affordable

FOR A holiday that will create amazing memories – while still being kind to your bank balance – you can’t go wrong with camping.

While the thought of snoozing in a tent may conjure up memories of soggy, nondescript fields, it’s all about location.

Around the UK – from Wales to Cornwall – there are some truly stunning camping spots with breathtaking views.

Set up at one of these and you’ll be grateful you never bothered stepping on a plane…

Porth Iago Campsite, Wales

This idyllic ocean-front camping spot nestled in north Wales is the dream.

The site overlooks Port Iago’s white sand beach and blue seas, which sits on the Llŷn Peninsula.

Further still, this has been declared Wales’ ‘best wild camping beach’ by Lonely Planet.

Guests can either pre-book their spot at the campsite in advance, or you can pay on arrival with cash or card.

However, be warned that numbers are capped in order to prevent it becoming too overcrowded.

From its clifftop position, you can enjoy an evening picnic with a front row view of dramatic west-facing sunsets.

For an active holiday, there’s plenty of opportunity to swim and paddleboard down by the sea.

The beach then makes the perfect place to relax, with its cove-like shape providing shelter from the wind.

Better still? It’s sometimes possible to see dolphins swimming in the sea surrounding the bay.

It also isn’t far from the popular seaside village of Abersoch, which is on hand for shops, restaurants and watersports.

Pitches start from £20 a night, with day passes for £5.

Delamont Country Park Campsite, Belfast

This campsite is in Northern Ireland‘s County Down, within an hour’s drive of Belfast.

It is located in a beautiful country park, covering 200 acres, with stunning views from Strangford Lough to the Mourne Mountains.

The campsite has an electricity supply to pitches, on-site showers and wifi access.

It is possible to pay for your spot with card, and it’s best to try book in advance if you can.

Its USP is the incredible country walks that begin just metres away from the doors of your tent.

Ranging from 1km to 7km in distance, you can stroll along the shores of Strangford Lough and take in the nearby woodland’s wildlife.

Tired of walking? It is also possible to go horse riding through the country park or cycle around on two wheels.

You can bring your dogs with you into the country park, but they’ll need to stay on the lead.

Don’t miss the Strangford Stone, which is the tallest megalith in Northern Ireland. 

Pitches start from £11 per night.

Higher Pentreath Campsite, Cornwall

The family-run Cornish camping spot has been happily hosting visitors since the 1950s.

It is located slightly inland, on a farm in the south of Cornwall, but is very close to the south coast.

Indeed, the site is a short walk from Praa Sands, a popular surfing beach in the county.

It is a spot with some of the longest hours of sunshine to be found in the UK.

What’s more, is all well positioned for exploring the likes of Helston, the Lizard Peninsula, Porthleven, Marazion and Penzance.

The price of an electric pitch – for up to four people – is £35.99, while it’s £25.99 for a non-electric pitch.

They welcome families, couples and groups for the same cost all year round, with no hikes during peak season.

From the campsite, it is possible to access the coastal footpath and enjoy the picturesque rugged scenery.

Additionally, you’ll find an abundance of wildflowers and birds as you wander.

Pitches start from £25.99 per night.

Top of the Woods Campsite, Pembrokeshire

For a more luxurious camping experience with a view, head to this eco-camping spot by the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Its 27 acres are surrounded by ancient Welsh woodlands, cascading waterfalls and wild beaches.

You can stay in spacious meadow pitches, or if you’d rather upgrade your experience then there are several more homely options.

These include ‘Safari Lodges’, ‘Nature Domes’ or ‘Pioneer Camps’ for star-gazing with a difference.

The ‘glamping‘ options come with self-catering amenities, cosy wood burners, BBQ as well as fire pits and comfy bedding.

The all-inclusive isn’t just for Spain – the campsite’s ‘holiday packages’ include river treks or electric bike explorations with delicious food too.

You can also order wood-fired pizza and on-site activities, including watching a film in the ‘Barn Cinema’.

However, further afield, it’s within the vicinity of Newgale Beach – offering easy access to stunning coastlines and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

You can also drive to St Davids Cathedral, situated in Britain’s smallest city near the most westerly point of Wales.

It is likwise close to the charming village of Solva, which has a wide selection of cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Pitches start from £36 per night.

