bestvalue

IF you’ve got kids, you already know how the holiday hierarchy works.

A pool’s nice, a kids’ club’s helpful, but a hotel with its own on-site waterpark’s the holy grail – that’s the sort of currency that buys you good behaviour until Christmas.

The only problem is that waterpark holidays usually carry an eye-watering premium and sell out for summer, FAST.

So, I dug straight into our summer average booking data to find the spots delivering all the splash, without the cash.

And I’ve unearthed 7 family favourites where you get the slides, the lazy rivers, and the splash zones without completely clearing out the savings.

Here’s where your budget goes furthest this summer.

7. PortAventura Hotel Gold River, Costa Dorada

If you’ve got proper thrill-seekers in the family, they’ll love this hotel for more than just the waterpark.

Because you’re staying directly inside the PortAventura resort grounds, you get unlimited access to the main theme park and entry to the massive Caribe Aquatic Park, which features towering mega-slides, indoor play areas, and massive wave pools.

The real insider win at this hotel though, is the hotel’s private entrance to the park – it completely bypasses the main turnstiles, letting you stroll straight into the park before the main gates open to help you beat the August queues.

For this setup, the average summer price sits at £130 per person per night – but when I had a look, I tracked down a half-board stay at PortAventura Hotel Gold River for just £528pp in late August.

6. Mukarnas Spa & Resort Hotel, Turkey

The Mukarnas Spa & Resort Hotel in Alanya shows exactly why Turkey dominates family holiday value charts every single year.

The hotel boasts a serious aquapark packed with multiple high-speed drop slides, curved flumes, and dedicated pirate-themed splash zones for toddlers.

And what makes this hotel a certified winner for parents, too, is the layout of the beach pier – the resort positions its quiet cabanas just far enough from the waterslides that you can actually escape the noise and read a book while the animation team keeps the kids occupied.

The average summer price for this one comes in at £126 per person per night, but you can score the full package at Murkanas Spa & Resort on an all-inclusive basis for £650pp this August.

5. HYB Eurocalas, Majorca

The HYB Eurocalas is one of Majorca’s most reliable value family hotels year after year, and it’s an absolute paradise for younger kids.

The star of the show is its massive, pirate-themed splash park, which is completely packed with mini slides, water cannons, bucket drops, and enough colourful chaos to keep toddlers entertained for hours.

This hotel’s also kitted out with multi-room family apartments that come with proper partitions, meaning you don’t have to sit in the dark whispering from 8pm when the kids crash out after a day on the slides.

The average summer price sits at a very reasonable £125 per person per night, and when I went searching, I found a peak-summer, 5-night all-inclusive deal at HYB Eurocalas for £540pp in August.

4. Club Mac, Majorca

Club Mac Alcudia is basically an institution for British families after years and years of popularity, and it’s famous for being an absolute beast for entertainment.

Aside from its own massive three-hotel pool complex, booking a room here gives your family free, unlimited access to the huge Hidropark waterpark right across the road, which features 15 different multi-lane racer slides and kamikazes.

The best bit of insider advice I can give you for this resort is their late-night buffet service –  they run a dedicated midnight snack station that’s absolute gold dust if you’ve been out watching the family tribute acts and have kids suddenly complaining they’re starving at 11pm.

This classic family favourite has an average summer price of £124 per person per night. But right now, you can bag an all-inclusive stay at Club Mac this August for just £500pp.

3. Eftalia Splash Resort, Turkey

Eftalia Splash Resort is where the value starts getting ridiculous, especially given the scale of the attractions on offer.

It features one of the most towering, intense waterpark setups you will find anywhere in Europe at this price point, boasting massive multi-lane racers, family raft flumes, black holes, and a huge splash tower.

The killer insider feature here is the ‘Eftalia Island’ beach club access. Because the hotel runs a seamless, free shuttle down to a massive beachfront complex where the all-inclusive food and drinks carry over to the sand, meaning you never have to budget extra for lunch by the sea.

The average summer price is sitting at £109 per person per night, and I clocked an all-inclusive package at Eftalia Splash for £613pp between 22–27 August 2026. Bargain.

