the promenade tend to be more expensive than those a street or two away. Google Maps will reveal those away from the main thoroughfare. They are often cheaper. Google lets you check the reviews, too.