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WITH the UK heating up this month, it can be tempting to splash the cash and make the most of the sunshine.

During the May Bank Holiday, the UK could hit highs of 25C according to the BBC – compared to just 23C in Santorini that day.

BUT there are still lots of fun things you can do to make the most of the weather without having to spend a penny.

This includes everything from outdoor swimming pools and playgrounds to markets and hikes – so here are eight of the best ideas for how to make the most of the weather.

1. Hit up a lido

Lots of outdoor swimming pools are free across the UK – if you know where to find them.

In Swansea there is Blackpill Lido, while many seapools like Shoalstone Seawater Pool in Devon has no entry charges either, along with Bude Sea Pool.

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2. Go to a huge adventure playground

While most small playgrounds are free, there are some bigger adventure ones that don’t cost either – there’s the Lower Leas Coastal Park in Folkestone, which is the biggest in the southeast.

Or in London there is the Tumbling Bay Playground in the Queen Elizaeth Olympic Park.

3. Head to a seaside theme park

Did you know that a lot of theme parks on the coast are free to visit?

One’s like Dreamland in Margate or Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea have free entry – instead you pay to go on the rides (so non riders can get all of the vibes without the cost).

4. Go to a museum

The UK is one of the best in the world for having free museums, so you’re spoilt for choice.

In London there is everything from the Natural History Museum and Science Museum to the Tate Modern and V&A Museum; in York there is the National Railways Museum while the Museum of Liverpool and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford are all free too.

5. Explore some castle gardens

History buffs can explore some beautiful castle grounds without having to reach into their wallet.

Try Liverpool Castle (weirdly not in Liverpool but in Lancashire) or Cardiff Castle in Wales (although you will need a ticket go into the castle itself).

6. Try a garden centre

With everything from animals to playgrounds, why not take the kids to a garden centre?

There’s the celeb-popular Burford Garden Centre in the Cotswolds or Bridgemere Garden Centre in Cheshire, which is the biggest in the UK.

7. Plan a hike

If you love a good walk, the UK has lots of them.

There is the recently opened King Charles III Coastal Path, running along the Kent coast; a short option of Hadrian’s Wall that takes just a few hours; or part of the Thames Path from Windsor to Eton which is around four miles.

8. Explore some markets

If you can avoid wanting to spend, then a beautiful market is often the place for stunning architecture and even sometimes some live shows.

Grainger Market in Newcastle is known for its food, while Leadenhall Market in London is beautiful just to look at.

THE GREAT British break might not be so great very soon after it was announced that the overnight ‘holiday tax’ is set to be pushed forward.

Included in the King’s Speech was the dreaded new levy on staycations and one Butlin’s boss has hit back saying it will have big ‘consequences’ for families.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Plans to introduce the ‘Overnight Visitor Levy‘ for staycations in England was first announced late last year, and was spelled out again in the King’s Speech two days ago.

Essentially, the government’s plan is introduce levy overnight accommodation like hotels, B&Bs, campsites or holiday homes.

It would allow local authorities in England to charge visitors an additional fee on overnight stays which is similar to systems already used in parts of Europe.

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According to UK Hospitality, the new tax could add £100 to a two-week family stay based on £2 per person per night.  

Unsurprisingly, the plans have not been met with positivity.

Matt Rake who is a resort director at Butlin’s in Bognor Regis – said the tax would have “consequences”, especially for working families.

He said: “It’s disappointing that the government is pressing ahead with the holiday tax despite how clear businesses, consumers and the hospitality sector have been about the potential consequences.

“In the Spring, the government said families being able to pay for a holiday should never be too much to ask, yet today they’ve confirmed the introduction of a measure that will hurt working families hard.

“We know how important domestic tourism is for Bognor Regis and the local businesses here. Holidays and short breaks support jobs and investment across our community throughout the year.”

He added that in a recent poll, 73 per cent of people would reduce or cut back on holidays in England if extra costs were introduced.

The ‘holiday tax’ was formally announced in the Autumn Budget in November 2025.

And two hundred bosses from firms including Butlin’s, Haven and Parkdean Resorts have written to the Chancellor hitting out at the plans.

THE spring weather has been very up and down so far – but sadly for the week of half-term it looks like rain is on the way.

If you’re considering a family-friendly break this May half-term, there are still plenty of holiday deals in Spain, Turkey and Cyprus.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel. 

On the Beach has found that bookings for May half-term are up by as much as 40 per cent in recent weeks as it looks like weather in the UK will be yet another washout – so we’ve Sun Travel has found some of the best deals abroad on offer.

BLUESEA Los Fiscos, Lanzarote

First up is the BLUESEA Los Fiscos in Lanzarote which has a pretty swimming pool and white-washed apartments.

Stays include free Wi-Fi and access to the pool bar – there’s also a children’s playground.

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With the all-inclusive package, guests can enjoy the buffet that serves up all three meals and plenty of drinks.

A five-night stay at the BLUESEA Los Fiscos in Lanzarote, Spain, including flights leaving from Manchester on May 27 cost £293pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

To make it all-inclusive is an extra £28pp.

Guitart Central Park Aqua Resort, Spain

Guitart Central Park Aqua Resort in the Costa Brava will be a hit with the kids thanks to its aquapark with two waterslides and splash zone.

To keep them further entertained, the hotel has more activities like football, rugby and tennis.

It has three buffet restaurants, is an 11-minute walk to nearby Cala Banys Beach and has spacious bedrooms.

