Children parenting and family life

Jenna Carr aka ‘Travel Mum’ has made travelling with her family her full-time job.

On her social pages, she reveals how to find last-minute cheap holiday deals, top travel tips – and now, her most underrated holiday destinations.

For fun family breaks that you might not have considered – Jenna says we should think about our closest neighbour.

Talking to Sun Travel, Jenna said: “France is overlooked a lot and it’s so close to us – you can drive over, which is much easier with a family.

“Of course you’ve got the famous spots like Paris and Disneyland, but there are lots of other places that are just as lovely.

“We went camping in the south of France last summer and flew into Nice, which didn’t take long from the UK – and went to a couple of places along the coast.”

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“It also has so many great holiday parks and campsites too.”

In fact, France has over ten thousand registered campsites across the country – some even have waterparks and beach clubs.

Equally great for a cross-Channel break is the Netherlands, thanks to its award-winning theme park that Jenna reckons is on a par with Disneyland Paris.

She said: “We’ve driven over there from the UK a lot, and there’s loads to do for families.

“The theme park, Efteling, is really cool – I’d call it Disneyland Paris after dark. It’s based on fairytales and is a little creepy.

“But I prefer it to Disneyland. I think it’s a bit more authentic, and it feels more magical.”

Efteling is a popular fairytale-themed attraction in Kaatsheuvel.

Some of the most thrilling rides in the park include Baron 1898 which has a 120ft free-fall drop into a mineshaft at 55mph.

There’s a double-track rollercoaster called Joris en de Draak where riders can speed past a 39ft fire-breathing dragon.

The theme park is also home to the world’s largest swinging ship, a monorail, and an 100-year-old steam carousel.

Day tickets for Efteling for anyone over the age of four range from €40 to €56 depending on the day of visit.

You could tie the theme park into a city break with the kids, as it’s under an hour on the train from Amsterdam – so plenty of culture for the adults and roller coasters for the kids in one trip.

March is one of the most reliable months for a family city break, and Amsterdam is one of the easiest cities to do with children.

The weather sits around 10 to 12C, the city starts to feel brighter, and peak tourism is still a few weeks away.

It is flat, organised and designed for everyday life, which makes navigating it with kids feel intuitive rather than stressful.

March is also when parks, canal walks and museums like NEMO Science Museum really come into their own, giving you options that work whether the day is high energy or low key.

If you’re looking for somewhere with guaranteed sun, head outside of Europe for Agadir in Morocco.

The coastal resort city has plenty of sunshine, sandy beaches with vibrant souks and hotels.

Jenna said: “I know it’s not a place where families would traditionally go – but it’s amazing.

“It’s very cheap, they’ve got lovely hotels and there’s lots of fun activities to do, and it’s culturally interesting.

“It’s not like the Costa del Sol where everything’s made for the Brits. It’s Morocco, so you can go to markets and explore the desert.”

During her holiday, Jenna and her family checked into the Allegro Agadir.

She went on to tell Sun Travel that not only is Agadir family-friendly, it’s also cheap as she paid just £600 for her family of three at the time.

It has plenty of running about space for kids on the grassy areas and children have their own swimming pool, games and club.

There’s also a tennis court, evening entertainment and all rooms either have views across the pool, or over the garden.

The hotel is a short walk from the beach where there are complimentary sunbeds for hotel guests.

Jen’s new book ‘Yes You Can Travel With Kids’ is available now on Amazon.

For more on family holidays, here are the cheapest destinations under three hours from UK that are over 20C this Easter.

And here are eight holiday destinations the Sun Travel team have their eye on for March – with flights from £13.

TELLY viewers have been delighting in the trials and tribulations of actor Danny Dyer and his Love Islander daughter Dani as they invest in, and manage, a holiday caravan park.

The Dyers’ Caravan Park, on Sky, is filmed at the Priory Hill site on Kent’s Isle of Sheppey – and has seen increased interest in park life, reports staycation giant Hoseasons.

It says bookings are up 29 per cent for pet-friendly breaks, and nine per cent for couples.

So where to book your break?

Lisa Minot suggests the perfect parks for all types . . . 

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BEST FOR BEACHES

SUN HAVEN HOLIDAY PARK, CORNWALL: Featuring a “secret” woodland path leading to dog-friendly Mawgan Porth Beach, above, 15 minutes away, this holiday park just outside Newquay’s famous bay is perfect for a seaside break.

It’s a surfer’s paradise and is just a short drive from the waves of Fistral Beach.

You can choose between holiday homes, rustic shepherd’s huts and modern, luxury lodges. Prices start from £322 for seven nights.

NORTH SHORE HOLIDAY PARK, SKEGNESS: This park is perfectly positioned just a ten-minute stroll from Skegness’ Blue Flag sands and its lively pier.

On site, families can enjoy an 18-hole pitch-and-putt, tennis courts and a classic arcade as well as the park’s very own pub.

There are apartments, caravans and lodges to stay in. Prices start from £165 for seven nights.

BEST FOR FAMILIES

LADRAM BAY HOLIDAY PARK, DEVON: Having been family-run for 75 years, Ladram Bay, knows what a multi-generational getaway should be.

It’s won awards, not just for its knockout activities, which includes the Fae & Flurry interactive dragon show, and adventure golf, but also its modern static caravans, some of which come with hot tubs.

There is a private beach, too, for rockpooling and kayaking. From £305 for seven nights.

RIVERSIDE HOLIDAY VILLAGE, SOMERSET: An absolute haven for young nature lovers, tucked away in the village of Bleadon, Riverside has walking trails galore on its doorstep.

There’s also an on-site fishing lake.

Meanwhile, big kids will love the indoor heated swimming pool with a splash pool for younger tots, the amusement arcade, a convenience shop and two adventure playgrounds.

Prices from £325 for seven nights.

BEST FOR COUPLES

CRAKE VALLEY, LAKE DISTRICT: Few regions in the UK offer views more breathtaking than the Lakes – and at Crake Valley couples will be blown away by the spectacular setting, above Coniston Water and backed by craggy fells.

There are a number of quaint two-person lodges, which come with log burners and hot tubs ideal for stargazing under the sparkling sky.

Prices from £409 for seven nights.

MULLION COVE COASTAL RETREAT, CORNWALL: Couples can hunker down in the one-bedroom Porthleven Premier lodges which feature French doors leading on to a spacious decking area complete with sunken Jacuzzi.

Tucked away just above Cornwall’s Mullion Cove, the secluded setting makes for a great off-grid escape where you can while away the hours with a book, or watch the sun set.

Prices from £295 for seven nights.

BEST FOR WATERPARK FUN

VAUXHALL HOLIDAY PARK, GREAT YARMOUTH, NORFOLK: Tropical Waterworld, is undoubtedly the shining star of this action-packed holiday park, kitted out with twirling waterslides and splash zones that will get adrenaline junkies’ hearts pumping.

Kids will love the treehouse adventure playground, jungle golf and mini golf.

Satisfy little tummies with fish and chips, pizza, fried chicken and ice cream. From £139 for seven nights.

TRELAWNE MANOR, CORNWALL: Waterslide, lake or pool?

You can take your pick at this Cornish gem, set in the grounds of a stately home in Looe.

The outdoor pool, with whooshing flume, is so large that it never gets too crowded.

Kids can have a play on the amusements while adults enjoy a game of snooker or take to the tennis courts.

Lodges and caravans are airy and modern. Prices from £122 for seven nights.

BEST FOR WALKING

SUNNYVALE HOLIDAY PARK, PEMBROKESHIRE: This site sits at the gate-way to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, ideal for exploring rugged cliff-top trails and hidden coves.

It’s also within easy reach of treks in the Snowdonia National Park and along historic Offa’s Dyke Path.

With a variety of nearby walking routes, from gentle seaside strolls and waterfall treks to longer, more challenging mountain trails, it’s ideal for all abilities.

From £446 for seven nights.

LEE VALLEY, HERTFORDSHIRE: Close to the bright lights of London, this holiday park is set within a 10,000-acre park surrounded by picturesque countryside here and in Essex.

There are miles of flat, accessible riverside paths, above.

Perfect for all generations and direct access to forest trails and cycling routes.

A mix of lodges and caravans to choose from, too. Prices from £339 for seven nights.

BEST FOR PETS

WAYFIND PENNANT PARK, NORTH WALES: This haven near the coast has views of the Dee Estuary and dedicated paths coastal trails for dog-walking.

Lodges, feature fully enclosed decking and include a Dog Welcome Pack with bowls and treats.

The resort also offers weekly events including live music and quizzes.

Prices start from £359 for seven nights.

