First of all I’m allowing myself a huge pat on the back. I was so nervous about this holiday but I did it. I took my three kids and adult son on the train to Weymouth where we enjoyed a midweek caravan break at Haven Seaview.
Day One – Getting There
We left nice and early, 8.30am without a hitch. The train was at at 10am but we had to be there early to sign at Passenger assistance for help with my wheelchair. They were really great and instead of waiting on a crowded platform we waited in a little room until fetched. The train was delayed though and they had to attach two trains. We were upgraded to first class. When they put up the ramp the other passengers were rushing up it ignoring me in my chair. By the time the assistant had cleared a space I was panicked and missed the ramp. We were eventually on our way though. And first train was lovely.
Because it was late we missed our second train and had to wait one and a half hours for the next. We got lots of help getting on though. The journey on this train was two and half hours.
We got to Weymouth and were right by the seafront so we couldn’t resist a look and a cheeky ice cream while deciding on how to get to the campsite. We eventually got a WAV taxi and arrived at 6.30pm.
We ordered Pizza to be delivered to the caravan which was great. Then Big son and Star went off to explore the facilities while the rest of us chilled out a little.
Day Two at Haven Seaview
It was a lovely sunny day so I thought it would be nice to walk down to the beach. It upset Star that it was not as close as she’d expected even though it was only a 15 minute walk. I guess the journey the day before had worn her out. (I was worn out too but I really wanted to go to the beach!) At Bowleaze cove you have several shops, a chip shop, restaurant, pub, ice cream parlour, arcade and fair ground. The beach was pebble but their is a wooden ramp to take you right out into the sea. We could have spent the whole day there but it didn’t work out that way and after filling our bellies at the restaurant we made our way back to the caravan.
We chilled out for a few hours then went over to the complex. We enjoyed another nice meal at their restaurant and everyone really enjoyed the food which was a bonus. Afterwards, the girls walked back to the caravan and me and the boys went to the club to catch the end of The Oscars. We had a bit of a sing along. Then we went to the arcade for a while. When it came to leaving we realised the heaven’s had opened and it was tipping down. We waited a little longer but it wasn’t going to stop so we got the rain macs out (well done me for packing them in my wheelchair bag) and dashed back the whole 2 min walk to the caravan.
It rained all night and the winds were horrendous!
Day Three at Haven Seaview
The weather was raining on and off all day. We made our way over to the complex where the girls did some pottery painting. The boys went off for a walk and came back a bit wet!
We went to the showroom to watch a surreal Alice In Wonderland Circus act. And ordered a pizza while we watched.
Star was complaining of still hurting and didn’t want to do much. So Eldest son went back down to the beach by himself. If it had not been showering on and off I’d have risked going, but I can’t really get too wet in my chair and there was little shelter on the walk down.
When he got back it had brightened up so we walked to a local fish and chip shop take out and brought back food to eat in the caravan. Then we went back to the showbar to watch a magician. Star came with us but Boo wanted to stay in the caravan. After the magician Star went back to the caravan and I stayed with the boys to watch a game show.
Day Four at Haven Seaview
I made some calls and found that there was a bus that stopped on the site that took us to Weymouth beach. The weather was nice so we went for it. The bus ride took only 15 mins which was great. We arrived to lovely sunny weather and had a nice lunch at a open air beach side cafe.
Then the boys went for a walk on the beach and paddle in the sea while me and the girls sat on the promenade.
Afterwards we did a little shopping and ended up by having fresh ice cream in our favourite flavours. Mine is rum and raisin, what’s yours?
Finally we got to the bus stop and just before it arrived it rained real bad. But by the time we got back to the camp it had stopped again. The boys decided it was time for swimming and went to the outdoor pool for an hour.
We spent our last evening having another meal in the restaurant and then shopping for food to eat on our way home the next day.
The Journey Home.
We had a WAV taxi pick us up at the caravan and the trains were all on time. So our journey home was easier and shorter.
We had a fabulous time. It would have been nicer to have had a longer holiday but I think the break was just perfect. We all slept well and got on together well. Star suffered a little after her walking but she didn’t complain too much. I know how much it hurts her. Boo was a little quiet but she said she enjoyed herself. I think the boys had the most fun, they just didn’t stop. It was my eldest son’s first holiday in six years and his last holiday with me was eighteen years ago. (I suddenly feel real bad about that, but he did used to go away with his Dad and has been all around Europe without me!)
Have you ever been to Haven Seaview? Have you been to Weymouth?
Budgeting for a Holiday in the UK
In light of reading Sally’s budgeting post for a road trip in the US I have decided to add my budget for my short UK holiday to this post. Sally managed a whole month in The US for less than £5500 for two people so it’s well worth a read.
My budget was much smaller and my group much bigger but I did manage to do some careful budgeting.