A five-night half-board stay at the Guitart Central Park Aqua Resort including flights leaving from London Luton on May 26 cost £330pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Miarosa Konakli Garden, Turkey

Miarosa Konakli Garden has it all, comfortable rooms, a pool with waterslides and a plenty of entertainment.

The hotel has its own kids club as well as a playground – and for the whole family to get involved there’s activities like darts, table tennis, card games and watersports.

There’s a main restaurant as well as three bars – including one by the pool.

A four-night all-inclusive stay at the Miarosa Konakli Garden in Antalya, Turkey, including flights leaving from London Gatwick on May 25 cost £368pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).  

Best Los Angeles Hotel, Spain

Best Los Angeles Hotel has fewer frills than some of the other offers, but it has everything needed for a relaxing half-term break in the sun.

It’s 10-minutes from popular beaches and the nearby town of Salou is known for its shops, bars and restaurants.

The PortAventura Theme Park is around two miles away too for those who fancy a go on thrilling rides.

A seven-night half-board stay at the Best Los Angeles Hotel including flights leaving from Dublin on May 25 cost £320pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

MedPlaya Flamingo Oasis, Spain

When the Spanish sun comes out, MedPlaya Flamingo Oasis in Costa Blanca is where you want to be.

It has a huge lake-style swimming pool to cool off in and is surrounded by sunloungers.

During the evenings, there’s performances at the Piano Bar – or head up to the rooftop bar to watch the sunset.

A seven-night half-board stay at the MedPlaya Flamingo Oasis including flights leaving from Edinburgh on May 25 cost £260pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Grand Muthu Golf Plaza Hotel & Spa, Tenerife

In Tenerife, families can enjoy a break at the Grand Muthu Golf Plaza Hotel & Spa.

It has a swimming pool and lots of entertainment – for any adults who want to golf, there are two of the island’s most popular courses nearby.

Accommodation is in studios, apartments and junior suites with a balcony or terrace.

A four-night all-inclusive stay at the Grand Muthu Golf Plaza Hotel & Spa including flights leaving from Glasgow on May 25 cost £310pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Arsi Blue Beach, Turkey

The Arsi Blue Beach is a great choice for families as it’s steps away from Antalya’s Alanya Beach and has a children’s pool on-site.

Not forgetting the adults, there are also spa treatments and a sauna is available too.

Guests can enjoy meals at the restaurant and make sure to pop into the lounge bar and beach bar too.

A five-night all-inclusive stay at the Arsi Blue Beach in Turkey including flights leaving from Belfast on May 26 starts from £259pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Arabella World Hotel, Turkey

The 4-star Arabella World Hotel sits on Turkey’s sun-drenched southern coast and even has its own private beach.

With swimming pools and slides, dining, wellness and children’s activities too – no one in the family will ever be bored here.

But if that isn’t quite enough, Water Planet Aquapark is around a 10-minute drive away.

A seven-night all-inclusive stay at the Arabella World Hotel including flights leaving from Belfast on May 24 starts from £319pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Cosmelenia Hotel Apartments, Cyprus

If you fancy heading further afield, check out the Cosmelenia Hotel Apartments in Ayia Napa.

Small but mighty, it has everything for a family break from its swimming pool to parasol- covered sunbeds, air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant and bar.

Waterworld Waterpark just a short walk away too.

A six-night all-inclusive stay at the Cosmelenia Hotel Apartments including flights leaving from Belfast on May 25 starts from £319pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Deloix Aqua Center, Spain

The Deloix Aqua Center is found in a quiet part of Benidorm and has it all from an aqua centre, children’s water playground and rooftop paddle courts with city views.

It has three outdoor swimming pools, including a lagoon-style pool and one indoor pool for year-round paddling.

There’s a spa, gym and wellness centre as well as an on-site restaurant, café and bar.

A five-night full-board stay at the Deloix Aqua Center Spain including flights leaving from Belfast on May 25 starts from £309pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Prices correct at time of publication.

IF you’re looking for an all-inclusive, sunny week away with a price tag that feels like a typo, we’ve got you covered.

Egypt has seen a fall in tourism due to the Iran war – despite it not being affected by the conflict.

In response, tour operators are dropping prices of all-inclusive holidays – with some savings racking up to over £2,000.

Egypt is a top pick when it comes to budget-friendly holidays, offering high-end feel hotels with private beaches for very affordable prices.

Despite the rock bottom prices, these deals feature everything from sprawling resorts with 31-slide water parks, to romantic hotels where you can snorkel tropical waters or dine under the stars.

These resorts prove you don’t need to fork out the cash for an all inclusive week away.

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So whether you want to bag a last-minute break for June or secure some winter sun while the prices are low, here are the hottest Egypt holiday deals to book now.

New Badawia Resort, Sharm el Sheikh

This resort in Sharm el Sheikh is an ideal spot to soak up the Egyptian sun, with a vibrant strip of bars and restaurants on your doorstep.

Here there’s a sprawling outdoor pool area, complete with a separate section for children and a sun terrace lined with loungers to top up your tan.

There’s activities from table tennis to traditional live evening entertainment, and with the all-inclusive package covering your buffet meals and local drinks, you can leave your wallet in the room.

Loveholidays offer a week-long all-inclusive stay from November 30, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £289pp.

Tivoli Hotel Aqua Park, Sharm el Sheikh

This luxurious four-star stay in Sharm has two huge pools dotted with parasols and loungers, giving you plenty of spots to sunbathe.

When it comes to things to do, kids can make a splash in the aqua park or try out archery, whilst adults will enjoy a pamper at the on-site spa and relaxing yoga classes.

