With so much going on in the world, we are thinking of a staycation in Cornwall or Pembrokeshire. We are a family of four on a tight budget and want to stay in a holiday park. But are petrol prices too high? Our car runs on unleaded.
Peter Norton, Isleworth, London
Unleaded petrol cost an average of 132.9p per litre on February 27, the day before hostilities between the US/Israel and Iran began. The average price of diesel was 142.4p. At the time of writing, it’s 158.1p for petrol and 191.2p for diesel.
This represents rises of 19 per cent and 34 per cent. So, you are right to be concerned – and lucky you don’t drive a diesel car.
Regarding your destinations, there are plenty of good-value holiday parks.
Starting with Cornwall, Sandymouth Holiday Park in Bude on the north Cornish coast has an indoor heated pool and you are close to a sandy beach – plus there’s a restaurant/bar. A week’s stay in a modern ‘Prideaux 2’ caravan in July is from £365 (hoseasons.co.uk).
From Isleworth, the most direct journey would be 217 miles, via the A303 – so 434 miles in total. Based on the fuel efficiency of Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Puma, with a fuel efficiency of around 11 miles a litre, the return journey is around £63 in petrol. That is about £10 more than before the Middle East war.
Yes, this is annoying – but not a game-changer.
Unleaded petrol currently costs 158.1p per litre. Avoid filling up the car at motorway service stations, where prices are 15 to 20 per cent higher
Meanwhile, a week’s stay at Fishguard Holiday Park in Pembrokeshire – also offered by Hoseasons – is from £209 in a ‘Bronze Plus 2’ caravan. It offers use of a clubhouse with dining and an outdoor pool, as well as the charming little cathedral city of St Davids to explore. The journey from Isleworth is about 247 miles, via the M4 – or 494 miles return. Using the same calculations, this works out at a petrol cost of £71 – about £11 more than before the conflict.
Again, frustrating – but not prohibitive to a staycation.
Bear in mind that you should avoid filling up at motorway service stations, where fuel prices are routinely 15 to 20 per cent higher – a litre of unleaded petrol is currently around 181.6p.
Also, it is worth adopting fuel efficiency tips – such as ensuring tyre pressures are correct, removing unnecessary weight from your boot and, as you always should, driving within the speed limit.
Finally, you can check live fuel prices at the handy ‘RAC Fuel Watch’ page of rac.co.uk. Listings of rock-bottom supermarket prices can be found here. I hope you have a great trip.
We are pensioners who would like to travel to Brazil this year on a tour to see the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro and other sights. Can you recommend a travel agent for such a trip? We require four-star hotels with breakfasts included for seven nights, as well as excursions and flights.
Priya Fernando, via email
Yes, try Trailfinders, which offers eight-day guided group adventures covering Rio de Janeiro, the intriguing town of Paraty and a boat visit to the beaches of Ilha Grande.
The price is from £1,449pp including flights, excursions, transfers and most breakfasts (trailfinders.com).
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Are petrol prices too high for a family staycation in Cornwall? The Daily Mail’s Holiday Guru answers your travel questions
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