This offer means families could enjoy an entire year of theme park thrills across more than 20 Merlin attractions in the UK ensuring that the kids are kept entertained throughout the school holidays
You could enjoy a year of access to parks such as Alton Towers(Image: Merlin)
February half-term is coming up soon, and as all parents know, this is just the first of many school breaks where you’ll be scrambling around to find something to keep the kids entertained. While taking them to theme parks may seem like a pricey option, there is a deal that means you enjoy many more days out during the school holidays in 2026.
Merlin Entertainment, who own huge attractions across the UK such as Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, Chessington, Warwick Castle, and LEGOLAND, is offering a deal they call ‘Stay for a night, play for a year’. Families who book a short break this February for certain spring dates can get a free Essential Merlin Annual Pass (MAP) for each guest, giving them free access to its theme parks throughout the year.
Bookings need to be completed before March 1, and stay dates for this offer include:
LEGOLAND and Alton Towers – stays between March 14 and June 26
Chessington – stays between March 20 and June 26
Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle – stays between March 27 and June 26
Look for a banner next to the hotel name that says ‘Merlin Pass Included’ when booking to see if it’s eligible for the offer.
Depending on which resort and hotel you choose, guests can enjoy facilities such as themed accommodation, breakfast included in the price, plus two days of fun at the theme park of your choice. You’ll also find perks such as access to the 9-hole golf course at Alton Towers and access to the SEA Life centre at Chessington.
And once you check out, you still have a year of fun family adventures to enjoy. You’ll get a Merlin Annual Pass delivered to your inbox when you book, offering 339 days of experiences and fun, which includes access to family-friendly days out like the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, and The London Dungeon. Simply activate the pass and it’s valid for 12 months with a few restriction dates.
Other attractions where the annual pass can be used include SEA Life centres across the UK, Cadbury World, Shrek’s Adventure! London and LEGOLAND’s Discovery Centres give plenty of options for days out.
Passholders can also nab 10% off Fastrack passes for days when you want to skip the queues, plus 10% off food and drink at the parks.
You can even redeem your pass before your stay and start using it elsewhere, so if you book now, you could use it on weekdays during the February half term to take the kids to one of Merlin’s attractions.
So, how much could families save? It depends on which hotel stay you book and how much you use the pass. A family of four could book a night at the Chessington Safari Hotel on Saturday, March 28 for £418 and get four free passes included. Buying Merlin Essential passes would usually cost £139 each, adding up to £556 for four people, so this is already a cheaper option if you’ve been considering buying the passes anyway.
Day passes to Alton Towers, as an example, cost £32 online and as much as £68 if you buy on the gates, so if you plan just a handful of theme park visits, this offer could save you hundreds over the year.
Full list of attractions where Merlin’s annual pass can be used
Alton Towers Resort
Chessington World Of Adventures Resort
LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
The London Eye
Thorpe Park
SEA LIFE London
National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
SEA LIFE Manchester
SEA LIFE Blackpool
SEA LIFE Brighton
SEA LIFE Weymouth Adventure Park
SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth
SEA LIFE Sanctuary Hunstanton
SEA LIFE Scarborough
SEA LIFE Loch Lomond
Warwick Castle
Madame Tussauds London
Shrek’s Adventure! London
LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Birmingham
LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Manchester
The London Dungeon
The York Dungeon
The Edinburgh Dungeon
Cadbury World
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True crime fans can binge watch a harrowing series for free
Meet, Marry, Murder will be available to stream on Pluto TV(Image: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
A gripping true crime documentary series hosted by a late Hollywood A-lister is available to stream for free, the perfect binge watch for true crime fans.
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and so are plenty of romantic watches. But for fans of true crime and criminal investigations, there is one show to put on your radar in the coming weeks.
Pluto TV has brought its single series channel dedicated to the Meet, Marry, Murder true crime documentary series. Hosted by Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Michelle Trachtenberg, it explores some of the most chilling cases where spouses are killed by their partners.
Focusing on how love turns deadly and investigates the darker side of marriage, the documentary hones in on one of the most common forms of murder – involving a married couple.
