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BRITS can get their hands on half-price holidays this summer, with one park and resort celebrating an £8million refurbishment.

With the summer holidays just around the corner, affordable options are becoming more and more difficult to come across.

Brand new holiday cottages have opened at Billing Aquadrome Park
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Brand new holiday cottages have opened at Billing Aquadrome ParkCredit: Meadow Bay Villages
The resort has plans for even more development throughout the summer
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The resort has plans for even more development throughout the summerCredit: Meadow Bay Villages

However, Meadow Bay Villages has announced some half price stays to mark its first season in the holiday and residential parks industry.

After acquiring five English holiday resorts, the company has announced that holidaymakers can get half-price caravan holidays this summer at its Billing Aquadrome park.

The park is found in Nene Valley, Northamptonshire, and is set within 235 acres of stunning scenery with lakes, rivers and a marina. 

It has undergone an £8 million regeneration programme and now offers new lakeside lodges, caravans and glamping pods as well as scenic touring and camping pitches. 

Read More on Staycations

Further developments are also planned for the summer, including a bike pump track, a skate park, a fountain splash zone and an adventure golf featuring the longest hole in the UK.

An array of water sports are also on offer on the resort's activity lake, including inflatables and paddleboarding.

However, there's also plenty of countryside for guests who just want to go for a walk.

Dogs are welcome at the park too, so they too can make the most of the surroundings.

Meadow Bay Villages CEO Geoffrey Smith said: “We are immensely excited about our first summer season ahead having invested heavily in the regeneration of the five resorts under our ownership.

"Billing Aquadrome is a fantastic park located among stunning scenery within the Nene Valley and we have carried out a comprehensive programme of improvements with renewed vision to reinvigorate the holiday experience on offer at this resort.

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“We need to cater for the ever-growing market of staycation holiday makers who are seeking a high standard of facilities and activities on offer, without the fuss and associated hassle of having to hop on a plane.

"Billing Aquadrome caters for all styles of staycation holidays from luxury lodges to glamping pods.

"We are committed to offering a premium memory making experience and are delighted to be offering this special 50 per cent off deal on caravan holidays this summer and throughout the remainder of 2024.”   

Anyone wanting to book a half price caravan stay simply needs to make a booking before June 16 this year, using code WELCOME50 when checking out.

Three camping tips from an expert

David Scotland owns camping equipment retailer Outdoor World Direct and knows all about how to make a camping trip run smoothly.

When visiting any campsite this summer it's important to make sure you're not making simple mistakes that could ruin your holiday.

Check your tent

David recommends putting your tent up a couple of weeks before you're due to travel to give you enough time to repair or replace any damaged parts.

He told Sun Online Travel: “You’d be surprised how many people turn up with broken tents."

Test the ground

Picking a good spot to pitch your tent is difficult, with lots of things to consider.

One of those should be the condition of the ground you're putting your tent on top of, according to David.

He said: “Once you’ve found the perfect spot, test the ground with your pegs before you commit to camping there to make sure the ground is soft enough."

Don't nap in your tent

It may seem the perfect place for it, but a nap in a tent could end badly, if it's done at the wrong time of the day.

David explained: "If the sun’s shining and it’s hot inside your tent - don’t do it!

"One of our friends nodded off in his tent during a heatwave at Glastonbury and ended up at the medical tent with heatstroke."

Instead, he recommends finding some shade outside or somewhere well ventilated.

It's not the only holiday camp with new lodges for guests to stay in this summer.

Butlin's has launched its £12m luxury holiday accommodation at its Skegness resort.

There are now 128 new brand new cabins in the Maple Walk Village for guests to book.

Each of the three-bedroom lodges includes a main bedroom, complete with a king-sized bed and en-suite shower room, and two twin rooms.

They also feature a large, fully equipped kitchen area, with full-sized fridge freezer, microwave and hob.

They all come with fast and reliable Wi-Fi as well, while outside, every lodge has private decking with outdoor furniture and parking space for two cars.

The £12million accommodation project will be available to guests on family breaks and Big Weekenders and is just a short walk to the heart of resort.

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Meanwhile, this secret woodland campsite is surrounded by a huge lake with glamping teepees and boat trips.

And these 10 UK campsites are all right next to beaches.

Guests can stay at at the park for half price this summer
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Guests can stay at at the park for half price this summerCredit: Meadow Bay Villages
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