Nearby you can enjoy the nightlife of Naama Bay, or stroll the quaint streets of the Sharm Old Market and Sharm Old Town.

Loveholidays offer a week’s all-inclusive stay from June 11, including return flights from London Luton, for £409pp.

Empire Beach Aqua Park, Hurghada

The vibrant, palm-lined terraces of Empire Aqua Park make a stay at this sprawling resort feel like a tropical island escape.

There’s plenty to keep everyone entertained, including an action-packed kids club and all-singing, all-dancing evening entertainment program.

This resort has three outdoor pools and also boasts its own private beach, where you can try beach volleyball, diving or simply lay back and relax.

Loveholidays offer a seven night all-inclusive stay from December 5, including return flights from London Luton, for £379pp.

Falcon Hills, Sharm el Sheikh

With its whitewashed walls, blue decor and bursts of pink bougainvillea, this charming hotel feels like a slice of the Greek islands dropped onto the coast of the Red Sea.

This family-friendly spot is in the El Hadaba district, a calmer area of Sharm, perfect for those who want a laid-back holiday feel.

Fill up on a varied buffet breakfast in the morning before securing a spot on a lounger by one of two pools, whilst kids are kept busy in the kids club.

Rooms are spacious and traditionally-decorated, some of which open straight out to the sun terrace, so you’re only steps away from the pool.

On the Beach offer a seven night all-inclusive stay from October 31, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £455pp.

Lemon & Soul Makadi Garden, Makadi Bay

The Instagrammable Lemon & Soul Makadi Garden is a stylish pick on the crystal-clear coast of Makadi Bay.

Here there’s plenty of bright, citrus-y yellow, orange and lime-coloured decor that makes the resort feel fresh and modern.

Order some all-inclusive cocktails from the beach hut on the hotel’s stretch of private sand, or try snorkelling in its waters to spot tropical species.

On the Beach offer a seven-night all inclusive stay from June 3, including return flights from Birmingham, for £460pp.

Parrotel Lagoon Resort, Nabq Bay

This mega family resort has a pool so huge that its got its own island bar in the middle of it.

There’s also a huge on-site water park with 31 slides to keep kids entertained, plus a heated pool and wave pool.

For food and drink, there’s three main restaurants as well as several snack bars and even a piano bar, where you can unwind with a drink in-hand and listen to live music.

On the Beach offer a seven night all-inclusive stay from June 11, including return flights from London Luton, for £495pp.

JAZ Neo Sharks Bay

The affordable yet glamorous JAZ Neo Sharks Bay is highly-rated across review sites, and it’s clear to see why.

Inside you’ll find sleek gold, bronze and cream-coloured lounging areas, hanging lanterns and spiral staircases. Rooms are just as stylish, with deep-red, velvet details.

The hotel even puts out romantic tables for two beside the glowing pool at night, where you can dine together under the stars.

This four-star spot even has its own private, parasol-lined beach where you can soak up the sun or make a splash in the Red Sea.

Set yourself up on a poolside lounger for the day, or if you’re feeling active you can grab a workout in the fitness centre.

On the Beach offer a week’s all-inclusive stay from June 11, including return flights from London Luton, for £480pp.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

NEW rules being rolled out this summer will make it much easier for families with young kids to get through the airport.

Airport eGates will be lowering the age of passengers who can use them from 12 to eight.

Confirmed by the Home Office, kids will need to be at least 120cm (3ft11) to be able to use them, as they require them to be able to see the biometric screens.

Currently, only families with kids aged 10 and over can use them – any younger and they have to go in the standard (usually much longer) queue.

It is expected to help as many as an extra 1.5million children use the eGates.

This will affect 13 airports across the UK that currently use eGates. These are:

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• London Heathrow
• London Gatwick
• London City
• London Luton
• London Stansted
• Manchester
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• East Midlands
• Newcastle
• Cardiff
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow

The new rules will also affect a number of non-British residents including those from the US, Australia and Japan, along with non-Schengen countries in Europe.

Chief executive of AirportsUK Karen Dee said she welcomed the change, saying: “It will give more families the ability to take advantage of this technology, speeding up the border process and reducing waiting times for many.”

“Airports work very hard with border authorities to ensure the UK’s front door is both secure and welcoming, with those coming home and visiting enjoying a smooth experience.”

Brits are currently facing problems travelling via Europe, however, as new EES rules are resulting in massive queues, some even missing their flights.

Requiring biometric checks, only Greece has currently paused the new rules for Brits.

Industry leaders have not ruled out fuel shortages this summer

Airlines will not be able to continue “absorbing the cost” of disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the long term, according to the director general of the International Air Transport Association. Willie Walsh told the BBC there was no need to panic over potential jet fuel shortages, but warned rising fuel prices would inevitably feed through into higher ticket prices.

He said: “There’s just no way airlines can absorb the additional costs they’re experiencing. There may be some instances where airlines will discount to stimulate some traffic flow… but over time it’s inevitable that the high price of oil will be reflected in higher ticket prices.”

While Mr Walsh did not think there would be widespread cancellations, he added: “I think the concern will be that if sufficient alternative supply isn’t sourced, there may be some shortages when we get into the peak summer period.”

Last week, British Airways’ parent company IAG warned its profits will be hit as it expects to spend about two billion euro (£1.72 billion) more than planned on fuel this year. Chief executive Luis Gallego said IAG does not believe there will be “any interruption for the summer” in terms of jet fuel supplies.

Earlier this month, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said summer holiday plans will not face major disruption because of shortages. She revealed that more fuel has been imported from America, and UK refineries have upped their production.