Pluto TV teases: “The single series channel dedicated to the ‘Meet, Marry, Murder’ true crime documentary series, hosted by Michelle Trachtenberg, explores chilling cases where spouses are killed by their partners, focusing on how love turns deadly and investigates the darker side of marriage.”
Meet, Marry, Murder will be available to stream completely for free on Pluto TV, with it being dubbed the perfect watch for fans of true crime. The series features emotional interviews as well as investigating how a life time commitment of love ends in disaster and heartbreak.
Taking to IMDB, many fans said the series was “one of the most interestingly detailed” documentary shows. One person praised: “This show is one of the most interestingly detailed true crime documentary shows. The stories are ones I had not seen or heard before as I watch quite a bit of true crime so that kept me watching.
“You hear from people very close to the story so you are very emotionally pulled in and get a large amount of detail to what led up to the sad event.” They added: “The show as a whole is a great true crime documentary series.”
Another person penned: “Did enjoy binge watching this though and the stories they made episodes on. Still love Michelle, just think maybe something else is for her in terms of hosting.
“Otherwise I enjoyed the performances and the way they build up certain twists in some of the stories. This kind of show is different because it’s not strangers, it’s people in marriages that spiral downwards.”
A third added: “Interesting new show and somewhat different then most true life crime shows. Michelle Trachtenberg who host this show in many ways is like Elvira Mistress of the Dark, Michelle, commentary on the case being viewed is very much same as Elvira’s remarks during the movie she is doing.
“Both women are very goth in the manner of dress and make up! While all the cases that Michelle does in Season 1 are ones I have already seen on other true life crime shows. That said, Michelle color commentary is unique to this show [sic].”
Adam Lewinson, Chief Content Officer, Tubi said at the time of release: “At Tubi, we are excited to expand our offerings within the true crime genre with the premiere of Meet, Marry, Murder.”
He added: “Viewers’ fascination with true crime content is ever-growing and we know Meet, Marry, Murder will captivate audiences and keep them at the edge of their seats.”
Meet, Marry, Murder is available to stream for free on Pluto TV.
DO YOU love theme parks? Well, you could visit numerous across the UK for the price of just one ticket.
Merlin attractions has introduced an offer where guests can stay at one of their resorts and will receive an Essential Merlin Annual Pass (MAP).
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If you stayed at Alton Towers for one night for example, you would get a year pass to visit the other Merlin attractionsCredit: AlamyOr you could stay at Legoland Windsor Resort where there is a knight-themed roomCredit: Legoland Windsor Resort
Guests need to book between February 3 and March 1, for a stay at one of Merlin’s onsite hotels for anytime between now and June 26 and in return will be given a pass to visit Merlin attractions for free, for a year.
For example, you could stay onsite at Legoland Windsor Resort, Alton Towers Resort, Chessington World of Adventures, Thorpe Park or Warwick Castle.
Known as the ‘Stay For A Night, Play For A Year’ offer, each guest will get a year-long pass to over 20 attractions.
Stays at many of the resorts are themed and often include breakfast as well.
If you wanted somewhere unique to stay, you could head to Alton Towers’ Stargazing Pods, which are set around a village green and have telescopes to see the night sky.
A one-night stay in one of these pods for a family of four costs from £160 and includes free parking.
Alternatively, if you want to visit Legoland Windsor Resort, there is the Woodland Village, Resort Hotel and Castle Hotel.
Inside the Castle Hotel guests can experience a world of magic, with rooms themed around knights, wizards and kingdoms far far away.
Some attraction accommodation sites also have exclusive perks such as nine-hole golf at Alton Towers Resort or events such as Legoland Windsor Resort’s 30th birthday bash.
When looking for a place to stay, make sure to book through the direct resort booking portal only as the offer is not available on third-party websites or with non-Merlin owned hotels.
Legoland Windsor Resort also has a Woodland Village which opened a couple of years agoCredit: Alamy
For example, Chessington World of Adventures’ portal shows Hilton hotels nearby, but the offer will not apply to stays at these hotels.
Instead you should stay at the Azteca and Safari Resort Hotels onsite, which are especially ideal for fans of Julia Donaldson as there is a Gruffalo themed room.
