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HALF-TERM is officially here and if you’re looking for a way to keep your little ones occupied, we have just the thing.

The UK’s favourite theme parks are once again opening their gates this week, with a variety of events on offer.

Whether your child is a thrill-seeker or K-pop fan, there’s something for everyone this half-term.

Enjoy a well-deserved break with your family at discounted prices this off-season.

Scroll down to read all about the offers currently available at your favourite theme parks.

Alton Towers

Visitors can enjoy access to select areas of Alton Towers this February half-term as the Pirate Takeover Returns.

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Whether you join Captain Black’s motley crew for an exciting pirate adventure in Mutiny Bay and Towers Street, or venture into CBeebies Land, there’s something for everyong this half-term.

There will also be live entertainment, with pre-booked tickets starting from just £34, another 50 per cent saving.

Alton Towers will then re-open fully on March 14, with the brand new Bluey Ride in operation.

Legoland Windsor

Celebrating its 30th birthday, Legoland Windsor will welcome guests from February 14 to 23 before its official re-opening on March 14.

Advanced bookings start from £32, saving you half the price as on-the-day tickets.

With a variety of special events planned throughout the year for the park’s anniversary, fans can start with February’s Brick Days, which are “designed to unleash your imagination” and “immerse you in a world of creativity”.

Chessington World of Adventures

While the Zoo and Sea Life section of Chessington World of Adventures is open year-round, visitors will have access to select rides and attractions this half-term.

Enjoy wild rides and up-close animal talks as part of the fun activities this February.

The full theme park will re-open on March 20, including its a brand new Paw Patrol-themed land.

Visitors can pre-book online for £34, offering a 48 per cent saving compared with on-the-gate prices.

Drayton Manor

 Select rides at Drayton Manor will be open throughout half-term, including a K-pop takeover with live performances and themed entertainment.

The full park, including the soft play, train rides, and zoo, will be open on weekends from March 14 and then daily from April 1.

Online tickets start from £27.50, and £15 for those aged two to three, saving you nearly 40 per cent compared with on-the-door prices.

Paultons Park

Already re-opened for weekends, Paultons Park will welcome visitors on select rides this half-term.

Peppa Pig World will be open all week, offering “nine oinktastic rides and a giant indoor playzone”, making it ideal for all kinds of weather.

It will them open daily for the full season from March 25, with access to its new themed land Valgard: Realm of the Vikings beginning in May.

Advanced bookings start from £46.75, saving you more than 30 per cent per person.

Gulliver’s Land Theme Park

And Gulliver’s Land Theme Park will also host a half-term opening beginning on February 14.

Previously only indoor attractions have been open, but now select rides will also be available to customers.

Visitors can get a taste for the park’s Spring Specatular event, with early bird tickets starting from just £17 per person right now.

Other promotional offers are available for families during the off-season, with prices for a group of four starting from just £39.

WHEN it comes to day trips some places leave you disappointed – but one place that has never let me down whatever the weather is Cambridge.

From tucking into sticky Chelsea buns to exploring the famous colleges and free museums, you can easily spend a day here – so here are my top tips for a half-term staycation.

Out & About

Depending on whether you want a day bracing the outdoors, or tucked up inside, there’s so much you can do Cambridge.

And one thing the city is so famous for is punting – which you can do year-round.

So if you want to head out on the water, you can opt to go with a guide (which I’d recommend), or have a go yourself.

Lots of different companies offer tours, but if you book through Cambridge Punt Company you can join a shared tour which takes you along the Cambridge Backs.

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Experts talk about the colleges, share stories and it only lasts around 50-minutes.

Prices for shared tours start at around £15 per adult – if you book online you can save 15 per cent on morning tours.

If you want to go it on your own at your own pace then you can go for a self-hire punt which with Punting in Cambridge are priced at £32 per hour.

Just a warning for the self-conscious, a favourite pastime of tourists and locals is to watch first-timers attempt punting and get stuck – so you might spot some giggling onlookers.

If you’re around the punting area, then you may as well take a look around the colleges.

Cambridge is well-known for its prestigious university, and it does no harm that it looks like a set from Harry Potter either.

You can book an official tour with college alumni – although it might not be the most interesting for small children.

