Children parenting and family life

STROLLING the empty grounds of the “UK’s most beautiful castle”, I imagine myself as former resident Catherine of Aragon – minus the impractical clothing and messy divorce.

It was an autumnal Sunday morning after I had booked my family into one of the new Knights’ Retreat Lodges at Leeds Castle, near Maidstone in Kent, for the night.

The wooden lodges, named after mythical creatures such as Basilisk, Gryphon and Hippogriff, are built at the far end of the grounds, next to the children’s playground and falconry — an important detail for families when the grounds span 500 acres.

Our lodge slept five people, with a double bed in one room and three single beds decorated with cute shield pillows (available in the gift shop for a reasonable £14), plus a lounge area with a kitchenette and a bathroom. The lodges are a masterclass in small space management.

This allowed the adults to spend an enjoyable couple of hours chatting over a bottle of wine in the lounge, while the two boys battled it out in the bedroom with their shields.

Huge sandpit

But we weren’t there for chilling. Because a stay in the lodges gets you two-day access to Leeds Castle and its grounds, so we had to use our daylight hours wisely.

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First stop, the Knights’ Stronghold Playground, an enormous medieval-themed play area that is potentially the best “climbing frame” in the country. The four-storey castle has enough bridges, turrets, walkways, ziplines and slides to keep your child entertained for hours.

But we gave ourselves a strict two-hour time limit so we didn’t miss out on the rest of the action.

In the kids’ corner of the grounds, there is a huge sandpit almost as big as a small beach, an obstacle course and the birds-of-prey centre, which holds falconry shows featuring the resident hawks, falcons and owls.

The impressive show saw the handlers weaving through the crowd so that the birds were encouraged to whizz among us. They were so close that I had to duck on more than one occasion.

But the attraction that has been discussed most since our return to the commoner life is the maze, which was built in 1988 from 2,400 yew trees.

We were so bad in there that we had to ask for help to reach the middle. At that point, we were rewarded (for our cheating) with entrance to the magical underground grotto.

Thanks to back-to-back activities we’d worked up quite the appetite, so we took the woodland path over to the Castle View Restaurant for dinner.

We dined on classic dishes including ham hock terrine, rib-eye steak, chargrilled cauliflower and glazed pork chops, with a fantastic view of the castle all lit up at night.

Another brilliant thing about a stay in the Knights’ Retreat Lodges is you get access to the castle grounds before they open to the public. We took advantage of that with a magical hour’s stroll.

For the price of a night’s stay in a lodge that works out from £69 per person, it was quite something to have such a famous location to ourselves.

On the whole walk, we bumped into just two members of staff and got plenty of fantastic crowd-free pictures of ourselves outside the castle.

It also meant we were among the first inside the castle itself, so the four and six-year-olds in our company were able to exclaim loudly at obscure details in the lavish property, last decorated by Lady Baillie in the early 20th century.

As a rule, heritage properties don’t hold much interest for young boys, but Leeds Castle allows you to walk in among the items in many of the rooms instead of being roped off. You’re even encouraged to play a game of chess in the games room.

And at Christmas, they decorate the entire place, making it the perfect time to visit.

If you’re looking for some extra festive magic, they also have a Christmas Lights Trail, which runs until December 31, and features a small food market and fairground.

Even the great Catherine of Aragon would have been impressed.

THERE’S no shortage of brilliant pubs dotted across the UK – and we’ve rounded up some of the very best.

We’ve scoured the UK to find places that are great for kids, have brilliant beer gardens and most importantly – won’t break the bank.

With family-friendly options and some of the most affordable pints in the UK, these pubs tick every box.

From the Scottish Highlands down to Cornish beaches, here’s some of the top picks for pints.

Best for families

Ailean Chraggan, Highlands

When bringing the whole family along to the pub, it’s always a bonus to find yourself in one with cheap children’s meals and plenty of activities to keep the kids busy.

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Luckily, we’ve found pubs all across the UK that cater to kids brilliantly.

Scottish blogger Adele Murray from Aberfeldy recommends a cosy pub in the heart of the Highlands.

“One of my family’s favourite pubs is Ailean Chraggan” she says, a spot known as “The Crags” by locals.

“It’s great for families, with a beer garden and outdoor play area”.

When it comes to food, the kid’s menu is simple and well-priced.

A children’s mac and cheese dish costs £6.25, and garlic ciabatta costs £3.50.

Plus, there’s some delicious and locally-sourced options for adults too.

“The Scottish mussels are delicious and come from the west coast” (£9.50 as a starter, £18.95 as a main).

The Tree House, Ayr

The Tree House in Ayr is also another great option for families.

Their “Little Foodies” offer for kids includes a main, drink and ice cream for only £3.50!

Just make sure you’re visiting between 3 – 5pm if it’s term time, or between 12 – 7pm if it’s during the school holidays.

The Mermaid, Cornwall

Down in the south of England, Sun reader Anne Walton recommends The Mermaid on the beach of Porth, Cornwall.

“You can just put the kids on the beach and watch them while you’re having a drink” she says. “They do a very nice Chicken New Yorker“.

“It’s also great for kids as they serve little meals – it was perfect for my granddaughter who’s only 11 months old”.

Jolly Sailers, Norfolk

Over in East Anglia, the Jolly Sailors in Brancaster Staithe is a fantastic option for families in North Norfolk.

The pub has a massive garden with a wooden playground, colouring and is dog-friendly if you’re coming in from a family beach walk with your pet.

Plus for adults there’s a beach hut bar with a humungous rum menu with delicious rum cocktails that opens up in the summer.

You’ll also find events with live sea shanty music, quizzes, festivals and bouncy castles depending on when you visit – Easter family fun days are particularly great for kids.

There’s also a beach hut serving ice cream flavours that kids go crazy for, from bright-blue bubble gum to the swirly pink “unicorn” flavour.

Food is super affordable, with the “Little Sailors” menu offering tomato pasta with cheese for £6.25 or a sizeable kids margherita for £6.95.

Brewdog, London

And if you’re in or around London, Sun Head of Digital Travel Caroline McGuire found the capital’s most family-friendly pub.

Brewdog at London Waterloo station has a massive slide and duckpin bowling lanes inside.

There’s a great kids menu with cheap pizza and chicken nugget meals, and even an in-house ice cream van.

Best for cheap eats

The Beck, Mablethorpe

There’s nothing worse than strolling into an unassuming pub only to be faced with a menu showing £20 mains and £7 pints.

Sometimes all you want is a pit-stop for some cheap and cheerful pub grub and a drink.

Sun reader Linda McDonnell recommends The Beck in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire.

“They do a carvery every day throughout the year and it’s great value, especially for kids” she says (under-twos can eat for just £3).

When it comes to carvery there’s three tiers, and they’re all cheap: costing £8.99 for a small portion, £9.99 for medium and just £13.99 to go large.

“They also have lots of special offers” she says, “like two-for-one meals.”

The Two Tubs, Bury

And if you’re after a cheap pint, Bury in Greater Manchester was found to be the cheapest town to buy a beer in England.

The average cost of a pint here is just £2.75, compared to the national average of £5.17.

One of the best pubs to visit in this area is The Two Tubs, a family-run joint that won a ‘Community Hero’ award in hospitality due to its welcoming atmosphere and great prices.

They even offer a free hot meal and a shot of port for serving soldiers and veterans on “Military Monday”.

The only catch is that they don’t serve any food here – the focus is on having a cheap pint and a good time relaxing or watching sports.

The Sandringham, Hull

Another cheap option would be in Hull – where the average cost of a pint is just £3.68.

The Sandringham on Paragon Street offers a pint of Carling for just £3.10, serving beers cheaper than Wetherspoons.

The pub was opened in 2024 by ex-lorry driver Lee Cunningham, who has made it his mission to pull cheap pints for the people.

Best with beer gardens

The Old Mill, Perthshire

Sitting outside and sipping on a well-poured pint is a pretty unbeatable feeling.

And luckily across the UK we’ve got some pretty spots to sit outdoors, no matter the weather.

Christopher Hill, an Administration Manager from Tummel Valley Holiday Park in Perthshire has a few great picks in Pitlochry.

“My favourites are The Old Mill Inn, Victoria’s and The Auld Smiddy Inn” he says.

“The Old Mill has a great setting, with a watermill outside and a nice beer garden“.

The Woolpack Inn, Romney Marsh

Over in Suffolk, Sun reader Nora Hinds recommends visiting The Woolpack Inn in Romney Marsh.

“Their food is good but they have a wonderful garden. If it’s a nice day we tend to go there on our way down and stop for lunch” she says.

“I’ve had their fish pie that is really good. The grilled salmon fillet is also delicious” (costing £16.95).

Church House Inn, Devon

Plus, Sun travel reporter (and Devon local) Cyann Fielding recommends the beer garden at the Church House Inn in Devon.

“The Inn has a wide variety of beverages and also hosts regular events and themed nights” she says.

“The village green is also located just across the road for a nice stroll”.

