Money saving

YOU can still bag a bargain break for the whole family this May half term without breaking the bank.

Travel companies like TUI, On the Beach, and Loveholidays still have some seriously affordable sunny escapes you can book for the upcoming school break.

These last-minute deals to Spain, Turkey, Portugal and beyond start from a tiny £163pp.

From colourful waterpark hotels in Turkey, to chic beachside apartments in Croatia, here are the cheapest last-minute deals you can book right now for a May getaway.

TUI – top picks for cheapest destinations

Holiday company TUI have hand-picked for Sun Travel some of their cheapest last-minute package holidays you can still book for May half term.

Neil Swanson, TUI UK Managing Director, says: “As holiday experts with decades of experience, we know how important it is for customers to secure great value holidays.

“May is a great time to travel, thanks to gorgeous weather and shoulder season prices.

“Destinations that offer year-round sun, such as Lanzarote and Turkey, also offer plenty of great value deals over the half term – and of course, booking a package gives holidaymakers extra value with flights, transfers, and 24/7 support all included as standard.”

Here are some of the most affordable holidays you can still book with TUI for the May half-term.

Marmaris, Turkey

The Club Candan in Marmaris is hard to miss with its bright yellow exterior backed by lush green mountains.

The star of the show is the massive outdoor pool, which is complete with a giant striped waterslide that keeps the kids (and adults) having fun.

Accommodation comes as spacious self-catering apartments that are perfect for families, plus there’s a poolside restaurant if you don’t fancy cooking, which hosts a weekly Turkish night with barbecues and dance shows.

TUI offer a 5-night self-catering stay from 23 May, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £539pp.

Pula, Croatia

The Park Plaza Verudela Apartments in Croatia‘s Pula are a stylish self-catering option overlooking a beautiful Blue Flag beach.

Apartments and dining areas are chic and modern, plus there’s a bar and two restaurants on the resort.

There’s plenty here for families, with a kids club that takes care of little ones and a dedicated teens club, too. As a guest here, you also get access to the spa and dining at Park Plaza Histria Pula, which is just a short walk away.

TUI offer a 7-night self-catering stay from 23 May, including return flights from Birmingham, for £698pp.

Lanzarote, Canary Islands

TUI BLUE Flamingo Beach is an ideal pick for a family holiday to Lanzarote.

This hotel has plenty of family-friendly activities on offer.

There are sports like tennis and volleyball.

Plus a daily activities programme including pool games, character parades, and unique “family togetherness” activities for all ages.

There’s also a splash pool with slides, and dedicated kids clubs for ages 0 – 17.

With so many exciting things to do, don’t forget to relax, too.

There’s a sunlounger-lined pool where you can lay back and watch the kids play in the splash pool, plus you’re just steps away from Playa Flamingo Beach.

TUI offer a 5-night all-inclusive stay, including return flights from Newcastle, for £874.05pp.

On the Beach – top picks for cheapest destinations

Holiday company On the Beach have found some very affordable last-minute breaks for the May half term for Sun Travel.

Caspar Nelson, holiday expert at On the Beach says: “There are still some incredible value holidays available for May half term, with deals from just £135pp still available”.

His top picks for last-minute, affordable holidays this May half term include Spain, Portugal and Tenerife.

“For families and couples looking to get away without overspending, Spain and Portugal continue to offer some of the best-value options thanks to their reliable sunshine, short flight times and wide choice of resorts.

“Benidorm remains a go-to for families wanting lively beaches and plenty to do, while Costa Brava is ideal for classic seaside breaks with pretty coves and charming towns”.

“Lloret de Mar is a popular pick for groups and younger travellers looking for a fun atmosphere, and the Algarve offers a more relaxed escape with golden beaches and scenic coastal spots.

“For travellers wanting to make their budget go further, all-inclusive breaks are also proving especially popular for May half term.”

Benidorm, Spain

This Benidorm break from On the Beach is an absolute bargain at just £180pp.

Stay at the Apartments Las Torres, a modern complex just a few minutes’ walk from the lively strip, and just a stone’s throw away from the golden Levante beach.

Each apartment comes fully kitted out with a living room and TV, a well-equipped kitchen, a double bedroom and balcony.

There’s also a spacious outdoor pool with a kids zone, plus a golf course nearby to practice your swing. On the Beach offers a 5-night self-catering stay from May 24, including return flights from Belfast, for £180pp.

Costa Brava, Spain

This four-star Costa Brava stay is in the prime location for a sunny Spanish holiday.

It’s just a short walk from the Pierre & Vacances Estartit Playa to the local beach, which is a quiet spot with soft sands and calm, shallow waters. There’s even water sports, kayaking and boat hire available on the beach.

This complex offers apartments that sleep up to six, perfect for a big group holiday. Plus there’s a play area and games like table tennis on site to entertain all ages.

On the Beach offer a 5-night self-catering stay from May 24, including return flights from Glasgow, for just £163pp.

The Algarve, Portugal

This luxurious resort in the Algarve has a stunning sun terrace with a sparkling outdoor pool.

The terracota-coloured Colina da Lapa complex has 70 stylish apartments, plus a swimming pool and free shuttle to the nearest beach.

The charming fishing town of Carvoeiro is under 10 minutes’ drive away, and has beautiful beaches, caves and hiking trails to explore.

On the Beach offer a 5-night self-catering stay from May 24, including return flights from Edinburgh, for just £470pp.

Callao Salvaje, Tenerife

“Tenerife is another strong choice, offering dependable sunshine, family-friendly resorts and plenty to do for all ages” says Caspar Nelson.

“With demand high during school holidays, the best-value destinations are likely to be snapped up quickly by late bookers.

“So holidaymakers are urged to act fast to lock in deals now available.”

Bag this Tenerife deal from On the Beach for an affordable all-inclusive stay at the family-friendly BLUESEA Callao Garden.

This holiday complex has three large outdoor pools to choose from, as well as a pool bar to grab a delicious chilled drink to enjoy in the sun.

It’s only 20 minutes from Tenerife Sur Reina Sofia airport, so you can avoid the dreaded overly-long coach transfer.

Plus there’s a beautiful beach just a 10-minute stroll away.