If you want to poke your head in, lots of the colleges offer free entry to the public like Pembroke, Christ’s, Magdalene, and Peterhouse.

While you’re there, have a look at the very strange-looking Corpus Clock with a grasshopper on the top.

From there, head into the centre for a walk around the market which is open everyday with stalls selling street food, clothes, jewellery and books.

For some shopping, head into the Grand Arcade or walk across the park to the Grafton Centre.

Free Activities

There are some great places in the city where you don’t have to spend any money at all.

If the weather holds out, the parks are lovely places to go and there are some huge ones in Cambridge like Parker’s Piece and Jesus Green.

Christ’s Pieces is a Victorian park and yes, kids can run about in the open space – but they can also try their hand at table tennis.

On the green are three outdoor tables and you can collect bats and balls from the neighbouring coffee kiosk – free of charge.

Lammas Land has a huge adventure playground with lots of swings, slides and climbing frames to play on.

If it’s a bit chilly then parents can warm up with a hot drink at the cafe which is usually open until 6pm in the winter.

If punting isn’t your thing, but you still want to wander by the water, you can easily take a walk along the River Cam.

You can pick how long you walk for but trails go for miles – some good routes are Magdalene Bridge to Silver Street.

Or the riverside trail through Midsummer Common to Jesus Green.

Sadly there won’t be any cows grazing on the commons in February – but if you return later in the year, you’ll be able to spot them usually near Mill Pond.

Usually they’re there from April until October.

If the weather doesn’t play ball, Cambridge has plenty of museums to take a gander around – and most are free entry.

I remember going into the Fitzwilliam Museum on a school trip and it’s filled with all sorts of artefacts that span across three floors.

It’s currently got an exhibit on Ancient Egypt too (although you’ll have to pay from £14.50 to see this).

The Museum of Zoology is also free and a great one for fans of the Natural History Museum.

Here you can see skeletons of a 21-metre long fin whale, an Asian elephant, Komodo dragon, Goblin shark and even a giant clam.

Check the ‘what’s on’ page as they often hold events and workshops through the year.

Food & Drink

The only struggle you’ll have in Cambridge is deciding where to eat because there are so many good cafes and restaurants.

There are lots of your classic chains that are a hit with kids like Las Iguanas, Zizzi, Honest Burger and Bill’s (who I have to say do a great brunch).

Of course, the city is filled with plenty of fab pubs too.

The Eagle is possibly the most famous as it’s where the finding of the DNA was first announced by  Francis Crick and James Watson in 1953.

They serve up food like Chicken Kyiv, mac and cheese, fish and chips, burgers, as well as lighter options like salads and toasted sandwiches.

Head to The Mill for a fishfinger, sausage or brie sandwich.

A little outside of the city centre is the Milton Arms which has special offers on Pie Tuesdays, Pizza Wednesdays, and Burger Thursdays.

If you get peckish and want something sweet, I cannot recommend Fitzbillies enough.

There are three bakeries around Cambridge and they’re known for their enormous and delicious Chelsea Buns.

The original bakery is the one on Trumpington Street opposite the Fitzwilliam Museum with the other two on Bridge Street and King’s Parade.

You can pick up an original Chelsea bun for around £4.

But there are plenty of other flavours to try like blueberry cheesecake, Nutella, and cinnamon buns.

Or even savoury choices like cheese and marmite, or tomato, basil and pesto.

Getting There

When it comes to getting into Cambridge, if you’re heading there by car it can be very busy with car park prices being extortionate.

The worst by far being the Grand Arcade – if you’re there for over five hours it will set you back £36.10.

A great option, and one I used to go all the time as a child is hop on the Park and Ride.

My family would park the car at Trumpington and hop on the bus.

It’s free to park for up to 18 hours and then it’s £4 to the city centre and back for adults.

Up to four children (under 5) go free with each fare-paying adult.

Otherwise, for children aged between 5-15 years it’s just £1 for a return ticket.

The bus will drop you right outside the Grand Arcade shopping centre in the middle of the city too.

There’s also a train station – but for families be warned it’s around a 20-minute walk into the city centre.

But there are buses and taxis you can hop into – or request an Uber.