SANDYMOUTH HOLIDAY RESORT, NORTH CORNWALL: This park also welcomes dogs and is close to the expansive, pooch-friendly sands of Sandymouth Bay.

Surrounded by miles of coastal walking trails and open countryside, there’s also lots for the humans to keep themselves amused, from watersports and swimming pools, to sports courts and evening entertainment.

Prices from £179 for seven nights.

BEST FOR ACTIVITIES

DARWIN FOREST, PEAK DISTRICT: This woodland escape on the edge of the Peak District combines award-winning facilities with miles of scenic trails for walking and cycling.

After a hike, unwind in the spa or indoor swimming pool.

Other action-packed fun ranges from archery and mini-golf, to pickleball and scavenger hunts.

With Alton Towers nearby, it’s ideal for family adventures. From £635 for seven nights.

Finlake Resort & Spa, Devon: Set within 130 acres of woodland, this park offers the perfect mix of peaceful nature and all-action fun.

Holidaymakers can fill their days with everything from fencing, archery and horse riding to fishing, tennis and even sea scooters.

There’s a luxury spa and fitness complex as well as indoor and outdoor pools with flume rides and children’s water playground. From £229 for seven nights.

PAULTONS Park has unveiled the first look at its new £12million viking-themed world.

Valgard: Realm of Vikings is set to open at Paultons Park in Hampshire, on May 16 this year and now a first look at the themed land has been revealed.

Valgard will be the theme park’s largest investment to date and is aimed at older kids and teenagers.

The themed land will have Paultons Park’s first inverting rollercoaster – Drakon – which will feature a vertical lift hill and two twists that take riders upside down.

Fans rushed to Paultons Park’s social media to see the reveal of Drakon, which includes a drone video of a carriage being sent around the track.

One user commented: “Ok I watched it too many times with a smile on my face – Paultons Park, see you in July.”

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Another added: “Omg looks absolutely incredible!”

There will also be a ride called Vild Swing that will swirl riders 12metres into the air.

And another ride, Cobra – which is already at the theme park – will be reborn into Raven as a bobsled adventure ride.

The area around the rides will be Viking themed, with a Feasting Hall restaurant and new Viking-inspired playground for younger visitors.

Last year, the theme park also confirmed that there will be another major thrill ride added to Valgard in 2027 – teasing that it will be a ‘water-related experience’.

Lawrence Mancey, marketing and technology director at Paultons Park, said: “Despite weeks of rain and difficult conditions, our team and contractors have made incredible progress on site.

“We designed Valgard to offer an immersive, atmospheric, and action-packed experience for families, and it’s amazing to see the vision come together.

“In the last few weeks new pathways have gone in, landscaping has begun, and our Viking statues have been installed.

“Drakon and Vild Swing have begun testing and the Feasting Hall restaurant is looking incredible.

“We are so excited to open the gates in May and see Valgard conquered by our guests.

“It’s great to be able to share the construction journey and anticipation with our fans online too.”

With the addition of Valgard: Realm of the Vikings, the theme park will have 80 rides and attractions across six themed worlds which include Tornado Springs and Lost Kingdom.

In November, the park also revealed that it is planning to build over 120 new holiday homes for just under 600 guests.

Each holiday home would feature either two, three or four bedrooms and they would all be self-catered.

In addition to the holiday homes, there will be a 400sqm restaurant, a 65sqm shop selling food and essentials, an entertainment room and a games room for indoor activities.

In other theme park news, you can get a year’s free entry to 20 of the UK’s top theme parks and attractions for less than the cost of one chocolate bar a week.

Plus, there’s a European theme park that’s like ‘Eden Project meets Disney’ and it is getting two new rides this summer.

THE Apprentice star Luisa Zissman was forced to improvise to keep her kids entertained as they took shelter during missile strikes on their adopted home in Dubai.

The podcaster, 38, is one of many celebrities who relocated to UAE and was caught up in the terrifying Iranian missile strikes in Dubai this weekend.

Luisa spoke of how the family had planned to head out to the park when the Iranian missiles started hitting Dubai, so they retreated to the basement to stay safe.

She and two of her daughters, Indigo Esme, nine and Clementine, seven, moved earlier this year to join her millionaire husband Andrew Collins.

Her eldest daughter Dixie, 15, with ex-husband Olivier Zissman, is staying in the UK to finish her schooling.

Luisa described the situation in Dubai as “surreal and scary” and showed how she was keeping her kids distracted, including doing baking and watching.

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 “Home baked bread rolls. Keeping the kids entertained and indoors,” she captioned a post on Instagram.

“We got itchy feet and went to take them to the park and literally as we went to step foot out the door we heard two massive explosions that shook the house, we retreated and then heard another two. So now movie time in the basement.”

Luisa concluded: “So surreal and scary. I do faith that UAE defence will keep us all safe.”

She also showed fans how she had set up her basement to take shelter, including setting up some sleeping space for friends who were going to stay with them.

“We’ve decided to try and carry on as normal for the moment,” she explained, then showed how she’d stocked up the basement mini fridge with bottles of water though she was, “sure it won’t come to that.”

“Nothing major has happened, everything is relatively fine… when you’re here, it’s not so bad.”

Before retreating to the basement and as the missile strikes began, Luisa had thanked her fans for their concern.

“Lots of messages re Dubai,” she penned on her Instagram stories, alongside a selfie.

She added: “Lots of bangs we are hearing. Stay safe fellow UAE gang.”

Iran launched a barrage of rockets at nations across the Middle East after vowing revenge for the US and Israel’s huge blitz on the regime.

As the United Arab Emirate’s top holiday hot spot, Dubai has become a sought after travel destination for celebrities and influencers.

In more recent times, stars from the United Kingdom have been emigrating there, with many Brit celebs choosing Dubai as the place they want to bring up their families and base their careers.

Famous holidaymakers such as Vicky Pattison and Laura Anderson are currently stuck in Dubai amid the missile strikes.

Vicky was connecting through the city on her way to Australia with her husband Ercan.

But taking to Instagram on Saturday evening, she wrote: “Ercan and I were due to fly to Sydney this evening.

“But like many others, our flight has been cancelled and we are now effectively stuck in Dubai.”

CHARLOTTE Crosby has revealed that her one-year-old baby daughter has taken her first steps in a very sweet update.

The Geordie Shore legend, 35, took to Instagram to share the adorable news with her fans.

Charlotte posted some cute clips and captioned them: “Had some little milestones while out here. Alba officially ditched her night nappies. 5 nights and counting no nappy no accidents.

“And Pixi took her first steps! I really truly think next week we are gonna have an official little walker!

“She’s so tiny it looks so strange her taking steps. She’s definitely earlier than Alba my clever little munchkin.

“Feeling all the emotions watching them take these next steps.

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“My girls, my two little best friends.”

In a later snaps, a giggling Pixi looked adorable as Charlotte captioned them: “We caught this one step on camera last night but she did about 4 at once yesterday.”

A gorgeous snap of Alba followed with her dancing adoringly for the camera, as her proud mum captioned the clip: “I just can’t with her,” alongside a string of loving emojis.

The TV personality laid bare her life last year in the Paramount+ show, Geordie Stories: Charlotte Mam of Two.

However, Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Charlotte said: “You heard it here first. I won’t be continuing doing that one, not that exact show.

“Whether or not I have another show about my life or following my wedding, that will happen at some point when I do decide to get married, but right now that show with Paramount is parked up.”

The series showed Charlotte’s busier than ever lifestyle with a months-old baby and a toddler.

It also followed Charlotte’s romance with Jake Anker, and the ups and downs of their relationship.

The pair previously opened up to The Sun that the couple struggled financially after having their second child. 

A young Charlotte. first appeared on our screens back in 2011 as a wild 21-year-old living it up in the Geordie Shore house.

The show was a British spin-off of the American series Jersey Shore, and was set in Newcastle.

Bubbly Charlotte also made appearances on Celebrity Big Brother, Celebs Go Dating and Tattoo Disasters UK.

However, she is desperate to pull on a murderous cloak for BBC‘s The Traitors and is a massive fan of the show.

But when her agent tried to get her on series two he was told reality stars are ‘banned’.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Charlotte said: “I would love to do that but you do know they’ve got a no reality rule. That is a genuine fact.”

Charlotte shares her two daughters with fiancé Jake, who she got engaged to in November 2023.

Jake runs the Streamline Executive chauffeur company, with clients including David Beckham. 

The couple are very proud parents to Alba, born in 2022, and Pixi, born in 2025.

STARGAZE for days at this island gem, says Associate Editor Sarah Barns.