I booked the holiday last year with a £50 discount for booking early. We like to go to Haven and it’s usually Devon or Dorset, although we have been to most Haven campsites. We really love caravan holidays on sites where entertainment is readily available. I usually shop around to find the best value holiday and I ended choosing between 3 campsites in Dorset (as this was our place of choice this year, Graham has family in Dorset and we were going to spend a day with them but circumstances change and that didn’t happen.)
My budget was tight and Haven can be expensive, so I booked the cheapest available 3 bedroomed caravan at the cheapest site and this came in at £701 for 5 people including holiday passes. You can get a cheaper holiday without the passes but we wanted to enjoy the showbar and some of the activities, which the passes are used for. Plus we were going in the main school holidays which are always more expensive.
Once there, you still have to pay for some activities but we ended up doing just one which was the pottery painting at £12 each (just the girls so £24)
We usually go on holiday by car and I had budgeted £150 for petrol for getting there and back and any trips. But we ended up having to go by train. The fares were extortionate, but with the purchase of a £30 family and friends railcard, we managed to cut them almost in half. We had anytime return tickets for £357 for 4 adults and a child. (I also had to book Passenger Support but that’s free.)
The food is always a big cost and I often buy a grocery delivery to be at the caravan when we arrive, this includes all the basics like bread, butter, sugar, tea bags, coffee etc. but this isn’t available when you choose the cheapest caravan! So, a trip to the onsite shop was a daily expense and the prices are slightly inflated. (infuriatingly there is a local supermarket but we didn’t have transport.) I spent a total of £110 in the shop and most of it was on junk food and snacks with a few basics thrown in (plus toilet rolls and washing up liquid!)
We had pizza delivered to the van on the first night and a pizza for lunch which we shared while watching a show. And The Little Man had a pizza when we ordered a meal at the restaurant because he didn’t really want anything on the menu. Total cost of pizza…£75!
We ate out mostly and had breakfast in a sea side cafe, lunch in a different sea side cafe, and we at the restaurant twice. Total cost of eating out. £290 which I shared with my son. We also spent £40 on ice cream (but not all at the same time)
Travelling. We had to get WAV (wheelchair accessible) taxi’s so they were a little more expensive for such a short journey. I was treated with a lot of respect by the drivers so I tipped them well and ended up spending £40 on two taxi rides.
We caught the bus into Weymouth which cost us £15.10 for a return ticket for all 5 of us.
All other entertainment was included and we didn’t really spend much time in the arcade (where I usually spend a lot of money) I think my total cost was £18.
So, including everything, my short 4 night break in the UK cost me (and my son) a total of £1670.20 (approximately)
There were five of us on this holiday though, and four of us class as adults.
One thing I have always wanted to do is to spend the summer in a camper van with my family. I would love to go around the Country staying at lovely places with my home comforts to hand.
Previous Haven Holidays:
Our Super Sunny Summer Holiday to Devon 2022
Our Holiday at Rockley Park Dorset 2021
You deserve that pat on the back. We are going on holiday by train and I am dreading the journey there and back.
It sounds like you had a wonderful time, even with the not so great weather! I am glad your eldest son went along with you, it sounds like he had a great time. x
I’m so glad my eldest was able to come. I’d already exhausted all other options of him coming along as there would have been room in the caravan. But he couldn’t manage the train on his own. We even considered hiring a bigger car but one that would fit us all and our suitcases would have been really expensive. We nearly gave up altogether until we discovered that by buying a Family and Friends railcard for £30 would slash over £300 off our train ticket prices!!
So bloody proud of you! You totally should blow your own trumpet here. That’s a massive achievement considering you have always been used to having that extra help.
Glad you all had a fab time. xx
Thank you Jayne. I was so nervous I was sick all day the day before we went, but thankfully, it really was just nerves because I was fine while we were away. Thanks for featuring me on #mmbc xx
That sounds like a wonderful little getaway! I often think we should stay longer when we plan little short trips and all seem to be having so much fun but then I wonder if we stayed longer if we’d all just end up getting irritable with one another and out of sorts anyway?! The beach does look lovely.
I know what you mean, we usually have longer away but I think this year it worked out quite well and we managed to fit a lot in.
It sounds like a lovely holiday and it’s great that you all got along well. We enjoyed our stay at Seaview, there’s so much going on that you don’t need to go too far to enjoy yourself 🙂
#MMBC
It is a lovely little camp. It was nice and easy to get around in a wheelchair too.
Well done on organising such a fab holiday, sounds like it all worked out well despite the initial delay and the odd downpour. My favourite ice cream is always vanilla. The site sounded like it had a lot of interesting activities for the children. Thanks for joining in with #pocolo
There was plenty to do and I’m proud I managed the holiday despite everything being against us. It was well worth it for a couple of days beside the sea.