A Unique Travel Hack for Affordable and Relaxing Vacations
Holiday costs have reached unprecedented levels, driven by factors such as the jet fuel crisis, ongoing conflicts in regions like Iran, and rising prices. These challenges have made traditional travel plans more expensive than ever. However, one couple has discovered a brilliant way to enjoy their vacations without breaking the bank.
Louise and Hayley Gould from Midsomer Norton have turned their caravan holidays into a lifestyle that offers both affordability and comfort. By securing a seasonal touring pitch at Ladram Bay Holiday Park in Devon, they have managed to stay for over 200 nights a year, with costs as low as £3.60 per person each night. This innovative approach not only allows them to enjoy a private beach but also provides access to a wide range of amenities.
The Benefits of a Seasonal Pitch
The couple first discovered Ladram Bay Holiday Park seven years ago on a relative’s recommendation. They were drawn to the park’s secluded private beach and the opportunity to make the 70-mile journey from just outside Bath with their touring caravan. After committing to a seasonal pitch three years ago, they have never looked back.
Louise shared with the Daily Mail: “We always spend at least four nights a week here. There’s always plenty to do, depending on what you want. When the grandchildren come, they love it here because there’s loads for them to do. Even if the weather’s bad, it’s still fine because there’s lots of indoor activities.”
The park offers a variety of facilities, including an indoor pool with slides, an arcade, an indoor ball pit, an adventure park with swings, a pottery painting studio, a park, a bar and restaurant, a dog-walking field, mini golf, and a football pitch. These amenities ensure that there is always something to do, regardless of the weather.
A Second Home by the Sea
For Louise and her wife, the move has transformed occasional caravan trips into something closer to a second home. The private beach is the main attraction, offering a peaceful retreat where they can relax and enjoy nature.
Louise explained: “The thing for me is the private beach. I absolutely love it. I’ve got a little boat that I keep down on the beach. If the sea’s flat, we can just go out, you can go and see the dolphins. More often than not, they’d be out there. I love fishing, so I go fishing out there.”
She also highlighted the benefits of having a private beach: “Because it’s a private beach, there’s always room for everyone. There’s a lovely section along the end that’s full of rock pools for the kids to go crabbing in when the tide’s out.”
Cost-Effective and Convenient
The couple now enjoys hassle-free weekends and longer stays, all while taking advantage of the natural beauty of the area. They often go dolphin spotting from their motorboat, walk the Jurassic Coast, and take their young grandchildren on adventures.
One summer, they stayed continuously for four months, showcasing how the seasonal pitch has become a central part of their lives. “We holiday all the time now,” Louise said. “There’s no planning needed; we just get in the car and go.”
This simple travel hack has allowed them to avoid peak season prices and enjoy a near-year-round base by the sea. Their brother and nephew have also followed in their footsteps, securing pitches at the park.
Financial and Environmental Benefits
The financial benefits of the seasonal pitch are significant. A seasonal pitch at Ladram Bay costs £5,200 for 240 nights from March to early November, equating to just over £21 per night for up to six people or as little as £3.60 per person when fully occupied. In comparison, peak summer touring rates can exceed £100 per night, making the cost of two weeks in August around £1,000.
Louise emphasized the value: “We effectively turned a two-week £1,000 August holiday into more than 200 nights at under £10 per person per night. For what you get, the beach on your doorstep, the space to roam, and access to the facilities, Ladram Bay is perfect value.”
Additional Savings and Convenience
The financial benefits extend beyond the pitch fees. Previously, towing their caravan meant fuel consumption of around 21 miles per gallon, whereas now, driving to the pitch without towing, they achieve around 44 miles per gallon. This reduction in fuel use not only cuts costs but also lowers emissions.
Convenience has also been transformative. Having a permanent base has removed the hassle of towing, setting up, and researching destinations. Instead, they arrive and immediately relax.
Louise said: “Gone are the days of planning routes, booking multiple holiday park sites, and repeatedly setting up and packing down. Now, we get in the car, drive to Ladram Bay Holiday Park, put the key in the caravan door, and everything is there and ready for us.”
Community and Comfort
What has surprised them most is the strength of the community at the park. Based in the Hillside area, Louise described the atmosphere: “There is a strong village-like atmosphere among seasonal pitch holders. Everybody knows everybody, and everyone helps each other out if needed. Plus, the reception team are on hand to help, going above and beyond.”
When asked if they would recommend a seasonal pitch at Ladram Bay, they did not hesitate: “One hundred per cent.” For Louise, having a seasonal pitch at Ladram Bay is now an essential part of life. It is a place they can go and just switch off, as often as they like, without paying peak season prices each time.
Full Breakdown of Costs
- Seasonal pitch cost: £5,200
- Season length: 240 nights (6 March to 9 November 2026)
- Cost per pitch per night: £21.70
- Maximum occupancy: Up to six people, equating to just £3.60 per person per night when fully occupied
- Alternatively, it works out at roughly £10 per person per night based on two people sharing
Louise added: “On sunny days, we head straight down to the sheltered private beach, where we keep a small motorboat and use it to go dolphin spotting in the Bay. While quieter moments are spent walking along the Jurassic coast to Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth. Our young grandchildren, aged four and six, are also frequent visitors, enjoying everything from rock pooling and the family-friendly facilities on-site.”
