We’re always promoting cheap breaks and British holidays, but for some people in the UK a day out at the beach is out of their price range, let alone an entire holiday. A study for Barnado’s has shown that for many, a day out at the beach can cost over £100, and this is far too much for many families who live on a budget.
With increases in the cost of public transport, what was once considered to be a cheap day out is unaffordable for 1 in 5 families. For some, a single day out at the beach for a family of four can cost up to £170 and that’s not including buckets and spades, swimwear, snacks or meals!
The cost of train travel has increased so much that it’s easy to see why for many, a few days at a holiday park is much better value than a same day return to the nearest coastal resort.
The charity found that the most expensive days out were from Aylesbury to Bournemouth, costing £172 for a family of four, and even for those who live fairly close to the coast, a day out can cost £50 simply on train fares.
Research has shown that children remember seaside breaks as a happy and integral part of their childhood, and that means surely that every child deserves these treats that stay in the memory box forever.
Barnado’s blame rising living costs, an increase in train tickets and the fact that inflation is climbing much faster than income for the discrepancy, but we agree with the charity, going to the beach should be every British child’s birthright and beach days are where childhood memories are made.
