Scotland's top destination for 'family holidays on a budget' named
A Scottish region has been crowned the best in the country for a family holiday on a budget. It was also named one of the best staycation destinations in the UK.
With summer ramping up, families all over Scotland will be trying to think of last-minute holiday ideas. It can be difficult to know where to head for a summer break, especially for those who are on a tighter budget.
On Wednesday, June 18, self-catering accommodation specialists Hoseasons shared a list of the top budget-friendly places in the UK for a family holiday. The experts considered factors such as the average cost of a holiday park and the amount of child-friendly attractions, with each location given a score out of 100.
The only Scottish destination to appear on the top 10 is Scottish Highlands, placing fourth on the overall list. The Highlands received a score of 58.67.
Although placing fourth on the UK-wide list, the Scottish Highlands came first in two categories. With more than 255 budget-friendly family attractions and almost 150 child-friendly attractions per 100,000 people, the region is filled with vistas and things to do for a memorable experience.
One attraction singled out by the experts is the historic Urquhart Castle, which offers visitors the chance to explore a piece of history. Meanwhile, the many nearby hikes and trails offer miles of breathtaking views.
Another popular family-friendly attraction in the Scottish Highlands is the Loch Ness Centre. The state-of-the-art centre features exhibitions all about the history of legendary loch and its famous monster.
There are also a variety of free activities on offer around the Highlands. In addition to spectacular beauty spot such as Ben Nevis and Steall Waterfall, free attractions include the Highland Folk Museum, the Inverness Botanic Gardens, and the Whin Park adventure play area.
On the other hand, the average cost of a holiday park in the Scottish Highlands was found to be higher than all other locations in the top 10. According to Hoseasons, holidaymakers can expect to pay £959 on average for a holiday park.
Other destinations to be named among the best budget-friendly family holidays include the Isle of Wight and Dorset, placing first and second respectively. Rounding out the top five are Devon in third place and Essex in fifth.
General Manager at Hoseasons Gemma Brown commented: "Family holidays present some of the best opportunities to spend quality time with the people you love and make memories that can last a lifetime, so they really should be accessible for everyone.
"It's important to remember that you don't need to splash out in order to have a great holiday, even just a simple change of scenery can bring chances to relax and experience something new together.
"Staycations are a brilliant option for this. There's no long journey, so you can maximise your time as a family, and the familiarity of holidaying in the UK means there's no need to adjust or acclimatise.
"You can load up the car with all the essentials and head off without the stress and the best part is, many of the most memorable moments don't cost a thing. Skimming stones, crabbing, exploring rock pools, it's all right here, simple and free."
She added: "Working within a budget doesn't mean your children won't appreciate the break. Plan around what they love, enjoy watching them soak it all in, and when they've worn themselves out, you'll get that well-earned moment to unwind.
"Don't forget that you're on holiday too!"
See below for the full list of the 10 UK destinations that "make for the best family holidays on a budget". Further information can be found on the Hoseasons website.
The UK destinations that make for the best family holidays on a budget
Isle of Wight
Dorset
Devon
Scottish Highlands
Essex
East Sussex
Kent
Cumbria
Norfolk
Gloucestershire
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