Let’s be honest, planning a summer holiday as a UK family right now feels like walking a financial tightrope. With a number of weeks to run of the school holidays, there is a great travel hack that every family should know about.
With average holiday costs reaching nearly £2,000 per person (yes, per person!), and reports showing package holiday prices rising by as much as 4-11% in peak season, many parents are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Some are even risking fines by taking their kids out of school early or going into the new academic year late, just to dodge the summer price hike.
But there’s a little-known holiday hack that more families are starting to catch onto, independent hostels. And no, I’m not talking about shared bunk rooms with strangers and cold showers. This is a whole new world of family-friendly hostels that feel more like laid-back holiday homes than budget backpacker digs.
IndependentHostels.co.uk, a UK-wide network of over 350 hostels, has become a game-changer for families who want an affordable break without compromising on comfort or timing. The best part? They don’t increase their prices in summer. Whether you’re booking in March or August, the cost stays the same. That means no frantic searches for off-peak dates or stress about last-minute deals that never materialise.
And what do you actually get? Think ensuite family rooms with space to stretch out, self-catering kitchens to keep meal costs down, and locations that put you right next to some of the UK’s best beaches, national parks, lakes, and walking trails. The vibe is relaxed, welcoming, and kid-friendly. Perfect for parents who want their kids to have space to roam without feeling like they’re constantly being told to be quiet in a hotel lobby.
Many hostels in the network even welcome dogs, making it a genuinely inclusive option for the whole family. And while hotels and holiday parks are already heavily booked this summer, these independent hostels still have availability in popular spots like Cornwall, the Lake District, Snowdonia, and the Peak District.
You can spend your days fossil hunting on the coast, splashing in the sea, or wandering through forests and countryside trails. And when the weather turns (this is the UK, after all), there are nearby castles, heritage railways, adventure centres, and museums to explore.
Sam Dalley, the founder of IndependentHostels.co.uk, put it best: “Families are often priced out of summer holidays. Our independent hostels break that trend—offering friendly, comfortable, family-friendly stays at the same price in August as they are in March.”
So if you’re feeling the pressure of holiday planning and your budget is already stretched, take a look at what’s available at Independenthostels.co.uk. It might just be the mid-summer holiday hack your family has been waiting for.