Fidden Farm Campsite, Scotland

This rural spot, on the Isle of Mull – which lies off the west coast of Scotland – offers breathtaking views of the Inner Hebrides. 

It’s just a short walk from Fidden Bay, a beautiful sandy beach ideal for swimming and relaxing. 

The area is packed with wildlife – including eagles, otters, seals and dolphins – making it perfect for nature lovers. 

Need to unwind? The campsite provides a peaceful, secluded atmosphere that’s perfect for those seeking a tranquil escape. 

It’s also a great base for outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking and cycling – with many scenic trails nearby.

The waters around Mull are also great for kayaking or paddleboarding if you’re into watersports.

Similarly, it’s an excellent spot for stargazing due to its clear skies and lack of light pollution.

In fact, you can even see the Milky Way from your tent on a clear night.

You can likewise easily explore other parts of Mull – including Duart Castle and Tobermory – or take ferry trips to nearby islands. 

The site, of course, offers essential amenities like toilets, showers and a small shop for necessities.

Pitches start from £12pp a night.

IF YOU only have one day to spare for a trip, then it is still possible to squeeze in some foreign travel.

Indeed, there are many destinations to head abroad to from the UK for exploration in the space of 24 hours.

These include the breathtaking Danish islands a flight away from Scotland as well as the cute French city that you take a train ride to in just 90 minutes.

We’ve rounded up the speediest ways to enjoy a foreign jaunt – just don’t forget your passport…

Paris

One of the most iconic day trips from the UK to abroad has to be the revered French capital.

While you can get there by Eurostar, a faster route is flying which is just 1hr15 from London.

Some of the earliest flights leave at 7am (arriving just after 9am) with departures as late as 9pm.

This gives you a cool 12 hours to explore the stunning city, including its iconic sights.

This includes the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe and Notre-Dame.

It is easy to walk between many of the main attractions, or to use the metro to reach the rest.

To see more of the city in one go, you can also do a boat tour on the stunning River Seine or the hop-on , hop-off Batobus.

The Sun’s Travel Reporter Alice Penwill recently tried a Paris day trip – here’s what she thought.

Dublin

The Irish capital makes a lesser known UK day trip abroad.

A flight is just 1hr20 from London, with the cost as low as £30 return with the likes of Ryanair.

Once you’ve landed, it is then possible to get a 30-minute bus from the airport to the city centre, which operate between 04:05 and 00:35.

It is then very possible to see the walkable city’s main attractions in the space of just a day.

These include the stunning university Trinity College, which is home to the famous Book of Kells in the Old Library.

You can then walk along the bustling Grafton Street and grab a pint in the Temple Bar area.

There’s also Dublin Castle within close proximity, which has available a self-guided tour that takes 30 minutes on average.

It is also possible – and smart – to explore Dublin via a hop-on, hop-off bus which will take you past all the main spots.

The Guinness Storehouse – a brewery dedicated to the famous drink – recommends allowing 90 minutes to visit, however the self-guided tour means you can go at your own pace.

Here’s what it’s like to visit the city of Dublin.

Lille

Another Eurostar destination is Lille, a city in northern France that’s close to the border with Belgium.

Unlike Paris, it takes just one hour 22 minutes to get to Lille and tickets start from £39.

This means that you needn’t have too early a start in order to be there for mid-morning.

The quaint spot, with its strong Flemish influences, is also very possible to experience in a just a day.

Fuel up on coffee and waffles, before exploring the old town, packed with restaurants and shops.

There’s also 17th-century brick town houses, cobbled streets and a large central square called the Grand Place.

The latter – along with La Vieille Bourse – is only a few hundred metres from the Lille-Flandres and Lille-Europe train stations.

Head to the top of the town hall’s belfry and you’ll get a view of Lille in its entirety.

Additionally, the ‘city pass’ gives you access to 40 sites, starting from €20 (£17) for 24 hours.

A particularly good time to visit is the first weekend of September when there is a famous street market on the Braderie de Lille.

The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey visited Lille for a quick weekend trip – here are her top tips.

Faroe Islands

The Danish archipelago is actually closer to the UK, even though it lies 200 miles north of Scotland.

You can fly to the Faroe Islands directly from Edinburgh, from just over £100, and it takes less than 1hr30 to reach Vágar Airport.