For more on Cambridge, check out this pretty hotel that’s perfect for city exploring with a beautiful bar and free walking tour.

And here’s a quiet village just 15 minutes from Cambridge that’s the backdrop of an ITV drama.

ONE of the most popular beaches in the UK will close during half-term.

Undergoing important works to ensure it’s ready for summer, part of Weymouth Beach will close to visitors next week.

In a Facebook post, Weymouth Town Council gave advance notice of the beach closure for ‘annual levelling works’.

It detailed that from Monday 16 until Friday 20, 2026, Weymouth Beach will be closed between the Pavilion Theatre and the Jubilee Clock.

It added that “the reason the work needs to be done now is because we need to coincide with the spring tide”.

“During the spring tide, more of the beach is exposed, which allowed the team to get the diggers further on to the beach”.

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Diggers will take to the sand to level it out from where it’s been moved from bad weather and tides – all in preparation for peak summer season.

Some comments on the post aren’t overly positive due to the closure coinciding with the half-term break.

One person wrote: “But why do it at school half term its crazy.”

Another added: “Half term week of all weeks! Next you’ll be telling us that you are going to close off the best part of the beach for a week in the summer holidays.”

A third wrote: “That’s half term week! Going to have very disappointed children.”

Others were more understanding with one encouraging families to watch the diggers in operation.

The part of the beach past the clock tower will remain open to visitors.

Weymouth is one of the most popular beaches in the country and was named one of the best beaches in Europe by Tripadvisor last year.

Previously, Weymouth was also named the UK’s best beach by The Times – it beat 49 other beaches that also made the list.

If you want some more space on the beach, just a 17-minute drive away from Weymouth is the longest and largest in the county.

Chesil Beach has 18 miles of stretching coastline, and on the part of the promenade that’s on the Isle of Portland, is one of the best pubs in the UK.

The Cove House Inn made an appearance on the list of the 25 best spots for a pint by Big 7 Travel last year.

One visitor commented: “And the VIEWS! Amazing – right on Chesil beach with views out to sea. What a gem of a place.”

For more beaches, here are Sun Travel’s 26 must-visit UK beaches for 2026 – including tropical-feel spots and family-friendly finds.

Plus, one Travel Writer reveals their favourite spots on the pretty UK coastline with the most Blue Flag beaches.

If you’re heading abroad this year you’ll need to make sure your passport is valid – and that includes checking two key dates on your document before booking a trip

There are crucial passport checks you need to be mindful of before jetting off abroad, especially with the February half-term looming.

Over the past year, travel rules have undergone significant changes, including hikes in passport fees, the introduction of digital-only boarding passes, and rises in tourist taxes. However, one of the most frequent blunders is neglecting to properly check passports prior to reaching the airport.

If a passport is within its expiry date, it’s easy to assume it’s good to go. But what many Brits may not realise is that their passport must have at least three months’ validity when travelling to the EU.

This is calculated from the return date, not the departure date. So, if your holiday spans from 25 July to 1 August, your passport must be valid until at least 1 November 2026.

While some countries demand six months of validity, the EU only requires three, so it’s essential to verify your passport’s validity, reports the Express.

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Another important check is to confirm your passport was issued within the last 10 years. The ’10 year rule’ has tripped up travellers, particularly those who received a passport prior to September 2018, as these were valid for 10 years and nine months.

Although the passport might seem valid, it could actually be over 10 years old and thus invalid for flying. Meanwhile, passports issued after September 2018 are valid for 10 years, with the ’10 year’ rule applying to all passports.

Should you discover your passport has lapsed for either reason, you can arrange a renewal via the government website. If time is tight, there’s an option to fast-track the application, though it’s advisable to submit your renewal request at the earliest opportunity.

In related travel news, the European Union (EU) introduced the new Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU travellers entering and leaving the Schengen zone last year. For British passport holders, this means that instead of receiving stamps, your biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph, will be captured at the border when visiting a Schengen area country.

The Schengen zone encompasses many of Britain’s favourite holiday spots, including destinations anticipated to be particularly busy during February half-term as families jet off for sunshine breaks.

The Schengen area countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus fall outside the Schengen area, meaning EES doesn’t apply when travelling to these nations.

