WE’RE in half-term, and you might be regretting that you didn’t book a holiday.
Well, you’re in luck because there are some great destinations across the UK – with availability at hotels and holiday parks still – that actually look like they could be elsewhere.
Whether you are envying your friend in the Caribbean or wish you visited family in Italy, you could just head off to somewhere in the UK that looks similar…
Swap the Caribbean for Argyll and Bute
On the west coast of Scotland, you will find Argyll and Bute – a region with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters just like the Caribbean.
In fact, the region has a total of 28 inhabited islands.
One island you could visit is the Isle of Bute, which boasts a mild climate and some of the houses on the island even have palm trees.
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The area is home to a number of castles as well, that can be explored.
Oban is often considered the ‘Gateway to the Isles’ and is well known for its seafood, making it the ideal place to stay in the region.
You can explore Oban Distillery or head to McCaig’s Tower, for example.
When it comes to choosing somewhere to stay, Oban has lots of options.
A great budget option is Premier Inn Oban hotel for a family of four from £94 a night this week.
Swap Italian lakes for Lake District
Instead of heading to Lake Como and exploring busy restaurants and villas hidden in the trees, head to Windermere in the Lake District.
Thouggh Lake Windermere doesn not compare in size to Lake Como, it is is the largest lake in England.
And around a mile from its edge, yu will find the town of Windermere.
The town makes the perfect base for exploring the vast lake and surrounding countryside, which are ideal for active families as there are lots of spots to go for a hike.
And if you want to experience a boat trip like one of the ones on Lake Como, you can do this on Lake Windermere as well.
For example, Windermere Lake Cruises offers daily cruises usually lasting around 45 minutes to two-and-a-half hours.
Right at the edge of the lake, you can stay at Fallbarrow Holiday Park.
A caravan for three nights from February 20 costs from £295 for up to six people, with two bedrooms and a sofa bed.
Swap Italy for Portmeirion
Portmeirion in Wales is known for being an Italianate-style village with sub-tropical gardens.
The village overlooks the Dwyryd Estuary and features pastel-coloured buildings.
When it comes to things to do in the village, head to the Gwyllt, which is a 70-acre subtropical woodland that surrounds the village.
Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse said: “With visitors likening it to ‘a slice of Italy on the British coast’, I had high hopes, but I wasn’t sure what my boys would make of it considering it’s quite far removed from our usual holiday haunt.
“I needn’t have worried though, as the Portmeirion magic seems to cast a spell over young and old.
“Made up of colourful houses and vibrant gardens set around a bay, the charming hotel-cum-holiday-park features two four-star hotels, one of which is set inside a castle, plus a motor-home park and several self-catering cottages.”
You’ll need to grab a day pass to visit, which during the winter costs £10 per adult and £5 per child.
While there is no availability for the Portmeirion Hotel left for this week, you can stay in one of the village rooms from £310 a night for four people.
The family suites have two bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchenette and a lounge.
And for the price, it also includes breakfast.
Swap the French Riviera for English Riviera
Dubbed the English Riviera, the towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham in Devon are the perfect UK seaside getaway.
It got its name as the English Riviera when Victorians started visiting the area more frequently and compared its mild climate and pretty coastal views to the Mediterranean French Riviera.
And, if you head to Torquay – which is known as the Queen of the English Riviera – you will find lots of palm trees lining the promenade, just as if you were in the Med itself.
This region of Devon features 22 miles of coastline to explore, with lots of dramatic red cliffs (thanks to the iron in the soil), sandy beaches and hidden coves.
Across the three towns, you won’t be short of options when it comes to looking for somewhere to stay.
For example, you could stay at the new Hotel Indigo Torquay by IHG which overlooks the beach and sea.
The hotel still has availability for this week, with a king suite sea view with sofa bed for four people costing from £158 per night.
Through Parkdean Resorts you can stay for three nights from this Friday, costing from £119 for an apartment.
The apartments are in a range of areas including the picturesque towns of Totnes and Dartmouth and usually can sleep up to six people.
Swap Normandy for the Jurassic Coast
The Normandy coast in France is known for its dramatic, chalky cliffs often home to tonnes of fossils.
Instead of flying away this half term, head to the portion of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset.
Just like the Vaches Noires cliffs in France, the Jurassic Coast features towering cliff faces, with sandy and pebbly beaches at the bottom ideal for exploring to find dinosaur fossils.
In total, the Jurassic Coast stretches over 95 miles, but in Dorset you will find the natural limestone arch of Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, known for its shell-shaped curve that is a result of erosion.
Head to the town of Lyme Regis, which is a popular place to set off fossil hunting from.
Though, depending on what beach you visit, make sure to check that fossil hunting is okay, as some beaches do not allow you to chisel at the rocks.
Near to Lyme Regis, you could stay at Newlands Holiday Park in a poolside apartment from February 18 to 21 sleeping up to four people, costing around £375.
The apartment overlooks the pool with one double room and one twin room.
In other destination news, our 2026 Travel Hot List as we reveal our ten must-visit destinations of the year.
Plus, our top picks for ‘fun under £5’ across all £9.50 holiday destinations in the UK.