The Pad

With a slipper bath, outdoor shower and a cloud-like king-size bed, Glamping The Wight Way’s four plush safari tents are ideal for giving off-grid life a go.

Set in lush meadows between Yarmouth and Freshwater, expect solar-panel lighting and USB charging points, plus three spacious bedrooms, a sofa bed, a well-equipped kitchen and a wood burner.

We loved toasting marshmallows on the fire bowl overlooking the River Yar – one of the best paddleboarding spots in the UK – and gazing at the starry night skies.

There are also countryside walks, cycling trails and horse-riding opportunities, as well as binoculars in the dresser for spotting red squirrels and an Isle of Wight edition of Monopoly.

Nab the swing chair and watch the kids run around with the rounders set as the fairy lights twinkle.

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Explore

The golden beaches at Freshwater Bay, Compton Bay and Colwell Bay are nearby, and you’re only five minutes’ drive from Tapnell Farm Park with its go-karts, jumping pillows, sledge slides, soft play and an array of animals.

The Wallaby Walkabout, where you get to feed the marsupials, is a particular hit.

Entry costs from £8 per adult, £10 per child (Tapnellfarm.com).

Robin Hill is a 30-minute drive away, offering 88 acres of adventure, with 35 rides, treetop walks, climbing walls, mini diggers and electric boats.

The exhilarating quarter-mile downhill toboggan ride will have even the big kids screaming.

Entry costs from £16.49 per person over 1m (Robin-hill.com).

No trip to the island is complete without a visit to The Needles, just 10 minutes’ drive from your tent.

Take a breathtaking chairlift down to Alum Bay beach to see the famous cliffs up close, from £6 one way, then putt your way around the 11-hole Jurassic Adventure Golf course or hop on the traditional horse carousel (Theneedles.co.uk).

Refuel

Follow in Kate Winslet and Benedict Cumberbatch’s footsteps and dine at The Hut in Colwell Bay, a beachfront restaurant dubbed the Chiltern Firehouse of the Solent.

The restaurant’s branded Jeep will pick you up in Yarmouth harbour, so you can enjoy a glass (or three) of Mirabello rosé, £37 a bottle.

The seafood is all sourced from the south coast – we devoured lemon sole, £36, with fries and tomato salad, £6 each, followed by banoffee pie, £10 (Thehutcolwell.co.uk).

Harbourside restaurant The Terrace in Yarmouth is another popular spot.

Order the divine Cornish cod with pea fritter and potato rosti, £27, and the rich dark chocolate mousse with salted chocolate crumble, £11 (Theterraceiow.co.uk).

For quick bites, Off The Rails, set on the old railway line in Yarmouth, does a cracking bacon sandwich, £8 (Offtherailsyarmouth.co.uk).

And PO41 Coffee House serves up island-brewed teas, home-made cake and delicious picnic essentials – we loved the orange and almond loaf, £8.75 (Po41coffeehouse.com).

Book It

Two-night stays for up to eight people at Glamping The Wight Way cost from £650 (Glampingthewightway.co.uk).

WE were all set for a summer beach holiday until a massive passport mishap saw my poor son turned away at the airport check-in desk.

So to make it up to him, I took him to Disneyland Paris — but in the depths of winter, would it be a hit?

As the mercury plunged across Europe, Rufus and I set out to enjoy a “tropical” break at Europe’s most famous theme park.

Tropical? Well, Disneyland Paris has 300,000 plants which create microclimates and as we wander in, the Arctic chill noticeably lessens. It is actually HOTTER in Disney than outside.

But how do the prices compare to sand, sea and sunshine?

January, February and March are certainly the best time to go for value.

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In March this year, stays in a Disney hotel cost from £132pp per night including park tickets, which is a darn sight cheaper than the Christmas and summer peak times.

And the post-Christmas drop in park attendance also means shorter queues — great when you’re with youngsters.

The tropical holiday style of much of Adventureland extends beyond the themed music and decor.

Home to the Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Peril roller coaster, it is a medley of the Africa of The Lion King, the Caribbean of Pirates Of The Caribbean and the Agrabah of Aladdin. All are brought to life with tropical bamboo, ferns and palm trees.

Not that I’ve got much time to appreciate the foliage, as Rufus drags me from one big ticket roller coaster to the next.

After tackling the multiple loop-the-loops of Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain and Avengers-themed Flight Force plus the pitch-black twists and turns of Crush’s Coaster, I decide we need a break. Despite Rufus’s insistence that the Mickey the Magician show is going to “babyish”, he loves it.

The 20-minute song medley is like a mini West End show, bringing the classic film hits to life, with can-can girls in gold frilly knickers playing the tableware in Beauty And The Beast and dancers weaving through the crowds operating giant puppets of giraffes, zebras and tropical birds to the Lion King soundtrack.

Thoroughly thawed out, we tackle the Tower Of Terror — even scarier in the fading light.

As we rattle around on my favourite ride, Thunder Mountain’s runaway mine train, we soak up great views of faux-gothic Phantom Manor and the beautifully lit steamer which pootles up and down the lake.

We scoff chocolate churros while watching the early evening Disney parade.

By the time it hits 6pm it’s time for a stiff drink — not to mention a sit down which doesn’t involve over-the-shoulder straps.

So we head to the Pirates Of The Caribbean restaurant, whose pina colada cocktails, humid air and splashes of the river ride moving past us add to the holiday vibes.

After this brief pit stop, we then make the most of the shorter evening queues, racing around everything from Spider-Man Web Adventure to the gentle joys of Peter Pan’s Flight over a minature London.

By 8pm we’ve done 22,000 steps and it starts to rain, but we dodge it by navigating the Victorian-style gas-lit arcades which connect different areas on Main Street USA.

Mercifully when it gets to 10pm, the rides shut. Sixteen roller coasters down, and I’m barely standing.

I’m not a big fireworks fan — too many years of my dad coming close to danger in the back garden — but the Disney display is incredible.

The clever drones and laser projections diminishing the firework fear factor.

When the show comes to a close, I’m glad we only have to stagger ten minutes back to our hotel in the park, the superhero-themed Hotel New York, The Art Of Marvel.

Not that Rufus’ energy or enthusiasm are at all dampened by either the weather or the marathon we’ve walked. As we fall into our beds, he’s already begging me to bring him back next year.

The summer’s passport disaster is a distant memory. Turns out we didn’t need a beach for a fab holiday.

Winter at Disney is the hottest ticket in town.

BOOKING a holiday can feel overwhelming at the best of times, but when you’re travelling alone with children, it becomes something else entirely.

You are the organiser, the navigator, the passport holder and the snack distributor. And if anything goes wrong, there is no one else to tag in. I work in travel and look at holiday pricing data every day. One trend that stands out consistently is that single-parent bookings often cost more than people expect.

With only one adult in the room and fewer family-room configurations available, the price per person can climb quickly.

So I wanted to approach this properly. I analysed booking data to identify the hotels that come out cheapest for single parents, ranking them by how far below the average single-parent booking they sit.

Then I sense-checked them: reading reviews, looking at layouts, and
considering whether they genuinely work when you are the only adult in charge.

So here are the ten cheapest hotels for single-parent family holidays, and why they’re actually smart choices for a trip with the kids.

BLUESEA Montevista Hawai, Costa Brava

Costa Brava remains one of the most reliable regions for affordable family breaks, and BLUESEA Montevista Hawai delivers on practicality.

It is an all-inclusive property with two pools and regular kids’ entertainment, which immediately removes the daily stress of budgeting for meals.

Buffet dining means flexibility, and the hotel sits within easy walking distance of both the beach and the town.

When I compared it to the average single-parent booking, it came out around 52 per cent cheaper, which is a big gap.

Reviews describe it as lively and full of families, which helps if you’re worried about your kids being the only ones making noise.

I found a deal for 7 nights in June 2026, direct from Bournemouth, bed & breakfast from £250pp for one adult and one child.

For Spain in June, that’s really good value, and upgrading to all-inclusive doesn’t send the price sky high.

Pierre & Vacances Benidorm Horizon

If space is high on your list, this Benidorm apartment complex makes sense.

You get a separate bedroom, living area and kitchen, which means once the kids are asleep, you’re not stuck sitting in the dark.

Benidorm itself is flat and easy to walk around, with supermarkets and restaurants close by.

In the data, it worked out just over 53 per cent cheaper than the average single-parent holiday.

That level of saving, combined with proper apartment space, makes it a very strong option.

I found a deal for 7 nights in June 2026 from Leeds Bradford, self-catering, from £400pp for one adult and two children.

For early summer, that’s competitive.