The Government has also introduced a temporary rule change allowing airlines to group passengers from different flights together onto fewer planes to save fuel. It comes amid data that showed airlines have increased the number of flight cancellations for May.

Aviation analytics company Cirium said that as of Tuesday, airlines have axed 296 departures from UK airports this month, equivalent to 0.75% of the total. That is up from 120 cancellations six days ago.

Figures for the peak summer months show week-on-week schedule reductions are currently limited. The number of outbound flights planned for June is 48 lower than a week ago, after 0.2% of flights were cancelled.

For July the week-on-week reduction is 31, while the figure for August is just four. Airlines avoid being liable for compensation if they axe a flight with at least two weeks’ notice, meaning they can delay decisions on summer cancellations and still avoid payouts.

The price of jet fuel has more than doubled since the start of the war in the Middle East, as Iran continues to have a stranglehold on tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. A Government spokesperson said: “UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel.

“Aviation fuel is typically bought in advance and airports and suppliers keep stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience. We continue to work with fuel suppliers, airports, airlines and international counterparts to keep flights operating.

“We are also consulting on measures to help airlines plan realistic flight schedules which will avoid last-minute disruption and protect holidays.”

BUTlIN’S is about to get loud as has launched new karaoke pods across all three of its three resorts.

Whether guests are on a family holiday or a Big Weekender, everyone can sing their heart out inside the newest attraction.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

The new karaoke pods are a fun-filled private sing-along experience found inside state-of-the-art pods.

Groups of up to 12 can sing their hearts out and won’t have to worry about have a song stolen as there are over 45,000 tunes to choose from.

If you want to re-live the 55-minute stardom session, the high-tech pods capture everything with photos, videos and even GIFs.

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Each pod also has studio-grade soundproofing and immersive effects too.

You don’t have to leave the pod for any part of the sing-along either as drinks can be ordered and delivered straight to the pod.

Heidi Watson, Head of Innovation at Butlin’s, said: “We’re thrilled to have partnered with the Coca-Cola brand to bring this exciting, new karaoke experience to all three of our resorts.”

Heidi continued: “It’s the perfect activity for families or groups of friends, to create unforgettable memories together while singing their hearts out to their favourite tunes.  

“We’re confident the new Karaoke Pods will be popular with our guests, and an amazing addition to the activities already on offer across all of our different breaks.”

Found in Hotshots at all three resorts, pods can be booked in advance or on the day for £36. 

The karaoke pods are already up and running, so can be booked in time for May Half Term breaks which start from £184 between May 22 and June 1.

For families there’s plenty of entertainment when it comes to shows from MPW Maximum Pro Wrestling to The Masked Singer Live as well as Peppa Pig and the Theatre of Rock.

Guests can also enjoy swimming pools and slides at waterworld, fairground rides, and daytime activities like Playxperience and soft play.

The karaoke pods will no doubt be a hit for adults heading on Big Weekenders too whether that be for the 90s Reloaded to the Ultimate 80s.

Currently with Spring Savings you can get an extra 10 per cent off on selected weekender breaks from £79pp.

Headline artists this year include icons Fatboy Slim, Wet Wet Wet, Jason Donovan, Madness, Peter Andre and Scouting for Girls.

RYANAIR is axing MORE flights to Europe – hitting four popular airports this year.

The budget airline has confirmed that it would be closing its base at Thessaloniki as well as reducing flights at Athens.

Not only that, but off-season flights to Chania and Heraklion in Crete have been scrapped.

This means 700,000 fewer seats on sale this winter, working out to a 45 per cent reduction, and resulting in 12 routes being scrapped in total.

Ryanair has cited airport charges as the reason behind the reduction in flights, saying the airports are “no longer competitive” in the off peak season.

Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jason McGuinness said they “regretted” the closures and reductions, but said it was because of the “failure to pass through the ADF reduction” unlike other airports in Greece.

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He added: ” The Fraport Greece monopoly have hiked airport charges +66% since 2019.

“Unfortunately, there will now be less low-cost air fares for Thessaloniki’s citizens and visitors, and year-round tourism will be harmed as a result.

“These aircraft will be reallocated to Albania, regional Italy and Sweden, where airports have passed on their Govt’s aviation tax savings – resulting in more connectivity, tourism and jobs this Winter in those regions.”

It comes as the budget airline axes millions of seats elsewhere in Europe.

Last summer, they airline confirmed two million seats across Spain would be scrapped, with all routes to Tenerife North, Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, Jerez and Valladolid cancelled.

And back in March, Ryanair cancelled all flights to The Azores, often dubbed the Hawaii of Europe.

A KEEN traveller is determined to visit EVERY country that flies from his local airport – and is more than halfway there already.

Savvy jet-setter Neil Loft is attempting to tick off all 120 destinations that fly from Bristol Airport.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel. 

So far, Neil has ticked off 86 locations offered by Bristol Airport, leaving him with 34 left – although he does have an advantage working as cabin crew.

But not all of his travelling is done through work. Neil also spends lots of his free time exploring the world – last year he managed to visit 21 destinations.

Neil has only upped his efforts this year visiting as many as three places in one day, which he managed to do for as little as £3.

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He travelled from Basel in Switzerland, to St Louis in France, and Weil am Rhein in Germany all within 24 hours.

Neil said: “It was quite straightforward, really. Without even realising, I had crossed the bridge and walked into a new country.”

On day two of his trip to Basel, Neil caught the tram to the French border, where he walked over to St Louis to enjoy a local delicacy: croque monsieur.

Neil then returned to Basel before hopping on a tram across the border to Weil am Rhein in Germany.