On the Beach offer a 5-night all-inclusive stay at the BLUESEA Callao Garden from May 24, including return flights from Edinburgh, for just £308pp.

Travel Supermarket – top picks for the cheapest destinations

Travel Supermarket has crunched the numbers to find us some of the cheapest destinations where you can still book a holiday this May half-term.

Gathering data based on a seven-night family holiday with two adults and two children, departing 23 or 24 May, the company found the following destinations came out on top.

Spain’s Costa Brava ranked number one, followed by the Costa Dorada and the Bourgas Area of Bulgaria.

Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket, analysed the top 10 cheapest destinations for May half-term.

He says: “For those with a little more flexibility on budget, the rest of the top 10 cheapest destinations for May half term are: Lanzarote (£726.88pp), Malta (£730.76pp), Larnaca (£738.93pp), Fuerteventura (£744.40pp), Agadir (£767.55pp), Dalaman (£771.53pp) and Paphos (£778.52pp).”

Costa Dorada, Spain

Spain’s Costa Dorada is the ideal family beach holiday destination.

And it turns out that it’s one of the most affordable options for booking a last-minute break, too.

Chris Webber says: “Costa Dorada is a solid value option for families, with good flight connections and a wide range of resorts keeping competition – and prices – keen.”

Travel Supermarket found the average cost of a week-long holiday during the May half-term to the Costa Dorada to be £638.78pp, making it one of their most affordable last-minute holiday destinations.

The Medplaya Hotel Vistamar sits on the beach, and is a family-friendly choice with a children’s playground, large family-sized rooms and entertainment including a games room and pétanque court.

Travel Supermarket offers a 7-night half-board stay from 23 May, including return flights from London Luton, for £499pp.

Bourgas Area, Bulgaria

Bulgaria, specifically the Bourgas Area, also ranked highly as one of the cheaper destinations to visit this May half-term.

Chris Webber says: “Bulgaria always tends to be decent value, and the Bourgas area in particular is great for all-inclusive deals.

“Families can keep their overall costs right down once they’re there.”

Travel Supermarket found the average cost of a week-long holiday during the May half term to the Bourgas Area to be £662.10pp – but we found an even cheaper deal.

Hotel Tiara Beach is a four-star resort with an excellent kids club and activity program, plus an indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna and more.

Plus, with this all-inclusive deal, you don’t have to worry about the additional costs of food and drink.

Travel Supermarket offers a 7-night all-inclusive stay from 25 May, including return flights from Birmingham, for £579pp.

Loveholidays – top picks for the cheapest destinations

Holiday website Loveholidays has rounded up some of its cheapest destinations for last-minute holidays this May.

Al Murray, Chief Marketing and Supply Officer at loveholidays, says: “With May half-term just around the corner, we’re still seeing fantastic value in sunny short-haul destinations.

“There are deals to be had in Spanish hotspots like Costa Brava, Gandia, Tenerife and Majorca in particular, offering families short flight times, reliable weather and plenty to do.”

Here are Loveholidays’ pick of last-minute holiday deals this May half term.

Majorca, Balearic Islands

The four-star Portodrach Aparthotel & Suites is a glamorous, modern resort with spacious self-catering apartments and all the amenities you’d need for a sunny Spain holiday.

The complex has a large swimming pool dotted with parasols and loungers, a poolside snack bar and even a swim-up bar.

Activities available range from a games room, to water sports like surfing and banana boat hire, to golfing at the nearby golf course.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night self-catering stay from 24 May, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £359pp.

Gandia, Spain

Hotel RH Arena By Hoteles RH in Gandia, Spain is a stunning place to stay just steps from a stretch of golden sand.

Whether you’re cooling off in the crystal-clear freshwater pool or hitting the sauna for a detox, this Spanish gem has everything you need for a recharge.

Watch the chefs in action with show-cooking in the restaurant, or grab a quick snack from the cafe. The hotel bar is the main hub for a chilled drink, providing plenty of space to relax and socialise out of the sun.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay with breakfast from 24 May, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £379pp.

Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife

Situated in lively Puerto de la Cruz, the family-friendly Casablanca resort is a top tier pick for Tenerife.

You’re just a 10-minute stroll from the sand, but there is plenty to do on-site, with a heated outdoor pool and kids club to keep little ones entertained.

After a day of lounging by the pool or exploring the nearby old town, you can settle in for a night of live music and shows.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night self-catering stay from 24 May, including return flights from London Stansted, for £319pp.

BY now you’ve probably seen the viral ‘Ryanair-sized’ underseat bags taking over the internet.

However a lot of the cheap, viral underseat bags are flimsy, ugly, or just plain awkward – that’s where this stylish saviour comes in.

ETRONIK Ryanair-sized Underseat Cabin Bag, £17.95 (was £29.99)

The underseat bag has nearly halved in price, with Amazon slashing the cost down by 40% – taking the price down from £29.99 down to £17.95.

The bag measures 40 x 30 x 20cm, which is the exact maximum size for a Ryanair underseat bag – so you get maximum bang for your buck with this backpack.

This is also the maximum underseat bag size for airlines like Wizz Air, Jet2 and TUI, and it also fits within the size requirements for easyJet.

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Whilst other viral underseat bags can be plain and boring to look at, this budget backpack looks expensive – with trendy brown and cream-coloured accents.

There’s also a sleek all-black option with gold zipper detailing.

One happy shopper noted that the bag “Fits loads inside” and “opens like a suitcase which is great for packing/unpacking on trips”.

She continued “the fact you can pull straps to condense really helps to ensure it complies with airline policies!”.

Another shopper said “This is great value for money. Essentially a backpack but in the shape of a case”.

A third happy customer declared the bag the “Perfect under-seat back pack” with “lots of pockets for all your extra bits”.

ETRONIK Ryanair-sized Underseat Cabin Bag, £17.95 (was £29.99)

While other under-seat bags are often made of thin, flimsy fabric that offers sub-par protection for your tech, this backpack is built to last.

Crafted from thick, waterproof and slash-proof material, this bag keeps your laptop secure and holds its shape perfectly.

Unlike cheaper alternatives that become lumpy and awkward once stuffed, this sturdy bag stays comfortable and secure once it’s packed.