Sol Puerto Marina, Costa del Sol

Location is doing most of the work here. Sol Puerto Marina sits right on Torremolinos Marina, with the beach, promenade and restaurants just minutes away.

When you’re managing children alone, being able to walk everywhere makes a real difference.

Rooms include kitchenettes for flexibility, and compared to the wider single-parent market, it is priced at roughly 55% below average.

I found a deal for 8 nights in early June 2026 from London Luton, room only, from £620pp.

Beachfront Costa del Sol in June at that price is impressive.

London Blue Hotel, Dalaman

Not every family wants a huge resort in Turkey. London Blue Hotel in Dalaman is smaller and calmer, with reviews praising friendly staff and a relaxed pool area.

When you’re the only adult supervising, that quieter feel can make things much easier.

It also came in at around 55 per cent cheaper than the average single-parent booking, according to the data.

I found a deal for 8 nights in June 2026 from London Gatwick, bed & breakfast, from £240pp.

Turkey in June at that level feels almost too good to be true.

Campanile Val de France, Disneyland Paris

Theme park holidays can get expensive quickly, which is why this hotel stands out.

Campanile Val de France offers family rooms, breakfast included and a free shuttle to Disneyland Paris.

You get the location and convenience without paying Disney hotel prices.

Compared to the average single-parent booking, it came out around 56 per cent cheaper.

I found a deal for 7 nights in late June 2026 from Birmingham, bed & breakfast, from £357pp – around £1,070 total for one adult and two children.

FuerteSol, Fuerteventura

The Canary Islands are a safe bet for sunshine, and FuerteSol gives you flexibility.

It’s made up of bungalow-style apartments with terraces and kitchenettes.

The beach is five minutes away, there’s a supermarket nearby and the promenade is flat and easy for evening walks.

In the data, it worked out just over 56 per cent cheaper than the average single-parent holiday, which is a big saving for June.

I found a deal for 7 nights in June 2026 from Bournemouth, self-catering, from £210pp.

The Canaries in early summer for that kind of money is excellent value.

Els Llorers Apartments, Costa Brava

Els Llorers is another apartment-style option that focuses on practicality.

Full kitchens, separate bedrooms and a kids’ pool with slides make it very family-friendly.

There’s even a shuttle into town, so you’re not dragging tired children up hills.

Price-wise, it came in around 57 per cent below the average single-parent booking, which explains why it performs so well.

I found a deal for 7 nights in June 2026 from Birmingham, self-catering, from £187pp – roughly £560 total for one adult and two children.

Spain, early peak season, under £600 is hard to beat.

Staycity Aparthotels, Disneyland Paris

This is another smart option for Disney.

Modern apartments, a heated pool and a free shuttle mean you can prepare breakfast, head to the parks and come back to your own living space rather than squeezing into one hotel room.

It is also priced around 58 per cent cheaper than the average single-parent holiday.

I found a deal for 7 nights mid-June 2026 from Belfast, room only, from £364pp.

For a well-rated aparthotel near Disney in summer, that’s solid value.

Pebbles Resort, Malta

Malta is straightforward, and that counts for a lot. English is widely spoken, it’s easy to get around, and even the plugs are the same as the UK, which saves hunting for adaptors.

Pebbles Resort gets strong reviews for friendly staff and spacious rooms, and there are several restaurants on site.

In cost terms, it came in nearly 60 per cent cheaper than the average single-parent booking.

I found a deal for 7 nights in late June 2026 from Norwich, room only, from £460pp.

Malta in June for under a grand is very good value.

BLUESEA Puerto Caleta, Fuerteventura

At the top of the list is BLUESEA Puerto Caleta in Fuerteventura.

It’s simple and self-catering, but brilliantly located. The beach is two minutes away, and the supermarket is even closer.

When you can walk everywhere, you remove half the hassle.

It is priced around 67 per cent below the average single-parent booking, making it the biggest saving in the data.

Summer 2026 is already sold out, which says a lot.

The deal I found was for January 2027: 7 nights from London Luton, self-catering, from £310pp.

How to pick a hotel for a single-parent holiday:

When you step back and look at the data – pricing, bookings, reviews – the pattern is clear.

• Apartments tend to be cheaper than big-name resorts.
• Central, walkable locations make life easier than remote luxury.
• Flexibility usually matters more than flashy extras.

Single-parent holidays might feel stressful, but with the right hotel choice, the price doesn’t have to add to it.

IS there such a thing as too much snow?

When booking a ski holiday in Europe, you’re usually panicking there won’t be enough.

But this month, my seven-year-old son and I travelled to La Thuile, in the Aosta Valley in northern Italy, and witnessed up to half a metre of snow falling A DAY.

The resort, which is part of the Espace San Bernado area that also crosses into La Rosiere in France, is nicknamed Little Siberia thanks to its high altitude and reliable snow.

In fact, the intensity of the snowfall meant that La Thuile had a level four out of five avalanche risk when we visited, with several runs closed.

Visitors were warned against off-piste skiing — something to be taken seriously as in nearby Courmayeur two skiers died that same week as a result of a huge avalanche.

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I was concerned we should steer clear of the mountains altogether, but the resort staff couldn’t have been more reassuring.

They were clearly working 24 hours a day to make everything safe — from the comfort of my hotel room at night, I could hear the controlled explosions as they worked to stabilise the slopes.

The ski school was excellent, too. I have no idea how instructors managed to keep control of hundreds of identical kids in blizzard conditions, but they did. And my son had a wonderful time.

For me, it meant off-piste conditions on your average red run, losing sight of my skis under mounds of fresh powder.

In an entire week, I didn’t come across a single patch of hardened icy slope.

La Thuile is an intermediate skier’s paradise, with lovely wide red runs that are more like dark blues, which wind all the way down the mountain.

There are plenty of blues and blacks too, and if you fancy a trip to France, the lift pass takes you over the border into La Rosiere.

The ski passes are considerably more affordable than in most of France though.

Despite the fact that Italy is the place to be this year, thanks to the recent Winter Olympics taking place there, a ski holiday in the Italian Alps is surprisingly easier on the wallet than other European countries.

In this year’s Post Office ski report, Italy boasted several of the top ten most affordable resorts in Europe, including our pick of La Thuile.

A six-day pass cost £265 for an adult and £187 for a child in high season. Ski and boot hire cost from £79 for kids and £126 for adults.

As we had travelled with ski holiday operator Crystal, they organised all of that for us ahead of the trip, as well as my son’s ski lessons.

In fact, they planned so much that it felt a bit like holidaying with a parent.

The Crystal reps were there to greet us at the airport, at the ski shop when we collected our equipment and at the ski school every morning.

And on the return bus to the airport they even told us the number of our check-in desk.

Their app was excellent too. It told me everything, from where and when to find my airport transfer, to the kinds of non-ski activities you could get up to and the best restaurants.

Much like the lift passes, the restaurants were cheaper than many in French and Austrian resorts.

Even on the mountain, a pizza, large beer and (the gloopiest) hot chocolate cost just over £15 — and came with the best service ever in a busy tourist ski spot.

I’d forgotten quite how perfect the hospitality in Italy is, I’m convinced nowhere does it better.

Our hotel, Le Miramonti, was a historic Alpine hotel in the centre of La Thuile, a ten-minute walk from the main ski lifts.

With a spa that became part of our daily apres-ski routine, comfortable rustic bedrooms, a lounge with a roaring fire and a bar with mountain views (and a very relaxed attitude to children), it was a great place to chill at the end of a day on the slopes.

But by far its best selling point was that aforementioned hospitality. A family-owned 4* hotel where the staff put most 5* properties to shame.

But the cherry on top had to be the waiters in the restaurant, where we had breakfast and a four-course meal each evening.

Every waiter was on first-name terms with my son, exchanging Pokemon tips, drawing him goodbye artwork and slipping him extra treats.

By the end of our stay, we felt like we were part of the family.

IT was supposed to be the glittering triumph of Lacey M’ ‘s very short, but highly lucrative career. 

A lavish, red-carpet bash at Boxpark Liverpool, complete with DJ sets, special guests, and endless designer makeup, all to celebrate the young beauty influencer’s 12th birthday. 

But less than a month later, the glitter has well and truly settled, and the reality of internet fame has come crashing down. 

Lacey M – the self-described “Queen of Chaos” who gained 1.7 million followers since launching in 2024 – has been unceremoniously banned from TikTok.

Now, a bitter war of words has erupted online. The internet finds itself divided between loyal super-fans who believe a talented young girl’s dreams are being crushed, and deeply concerned critics who fear this is a textbook case of child exploitation in the digital age.