This adjustment came into force on October 12, 2025, designed to boost security whilst speeding up border processing. Holidaymakers needn’t take any extra steps before reaching the border, and EES registration carries no additional charge.

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Nevertheless, to guarantee a seamless holiday departure and prevent missing your outbound flight, passengers are encouraged to factor in extra time when turning up at EU airports or other points of entry. The digital EES remains valid for three years, after which travellers must supply fresh fingerprints or have another photograph taken at the border during entry and exit.

Whilst no extra preparation is required, it’s crucial to be mindful of this modification so you’re prepared for fingerprint and photo requirements when crossing into a Schengen zone. Additionally, understanding this change means you’ll anticipate potential hold-ups as the EES is implemented.

The new framework isn’t yet operational at every EU airport, so it’s advisable to verify beforehand and build in additional time. Full implementation across all Schengen nations is scheduled for April 10, 2026.

Meanwhile, ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is expected to go live later this year for those visiting the EU. The new visa waiver scheme will oblige Britons to complete an ETIAS application prior to their EU holiday, costing €20 per person.

Nevertheless, once granted following a pre-screening process, the ETIAS will remain valid for three years, or until your passport runs out. The rollout of the new scheme, which mirrors the United States’ ESTA system, hasn’t been confirmed yet, but it’s anticipated for Q4 of this year.

FEBRUARY half term is just around the corner, and if you’re wanting to get out and enjoy some family quality time – we’ve got the list for you.

Especially if you’re looking for days out that won’t hurt the bank account, as these festivals, castles and railway days out are all under a tenner.

We’ve rounded up the biggest and best February half term events for families across the UK.

And with entry from just £1 – or even totally free – you’ll be smiling just as much as the kids.

Yorkshire Games Festival, Bradford

Taking place from the 11 – 22 February 2026, the Yorkshire Games Festival will take place at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford.

This family-friendly gaming festival is full of free activities and fully hands-on. It’s packed with real gameplay, workshops and group activities – as well as talks from big names in gaming.

Activities include an interactive comedy gaming show, an interactive videogame-making workshop, and a big screen where attendees can join a round of Nintendo’s Mario Party Jamboree.

Plus, there’s dark and cosy gaming corners away from the noise for those who wish to play in a peaceful setting.

Make sure to book your free museum admission ticket in advance before dropping into sessions or reserving your slot for events online.

Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, Shropshire

Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings are running a free craft activities program this February half term.

Kids can get stuck into arts and crafts, using linen and rag rug techniques to make dolls, friendship bracelets, badges and more.

The activities will take place in the Stables and Smithy rooms, and are suitable for ages five to eleven.

You can drop in for the arts and crafts between 10am – 3pm on Monday 16, Tuesday 17 and Friday 20 February.

If you also want to view the mill exhibitions during your visit, tickets cost £8 per adult and £4.50 per child, with under fives going free.

English Heritage even have a free printable Adventurer’s Checklist online that you can bring along, which children can colour in as they go.

Imagine Children’s Festival, London Southbank Centre

London’s Southbank Centre are hosting a huge children’s festival this February half term.

Between the 11 – 21 February, the Imagine Festival will host nearly 40 children’s events – many of which are free to take part in.

Free activities include dance and theatre shows, live music dance-alongs, and a free family trail called “Architecture Explorers”.

There’s also a Hip Hop Half Term free dance event on 20 February, and a Toasty Tots toddler event on 13 February.

Plus there’s paid events for under £10, like access to the indoor Replay playground for £7.50.

Most free events do not require pre-booking, but to book a ticketed event or see all of the events on offer, head to the Imagine Festival website.

Animal Adventures and Paddington Bear at Cardiff Castle, Wales

On the 16 and 17 of February, Cardiff Castle are running an Animal Adventures event to kick off half term.

This educational event allows kids of all ages to get up close to unique creatures including snakes and insects, whilst learning facts all about the species.

There’s also a special Paddington Bear statue at the castle up until September 2026, which is one of 23 unique sculptures that have popped up across the UK.

Admission tickets to Animal Adventures cost just £7.50. Slots are available between 10:15 and 16:30 and must be booked online on the Cardiff Castle website.