The islands are home to stunning rugged coastline, dramatic waterfalls and mountainous landscapes.

The main island is Streymoy, which makes up 24 per cent of the total land area and half of the entire population.

However, there are 17 other islands to explore, many of which are easily connected by tunnels and ferries.

Booking on a day tour will ensure you can explore as much as possible in a time-efficient manner.

This includes the Súðuroy Island Day Tour by ferry ride, which includes a visit to the ancient coal mines in Hvalba.

There is also a seven-hour ‘see it all’ islands tour that begins in Tórshavn and takes in the iconic Vágar island.

Given its northern location, the ideal time to visit would be between June and August when temperatures are a more pleasant 12-14°C.

Here’s our top tips on visiting the Faroe Islands.

Calais

You can reach the northern French port city in just 35 minutes by Eurotunnel’s LeShuttle from Folkestone, Kent.

The railway shuttle service, which runs beneath the sea, is faster than the 90-minute Dover to Calais ferry crossing.

There are up to four departures every hour, 365 days a year, and tickets start from £59 for up to nine people travelling in one vehicle.

Because you’ll already have your car with you the other end, you’ll be able to get exploring faster.

This includes taking a trip to the Calais Lighthouse, built in 1848, which has panoramic views of the quay – and sometimes the White Cliffs of Dover.

Le Beffroi de Calais, the city’s historic town hall, holds guided tours which take you up to the top of its tower.

Fancy stretching your legs? Drive to the Sentier des Balcons d’Escalles, which is a beautiful coastal path just west of the city.

If it’s a nice day, then it could also be worth heading to the seaside spots of Blériot-Plage and Plage de Calais.

There’s likewise the Musée Mémoire, which documents the location’s important role in the Second World War.

On your return, make the most of UK residents being able to shop tax-free, and pick up items like cosmetics, technology or food on your shopping list.

The Alfriston, East Sussex

Virginia Woolf described the South Downs as “too much for one pair of eyes, enough to float a whole population in happiness”. So where better to head at this time of year, when our happiness levels are traditionally at their lowest ebb? Striding across the rolling chalkland towards the teetering sea cliffs buoyed up by a stiff breeze is the perfect antidote to the January blues. And if there’s a cosy hotel bar with an open fire waiting for you at the end of the walk, so much the better.

The Alfriston, on the edge of the Sussex village of the same name, reopened under new owners last spring. Housed in a red-brick manor house, parts of which date back to the 14th century, its new look nods to the Arts and Crafts movement with attractive block-printed wallpapers, patterned furnishings and wood panelling painted in warm colours.

There’s a long front lawn laid out for games of croquet, skittles and pétanque but the jewel in the crown is the 10-metre outdoor pool, heated and open year-round. After a swim, warm up in the sauna or steam room or treat yourself to a massage or beauty treatment in the small spa area. On a Saturday evening the 1554 Brasserie was lively with a mix of guests and locals and the menu had something to please all palates – from slow-roasted Norfolk cauliflower (£18 for a main) to haunch of fallow deer with chestnuts and cacao sauce (£28). My starter of scallops followed by grilled whole sea bass with samphire was excellent. After a deep sleep we woke up to views across the mist-shrouded downs and breakfast in the Orangery, where the walls are hand-painted with delicate murals of trees and flowers. I can’t help feeling that Woolf, whose Charleston farmhouse HQ was just a few miles away, would approve.
Doubles from £135 B&B, thealfriston.com
Joanne O’Connor

Wildhive Callow Hall, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire

The feel was more cool Cotswolds than traditional Derbyshire as my son and I pulled up at this hotel, just outside Ashbourne, with its glass-box restaurant jutting out from a grand Victorian mansion. The hotel’s interiors, with grand staircase and ornate ceilings, have been injected with eye-catching colours and a swirl of patterns by designer Isabella Worsley. The best-value rooms are here in the main building, with cute treehouse-style wooden hives tucked into the 35 acres of grounds should you feel more flush.