There’s also plenty of handy pockets and compartments to organise all of your items neatly.

There’s a sturdy laptop compartment at the back, a handy pocket organiser at the front, and a front zipper pocket – perfect for popping your passport or phone inside for easy access.

There’s also a side pocket for your water bottle, and even a built-in wet bag inside to store any wet swimwear or leaky toileteries.

Plus this smart 24L bag offers 20% more capacity than many other viral bags which offer similar dimensions but only 20L of storage.

ETRONIK Ryanair-sized Underseat Cabin Bag, £17.95 (was £29.99)

Prices correct at time of publication.

THERE’S nothing worse than getting caught out by dreaded overweight baggage fees at the airport.

Thankfully this nifty gadget can help you avoid forking out up to hundreds in extra luggage charges.

MYCarbon Portable Luggage Scale, £6.98 (was £10.99)

The luggage scale is currently on sale at 36% off. It originally sold at £10.99 and it costs only £6.98 today.

Even if you’ve made sure your bag or suitcase fits within your airline’s sizing limits, that doesn’t mean it won’t become too heavy.

Airlines can charge extortionate fees for overweight luggage.

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British Airways, for example, charges you a heavy bag charge of £65 even if your luggage is just 1kg over the 23kg weight limit.

This applies to both the way there and the way home, so this expensive mistake could cost you £130.

Jet2 and easyJet charge a fee of £12 per kilo you are over the weight limit.

This means that if you overpack to the 32kg limit for a standard 15kg bag, you would be charged a stinging £204.

That’s twice the cost of some city breaks just to bring your suitcase with you.

MYCarbon Portable Luggage Scale, £6.98 (was £10.99)

Avoid getting caught out and having to fork out a fee by using this nifty at-home luggage scale.

The gadget has nearly 27,000 reviews, the large majority of which are 5-star and praise how easy it is to use.

One happy shopper shared: “I can confidently say it is a must-have for anyone looking to avoid those dreaded “overweight” fees at the airport.

“It’s rare to find a gadget that is both simple and incredibly effective, but this hits the mark.”

He continued to write: “​If you want a scale that is sturdy, comfortable to hold, and accurate, look no further. It does exactly what it promises with zero hassle”.

Another delighted reviewer said: “Before discovering this scale, I often faced the stress and uncertainty of whether my luggage would meet airline weight restrictions.”

“With the MYCARBON scale, those worries are a thing of the past”.

While there are luggage scales at some airports, it’s much easier to weigh your bags at home then take out what you don’t need, rather than find out at the airport that it’s already too late.

Plus nobody wants to be stuck buying a new suitcase at the airport, where prices are often hiked for passengers in a pinch left with no choice.

And who wants to essentially pay for their holiday twice just because you forgot to weigh your luggage at home?

It’s even been reported that some airline staff are rewarded with ‘bonuses‘ for catching out passengers with oversized baggage.

Avoid those pesky fees by using this scale – you can even pack it and bring it with you on holiday to make sure that your bags aren’t over the weight limit from any shopping you do abroad.

MYCarbon Portable Luggage Scale, £6.98 (was £10.99)

Prices correct at time of publication.

IF you’re having a night out at Wetherspoons, you can expect to drop around £25 for a bottle of wine.

But skip the bottle next time and you could fly somewhere to a beautiful beach instead – sometimes with some cash to spare.

Of course, a bottle is always cheaper at a supermarket, but sometimes you just want to have a night out with your mates.

But there are lots of flights from the UK this month that are under £25 – so we’ve found 10 of the best which have a beautiful beach as well.

Faro

The Portuguese town is used as a gateway to the Algarve but it has its own amazing beaches too. Try Isla Deserta, home to just one restaurant but beautiful stretches of sand.

EasyJet has flights there for £19.99 when flying from London Southend or London Luton.

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Biarritz

On the French basque coast is Biarritz, known for being both a surfing capital and a seaside resort once loved by royals – and nicknamed Paris-on-Sea.

Fly with Ryanair from Edinburgh for £19.99.

Santander

The northern part of Spain shouldn’t be overlooked, not least for its amazing ‘pitxos’ snacks – grab a bunch with some cheap wine to the
El Sardinero beaches for a relaxing afternoon.

Flights are £14.99 this month with Ryanair, and you can fly from both Birmingham and Manchester for the bargain fare.

Alghero

Did you know Italy has its own ‘Little Barcelona? Sardinia’s Alghero is just as beautiful especially with its white sand beaches.

Ryanair flights are £15.99 when flying from London Stansted.

Dubrovnik

The Croatian city of Dubrovnik has more to it than it’s Game of Thrones popularity, in the form of Banje Beach right by the Old Town.

Ryanair flights from London Stansted are £16.99.

Madeira

The Portuguese island of Madeira has some of Europes most beautiful mountains to hike, with some fantastic beaches underneath.

£16.99 flights with Ryanair take off from Manchester this month.

Fuerteventura

When it comes to Spanish islands, Fuerteventura is often overlooked in favour of its neighbours Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.

But fly there with easyJet for £19.99 from Birmingham and make the most of Sotavento Beach.

Beziers

In the south of France, Beziers has four nearby beaches to choose from – Portirangues Plage, Serignan Plage, Valras Plage and Vias Plage.

Flights from London Luton to Béziers Cap d’Agde with Ryanair start from £21.99.

Barcelona

Spain‘s second city is know for its beautiful beach, and now is a great time to go following the latest competition of the Sagrada Familia.

Fly with Ryanair from Edinburgh for 14.99. Or fly with Wizz Air from Luton for around £20.

Newquay

Don’t fancy leaving the UK? Newquay is often compared to the Med and if you don’t fancy getting the train, Ryanair has £14.99 flights from London Stansted.

HAVING ditched London for the Kent coastline, my evenings are now spent walking along the beach. But it comes with a downside – the dreaded pricey commute.

A standard peak-time ticket on the high speed line costs me a whopping £105.60, despite it taking less than an hour.

Yet on that 52-minute commute, going from green countryside to dreary grey city buildings, I’m often dreaming of my next holiday.