Tickled Trout, Wye

Meanwhile, the Tickled Trout in the village of Wye in Ashford has outdoor seating overlooking a pretty river.

It’s a quaint 400 year-old pub with a cosy wooden-beamed interior, and it serves up some great seafood.

Visit in the summer for some amazing live music too.

Best traditional pubs

The Treguth Inn, Cornwall

Putting your finger on what makes a “good” pub is often down to its traditional atmosphere.

Sun reader Anne Walton from Newport in Wales, suggests visiting The Treguth Inn – a coastal spot in Holywell Bay, Cornwall.

“It’s a very local, old thatched pub with a great atmosphere” she said.

“It’s very cosy, dog-friendly and they do nice food. We used to go to their Wednesday Quiz Nights.”

The Cinque Ports Arms, Rye

Over in Rye, East Sussex, Sun reader Nora Hinds recommends The Cinque Ports Arms.

The traditional pub is close to the harbour, and is a great spot for all with its tasty local ales, family-friendly atmosphere and sports games showing on the TV.

Visitors can tuck into a delicious cod and chips for just £14.50, or a warming pie of the day for £11.95.

“It’s always been a friendly pub,” Nora says.

The Axe and Cleaver, Lincolnshire

Over in North Somercotes, Lincolnshire, Joanne Green recommends The Axe and Cleaver.

The pub is close to Parkdean’s Sunnydale holiday park, where Joanne is General Manager.

It has well-priced food, and even offers a “pie and pint night” on Thursdays where you can grab the meal and a drink for just £12.95.

The Railway Inn, Brynowen

Over in Brynowen in Wales, reader Ian Peabody from Newark suggests visiting The Railway Inn.

“It’s very welcoming and feels like a local pub” he said.

And if you’re staying at the nearby Parkdean Resorts Brynowen, it’s just a 10-minute walk.

“There’s also the Victoria Inn, which is popular with a lot of people going there to eat. It’s dog friendly and backs onto Borth Beach“.

CARDI B’s boyfriend Stefon Diggs seemed to finally confirm he has welcomed more than one baby this year.

The New England Patriots player, 32 – who welcomed a son with rapper Cardi in November – posted three separate photos of three infants on his Instagram Stories on Christmas Day.

In one, Stefon held a baby boy in front of a colorful Christmas tree.

“One of my boys’ first Christmas,” he proudly posted.

The identity of the baby’s mother is unclear- though Stefon was rumored to have fathered a mystery child after TMZ obtained photos of him loading a baby carrier outside a New York hospital in May.

In the second photo, the NFL star posed with a baby girl – who appears to be Charliee, his daughter with Instagram model Lord Gisselle, who also goes by Aileen Lopera.

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The U.S. Sun exclusively confirmed Stefon was the father of Aileen’s baby after she took him to court to confirm paternity and request child support in Los Angeles.

The baby was born in April 2025 – just seven months before Cardi gave birth to his son.

In Stefon’s third photo, Cardi, 33, held their son in front of a sparkling Christmas tree.

“Miss yaw!” he captioned the pic. “Don’t be squeezing him too tight, you making him soft.”

Cardi and Stefon first stepped out publicly in May of this year, and she announced her pregnancy in September.

She is the mother of three kids with ex Offset- Kulture, Wave and Blossom. She gave birth to her youngest daughter in September 2024.

Stefon also has an older daughter named Nova, 8.

WE’VE taken a look at how to spend a family day out for FREE across multiple locations in the UK.

We’ve pinpointed three UK counties brimming with free activities for all ages, ensuring everyone stays entertained without spending a single penny.

And with activities covered for all ages, you can be sure there’ll be no getting bored.

Sussex: Beach days, railways and pirate festival

Across Sussex there are plenty of free things to do, meaning that you can take the kids out for an action-packed day of activities without breaking the bank.

If you’re visiting when the sun’s out, head to one of the many beautiful beaches in the county.

Camber Sands is perfect for families with its sprawling stretches of golden sands, perfect for bucket and spade days and paddling in the water.

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It’s a top choice due to its nearby facilities including parking, cafes and loos – perfect for parents of young children.

A sunny day is also the perfect time to go for a family bike ride.

The South Coast East route will take you along the coast, past stunning cliffs and landscapes.

And if the children (or Dad) are into steam trains, there’s multiple ways to enjoy them in Sussex – without booking a pricey ticket.

The Bluebell Railway is a great spot to visit, with its interactive “SteamWorks” exhibition at Sheffield Park station, and its own outdoor playground at Kingscote station.

There is no charge for platform entry on non-service days, and the gifts and models shop often remains open on these days too – just check their website ahead of time.

You can also head to Hotham Park, a short walk from Bognor Regis town centre, where there’s a popular miniature railway.

The park is free to enter if you’re wanting to stroll and have a look around.

But there’s loads to see and do for an optional small fee, such as crazy golf, a boating lake and kids’ adventure play area.

And if you do visit with some change in your pocket, the Hotham Park Railway is only £2.50 for adults and £2 for kids (under 2s go free).

Sun reader Nora Hinds, 69, from Hounslow, recommends Hastings in Sussex for its annual Pirate Festival.

She said: “Hastings is brilliant for live music, with lots of events on the seafront like the pirate festival.

It’s a pirate-themed weekend with free things to do including a treasure hunt, craft workshops and kids pirate tattoos.

Lastly, Sussex is home to some fantastic free museums.

The Shipwreck Museum is free to enter, and is full of fascinating maritime artifacts.

Sue Mercer, 62, from Pagham recommends The Novium Museum in Chichester for families.

It also has free entry, and kids can learn about history covering the Stone Ages to the Saxons.

Lincoln: Horse sanctuary, lakeside picnics and history museums

There’s loads of free and cheap things to do for families in Lincolnshire.

So much so, that there’s a Facebook group with more than 15,000 members sharing free things to do with the kids “in and around Lincoln”.

If you’ve got any mini history buffs in the family, they’ll enjoy a visit to the Museum of Lincolnshire Life.

The museum takes a deep dive into life in the county, from 1750 to the present day.

There’s an authentic WWI tank, interactive exhibitions and group quiz sessions.

Similarly, The Lincoln Museum is another indoor attraction well-worth the visit.

Aside from the fascinating exhibitions, it offers “Play at The Lincoln Museum” – a free activity centre packed with activities for younger children and a play zone for babies.

For older kids, there’s lots of interactive games and trails too.

Alternatively, just 20 minutes from Lincoln you’ll find Bransby Horses.

The charity owns a 600-acre site which is home to over 300 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.

Visitors can walk through to admire the animals and set up for lunch at the designated picnic area.

There’s also a play park, cafe and gift shop.

Entry is free, although donations are recommended upon visiting to support the charity.

Sun reader Sarah Al-Aidi recommends Hubbard’s Hills – a vast green space near Louth with plenty of trees and a water valley.

“It’s a real beauty spot with great picnic areas, dog walking trails and nature walks” she says.

In the park you’ll find a play area and plenty of scenic picnic spots by the river – and it’s a great place to bring the dog, too.

Devon: Free soft play, giant animal models and discovery trails

Whilst Devon is known for it’s family-friendly beaches, there’s more to it than building sandcastles and wasting away your change at the arcades.

One of the best ways to explore the county is by undertaking one of its many outdoor discovery trails.

Haldon Forest near Exeter has a popular family activity trail which often has new themes depending on the time of year.

It’s a beautiful winding trail which ends at a picnic spot, home to an impressive Gruffalo sculpture.

And for kids of all ages, geo-caching can make for an exciting and energy-burning day out – and can get your kids away from their screens.

Geo-caching in Dartmoor or Exmoor National Parks is a fantastic way to get the kids to explore the outdoors.

Hidden around the parks you’ll find stashes of hidden items known as caches.

They’ll often have quirky items in to trade, as well as a log book to record your win finding the geo-cache.

In fact geo-caching happens all over the UK, and all the rules are on the geo-caching website.

Plus, the Royal William Yard Geo Trail in Plymouth is a fascinating look back in time to 380 million years ago.

And whilst you’re visiting Plymouth, dads can make the most of free soft play.

“On Thursdays, Barnardo’s runs a Dads and Dinkies session, which is free soft play for dads and the children” says Gem Krupa, Holiday Home Sales Manager at Challaborough Bay holiday park.

“Mums can have a rest while Dads take the kids down to the YMCA for a play.”

The free soft play sessions take place every Thursday at 1.30pm. Just make sure to prebook first!

Lastly, on the outskirts of Dartmoor in Bovey Tracey you can’t skip out on The Jolly Roger.

Here you’ll find incredible showrooms displaying giant animal and dinosaur models – and the best part is, it’s free to visit.

There’s also models of race cars, fairies, and at Christmas time the showroom even gets decked out with Santas and sleighs.

AS the Osbournes face their first Christmas without Ozzy, his daughter Kelly has a sure-fire way to put a smile on the family’s faces – a new puppy.

The Black Sabbath legend, who died on July 22, age 76, famously hated the festive season.

