There has been much speculation in media recently regarding the cost of holidaying here in the UK verses a foreign holiday. With research showing the average cost of a ten-day domestic holiday as GBP 710 per person. The same cost for a foreign holiday was GBP 680 (taking into account travel, accommodation, food and activities).
We wanted to challenge this, and we strongly believe with careful research and planning staying in the UK is a great value option. Accommodation options such as Serviced Apartments offer one of the best ways to save. Operators like ourselves, Premier Apartments – offer more flexible lengths of stay and far better prices than a more traditional holiday home short term let. You have plenty of space for all the family and the ability to self cater, which is where majority of the savings can be made versus hotels.
Our challenge is to work out the cost for a 10 day break in Liverpool with daily excursions, food and travel (with a few treats after all you are on holiday!) Below is what we came up with, based on a September stay for a family of 4. Can we beat the £710.00 per person average cost?
- 2 bedroom apartment: £940.00 for 10 nights, 4 people = £235.00 per person
- Est. fuel home to apartments and back: £80.00 = £20.00 per person
- Parking: £150.00 = £37.50 per person
- Self-prepared breakfast £5.00 per person per day = £50.00 per person
- 5 days own picnic lunch or lunch in apartment £5.00 per person per day = £25.00 per person
- 5 days lunch out in a restaurant eating the lunchtime special at £10.00 per person, per day = £50.00 (Tapas Tapas in the city centre currently have a £4.95 lunch deal, and The Side Door a £5.00 lunch menu so you can even have a glass of wine and be in budget!)
- 5 nights eating self catering or takeaway for evening meal £10.00 per person = £50.00pp
- 5 nights dinner in restaurants £25.00 per person = £125.00 – remember eating a bit earlier enables some great early diner/pre theatre type menus , eg £14.95 for 2 course at Blue Bar and Grill at Albert Dock – see www.sugarvine.com for up to date deals!
So far we are up to £592.50. Now for your daily entertainment – actually this is one of the easiest sections as there is so much to do that costs nothing in our wonderful city!
Day 1 – Arrive, settle in and if you have not brought any supplies with you, time to find a supermarket and set yourself up for the rest of the holiday. As no doubt you are not planning on venturing too far on your first day so see some of the closer places of interest – the original Superlambanana for a great photo opportunity and Mathew Street for some Beatles nostalgia and the Cavern Club
Day 2 – Visit the Albert Dock which is less than 10 minute walk, take in this World Heritage site including some quirky shops, and don’t miss the fabulous TATE gallery with many free exhibitions
Day 3 – Buy your SOLO weekly bus pass today – £24.60 gets you zones C & B which is all city centre and the Wirral and will enable you to travel to all of the places we now suggest by bus! Today travel to the other side of the City Centre and visit the two stunning Cathedrals. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King was built in the 60’s and is a unique modern building referred to locally as Paddys Wigwam. Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, completed in 1978, is the largest in the UK and the fifth largest in the world and is located only a few minutes’ walk from The Metropolitan Cathedral. Entry is free although charges apply for some organised tours.
Day 4 – Escape from the heritage you have covered on the last few days and today take a day browsing the shops in Liverpool One, definitely eat out for lunch today there are great deals in the complexes many restaurants and they offer great outdoor seating for ‘people watching’! We are not budgeting shopping costs as browsing is today’s aim!
Day 5 – Picnic day today and a trip to the Beach, travel to Crosby Beach and see Another Place by Antony Gormley. It consists of 100 cast iron models of the artist’s own body, spread across almost 2 miles of beach between Waterloo and Blundellsands.
Day 6 – Stay in the city centre today and visit the 3 Graces on the waterfront, for photo opportunities followed by a visit to the iconic Museum of Liverpool that now has pride of place on the waterfront. Great day out for the family, this place will tell you all you need to know about Liverpool’s history and contribution to the world. Free entry!
Day 7 – Today discover Wirral’s breath-taking coastline and experience wonderful beaches and the best views of Liverpool and Wales. We suggest New Brighton as a starting point then carry on round the coast to Hoylake/West Kirby. Look out for the many local farm shops if need to stock up on great quality produce!
Day 8 – We think today should be Artistic! Visit the Walker Art Gallery which has a variety of exhibits form the 13th century to current day, and they have space dedicated to children. St Georges hall is a stunning building close by and a detour here to its heritage centre is advised if you have the time. Follow this with The Bluecoat which is a mere 5 minute walk away, this offers a contemporary programme of exhibitions and events across all disciplines including visual art, music, literature, dance and live art. You guessed it – all free entry!
Day 9 – Time to explore some of the cities green spaces. Take your bus to Sefton Park, Liverpool’s most famous and prestigious Victorian park, features include the Palm House, Boating Lake, Peter Pan Statue, 2.3 mile perimeter walkway. Lark Lane is well worth a visit for lunch or dinner, this street houses a vast array of eateries, many independent so a change from the bigger brand chains. If time allows Calderstones Park is also worth a visit, this is a fantastic park for all ages. Park Features: Mansion House, Children’s Playground, The Allerton Oak, The Pineatum, Ornamental Gardens, Glasshouse, The Neolithic Calderstones and a Lake
Day 10 – Walk to the Beatles Story at the Albert Dock, any music lover can easily spend a day in this fabulous attraction. This does cost £12.95 for the basic ticket but is a must see so worth the spend!
Day 11 – Home time, oh well had to happen eventually L Don’t forget to pick up your SAVE5 card from reception to get a discount on a future stay!
How did we do?
So, our total for 10 days entertainment, travel, accommodation and food comes in at a grand total of £630.05 per person – Bargain! We haven’t even covered all the free attractions there is still the Merseyside Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, Lady Lever Art Gallery, the stunning new Liverpool Central library, Croxteth Country Park & FACT galleries to name but a few! For those that do still have room to splurge a bit more you can spend a bit more on other popular attractions such as tours of Anfield or Everton Football Grounds, trip on Wheel of Liverpool, a ‘ferry cross the Mersey’, Knowsley Safari Park, a uniquely chilling Shiverpool ghost tour or top off Beatle mania on a Magical Mystery Tour!
We can’t always promise the sunshine but are confident whatever your length of stay, we can offer great value and the city can offer an abundance of entertainment for any budget. Think carefully before you plan your next trip, a bit of research could give you a far more interesting time here in the UK than a foreign escape.
