Enjoy a family summer holiday in June to cut costs

Families can save money on their summer holiday by going away in June rather than August, a travel columnist has noted.

Sophie Butler wrote on The Telegraph's Travel section that the Whitsun half-term week - as the June break is widely known - is likely to be much cheaper than the popular summer holidays period in August.

She offered her advice in response to a reader letter asking about ways to keep a family holiday affordable. Many of her tips can be applied to travellers staying in campsites, for instance, as she urged people to cook their own food and book their accommodation as early as possible.

"Looking for an affordable family holiday can be a challenge. No sooner do the schools break up than prices rocket. When you compare costs for a week's holiday at the end of June with those charged when term ends in mid-July, the difference is striking," said Ms Butler.

While some people may be considering going abroad for their family holiday, plenty will want to be in the UK at the beginning of June to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's diamond jubilee.

BBC News put together a summary of the events that have been organised around the occasion, which include the nationwide Big Lunch and Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on June 3rd, as well as the Diamond Jubilee BBC Concert on June 4th.

For those outside London, there will also be the Diamond Jubilee Beacons to look forward to; more than 2,000 beacons will be lit around the country on June 4th to celebrate the anniversary.