And you’ll be surprised to know that there are a hell of a lot of holidays that are actually cheaper than that day ticket – both in the UK and abroad.

I’ve crunched the numbers to find return flights or cruises, as well as hotels, when going abroad, although you might need to factor in your own costs such as parking and bus transfers.

Some are day trips, so you can even save on the hotel and spend elsewhere, be it on culture or boozing.

So here are some of the 20 best holidays that are less than £105 each (and where I’d much rather be than in the office).

Three nights in Venice

A huge bargain deal lets you spend three nights in Venice for just £79, and it includes return London flights.

It comes with breakfast, so have a big one to get you through the day.

Skip the very expensive gondola rides and hop on a local one that costs just €2 (£1.74) and goes across the river.

Some restaurants have set menus that start from around €15 (£13) for two courses, and expect to pay as little as 86p for a glass of wine.

If you want a bit of extra cash to spend, reduce the trip to just two nights, which takes it down to £49pp.

= £95.48pp

Weekend trip to Margate

You can get a Travelodge right by Margate station for just £33 a night – working out to £16.50 each – and return tickets from London are around £12 each way, if you book in advance.

That’s just over £40, which can get you some fish and chips from Beach Bouys (£14.50), AND you can squeeze a drink at The Mechanical Elephant (£5 pint), the Wetherspoons in town.

Dreamland is free to visit, as well as the very bizarre crab museum and the Turner Contemporary gallery.

= £60pp

One night Amsterdam cruise

Did you know you can spend the day in Amsterdam without having to sort flights or a hotel?

DFDS has some two-night mini cruises from Newcastle to Amsterdam for as little as £54.50 each (or £39.75 is sharing as a four, not two people). This includes a private overnight cabin as well as bus transfers to the city centre.

This leaves you with £50, best spent on a ticket to Anne Frank’s House (£14.35).

A cone of frites is around €4 (£3.50) and for a cheap drink, Backstage Bar has pints for under €5 (£4.35).

Free things to do include the boat to Amsterdam Noord, as well as Vondelpark and Rijksmuseum (or Van Gogh Museum on Friday evenings).

= £76.70pp

Two nights all-inclusive in Turkey

A two-night all-inclusive holiday in Turkey comes in just under budget too.

The £99 deal each with Wowcher includes two nights at a five-star hotel, as well as access to the pools, all your food and drink AND return flights.

Be quick, as there are only a few days left in May.

= £99pp

Day trip to Oxford

Trains from London to Oxford take less than an hour, and can be found for as little as £5.40 each way.

Visit the Ashmolean Museum without spending a penny or spend your money on a university tour (£27). Harry Potter tours are also similarly priced.

The rest of your budget can go on a three-course menu at No.1 Ship Street (£26pp) named one of the best restaurants in the city, before heading home for the evening.

= £63.80pp

One night in Milan 

Loveholidays has one-night stays for £79 each, which includes return flights as well as an overnight stay.

The stay is at the B&B Hotel Milano, in nearby Monza.

But there is lots to do for free in Milan, such as visiting the outside of the Duomo or the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Head to Pizza Am where you can get an entire pizza for just €6 (£5.22) which comes with a free glass of fizz.

Famous for its Negroni Sbagliato, Bar Basso is where to end the evening where a cocktail will set you back a tenner.

= £94.22pp

Four nights camping in Spain

From £99pp, you could spend four nights at Estival Torre De La Mora with return flights.

This is based on a family of four, and the airport is super close to the campsite as well.

You have just £6 leftover, so probably best to pack some cereal and pasta from home.

= £99pp

Day trip to Majorca

Extreme day trips are a thing now, thanks to cheap (and quick) flights to Europe.

Holiday Pirates has done the hard work and found some cheap return flights to Majorca from £34, which leave in the morning and come back in the evening.

This leaves you with around £71 to spend on cocktails and dinner.

Marley’s has cheap pints and cocktails, so get one of each and it will cost you less than a tenner overall.

Sa Fonda has a Majorcan buffet in the week that is just €13.50 (£11.74) leaving more than enough cash for a fridge magnet or two…

= £55.74pp

One night in Fez

It isn’t just Europe on the cards; you could do an overnight stay in Morocco with Loveholidays for £99pp.

Along with flights, the deal includes hotels such as Riad Dar Guennoun (which comes with breakfast) or Hotel Ibis Fez.

Make the most of the free attractions like the Fes el Bali medina, while street food ranges from 40p for fried sfenj (doughnuts). A dinner out will usually cost about £8.

= £97.40pp

Four nights at Haven holiday park

One of the cheapest holidays you can go on in the UK is to a Haven holiday park.

Four nights start from £49 based on a family of four if you travel next month.

This doesn’t include access to the arcades and pools, so I recommend going for a break that does instead which is £69, or £17.25.

That leaves you around £87, so take your own food to save on breakfast.

Instead, treat yourself to a cocktail pitcher on your last night for £11 each, as well as a dinner for £10 each. You can even get a roast for a tenner each with cash to spare.

= £48.25pp

A day in London

So if you are already living in London, there is an easy way to spend under £105 each.

A one-day travelcard for Zone 1-2 is £8.90 per adult, and it will certainly get its use.

First of all, there are a lot of free museums – the V&A, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, National Portrait Gallery, to name a few.

A famous Brick Lane bagel for lunch will set you back just £4.50 for a standard cream cheese option.

A theatre trip is a must, and BuyAGift has tickets for The Devil Wears Prada for £75, or £32.50 each.

Pre-theatre menus are a bargain too – try Gallio, where a two-course pre-show meal is just £20 each.

End the night at Cardinal Bar & Kitchen in Aldgate – where every day you can get pints of house beer for a fiver (and treat yourself to two).

= £75.90pp

Two nights in Lake Garda

Two nights in Lake Garda is as little as £59 each, with dates even after summer. The two-night stay is at a 4* hotel, with return flights from London.

It includes breakfast, so make sure to have a big one. Then enjoy a fresh pizza for around £11 and an Aperol Spritz for £7.

Add in a boat tour too, as Get Your Guide has some to Sirmione for £21 each.

= £98pp

Day trip to Calais

Another no drive option is heading to France via Eurotunnel for the day, which starts from £59 per car, so £14.75 per person.