2. Bellevue Club, Majorca

The Bellevue Club in Alcudia is a big self-contained resort and one of Europe’s largest holiday complexes – but it’s different to your typical waterpark hotel in that the waterslides aren’t really the main attraction.

This place packs in multiple distinct pool zones, sports areas, and an on-site lake, alongside an array of family-friendly waterslides and splash zones.

And as this place is so sprawling, the insider trick is utilising their on-site supermarket and private guest laundry facilities, which means you can pack light, skip the airline checked-bag fees entirely, and sort breakfast in the room for pennies before heading out to the central flumes.

The average summer price is an incredibly low £107 per person per night, but I dug up a self-catering deal at Bellevue Club, in August, for just £335pp. This deal might be my pick of the bunch!

1. THB Tropical Island, Lanzarote

My absolute top waterpark hotel on the board is THB Tropical Island in Playa Blanca, which completely dismantles the theory that Canary Islands waterpark holidays require a second mortgage.

The resort features a massive array of splash zones, family slides, and premium cooling-off spots scattered across its massive grounds.

But what makes this hotel the absolute benchmark for value on this list for parents is its adult-only quiet zones.

The resort has cleverly cordoned off a premium, deep-water pool and thermal spa area strictly for adults, meaning you can trade waterslide shifts with your partner to get an hour of genuine peace while the kids are tearing up the splash park down the other end.

The average summer price is a stunning £91 per person per night, and when I went for a peek at the deals, I found an August self-catering stay at THB Tropical Island for an absurdly low £363pp, flying from Edinburgh from 22–27 August 2026.

IF you haven’t booked yourself a summer holiday yet, or you’re desperate to upgrade your battered old suitcases…you’re in luck.

Top travel brands like Expedia, Eastpak, and On the Beach have launched massive summer sales – and we’ve rounded up the top deals.

These companies have slashed prices on everything from plane essentials to entire package holidays.

We’ve scoured their websites to find the biggest discounts so you don’t have to.

Here are the top online travel deals you can snap up right now.

Eastpak Luggage Summer Sale – up to 50% off

Need a big, durable suitcase with heaps of packing room inside? Eastpak if your best bet.

TURK NOTE

Turkey urges tourists it’s ‘safe to travel’ with insanely cheap holiday deals

SUN SEEKER

I use ‘deal stacking’ tricks to save £1,000s on holidays & get FREE upgrades

Eastpak Luggage are running a summer sale where there’s up to 50% off on luggage, meaning you can make some huge savings on high-quality suitcases.

One of the biggest price drop items is the Travelpack backpack, where the price has been slashed in half from £95 to £47.50

If you’re looking for large luggage with plenty of room for your holidays, the TRANZVERZ L is currently 40% off – down from £185 to £111.

Another suitcase with big savings is the TRANVERZ M, a medium-sized suitcase on wheels which is down from its full price of £165 to £99 instead.

Expedia Big Summer Sale – up to 35% off

Expedia’s Big Summer Sale has lots of hotels and package holidays still available for the summer where you can bag some major savings.

There’s also deals on flights and car hire, so you can sort out everything you’ll need for your holiday in one place.

Included in the sale are last-minute beach holidays, such as three nights at the adults-only Hotel THB María Isabel in Majorca for £217pp (saving £98).

Plus this package holiday in Greece comes with an extra night for free, staying three nights at the Oktober Downtown Boutique Hotel in Rhodes for £310pp (saving £101).

Here’s a selection of some of the top deals we could find

Packing cubes – 38% off

If you haven’t started using packing cubes yet, now’s the time.

This eight piece set on Amazon is down 38% to £9.95, so you can grab yourself a full kit for under a tenner.

Rolling clothes into these cubes can save on luggage space, plus the kit comes with a dedicated toiletries bag and wet bag for swimwear – all are waterproof.

Not only can they save room in your suitcase, but they’ll save you time, too.

We all know that feeling of rummaging through a huge disorganised pile on the hotel room floor to find what you need.