There, he had a beer at a rooftop bar before heading back to his Swiss hotel.

Despite travelling to three different countries in 24 hours, the entire day trip cost him just £3 thanks to the travel pass he got on arrival in Basel.

Neil explained: “It was shockingly easy. I took a bit of time in each to have a drink and a mooch about but you could have done all three countries in two or three hours if you wanted to.”

Other spots in Europe that Neil has visited include Zurich, Vilnius, Kaunas, Almeria, Bilbao, Turkey, Innsbruck, and Bucharest.

When it comes to being savvy with flights, Neil says his jobs as a holiday rep and then cabin crew for 10 years helped.

Through this, he knows how to get the best flight and pair them up with the hotels and transfers.

Neil added: “I am well on track to achieve [all 120 destinations]. I have only got a handful more to do.

“I have no commitments to hold me back, so I am just an intrepid traveller really.

“I have to go on my airline apps to remind myself where I am going some of the time. I just tend to see a deal and go book it.”

You won’t even see the fees being added

Most holidaymakers assume using their normal bank card abroad is fine. But Martin Lewis says a simple switch to a specialist card could save you from paying an extra 2.75% to 3% on every single purchase – a hidden fee that quietly adds to your bill without you even noticing.

In a clip shared on This Morning’s official TikTok, the MoneySavingExpert founder explained how most high street banks add a “non-sterling exchange rate fee” when you spend abroad. Ignore it and a £100 purchase effectively costs you £103. Switch to one of the specialist cards he recommends, and you get the same near-perfect exchange rates the banks use – without the markup.

Martin started by explaining what happens when you spend on plastic overseas. “Your bank gets a near perfect exchange rate on the day – the same as what’s called the spot rate, the city market rates. When you spend on your card abroad though, normally the card company adds what’s called a non-Sterling exchange rate fee of between 2.75 or 3%,” he said. “So your hundred pounds worth of euros cost you £103.”

The solution, he explained, is using specialist cards. “With the specialist cards, they don’t have that. So you get the same near perfect exchange rates that the banks or the card firms do.”

As for which cards to choose, Martin noted there are quite a lot available now. He judges them on the cashback they give you. The Barclaycard Rewards credit card is currently giving 0.25% cash back on spending in the UK and abroad. “So you get perfect exchange rate and cashback,” he said.

He added a crucial warning for anyone using a credit card: “Only do this if you’ll pay it off in full at the end of every month, or there is interest. That will credit score you to get it.”

For those who prefer a debit card or don’t want to undergo a hard credit check, Martin offered two alternatives. “The easiest one to get is the Chase card, which you can apply for without switching banks and only does a soft credit check, so it doesn’t mark your credit file, and virtually everybody can get it,” he said. It offers near-perfect exchange rates, no ATM withdrawal fees, and some cashback on UK spending.

Alternatively, for those willing to switch banks: “First Direct, if you’re willing to switch bank to it, will give you a near perfect exchange rate fee debit card and pay you £175 quid if you switch bank to it.”

A spokesperson for travel experts Lapland Famille said: “When spending abroad, choosing the right payment method makes a real difference. Specialist cards often work out far cheaper than standard bank cards. And if you’re ever asked to pay in pounds or the local currency, always choose the local currency – paying in cash locally is another good way to avoid hidden conversion fees.”

With no need to switch your main bank account for the easiest option, Martin’s advice shows that cutting the cost of spending abroad may be simpler than many travellers think – as long as you pick the right card before you go.

WE’VE searched high and low to find holiday parks across the UK where you can stay this summer for the price of a cinema ticket.

And we’ve found a range of deals that ALL work out to £10 per person, per night or less.

In 2026, £10 barely buys you lunch – but at these holiday parks, it gets you four nights of sea air and sunshine.

And given the uncertainty over the fuel crisis caused by the Iran War, plenty of Brits are looking to stay closer to home this summer.

By making the most of current sales and saving events at holiday park companies like Haven and Parkdean Resorts, you can still lock in a staycation this summer for ridiculously cheap.

From action-packed family mega resorts to quiet coastal retreats, here’s a range of UK seaside holidays you can book in for this summer for bargain prices.

Cleethorpes Beach, Lincolnshire – £2.88pp a night

This Haven holiday park is in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, often considered a quieter and prettier alternative to nearby Skegness, with clean beaches and traditional attractions.

The holiday park has all the typical top-quality Haven goodies, like a children’s Adventure Village, a glamorous bar and stage for live entertainment, a nine-hole golf course and a fishing lake.

Plus, this park even has its own Wetherspoons on site, so you can enjoy an affordable pint or share a cocktail pitcher among friends.

Out in the town, Cleethorpes has a large promenade lined with family-friendly activities like crazy golf, arcades, bowling and more.

One of the town’s highlights is the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, where you can enjoy a two-mile-long scenic journey with sea views in a diesel or steam train.

The train also makes a stop at the Signal Box Inn, the smallest pub on the planet! A return journey costs £5.75 per adult and £5.25 per child.

Sunnydale Holiday Park, Saltfleet – £8.06pp a night

This small and peaceful holiday park is one of Parkdean’s real hidden gems. On site you’ll find a heated indoor pool, a huge fishing lake, and plenty for kids, including soft play, a kids club and an adventure playground.

The resort sits on Lincolnshire‘s coast in the seaside town of Saltfleet, where you’ll find coastal walks beside quiet marshlands and calm seas.

Once you’ve had your fill of relaxing sea air, you’ll find lots of excitement in nearby Mablethorpe, just a 15 minutes’ drive. There you will find a huge, award-winning sandy beach, plus a sand train which drops you off by a seal sanctuary, and traditional donkey rides.

