Credit crunched and in need of a holiday? Go for free with UKHolidaySwapShop.co.uk. You pay a one-off £14.95 registration fee, after which the site works by putting people in touch so they can swap homes for as long as they agree. This might be a short break or a month on the beach in Cornwall. There are hundreds of homes on the site including Grade II listed homes in the Cotswolds and ten-bedroom B&Bs in Newquay.

The site includes a very useful Guide to Happy Swapping and a suggested welcome pack for your swapping partner family. Of course, the big question is, can I entrust my home to a stranger? And as the site rightly points out in response to this, can a stranger entrust their home to you? Mutual respect, a trusting nature and a sense of adventure are essential!

For more UK family holiday ideas, click here