Horsey Half Term at Windsor Castle, Berkshire

If you receive Universal Credit, you can enjoy £1 entry to Windsor Castle this February half term – and take part in a creative celebration of all things equine.

Between the 14 – 22 February, Windsor Castle are hosting horse-themed arts and crafts events to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Horse.

Windsor Castle is already a top attraction for horse lovers, being home to Royal Mews that house the Royal Family‘s horses when riding at Windsor, as well as many ornate carriages.

To celebrate the year of the fire horse, arts and crafts activities will be available in the castle’s Learning Centre. You can also pick up a free children’s trail sheet to fill in during your visit.

There’s even a giant colourful Dream Horse sculpture on display, made of recycled materials from racecourses.

The £1 entry tickets are available for those who receive Universal Credit and other named benefits, which you can check online.

Moomin Trail and castle crafts at Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

Fans of Moominvalley can enjoy a magical trail through Bodiam Castle this February half term.

Start by grabbing a Moomin trail sheet, then wander through a fairy-tale path littered with characters, games and activities.

The trail takes place inside the castle itself, so no need to worry about dressing for the outdoors.

The trail itself costs just £2 to take part in, however you must also have admission tickets to the castle.

There’s also arts and crafts activities on offer this half term, such as decorating your own wooden knight’s shield or painting a ceramic dragon flowerpot.

If taking part in the arts and crafts, the items available to decorate cost between £2 – £5.

The Moomin trail is open until 8 March, whilst arts and crafts are available between 14 – 22 February.

Admission to Bodiam Castle is discounted for families. A family ticket for one adult and three children costs just £18 (£4.50pp). Under fives go free.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar trail at Osterley Gardens, Middlesex

Fans young and old of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar will enjoy this themed trail through the stately gardens of Osterley in Middlesex.

The story of the endlessly hungry creature is bought to life through educational activities, plus a trail accessible via paper sheet or QR code.

The trail itself is free to take part in, although you must have admission tickets to Osterley Gardens. It is recommended for ages three to six.

Plus to keep with the insect theme, there’s also a Zoolab Animal Encounter event, where you can meet with millipedes, spiders and more.

Admission to the gardens costs £10 for adults and £5 for children, with under fives going free.

Seven Stories, Newcastle

Seven Stories is an attraction and National Centre for Children’s Books, which is free to enter and full of exciting exhibitions and galleries.

Throughout February, families will be able to visit the free Elmer and Friends exhibition, which centres around the colourful patchwork elephant.

There is also a free exhibition on Mog, the Forgetful Cat which celebrates the 100th anniversary of Judith Kerr.

During the February half term, the centre will also be running daily story-time sessions every hour from 10:30am.

The sessions cost an additional £3.50 per child with adults sitting in for free, however the 3:30pm story time sessions are always free.

The story times are best suited to children under eight, and should be booked in advance on the Seven Stories website.

London Museum Docklands: Viking exhibition

There’s a completely free Viking-themed exhibition running from 14 – 20 February at the London Museum Docklands.

Kids can decorate a Viking shield biscuit, sit in on storytelling sessions, and create digital designs on a tablet – plus there’s a sensory play area for babies, too.

There’s also arts and crafts available such as making Viking brooches and moulding your own Roman pot.

Plus the rest of the main galleries and exhibitions are free and open to all, and include immersive Victorian streets and a unique mud-larking zone.

Whilst all of the activities are free, some require booking in advance online.

Harewood House Family Takeover, West Yorkshire

From 16 – 22 February 2026, Harewood House in West Yorkshire is undergoing the House Family Takeover.

This event will see the house filled with colourful, interactive play zones and historical characters to immerse you in Harewood’s history.

Other activities taking place include Welly Walks and relaxed arts and crafts sessions for SEND children.

The Family Takeover events are included in the cost of your day ticket, which should be purchased online in advance.

A family ticket for two adults and two children starts at £33, costing just £8.25pp to enter. However prices can vary depending on the date you choose to visit.

Leeds Storytelling Festival

Running from 14 February – 8 March 2026, the Leeds Storytelling Festival will take over the city for three weeks of theatre, readings, workshops and family trails.

One of the events taking place during the festival is the CBeebies Read and Rave at Leeds Central Library, a free event recommended for families with children under five.