The train costs £2pp each way, with under 3’s going free.

Craig Tara, Scotland – £2.29pp a night

This massive, action-packed holiday park in Ayr is perfect if you want a full-on family holiday with plenty of activities.

For starters, Splashaway Bay may be the most exciting water park of them all.

The on-site park is one of the largest in Scotland, with a water complex that spans multiple floors. There’s a multi-lane water slide, lazy river, illuminated flume slide, a giant tipping bucket, toddler pool and lots more.

When it comes to other activities, there’s plenty you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. There’s a NERF Training Camp, Crazy Pool (pool’s answer to crazy golf) and a brand new Tiger Club Show for evening entertainment.

There’s also batting cages, a climbing wall, karting, segways and archery, whilst adrenaline junkies of the family will love ‘The Jump’ and ‘The Extreme Drop’.

For food and drink, enjoy everything from Chopstix noodles to Burger King meals or Papa John’s pizza. You can even end your meals with a sweet treat from Millie’s Cookies.

If you can tear yourself away from this action-packed park, there’s a friendly farm park Heads of Ayr just 5 minutes’ drive away.

Plus, the impressive National Trust Culzean Castle which looks out to sea atop a dramatic cliff is 20 minutes away.

Carmarthen Bay Holiday Park, Wales – £8.94pp a night

Set on the sunny coast of Kidwelly in South Wales, Carmarthen Bay is a holiday park that comes with some seriously stunning scenery. Here you’re just steps from the vast St Ishmael beach, plus the spectacular Kidwelly Castle is only eight minutes away.

And if you take a trip into the nearby Pembrey Country Park, you can take part in activities from toboggan racing through the trees (£3.50pp) to hopping on board a miniature railway (£1.50pp).

On site, there’s a large indoor pool with a flume slide, as well as soft play, crazy golf, amusements and a multi-sports court. When it comes to food and drink, you can enjoy everything from a Costa Coffee, to late-night takeaway options like pizza and burgers.

This affordable holiday park is even cheaper if you visit as a group of adults or with children not of school age, as we’ve found a bargain deal that’ll have you catching the last of the August heat as it turns to September.

Orchards Holiday Village, Essex – £2.88pp a night

This exciting holiday village in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex is perfect for sporty and outdoors-y groups – or those that just want to be close to one of the UK’s most exciting seaside piers.

This AA four-star award-winning site offers both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a golf course, archery coaching and Footgolf to name just a few of the activities.

Plus this summer is set to be even more sporty at Haven parks such as this one, with live screenings of England and Scotland football games. There’s also a Football Fun Factory event popping up across the parks, too.

Visitors can expect new Haven entertainment shows, such as the Seaside Squad adventures for older children and the Electric Nights 80’s show for grown-ups.

Drive just 17 minutes to Clacton Pier and you’ll have even more activities to dive into, with everything from classics like the Helter Skelter and Dodgems to a Jurassic Pier experience that dinosaur fans will love.

Lower Hyde Holiday Park, Shanklin, Isle of Wight – £8.06pp a night

A favourite of our holiday park expert, Lower Hyde in the Isle of Wight is an all-singing, all-dancing resort.

This lively site has top-quality entertainment, including classic kids discos and costume character meets, as well as dance shows and comedy acts.

Whizz down the water flume into the outdoor pool on hot days, or warm up in the indoor pool when it gets chilly out in the evenings.

One of the top perks about this park is that it is paired with a nearby sister park, Parkdean Landguard, meaning that guests can access the facilities of both sites during their stay.

Both parks are located in Shanklin, a quaint town in the Isle of Wight with traditional thatched roof houses and a fairytale feel.

Plus, you’re not far from the sea here, either. Shanklin beach is just 4 minutes away, decorated with colourful deck chairs and beach huts, plus there’s even a Pirate-themed adventure park.

Kessingland Beach, Lowestoft – £10pp a night

Head to East Anglia for a traditional bucket-and-spade summer holiday at Parkdean’s Kessingland Beach Holiday Park.

Directly on the beach, this resort is surrounded by unspoilt nature, calm waves and soft golden sands, perfect for letting little ones roam and get used to the water.

This site makes for a great base to explore top family attractions like Pleasurewood Hills theme park, Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens and the fascinating Merrivale Model Village.

Meanwhile, on site there are sports courts, an adventure playground, and a dazzling Showbar with entertainment like Starland Krazy for kids and all-ages bingo. Tuck into food like loaded fries and hot dogs at the takeaway stand, or enjoy juicy ribs and steak at the park’s new restaurant, Joe’s American Grill.

Harry Poulton, 24, grew tired of life in the UK and decided to move to Benidorm, Spain, after falling in love with the popular hotspot. Now, he has zero plans to ever move back to England

A young British man took the dramatic step of moving to Benidorm for good following a lads’ holiday – and has pledged never to return to the UK again.

While Great Britain offers plenty of positives, it’s not without its shortcomings. Between the famously erratic weather and the ongoing cost of living crisis, it’s increasingly understandable why some people make the leap and move abroad. Such was the experience for 24-year-old Harry Poulton, who travelled to Benidorm for the first time on a lads’ holiday and immediately knew it was going to be his future home. For Harry, one of the factors that made his choice easy was the fun lifestyle available at a far lower cost than compared to “gloomy” Britain.

The travel vlogger, originally from Brighton, had become tired of life in “gloomy” England and, aged just 18, opted to transform his circumstances by abandoning his homeland in favour of Spain.