Save yourself the hassle and keep things organised.

Amazon Travel Packing Cubes – £15.99 NOW £9.95

On the Beach holiday deals – £££ off + kids go free

On the Beach have a huge number of package holidays on sale, with destinations ranging from Spain and Greece to Florida.

These holidays include flights and accommodation, and are currently up to hundreds of pounds off full price.

Some of the best deals include a week-long stay in Albufeira for £250pp at the Muthu Balaia Sol hotel, which even has a kids stay free offer.

There’s also a week-long stay at the Villamarina Club hotel in Salou for £385pp, which also offers free kids’ places. This holiday is currently £107 off.

Other holiday deals in the sale include:

Browse their top deals page for more holiday deals.

Noise reduction earplugs – 80% off

If you’re tired of jamming cheap foam plugs into your ears – wondering if you’re doing actual damage to your ear canals – it’s time for an upgrade.

These Amazon earplugs are currently on sale for a massive 80% off, down from £49.99 to £9.99.

These soft and flexible earplugs are designed to mould perfectly into the ear – much comfier than the free pairs, which also don’t really block any noise.

In fact, these earplugs also provide 40% stronger sound isolation than regular foam alternatives, helping you enjoy the silence and sleep soundly.

Plus these plugs are specifically designed ‘to Block Snoring & Partner’s Noise,’ a saviour if you travel with a loud sleeper.

Amazon FIKSFA Ear Plugs – £49.99 NOW £9.99

Memory foam travel pillow – 20% off

Gone are the days of trying to get comfortable leaning against the plane window. Or worse, craning your head down onto your shoulder, leading to interrupted sleep and neck pain.

Travel pillows are a must for long haul flights – but not all of them are built the same.

This memory foam neck pillow from Amazon is ergonomically designed to cradle your neck perfectly.

Plus it even comes with ear plugs and an eye mask for optimum sleep, as well as a travel bag to keep it safe and clean.

It’s currently on sale, down 20% to £11.89. Skip the inflated airport prices and grab yourself a deal – and a better night’s sleep, too.

Amazon Cirorld Travel Pillow + ear plugs + eye mask – £14.99 NOW £11.89

*Prices correct at the time of publication.

IF you’ve got any theme park fanatics in the family, you’ll want to read on.

While the UK’s biggest theme parks are home to some world-class rollercoasters and rides, they aren’t always the kindest to your bank balance.

Once you add up entry for the whole family, parking, and a place to stay for the weekend, sometimes you’re looking at spending hundreds.

But we’ve mapped the most affordable theme parks in the UK, plus cheap hotels and holiday parks nearby.

Research from credit card brand Aqua has found the UK’s top 10 most affordable theme parks.

The rankings are based on factors like the price of a peak-season weekend adult ticket, and bang for your buck when it comes to the number of rollercoasters at the park.

10. The Milky Way Adventure Park / Twinlakes Family Theme Park

In joint-10th place for the best-value theme parks are The Milky Way Adventure Park in North Devon and Twinlakes Family Theme Park in Melton Mowbray.

Both parks have an average adult ticket price of £20, with just three rollercoasters in each park; however, they have plenty of other attractions and lots to do for younger children.

All rides at The Milky Way Adventure Park are included with the cost of your entry, and include the Gravity Rider tubing slide, the Cosmic Caterpillar coaster, and the Milky Way Train, which takes you around the scenic countryside grounds.

Twinlakes Family Theme Park is an all-weather option with indoor activities like soft play and the Davy Jones indoor water ride, plus outdoor fun like a splash park and live falconry performances.

Another plus of both attractions is that you can park for free.

However, when it comes to a place to stay, Twinlakes is drastically cheaper.

A hotel stay near Twinlakes averages £172 per night, whereas it averages £260 for a stay near Milky Way.

For an affordable stay just five minutes down the road from The Milky Way Adventure Park, opt for Parkdean Resorts Bideford Bay Holiday Park.

A two-night stay in June in a Bronze caravan, which sleeps up to six, starts from £141.

If you stay as a group of six, that works out to £11.75pp per night.