And if you thought a permanent ban would be the end of the drama, think again. 

Within days of her original account vanishing from the platform, lo and behold a brand-new profile – @Laceym.xandmum – popped up. 

Billed as a “joint account” and stamped “PARENT MANAGED,” Lacey is back on our screens, this time flanked by her mother, Laura, and her auntie, Natalie.

But behind the scenes, tech bosses are seething. For TikTok insiders have pulled no punches regarding the controversial comeback, warning that the family is walking on very thin ice.

One source told me: “TikTok bosses are really not happy with the way the Lacey M drama played out.”

“They take a very dim view of people trying to break their rules, particularly when the company is being scrutinised amid concerns about child safety.

“They are keeping a really close eye on this new account with Lacey and her mum Laura, and also her aunty Natalie. They are pushing their luck and TikTok are ready to step in and shut them down if they keep abusing the system. Enough is enough.”

The stark warning highlights a massive headache for social media giants as they wrestle with the dilemma of how to police the murky world of child influencers. 

TikTok’s terms of service are clear. They strictly dictate that users must be at least 13 years old to hold an account. 

Also amid politicians calling for the age to be lifted to 16, TikTok confirmed that they are launching new technology “to help us better detect people who may not be old enough to use our app.” 

‘Boiling point’

Yet, loopholes involving “parent-run” accounts have long been exploited by ambitious families eager to cash in on their children’s viral appeal.

And cash in, they have. Lacey M is not just a kid making lip-sync videos in her bedroom. She is a bonafide brand ambassador. 

She is closely tied to the wildly successful UK cosmetics giant P. Louise, run by businesswoman Paige Williams – who herself boasts 4.3 million TikTok followers on her personal and business account. 

She signed up Lacey to be an “official P.Louise Bestie”, and now the youngster even boasts her own custom makeup bundles including a Lacey In A Sticky Situation with my Bestie Box. 

The pack sells for £55 and features customisable drink cups alongside high-end cosmetics. 

For a child to be the face of a brand that also sells items with risqué names like “Bad B*tch Energy” lip kits, certainly raises some ethical questions. 

The backlash reached a boiling point following Lacey’s recent birthday extravaganza – tickets for the party cost £38, and organisers reportedly raked in £54,000 after thousands attended.

For a child to be the face of a brand that also sells items with risqué names like “Bad B*tch Energy” lip kits, certainly raises some ethical questions

Critics accused P. Louise of inappropriately sponsoring a child’s party – something she denies – and turning a young girl’s birthday into a corporate branding exercise.

Taking to Instagram, the beauty mogul was forced to address the scandal and defended her relationship with the young influencer and slammed the “assumptions” made by online trolls.

She wrote: “This is exactly what’s wrong with the internet, assumptions being made instead of truth being checked.

‘Cash cow’

“So let me be clear: I never took a penny from Lacey’s party, and I did not sponsor the event. What I did do was gift goody bags to a little girl who has shown nothing but loyalty, love, and passion for my brand over the years. She’s someone who dreams big.

“Someone who supports every launch, never misses a moment, always pays in full, and proudly shares my brand because she genuinely believes in it.”

The makeup boss went on to argue that ambition should not be gatekept by age. Then baffled fans by saying it was an issue of female empowerment rather than child safety.

She said: “That kind of dedication deserves to be celebrated, not questioned.”

“Dreams don’t come with an age limit. There is no expiration date on hope, ambition, or becoming the person you’ve always imagined. Whether you’re young or grown, you deserve encouragement, support, and people who believe in you.” 

“Supporting dreams will always matter to me. And once again, it’s disappointing to see women in business judged by a different standard, measured with a different ruler simply for showing kindness, generosity, and heart. We rise by lifting others. Always.”

She’s 12 years of age and she’s making money for her parents, for her auntie and her mom. And P. Louise is using her as a cash cow

User

While many applauded P Louise for her fiery stance, many accused her of ignoring the core issue for child safety and exploitation. 

One wrote: “I think it’s absolutely amazing that Lacey’s got banned because she shouldn’t be on here.”

“She’s 12 years of age and she’s making money for her parents, for her auntie and her mom. And P. Louise is using her as a cash cow.”

Another chimed in: “She’s twelve. Twelve year olds cannot sign contracts, fully understand brand exploitation, consent to any legal or long term digital footprint.”

“So why are we acting like she’s a 25 year old influencer who has lost her livelihood?

“She’s a child. And if she’s devastated. I do feel for her because that emotion will be real. But the responsibility, that sits squarely with the adults, parents, guardians, managers.”

And the hurt of the ban was not just felt by Lacey, but also her very large, young fanbase. One teenager named Riley, who attended Lacey’s birthday party, started a petition to get her reinstated. 

He said: “Let’s get her account back, cause honestly, she actually worked so hard for them. She’s got 1.7 million followers at the age she is. She built such, like, a community and such, like, a massive following, and we can’t let her account stay banned.” 

Others rallied to “show their support” by inundating P Louise website with orders for Lacey’s make-up bundles. 

The controversy surrounding Lacey M taps into a growing, global anxiety about ‘sharenting’ and the monetisation of children. 

I think it’s absolutely amazing that Lacey’s got banned because she shouldn’t be on here

User

Experts point out there are no limits on how many hours a child can spend filming content, no psychological support for dealing with online trolls, and crucially, no legal framework in the UK to ensure that children actually see a penny of the revenue their faces generate.

Critics point out that while Mum Laura and Auntie Natalie are officially “managing” the new @Laceym.xandmum account, it is ultimately Lacey’s face, Lacey’s personality, and Lacey’s childhood that is being sold to the masses. 

For now, Lacey and her mum are continuing to post on their new joint account, which has amassed 50,000 followers in a week, while trying to stay one step ahead of the moderators. 

But with insiders saying TikTok are “ready to step in and shut them down,” the clock is ticking.

THERE’S still time to take advantage of the ‘stay for a night, play for a year’ theme park offer for huge savings.

The deal means that my family can visit theme parks and attractions like Alton Towers and Legoland all year round, plus enjoy an overnight stay and breakfast for less than it would normally cost for two annual passes.

We’re avid fans of rollercoasters and rides and last year visited Alton Towers, Chessington, Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle, so I couldn’t believe my eyes when this offer popped up.

I paid less than £250 for an overnight stay at Thorpe Park, which includes breakfast and free parking during your stay, and now have four Merlin passes that I can use all year round.

An essential pass is normally £139, so it’s a massive saving just on the passes alone.

You need to be clever about how you use the deal, which ends this weekend, to get the most for your money.

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First of all, try to find a midweek date for your theme park stay by checking out if you have a school inset day during the promotion period, which runs until June.

If you go in the school holidays or on a Saturday night, an overnight stay will invariably cost more.

Luckily we have an inset day in May, which is the perfect time to make the most of this offer.

Secondly, take a look at all the different Merlin attractions that offer accommodation, as there’s often a huge difference in room prices.

In general, I’ve found Thorpe Park to be the cheapest and Legoland or Alton Towers the most expensive.

Don’t forget to check out Warwick Castle as it’s easy to overlook that as a place that offers overnight stays and the rooms there tend to be good value for money, especially if you’re visiting with small children.

My friend found a room for her family of four for just £219.

My third tip would be to think carefully about what combination of people you’ll book for. 

We have two adults and three children in my family and if I book an overnight stay for all of us, that rules out some of the cheaper accommodation options because the camping pods at both Alton Towers and Legoland can only sleep four.

There’s more choice for a smaller family, so it could be more cost-effective to choose that, especially if some of your family won’t be available for the overnight stay anyway.

I have children at both primary and secondary schools now, so they don’t all have the same inset days.

If you go down that route, you won’t then have free passes for all your family members.

But an easy hack to sort that is to sign up for Sun Club membership, as you get two free tickets to many Merlin attractions like Chessington and Alton Towers with that.

So you can book your pair of free tickets when they are on offer with Sun Club and then use your annual passes for entry for the rest of your party on the same day.

There are a few pitfalls you need to watch out for – some dates are excluded from the essential pass, but maybe not as many as you might expect.

The 25 days you can’t use your pass mainly fall on bank holiday weekends and Saturdays in August. I was pleasantly surprised by how many dates were included.

Remember that you’ll need to pay for parking each visit as that’s not covered by the essential pass.

If you’re going to be visiting a lot, a gold pass costing £239 does include parking, so it may be worth grabbing one for a single family member to use alongside your essential passes.

Parking at Alton Towers has risen to £13 this year and the other parks aren’t far behind, so it can quickly add up if you visit multiple times over the year.