In a TikTok clip detailing his reasoning, he admitted one of the main motivations for moving was escaping the “horrible” British weather.

The cost of living was another reason behind his choice. Daily life in the Spanish coastal resort proves considerably more affordable for Harry.

He explained: “Everything in the UK is just going up, up, up and up, and no one knows when it’s going to stop. At least here in Spain, your money travels so much further – you’ll get way more for your money here in Spain than you would in the UK, and that’s my opinion.”

Speaking to Luxury Travel Daily, Harry explained: “I don’t know why anybody would want to live in Britain. It’s cold, dreary and gloomy all the time.

“There’s no room to have fun outside of the constant boring routine and work. After I visited Benidorm, I knew that it was the place I wanted to settle down.

“It offers great weather, beautiful beaches and such a laid-back vibe. It’s the complete opposite of the UK.”

Harry is a passionate advocate for Benidorm, convinced many Britons unfairly make a “mockery” of the beloved holiday hotspot. The Spanish municipality is known and loved for its thriving hotel and live entertainment industry, its golden beaches, and impressive skyscrapers.

The town is said to receive just as many tourists from abroad as it does from Spain. He said: “Stop making a mockery of such a wonderful place. If you live here, you’ll know better than any British tourists what this country is really like.”

Harry continued: “Everyone says not to visit Benidorm, as you’ll get scammed or mugged. And that bars will rip tourists off with extortionate prices for drinks – but that’s all absolute rubbish.

“It’s crazy what Brits believe. It’s not just for party-goers or stag dos. Benidorm has so much on offer and it’s not a place you’ll regret going. There are so many haters out there that like to spread misinformation or myths, stopping people from coming here.”

He added: “It’s mad. Look at the state of the UK – all of these things happen there more than they do in Benidorm.”

Harry believes he’s considerably happier living in Spain than he ever was in Britain.

For anyone contemplating a similarly dramatic overseas move, he suggested: “Learn some basic Spanish before coming. Ensure to plan financially, too. Be prepared for some paperwork, especially since Brexit, but it’s so worth it once you’re here.”

Looking back on making such a major decision at such a young age, he added: “It’s completely transformed my life – and being so young, I’m glad I leaped now rather than later. Who wants to wake up to grey skies every day, when you can have blue ones greeting you each morning? Benidorm is paradise – anyone who says otherwise is lying.”

Soaring jet fuel prices and the threat to supplies – amid the Middle East war – has left millions of Brits worrying about whether their summer holiday plans will be disrupted

May could mark the peak in flights being axed due to the Iran war, an expert has declared.

Families were urged not to panic about their summer getaway, despite fears over jet fuel shortages. Data shows airlines have cut 13,000 flights globally this month due to the conflict in the Middle East. In total, nearly two million seats have been removed from flights scheduled for May.

The reductions come ahead of the half-term holidays at the end of the month. Many people have been left worrying what will happen to holiday flights already booked over the peak months ahead.

Aviation analyst John Strickland insisted the 13,000 flights pulled this month amount to about 1% or 2% of all those scheduled. And he warned against assuming the same number – or more – would be impacted in the coming months.

READ MORE: Simon Calder gives surprising verdict on summer travel chaos fears as 13,000 flights axedREAD MORE: Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary wants to BAN early morning pints before boarding flights

“You can’t judge May against the peak summer,” Mr Strickland told the Mirror. “Airlines want to fly their full programme – this is not a wholesale chopping of flights that would disrupt people’s summer holiday plans.”

Mr Strickland said airlines were “relatively confident” they will have enough jet fuel available on a rolling six-week basis, with signs that additional supplies are being sourced from the US and elsewhere to replace those lost from the Gulf.

Some carriers have switched to smaller aircraft or more fuel efficient planes to brace themselves for possible disruption, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. It says 120 scheduled flights from the UK to global destinations have so far been cancelled in May. While it is still early days, the number of cancellations in June stands at 36, out of just under 22,000 scheduled flights.

It comes after the price of jet fuel doubled in the wake of the US-Israel war with Iran which erupted at the end of February. The conflict has crippled shipments through the key Strait of Hormuz.

German airline Lufthansa has axed 20,000 flights, and warned higher jet fuel prices could cost it £1.5billion this year. It joined around two dozen airlines that have now scaled back operations.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary said at the start of April his airline may be forced to cancel 10% of its flights this summer. He told ITV News: “We’re all facing an unknown scenario. And we are certainly looking at maybe having to cancel 5% to 10% of flights through May, June and July.”

British Airways owner IAG is due to issue updated results on Friday.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was confident most people travelling this summer would have a similar experience to last year. She said there was currently no disruption to the supply of jet fuel, but “this clearly is an evolving situation”.

Oil prices slumped to two-week lows on Wednesday amid reports that the US and Iran were nearing an initial peace deal. Brent crude fell 7% to $102 a barrel – down a recent peak of more than $120 but still well above the $60 before the war started.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “It is understandable that holidaymakers are feeling apprehensive about their summer travel plans due to the wave of cancellations.

“The percentage of flights cancelled from the UK remains small, when you consider that the worst airlines cancel over 2% of flights less than a day before departure, even in normal times.

“Our advice for this summer is to book a package holiday, as that is the best way to protect the full cost of your holiday should greater disruption occur.”

Mark Tanzer, chief executive of travel trade body ABTA, said: “We really don’t want people worrying about their holidays; planes are taking off daily and people are continuing to get away on their holidays.

“The Government and airlines are clear that there isn’t a problem with fuel supply. If you have a holiday booked in for the coming months – including the May half term – we expect it to go ahead as planned.