Just down the hill is the Coach House, home to a small spa offering botanical facials, reflexology and massage, a yoga studio, gym and sauna. This is where you’ll also find the map room, stocking everything you need to plan a day out, and complimentary bikes. We headed out on the blessedly flat 13-mile Tissington Trail, which runs along the old Ashbourne to Buxton railway line. It was an easy ride but we still felt entirely justified in demolishing an enormous shared platter of seafood misto in the buzzy restaurant, with its curved bar and artificial olive trees.
Doubles from £157 room-only, wildhive.uk
Jane Knight

The Cliff Hotel & Spa, Cardigan Bay

Blow away any lingering Christmas cobwebs at this breezy coastal retreat on a headland above the grand sweep of Cardigan Bay. From the lobby to the restaurant and 76 guest rooms, the style throughout is slick and contemporary, with soothing shades of grey, green and blue reflecting the Atlantic views framed by the huge picture windows.

There’s plenty to do here: go for a walk along the Ceredigion coast path (keep your eyes peeled for bottlenose dolphins and seals); have a round of golf at the hotel’s own nine-hole course; watch the surfers battling the swells at nearby Poppit Sands; or head into Cardigan for a mooch around the castle and shops.

Soak away winter chills in the hotel’s underground spa, which has a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, sauna, hot tub and gym, and offers a range of good-value treatments from facials to algae wraps and hot stone massage (from around £70 for a 50-minute treatment). An hour’s use of the spa facilities is included in the room rate for hotel guests.
Doubles from £110 B&B, cliffhotel.com
JO’C

The Barnsdale, near Oakham, Rutland

Rutland Water sits practically on the doorstep of this hotel in England’s smallest historic county. The quiet appeal of the location is mirrored indoors. A woodburner in reception makes you feel instantly at home, while beyond lies a relaxed sequence of spaces: a comfy seating area, the restaurant and bar with wooden floors, banquettes and modern art, and the Orangery dining room.

The 45 bedrooms, arranged in two storeys around an appealing courtyard, come with boldly coloured fabric headboards and patterned paper (pick one on the first floor for a quieter night). After checking mine out, I set off to circumnavigate the 23-mile reservoir by bike, earning the excellent bistro meal that awaited my return, including the hotel’s signature tempura cauliflower popcorn.

The Barnsdale offers superb value, but there’s still a pleasing spirit of generosity. If dry January isn’t your thing, there’s a complimentary 4pm drink in the bar as well as a nightcap. Massages are sensibly priced (£90 for 60 minutes) and you have unfettered access to the sauna, hot tub and outdoor pool from midday on arrival until the same time on departure, without paying extra. It’s civilised and faintly indulgent, all for just north of £100 a night.
Doubles from £125 B&B (£105 on Sundays), barnsdalerutland.com
Jane Knight

Dunkeld House Hotel, Perthshire

The approach to this elegant, white country house hotel couldn’t be dreamier, a speed-bump-controlled crawl through sweeping, tree-studded parkland, a bronze stag guarding the doorway. Bedded above the fast-flowing River Tay, on the edge of the historic village of Dunkeld (a mile-long meander along the riverside path) it was built at the end of the 19th century as a summer retreat for the 7th Duke of Atholl.

Today, it’s a relaxed and welcoming hotel (help yourself to a dram of whisky or glass of sherry) with a roaring log fire in the wood-panelled reception, muted tartan carpets and a smattering of taxidermy, including a mighty stag’s head lording it over the grand staircase.

Book a room with a tree-fringed river view: for a treat, the Duchess suite has a balcony, parquet flooring, art deco styling and gold-trimmed bathroom. The spa has a pool and indoor hot tub looking over plant-peppered gardens and offers ishga Hebridean seaweed treatments, hot stone massages, detoxifying seaweed wraps and restorative facials. The food is also fabulous, highlighting the Highlands’ larder with the likes of creamy smoked haddock cullen skink and venison loin with roasted roots.
Doubles from £144 B&B, crerarhotels.com
Lucy Gillmore

Wood Hall Hotel & Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire

If you’re looking for a cosseting country house escape that feels a bit special but refreshingly unstuffy, this ivy-clad Georgian manor house near Wetherby could be the answer. The location is suitably bucolic – set within 100 acres of rolling parkland and forest – but it’s just a short drive from Leeds, Harrogate and York.