You could also see breathtaking views of the capital on the London Eye or venture into the past at The London Dungeon.
Alternatively, head to Cadbury World in Birmingham, where visitors can head on a self-guided tour, learning about chocolate-making and the brand’s history.
In total, the experience has 14 interactive zones.
Passholders will also get 10 per cent off of Fastrack products, as well as food and drink.
What’s it like to stay at Legoland Windsor Resort?
SUN REPORTER Owen Anslow stayed at Legoland Windsor Resort and here’s what he thought…
Tucked away in the trees of Legoland Windsor Resort is the wonderful new Woodland Village, home to 130 lodges set in cute cul-de-sacs, all with their own mini playgrounds.
This charming cabin retreat, amid lush greenery, was our home for the weekend (my wife, myself and our very own woodland critter, aged eight).
Set against the backdrop of theme park craziness, the Woodland Village is a calm oasis where parents can recharge batteries – and refill wine glasses.
The £35million development is Legoland’s first carbon-neutral accommodation – a fact emphasised by the wooden keycards you collect at check-in.
And in true Legoland fashion, our cabin is gloriously childish and bright in its design – like a giant version of something my son would craft from the avalanche of bricks strewn throughout the house.
The standard lodges sleep five people, with a double bed in the main room and the kids’ area next door – complete with your standard Lego-making pit, TV and bunk beds.
Premium lodges are slightly bigger and sleep seven, with a mezzanine area overlooking a lounge section, and around the back of the village are 20 trendy glamping barrels.
The clever Woodland Village AR Experience kept our boy busy for a while, bringing to life plants and animals on the cabin walls, while Mum and Dad snuck in some downtime on the decking outside.
Everything in the Woodland Village is so enchanting that you’d be forgiven for wanting to stay there all weekend instead of heading to the theme park.
One night’s B&B at Legoland Woodland Village is from £69pp, based on four people sharing a Woodland Barrel and including entry to the Legoland Windsor theme park and a round of Legoland Adventure golf.
LIKE theatre, gigs and festivals but hate the price tags that go with them?
There are plenty of little-known sites that offer heavily discounted or even FREE tickets to top-name events to fill empty seats. This even includes recordings for TV shows that have audiences.
TodayTix is a great platform for finding discounted West End ticketsCredit: Getty
With London West End shows easily setting two people back £100, heading to the theatre may seem possible only once in a blue moon.
But thanks to the following sites, you could save hundreds on tickets – we’ve tested all of them, and got incredible tickets to some huge shows for a fraction of what everyone else is paying.
TodayTix
If you don’t already have the TodayTix app, you should download it now.
It is an app for booking theatre and stage shows, including the London West End performances.
It’s especially great for anyone looking for last-minute shows.
There is a feature called ‘Rush Tickets’, which offers a chance to get discounted tickets on the day of a performance.
Shows this offer is applied to include MJ The Musical (£30), The Producers (£30), Titanique (£30), Stranger Things The First Shadow (£25), Back to the Future (£29.50), Six (£25), The Book of Mormon (£25) and Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap (£25).
I recently watched The Mousetrap on a £25 Rush Ticket and managed to get the first row of the upper circle – a seat that usually costs considerably more than £25.
The app also has a ‘lottery’ feature for some shows, where you can enter a lottery for tickets from as little as £10.
Under this feature, you do have to be resilient, as the likelihood of getting lottery tickets is slim.
However, after a few months of entering the lottery every week, I managed to bag £40 tickets to both parts of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child – tickets which can usually set you back over £400 for the stalls or dress circle.
Other shows that have lottery offers include Hamilton, which, if you won, you’d only pay £10 for.
Some shows also have their own offers on the app, for example, Moulin Rouge offers Bohemian Seats, which are reduced tickets (£30) for same-day performances.
With TodayTix, I have managed to visit several shows – Rush Ticket offers include MJ The Musical tickets for £30Credit: Cyann Fielding
Applause Store
Applause Store claims to be the world’s best television audience company and gives out tickets to a range of shows.
I have been using Applause Store for about four years now, and in that time, I have seen a couple of shows, including QI.
