The Insider's Guide to Budget Travel

Here in London, summer has well and truly arrived, with sunshine all around (not forgetting the odd obligatory rain shower, of course) and, even more amazingly, there’s a good forecast for the next few months too..

When we were looking for things to do on a nice day and cheap weekend breaks recently, HostelBloggers found ourselves being drawn back to the best of Britain – why splash out on a plane ticket when we can enjoy what our home country has to offer?

1. The Budget City Break

If you want to get more weekend for your money, avoid London as far as possible – instead, check into one of Britain’s great university towns. Both easily accessible from the capital and its railway links (and compact enough to explore on foot once you’ve arrived), Oxford and Cambridge make the perfect spot for a weekend away.

With their ancient architecture, quaint rivers, heaps of culture and more than enough space for a picnic, 48 hours in Cambridge or a cheap weekend in Oxford can definitely live up to those popular cities on the continent.

2. The Day at the Seaside

When the temperatures start to soar (fingers crossed!), ditch the city and head down to the coast. Britain may not be the best known European country for its beaches but from surfing in Cornwall to sand dunes in Norfolk and unspoiled Scottish islands, it has a lot more to offer than you might think.

Young people should head to Newquay for great surfing, with plenty of Newquay hostels a board’s throw away from the killer waves. Things also heat up in Newquay town once the sun sets, with wannabe surfers and party animals packing out the bars and clubs. Brighton may be known as ‘London by the Sea’, but this quirky city is way cooler than its inland cousin, with legendary nightlife and clubs that spill out onto the seafront. Stay in a Brighton hostel in cosmopolitan Kemp Town and you can easily stumble home at night.

Norfolk’s beaches are best for families, with acres of safe, unspoilt sand and salt marshes to explore. Appreciate this area of outstanding natural beauty and holiday with a conscience at an eco-hostel and campsite on the Northern coast. Gentle bike rides, trips to nature reserves and lazy pub lunches are the perfect ingredients for a relaxing family break.

Britain’s seaside resorts are the perfect place to sample that old British classic – Fish and Chips. There are hundreds of places to find this greasy grub, but for the freshest fish and crispiest batter – stick to the seaside. Blackpool is famed for its delicious fish and chips – The Cottage has been a foodie landmark since 1946, recommended by fish guru Rick Stein in his ‘Fish Lover’s Guide’ with celebrity photos on the walls.

Check out The Independent’s recommendation of the five best British beaches for more inspiration.

3. The Country Retreat

Britain is home to some beautiful countryside that was made for rambling country walks. Head north to the Peak District or rolling hills of Cumbria that inspired Romantic poets such as Wordsworth, or discover the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, with fields of heather and peaceful Lochs. The Wye valley in Wales is another beautiful spot – for the perfect remote weekend, go for long walk, warm up with lunch in the local pub with a few drinks, stay over in a hostel, and potter back the next day after a Sunday Roast or idyllic picnic.

4. The Family Day Out

If you’ve got a family of tiny tearaways who can’t sit still, treat them to an action packed day out at one of Britain’s top attractions. Theme Parks can cost a packet, but there are several fantastic 2 for 1 deals on top attractions here on Money Saving Expert. You can save even more by avoiding pricey theme park hotels and staying in a family friendly hostel in Windsor for Legoland, and Derby, Nottingham or Chester for Alton Towers.

AW – Got a top tip for cheap days out in the UK? Let us know… Images – Thanks to our friends on Flickr alexbrn, connor 395, jimbowen036 and Rob Young .