But that hasn’t stopped Kelly ploughing ahead with plans to try and boost the grieving clan — as 14 of them gather at Sharon and Ozzy’s Buckinghamshire pad for the big day.

And it sounds like Sharon especially will be showered with love.

Kelly said: “I got my mom so many gifts. It’s crazy.

“I did everything bespoke this year.

“I got her all the things that I know that she really needs but with her name on.

“We have a problem with moths in our house so I had these special moth bags made that say, ‘F**k off moths’.

“I got her some new gardening equipment with her name on because she’s been doing a lot of gardening, and a stocking with her name on it.

“She loves chocolate so I bought her a huge new chocolate jar that says ‘Sharon’s Chocolate’.

“I’m also getting her a new puppy because this year we lost Elvis (Sharon’s beloved Siberian Husky, who died in October age 14), which is really hard.

“It’s a Pomapoo (a cross between a Pomeranian and a miniature poodle).

‘I’ll be sous chef – I just point with wooden spoon’

“I don’t even want to go into it all because I keep accidentally telling her what I got her — I get too excited so I tell everyone everything.

“But she knows she’s getting the dog so it’s not going to ruin the surprise.”

There’s no doubt the first Christmas without the Prince of Darkness will be a painful one.

But Kelly is still doing all she can to bring the festive spirit for her mum, as well as her DJ partner Sid Wilson and their three-year-old son Sidney at the mansion where Ozzy is buried underneath an apple tree.

Kelly revealed: “We are going to have a proper English Christmas.

“I always love that.

“They don’t even have crackers in LA.

“You’ve got to go to the (specialty shop) World Market to get them, and they’re not even the best ones.

“So we will have crackers and all watch the King’s speech.

“On the day, there’s going to be 14 of us and I ordered everyone that’s with us a pair of matching pyjamas to wear.

“We are going to be sitting in front of the telly.

We are going to have a proper English Christmas. I always love that

Kelly Osbourne

“My brother Louis (Ozzy’s eldest son who he had with ex-wife Thelma Riley) will cook dinner.

“I’m going to be the sous chef, which means I just point with a wooden spoon. And we’re going to eat tons of chocolates.”

Fresh from his stint on I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here!, Jack Osbourne, 40, will stay in LA with his wife and children.

“But he’ll be on FaceTime,” Kelly added.

“Then Mom is leaving two days after Christmas to be with him.

“My son is so excited for Christmas.

“Space NK brought Santa Claus to visit us and he couldn’t believe it.

“He kept sneaking into Santa’s sack.

“It was so cute and such a magical moment.

“Me and Mom were sat there going ‘aww’.”

Speaking at Juliet Sear’s Silverwood baking range launch at Fortnum & Mason, Kelly joked that she might even attempt to make her This Morning pal’s gingerbread cookies, saying: “She does make it look easy.

“I’ve been doing a lot of charity work before Christmas to keep me busy because I find it really fulfilling.

“I’m working with Centrepoint as well the King’s Trust, and all the charities from Birmingham that we work with, like the Children’s Hospital, Acorn, and the Parkinson’s charity.”

In a low moment, though, Kelly is ready to admit all her efforts to stay busy don’t mask her grief at losing her dad.

She said: “I just want to get through Christmas without crying.”

Kelly has lost a lot of weight since he died — which cruel trolls have pointed out online.

She previously said in a video on social media: “To the people who keep thinking they’re being funny and mean by writing comments like ‘are you ill?’ or ‘get off Ozempic, you don’t look right’.

“My dad just died, and I’m doing the best that I can, and the only thing I have to live for right now is my family.

“And I choose to share my content with you and share the happy side of my life not the miserable side of my life.

“So to all those people, f**k off.”

‘Being an aunt is the best job in the world’

Now she has hit out at the criticism of how she and Jack, who both shot to fame on MTV’s The Osbournes, have been handling Ozzy’s death.

Kelly said: “I think that people forget that he and I are not the teenagers from that reality show.

“You know what people do now is they’re like, ‘Oh my God, she’s had so much plastic surgery’.

“But you’re looking at a picture of me from when I was 16 years old.

I’m 41 years old now. It’s insane.”

It’s the family that keeps Kelly and the rest of the Osbournes going — and they are all thrilled that Jack is now expecting his fifth child.

Jack has three children from his previous marriage, and little daughter Maple with interior designer wife Aree Gearhart.

Kelly added: “Jack and I have this weird dynamic.

“Even though I am the older sister, he’s the older brother.

We will have crackers and watch the King’s speech. On the day, there’s going to be 14 of us and I’ve ordered everyone a pair
of matching pyjamas to wear. We’ll be sitting in front of the telly

Kelly Osbourne

“I go to him more than he comes to me.

“Unless I have to be protective of him, then I’m the older sister.

“I speak to him every day.

“I’ve already rang him twice this morning.

“Doing the jungle, the hardest thing for me was not being able to speak to him.

“And he is having another baby.

“I try not to make it about me, but I get so excited that I get to be an aunt again because being an aunt is the best job in the world.

“I’ve now got five nieces and nephews now and it’s so good.

“And now that some of Jack’s daughters are getting older, we have a different relationship, where they come to me for things that they don’t go to their dad for.

“It’s really special.”

And with 2026 around the corner, Kelly is not planning to make any resolutions this year.

She said: “No. I’m working on having a farm here.

“I’m setting up barns as we speak, then we’ll get animals.

“The plan is to stay in England now. I wouldn’t leave my dad.

“It’s just one day at a time.

“Grief is a hard thing. It really is.

“You never know when it’s going to take you out.

“It’s the hardest thing you’ll ever go through in your life.

“I’ll never ever be the girl I was before.”

EVERY family hopes for a stress-free holiday and this hotel gives you the best chance of that.

From kids clubs to complimentary baby equipment, a hotel in the Algarve has incredible children’s facilities not to mention beautiful nearby beaches.

The Telegraph named the Martinhal Sagres as being the hotel that’s ‘Best for Families’ in its world’s 50 greatest hotels.

The publication said that one reason is thanks to the staff who “set up colouring stations to allow parents to finish their food peacefully to playing football with junior guests on the beach.”

The hotel states on its website that “everything about Martinhal Sagres is designed with families in mind. Stylish and design-oriented.

“Martinhal Sagres offers families a luxury beach holiday experience with high-class family-friendly accommodation, restaurants and bars, kids’ and leisure services to suit the needs of each family member.”

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The hotel even offers family and baby concierges which give personal assistance for families and their little ones.

With them you can get expert advice on childcare and family-friendly activities.

You can also pre-book complimentary baby equipment – from small items like door protectors, potties, bottle sterilizers and warmers, to cots, baby baths and pushchairs.

The hotel has its own crèche for children between six and 23 months which has activities like hand and foot painting.

Raposinhos is a club for two to five-year-olds with story time, puppet shows as well as arts and crafts – and time outside in the playground and on tricycles.

The Fox Club is for six to eight-year-olds where they can play football and play games outside, as well as explore the small on-site forest.

Other leisure activities that children can join in with include horse riding, tennis or head to the watersport academy for fun on inflatables.

Other facilities include a spa, gym, heated indoor pool, games room with play corners, pool table, Xbox and PlayStation.

Outside of the hotel are plenty of the Algarve’s beaches, the nearest being Praia do Martinhal.

When it comes to food, there’s a family-friendly restaurant called Quinta do Lago which has a special children’s menu and fresh purees for babies.

Accommodation varies from a stay in one of the main hotel rooms, as well as houses with two or three bedrooms all the way up to its luxury villas.

It even has a ‘Baby’s First Holiday package’ which is four nights in a Beach Room or 1-bedroom apartment with breakfast included.

It includes a baby welcome pack upon arrival, a first water experience, one session in the crèche each day, a spa treatment for parents and a dinner where a hotel babysitter will take care of the little one.

This offer is €129 (£112.64) per adult per night for two adults and one baby (from 6 months up to 23 months).

This English hotel was named the best for families with ‘milk butlers’, film screenings and cookies at bedtime…

This plush hotel in the New Forest is every parent’s dream.

With lots of children’s activities and even complimentary daycare, it’s the ideal hotel for both kids and parents.

New Park Manor in Brockenhurst has everything for families to have fun, but also experience a relaxing break altogether.

It was even awarded the title of “best family-friendly hotel” by The Times in its 100 Best Places to Stay in the UK for 2025.

The hotel offers many ways for a family-friendly break including a “milk butler service”.

Front of house staff will prepare little ones a bottle of warm milk whether it’s day or night, and they get a choice of cow’s, soya, and oat milk.

What was described as a “game changer” is the complimentary time at the kids’ club.

The hotel offers all guests a free two hour session per night’s stay.

The Four Bears Den is an Ofsted-registered kids’ club within the hotel and has entertainment for children aged 3 months to 8 years.

Some adults even said they took the time away from their children to “sneak off to the spa” in their Tripadvisor review.