Other fun options include Story Explorers face painting and crafts, and a family-friendly Ask an Astronaut Q&A with NASA’s Meganne Christian.

Most of the events at the festival are free, however you should check online if the events you want to attend need to be pre-booked.

Horniman Museum: Octonauts Trail and Underwater Adventures, London

Starting on February 13 and running all the way through until November, you can take part in a brand new exhibition at the Horniman Museum.

Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures is a new interactive exhibition which includes climbing aboard a submarine and crawling through shipwrecks.

There’s plenty of interactive and hands-on elements to this underwater adventure, plus there’s Octonauts themed activities and fun facts along the way, too.

Adult tickets cost £9.80 and children’s cost £7. A family ticket for four costs £27, or if you’re receiving Universal Credit you can enter for just £2. Book in advance online.

Colne Valley Railway, Essex

For a cheap half term activity that train-lovers will enjoy, head to Colney Valley Railway in Essex.

On the 15, 18 and 21 February 2026, the railway are offering the Kids for a Quid scheme, where families can enjoy free parking and unlimited train rides on a heritage steam train – with kids tickets for just £1.

The steam and diesel railway is a family and dog-friendly attraction close to Sible Hedingham in Essex.

Hop aboard a restored railway coach or wagon and enjoy views of the Essex countryside. The round trip takes about 15 minutes, with trains running every 30 minutes.

All children are given an activity sheet upon arrival, plus there’s also a large model railway on site, as well as a cafe with cosy seating and hot food.

A family ticket for two adults and three children usually costs £33.00, working out at £6.60 each.

But with the Kids for a Quid offer you’ll get it even cheaper, with the same family visit costing just £27, or £5.40 each.

To get the offer, head to the Railway’s website to pre-book and enter the code ‘KIDQUID26’.

National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Hampshire

The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu is running a “Hands-on History” event this February half term.

From the 14 – 22nd of February, families can follow an immersive, card-collecting trail through the museum, stopping to jump into plenty of fun tasks.

Activities along the way include getting hands-on with motoring mechanics in Jack Tucker’s Garage, as well as hopping aboard a replica 1912 London bus and quizzing the driver on all things transport.

There’s also plenty more to see here, like a limited-time collaboration with Disney and Pixar’s Cars until April 12.

Although adult tickets cost £27 and kids cost £16.65 (0 – three go free), there is a trick to make visiting the museum cheaper.

If you add on Gift Aid to your ticket when booking online (an extra 25%), you’ll receive a free annual pass to the National Motor Museum.

This means that after paying for your initial entry, you can return as many times as you want throughout the year for free – which can easily work out at under £10 per visit if you make the most of your pass!

ODEON and Vue discounted cinema tickets, nationwide

Vue Cinemas‘ Mighty Mornings deal offers cinema tickets for just £2.49 for children aged four to eleven, plus the same reduced rate applies to the adults accompanying them.

Mighty Mornings takes place every day during the school holidays from 10am, and offers a range of family-friendly films to pick from that all ages will enjoy.

Alternatively, ODEON offer ODEON Kids screenings with tickets from just £1.

ODEON Kids screenings run every day during the school holidays, however availability depends on your chosen cinema location and can be checked online.

Films to look forward to in the 2026 February half term include Sony Pictures’ GOAT and Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up.

STRESSED about your half-term family getaway stretching your bank account? Well, many hotels offer free stays for kids.

Whether you are heading out of the country and need a hotel near an airport or are just heading on a staycation, hotels can be expensive when you add on the kids.

But there are a number of hotels all over the UK that offer free kids stays making it more affordable.

Some even offer free meals and other perks too…

Down Hall, Bishop’s Stortford

Named AA Hotel of the Year, Down Hall nestled in the English countryside is just 45 minutes from central London and 15 minutes from Stansted Airport.

The hotel is an Italianate mansion with a history dating back to the 11th century.

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Inside, there are 98 individually designed bedrooms, including ones with views of the garden.

There is also an on-site restaurant called The Garden Room, which uses ingredients from its own vegetable garden.

Visitors can head to the Eden Spa too, a 24-hour gym, tennis courts and 11 acres of woodland.

Kids stay free between February 14 and 22, based on two adults and two children under 12 years old sharing.

