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A family-friendly UK holiday can be had for just £6.60 per person per night – but there are a few things you’ll need to know before booking this Kent caravan park

An online travel expert has discovered what he claims to be the UK’s most affordable holiday, costing a mere £6 per person per night. Haven, who runs the site, assures guests of “the warmest welcome possible” at their coastal holiday parks scattered across the UK.

YouTuber Steven decided to put this promise to the test by visiting their Kent Coast Caravan Park, just an hour’s drive from London.

On his Beachlife and Beyond channel, Steven meticulously outlined what you receive for your money, expressing overall high levels of satisfaction. However, there were a couple of unpleasant surprises that made Haven’s welcome slightly less warm than Steven had anticipated.

Upon arrival at the park for his off-peak getaway, Steven noted that the weather was “absolutely awful”. Despite this, he remained optimistic, and an initial inspection of the accommodation left a positive first impression.

Steven reported that everything was immaculately clean, but he wasn’t convinced by the comfort of the sofa-bed that unfolded from the large corner sofa. He advised: “I recommend, if you’re going to come to one of these caravans, bring your own duvet cover and sleep on top of that. Otherwise the poor sod who ends up lying on this is going to have a really bad back.”

Despite that initial hiccup, Haven staff were quick to provide extra bedding when Steven raised the issue. The caravan was equipped with a decent-sized telly, which was likely to be in high demand given the dismal weather that week.

Steven advised: “We’ve brought our own laptop and HDMI cable, that’s another top tip for you. Haven sites don’t tend to have very good internet…so download some films, stick them on a laptop, bring an HDMI cable and you’re grand.”

In a surprising twist, the caravan boasted not one but two microwaves. Steven also noted: “This is a first for us, a dishwasher in a Bronze caravan.”

The bedroom came complete with sheets and pillowcases – a rarity at similar sites, according to Steven. He was further impressed by the addition of a second TV in the main bedroom.

“I am beyond impressed,” he said.

For those looking for entertainment outside the caravan, there’s a Wetherspoons on site, along with bingo and other activities. However, guests will need to purchase one of Haven’s “Play Passes” to access these facilities.

Without these passes, Steven warned, you’re “effectively banned from the rest of the site”. He added: “They’ve got ‘Gandalf’ on the door stopping you getting into anything.”

While there’s a supermarket on site, prices can be steep, so Steven made the half-hour journey to an Aldi in nearby Rochester for his weekly shop. For those preferring not to drive, supermarket deliveries are available direct to caravans.

The park also boasts a fish and chip restaurant, a Papa John’s pizza franchise, and a Burger King offering caravan delivery.

With the miserable weather, the caravan grew rather cold by afternoon. He grabbed a quick evening meal before venturing out to experience the park’s entertainment.

“Microwave curry in a caravan,” he remarked. “Don’t tell me I’m not a man of culture.”

Despite being low season for British holidays, the bingo hall was surprisingly packed. “Everyone who’s a seasoned holiday park-goer will know that they take bingo very seriously,” he noted. “They are hardcore.”

There’s absolutely no mercy for anyone getting overexcited and calling “House” prematurely, with the entire room of holidaymakers chanting “Shame on you”.

Even when British weather disappoints, several indoor alternatives keep restless children occupied, including two sizeable amusement arcades.

However, disaster struck upon Steven’s return to his caravan when he discovered the shower’s temperature dial was jammed on the coldest setting. He resorted to boiling kettle water for washing.

Despite the shower malfunctioning, Haven responded swiftly by sending a security guard and arranging for a plumber to visit the next day. However, it became apparent that the shower issue couldn’t be resolved immediately.

On the third day, things took a turn for the worse when the site experienced a power outage. A representative from Haven was contacted, who expressed their pleasure that Steven had enjoyed his stay, whilst also apologising for the power disruption.

Regardless of these hiccups, Steven was thrilled with the value he got from his holiday: “We paid a total of £99 for five people for three nights.

“That’s the equivalent of £20 each for the stay, which makes it £6.60 a night.”

He further noted that without the entertainment passes, the cost would have been around £4 per person per night.

Equal access to sport and exercise could help tackle an estimated £20bn shortfall in the public finances, according to Sport England.

Before next week’s Budget, the funding agency says new research highlights “the critical role” physical activity plays in supporting public finances and economic growth.

But it also warns inactivity is costing a “staggering” £20bn a year and has called for more investment in sport.

It claims that is the amount in healthcare savings, productivity gains and improved wellbeing that could be unlocked if the least active groups in society – such as those with disabilities, on lower incomes and black people – were supported.

Earlier this year, Sport England found 67% of the adult population were meeting the chief medical officers’ recommended guidelines, external for weekly physical activity – a record high. But it warned more needed to be done to tackle inequalities.

At the time, the government said tackling inactivity was “at the heart of our preventative health agenda”.

Sport England also says its research found grassroots sport and exercise boost the economy by £36bn every year through employment opportunities, volunteering, facilities and equipment.