For adults, there’s a heated pool, steam room, spa and adults-only sun terrace with two outdoor hot tubs.

For more on the Algarve, check out what Assistant Travel Editor, Sophie Swietochowski, made of her trip – from where to eat to finding hidden coves.

Plus, discover the countryside spa hotel with outdoor hot tubs overlooking Highland cows.

WITH Christmas this week, you more than likely already have a few things in the diary – but for those odd days around the big day itself, here’s some inspiration for when you need to get the kids out the house.

Whilst a lot of places are closed on the big day itself and Boxing Day, many attractions, destinations and events are still open the rest of the week.

And some even on Christmas Eve.

So here’s a round up of some of the best free things to do across the UK between December 22 and 28.

Britain’s Bayeux Tapestry, Reading Museum

Located at Reading Museum, just two minutes from Reading train station, visitors can see Britain’s Bayeux Tapestry – a full-size replica of Normandy’s Bayeux Tapestry.

This is ideal to see ahead of the Norman Bayeux Tapestry coming to the British Museum in autumn next year – though, this will be a paid-for experience.

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Britain’s Bayeux Tapestry is a full-size replica of the Norman one and is permanently located at Reading Museum, which is free to visit.

The tapestry measures 70 metres long and depicts the Norman conquest of England.

In the late 19th century, Britain decided it should have its own tapestry and so a group of Victorian embroiderers recreated the tapestry in full.

There are two main differences between the British tapestry and the Norman one – the Victorian embroidered underwear on the naked people in the British one and the ladies who embroidered the British one added their names to the end of the tapestry.

Head to the museum between December 22 and 24 to catch a glimpse of the tapestry before the museum closes for Christmas.

Paul Vanstone x David Aaron – Carrara Triceratops Skull

From now until December 31, you can see a marble life-sized skull of a Triceratops in Mayfair, London.

Created by British artist Paul Vanstone, the sculpture has been created in collaboration with the David Aaron gallery.

The sculpture can be found in Berkeley Square, Mayfair.

Wallace & Gromit in A Case at the Museum Exhibition, Preston

At The Harris in Preston, visitors can explore a hands-on exhibition of Aardman’s Wallace and Gromit.

Named A Case at the Museum, the exhibition marks the reopening of The Harris and showcases 35 years of Wallace and Gromit.

The exhibition explores the life of the creator of Wallace and Gromit – Nick Park – from growing up in Lancashire to the influence the region had on his characters and films.

Through the exhibition, visitors get to see original sets and models, storyboards, concept art, early sketches and even strike a pose in Wallace’s living room.

The museum and exhibition are both free to visit, with the museum only closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Though on Christmas Eve, The Harris is only open until midday.

Christmas Bauble Trail, St Albans

Until December 28, families can venture on a Christmas bauble trail around St Albans.

There are 12 baubles in total to spot, and you could even win a prize.

Boxing Day Swims, Various

A number of locations across the country host a Boxing Day Swim each year, where brave souls run into the chilly water for a dip.

A lot you have to either pay for or pre-book, but there are still a number that are free to participate in.

Though, most swims are for charity so donations are encouraged.

For example, you could head to Ventnor Bay on the Isle of Wight, where swimmers often wear pyjamas before running into the water.

The swim takes place on Boxing Day at 12pm.

Or head to North Norfolk Beach for the Runners’ Boxing Day Dip, where there is both a run starting at 11:30am and a splash in the sea at 12:30pm.

To find out if there is a Boxing Day Swim near you, just search your location and ‘Boxing Day Swim’.

Alternatively, some places host a New Year’s Day dip.

Christmas Lights, Various

Before they disappear for another year, make sure to check out the Christmas lights near you.

Whether that be Regent Street‘s iconic angels or the houses decked out in your nearby village, spotting Christmas lights makes the ideal festive walk.

Snoopy in the City, London

Until January 16, if you live in London you can still explore the Snoopy in the City sculpture trail.

Dotted around London’s Fleet Street Quarter, there are 12 Snoopy sculptures, all decorated by different artists, to find.

The trail celebrates 75 years of the Peanuts comic strip, created by Charles M Schulz.

Those trying to follow the trail can download a map on Wild in Art’s website.

Ikea events, various

In the lead up to Christmas, Ikea is still running its events including free ‘present hunts’ at Ikea Cardiff until December 23.

Or at Ikea Lakeside, visitors can make Christmas cards with the last session taking place on December 23.

Also tomorrow, from 10am to 11am, head to Ikea Southampton to have breakfast with Santa.

Justin Carter’s Liquid Light at the BottleWorks, Newcastle

Artist Justin Carter, who has showcased his work in Europe, Japan, China, Australia and America, has an exhibition at the BottleWorks in Newcastle.

The exhibition ‘Liquid Light’ showcases how important location can be to Justin and features a number of watercolour artworks.

You can visit on December 23 from 10am.

Ice skating, Blackpool

Ice skating at Christmas usually costs you an arm and a leg for just one person.

And then by the time you calculate how much it will cost for a family of four, you are nearing the £100 mark.

Up until January 4, you can head to the outdoor skating rink in Blackpool at the Christmas by the Sea village.

It sits below the iconic Blackpool Tower and is free to visit, with free skate hire as well.

The ice rink measures 20 metres in total and is open each day between 12pm and 9pm (apart from Christmas Day).

You don’t need to book, just turn up.

Christmas Rave, London

On Christmas Eve in the capital you can head to a free rave.

Located at Club Makossa in East London, ravers can head underground for some techno before the big day.

Whilst entry is free, there is a £1 donation to New Horizons Youth Centre in King’s Cross.

You can also enter a raffle at the rave and could win numerous prices from a £30 bar tab to event tickets.

The rave starts at 5pm and ends at midnight.

For more inspiration on what to do during the Twixmas period, here are 50 things to do between Christmas and New Year across the UK – including free activities and immersive experiences.

Plus, all the UK rides and attractions that we lost in 2025 and the exciting ones coming in 2026.

From slaving away in a steamy kitchen, to entertaining endless family members – it’s fair to say Christmas can be pretty relentless for many parents. 

These women, however, say they’ve found the perfect solution: swapping home for a Butlin’s mini-break over the festive period. And it costs A LOT less than you might imagine.

‘Going to Butlin’s guarantees Christmas will be extra special for the kids’

TEACHER Kim Heath’s lucky kids have holidayed around the globe, but their favourite place to go is down-to-earth Butlins.

Kim, 36, has enjoyed Christmas Day with a difference at the traditional UK holiday camp for the past few years – and her youngsters wouldn’t have it any other way. 

She celebrates the occasion with husband Graham, 38, kids Olivia-Belle, nine, and Grayson, four, and members of their extended families. 

Kim told The Sun: “Olivia-Belle has been to places like Dubai, Sydney and the Caribbean and we’ve even been to Lapland.

“But she loves Butlin’s because the family are together and everyone’s going to be having fun.”

Butlins was once a top holiday destination for UK families but it’s fair to say its reputation has ebbed and flowed in more recent years. 

Kim added: “A lot of our friends say they can’t believe we go to Butlin’s but if you’ve got kids and want to make sure they have an extra special Christmas, it’s magical.

“You can do as much or as little as you like, you can even go swimming on Christmas Day.

“It’s just a really nice place to be.”

The family from Caerphilly, South Wales, are able to save money on the annual festive break thanks to Kim’s father-in-law, who owns an eight-berth caravan at Butlin’s Minehead, Somerset. 

She said: “Nowadays, just going to the local farm to meet Santa with the kids can cost £70 whereas at Butlins it’s all included in the site fee, and we’re lucky enough to have the caravan to sleep in.

“My house isn’t big enough for everybody, you’d have to try and squeeze everybody in but this way no-one has to be on their own on Christmas night.

“My mum’s friend stayed with us last year and we’ve met up with other family and friends who are staying separately too.”

Last year, Kim and relatives enjoyed a Christmas Eve visit to Santa’s Grotto at the resort and there’s usually a pantomime on offer on the big day itself. 

She said: “On Christmas Day, we open presents and then we dive into the activities.

“Everybody’s in a really good mood and everything is open on Christmas Day so you’ll never hear your children say they’re bored.” 

When it comes to the big Christmas Dinner, that comes in buffet form.

“Nobody’s really expected to cook,” explained the Butlin’s fan, who lives two and a half hours away from her favourite coastal resort. 

“There is no pressure, there’s no one person at home spending the day cooking in the kitchen.

“We’ve travelled around the world, but Butlin’s is so easy – it’s all planned out for you and the children have big smiles on their faces. 

“We’ve always had a really lovely time.” 

Butlin’s Minehead opened in 1962 and is the largest of the holiday park’s resorts, accommodating up to 7,500 guests in its chalets and apartments. 

Facilities on offer include an amusement park and vintage fairground. 

Until earlier this month, four-night stays were still available at Minehead Butlin’s from £199.

“The parks really go to town at Christmas”

The first of the chain’s parks to open in 1936 was Butlin’s Skegness, where mum-of-two Anita Workman, her software engineer husband Dave, and their kids Grant, seven, and Iris, five, have enjoyed Christmas Day. 