For an affordable stay near Twinlakes, try their heated pods. You can stay two nights in a lodge that sleeps up to six, with theme park tickets included, for £199 total.

If you fill the lodge, that works out to just over £33pp for two nights’ accommodation, theme park entry and all of your rides already paid for.

9. Paultons Park

Paultons Park in the New Forest ranks at number nine, with an entry ticket costing a pricey £46.75pp – but there are 10 thrilling rollercoasters here to enjoy, plus plenty more, including a brand new theme park land.

The new £12m Viking-themed land, Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, which opened on May 16, will feature an inverted rollercoaster called Drakon.

The theme park has plenty more to see and do, such as the spooky Ghostly Manor ride and family-friendly, dinosaur-themed coaster Flight of the Pterosaur.

Even though the entry cost is steep, kids under 1m in height go free – plus the cost per coaster, if you ride them all, works out to an affordable £4.68.

When it comes to accommodation, a nearby hotel averages at £234 per night, which brings this theme park down in the rankings.

However, we’ve found an affordable stay at the nearby Sandy Balls holiday village.

A three-night stay in a six-berth luxury caravan from June 29 costs £296 total – working out at £16.44pp per night.

8. Adventure Island

Southend-on-Sea‘s Adventure Island ranks at number eight, and is a free-admission theme park, meaning it’s free to walk around. But to access the rides, you’ll need a £25 wristband.

There are more than 40 rides and attractions to choose from here, including seven rollercoasters.

Popular rides and attractions include Axis, the huge pendulum swing ride, and Rage, a thrilling, twisting rollercoaster.

The cost per ride averages at an affordable £3.57, according to Aqua, making this seaside theme park a wallet-friendly choice.

As for accommodation nearby, the average hotel would set you back £196 per night.

However, a stay at the Premier Inn Southend On Sea (Eastern Esplanade) starts at just £68 a night.

7. Alton Towers Resort

Popular theme park Alton Towers in Stoke-on-Trent comes in at number seven, with an average adult ticket price of £38 for 19 rollercoasters – some of which are world-famous.

Younger children will love the new Bluey coaster and Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop ride, while adrenaline junkies can take on The Smiler or Oblivion.

The average cost per coaster here is £2, so it’s fair to say that you get some great bang for your buck at this theme park.

However, it is worth noting that the cheapest parking available is £13, and the average cost of a nearby hotel is £171 a night.

For a budget-friendly base, opt for the Weathervane Hotel by Greene King Inns, where you can bag a double room for two nights for just £125.

6. Drayton Manor Resort

Drayton Manor in Tamworth offers a great-value family day out, with entry tickets averaging at £30, 12 rollercoasters, and over 50 rides and attractions.

Family favourites include Thomas Land, a Thomas the Tank Engine-themed area with 25 rides and attractions of its own, and adrenaline zones, Vikings and Adventure Cove.

Some of the park’s most popular coasters are The Wave, an inverting coaster, and Gold Rush, the wild west-themed ride that opened in 2024.

The average cost per rollercoaster works out to £2.46. Parking costs a reasonable £10, and the average nearby hotel costs £141 per night.

Stay at the nearby Travelodge Tamworth M42 with double rooms from £28.99 a night.

5. Codona’s

Codona’s Amusement Park in Aberdeen is a traditional beachfront amusement park with seven exciting rollercoasters.

There are several ticket options to choose from, which include various perks like food and rounds of mini golf, but the average adult ticket costs £25.

Popular rides include the Dead Man’s Drop, a tower ride that launches you into the sky before sending you plummeting back down, and the refreshing White Water Log Flume.

There’s also karting, bumper boats, adventure golf and a Ferris wheel that offers spectacular views of the city skyline. The average cost per rollercoaster based on ticket price works out to £3.57 per coaster.

The average hotel cost nearby is £149 per night, but you can stay in a double room at the Holiday Inn Express Aberdeen City Centre from £51 per night.

4. M&D’s Scotland Theme Park

M&D’s in Strathclyde is an all-singing, all-dancing attraction known as Scotland’s Theme Park, and it has an affordable entry cost of £20.