The one major downside, though, is that you get tickets and then queue for a long time and don’t necessarily get in.
This has put me off using Applause Store as frequently, though it is great if there is a show you really want to see being filmed for TV.
For example, at the time of writing, Applause Store is booking tickets for the BAFTA Awards fan areas, something that I would love to see, and so I have applied for two tickets.
Tickets are free, but just because you get tickets doesn’t mean that you are guaranteed entry, so if you are desperate to see the show, make sure you get there early.
SRO Audiences
SRO Audiences is similar to Applause Store.
For SRO Audiences, you don’t need to sign up – simply head onto the website, look at the shows available and request tickets.
Similar to Applause Store, tickets do not guarantee entry, so it is best to get there early on the day.
Central Tickets
Central Tickets is primarily for London theatre events – and by this I don’t necessarily mean London West End shows.
You have to sign up, but it is free of charge to do this, and then you get access to heavily discounted or even free tickets to shows.
Before Christmas, I nabbed two free tickets with a £6.50 admin fee (so £13 total) to see Burlesque: Unwrapped instead of a minimum of £45 per person.
The festive-yet-saucy burlesque performance was, of course, adults only and featured performers twirling around and undressing to Christmas tunes – I’m talking Rudolph nipple tassels and lots of glitter.
It was no London West End show, but for £6.50, my friend and I had a great laugh and a fun evening out.
A lot of the events and shows will most likely be things you haven’t heard of before, but all have a description, meaning you can learn what the show is about before booking.
Sometimes there are some real gems, though; for example, at the time of writing, you could head to Phantom Peak’s immersive experience for £10 instead of £35, or you could head to Sabrage, “featuring international circus elites and theatrical misfits”, for £15 instead of a minimum of £30.
Some sites have discounted tickets to events, including comedy gigsCredit: Getty
Show Film First
Similar to Central Tickets, Show Film First offers heavily discounted tickets to shows and events.
You do have to sign up for an account, which is free, and their newsletter to get the offers.
Some of the current offers include seeing the London Lions basketball team playing against the Niners Chemnitz team, and you would only pay the access fee.
They have also had tickets to top London day festivals, featuring international popstars as headline acts – for an access fee of just £7.95 (but we won’t say who, to spare their blushes).
Other offers include travel conferences and comedy shows.
Age-bracketed tickets
When living in London, it is often easy to forget that theatres, cinemas, and so on offer age-related discounts, and it isn’t necessarily always for youngsters.
The Young Vic then offers £12 tickets for under 25s, and the Barbican and Almeida Theatre both offer £5 tickets for 25s and under.
A bit older than that? Well, if you are under 30, joining the mailing lists for the Royal Albert Hall and Donmar Warehouse allows you to grab £20 tickets.
At The Royal Albert Hall, past events have included Barbie: The Movie in Concert, Video Games in Concert and BBC Proms: The Traitors.
There is also Kids Week, which usually takes place in the summer, and allows children under the age of 18 to visit many West End shows for free with a paying adult.
In addition to offers, there are some ticket types that cost lessCredit: Cyann Fielding
Restricted view
One way to get cheaper tickets at pretty much any show is by opting for the restricted-view seats.
Sites like SeatPlan and A View From My Seat help to show what sort of view you would get, so you can always check a restricted seat’s view before actually booking it.
If you do book this kind of ticket, you can expect to save between 30 and 50 per cent compared to a seat with a non-restricted view.
Whilst this offer isn’t available at the moment, it will be in the summer again, every Friday at 11am when tickets are released for the following week.
And each ticket only costs £5.
Last summer I watched The Winter’s Tale on a standing ticket.
Half of the show was conducted inside, where I did stand but had a barrier to lean on, and then the other half was outside, and thanks to the show not being fully booked, I got a seat.
It is worth checking the length of the show and thinking whether you can stand for that long, though, before committing.
Like at the Globe theatre, you can stand for just £5Credit: Getty
Disney discounts
If you head to the ‘Disney Tickets’ website, you can grab tickets to Disney’s West End shows for less than usual.