Inside, the public areas are elegant but not old-fashioned, and the 44 bedrooms, kitted out in soothing shades of grey, are comfortable, many with far-reaching views across the Wharfe valley from the sash windows. Go for a walk in the grounds – there are printed maps for guests – or indulge in a treatment in the small Elemis spa (treatments from £60 for 25 minutes), which also has a pool, steam room and gym.

In the smart dining room, the seasonally-adjusted menu runs the gamut from homemade gnocchi with butternut squash and black garlic (£18.50) to pan-fried wood pigeon breast with game and pearl barley ragout (£28.50). There’s also an excellent kids menu.
Doubles from £130 B&B, handpickedhotels.co.uk
JO’C

All lead-in prices are based on a one-night stay in January or February and were correct at time of publication.

Jan. 1 (UPI) — Insurance premiums are set to rise exponentially for Americans who have bought their health care policies through an Affordable Care Act exchange because Congress failed to extend subsidies for them.

Without the extension of the subsidies, people who have bought their health insurance through an ACA exchange will see their premiums increase by roughly 26% on average, with the increases expected to be higher in states that use the federal Healthcare.gov exchange while states that run their own exchanges may see lower increases, The Hill reported.

In 2025, about 24 million Americans bought health insurance through an ACA exchange, which are often referred to as Obamacare, which is the highest number of people who bought policies through the program since it debuted in 2010.

The government shutdown in the fall — which, at 43 days, was the longest in history — was centered around Democrats in the U.S. Senate pushing for an extension of enhanced ACA subsidies that were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to help Americans obtain insurance and care.

In recent weeks, bipartisan plans to extend the subsidies have emerged, including one in the Senate that calls for a three-year extension of the subsidies.

Among the Republicans who support the bipartisan bill are Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, who has not specifically commented on extending the subsidies but has said that he is concerned about people whose health insurance costs may increase in the ongoing absence of Congressional action, Fox News reported.

“I think who it’s most disappointing for are the people whose premiums are going to go up by two, three times,” Hawley told reporters this week. “So, it’s not good.”

During the shutdown, Democrat members of Congress pushed for an extension — it was their stated reason for voting against several bills to fund the federal government, causing and extending the shutdown — which Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., promised a vote on in mid-December.

Once the government reopened, the Senate voted on two health care related bills, one from Democrats and the other from Republicans, and both failed on party line votes.

LOOKING for somewhere cheap to visit in 2026, that won’t have you stuck on a plane for hours?

We’ve put together a list of some of the most affordable short-haul destinations to visit, with insider tips on where to eat and stay for cheap.

Whether it’s a weekend city break, a romantic getaway or a quick foodie trip – here’s our top picks for the best in short-haul holidays.

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is one of Europe’s most exciting and lively capital cities, with loads to see and do, and plenty of good craic to be had.

There are plenty of fun experiences like the Guinness Storehouse (from €22 (£19) or Jameson’s Distillery tour (from €26 (£22.80)), both of which are worth every penny.

But there’s also no need to spend on days out when there is so much to see just by strolling through the city.

Wander down Grafton Street to listen to some of the most talented buskers you’ve ever heard.

Or take a picnic to Stephen’s Green to feed the resident swans, relax and watch the world go by.

And if you’re looking for the best pint, we have some insider tips.

Whilst it’s worth visiting the famous Temple Bar for a photo op, there are some much more authentic (and cheaper) places to get a drink.

Grab your pint of Guinness from bars loved by locals such as Gravediggers or Mulligan’s for a more authentic experience.

Flights from multiple UK airports to Dublin are often only £14.99 each way with Ryanair.

Plus the flight over is so fast, cabin crew barely have the time to get the trolley down the aisle before you’ve landed!

Stay at a hostel like Generator Dublin for an urban, industrial vibe right in the heart of the city, whilst paying as little as £14 to stay the night.

Milan, Italy

Milan might be known as one of Europe‘s top fashion capitals, but this sleek Italian city is a surprisingly cheap stay.

Skip the pricey guided tours – Milan is best explored on foot.

Stroll through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, admire the Duomo (or climb the rooftop for €15 (£13)), and unwind in Parco Sempione behind Sforza Castle.

There are loads of architectural masterpieces which are free to enter, such as the grand Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio and the stunning San Maurizio – often dubbed the Sistine Chapel of Milan.