Entering via Calais, you can explore some of France’s best seaside towns such as Boulogne-sur-Mer and Le Touquet-Paris-Plage.

But one of the closest is Wimereux, where you can grab a croissant and coffee for around £3, before heading to the beach for the day.

Have a dip in the sea pool before getting a ‘plat du jour’ (two-course lunch) for around £20 – and then make the most of cheap duty-free with by bringing 12 bottles of £5 wine home…

= £97.75pp

Two nights Algarve

How about two nights in The Algarve?

The cheapest deals are £99 each for two nights with flights with Loveholidays.

This leaves you with £6 to play with, so you’ll need to bring your own food or head to the supermarket.

But spend your time just chilling on the beautiful beaches, catching some rays to keep costs down.

= £99pp

Four nights at Butlins

A last-minute holiday to Butlin’s is a bargain too, with four-night breaks next month for £49. The Bognor Regis stay is based on four people sharing, so that’s £12.25 each.

Add a dining plan, such as the Food Court Dining plan, which is around £50 each and includes buffet breakfast, dinner, and unlimited soft drinks and desserts.

You can even add on an All Action Pass (£15) for access to go karts, bowling, golf and trampolines, AND a two-hour spa experience and come under budget still.

= £105pp

Two nights in Zagreb

Book your own flights and hotels, and you could spend two nights in the capital of Croatia for just £92pp. According to HolidayPirates, this includes return Ryanair flights from London Stansted and two nights at Zajceva 34.

The Historic Upper Town is free to see, as are walking tours, where you can spot some street art along the way, and the Museum of Contemporary Art on the first Wednesday, and the Archaeological Museum on the first Sunday.

You only have about a tenner for food so you’ll need to go to the supermarket, or you could try a “burek” meat pastry from street food stalls for about £5.

= £97pp

Two-night Santander cruise

A no-flight holiday option is a two-night cruise to Spain, which starts from £99 per person when based on a four-person cabin.

This includes the return cruise and two nights onboard in a cabin.

This does only leave you £6, so pack some food… and save it for a wine in Santander (around £2 a glass).

= £101pp

Two nights in Rome

The Italian city of Rome is both easy and cheap to get to. A two-night Wowcher deal in May has return London lights, a hotel and breakfast included for £79 each.

Tickets to the Colosseum will take you close to the budget, so I recommend seeing it from the outside instead (or go on the first Sunday of the month, where it is free as well) and see the free Pantheon as well.

Try Giano Restaurant for lunch, where a two-course meal and coffee is £19 each, followed by gelato for around £4.

= £102pp

One night in Krakow

How about an overnight in Krakow for £99 each? The Loveholidays deal for May has return London Luton flights and a stay at a three-star hotel.

Kraków is cheap, so get a Zapiekanka (pizza) for around £4.50 that will keep you full all day.

Exploring the Old Town is free, as are some of the museums, such as Schindler’s Factory on Monday or MOCAK on Thursday.

= £103.50

Two nights in Costa Brava

You could spend two nights in Spain for under £100, just.

Two nights in Costa Brava or Costa Dorada come in at £99 each with Loveholidays, although the latter has breakfast (so make sure to nab some rolls and snacks for lunch).

Put the last £6 towards supermarket snacks to take back to the pool where you can relax for the rest of the day.

= £105pp

One night Mystery Holiday to Europe

If you don’t know where you want to go, how about letting Wowcher decide for you?

Their famous European Mystery Holiday starts from £89pp, which includes return flights and two nights’ stay.

Some lucky winners could get seven nights, all-inclusive, so you won’t have to spend a penny.

Even those that don’t, you’ll have £16 left each to grab a cheap dinner and pint either from a restaurant or supermarket.

Make sure to check which museums are free to visit too, as most cities have a few.

= £89pp

SIX in ten Brits say free roaming is their top priority when choosing a phone plan – with a third being stung by additional fees.

A study of 2,000 adults revealed of the 34 per cent who had been charged, 22 per cent had to fork out £50 or more extra from a single trip – with 1.5 million travellers facing bills of over £100.

Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) admitted they had no idea different charges applied to varying countries in Europe.

Almost half (48 per cent) who were hit with surprise additional costs due to roaming said it had negatively affected their holiday as a result.

The research was commissioned by iD Mobile, which has teamed up with the former King of the Jungle and I’m a Celebrity… South Africa returnee, Harry Redknapp, to beat the sting of holiday bill shock.

A spokesperson for the network provider, which offers inclusive roaming as standard in 50 European destinations, said: “Being hit with a huge roaming bill when you return home is genuinely frustrating.

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“Our research shows just how many people are unsure about roaming charges, how they work, and where they apply.”

The study also found, of those who have been charged with unexpected roaming fees, 90 per cent were shocked by the amount.

Meanwhile 54 per cent said they do not understand how such charges are calculated on their current mobile phone plan, including what they are charged for calls, texts and data when abroad.

Over a quarter (28 per cent) said they did not understand what mobile roaming is and how the charges would work when travelling abroad.

When using their phone abroad, 42 per cent said it left them feeling anxious, regularly checking their usage (29 per cent) or actively limiting what they do to avoid unexpected costs (13 per cent).

Tactics to avoid unexpected fees included switching off mobile data entirely (40 per cent) and not sending photos or videos to family and friends (20 per cent).

The study also found 30 per cent felt disconnected from friends and family while on holiday abroad, according to OnePoll.com figures.

In a bid to stay connected, for 21 per cent, finding Wi-Fi would be the first thing they would do.

ATM withdrawal or foreign transaction card fees were the most unexpected costs (25 per cent), as well as hotel extras for pool towels, Wi-Fi and safe hire (16 per cent).

A spokesperson for iD Mobile, which partnered with Harry Redknapp for a campaign video which features the football star fighting the sting of roaming bills with his ‘Roaming Sting Repellent’, added: “People feel it when it comes to using their phones abroad.

“Many travellers don’t know what’s included in their phone plan, or when charges might apply, until they’re already away.

“That confusion is clearly influencing how people behave on holiday, with some cutting back on phone use entirely to avoid the risk of unexpected costs.

