We spend three months a year travelling in our motorhome – here are our four simplest ways to keep holidays cheap
A FAMILY of five have visited more than 20 countries in their motorhome, spending three months holidaying on the road every year.
Known as the Roaming Radfords, Steve and Lyndsay have been holidaying in a motorhome since 2007, when their eldest son Eddie was just a year old.
The husband and wife team, who live in Milton Keynes, have been to France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden, Norway and Morocco in their motorhome.
Their most recent trip took them to Turkey, where they spent six weeks exploring the country with their three sons, Eddie, Harry and George.
Steve and Lyndsay document their adventures on their Youtube channel, the Roaming Radfords.
And with more than 17 years of experience, it’s safe to say they know how to travel on a budget.
Steve and Lyndsay told Sun Online Travel: “We consider ourselves quarter timers, so every year we spend at least three months of our lives in our motorhome.”
The family spends the entirety of the school summer holidays in their motorhome, using European car park schemes to keep pitch costs down.
Steve added: “It’s much easier to go ‘off-grid’ in Europe. For example, in France, there’s a system called aires where motorhomes can stay overnight in registered car parks.
“They’re not very caravan friendly, and you have to stay within your parking space, but they’re fantastic in terms of location and price.”
Holidaymakers can spend the night, or even the entire day, parked at an aires site, without spending a penny or very little.
Similar schemes operate in other European countries, including Stellplatz in Germany.
The Roaming Radfords use the inexpensive car parks after long days spent driving.
Steve said: “What you don’t want to do is drive until 9pm and then pay €50 for a campsite only to leave the next morning.”
While these car park schemes aren’t as common in the UK, Steve recommended spending the night in a pub car park.
He explained that pub landlords are often happy to exchange a free overnight car parking space for the price of a meal.
For a greater chance of success, the Radfords suggested parking motorhomes in the corner of the car park to keep the longer vehicles out of the way of other motorists.
Those holidaymakers who want to stay on campsites and have access to facilities can still travel on a budget.
Steve and Lyndsay recommended becoming a member of the Camping and Caravanning Club because holidaymakers can pay for pitches at members’ rates, which are cheaper.
Signing up for rallies is another way to keep pitch costs down too, with rallies held at rally fields at campsites.
The pair added: “You’ll get access to all the facilities but won’t have a specific pitch, so they’re cheaper weekends”.
Steve and Lyndsay also encouraged holidaymakers to cook their own meals and treat long trips as if they’re self-catering.
They added: “You’re in your motorhome/caravan, you’ve got everything you need to cook a delicious meal”.
Why caravan holidays are so underrated
CARAVAN park holidays are a British staple.
And with the cost of living crisis wreaking havoc on Britain’s purses, more of us are turning to them for an affordable break.
Josie O’Brien, Senior Digital Writer on Fabulous, weighs in on why she thinks caravan holidays are seriously underrated…
WHEN I was a child, my mum used to collect the £9.50 holiday vouchers in The Sun.
She’d use them to book a couple of nights away at a caravan park during the school holidays.
As an adult, I fully appreciate the convenience of a humble caravan holiday.
No faffing about with passports, no luggage limits and no bog-standard hotel breakfast of stale toast and grey eggs.
I still love caravan holidays as an adult.
In a world of doing everything for the ‘gram, a caravan park brings you back to basics.
There’s no obligation to get dressed up, no stress to fit a million picturesque excursions in one week and I don’t find myself flustered in tourist hot spots like abroad.
I love going to coastal caravan parks and strolling along the beach parade.
My highlight is always fresh mussels, ice-creams and classic pubs to grab an afternoon tipple in.
And then, of course, there’s the cost.
Staying in a caravan is definitely way cheaper than my international trips.
With no expensive hotel bills and the ability to cook my own meals, I’m spending hundreds less than I would abroad.
I’ve had some of my best and most relaxing holidays in caravans. Maybe I’ll buy my own one day.
Meanwhile, these are the top-rated holiday parks with on-site waterparks and pools.
And this holiday park has been named as one of the best in the country.