After a washout summer, the weather has finally picked up, but with just days to go until the school holidays are over, families will be feeling the pinch when it comes to spare cash.

To help get the most bang for your buck in the last throes of summer, Ellie Austin-Williams (Founder of This Girl Talks Money) has researched the average price for a day out at various coastal towns across the UK. Prices include fish and chips, drinks for parents and children, rail travel and a family activity.

The findings, carried out in partnership with Govia Thameslink Railway, show just how much prices differ around the country, with family-sized fish and chips ranging from £24 to almost £40, and travel costing between £25 and £100 for a family of four.

Typical tourist spots like Brighton and Weston Super-Mare top the list as some of the cheaper days out, but for those wanting to explore sunny spots in the south, it’s worth considering destinations like Hastings and Seaford, where money goes a lot further than larger resorts.

Money expert, Ellie Austin-Williams, said: “As the end of school holidays nears, parents will not only be running out of ideas to entertain the kids, but quickly running out of money too. The good news is that there are some great free activities at seaside towns across the UK – like the Alice In Wonderland trail at Bognor Regis or the splash fountains at Southend-on-Sea. These sorts of activities paired with spending time on the beach can be a fun-filled family day out that doesn’t have to break the bank, especially when using travel deals like ‘Kids for £2’ available on the Southern or Thameslink services.”

Ellie teamed up with Govia Thameslink Railway for the research, making the most of its Kids for £2 and GroupSave deals, helping family budgets stretch that little bit further in the last days of summer. The fares are calculated using the booking tool on each of its websites and booking direct with Southern or Thameslink is completely fee-free.

Seaside days out across the UK, ranked by Ellie Austin-Williams:

1. Hastings
Total cost for a family day out is £67.55 for a family of four.
Return travel from Eastbourne with Southern: £20.15(Off-Peak Day Return tickets for 2 adults and 2 children)
Family sized fish and chips: £32.00
Soft drink: £2.00pp
Coffee (regular latte) : £3.20pp
Ice cream: £2.20pp
Family activity: £8.00 for four people at the Family Arcade (with £2 slot machines)

Free activities include:
Fishermens’ Museum
Tree Walk at Alexandra Park

2. Weston Super-Mare
Total cost for a family day out is £75.70 for a family of four.
Return travel from Bristol with GWR: £25.50 (Off-Peak Day Return tickets for 2 adults and 2 children)
Family sized fish and chips: £25.00
Soft drink: £1.00pp
Coffee (regular latte): £2.30pp
Ice cream: £1.90pp
Family activity: £20.00 for four people at the Grand Pier Fun Card (Arcade Games) £10 for 11 credits

Free activities include:
Weston Museum
Weston Woods

3. Brighton
Total cost for a family day out is £80.70 for a family of four.
Return travel from London (Victoria) to Brighton with Thameslink: £30.65 (Off-Peak Day Return tickets for 2 adults and 2 children)
Family sized fish and chips: £32.00
Soft drink: £2.00pp
Coffee (regular latte): £3.10pp
Ice cream: £2.95pp
Family activity: £10.00 for 2 children and 2 adults at Brighton Pier rides (bouncy castle or slide)

Free activities include:
Walk Brighton Palace Pier
Undercliff Walk

4. Southend-on-Sea
Total cost for a family day out is £85 for a family of four.
Return travel from London with Greater Anglia: £36.10 (Off-Peak Day Return tickets for 2 adults and 2 children)
Family sized fish n’ chips lunch: £34
Soft drink: £1.50pp
Coffee (regular latte): £2.40pp
Ice cream: £3.00pp
Family activity: £8.00 for four people at Happidrome Arcade with £2 slot machines

Free activities include:
Entry to Adventure Island
Southend Central Museum
Splash Fountains

5. Morecambe
Total cost for a family day out is £97.80 for a family of four.
Return travel from Manchester with Northern: £46.80 (Advance Single tickets)
Family sized fish and chips: £24.00
Soft drink: £1.40pp
Coffee (regular latte): £2.30pp
Ice cream: £3.30pp
Family activity: £20.00 for 2 children and 2 adults at Adventure Golf, Happy Mount Park

Free activities include:
Walk around Morecambe Bay
Visit Lancaster City Museum

6. Bognor Regis
Total cost for a family day out is £85.60 for a family of four.
Return travel from Southampton to Bognor Regis with Southern: £40.10 (Off-Peak Day Return tickets for 2 adults and 2 children)
Family sized fish and chips: £31.00
Soft drink: £1.20pp
Coffee (regular latte): £2.80pp
Ice cream: £2.50pp
Family activity: £8.00 for four people to visits the Bognor Pier Leisure Arcade (with £2 slot machines)

Free activities include:
Beach Play Park Area
Hotham Park Alice in Wonderland Trail

7. Seaford
Total cost for a family day out is £93.25 for a family of four.
Return travel from East Croydon with Southern: £52.95 (Off-Peak Day Return tickets for 2 adults and 2 children)
Family sized fish and chips: £25.90
Soft drink: £1.20pp
Coffee: £2.70pp
Ice cream: £2.50pp
Family activity: £8.00 for four people to visit Seaford Museum

Free activities include:
Walk along Seaford Bay
Climb the White Cliffs

8. Blackpool
Total cost for a family day out is £107.20 for a family of four.
Return travel from Manchester with Northern: £59.40 (Advance Single tickets)
Family sized fish and chips: £15.90 (Kids under 10 eat free in Coral Island restaurants)
Soft drink: £1.30pp
Coffee (regular latte): £2.50pp
Ice cream: £3.10pp
Family activity: £30.00 for four people at Blackpool Central Pier (30 tickets)

Free activities include:
Visit Coral Island
Walk Central Pier
Stanley Gardens

9. Whitstable
Total cost for a family day out is £112.65 for a family of four.
Return travel from London (Victoria) with Southeastern: £57.70 (Advance Single tickets)
Family sized fish and chips: £39.80
Soft drink: £1.75pp
Coffee (regular latte): £2.90pp
Ice cream: £2.50pp
Family activity: £8.00 (Cain’s Amusements arcade with £2 slot machines)

Free activities include:
Whitstable Castle
Tankerton Slopes

10. Eastbourne
Total cost for a family day out is £130.80 for a family of four.
Return travel from London (Victoria) with Southern: £80.90 (Off-Peak Day Return tickets for 2 adults and 2 children)
Family sized fish and chips: £33.00
Soft drink: £2.00pp
Coffee (regular latte): £3.30pp
Ice cream: £3.60pp
Family activity: £8.00 for four people at Eastbourne Pier Arcade (arcade with £2 slot machines)

Free activities include:
Towner Gallery
Harbour Walk