“No one should have to worry about being stung by their phone bill while trying to enjoy a well-earned break.”

PLANNING a holiday, staycation or day out should be exciting but eye-watering prices can turn it into a wallet-draining nightmare.

But you don’t have to pay full whack. From dirt-cheap flights to cut-price hotels and bargain days out, there are loads of easy ways to cut the costs.

Whether you’re chasing a last-minute break, a cheap stay or discounted tickets, here’s how to do it for less and keep more cash in your pocket.

Websites

Secret Flying

The Secret Flying website hunts out super-cheap deals and “error fares” – bargain flights caused by pricing glitches – and links you straight to booking sites like Skyscanner.

It’s free to use and lists offers by region, but you’ll need to be flexible on dates and destinations to bag the best ones.

The biggest bargains sell out fast, so it’s worth signing up for alerts to stay one step ahead.

Holiday Hypermarket

Holiday Hypermarket is owned by the TUI group and is the discount website for TUI holidays where they guarantee that you won’t find a TUI, Marella or Crystal holiday cheaper anywhere else.

With up to 70 per cent off brochure prices, they sell a lot of last minute breaks – but with the same TUI flights, hotels and transfers.

Luxury Escapes

A website that offers high end holidays at affordable prices is Luxury Escapes.

They negotiate directly with hotels to get good deals on holiday bundles, including flights, accommodation and extras like free cocktails, massages and childcare.

Hostelworld

If you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful and don’t mind bunking up with other people then Hostelworld is a useful tool.

It will help you to search for hostels in the destination you’re heading to and compare prices.

It can also find hostels with private rooms too if you don’t want to share.

Cashback sites

While it might not save you money on you’re current holiday – it could save you some cash on the next one.

At Quidco you can get at as much as 3.75 per cent on an EasyJet holiday (which works out at as £11 back on a £300 trip)

Or there is hotels.com, which gives you seven per cent cashback (£14 if you book a hotel for two nights at £200).

Other brands include TUI, British Airways, Trainline and Skyscanner. so it is worth checking if you can claim anything before you book.

Apps

02 Priority

If your phone contract is with O2, then you really should download Priority.

In addition to entering competitions to win holidays, you can often get discounts on holiday packages, concerts, and events.

For example, you can get four tickets to Vue cinemas for £18 or two for £9.

Or save £220 when you spend £2,000 with lastminute.com.

MiXR.

The MiXR. app shows local pubs, clubs and bars where you can reserve a table and pre-book food or drink packages.

But it can also get you savings.

Each time you spend money on your linked card at a partnered bar or pub, you’ll get points.

Get to 5,000 points and you’ll have a £5 voucher (each £1 you spend you get 50 points).

There are also offers on the app including 25 per cent off Camden Hells beer.

Dusk

Dusk dubs itself ‘the free drink app’ and it isn’t lying.

The app shows you which bars and pubs in your area have deals on and the exact route to get there.

If you scroll, you’ll find specific venues have a sticker on them offering a free drink.

For example, it could say ‘free espresso martinis on Monday at 3pm’, which means you can get that drink for free if you visit that specific venue at the given time.

Some of the venues are marked with yellow stars which means you can earn points too.

Once you’ve collected a number of points you can exchange for drinks.

For example, 200 points gets you a free bottle of prosecco at Be At One, 500 points can get you 50 per cent off at Karaoke Room and so on.

You can use Dusk in a number of cities across the UK including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Brighton, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Cambridge, Oxford, Cardiff, Sheffield, Bath, Exeter, Norwich, Bournemouth, Hull and York.

Eat Club

Having only launched in the UK last year, Eat Club is now available in London and Manchester.

The app shows you nearby restaurants that have spare tables, great for last-minute plans.

You can also get great discounts, such as up to 50 per cent off of your bill.

Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go is an app that prevents food waste by selling off items leftover at the end of the day.

The app is partnered with a number of brands including Greggs and Pizza Express.

If you jump onto the app and use the map function, you will find stores near you that have bags of food to sell for a few quid before the end of the day.

Having used the app numerous times, I usually pay around £3.50 for a bag that contains over £20 worth of food.

I have even used it in New York, when finding a budget lunch option seemed impossible.

Unidays

If you are a student or recent graduate, you should sign up to an account with Unidays.

It is free to joing, you’ll just need your student email and then you can make savings such as getting two Cineworld tickets for £13 and 30 per cent off Hilton hotel stays.

Student Beans

Similar to the above, Student Beans is a discount app for anyone studying. With a student email you can benefit from discounts such as 25 per cent off of National Express travel and 10 per cent off of Ryanair flights.

Cheapskate London

Cheapskate London is a free newsletter released each Monday that shares the best free and cheap things to do across the capital.

It’s a really useful tool for the school holidays too.

Previous free events include educational talks, family activity sessions at museums, and even building your own wormery.

Accor

If you subscribe to the Accor newsletter, you will typically get 10 per cent off hotel stays.

You’ll also get exclusive offers and personalised deals.

Nectar

If you shop at Sainsbury’s and don’t have a Nectar account then you’re really missing out.

When you do your weekly food shop, you’ll rack up points which you can then use on your holiday.

For example, you can spend your points on Eurostar journeys, British Airways flights and more.

Avios

Avios are loyalty points that you can collect and use mainly with British Airways for flights, hotels and upgrades.

You can earn them by flying with British Airways or its partners, as long as you have an account.

If you build up enough points, you can purchase flights and pay only a small cash fee for admin such as tax and fees.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy’s hotel loyalty programme is free to join and covers around 10,000 destinations across the globe.

Members earn points with each stay and then the points can be redeemed on free nights at Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is free to join, and much like Marriott Bonvoy, is the hotel’s loyalty programme.

Members earn points on stays and everyday activities which can then be redeemed on free stays and experiences as well.

Members tend to get 10 points per £1 spent.

Paid-for memberships

The Nudge

Costing just £5 per month The Nudge is an insider’s guide to London and often reports on the latest openings in the capital.

The discounts are easy to find on the app and include deals like 40 per cent off at Greek seafood restaurant Kimu in Marylebone or 50 per cent off food at The Culpeper in Spitalfields.

