A QUICK trip down the M5 and with luck and a prevailing wind, we can be digging our toes into the sand within a couple of hours of leaving home. Sounds like a great idea, but how much will it cost?

It’s amazing how quickly the price of a cheeky little day out can rack up but with a bit of forward planning we can still have a lovely day without breaking the bank.

The basics…

Where shall we go?

How far are we prepared to travel?

Do we want pebbles or sand?

Is it wheelchair/buggy friendly?

Can we take the dog?

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Keeping the family entertained is probably the biggest spend. Choosing a beach which has enough to offer will help us avoid the temptations of the promenade with its amusement arcades, pubs, cafes and ‘kiss-me-quick’ tat. The easiest way to do this is to buy everything before we go from local discount shops: buckets, spades, a Frisbee or football, windbreaks, picnic food and drinks, even a bowl for the dog’s water. This sort of thing is usually much cheaper in land-locked Worcestershire than we would pay when we get to the beach.

On the day pack extra clothing to keep out the wind and rain and turn, what should have been an idyllic day of play and relaxation into an adventure. And a Thermos of hot chocolate alongside some cake is usually enough incentive for the kids to rise to the challenge and have some fun despite the weather.

Finally, a hidden big ticket item can be car parking but a quick Google search before you go will help you to find nice places to visit with cheap or free parking. The National Trust owns several beaches and their parking is always free to members.