It is worth noting though that the spa facilities are not included.

From £212 per room.

Mallory Court, Leamington Spa

Surrounded by gardens, Mallory Court Hotel is pretty to just look at.

Then, once inside, there are 42 individually styled bedrooms with a traditional country house feel.

There is a spa as well with a pool and gym.

For a bite to eat, you can head to The Warwick which is run by MasterChef winner Stu Deeley.

Over February half-term, children under the age of 10 can stay for free when sharing a room with an adult.

And included in the stay is bed and breakfast accommodation and designated family pool times.

To benefit from the offer, you must call to book.

Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish, Devon

Set in 19 acres of woodlands, the Langstone Cliff Hotel in Dawlish, Devon boasts spectacular views of the sea.

Nearby there are sandy beaches to explore, which can be reached via a short walk.

There’s lots to do at the hotel as well, including an indoor and an outdoor pool, and both indoor and outdoor play areas for children.

During the half-term break, kids under 10-years-old stay free when sharing with two adults.

Rooms start from around £123 per night.

The Grove, Watford

If you fancy something a little more luxury, The Grove is a great option.

The five-star hotel is just 18 miles from London and used to be the home of the Earls of Clarendon.

In total, there are 214 rooms and suites, an 18-hole golf course, a spa and a number of restaurants.

Over half term, kids stay free when sharing with parents and get breakfast at The Glasshouse, two hours of free childcare for kids aged two to nine, use of the Sequoia Spa and use of Asher’s Woodland Trails.

The offer runs from February 13 to 22 and costs from £550 per room.

The Fish Hotel, Broadway, The Cotswolds

This back-to-nature retreat looks over the village of Broadway in the Cotswolds.

The hotel has 500 acres to explore, as well as a number of activities and well-being classes.

There are a range of rooms to choose from too, such as treehouses, suites and huts.

When it comes to having something to eat there are a couple of options on site, including a bar and lounge and Hook – a seafood-focused restaurant.

Kids stay for free between February 13 and 22 with rooms costing from £340 based on two adults and a child sharing.

Britannia Hotels, various locations

Britannia Hotels has locations across the country and between February 13 and 22, kids under 14-years old stay for free when sharing a room with two adults.

Breakfast is included and so are kids meals.

Though if you stay on a Saturday night at Royal Court Hotel; Prince of Wales Hotel Southport; Britannia Airport Hotel Manchester; Norbreck; Castle Hotel Blackpool; Grand Hotel Scarborough; Grand Hotel Llandudno; Carrington House Hotel Bournemouth or Grand Hotel Blackpool – there will be a £10 supplement.

Otherwise, rooms cost from £59 per night.

The Swan at Lavenham, Sudbury 

Inside a 15th century building, The Swan at Lavenham is a cosy hotel with traditional oak beams and large fireplaces.

There are 46 rooms to choose from, with period features in each.

There is also a spa with an outdoor heated pool, steam room and sauna.

The hotel is dog-friendly too so your beloved furry friend doesn’t have to miss out.

Children stay free between February 15 and 21 and also get breakfast for free.

Rooms cost around £254 per night.

Watergate Bay Hotel, Newquay, North Cornwall

Watergate Bay Hotel in Cornwall is the ultimate surfers spot on Watergate Beach, which stretches over two miles long.

Just metres from the beach, guests can enjoy relaxing rooms with views of the sea.

Some even have roll-top baths, hanging chairs and seating around a large fire.

For kids, the hotel features a games room with a Lego station and there is a play area as well.

Kids stay for free when sharing an adult double room between February 13 and 21.

Rooms cost from £280 per night during the half-term.

The Alverton, Truro, Cornwall

The Alverton in Truro, Cornwall, is a Grade-II listed hotel with a cosy feel.

Inside, there are classic rooms and executive suites, as well as a bar, restaurant and terrace.

Over the February half-term, kids under 12-years-old stay for free and also get a Cornish breakfast each morning of their stay.

There are two room types in the offer to choose from.

Firstly, the classic room which costs from £110 based on one adult and one child sharing.

Or, secondly, the executive suites, costing from £203 based on two adults and two children sharing.