There are also discounts on events such as 50 per cent off of tickets to Burger Fest in Richmond and even pampering treatments like £50 off facials at Skinwork in Soho or 40 per cent off access to Lowlu open-air sauna in Kentish Town.

The Nudge will also run member events such as exclusive supper clubs.

Blue Light

If you work in the NHS or the emergency services, you probably already know about Blue Light.

Blue Light, which costs £4.99 for a two-year membership, gets you discounts at major brands, restaurants and entertainment venues as well as £100 off your TUI holiday or 15 per cent off Away Resorts.

You can even get a discount on airport parking, such as five per cent at London Gatwick.

Railcard

Railcards aren’t just for youngsters, there are all sorts of railcards you can get.

In general, they will get you a third off most rail fares and cost between £30 and £35 each year.

Different railcards include 16-25-year-olds, 26-30-year-olds, Senior (over 60 years old) and Disabled Persons.

There’s also a Family and Friends Railcard which gets adults a third off their rail fare and then 60 per cent off kids’ rail fares if they are aged between five and 15 years old.

Trusted Housesitters

Accommodation costs can bump up the total cost of your holiday, but there is a way around this.

With Trusted Housesitters, you can head to someone’s home and stay there while they are away and all you need to do is look after their pet.

It operates in 180 countries and essentially is a win-win system as the person going away needs a pet sitter and you want somewhere to stay.

Members pay an annual fee to use the platform, which range from £99 to £199.

Dis-loyalty

Dis-loyalty is a travel and food membership that costs £12 a month to join.

In return, you’ll earn points and get discounts on hotel stays, such as 50 per cent off newly opened hotels.

You can also grab a free hot drink each day at one of the membership’s participating locations.

Days Out with the Kids

Days Out with the Kids is the perfect site if you are looking for inspiration during the weekends or school holidays.

The website is partnered with over 8,500 attractions across the UK, and offers members access to exclusive discounts.

The membership costs £4.99 per month, but according to the website, it saves families an average of £12.99 per trip.

Hols from £9.50

If you want to head to a holiday park in the UK or Europe, The Sun’s Hols from £9.50 has over 20 holiday parks to choose from.

To benefit from the £9.50 deal, you have to collect five codewords printed in the paper over a set period of time and enter them on the Sun Holidays website.

Alternatively, to avoid needing a passcode you can join Sun Club for £1.99.

For more offers on holidays travel companies have revealed the cheapest places to book – with week-long holidays from £189.

Plus, here are 200 all-inclusive hotels including the cheap ones that are actually worth it.

I WORK in travel and look at holiday pricing data every single day – and there are a few patterns that I see constantly.

Small booking habits that feel completely normal, but quietly push prices up. We’re not talking about a few quid either. Get these wrong, and you can end up paying 20–30 per cent more for the same holiday.

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

Here are the three biggest mistakes – and exactly how to fix them.

Bad Habit No.1: Booking in the morning rush

This one surprises people the most.

Booking your holiday first thing – on your commute, before work, or when you sit down at your desk – feels productive.

But it’s actually one of the worst times you can choose.

According to the data, the most expensive time to book a holiday is between 9am and 10am.

In fact, booking in that window came in at around 30 per cent more expensive than the cheapest time of day, which is actually 2:47am.

And it makes sense when you think about it – because that’s a peak demand window when everyone is searching at once.

Flight prices react to this demand first, then package holiday prices follow.

So while you think you’re being organised… you’re actually booking at the busiest, and often most expensive, moment of the day.

In one example, I found a 5-night all-inclusive stay at the Catty Cats Garden Hotel in Turkey was priced at £133pp in the early hours – but just a few hours later, that had jumped to £165pp for the exact same holiday.

That’s a 24% increase (£64 more for two people) simply from booking later in the day.

Bad Habit No.2: Waiting after finding a good deal

This is the classic “I’ll just check again later” mistake: you find a good price, but instead of booking it, you leave it.

You come back later. Maybe the next day. Maybe after asking a few people.

It feels like you’re being careful or thrifty, but the data shows the opposite.

Every search feeds demand into the system, demand pushes flight prices up, and flight prices push package prices up.

But the reality is: if you’ve found a good deal, it’s very likely other people have found it too.

So while you’re waiting, those seats and rooms are disappearing, filling up and pushing up the package cost pretty quickly.

In one real example, a luxury all-inclusive stay at the Titanic Deluxe Lara in Antalya,Turkey was priced at £558 per person.

But after waiting just 24 hours, that same holiday increased to £606 per person.

That’s an extra £48pp – or £192 more for a family of four – just for not booking when the price was lower.

Prices change, availability drops, and that deal you liked is gone forever.

Bad Habit No.3: Being too rigid with dates and nights

This is where people leave the biggest savings on the table.

I see it every day: most searches are locked into the same dates, same duration, no flexibility.

But pricing doesn’t work like that – it fluctuates constantly based on demand.

Flight and hotel combinations are constantly shifting, and the price you see is based on very specific availability – not a fixed “cost” for that trip.

That means sticking rigidly to one duration can actually stop you from seeing better-value options.

Sometimes, adding or removing just one night can completely change the price – because it opens up different flight combinations or cheaper room availability.

In one search I did for a Corfu holiday, a 7-night stay was coming in at £874 per person.

But by simply increasing the stay to 8 nights, the price dropped to £720 per person for the same package.

That’s a saving of £154pp – or £308 for two people – just by adding one extra night.

It goes against what most people expect, but it shows how pricing really works.

You’re not just paying for nights – you’re paying for the combination of flights and hotel availability behind them.

Yet most people never check – they search once, see one price, and assume that’s what the holiday costs.

Good Habit No.1: Use price alerts instead of repeatedly searching

One of the easiest ways to save money is to stop manually checking prices over and over again.

Every time you search, you’re adding to demand signals – and you’re far more likely to miss the moment a price drops.

Instead, set up price alerts or track a holiday and let the price come to you.

That way, you’re not feeding the surge – and you’re ready to act when the price is right.

I sometimes see short-term dips of up to £50 per person on the same holiday when demand softens briefly – but these windows can last hours, not days.

