THE EASTER school holidays are just around the corner and with the kids off school, you might want to head on a staycation to fill some of their time.
There are loads of seaside towns across the UK, but Sun Travel has picked out some of the cheapest spots across England – all of which are great for family breaks this Easter.
Blackpool, Lancashire
Blackpool is often thought to be one of the cheapest seaside destinations in the UK, with arcades and a long-stretching beach.
For a one-night break over the Easter holidays, you could stay at The Merlin Hotel for £56 a night for two adults and two children (or £14 per person).
The hotel is in the city centre and is an eight minute walk from Blackpool Central Beach.
You can also head to Blackpool Winter Gardens Theatre just 400 metres away and Coral Island, 500 metres away.
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Coral Island is free to visit, so you can spend as much or little as you like with pay-as-you-go arcade games costing as little as 2p.
Kids also eat free at Coral Island when with a full-paying adult.
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Great Yarmouth features a ‘golden mile’ beach and lots of cosy cafes and arcades to explore.
A one-night stay at The Dolphin Hotel over the Easter holidays will set back a family of four £86.
The hotel is just a three minute walk from Great Yarmouth Pier Beach as well.
When it comes to activities, you can head to Joyland – one of the oldest theme parks in the UK – and it is completely free to visit.
Rides are then priced separately so you can spend as little or as much as you like.
For example, the Super Snails ride costs £2.50 a turn.
Travel writer, Helen Wright, recently visited and for food suggests heading to Grelly’s, where you’ll be able to grab a hot sausage roll and chips for only £3.60.
Hartlepool, County Durham
Hartlepool is often considered one of the cheapest seaside destinations in the UK with traditional seaside attractions.
When it comes to finding somewhere to stay, you could head to Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene Holiday Park from April 10 to 13 for £228 for four people (or £19 per person per night).
The holiday park is just a short walk to Crimdon Dene Beach, which offers amazing views of the north east coastline.
There is also a restaurant and bar on site in case you want to grab a bite to eat.
If you head into Hartlepool town, the Museum has free entry as well.
Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset
Found in Somerset, Weston-Super-Mare was a popular 19th-century Victorian seaside resort and is still loved today for its long beach and Grand Pier.
Stay at the Savoy Hotel from £99 a night for four people over the Easter holidays.
Weston-Super-Mare Beach is then just a 17-minute walk away.
If you don’t mind being a little out of Weston-Super-Mare, in the next town along – Brean – you could stay at Unity Beach holiday park for three nights from April 10 to 13 for £189 for a family of four (£15.75 per person per night).
Visiting the Grand Pier will set you back £2 per person and an unlimited all-day ride wristband costs £15 per toddler and £20 per child.
Attractions on the pier include a mirror maze, Helter Skelter and soft play.
There are a number of eating spots on the pier as well where you can grab fish and chips for £12, sausage and chips for £7.50 and a range of kids meals for £6.
Penzance, Cornwall
Despite many thinking Cornwall is one of the more expensive places to head on a staycation, if you are heading to the county then visit Penzance, which is one of the more affordable spots.
For example, you could head to Seaview Holiday Park, costing around £60 a night for a family of four over the Easter holidays.
The accommodation has a kitchenette as well, so you can cut even more costs by cooking for yourself.
And there’s also an outdoor swimming pool, indoor play area and games room.
The beach is then about a 25-minute walk away.
Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
According to Which?, Whitley Bay’s average room rates cost just £69 -which makes it the second cheapest UK seaside town after Southport (£66).
Over Easter though, prices are obviously a little more expensive – but there are still some affordable options.
For example, a one-night stay at The Windsor Hotel costs £77 for a family of four.
The hotel is on South Parade and within sight of the sea, with the beach just 270 metres away.
Alternatively, you could head to Hoseasons Whitley Bay holiday park for three nights between April 10 and 13 for £254 for up to six people.
That works out at just £14.12 per person, per night.
Bognor Regis, West Sussex
Bognor Regis on the south coast of England is known for its award-winning Butlin’s resort.
A three-night break at Butlin’s Bognor Regis from April 10 to 13 costs from £316 – that’s around £26.34 per person per night.
And for that price, you get all the entertainment, the indoor waterpark and fairground rides – but it doesn’t include food.
If you do want to include food, this would cost an extra £186.54 (around £15.55 per person per day) for the family food court dining plan which includes a buffet experience.
Ramsgate, Kent
Ramsgate is well known for having the UK’s only Royal Harbour, as well as sandy beaches and over 450 listed buildings.
And for Easter, there are still some affordable breaks.
You could head to Dog and Duck Holiday Park for three nights from April 10 to 13 for £234 for four people (or £19.50 per person per night).
You’d stay in a static caravan with an open plan lounge and kitchen area.
The holiday park has a pub onsite where you can grab a pizza for as little as £12, as well as an outdoor play area.
Paignton, Devon
When it comes to finding a place to stay in Paignton, you won’t be short for choice.
The bustling seaside town has a great mix of campsites, holiday parks, hotels and B&Bs.
For example you could stay at Devon Hills Holiday Park in a caravan with a hot tub for three nights from April 10-13 for £199 for four people (or £16.59 per person per night).
The holiday park features an 18metre pool, gym, sauna and steam room and play area.
And if you are wanting a bite to eat, there is an onsite cafe too where you can grab two pizzas, fries and garlic bread for £29.95.
The beach is a bit further away (three miles), but once there you’ll be in the bustling resort town of Paignton with red sand beaches and a pier full of different attractions including penny slot machines.
Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
Over in Essex, you could head to Clacton-on-Sea, which is full of souvenir shops and ice cream spots.
You could stay at Haven’s Orchards Holiday Village for £129 for three nights for a family of four – that’s just £10.75 per person, per night.
This is for a break between April 10 and 13, and includes access to the restaurants, takeaways and arcades but not to the swimming pools, activities and entertainment venues.
In Clacton-on-Sea, you can head to the pier which has a variety of amusement arcades and rides, such as a Helter Skelter costing just £1 a turn.
And if you are looking for a cheap spot for lunch Flags Cafe has a variety of dishes including curry, vegan options and cakes or a toastie and drink for a fiver.
For more budget stays here are the UK’s best 100 cheap stays – including our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks, B&Bs and pubs from just £22 a night.
And if you’re heading abroad – here are the most popular hotels in the loveholidays sale with rooftop pools and beautiful beaches… and holidays from £149.