The family makes the three-hour journey to Butlins Skegness multiple times a year, with Anita finding the resort has extra sparkle during the festive season. 

“Butlins is our happy place,” said the stay-at-home mum. 

“Your children are only children for a short time, especially when it comes to the magic of Christmas. 

“They have the best time of their lives when we go.”

They first made the decision to spend Christmas Day at Butlin’s a few years ago, after Anita’s mother-in-law sadly passed away.

Unable to face an empty seat at their Christmas Dinner table, the family from Bolton, Lancs, opted for their favourite holiday destination instead.

“We had only ever done home Christmases before and we decided to shake things up because it would have been really obvious Dave’s mum wasn’t there,” she says. 

“Looking back, it provided more than that. 

“The kids loved all the shows. I took them to a local pantomime once, and they were disappointed because it didn’t compare to the Butlins one.

“We loved the fireworks on Christmas Eve too.”

The family enjoyed Christmas Dinner in the site’s main restaurant, which is served buffet style and offers turkey and all the trimmings, plus much more besides.

She said: “If you want to have a traditional dinner on the big day, it’s going to be there but if you fancy something random, that’ll probably be there too.

“Fussy kids can enjoy pizza, chicken nuggets or fish fingers.

“There are crackers on the tables, with Christmas hats to wear. They really go to town.”

Less traditionally, the family’s Christmas Day at Butlin’s was also filled with shows, swimming and fairground rides. 

The Workmans opt for premium dining and accommodation when they stay at the park and Anita appreciates the special effort the famous Butlin’s Redcoats make with her children – particularly with Grant, who has autism. 

Known for their distinctive red jackets, the frontline staff’s main roles are to host families and provide entertainment. 

Magician Stephen Mulhern, the late Des O’Connor and Ian ‘H’ Watkins of Steps fame are among the celebrities who launched their career in showbiz working as a Redcoat. 

She said: “The Redcoats can’t be underestimated, they are awesome.

“We like to get into a venue early for a show and they will come and sit and play card games with the kids to entertain them.

“It sounds like something so minor, but it can mean so much to them.”

Up until earlier this month, four-night deals were still available at Butlin’s Skegness from £195.

HELEN Flanagan heaped praise on her mother as the row with her ex Scott Sinclair intensifies.

The Coronation Street star has been lashing out at her at the Bristol Rovers footballer after he missed their son Charlie’s nativity play to party at the Formula One in Abu Dhabi.

Helen split from her ex-fiancé in 2022 after 13 years together and they share three children Matilda, 10, Delilah, seven, and Charlie, four.

She is currently starring as The Wicked Queen in a production of Snow White in Liverpool and said her mum, Julia has practically raised her kids while she treads the boards.

Helen posted a photo of Julia to her Instagram stories cuddling up with Charlie.

“So grateful for my incredible mum who has looked after my children for really the past two months while I’ve been working,” she captioned the post.

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“The BEST grandma ever, so lucky to have you mum.”

Helen added: “All the school runs, all the activities, all the school work, all the washing. Love you.”

The star previously opened up to The Sun about the struggles of co-parenting with Scott and relying on her mum for help.

She said: “He lives like Somerset and I live in Lancashire. So we live so far away from each other, which is really difficult when you’ve got three young children.

“I hate calling it co-parenting because I don’t really feel like a co-parent to be honest with you anyway.”

The star is reliant on her mum and dad, who live 15 minutes away, to help with childcare duties, admitting she would “really struggle” without their help.

“I have my children for the rest of the time,” she said. “Which I would never want any other way. I work most days.

“Always back and forth, you know, from London, like a yo-yo as well. My mum’s incredible. She really helps me bring up my children really. I’m very lucky to have that support.”

ACTRESS Jessie Buckley has revealed she had given birth to her first child.

The 35-year-old star kept her pregnancy largely private and only confirmed she was expecting when she proudly posed with her baby bump on the red carpet back in April of this year.

Now, the star has revealed she is a mother after welcoming a child, a baby girl, earlier this year.

Jessie has confirmed her motherhood during promotion for her upcoming film, Hamnet.

The star has admitted in a new interview that she was longing to become a parent during the filming of the movie and eventually fell pregnant with her child shortly after it wrapped.

She was heard speaking on The New York Times‘ Modern Love podcast in which she detailed falling pregnant after playing the role of a grieving mother for the movie.

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Jessie said: “I’m not surprised I got pregnant a week after I finished filming because I had coaxed… it was also quite intense to have that need while I was in this place of absolute mother and it not be a real thing yet.”

During the interview, she revealed she had welcomed a daughter when she opened up on what she hoped to pass onto her in the future.

Jessie added: “I think the thing I can hope to impart to her, and I’m sure she’s going to go on her whole own trajectory, and she should, is we have one life.

“There’s always going to be things in our life that are going to make us doubt or be afraid or feel like it would be safer to be smaller in some way.

“And I see this little life that’s so new but so full and so untarnished by an idea or a projection of what we’re supposed to be. And I just hope that if I can pass anything onto her in the way that my mother’s has passed on to me is that all the parts of you are not too much. 

“The world needs all of you, and that means incubating the struggles, is like living through the struggles, the shadows.

“The things that are going to challenge you, you have to metabolize it and incubate it. And there’s no too-muchness. It’s only to be lived fully.”

Jessie is notoriously private about her personal life and rarely discusses her life outside of acting.

She is understood to have got married in 2022 to a mystery man known only as Freddie.

According to reports he is a North London based mental health professional.

They are understood to divide their time equally between plush homes in London and Norfolk.

WHEN it comes to Christmas, you probably have a lot of family plans and then for the New Year, you might be seeing friends – but that time in between can be tricky to plan things to do.

Known as Twixmas, the period between Christmas and New Year – usually December 27, 28, 29 and 30 – always feels like you’re in a bit of a limbo.

You don’t know what day of the week it is, whether things are open or closed and you’re living off of leftovers from the big day.

So, instead of stressing about what you can and can’t do, here are 50 things across the UK that you can enjoy during Twixmas.

The Traitors Live Experience, London

Traitors fans can fully immerse themselves in the show at the live experience in Covent Garden, London.

You can opt to not be chosen as a traitor, but if you don’t mind then you might spend a couple of hours deceiving people…

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It costs from £29.50 per person.

Ice skating, various

There are a ton of ice skating rinks across the UK at the moment, most of which will be disappearing across January.

Ice skating is a fun winter activity and isn’t necessarily Christmassy so it is worth checking out the rink close to you and when it closes for the season.

One great site to visit is Somerset House in London, where you can go for a spin on the ice before grabbing a drink at The Chalet by Jimmy Garcia and looking out at the scenic setting.

It costs from £14 for adults and £12 for kids,

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, London

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy experience is running in London until February 15.

During the experience, visitors can join characters including Arthur Dent, Zaphod Beeblebrox, and Fenchurch on a galactic adventure.

This is a new production and costs from £42.

The Legend of the Titanic, London

For those who want something immersive to do but are also interested in history, head to Dock X in Canada Water to The Legend of the Titanic.

The experience allows visitors to learn about the 1914 tragedy, as well as get a feel for what the ship would have looked like via AR.

It costs from £24 for adults and £16 for children.

Enchanted Tree Trail, Wentworth Castle Gardens, Barnsley, South Yorkshire

At Wentworth Castle Gardens in South Yorkshire, visitors can head on an enchanted tree trail.

Across the trail, visitors will see small creatures in their secret world.

It is running throughout the Twixmas period and costs from £6.50 per adult and £3.25 per child.

Cinema, various

What better time to head to a cosy film screening than when you have time off and are feeling lazy?

Between Christmas and New Year’s, a lot of cinemas are open and operating as normal.

It is the perfect time to feel like you’re getting out but also kicking up your feet at the same time.

And there are a number of great movies in the cinemas at the moment including the second part of Wicked, comedy Fackham Hall, and from December 19, the new Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Sunflowers Needle Felting Workshop, Lyveden near Oundle, Northamptonshire

Looking for something to do solo? Then why not head to Lyveden in Northamptonshire for a needle felting workshop.

Over two sessions, guests will learn how to transform wool into a small piece of art.

The workshop is designed for beginners, and by the end of the two sessions, guests will have created their own sunflower scene, inspired by Vincent van Gogh.

The workshops take place on Friday, January 30, from 10:30am to 3pm and cost £47.50 per person.

West End Shows, London

If you aren’t a fan of pantos, then why not opt for a London West End show instead?

Sites like TodayTix often offer deals and flash tickets at discounted prices for shows including Wicked and Moulin Rouge.

Twixmas swims, Ware Lido

Those who love a bit of an adrenaline rush can head to Ware Lido, which is open for festive swims.

Sessions for December 27 to 31 are still available… though they do advise wearing a wetsuit.

Adult swim sessions cost £6.75 and child sessions cost £3.75.