Holiday Inn, various locations

Holiday Inns are great for budget travel or if you are heading off on holiday but want to stay near the airport before your flight.

Perfect for half-term trips out of the country, kids under the age of 17-years-old stay for free during the school break when sharing a room with up to two adults.

Kids under 12-years-old also get free meals during their stay.

Prices vary depending on Location, but as an example you could stay at Holiday Inn London Bexley for £68 per night.

The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands,

The four-star Belfry Hotel & Resort sits in 550 acres of countryside and is well-known for its world-class golf.

The hotel features over 300 rooms, as well as a Fire and Ice spa with a 12-room thermal journey, restaurants such as Ryder Grill and Sam’s Club House.

If you are heading on holiday from Birmingham Airport, the hotel is ideal to stay at the night before as it is less than 20 minutes away.

To get the offer, you will need to use the promo code ‘FAMILYPROMO’.

Rooms cost from £259 per night and include breakfast, buffet dinner, kids’ activities and access to the leisure club (but not spa).

Carlyon Bay Hotel, Cornwall

With 86 luxury rooms, Carlyon Bay Hotel in Cornwall is a great spot for families as it has a large entertainment programme.

There’s magic shows and an appearance from Chloe the Clown…

For the adults, there is also a golf course and a large spa.

Kids under 15-years-old stay for free between February 14 and 22, with a room and breakfast costing from £85 per night.

Kids under 15-years-old also get to eat for free during their stay.

Included in your stay is access to the supervised Funzone, a complimentary round of golf and use of the spa and leisure facilities which features an indoor pool.

A room and breakfast costs from £85 per person per night (so from £170 per night for two adults and two children).

In other hotel news, here’s 12 of our favourite UK hotels to visit this year – from cosy farm retreats to £55 all-inclusives in London.

Plus, the affordable seaside hotel right by the train station.

It’s never too late to book a last-minute escape during the upcoming February half-term, even more so as an expert has revealed the exact time to secure the best deal – and it’s this week

The February half-term is just around the corner, with mere weeks until schools across the country have the first break since Christmas. Ahead of the week off, many families will be looking to book an escape to catch some winter sun, and an expert has revealed it’s not too late to book, as one upcoming date will offer the best savings.

When it comes to booking a getaway, whether that’s a last-minute escape or planned in advance, many of us search for the most affordable flights available, and if any package holidays are on offer. A vast number of airlines and travel booking sites offer excellent deals, helping us save even more cash without sacrificing a holiday.

Yet another efficient way to save money is by booking a getaway on a specific date.

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Ahead of the half-term, from February 16 to 20, travel booking expert Chris Bradshaw at AttractionTickets.com has revealed the exact date and time to book a last-minute holiday that will maximise savings. The expert predicted that Sunday, 8 February, at around 6am will be the best day to book.

Chris Bradshaw, director and travel bookings expert at AttractionTickets.com, explained: “It’s a common misconception that earlier always equals cheaper. In reality, airlines continuously adjust fares based on demand, and savvy travellers can benefit from those fluctuations, even just one or two weeks ahead. There’s still time to save on last-minute half-term travel if you know when to book.

“Our analysis of historical pricing patterns, alongside industry travel reports, shows that Sunday is likely to be the most cost-effective day of the week to book. Airlines typically release discounted fares and adjust inventory over the weekend, and booking on a Sunday has been known to save travellers up to 23% versus Fridays.”

He continued: “Industry data also suggests that booking flights within a window of 8 to 23 days before departure can offer some of the most competitive prices for international travel, especially when it comes to places like Florida, so this timeline is essential to consider.

“Alongside this, we see a consistent trend that early morning is likely to be the best time for snagging low fares. Flights booked around 6:00 a.m. (your local time) tend to be more affordable, as it’s often when airlines drop fresh fares before the day’s search traffic spikes.

“Taking all these factors into consideration, Sunday, 8 February, falls perfectly in alignment, making this the optimal date to give you the best chance of securing those last-minute affordable family holiday bookings ahead of this half-term.”

The expert’s tips for booking a last-minute escape during the February half-term:

Best day to book: Sunday, 8 February

Best time to book: Around 6:00 am (local time)

Avoid: Booking on Fridays, when prices typically spike due to business travel and higher demand

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com