It's possible to have some memorable family holidays in seriously awesome places without re-mortgaging your home. Here we've picked some of the best destinations for families on a budget or those simply looking to get more bang for their buck. From purse-pleasing places to stay and eat out, to fab ideas for free fun with the kids.

Any parent will tell you a trip to Legoland (at home or abroad) doesn’t come cheap but with the launch of British Airways’ flights to Billund in Denmark this spring it has become a little more affordable. From 1 June to 31 October 2017, two children can fly free with one adult on both flights.

This part of southern Denmark not only boasts the brilliant Legoland Billund Resort but the massive waterpark in Lalandia and Givskud Zoo too. Add to that a heap of historic towns and a gorgeous coastline and there’ll be no boredom on this holiday. Head south to Ribe, the country’s oldest town, to hear tales of its Viking past at the fascinating Viking Museum, and dine at Weis Stue Ribe, one of Denmark’s oldest inns.

Cool off at Henne Strand, a fabulous bathing beach. You can save some krone by opting for one of Jutland's many excellent campsites and B&Bs. MyCamp Trelde Næs is right next to a beach and just 30 miles from Legoland Billund and Givskud Zoo. Or rural B&B Vesterhede has good-value apartments and is just 15 minutes away.

Amazing adventures, cultural enrichment and fantastic value for money await families in this diverse and fascinating country. Magical Halong Bay is one of its most popular places – the kids will love spending the night aboard a junk boat. And with direct flights now on offer from the UK it's become a more manageable destination to travel to with young kids.

Vietnam is great for families from a practical point of view as well. Its growing tourism infrastructure means hotels are of a good quality and it’s easy to get around by public transport if you're on a budget. The food is a huge highlight – super-cheap and delicious, it's bound to convert even the fussiest of eaters.

Staying with local families is a great way to save money, and the kids may even make life-long friends. Family holiday specialist Stubborn Mule, which can tailor-make itineraries to suit all budgets, works with a number of charming homestays around the country including Pu Luang in northern Vietnam.

 

Another exciting Asian destination that’s gentle on the purse strings and perfect for budding explorers is Cambodia. Once you’re on the ground, it's very cheap indeed with a whole host of fun activities that can be arranged on a budget: from jungle walks to uncover ancient ruins to cycling, canoeing and boat trips.

Even the most jaded teen won’t fail to be awestruck by the temples of Siem Reap. Angkor Wat is just one of them – you could spend days here pretending to be Indiana Jones or Lara Croft amid the atmospheric ruins. Jungle-clad Beng Melea is another that shouldn’t be missed.

Stubborn Mule creates itineraries around the country that will amaze even the most budget-conscious families – some of its recommended must see/dos include the temples of Angkor, a sunset boat ride on the Mekong, a tuk tuk ride around Phnom Penh and a visit to Kompong Phluk floating village. A trip here is guaranteed to instil a lifelong wanderlust in your child.

The Lake District National Park is a brilliant place for family holidays. Sailing, kayaking, cycling, walking, family-friendly farms, ancient castles and fantastic pubs for recuperating in… You name it, it’s got it. 

Weather-permitting, camping is a great option for the kids to have their very own Swallows and Amazons-style adventure. There are many charming sites on offer including Syke Farm in Buttermere. It’s low-key camping at its best: there’s a stream for kids to splash in, a few cows that provide milk for locally-made ice cream and two pubs within strolling distance. What more could you want? 

Not a natural camper? Then try the self-catering cottages at the Swan Hotel & Spa in the quaint hamlet of Newby Bridge on the tip of Lake Windermere. It's a great value-for-money option for families wanting some creature comforts. You can use the hotel’s pool, spa and restaurants, should you wish, while having your own space. 

Whisk the kids away for a weekend of wild camping, kayaking and swimming in the jaw-droppingly gorgeous Norwegian fjords. Norway is undoubtedly expensive (though possibly not as bad as you think), but Much Better Adventures' two-day adventure in remote parts of Nærøyfjord will keep you well away from temptation.

After flying to Bergen – the gateway to Norway’s fjords – you’ll spend two days kayaking around Nærøyfjord. On the first night you'll pitch a tent by the shore; a campfire, barbecue and wine will follow to complete the idyllic scene. The fjord is your bath tub. The second night will be spent in a simple but pleasant family dorm in a hostel before you fly home with a whole load of brilliant memories.

Edinburgh is a city to stoke children’s imaginations with its picture-book castle, looming craggy hills, turreted skyline, and higgledy streets of its Old Town. Not to mention its numerous connections to Harry Potter. It’s compact too, a bonus for little legs, and can most certainly be done on a budget.

For some good old-fashioned and (mostly free) fun get the kids hunting down Edinburgh’s 101 Objects, such as West Bow Well. This giant treasure hunt is part of the city’s year of History, Heritage and Archaeology celebrations. Make their treat a scoop of delicious ice cream at Mary’s Milk Bar on Grassmarket.

Edinburgh is also part of British Airways' kids-fly-free promotion, but accommodation can be pricey (and hard to find during the Fringe). Out of season, however, Edinburgh Hideways offers luxury hotel-style lodgings without the hefty price tag – Meadows View is a great choice for families with close by green space for the kids to scamper around on. Or budget-friendly Staycity Aparthotels in the West End has great value apartments.