And it calculates that for every £1 invested in the sector, £4.38 is generated for people and the public purse, via savings to the NHS, chronic illness prevention, improved workforce productivity, and enhanced health and happiness.

In addition, £14bn in tax revenue is generated by grassroots sport and exercise every year: a return of approximately six to seven times the public investment in sport and exercise.

“It’s shocking that inequalities in activity levels cost the public purse nearly £20bn every year,” said the chair of Sport England, Chris Boardman.

“Inactivity is quietly draining our economy, health system and our communities – but we can change that.

“Excitingly, the solution is right in front of us: movement. With a return on investment of more than four to one, billions can be saved in healthcare, our workforce will be more productive and quality of life improved for millions.”

Earlier this month, the chancellor Rachel Reeves warned she would make “necessary choices” in the Budget after the “world has thrown more challenges our way”, and did not rule out a U-turn on Labour’s general election manifesto pledge not to hike income tax, VAT or National Insurance.

In June, leaders across the sport and physical activity sector jointly wrote to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, warning that if they were not prioritised in government spending plans it would “risk the decline or closure of more facilities and clubs”.

The letter was signed by organisations including the Youth Sport Trust, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, gym and leisure-centre body Ukactive and the Sport for Development Coalition.

HOLIDAYMAKERS jetting off with one of the UK’s most popular budget airlines are being stung by a sneaky charge hidden in the small print – and families could be left £140 out of pocket.

Even as a seasoned budget traveller, I thought I knew every trick.

But when recently travelling with Wizz Air, I was still caught me out with a rule in the fine print. 

Like many travellers, I tried to check in on the morning of my flight – only to be met with an error message.

Online check in had closed, and I was told I had to pay €40 (£35) at Milan Malpensa just to get my boarding pass.

Wizz Air’s online check-in opens 24 hours before your flight – and unlike most airlines, closes three hours before departure.

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Miss the window, and you’ll be slapped with a hefty fee to pay.

So if you check in on the day of your flight – or fly early in the morning – you could easily miss the cut off. 

The strict fee allows even less time than Ryanair or easyJet, which open online check in up until around two hours before take off.

According to Wizz Air’s policy: “Online check-in is available from 30 days up to three hours before the scheduled departure time if you have purchased a seat during your booking.

“In case you have not purchased any seats with your booking, check-in will become available only 24 hours before departure.”

That means a family of four who forgets to check in online within the specific time frame could be looking at an eye-watering €160 (£140) bill before they’ve even reached security…

And though the airport check in fee is listed at just €13 (£11) on the official Wizz Air site, this price only applies to those who choose to add this charge on in advance, rather than check in online.

Plenty of travellers have been caught out by this little known rule too.

On social media, you’ll find threads full of passengers complaining about “unexpected” airport check-in charges.

Luke, 22, from London, was caught with the charge flying back to the UK.

He told The Sun: “You’d think checking in three hours before a flight would be fine, but with Wizz Air, it’s already too late.

“We had to pay €80 (£70) for two of us to check in at the airport – I thought I could just do it on my phone like every other airline.” 

Wizz Air isn’t breaking any rules in the UK; the information is there on its website.

But, it’s easily missed unless you’re combing through the small print before your holiday. 

Terms and conditions on Wizz Air’s website state: “Online check-in is available from 24 hours up to three hours before scheduled departure.

“Passengers who fail to check in online must complete the process at the airport and will be charged a fee as outlined in our terms.”

How to avoid the €40 fee

Here’s what travellers should do to stay one step ahead:

• Check in as soon as online check-in opens. For Wizz Air, that’s exactly 24 hours before your flight. Set a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget. 
• Download your boarding pass immediately. Don’t rely on the app or airport WiFi, which can be unreliable. Print it at home, or save it to your smartphone’s wallet.
• Avoid leaving it until the morning of your flight – always check in the day before, then you know that you’re sorted.

A Wizz Air spokesperson said: “Like many other airlines, Wizz Air encourages all passengers to check-in online as early as possible before their scheduled departure time. We aim to make check-in simple for passengers and provide instructions during the booking process, on the Wizz Air website and via email reminders on how to check-in online to avoid fees.

“Customers who have not purchased seats with their booking, can check-in online 24 hours before departure via the Wizz Air app or website. At this point, they also have the opportunity to purchase a seat.   

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“Passengers who fail to check-in online, or who wish to check-in within three hours of their flight, must do so at the airport. This service can be pre-booked online for £12.00 or €13 per flight. Airport check-in without pre-booking costs £36.50 or €40.00. Full details on our check-in policy can be found on the Wizz Air website.

“Wizz Air does not discriminate against any passenger. While we are a digital-first airline, we offer special assistance to any passenger who might need it, abiding by all relevant UK CAA regulations, which specifies passengers who need special assistance should contact the airline at least 48-hours before departure. Wizz Air is fully committed to accommodating the special needs of any passenger who contacts them in the stipulated timeframe, which can also be requested by telephone.”