For example, you can grab tickets to The Lion King and Disney‘s Hercules on Mondays at noon for that week’s performances for £29.50.
Known as Magical Mondays, it means you could see The Lion King for considerably less than the usual ticket price, which sits around the £70 to £110 range.
All you need to do is create a MyDisney account, which is free to do.
Need an escape from the modern world? This volunteering opportunity offers free room and board, and in return, all you need to do is count the island’s puffin population who live in colonies
Surrounded by the picturesque countryside and boasting a lively market centre, this charming mill town offers no shortage of activities for those keen to explore its many attractions.
It’s brimming with culture, history, and natural beauty
A charming market town in Lancashire boasts what’s been dubbed the ‘finest house and garden’ in the entire county – and the best part is, entry won’t cost you a penny.
Accrington, Lancashire’s well-kept secret, is packed with culture, stunning natural landscapes, and rich heritage, guaranteeing something special for every visitor who makes the journey. Nestled amongst rolling countryside and featuring a thriving market at its centre, this historic mill town offers no shortage of activities for those keen to explore its many attractions.
Among the standout destinations in Accrington is an art gallery housing the spectacular Tiffany Glass Collection, which art enthusiasts simply cannot miss.
The Haworth Art Gallery and Museum is an essential stop for lovers of art and history alike, and according to Visit Lancashire, it’s also where you’ll find ‘Lancashire’s finest house and garden’, reports Lancs Live.
Originally known as Hollins Hill, the Haworth Art Gallery and Museum was first constructed for siblings William and Anne Haworth, and has been carefully ‘designed in the Arts and Crafts style’.
Bequeathed by the brother and sister to serve as a museum, art gallery and public park for Accrington’s residents, this historically important building welcomes visitors throughout the year, with absolutely no admission fee.
Bursting with elaborate details and stunning features, every corner of this remarkable building has been ‘inspired by nature and made with a love of materials and craftsmanship’.
In its current incarnation, the property’s historic stables and coach house have been transformed into Artists’ Studios, providing workspace for numerous skilled artisans who create and sell their pieces on the gallery-museum’s prestigious premises.
Spanning nine acres of parkland, this historic site provides refuge in its rose garden, room to relax on sweeping lawns, or chances to wander through the woodland encircling this house-turned-gallery.
Guests can also enjoy a genuine dining experience at the venue’s licensed Gallery Kitchen, located in Haworth’s original Arts and Crafts dining room.
However, the standout attraction of the Haworth Art Gallery and Museum is arguably its stunning Tiffany Collection.
This assemblage of beautiful American glassware was presented to the town by Accrington-born Joseph Briggs, who, following an apprenticeship as an engraver, relocated to New York at just 17 years old.
Joseph worked at Tiffany for roughly 40 years, starting out as an errand boy before eventually ascending to managing director of the world-famous company.
This glassware collection, produced by the legendary designer Louis Comfort Tiffany, was dispatched by Joseph to Accrington in 1933. The iconic works remain on permanent public display throughout four themed galleries within the art venue.
One review of the art gallery and museum on Tripadvisor reads: “Beautiful art gallery with a wonderful collection of tiffany glass. The surrounding gardens are very pretty. Had a fantastic lunch in the cafe.”
Another satisfied visitor shared their experience: “Most interesting place which still has the feel of a large family home in the Arts and Crafts style with superb Tiffany exhibits and other items of interest. Excellent tea room and gift shop with pleasant gardens . We will definitely come again.”
Key information for visitors
Entry to the Haworth Art Gallery and Museum in Accrington, including parking at the gallery, is absolutely free. For 2026, the attraction welcomes visitors from January 1 to December 20, Wednesday through Sunday from 12pm to 4.30pm.
The Gallery Kitchen operates on the same days and dates, but timings differ slightly, with service starting from 11.30pm to 4.30pm. Last admission to the house is at 4pm and the building is closed over Christmas and New Year.
Must-see attractions in Accrington
For those keen to delve deeper into Accrington, Oswaldtwistle Mills is another must-see attraction in the town. This historic cotton mill played a crucial role during the Industrial Revolution and is the birthplace of the spinning Jenny.
