Credit Crunch Holidays With A Difference

Do you want to make a difference, save money and have a holiday - all at the same time? Here's how you can.

Mid-credit crunch, people are cutting back on a lot of `non-essential' expenses.

We might secretly be quite pleased to let some of them go (ditched the gym subscription anyone?).

Other cutbacks, however, make for a pretty bleak year ahead. For example, I've abandoned plans for a foreign holiday in the next 12 months - and I'm sure many Fools have done the same.

However, the good news is you really can get away from it all, cut back on your holiday costs and help a good cause - all at the same time.

Don't believe me? Here are some credit crunch holidays with a difference.

The Landmark Trust

What is it? The Landmark Trust is a building preservation charity. It aims to rescue and restore historic and architecturally unusual buildings. In many respects it does similar work to the National Trust, though on a much smaller scale.

When the buildings (known as `Landmarks') have been fully restored, the Landmark Trust lets them out as short-term holiday homes for members of the public.

Where? You can choose to stay in one of 186 Landmarks throughout Britain and the Channel Islands. There are also four in Italy and four in the US.

You could end up in a castle, a Martello tower or an 18th century townhouse - to name but a few.

How much? Landmark Trust holidays aren't dirt cheap - but I think they are very good value for what you get. To cut your costs right down, go for one of the bigger properties, get some friends together and visit in low season.

For example, if you filled Ascog House (on the Isle of Bute) with its capacity of nine people for a week in January, the total price would be £461 - which works out at just over £51 per person. Just make sure you wrap up warm!

Where does your money go? The rent you pay will go towards the maintenance of existing Landmarks. Any new buildings the Landmark Trust rescues are paid for from a mixture of voluntary donations and grants.

Plus points: I recently stayed in a Landmark Trust property for the first time and I was very impressed. The building (a Bath townhouse) was bursting at the seams with antiques, and had been sensitively and intelligently restored.

Downsides: Remember, you're just renting the property. Food, transport and trips all need to be factored in when working out how much your holiday is going to cost.

The main hitch is that many of the properties are in remote (albeit stunning) rural locations, where a car is a must.

Another minor annoyance is that you can't currently view all the properties online. To see descriptions and pictures of them all, you'll need to spend £10 - plus postage and packing - on the charity's Handbook. However, the cost is refundable on your first booking.

The Vivat Trust

What is it? In a nutshell, the Vivat Trust plays a very similar role to the Landmark Trust, but is much smaller. It's dedicated to rescuing neglected and dilapidated listed historic buildings of architectural, industrial and historical interest.

Once the buildings have been restored, they are let as holiday accommodation.

Where? The Vivat Trust currently owns 21 properties, all in the UK. These include a Jacobean banqueting house and a 15th century Scottish tower.

How much? As with the Landmark Trust, you'll generally pay less per head if you hire one of the larger properties and fill it to capacity.

For example, if you filled Stonegarthside Hall (in Cumbria) with its capacity of 14 people during a week in January, you'd pay a total of £1,375 - which works out at just over £98 per person.

Where does your money go? The rent you pay is split three ways: Some goes towards the maintenance of existing properties, some towards the restoration of new buildings, and some towards the charity's general administration costs.

Plus points: Unlike the Landmark Trust, all the Vivat Trust's properties are available on its website. However, I haven't stayed in a Vivat Trust property (yet!), so I can't give a personal recommendation.

Downsides: Again, the property is all you're getting, so remember to add food, transport and entertainment costs when you're working out a budget.

And as with the Landmark Trust, you'll need a car to make the most of many of the properties.

National Trust Working Holidays

What is it? As you probably know, the National Trust is a charity that works to protect historic houses and gardens, industrial monuments and mills throughout the UK.

What you may not realise is that it also looks after forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, castles, nature reserves and historic villages. Phew!

Where? The National Trust runs around hundreds of Working Holidays every year throughout the UK.

Essentially, participants spend their break helping with the charity's conservation work. Tasks can include anything from hedge planting and goat herding to lighthouse painting and fence building.

Groups are usually made up of up to a dozen volunteers, whose ages vary depending on which holiday it is. And as you're led by trained volunteers and staff, no previous experience is necessary.

How much? Working Holidays start at around £60 a week - and that includes food and hostel-style accommodation.

If you choose to pay more (typically around £150 a week) you can have a `Premium' holiday, staying in twin bedded rooms or holiday cottages that usually have en suite facilities.

Plus points: This sort of holiday generally works out far cheaper than either of the others I mentioned.

With tasks all day, you won't be left with nothing to do - it's a chance to learn some new skills and meet like-minded people.

And if the energetic outdoor life isn't for you, there are some indoor alternatives. `Historic Houses' holidays, for instance, can involve acting as room stewards or helping with the National Trust's collections of photographs, costume and archives.

Downsides: If you're an independent sort of person, you might get frustrated at the lack of freedom. In most instances groups share domestic tasks like cooking, and are encouraged to spend their spare time together.

I hope that gives you some ideas. As you can see, I've focused on UK registered charities who aim to preserve the country's heritage and environment.

Do you know of any other charities that need volunteers for working holidays? Please help your fellow Fools by posting your comments here.

Alternatively, visit the Charitable Fools discussion board to discuss other good causes.

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