Fanhams Hall, Ware

The Jacobean mansion, Fanhams Hall, in Ware is hosting afternoon tea in the Drawing Room between Christmas and New Year.

The room overlooks the gardens at the house and visitors can enjoy a tiered offering of finger sandwiches, scones and sweet treats.

It costs from £40 per adult and there is a children’s tea available for £22.50 as well.

The afternoon tea is being hosted from December 27 to 30.

Afternoon tea, Petersham

Enjoy some classic British treats at Petersham, near Richmond from £54.00.

The menu includes roast turkey sandwiches and orange and cranberry scones.

You can even upgrade to have prosecco or champagne as well.

Eden Project, Cornwall

Eden Project is is opening to the public on Boxing Day for the first time since 2019, this year.

And over Twixmas there will be three, free running events on December 28, January 1 and January 4.

Eden Project also has an ice rink, which will be open until February.

And the Eden Project’s festive lights and soundscape experience will also take place each day between 5pm and 8pm, December 27 to 30.

Adult tickets cost £38 each and child tickets cost £12 each.

Helios, St Albans Museum + Gallery

If you love space or your kids do, then head to the solar show known as Helios at St Albans Museum + Gallery.

Here visitors can discover a six metre sculpture of the moon created by UK artist Luke Jerram.

The event runs from December 27 to January 25 and is free to visit.

Jurassic World Experience, London

It is your last chance to see Jurassic World Experience in London before it ends on January 4.

The experience features 10 immersive zones which bring the film to life.

It costs from £35.95 per adult and £28.95 per child.

Drayton Manor, Tamworth

Drayton Manor is the only UK theme park that will have all its major rides open throughout the festive period.

These rides include Gold Rush, The Wave and Maelstrom.

If visiting, your ticket will also include access to a new end-of-day show called ‘Drayton Manor’s Christmas Miracle’.

Tickets to the theme park cost £25 per person.

Edinburgh day trip

Head on a day trip to Edinburgh, which was recently named the most festive city in the UK by London Northwestern Railway (LNR).

It is either a short flight or a train journey, with both costing from around £34 per way.

Winchester Science Centre

Another one for aspiring astronauts is the Winchester Science Centre, which reopens on December 27 after being closed for Christmas.

Inside, visitors can explore many interactive exhibits as well as watch the live planetarium show – Solar System Adventure.

The Science Centre costs from £14 per person to visit.

Lights of Abraham, Peak District

Head to Lights of Abraham in the Peak District before they close for the year.

Visitors can go on a moon-lit cable car ride over a valley, which is full of lights.

Then, once they reach the summit, they can set off on a trail that has interactive stepping stones, a neon forest, and giant creatures.

The light trail is open from December 27 to 30 and costs from £22 per adult and £16 per child.

Stonehenge, Salisbury

For a refreshing walk with a bit of history, head to Stonehenge, in Wiltshire.

The world-famous prehistoric monument was built over 5,000 years ago, and visitors can walk around the stones as well as explore a museum about their history.

Stonehenge is only closed on Christmas Day, but has reduced hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

It costs from £25 per person to visit.

National Stone Centre, Matlock

Found just 30 minutes from Derby, on the edge of the Peak District, is the National Stone Centre.

Spread across 40 acres, it is free to visit all year round.

There are a number of activities for families, including geo-trails to find fossils.

There is also gem-panning which costs £3 per person.

There is also a playground as well.

Bounce Below, Llechwedd

Bounce Below features six netted areas with different chambers and bouncy nets for guests to play on.

And it is all set within caves under the ground, which is twice the size of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Tickets cost from £25 per person.

Sun Travel recently visited Bounce Below, finding it to be like a ‘theme park’ in caves.

Silent Pool Gin Festive Distillery Tour, Guildford

Silent Pool Gin Distillery in Guildford are running festive tours and tasting experience.

On each tour, a guide will explain how and why the distillery was created, and visitors will get to see the copper gin stills.

To make it a touch more festive, guests will also get to have a ‘Rare Citrus Hot Toddy’.

The tour will take place at various times across December 27 and 28 and it costs £30 per person.

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

There’s nothing quite like visiting a palace and between Christmas and the New Year you could head to all three of the festive attractions at Blenheim Palace, as they remain open until January 3.

These include the Palace of Oz where the State Rooms have been transformed, The Great Skate ice rink and the Illuminated Light Trail.

Entry costs from £41 per adult and £24 per child.

Forest Bathing, Wrest Park

At Wrest Park, you could kick start 2026 with some pre-New Year wellbeing with forest bathing.

During the 90-minute experience, visitors will get to go on a slow walk through the woodland with a number of stops to explore nature.

The walk also includes a tea ceremony.

The event takes place on December 28 from 10:30am to 12pm and costs £22 per person.

Glow in the Dark, Mini Golf, Bath

Until January 4, you can head to a glow in the dark mini golf experience in Bath.

Found at Glow Golf, each player will have a glowing ball and the course is decked out with lights.

It costs £11.50 per adult and £9.75 per child.

Twilight Tobogganing, Mendip Activity Centre, Somerset

At Mendip Activity Centre in Somerset, families can explore a toboggan run until January 4.

Each session lasts 60 minutes, and visitors can discover an illuminated area where they can toast marshmallows and have a hot chocolate around a campfire.

It costs around £34 per person.

Beyond the Bonnets: Working Women in Jane Austen’s Novels, Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery

At the Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery visitors can explore the exhibition ‘Beyond the Bonnets: Working Women in Jane Austen’s Novels’.

The exhibition celebrates 250 years of the author and explores a number of true stories of working women from Hampshire, where Austen was from.

An adult ticket costs £5.45 and a child ticket costs £4.50.

Christmas break with Warner Hotels

Warner Hotels have a number of properties across the UK – and many of which have great deals on breaks during Twixmas.

Twixmas breaks start from £249 per person for a three-night stay (based on two people sharing), and include bed, breakfast and three-course dinners, entertainment, access to leisure facilities and activities.

There are also a number of day experiences available, starting from £25 per person.

Bongo’s Bingo: Bingo All The Way, Newcastle

Bongo’s Bingo is in Newcastle at the Boiler Shop over the festive period.

The event features a mix of traditional bingo, dance-offs, raves, and audience participation.

The bingo will be taking place on December 27, 28 and 31 and it costs from £23.

Christmas Rocks, O2 City Hall, Newcastle

Over four days, a festival with rock tribute bands will be performing at O2 City Hall in Newcastle.

There will be AC/DC GB, Fleeting Rumours, Green Days and Paramore UK performing.

The event runs from December 27 to 30 and costs from £29.90 per person.

Twist Museum, London

Head to Twist Museum in London to explore a number of rooms with different illusions that are fun for both kids and adults.

There is also a new Lapland Infinity Forest at the museum, for a little bit of a festive twist.

Prices start from £20 per child and £24.50 per adult.

Exhibition on Screen: Caravaggio, Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle

A special screening at Tyneside Cinema will show the latest edition of Exhibition on Screen – a documentary series that explores the history behind different artworks.

This time, the event will focus on artist Caravaggio, and it is believed to be the most extensive film made about the artist.

It takes place on Monday, December 29 and costs around £10 for standard tickets.

Christmas Stick Man Trail, Haldon Forest near Exeter

Fans of Julia Donaldson should head to Haldon Forest near Exeter, in Devon for a day of exploring the Stick Man trail.

The trail follows Stick Man as he helps Santa deliver the final present.

The trail runs until January 4 and is free to visit.

Bubblicious family raves with the Soapbox Theatre, Plymouth

The Soapbox Theatre in Plymouth is hosting a family-friendly dance party, to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

It will include sessions for families with babies and one for older kids as well.

A DJ will play dance music, with glow sticks, UV face painting, and performers present too.

There is also a bar for adults too.

It takes place on December 31 and costs from £10 per person.

Museums, various

Up and down the UK there are many museums that will be open over the period between Christmas and New Year, including the Natural History Museum.

Museums are great spots for a day out especially when it is raining and cold.

And to add to that, a lot are free to visit as well.

Meet Paddington at Wookey Hole

At Wookey Hole Caves, visitors will be able to meet Paddington as well as explore ancient caves.

The caves are currently decked out with 100,000 lights and there is also an on-site circus show.

It costs from £19 per person.

Big Fat Quiz of the Year, Hampshire

The Wellington Arms in Hampshire is hosting a ‘Big Fat Quiz of the Year’.

Teams can be no bigger than six people, and it costs £2 per person to enter.

And of course there are prizes.

It takes place on December 29 at 6pm to 10pm.

Treasure hunt, Leeds

Treasure Hunt Leeds allows visitors to explore the city and solve clues in the process.

You can see the sights of the city, such as Victorian arcades and the Corn Exchange.

What’s best about this experience, is you can take it at your own pace.

It costs £15 per person.

Hawkchurch Resort and Spa, Axminster, South Devon

What about just having a mini-break?

For example, you could stay at Hawkchurch Resort and Spa for three nights from December 27 from £375.