There are also some great museums with free entry, such as the Palazzo Morando art museum and the Mudec – Museum of Cultures.

Another major perk of Milan is that you can feast on authentic Italian food to your heart’s content – without breaking the bank.

Head to the Navigli district, famous for its canals and buzzing nightlife, where you can order an aperitivo for around €10 (£8.80) and you’ll get a cocktail plus a plate of free snacks, or even a mini buffet to go with it.

Or for some traditional pasta, visit restaurants such as Il Brutto Anatroccolo for mains from €8 (£7).

The flight from London to Milan is only 2 hours long, and costs as little as £14.20 each way with easyJet.

There are plenty of cheap hotels to choose from, including the 4-star Cosmo Hotel Palace for £54 per night.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest might look like a luxury city break at first glance, with its grand architecture, thermal spas and classy rooftop bars.

But the Hungarian capital actually one of the most affordable capitals to visit in Europe.

Start your trip in the city’s famous ruin bars – once crumbling buildings turned into quirky bohemian pubs.

Here you can grab a pint for 1000 HUF (£2.25) and dance the night away without burning a hole in your pocket.

Szimpla Kert is the most iconic ruin bar, packed with vintage furniture, fairy lights, and live music most nights.

To relax, skip the expensive spas and head to the picture-perfect Széchenyi Thermal Bath.

It’s the largest medicinal bath in Europe, and costs 12,500 HUF (around £28) to visit.

Soak in your choice of 15 steamy outdoor pools surrounded by Budapest’s signature neo-baroque architecture.

The city is also dotted with street vendors selling delicious chimney cake, or ‘Kürtőskalács’ – a delicious sweet pastry that is a must-try when in Budapest.

It’s made by wrapping dough around a spit before rolling it in cinnamon sugar or chocolate, and you can grab them for as little as 445 HUF (or £1).

Return flights to Budapest cost as little as £42 with Ryanair, and city centre hotels such as the Benczúr offer rooms for as little as £30 a night.

Girona, Spain

Girona might not be the first place that comes to mind for a Spanish break, but it should be.

This colourful Catalan city has all the charm of Barcelona – without the chaos or the price tag.

Wander through the Old Town”s medieval streets to see sights like the impressive Gothic Cathedral and the famous colourful houses that line the Onyar River.

There are plenty of fascinating historic sites to visit, like the arching Arab Baths and the Força Vella, the Roman fortress remains.

You can even walk along the city walls for some unbeatable views.

There’s also some quirky places to visit such as the Cinema Museum, Game of Thrones filming sites and the Pont de las Peixateries Velles – the city’s iconic red bridge.

Food is where Girona really shines.

A coffee costs €1.50 (£1.30) and you can tuck into a menu del día (a hearty three-course lunch) for under €15 (£13).

Rocambolesc is known for its tubs of ice cream and gelato with lashings of delicious chocolate toppings.

Don’t miss out on xuixos, the city’s signature cream-filled pastry that’s best enjoyed warm with an espresso.

One-way flights from Manchester to Girona with Ryanair start from £14.99.

For a cheap place to stay, opt for the Ibis Budget Girona Costa Brava – with doubles from £48 per night.

Keeping the kids entertained on holiday is a non-stop job, especially when sunshine isn’t guaranteed.

Thankfully, Devon has loads to offer families, from days spent building sandcastles on beaches to adventure parks with fun rides and animals to meet. 

There are plenty of options if you’re looking to keep on a budget, with free things to do around the county, from events to museums that don’t cost a penny. 

We chatted to local experts and Sun readers who know Devon well to find out what they would recommend to families heading there on a £9.50 Holiday. 

We’ve also added in our own tips, plus Tripadvisor top-rated family attractions, so you and your family will have a £9.50 Holiday to remember… 

Fun on the farm

If you and the family are based in North Devon, a day out could be well spent at The Big Sheep, around a 45-minute drive from Croyde and its surrounding beaches.

Paul Braithwaite, General Manager at Ruda Holiday Park, said: “The Big Sheep is a family-friendly theme park with animals and attractions – including North Devon’s biggest and fastest rollercoaster.”

The park is a good rainy day option, with an indoor playground including giant slides, a baby sensory room and cafe.

Winter indoor play is from £4.50 for adults, £6 for kids, £4 for children under 3 ft and £2 for babies.Tip: Book online for the best rates.