“Whilst there have been reports about cancellations globally, these amount to less than one percent of overall flights.”

The Barcelo Corralejo Sands in Fuerteventura offers both adults and children a huge amount of freedom without sacrificing any of the fun

Going on holiday with young children can often feel like an all-or-nothing scenario.You let them stay up extra-late one night to see a show or musician, and all of a sudden, they think sweets at 10pm and bed by midnight is a holiday norm. The extra ice cream is suddenly seen as a daily divine right.When it comes to kids’ clubs, off they go on their merry way to develop their own holiday hinterland for however many hours a day, leaving you free to chill. If you don’t go down the kids’ club route, then you’re most likely trying to divvy up your time between being chief entertainer and having a good time yourself.But on the perma-sun-kissed island of Fuerteventura, I think I’ve found the perfect middle ground hotel that gives kids bags of freedom and entertainment, while offering adults the chance to relax – without the need to commit to a kids’ club.

Barceló Corralejo Sands, to the northeast of the year-round holiday isle that’s now got a direct TUI weekly route from Cardiff Airport, doesn’t set its stall out as a place geared purely towards families, nor as a bolthole for frazzled grown-ups.

Rather than feeling like it has no identity or isn’t sure what it is meant to be, this place feels like an optimum stay for families, solo travellers, and couples of any age.The main reason is a fantastic design that maximises the compact footprint of the site by putting the two pool areas within an easy line of sight of one another down. It means there are no distractions between one side and the other. If you’re on a child-free getaway or couples’ holiday, you can lounge by the larger main pool in what we found was generally a very relaxed and quiet atmosphere. Meanwhile, a matter of seconds away is a genuinely exceptional environment for children.There’s a shallow pool with two slides – one smaller and designed like a humpback whale that would be suitable for even the youngest of kids, and another part of a pirate ship setup that was easily safe and accessible.The water, which also features a palm tree waterfall, is only the beginning of the fun. There’s a generously-sized climbing frame suitable for toddlers, a set of football goals, table football, a table tennis table, and also a pool table. And there’s a small classroom-like building filled with things like toys, such as a role-play kitchen and colouring.Combine it with a set of nearby loungers around the water, access to both the bar and your room, and you’ve essentially got all you need to satisfy everyone for a full day in the sun.Kids can play freely and easily make friends. Provided your child is old enough, you can take it easy while being on hand to splash around in the water, act as cannon fodder in goal, or take them on in one of the tabletop games.In purely logistical terms, Barceló Corralejo Sands is a complete delight. It feels like you can get the best of all worlds as a family with the absolute minimum of stress and effort.

All that would count for a lot less, though, if the rest of the hotel did not rise to the same levels. Thankfully, it does in just the same non-showy way as it bills itself.It’s elegant and classy without being overblown or fussy. The staff are discreet, friendly, and almost without exception absolutely lovely and willing to help. Our poolside suite was light, airy and comfortably spacious for four, even with the ‘lounge’ area having been converted into a second bedroom.The balcony was large and sheltered and, on our side of the pool, the staggered design of the building meant it was completely private from the neighbouring room.There were lots of neat points of attention to detail, such as cute bathroom sets for the children, and handy features like the use of beach/pool towels and a mini fridge to keep any drinks you buy off-site cool.We stayed on a half-board basis and loved the array of breakfast options. It felt particularly decadent to start the day with cava, smoked salmon, and capers, as well as the nightly themes for cuisine from around the world (Spanish, Canarian, and Arabic being my particular highlights).Bottles of wine ranged between roughly €20 (£17) and €30 and a large beer was €3.80 at the time of our visit.We tried and failed to have eaten come the start of the mini disco in the bar each night at 8pm. If I were being picky, I’d say this could maybe have run a shade longer than 15-20 minutes. Part of the reason for its brevity, though, was the nightly bingo at 8.30pm. This was genuinely pacy and fun for all ages, and had us all laughing on several occasions. Each night, there was a musician or another type of performer on at 9pm.The resort, tucked away neatly down a side street, was only a matter of minutes on foot from the buzzy bars and famed ‘music square’ of Corralejo town. It’s an easy walk to an array of different beaches, too, though we generally preferred the relaxed vibes and on-tap fun of being around the pool, which doubled up with the advantage of the buildings offering screening from the island’s famous breeze.If you want to take a day or two further afield, there are plenty of boat trips and excursions on offer.We took a dolphin-spotting trip through TUI Musement (from £132 for a family of four, based on two adults and two children), and we were so glad we did peel ourselves away from the poo. Iit was a mesmerising experience.Put together with the island’s year-round sunny climate and a delightful setting, and in Barceló Corralejo Sands we’ve found a family holiday spot that could easily become a go-to.

Book it

TUI offers a seven-night holiday to Corralejo, Fuerteventura, staying at the 4T Barcelo Corralejo Sands on a half board basis from £847 per person.

The price is based on two adults and two children sharing a Suite with Balcony or Terrace departing with TUI Airways flights from Cardiff on June 6, 2026, with 20kg hold luggage per person and transfers included. To find out more about this holiday or to book go to tui.co.uk, visit your local TUI holiday store, or download the app.

If you fancy leaving later in the year the same trip can be booked for departure on September 19, 2026, from £871 on a half-board basis or £1,086 for all-inclusive.

TUI Musement offers a two-hour dolphin-spotting cruise from Corralejo along Fuerteventura’s north coast from £132 for a family of four. This price is based on two adults (from £40pp) and two children (from £26pp)