It’s not just theme parks that are covered – you get free entry to 20 attractions like Cadbury World in Birmingham, the London Eye and the Legoland Discovery Centres in Birmingham and Manchester with the pass.

One notable exception is the Alton Towers waterpark, but you do get discounted entry with your annual pass.

So don’t miss out – book before this bargain ends for a full year of family fun.

For more on theme parks, one writer went to the European theme park where you ‘travel through time’ and the rides roar past your hotel room.

And another writer spent three days at Universal’s huge new £7bn theme park – all the things worth doing… and the bits to skip.

A HUGE new lido complex is set to transform an English holiday park this summer.

The plans are part of a £10.2million expansion at Unity Beach holiday park in Brean.

In time for the summer holidays, will be a new lido surrounded by private cabanas and outdoor dining area.

The existing flumes and water rides will remain, and the outdoor pool is expected to open in July 2026.

Other plans included in the development are a trampoline park, bandstand, boardwalk, landscaped gardens and a dog agility area.

There will also be an outdoor activity centre where guests can have a go at archery, axe throwing and rifle shooting.

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Unity Beach Resort Director Jonny Green said: “These are exciting times for our owners, our holidaymakers and the local community.

“Our improved pool facilities will help us sustain and grow participation in swimming lessons and recreational activity — not only for guests staying on the park, but also for the wider community across Somerset.”

The new outdoor facilities are part of the huge refurbishment of the site that has been underway throughout the winter months.

The site has been upgrading its soft play, changing rooms, the Wave Café and gym.

Other improvements have been to the 25-metre indoor pool and the addition of poolside showers.

A new indoor Splash Pad will replace the baby pool so that children of different ages can swim and play in the same space.

The unisex changing rooms have been upgraded with larger family cubicles – with space for up to four.

For accessibility, a new lift and pool hoist have been installed, as well as a refreshed accessible changing area.

The Wave Café has also been refurbished and will continue to serve meals throughout the day.

Visitors can enjoy sweet treats like cookies and donuts to breakfast options, sandwiches and paninis.

At Unity Play, children can explore different soft play zones; Ocean World for under-4s, the main soft play area for ages 4 to 11, and Ninja Warrior zone for ages 7 to 11.

There is also a new reception area with a dedicated buggy park for families.

The refurbished indoor facilities are due to reopen shortly.

Previously, the site underwent a £15million upgrade with a new Wonky Donkey pub and restaurant, with a new pavilion, sports bar and arcade.

The Wonky Donkey serves up traditional pub food like mac n’ cheese and scampi and chips.

Inside the Pavilion Theatre, there’s plenty of family entertainment and shows as well as silent discos and movie sing-along challenges.

As well as the 2025 additions, the park is home to a theme park with 40 rides and attractions from rollercoasters to dodgems and a ghost train.

For more on staycations, here are the most popular UK holiday park from £9.50 Hols – with beachfront pods, hot tub lodges and a surfing simulator.

And one writer has found an incredibly cheap UK holiday park that brings the best bits of Center Parcs, Butlin’s and Haven to ONE site.

TRYING to feed the whole family before a flight can quickly become a very expensive affair – but I’ve found a bargain way to do it (and it comes with unlimited fizz and beer).

A recent trip to London from Edinburgh meant myself and a friend, along with our kids, decided to meet for dinner before the flight at the airport.

But fully expecting to pay a small fortune – the kids take a lot of feeding – we did a bit or research before and learned about the new Escape Lounge.

The Escape Lounge in Edinburgh Airport opened at the end of last year, found near Gate 4 and joins Aspire and Plaza Premium.

Although it looked tempting, I assumed that airport lounges were reserved for business travellers and first-class flyers and would cost a fortune.

However, when I checked online, I noticed that the lounge could be booked in advance for around £35 per person (although this goes up £49 at the door).

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Crunching the numbers, I knew that the airport Wetherspoons – The Sir Walter Scott – costs around £15 for a main meal with a bottle of Prosecco costing £49.

That’s £39 each before you add on any extras like desserts, sides or coffee.

Even better? Revolut members get a 15 per cent discount, so after signing up to the free membership, meant I paid just £29 per person.

Even if that sounds like a lot, once we stepped inside, it quickly became clear we’d made the right choice.

Inside the lounge, everything was included.

There was a hot buffet, fresh sandwiches, cakes, homemade shortbread and biscuits.

There was even a Costa Coffee machine, so we could grab proper coffees before flying.

And then there was the bar. Prosecco was on tap – rose and white – alongside beer, spirits and soft drinks which were all unlimited.

So, there was no worrying about bar tabs, counting rounds or a surprise bill at the end.

We helped ourselves, settled into comfortable seats, and relaxed while the kids tucked into snacks and desserts.

It felt more like a mini break than the usual stressful airport wait.

We were allocated two hours but when our flight was delayed, the lovely staff let us stay and drink Bloody Marys instead of being squashed with the hordes of other families waiting at the gate.

We would have easily spent over £40 each at Wetherspoons and then more again in WHSmith or Costa on extra drinks and snacks.

The Escape Lounges aren’t just in Scotland either – you’ll also find them at Manchester Airport, Bristol Airport, East Midlands Airport, London Stansted Airport

This experience showed me that an airport lounge can actually be the cheapest option especially for families or anyone planning to eat and drink before flying.

Instead of rushing around busy terminals, juggling trays and watching the bill climb, we relaxed, ate well, and started our trip feeling calm.

We arrived at the gate fed, watered, and in a good mood – something that doesn’t always happen when travelling with kids.

And best of all, we did it for less than we would have spent in the pub.

Next time I fly, I won’t be heading for the bar, I’ll be heading straight for the lounge.

DESPITE being in the UK, you could be easily mistaken for thinking you were in France when visiting Waddesdon Manor.

And the French Renaissance-style chateau in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, has revealed plans for a huge new woodland playground this year.

Built back in the 1870s by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, the Manor opened to the public in 1959 and is still home to the Rothschild collection of paintings, sculptures and artworks.

And now the grand home is opening a woodland playground.

The new playground will boast giant wooden towers, climbing trails, bridges, tunnels, slides and more.

Pictures also show there will be a zip line as well.

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Using natural materials, the new attraction hopes to connect kids with nature.

The new play area – which will be free to use – will open this year, though an exact date is yet to be revealed.

Meanwhile, from the end March, visitors can see the House as it reopens for the season.

Inside the Manor, you’ll be able to explore a collection of 18th century French decorative arts including furniture, porcelain and carpets.

In fact, the Manor is home to over 15,000 objects.

And if it is a sunny day, the gardens are well worth exploring as they are in the style of French formal gardens.

There’s even an Aviary which is home to rare and exotic birds.

You can head to the Wine Cellars onsite too, which features a collection of more than 15,000 bottles.

The estate also often hosts events such as family trails.

And for when you are feeling peckish, there is an cafe onsite serving light bites and drinks.

A ticket to the house and grounds costs £25.50 per adult and £12.50 per child.

But if you are a member of the National Trust then you can visit for free.

One recent visitor said: “An incredibly beautiful building. It is worth visiting at least once, but be sure to visit.

“Different types of birds, flowers, and palm trees will delight your eyes.”

Another added: “I think this was my most enjoyable National Trust visit.

“One of many Rothschild properties in the area but must be the jewel in the crown.”

In other attraction news, London’s best family attraction that ‘feels like it was created for kids’ to get huge new nature playground.

Plus, a huge new wooden play attraction is set to open at historic English house with den building, zip lines and racing slides.

THE WORLD’S first Bluey rollercoaster will be in the UK and it has announced its launch date.

Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies! will open on March 28 at Alton Towers Resort theme park in the West Midlands.

The new ride will be in CBeebies Land at the park and is based on the episode where Bluey and Bingo dress up as grannies called Janet and Rita.

The ride will be themed on the two characters causing chaos.

Recent images, that revealed a first look at the ride, show both of the characters dressed as grannies.

The ride is specifically designed for preschoolers and young families.

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Howard Ebison, vice president of Alton Towers Resort said: “Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies! is all about celebrating energy, play and those everyday moments families love about the show.

“It’s playful, unexpected and unmistakably Bluey – and we can’t wait to welcome families from March 28 to experience the world’s first Bluey coaster right here at Alton Towers Resort.”

In addition to the new ride, guests will also get the chance to meet-and-greet Mum (Chilli), Dad (Bandit), Bluey and Bingo.

There will be a live show experience as well inside the Big Fun Showtime at the park.

And, if you really want your visit to be all about Bluey, you can stay in new Bluey-themed hotel rooms at CBeebies Land Hotel.