Each lodge sleeps between two and eight people, and pets are also welcome.

The site itself has amazing views of the Axe Valley, and you can even opt for a lodge with a private hot tub.

Escape rooms, various

Escape rooms are a great family-friendly activity to do, and there are different venues across the UK.

For example, you could even go to Butlin’s Bognor Regis Playxperience where there are a few different options including Escape the Seven Seas Escape Room, which is suitable for children over the age of five.

The majority of escape rooms are more suitable for older kids though.

And prices tend to vary greatly, but you can expect to pay at least £30 per player.

Butlin’s break, across all three sites

Butlin’s is hosting festive breaks from £129 per person at Skegness, Bognor Regis, and Minehead.

These are great for small kids with lots of activities and shows to explore at each site.

Sun Travel has visited Butlin’s on numerous occasions, including trying the £1.8 million indoor soft play attraction at one of the sites.

A spa day, various

Why not treat yourself to a pamper session?

For example, Bannatyne Spas offer pamper days from £104 for two people.

There is nothing like a refreshing facial or revitalising massage before the New Year…

Pantomimes, UK wide

Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean the pantos are!

Most pantomimes run on until the New Year, and some even beyond.

And they aren’t necessarily Christmas-themed – for example, Jack and the Beanstalk or Dick Wittington.

So why not have a laugh with a pantomime Dame?

Hook Norton Brewery, Banbury

For beer fans or just those who want to get a tipple in before dry January, head to Hook Norton Brewery.

Over the Twixmas period, you can book a brewery tour and also grab a bite to eat at Malthouse Kitchen.

Each tour costs £20 per person.

Wake the Tiger, Bristol

Wake the Tiger in Bristol is the UK’s largest immersive art experience and the world’s first amazement park.

Inside, visitors will head on a self-guided journey of “kaleidoscopic realms”, with over 40 immersive spaces.

It costs from £16.50 per adult and £13.50 per child.

Silverstone Lap of Lights, Northamptonshire

Formula 1 fans can catch a festive twist on the motorsport at the Silverstone circuit with a two-mile light trail.

There is also an ice rink at the track too.

It costs from £50 per person.

Shell Grotto, Margate

Hidden beneath Margate in Kent is the Shell Grotto, which has over 2,000 sq ft of walls and ceilings completely covered in mosaics made of seashells.

In fact, there are over 4.6million seashells in total.

Entry costs £4.50 for adults, £2 for kids and £4 for concessions (over 60s, students registered disabled, armed forces).

Race Across the World: The Experience, Manchester

For fans of the TV show Race Across the World, there is now a brand new experience in Manchester.

The experience is designed for teams of two to eight players and lasts about three hours.

Participants head around the city, solving puzzles as they go.

It costs from £25 per person.

Travel reporter Alice Penwill tried out the Race Across the World experience in London, and here is what she thought.

Dreamery Gardens, York

Head to the folklore-filled woodland known as Dreamery Gardens, located just outside of York.

Filled with over 100 fairy doors, there is a 1.5km trail to discover.

Tickets start at £14.95 per person.

Chaos Karts, Manchester

Chaos Karts is a go-karting experience mixed with video games that makes it feel as if you are in Mario Kart.

The virtual tracks come alive around you as you race your rivals.

It costs from £30 per person.

In other attraction news, the unofficial ‘eighth Wonder of the World’ could be getting a new theme park – with five-star hotel and casino.

Plus, UK’s Universal theme park gets go ahead to start works next year – here’s when it plans to open to visitors.

WHEN Helen Flanagan and Scott Sinclair split after 13 years, they vowed to keep things amicable for the sake of their young kids.

But it was not long before the dynamic of the celebrity couple’s co-parenting soon began to show signs of strain.

The former Corrie actress blamed petty squabbles and communication issues, yet still remained tight-lipped about her ex.

But overnight, tensions between the pair appear to have hit DEFCON 1.

Helen, 35, flipped her lid when she spotted photos of Scott, 36, living the high life at the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, skipping their four-year-old son’s Christmas nativity play.

Lashing out online at the retired Bristol Rovers footballer, she raged: “You really are a piece of s**t,” ­sharing Scott’s Instagram post.

“How dare you not turn up to ­Charlie’s nativity,” she added.

Scott had posted snaps from his VIP weekend in the United Arab Emirates where he watched Lando Norris secure his maiden Drivers’ Championship title.

Standing in front of a huge F1 sign, he posed gleefully, tagging the post “What a weekend — Abu Dhabi F1.” He added: “Happy Days, blurry nights.”

Meanwhile, Helen shared a sweet snap of her cuddling their young son, captioning it: “Loved Charlie’s nativity. My star, my heartbeat.”

But when she spotted Scott’s jet- setting post, her blood boiled.

Now sources have told The Sun that Helen’s ex’s decision to skip ­Charlie’s school performance was just the tip of the iceberg — a culmination of bad behaviour that has left the telly star fuming.

The former couple share daughters Matilda, ten, Delilah, seven, and four-year-old son Charlie.

Yesterday Helen was spotted looking stony-faced while heading to her latest panto performance in Liverpool, where she is starring as The Wicked Queen in a production of Snow White.

A pal told The Sun: “Helen’s livid with Scott’s behaviour. He’s thinking about himself, not his children.

“She said, ‘I’m done letting him treat his family like this’. At the end of the day Helen is the mother of his kids. He needs to show more respect.”

Another pal said: “Helen is working full-time at the moment in panto so was expecting Scott to cover the nativity and go for her, as she has a lot on her plate and he is retired.

“When he didn’t bother, she wasn’t happy and took to her social media to vent her frustration and make a point.

“Their relationship is difficult at times — co-parenting is hard.”

Boys’ trips

Meanwhile another source close to the couple blames newly single Scott for embracing his “Hot Boy Winter” moment, leaving his family to ­suffer.

“Ever since Scott became single again things started to go downhill,” the source said.

“It’s been an incredibly testing few months for Helen, who feels like she is busting a gut and Scott doesn’t seem to get it.

“To make matters worse he is having the children for Christmas this year, which is another blow.”

Last year The Sun told how Scott was dating family friend Lauren Davies, 32, who is from his home city of Bath.

Things were going well up until the start of this year, when they are said to have decided they were better off as friends.

The source said: “Helen really liked Lauren and thought she was really good for Scotty.

You really are a piece of s***. How dare you not turn up to ­Charlie’s nativity

Helen on Instagram

“She has great values and felt it was important that Scott sees his kids and she wanted everyone to get along.

“But since their split, Scott hasn’t been present. He is constantly showing off his wealth online — with his extravagant boys’ trips. It’s a bit of a kick in the teeth.”

According to pals, tensions between Helen and Scott are so bad that the pair have blocked each other on WhatsApp, only communicating through family members.

The Sun also understands Scott wants to sell the £1.5million family home near Bolton and move Helen and the kids into a smaller property.

The eight-bedroom house went on the market in June, but Helen is standing firm. One pal said: “Scott is trying to sell the family home, but Helen has moved six times since Matilda was born.

“And because she is refusing to uproot the children, he’s stopped some of the money he was giving her for the kids. She’s fuming.

“The house is right next to her mum and dad, who take care of the kids while Helen works.

“Scott’s retired so he could have them, but he’s swanning around in Dubai and London and flashing it all over Instagram.

“At the same time he is claiming he can’t afford to give her the money, but he goes and blows £20,000 on the F1.”

Helen’s livid with Scott’s behaviour. He’s thinking about himself, not his children

A pal

The pal said Christmas will be particularly hard for Helen without her kids.

They said: “She is working full-time at the panto and dealing with the kids, with no help from Scott.

“Then he’ll have them at Christmas and post it all over Instagram, claiming to be dad of the year. He’s picking and choosing when he wants to help, but parenting doesn’t work like that.

“Helen has supported him for his whole football career and moved all over the country, but she’s adamant that she doesn’t want to uproot the kids and cause more disruption in their lives.”

This comes after Helen signed up to star in reality TV show Celebrity Ex On The Beach, in which she intends to “cause fireworks”.

Last month we revealed she was abroad filming scenes — and will not be holding back when it comes to getting what she wants.

Number blocked

It is not the first time the couple’s co-parenting relation- ship has been tested, with Helen previously saying Scott had her number blocked on his phone.

In October 2024 she told a podcast: “I’m on block at the moment on Scott’s phone. I really am. I’m on block.” However, she later said that the couple were on speaking terms so that they could co-parent their brood.

To make matters worse he is having the children for Christmas this year, which is another blow

Source

But in recent months things appear to have taken a turn again, as Helen hinted at trouble.

Earlier this month she told The Sun: “He lives in Somerset and I live in Lancashire. So we live so far away from each other, which is really difficult when you’ve got three young children.

“I hate calling it co-parenting because I don’t really feel like a co-parent, to be honest with you.”

Reflecting on their split in 2024, Helen told The Sun: “It was a mutual decision and personally, I felt as a mum that this was the best thing for my children.