Accrington also offers an array of splendid green spaces, including Oak Hill Park and Memorial Park situated in Great Harwood.
Those passionate about history and architecture shouldn’t miss the Victorian Market Hall during their stay – a landmark that opened for business in 1869 and continues to serve as the community’s beating heart – along with the Town Hall, a favourite venue for weddings and celebrations.
This delightful market town is also renowned for its yearly celebrations including the Soapbox Challenge and The Accrington Food Festival, offering visitors a delicious insight into the area’s culture and culinary scene.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, art aficionado, or someone simply wanting to enjoy the natural surroundings and local character, Accrington provides plenty to suit every preference, allowing guests to discover the town’s enchantment for themselves.
Best Lancashire holiday cottage deals
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Lancashire is known for its wide open skies, stunning landscapes and lively coastal resorts. Sykes Cottages has a wide range of self catering accommodation across the county from £42 a night.
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Bennett Stirtz scored 20 points, including two free throws with 4.6 seconds remaining, as Iowa survived USC‘s comeback bid to win 73-72 on Wednesday night.
The Hawkeyes (15-5, 5-4 Big Ten) led by 17 points in the second half, but a rally by USC put the Trojans ahead by one point with eight seconds to go. Stirtz was fouled by USC’s Jerry Easter II, and made both free throws to put Iowa back ahead.
Iowa’s Tavion Banks also had 20 points before fouling out with just over three minutes to go.
A 20-4 run early in the second half gave the Hawkeyes a double-digit lead, but Kam Woods single-handedly got the Trojans (15-6, 4-6) back into the game with a solo 12-0 run. Woods scored 19 straight points for USC before Jacob Cofie made the go-ahead layup. Woods finished with 33 points on 12-of-17 shooting after playing all 40 minutes. His previous season high was eight points.
USC led 28-27 at the half thanks to Chad Baker-Mazara who scored 11 of his 13 points in the first half.
Alvaro Folgueiras added 14 points and five rebounds for Iowa, and Kael Combs dished a team-high four assists.
The young cast member steals the show according to fans
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One of the cast members of a new hit Netflix series is a former social media star making her professional screen debut on the show.
Six-part comedy series Free Bert is one of the most watched shows on the platform since it released. According to the synopsis provided by the streamer, Bert Kreischer, shirtless comedian, party legend, perpetual wildcard, finds himself in uncharted territory when his daughters are accepted to an elite Beverly Hills private school. When his unbridled antics turn his family into outcasts, he decides to “put on a shirt” and stifle his true nature to better fit in.
While it doesn’t have enough critic reviews to warrant a Rotten Tomatoes score, fans have sung its praises online. Many sharing their thoughts have singled out the performances from the younger members of the cast.
One person posted: “It’s very funny, very watchable and very good. The cast is outstanding, especially the girls playing his daughters.”
But who is Ava Ryan who plays the eldest daughter? And how old is she? Here’s everything you need to know.
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.
How old is Free Bert star Ava Ryan?
Ava Ryan is one of the breakout stars of Free Bert. She plays one of the on-screen daughters of Bert Kreischer.
The character is very much based on the comedian’s real life eldest child Georgia. Ava makes her professional screen debut with the role.
While Bert’s real children are now aged 19 and 21 respectfully, the series portrays them as High School age. According to the website Famous Birthdays, Ava Ryan was born February 21, 2010 and is 15 years old.
She is a social media star who has appeared in posts and videos alongside her mother since she was a baby. Her mum shared clips of Ava on Instagram, Vine, Facebook and YouTube. One of their most popular posts was a video of Ava saying “I smell like beef” which gained millions of views.
Now a teenager with her own account, Ava boasts more than 1 million followers on her own Instagram account. Her on-screen mother played by comedian Arden Myrin recently shared a tribute to Ava on social media.
She said: “Have you watched Free Bert yet on Netflix? I love these girls so much. Lilou Lang and Ava Ryan both had their first professional acting jobs on this show and they hit it out of the park. And more importantly, they are as funny and kind and warm as they are talented. It was a joy getting to work with them. Ava and Lilou feel like my family even though they are just my TV family.”