Sun writer, Hannah Ferrett, stayed in one of the already-open Bluey rooms.

She said: “The hotel has done a great job.

“The kids slept in Bluey and Bingo’s room, complete with bunk beds, the recognisable watermelon rug and the cartoon dogs’ pretty Himalayan rock salt night light — a nice touch for little ones.

“The bathroom had pictures of Bluey and her sister plastered across the walls.

“My partner Dan and I were in Bandit and Chilli’s room, which had a king size bed, TV and lots of pictures of Bluey and Bingo as puppies, much to the delight of our kids.”

The room is one of 13 in total that have been designed with kids in mind.

Other rooms include Postman Pat, Bing and Octonauts.

Attractions in CBeebies Land include Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop where visitors join Peter Rabbit and Lily Bobtail as they explore the garden and try to figure out a series of puzzles.

There’s also the In The Night Garden Boat Ride where you head through a real Night Garden and see the characters.

A pass to visit CBeebies Land costs £32 when booked in advance, though you can also grab a £29 toddler and parent pass.

Children under 90cm tall go for free.

In other theme park news, a popular UK theme park is set to demolish much-loved ride – with plans for new attraction.

Plus, Thorpe Park to close its popular waterpark for GOOD after 35 years.

A POPULAR attraction found across America is finally making its way to the UK.

Slick City Nottingham will have the world’s first UV AirGlider – a gravity-powered aerial coaster that makes you feel like you are flying.

Slick City already has 95 sites across America and the Nottingham site will mark the company’s first amusement park in Europe when it comes next month.

Inside the new attraction, there will be a mix of dry slides with different drops and twists.

For example, you could head on Fast Lane – a four-lane slide that has been built for friendly competitions with high-speed sliding.

Then there’s Royal Flush – a slide that features a sheer drop and then you spin around in a massive bowl, that will feel like you’re in a flushing toilet.

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There’s even one slide – Avalanche – that is meant to make you feel as if you are skiing downhill, just without the snow.

Alternatively, you could head on Big Wave, which first has a steep drop and then builds speed as you slide back and forth along a blue half-pipe.

Then on the UV AirGlider, visitors will be strapped in and gravity will propel them along a track – with a ultra-violet theme – hanging in the air to make them feel as if they are soaring through the sky.

There’s a freestyle air court and sport air court as well, which are specifically designed with a cushioned and bouncy base making them the ideal spots for parkour tricks.

The attraction – which will span over 4,600sqm – will be designed for children aged four-years-old or over, with children under 12 needing an adult with them.

But there will be a soft play area for little ones aged three-years-old or younger.

And parents can sit back in the onsite cafe with a coffee as well.

The Nottingham site will be the company’s first standalone indoor slide park in Europe.

Slick City launched back in 2021 and has grown rapidly, with Keely Buchanan, park manager at Slick City Nottingham saying “it’s pure adrenaline for every age”.

Many people have taken to social media to express their excitement for the opening, with one person even asking whether there will be adult-only sessions, which is something the company does at its American sites.

There are a number of different ticket types available including 90 minute and 120 minute sessions.

For a 90 minute session, admission costs £19.95 per person.

If you want 120 minutes of fun, then it will set you back £24.95 per person.

You can also add on the AirGlider, which costs £4 for one ride or £10 for three rides – though the three rides must be used by the same person.

It is worth noting you will also need to grab a pair of CitySocks, which cost £3 a pair – but you can keep and re-use them.

In other attraction news, these are the 20 most-visited attractions in England that are completely free to enter.

Plus, a new ‘floating park’ with sauna and lido to open in popular London district – in huge £5billion upgrade.

SCROLL through Instagram for five minutes and you’ll feel like the worst parent.

There’s Sky Brown, the Olympic skateboard prodigy whose British dad Stuart had her surfing and skateboarding before she could spell.

And toddler Aubrin Sage, who started snowboarding Washington’s Cascade Mountains at 18 months.

My feed is basically a highlight reel of super-parents raising mini athletes while I’m celebrating that my daughter ate a vegetable.

The pressure is real. And it’s been amped up in light of the Winter Olympics.

So when I heard about La Rosiere – a French Alps resort that takes kids as young as 18 months – I saw my chance.

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Time to turn my 20-month-old Lena into the next big thing on snow.

La Rosiere doesn’t mess about. Its ESF ski school’s Galopins Club had Lena on a snowboard-sled hybrid that looked utterly adorable.

Between snow play sessions they kept the kids busy with crafts and stories. Half-day or full-day options with lunch meant I could hit the slopes guilt-free.

Founded by shepherds in the 1960s, the resort has somehow kept its cosy village vibe while going all-in on the family market.

The revamped beginner zone at Les Eucherts features a toddler-friendly four-seater chair lift and a covered mountain picnic area – genius for when your hangry three-year-old has a meltdown in ski boots.

For families, here’s where La Rosiere gets clever. Its X-periences pass costs £59 extra on top of a six-day ski pass but throws in ice skating, cinema, laser tag, paintball, and something called X’treme Luge that sounds like it should come with a waiver.

Evolution 2, the resort’s adventure school gets kids playing at being ski patrol, opening slopes, and doing outdoor escape games.

While Lena was learning not to face-plant, I got to explore the Espace San Bernardo area – 96 miles linking La Rosiere with Italy’s La Thuile.

The new Mont Valaisan lift opens up serious back country at 2,800 metres, and I lucked out with blue-sky powder days.

The south-facing slopes make for sun-soaked days with stunning views of the Haute Tarentaise valley.

And with 80 per cent of the slopes above 1,850m, snow conditions were fantastic throughout our stay.
Time of her life

My base at Lodge Hemera (booked through Peak Retreats) was ski-in, ski-out luxury with a kitchen that saved my family a fortune.

On the nights we didn’t feel like cooking, we went to Le Comptoir, a family-friendly bar with great pizza.

Did Lena become the next Shaun White? Not exactly. She spent more time eating snow than shredding it.

But La Rosiere delivered: World-class childcare that let me remember why I love snowboarding, while my toddler had the time of her life playing in the snow.

So no, I won’t be posting videos of my prodigy daughter doing backflips.

But at least I can say we tried – and I got a decent ski holiday out of it. In the Instagram parenting Olympics, I see that as a win

AS an ignorant southerner, I barely believed the idyllic world I had seen on TV of Cumbria’s lakes, valleys and mountains could truly exist here in Britain.

And even as I gazed across the shimmering Ullswater lake, with the sun setting over the trees, I had to pinch myself.

I was so mesmerised I even tried to get the kids (aged five and seven) to stop fighting with sticks to take in the view with me. It didn’t work.

Even if it was a slightly different holiday to the one we’d taken in 2017BK (Before Kids), the 328-mile journey from East Sussex to the Lake District sure was worth it.

The drive even felt like part of the adventure, travelling in Skoda’s fully electric 2025 Elroq SportLine 85, complete with heated seats.

We only needed to stop to charge once, which gave us a welcome coffee and toilet break.

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Forty minutes and about £40 later we were off again, weaving past rolling hills, dry stone walls and flocks of curious sheep.

Our home for the next few nights was a cottage in picturesque Sedbergh, on the border of the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales.

Our home for the next few nights was a cottage in picturesque Sedbergh, on the border of the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales.

Known as England’s official “Book Town”, thanks to the high number of book shops here, its Emmerdale-esque scenery inspired my first attempt to get my children to “just look at the views”.

But like all later efforts to get them to marvel at, arguably, Britain’s greatest natural landscapes, it failed miserably.

I was told by my son that “I don’t really do views, I prefer doing things, like knee slides”.

Fair enough, and luckily for him there was plenty to keep him and his sister happy other than the scenery.

There’s lots for adults too, not least the food.

Cumbria claims to have the most Michelin stars outside of London, but my partner and I left the fine dining for a trip without youngsters.

Cumbria claims to have the most Michelin stars outside of London, but my partner and I left the fine dining for a trip without youngsters.

Instead, we spoiled ourselves in top-notch pubs, enjoying delicious, hearty grub.

Our local, The Dalesman, dished up beautiful pies by a roaring fire.

And the nearby Black Bull cooked up a stupendous full English and the biggest bacon sandwich I’ve ever seen, setting us up nicely for a day exploring.

Choosing where to eat is almost as important as picking which lake or waterfall to visit.

But while the Elroq features a smart windscreen display and huge navigation screen, I didn’t find cruising around narrow country lanes on a dark night that much fun.

They didn’t waste a penny on tarmac when they built the roads.

So we were lucky the 17th century Punch Bowl Inn in Crosthwaite was nearby and that its renowned cheese souffle lived up to the billing.