“I want them to see healthy relationships and to be in healthy environments. I think if you’re unhappy then that projects on to them.”

She added: “I love Scott and I know that he loves me, but I suppose we just don’t like each other very much at the moment.

“We don’t really speak and there’s no point in pretending that we’re the best of friends when we’re not.”

Both Helen and Scott were approached for comment.

Cornwall might be best known for its show-stopping beaches and natural beauty – but there’s a whole host of family-friendly attractions, from theme parks and soft plays to historic jails and kid-friendly museums.

It’s a good idea to have some wet weather ideas up your sleeve, or if you simply want an alternative to exploring Cornwall’s golden sands and picturesque fishing villages. 

We’ve asked Cornwall experts, holiday park staff and Sun readers who have holidayed here for their recommendations of the best family attractions in the county, located near your next £9.50 Holiday park. Here’s what they said… 

Hop on a bus

Carol Harris, 72, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, stayed at Parkdean Resorts Lizard Point and her top tip is to take the double decker bus, which stops right outside the holiday park.

She said: “Taking the bus was an unexpected highlight. We took a double decker to Penzance for just £4 for an all-day ticket. The sea views from the top deck were brilliant – and, as passengers instead of driving, we both got to enjoy them.

“We jumped off at Marazion for St Michael’s Mount, which is beautiful. In Penzance we walked along the quay and got unlimited refills of coffee in Wetherspoons for £1.56.”

Cornwall expert and Sun travel writer Ellie Ross also recommends the Atlantic Coaster.

She said: “On a sunny day, children will also love the thrill of riding this open-top bus.

“It links Hendra Holiday Park in Newquay with Padstow, offering amazing views out to sea, and you can hop on and off as you please. It’s also a bargain – with single fares from £2.”

Take a boat

A short ferry ride can add a dose of excitement to a day out, especially for little ones.

You can hop on board the St Mawes Ferry from Falmouth, like Laraine Wells, 73, from Taunton in Somerset, did during her £9.50 Holiday to St Ives.

She said: “Falmouth is a great place to mooch about – there are loads of small, independent shops selling interesting things.

“You can also catch the ferry to St Mawes – it’s a nice boat trip over and St Mawes is a pretty fishing harbour that you can explore or just have a cup of tea in one of the cafes.”

Family tickets cost from £7.56 return for five people; under-threes travel free. You can take a (foldable) buggy on the ferry.

Toddler-friendly attractions

If you’ve got tots in tow, rainy day activities can be a challenge.

In which case, take a trip to Lappa Valley, a train-themed attraction set in beautiful countryside on the outskirts of Newquay.

As well as the steam engine that chugs you into the park from the car park, it features mini golf, outdoor play areas and indoor soft play (tip: check the train timetable before you arrive – they only run every 40 minutes in low season).

It was recommended by Dani Fillery, Owner and Guest Experience Manager at White Acres Holiday Park.

Dani also recommended Newquay Trampoline and Play Park, which has an under-twos area as well as huge soft play for older children (tip: rainy days are especially busy, so book online to avoid disappointment).

Meanwhile, Camel Creek is an adventure park that’s great for kids of all ages. Dani said: “There’s a huge indoor soft play where you can hide away if it rains. It’s reasonably priced, we’ve been going for years with my son who is now six.”

For older kids

Cornwall expert Ellie Ross said: “Located just off the A30, Bodmin Jail is a great option en route to or from Cornwall – or if you’re happy to head half an hour inland from your holiday park.

“The 18th-century prison has recently been redeveloped into an attraction and hotel, and is a great option for families with older children, offering educational tours for children up to the age of 16 (Key Stage 4).

“Highlights include an interactive walk back in time, offering a glimpse into life inside the historic jail.

“Or pop over to Falmouth, where the National Maritime Museum has loads of interactive exhibitions that will engage youngsters while teaching them about Cornwall’s seafaring past, from pirates to packet ships.

“Tickets – which last a year – cost £18 for adults and £9 for under-18s. Under-fives get in free.”

IT’S the final week before Christmas arrives, and with some schools now breaking up and people using up their annual leave, there are plenty of free events to enjoy across England.

Whether you’re looking for something free to do with the kids or want to enjoy a bit of festive cheer yourself, there is something for everyone.

Don’t celebrate Christmas? Not to worry, there are things for you too.

Winter Solstice at Stonehenge

This Sunday, December 21, the Winter Solstice will take place.

On the day, English Heritage provides free access to Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England to see the moment itself.

Parking must be pre-booked or there is a regular bus service from Salisbury city centre.

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Waterstones Christmas events

A number of Waterstones stores across the UK are hosting free Christmas events this week.

On December 17, head to Waterstones Newton Abbot in Devon or Newport on the Isle of Wight for some late night shopping with mulled wine and mince pies.

On December 18, a number of stores are running events including late night shopping at Waterstones Merry Hill, Middlesbrough, Huddersfield and Doncaster.

Also on December 18, you could head to Waterstones Exeter, Roman Gate, for a festive evening with appearances from Kate Lord Brown (author of The Golden Hour) and Alexandra Dawe (author The Stitchwort Curse), alongside the Global Harmony Choir.

Lowry 360, Manchester

Manchester has a new free immersive gallery experience, where visitors can immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of LS Lowry’s iconic painting, Going to the Match.

You do need to book tickets though, which also gives you access to Modern Life: The LS Lowry Collection and Quentin Blake and Me.

Tudor Christmas – the final Gresham College lecture

Gresham College lectures are free public talks in London, that have been running for over four centuries and cover a vast variety of topics.

The final lecture of the year will be all about how the Tudors celebrated 12 days of feasting, carols, gift giving and mischief under the Lord of Misrule.

If you cannot attend in person, there is also a livestream of the lecture.

It takes place on December 17, from 6pm to 7pm.

Carol Services

With it being the festive season, there are a number of free carol services across the UK.

For example, you could head to Toddler Carols at Bristol Cathedral, which is an informal carol service where “energy, noise, and movement that young children bring” is welcome.

The carol services take place on December 17 at 11am, 2pm and 3:30pm.

At Langham Place, in London, there will also be free All Souls Carols with Christmas punch and mince pies.

There’s no need to book, but it is recommended that if you want a seat, to turn up early.

The event will take place on December 18 at 5.30pm and 7.30pm, December 20 at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm and on December 21 at 9.30am, 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

If you are looking for a free carol service near you, look at local churches websites and Christmas markets as these places often host a festive sing-song session.

Cotehele: Wassail! in Saltash, Cornwall

At the National Trust‘s Cotehele, there will be an annual Wassail this week, which is supposed to scare away evil spirits from the orchard to ensure a good harvest next year.

The event includes singing songs alongside a band and fancy dress is encouraged.

It takes place on December 20, 11am to 12:30pm.

Birmingham Xmas Reindeer Trail

In Birmingham city centre you can currently discover a Reindeer Trail including Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.

Four of the reindeer have been given a refresh since last year, with new designs.

And there is even a Roy Wood I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day theme.

Visitors can find a trail map online, which can be downloaded and for kids there’s a game to find a hidden word.

On each reindeer there is a letter and when collected all together the letters spell out a word.

The free event runs until January 6, with reindeer spread across the city centre.

The Cosy Christmas Corner at Ikea Bristol

Ikea stores across the UK run a lot of events, most of which are free.

On Sunday, December 21, between 12pm and 4pm, head to Ikea Bristol and enjoy the Cosy Christmas Corner, where there will be storytelling.

You don’t need to book and when there, the Christmas Elf will share festive stories lasting 15 to 20 minutes a time.

The Austen Ball at the Bank of England

Head to the Bank of England in London on Thursday for The Austen Ball, which will be an evening inspired by the world of Jane Austen.

The event will transform the Stock Office into a grand ball, with a free historical dance workshop and silhouette portrait-making.

The event takes place on Thursday 18 December, from 5.15pm to 8pm.

Christmas in Comer Woods

Located at Dudmaston Estate, in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, there is a volunteer-led three mile walk through Sandilands.

Visitors can enjoy the coastal air as well as potentially see some local wildlife.

Volunteer-led walks will run from December 15 to 24, from 9am to 3pm each day.

Harland Miller at the Design Museum

There is a new display at the Design Museum in London showcasing paintings by the artist Harland Miller and it includes brand new work by the artist.

Visitors cam head to the museum between now and January 26 to see the canvases, which reflect on Miller’s time living in Los Angeles.

La Nativité at Bristol Cathedral

In Bristol, head to La Nativité on Monday, which will feature music, the smell of incense and be performed by candlelight.

And, for the first time in 18 months, the cathedral organ will be heard again following restoration.

Messiaen’s 1935 masterpiece will be played through the performance as well.

No charge or booking required and the show takes place on December 15, 7pm to 8:30pm.

For more inspiration on things to do with the kids over the festive period, a huge new waterpark has opened with 16 attractions and lazy river.

Plus, a huge movie and TV studios opening as top UK attraction next year – that lets you walk onto sets like EastEnders.