On the south coast, the top-rated Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth has free entry and parking.

Spark their imaginations

Forget stuffy museums – The Box in Plymouth is packed with fun, interactive exhibits to wow your kids.

It’s free to enter, and has also been voted Best Family Attraction in the 2024 Muddy Stilettos Awards for Devon.

You can expect awesome artwork and creative activities such as the weekly sensory art sessions for one to four-year-olds (tip: these have an additional cost of £7 for the first child and £4 for each additional child).

Don’t miss the free Friday storytelling sessions – half an hour that will engage under-fives. 

Free daddy daycare

Dads (or male guardians) can make the most of free soft play sessions that take place every Thursday in Plymouth.

The Dads N’ Dinkies club has been recommended by Gem Krupa, Holiday Home Sales Manager at Challaborough Bay holiday park.

She said: “On Thursdays, Barnardo’s runs a Dads and Dinkies session, which is free soft play for dads and the children.

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

Sessions run on Thursdays at 1.30pm. Tip: pre-booking essential. 

Go to the big screen

On a rainy day, nothing beats the cinema.

And the Everyman Cinema in Plymouth comes highly-rated for families by Gem Krupa.

She said: “As well as adult sessions in the evening, the cinema has family-friendly screenings in the day.

It’s not that much more expensive than a regular cinema ticket but it’s a really cool experience.

There are sofas and armchairs in there. You get a blanket and a menu and you can order cocktails, or burgers and desserts.”

Family tickets are available. 

Steam train magic

Sun reader Richard Tilley from Devizes in Wiltshire has visited South Devon numerous times with his family, most recently staying at Parkdean Resorts Torquay.

Richard, 62, recommends exploring the South Devon coastline by steam train and ferry, like he did with his children when they were younger.

He said: “We used to take the family on the steam train from Paignton to Kingswear, then hop on a ferry over to Dartmouth and back. The kids loved it – it now brings back happy memories.”

Tickets from £14pp for a family of five. 

Tripadvisor’s Top 5 things to do in Devon with kids

Devon’s top-rated family attraction is Kents Cavern, a prehistoric labyrinth of underground passages in Torquay.

Kids will love exploring this cave, which was home to ancient humans sheltering from extreme weather and hunting Ice Age animals.

Nearby, Babbacombe Model Village and Gardens is also highly rated by Tripadvisor users, allowing you to step inside a miniature world.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Pennywell Farm in Buckfastleigh and The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth also make the top-rated list. 

The line at Holbox during the midweek lunch hour has become a cultural sensation, a queue of locals and visitors trailing past the automatic doors and around the parking lot like devotees angling for the latest iPhone series or limited-release sneakers. Believe the lauds, including ours when we named Holbox as The Times’ 2023 Restaurant of the Year. Gilberto Cetina’s command of mariscos is unmatched in Southern California – his ceviches, aguachiles and tostadas revolutionary in their freshness and jigsaw-intricate flavors. The smoked kanpachi taco alone — clinched with queso Chihuahua and finished with salsa cruda, avocado and drizzles of peanut salsa macha — is one of the most sophisticated things to eat in Los Angeles.

Holbox could be considered for the top ranking on its own strength. But in a year when disasters tore at our city, honoring the power of community feels more urgent than ever. Cetina’s seafood counter doesn’t thrive in a vacuum. Holbox resides inside the Mercado La Paloma in South L.A. The mercado is the economic-development arm of the Esperanza Community Housing Corp., a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 that counts affordable housing and equitable healthcare among its core missions. When the mercado was in the incubation stage, Esperanza’s executive director Nancy Ibrahim interviewed would-be restaurateurs about their challenges and hopes in starting a business. Among the candidates was Cetina’s father, Gilberto Sr., who proposed a stall serving his family’s regionally specific dishes from the Yucatán. Their venture, Chichén Itzá, was among the eight startups when the mercado opened in a former garment factory nearly 25 years ago, in February 2001.