We also made use of the brilliant local produce by raiding the nearby Meat Hook butchers for fire-side steak and sausages at home.

While our electric Skoda may be the future of travel, we still enjoyed heading back in time with an unmissable trip on the steam train from Haverthwaite to Lakeside.

It is a great way to see some of the area and we combined it with a boat ride up the mighty Lake Windermere to Bowness where, once again, the views are jaw-dropping.

Bustling Bowness boasts a huge choice of pubs and shops, but we spent the afternoon in the magical, and reasonably priced, World Of Beatrix Potter Attraction.

As well as a Peter Rabbit cafe selling home-made cakes and afternoon tea, there is a free activity trail and interactive videos showing yet more cracking Lake District views, except on a screen.

The kids loved completing the puzzles about Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck and Co.

And while that kept their little minds entertained, the best way to burn off energy was climbing through the trees and adventure playgrounds of Brookhole on Windermere.

There, you can brave tree-top adventures in Zip World, try axe-throwing or take a boat out on the lake, among other activities.

We left there with the kids suitably exhausted and ready for an eight-hour drive home.

Luckily, they slept the entire way, tucked up in the back of the car, while I soaked up the last of those views.

WE all know Americans do things a lot bigger than in the UK – from fast food to drink sizes – and it goes for play areas too.

One in the US the size of a football pitch has caught the eye of Brits who say they’d love to see one open in the UK.

Called The Fun Station Cedar Falls, the enormous play area stretches across 70,000 square feet and is the state of Iowa‘s largest indoor adventure park.

It has over 20 attractions from zip lines to trampolines, an obstacle course, laser tag, racing slides, bowling alleys and fairground rides.

There’s a multi-level play maze, seven climbing walls as high as 22ft, a high-ropes course at 55ft, an arcade with 35 video arcade games where players can win prizes.

There’s food on-site too from a salad bar, to a cafe and fizzy drink station.

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It’s popular with local parents who say that their kids “love to climb for hours here”.

With a video doing the rounds on Facebook, it’s even caught the attention of UK residents with one even saying “wish we had this in the UK”.

For UK parents, one parent in the comments suggested heading to Riverside Hub in Northampton.

One writer Catherine Lofthouse visited the attraction that has the UK’s largest playframe across four floors, which they called ‘soft play on steroids’.

Catherine said: “Laser tag, crazy golf, two climbing poles, go-karts and even arcade machines all included in the price.

“The main issue is keeping an eye on all your children as they head off in opposite directions to make the most of everything on offer.

“While the youngest was taking a spin on the carousel, my middle son was clambering up the two 10m climbing poles, one in the shape of an oak tree and the other a beanstalk, in the centre of the hub.”

There are also Fun Stations in the UK – but these are owned by a different company.

In cities like Birmingham, Leeds and Milton Keynes, there are Fun Stations that are more like arcades.

It’s packed with immersive and action-packed video and VR games, along with carnival games where visitors can win top prizes like iPads and headphones.

Some destinations even have dodgems, mini bowling, laser tag, escape rooms and mini golf.

For more on play areas, here are five of the UK’s biggest indoor soft plays to escape the rainy weather with huge climbing frames and drop slides.

And here is a huge new wooden play attraction that’s set to open at a historic English house with den building, zip lines and racing slides.

THE Cotswolds is already a great place to visit, but nearby is a farm that parents are raving about as a great day out,

Millets Farm opened back in 1952, originally as a dairy farm.

Now, the farm is home to multiple attractions including a play barn, Maize Maze and Farmyard Golf.

The attraction is split into pre-booked activities and no pre-booking required activities.

For example, you could head off on the Millets Animal Walkway, where visitors will see a number of farm animals including goats, chickens, rabbits, horses, birds and alpacas.

The play area also doesn’t need pre-booking and has a mix of swings, slides, climbing frames and more.

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There are also token-operated ride-on tractors, diggers and a crane which little ones can go on.

One token costs £1.75, three tokens cost £4.50 and five tokens cost £6.

If the weather isn’t rainy, you can also check out the 10 acre Phoebe Wood, where there are a number of woodland walks.

There are then several activities you have to book ahead for, such as Sprouts Play Barn with a four-lane wavy cow slide, 360 tunnel, a ‘mini Millets farmers market’ with seven soft role-play areas, a sports court and an area for under five-year-olds.

One recent visitor said: “This has to be the best soft play in Oxfordshire, it’s absolutely huge and offers a great variety of activities and play equipment for a wide age range.

“There’s a little baby area at the front, and then lots of fun for bigger kids on the higher levels.”

Another visitor added: “The soft play was the best we have ever been to (and we have been to A LOT).

“Every section was clean, looked brand new and so well thought out.

“It’s huge with four floors and the under fives section is also the biggest I’ve seen.”

Included in the Sprouts admission tickets, you also get access to the outdoor play area which has slides, beams and water play.

There’s also an 18-hole farm themed adventure golf course that you can book.

If you want something that is a little bit more of a thrill, head on the carousel, Ferris Wheel or Jungle Thriller, which all cost £3 a turn.

However, at the moment only the carousel is open until the spring, when other attractions at the park will reopen.

The attraction also hosts a number of events, such as Phil’s Magic Mania Show and Tweedy’s Massive Circus.

There are a number of seasonal events at the farm as well, such as pick your own flowers.

Visitors can explore around 8000 dahlias planted around a bright pink double-decker bus during the summer months.

The site also has a big garden centre, that sells items for both gardeners and non-gardeners.

One recent visitor said: “Such a delightful garden centre to wander around.

“They have everything you can imagine, for any budget. Even a cafe if you need a little break.

“I could have spent all afternoon there.”

When it comes to eating, the attraction has several spots to grab a bite.

For example, there is The Farmhouse Kitchen Restaurant which has both indoor and outdoor seating.

If you fancy an ice cream, head to the Snack Shack.

There there’s also The Food at Webbs restaurant, which can be found inside the garden centre and offers homemade meals.

And if you want to make your stay a bit longer or more special, then head to Wellness at Millets for a beauty treatment.

For more UK farms with family activities, here are six UK farm stays inspired by Clarkson’s Farm from remote cottages to Highland cow petting.

Plus, the English campsite named best farm attraction in the UK reveals new kid’s playground and glamping.

A KIDS attraction based on a popular bunny character has closed its doors just a few years after opening.

The Peter Rabbit Explore & Play attraction in Blackpool has stopped taking bookings and revealed that it won’t reopen in 2026.

The experience that cost £1million to set up first opened in 2022 as one of Merlin Entertainments’ attractions.

Inside was a chance for children to step into the world of Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter’s other characters.

There were interactive play areas, like Jeremy Fisher’s Pond which was a sensory area with musical instruments.

At Mr McGregor’s Garden were fun slides and tunnels. Mr Bouncer’s Invention Workshop was filled with hosepipe telephones and even x-ray glasses for looking into the vegetable garden.

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At The Burrow, kids could help set the table for dinner, and even transform into one of the Peter Rabbit family.

Inside the Secret Tree house were the ‘real’ Peter Rabbit and Lily Bobtail so children could meet the characters.

However, in November 2025, the attraction closed its doors and hasn’t reopened since.

The website is still up and running, but visitors are unable to make bookings.

A spokesperson for Blackpool Tourism Ltd told local media: “We can confirm that Peter Rabbit™: Explore and Play closed in November and will not reopen for the 2026 season.

“The attraction sits within the same building as Madame Tussauds Blackpool, which we have operated since August.

“Since taking over, we have been reviewing refurbishment options for Madame Tussauds and are considering a number of options for the future use of the space.”

If little ones still want to explore the world of Peter Rabbit, there are a few other themed-attractions dotted around the country.

One is found at Willows Farm in St Albans where children can explore the Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground, watch live shows and meet the characters.

It also has funfair rides, adventure play, tractor ride and farmyard animals – day tickets start rom £13.95.

Flamingo Land, which last year was named the best value theme park for attractions, also has a Peter Rabbit adventure.

There’s a Secret Treehouse, Benjamin Bunny’s Treetop Trail, Jeremy Fisher’s musical pond, and children can try their hand at painting at Pig Robinson’s Farm.

Mr Tod’s Lair has secret passages and there’s a character meet and greet too.

Flamingo Land theme park reopens on March 21, 2026 with tickets starting from £29.

For more on Blackpool, one Sun Writer says “I’ve been to Disney World 50 times and Britain’s ‘best big town’ is just as much fun”.

And this small UK seaside theme park named one of the best in the world with record-breaking coasters and new rides.