 

Loved for its surfing beaches, quaint fishing villages, wild landscapes and super seafood, Cornwall is a perennial family favourite. The hefty price tag of a summer holiday here can be prohibitive however. But is it possible to explore the Cornish coast without spending the equivalent of, or more than, an overseas jaunt.

There are wonderful campsites that can help keep costs down such as Trevornick – a 5-star camping retreat in HolywellI Bay, of recent Poldark fame. You won't need to buy any of the kit either as it has pre-pitched tents. If you want a break from campsite cooking head to the Bowgie Inn just down the road – a great family pub with fab views over Newquay Bay or the Smugglers in Cubert. Or you can't go wrong with a Cornish pastie or fish and chips on the beach.

Cornish holidays are ideally all about endless days on the beach, but should rain or boredom set in head to Newquay's Pirates Quest. Led by a pirate crew, you'll discover tales of the region's smuggling past, be rescued from a sinking vessel, travel through caves and roam the streets of 18th-century Cornwall to the captain’s ship using your treasure map to hunt for chocolate coins along the way. Tickets are £7.95 for kids, under threes are free.

Blissful memories of sun-kissed Mediterranean holidays will be made on Turkey’s stunning Lycian Coast. All rugged cliffs, tiny quiet bays, pine forests and piercing turquoise waters. Of course there are some overcrowded and expensive resorts but also plenty of enchanting and near-empty bays where the kids can run amok.

What’s more, it’s possible to stay somewhere seriously lovely for a snip, such as the charming and very kid-friendly Azur Hotel, which has two-bedroom bungalows for near-bargain prices. It's a mere stone’s throw from Cirali beach – and around 50 miles from Anatyla. You won’t find mega-yachts moored here, just a few gulets.

You could lose days lazing about in its lush gardens or splashing about in the pool. But be sure to take a dip at the beach before lunching on simple seafood and salads at the hotel’s beach-side sister restaurant Azur Aida. Energy levels up, persuade the kids to walk down the beach for a quick history lesson – they’ll soon be absorbed by the amazing ruins of Olympos, just one of many ancient sites on the coastline.

Is your family always looking for the next big thrill? Active holidays can be pricey in some of Europe’s well-established adventure destinations. Montenegro, however, offers great value as well as seriously gorgeous scenery. And Responsible Travel’s multi-activity mountain holiday here will keep the kids' adrenaline levels high but your bill low. 

Board a cheap flight to Podgorica where you’ll be transferred to Durmitor National Park. This rugged beauty boasts numerous glacial lakes, high peaks and deep canyons. You’ll go mountain biking, rafting, ziplining, canyoning and pony trekking, to name just a few. Activities can be adjusted to suit different ages, but best of all kids get 15% off already decent prices.

Look out for early bird cheap crossings to France by ferry or train and make for Normandy, land of glorious chateaux, cheeses and beaches by the bucketload. You don’t need a king’s ransom to make one of the region’s chateaux your home either: 19th-century Le Castel near Coutances – and a short drive from must-see Mont St Michel (pictured) – has eminently affordable stays in its self-catering cottages and main house. 

Part of I-Escape’s Kids Collection, this chateau is anything but formal and stuffy. Kids can roam free on all manner of mini adventures while grown-ups relax and enjoy the surroundings. The four acres of parkland are equipped with swings, sandpits, and trampoline. There are dens, a gypsy caravan and woodland trails too. Exhausted kids eat together at 5pm, while their parents reconvene later for communal feasts of local seafood, wine and cider. Très agréable.

Fairytale castles, vintage cable cars, super-cool street art, nearby beaches and some of Europe’s lowest prices make Lisbon a fine choice for a family jaunt. Although the seriously steep streets make it best for pram-free families.

While the city has some very luxurious lodgings it also has plenty of appealing budget options too, whether that’s an Airbnb apartment or stylish hostel such as The Independente with its enviable location in hip Bairro Alto district and trendy restaurant the Decadente.

Lisbon offers great value (and delicious) food and drink – the Time Out Mercado da Ribeira is perfect for an early and informal dinner with kids. There's bound to be something to suit all tastes. Sweet-toothed family members will be smitten with Lisbon's array of pastries. A visit to historic café Pasteis de Belem, which has been making its famed custard tarts since 1837, is a must.

The Black Sea has some serious bargains for families wanting a low-cost beach holiday but some resorts aren’t all that scenic. Head to Nessebar, however, and you can combine beach with a beguiling Old Town. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this was once a thriving Byzantine port. Today it has characterful cobbled streets, ancient walls and numerous medieval churches to explore.

Stay in the heart of the Old Town at the Nessebar Royal Palace or Airbnb has a number of apartments in this part of Nessebar. Dining out is good value too so you can justifiably "splash out" on a good few seafood meals in the Old Town – Plakamoto has a lovely shady terrace overlooking the Black Sea. The beaches offer an array of watersports which will keep energetic older kids amused.

Bargain hunters should also look to Greece for a last-minute family holiday this summer. Crete is a fantastic island for kids to explore with its beautiful beaches and coves (some sandy, some rocky), clear and shallow waters, simple tavernas and myriad ruins steeped in ancient myths.

Although, they may not want to leave once you check into Candia Park Village, a stylish resort on gorgeous Mirabello Bay. There are three pools (including one for kids), sports pitches, a kids club, watersports hire centre, two restaurants, two bars and a spa for frazzled parents. It offers some great value deals throughout the year. It's just a short stroll to fishing village Agios Nikolaos but we’re pretty sure you’ll be happy to laze away the days here too.