There are both fairground-style rides and thrill coasters here, making M&D’s a fantastic option for a family day out or staycation.

The Runaway Mine Train is a fan-favourite and takes riders through twists and turns through a mining town on an adorable miniature train.

For something more adrenaline-pumping, there’s Freak Out – a spectacular, spinning pendulum ride that can be seen (and heard) from the other side of the park.

The cost per coaster works out to just £2.49, and there’s plenty more weather-proof things to see and do, like 10-pin bowling and exploring one of the largest indoor amusement arcades in Scotland.

The average cost of a hotel in the area is £174 per night, but you can stay 3 minutes away in a double room at the Holiday Inn Express Strathclyde Park from £69 per night.

3. Fantasy Island / Gulliver’s Land

Coming in joint-third for the UK’s best-value theme parks are Fantasy Island in Ingoldmells near Skegness and Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes.

The average adult ticket price for both parks is £26. Fantasy Island has 10 rollercoasters, and Gulliver’s Land has just seven.

Fantasy Island offers colourful and thrilling loop rides right on the beach front of seaside town Ingoldmells, plus classics like water rapids, bumper cars and a log flume.

The big three thrill rides at Fantasy Island are The Odyssey, a looping coaster, Millennium, a high-speed ride and The Volcano, a tower ride that shoots you high into the sky.

Gulliver’s Land, on the other hand, focuses on rides and attractions for primarily younger children.

There are rides like The Wriggler, a caterpillar coaster, and the Rockin’ Tug, a gentle pirate boat ride.

Mini thrill seekers can also enjoy the tall Tree Top Swings, or soar into the skies on the 360° ride Dragon Siege.

There’s also a dinosaur sculpture area, and a farm park where you can meet the animals.

The average cost per rollercoaster at Gulliver’s Land is £3.71, whereas at Fantasy Island it works out to £2.61.

But Gulliver’s Land takes the edge when it comes to parking, as you can park for free, whereas parking at Fantasy Island starts at £8.

The average cost for a hotel near both theme parks is £135.

For a cheap place to stay near Fantasy Island, book a Silver Caravan at Coastfields in Ingoldmells – three nights over a weekend in a six-berth caravan starts from £205 total in June.

And for somewhere to stay near Gulliver’s Land, go for the Holiday Inn Express Milton Keynes, where you can bag a double room with a hot breakfast included from £86 per night.

2. Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park

Lightwater Valley in North Yorkshire ranks as the second best-value UK theme park, with an average adult ticket price of £25.

With a lineup of 11 family-friendly coasters to choose from, riding each works out to just £2.23 per ride.

There are wholesome, family-friendly coasters like the Ladybird and Spin Bug, and fun extras like a Jeep Safari as well as several miniature train rides.

Plus, 2026 brings a new ride, the Spinning Racer, to the park, a colourful, curving rollercoaster that looks like a giant Scalextric track.

While you can park for free, which is a plus, the average cost of a hotel nearby is a hefty £222 a night.

Luckily, we’ve found a much cheaper option. You can book a double room at the Premier Inn Thirsk hotel from £57 per night.

1. Blackpool Pleasure Beach

The best-value theme park according to the data is family-favourite Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

While the average adult ticket price is £32, there are a whopping 26 coasters to have a go on – that works out to a cost of £1.22 per ride.

Rollercoasters include the Big One, with a 235ft drop, and Launch Pad, which shoots you to speeds of 80mph.

There are also dark rides like the Ghost Train and Valhalla, plus Nickelodeon-themed rides like SpongeBob’s Splash Bash and the toddler-friendly Bikini Bottom Bus Tour.

Plus, there’s a major new ride coming this year – the £8m Aviktas, a record-breaking gyro swing ride, is set to become the tallest in the UK, at 138ft tall, and is set to open this month.

The cheapest available parking nearby is £15, and the average price for a hotel in the area is £121.

For a budget-friendly base for your Blackpool staycation, stay at Haven Marton Mere, where four nights in a saver caravan which sleeps four starts at £49 this June.