Step into the 35,000-square-foot market today, and the smell of corn warms the senses. Fátima Juárez chose masa as her medium when she began working with Cetina at Holbox in 2017. Komal, the venue she opened last year with her husband, Conrado Rivera, is the only molino in L.A. grinding and nixtamalizing heirloom corn varieties daily. Among her deceptively spare menu of mostly quesadillas and tacos, start with the extraordinary quesadilla de flor de calabaza, a creased blue corn tortilla, bound by melted quesillo, arrayed with squash blossoms radiating like sunbeams.

Wander farther, past the communal sea of tiled tables between Holbox and Komal, to find jewels that first-timers or even regular visitors might overlook.

Taqueria Vista Hermosa, run by Raul Morales and his family, is the other remaining original tenant. Order an al pastor taco, or Morales’ specialty of Michoacan-style fish empapelado smothered in vegetables and wrapped in banana leaf. The lush, orange-scented cochinita pibil is the obvious choice next door at still-flourishing Chichén Itzá, but don’t overlook crackling kibi and the brunchy huevos motuleños over ham and black bean puree. The weekends-only tacos de barbacoa de chivo are our favorites at the stand called Oaxacalifornia, though we swing through any time for the piloncillo-sweetened café de olla and a scoop of smoked milk ice cream from its sibling juice and snack bar in the market’s center. Looking for the comfort of noodles? Try the pad see ew at Thai Corner Food Express in the far back.

The everyday and the exquisite; the fast and the formal (just try to score a reservation for Holbox’s twice-a-week tasting menu); a food hall and sanctuary for us all. Mercado La Paloma embodies the Los Angeles we love.

It’s never too late to book a ski trip for early next year, and there are plenty of all-inclusive package deals available across a list of desirable European destinations

Amidst the Christmas chaos, many of us start planning our trips for 2026, with skiing being one of the most popular holiday activities during the first few months of the year. However, by the time you factor in your ski pass, they can become notoriously expensive. Happily, there are four European resorts that start from just £320 per person, with everything included.

A booking website called Heidi allows travellers to search for their desired skiing package holiday with any dates or locations they prefer, bringing up the best deals. Users can also choose specific filters for a package, such as beginners, advanced, families, large ski areas, apres-ski, or opt for a short transfer.

To help holidaymakers find the best deal for booking a last-minute ski package holiday for January, Heidi has revealed their most affordable deals, including those from their most popular destinations. The packages include a three-night stay for two in January, with flights, accommodation, transfers and lift passes all included.

These are the most affordable package deals for January 2026:

1. Bansko, Bulgaria – £320pp

• Sunday, 18 January – Wednesday, 21 January
• Includes: Three nights B&B at Hotel Dzhangal, return London – Sofia flights, airport transfers, two-day ski lift pass

2. Les Houches, France – £332pp

• Sunday, 11 January – Wednesday, 14 January
• Includes: Three nights’ accommodation at Les Campanules, return London – Geneva flights, airport transfers, two-day ski lift pass

3. Zakopane, Poland – £342pp

• Sunday, 11 January to Wednesday, 14 January
• Includes: Three nights B&B at Hotel Nosalowy Dwór, return London – Krakow flights, airport transfers, two-day ski lift pass

4. Arinsal, Andorra – £350pp

• Tuesday, 13 January to Friday, 16 January
• Includes: Three nights’ accommodation at Sant Gothard, return London – Barcelona flights, airport transfers, two-day ski lift pass

Heidi noted that for those who don’t want ski passes included in the package, prices are expected to be even cheaper. Travellers can also search ‘anywhere’ on the Heidi website for further deals if they’re flexible on their location.

Co-founder of Heidi, Marcus Blunt shared: “If you’re not restricted to school holidays, go skiing in January – it’s off-peak and therefore usually the cheapest time and the slopes are quieter. Snow conditions are great in January, so you can also choose from lower altitude resorts, which can be cheaper than some of the bigger, higher-altitude resorts.

“If budgets are tight, go for a long weekend or short mid-week break. It may sound obvious, but with 4 or 5 nights instead of a full week, you still get lots of skiing in, but it really brings the overall cost down. If you’re flexible with your dates, use our flexible dates search filter – you could save hundreds by flying on mid-week days versus over a weekend.

“Everyone loves a bargain, but our customers prioritise getting great value over just the lowest price. Price matters, of course, but getting the quality experience they want for their money – with flexibility, convenience, and peace of mind – matters more. That’s where Heidi helps travellers make smart choices.”

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