The people who catch them aren’t constantly searching – they’re notified. But how do you actually do it?

At On the Beach, if you save a holiday, you’re automatically tracking it, and they’ll email you to let you know when the price changes.

On Google Flights, you can search your route, then just toggle “Track prices” – then you’ll get email alerts whenever fares move up or down.

On Skyscanner, hit the heart or bell icon on a flight, and it’ll notify you when the price changes.

It takes about 10 seconds – and it means you’re not guessing when to book.

Good Habit No.2: The 33-day booking rule

There’s no perfect moment to book – but there is a bit of a sweet spot.

According to the data, booking around 33 days before departure can unlock savings of up to 10%.

That’s because it sits between two high-demand groups: early planners who book far in advance and last-minute bookers chasing limited availability.

In this middle window, demand is lower, and prices often reflect that.

Which means on a £700 holiday, that 10% saving means paying around £630 instead – a £140 saving for a couple without changing anything else.

It’s not about waiting as long as possible. It’s about timing it right.

Good Habit No.3: Switch airports, not just dates

Most people have a “default airport” – the one they always fly from without really thinking about it.

But sticking to the same airport can quietly cost you more than you realise.

Flights to the same destination can vary massively in price depending on where you depart from – even on the exact same day, for the exact same hotel.

And often, the cheaper option is only a short drive or train journey away.

In one search I did this week for a family holiday to Majorca, the same 5-night stay at the Sea Club Mediterranean Resort was priced at £260pp flying from Manchester.

But switching to Liverpool Airport for the exact same trip brought the price down to £235pp.

That’s a saving of £25 per person – or £100 for a family of four – just by changing the departure airport.

It’s a simple check most people skip, but it can make a real difference to the total cost.

A Holiday Expert’s bottom line:

These aren’t big sacrifices, and you’re not downgrading your hotel or cutting your trip short. You’re just booking smarter.

But these small tweaks of timing, confidence and flexibility can easily save you hundreds over time.

And once you see how the pricing actually works, you won’t book the same way again…

THERE’S still time to bag a bargain break for a long weekend away this May bank holiday

We found a selection of staycation deals across the UK that still have availability for both the early May bank holiday and the late bank holiday weekend.

From lodges in the woods, to farm stays with roaming cows, to resorts with outdoor pools overlooking the sea – here’s the best cheap UK holiday deals you can still book for a long weekend in May.

Relaxing Lodge stay in North York Moors National Park

3-night stay for two from 1 – 4 May: £284

Snap up this last-minute deal for the early May bank holiday and stay three nights in the cosy Thirley Beck Lodge, right in the stunning landscapes of the Yorkshire Moors.

This lodge is perfect for a couple’s retreat to the countryside, with a double bed and open plan kitchen, dining and seating area – plus a balcony and chairs to enjoy a sunset drink or morning coffee.

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The lodge sits on a working farm, so it’s not a rare sight for cattle, sheep or horses to roam the surrounding fields.

And for a change of scenery, the beautiful seaside village of Robin Hood’s Bay is only 20 minutes’ drive away.

Ty Hafan, Flintshire, Wales

3-night stay for two from 1 – 4 May: £292

Bag a stay at this pretty countryside cottage in North Wales for a last-minute romantic staycation for two.

Step into an adorable pastel blue cottage decorated with blooming flowers and mini white picket fence into a blue and cream-themed interior.

Make use of the afternoon tea table set, or enjoy a bottle of fizz out in your own private garden under the sun.

Nearby, you can visit Talacre Beach to watch the sun set behind its Grade II-listed lighthouse.

Last-minute getaway to Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

3-night stay for two from 1 – 4 May: £292

This Parkdean resort in Scratby sits on a golden sand beach with plenty of relaxing coastal path walks nearby – plus it’s close to mega seaside resort Great Yarmouth.

Stay in a comfortable chalet and make use of the pool, crazy golf, on-site arcade and live evening entertainment at the Showbar every night.

Drive or take the bus just 15 minutes into Great Yarmouth to stroll its famous seaside pier – plus a go on the snail rides at the Joyland amusements is a must!

Safari Tent stay at Thorness Bay, Isle of Wight

3-night stay for up to four from 1 – 4 May: £169

Stay in a luxurious safari tent this bank holiday weekend on the sandy sweep of Thorness Bay on the Isle of Wight.

With two bedrooms, a unique safari-style look and wooden decking, the safari tents make your staycation feel like you’re holidaying somewhere more far-flung.

On the resort there’s a heated indoor pool with a waterslide, sports courts, arcades and more. Plus there’s a family-friendly restaurant and takeaway options like fish and chips and Costa Coffee.

And if you want to venture out, there’s a beautiful beach on your doorstep, plus the Isle of Wight Steam Railway is nearby, too.

Stay on Cornwall’s stunning Lizard Peninsula

3-night stay for up to three from 1 – 4 May: £184

Bag a bargain stay this early May bank holiday at Sea Acres Holiday Park in Helston, Cornwall.

The Sea Acres Holiday Park is close to top attractions like the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, as well as the pretty fishing town of Porthleven.

The resort has sweeping views over Kennack Sands, where you can take a dip in the water or catch a spectacular sunset.

Stay in a bronze caravan with a modern interior, kitchen, seating area with a flatscreen TV, plus a large comfy bed and sofabed.

Wooden Glamping Pod in Forrester Park Golf & Country Club, Essex

3-night stay for two from 22 – 25 May: £351

These cosy pods nestled in Forrester Park in the Essex countryside make for a very Instagrammable staycation.

Each wooden dome comes with a cosy seating area, kitchenette, a double bed under a window looking out to the forest, decking to soak up the sun, and access to a hot tub.

Within Forrester Park there’s Padel courts, a driving range and several restaurants offering everything from fry-ups to a Sunday roast – turning your woodland retreat into an action-packed weekend away.

Enjoy a classic seaside stay at Cleethorpes Pearl, Lincolnshire

3-night stay for two from 22 – 25 May: £298

This holiday resort in the traditional seaside town of Cleethorpes has plenty to see and do on-site, including live entertainment and lots of child-friendly activities.

The heated outdoor pool area has a sun terrace with plenty of loungers, and looks more like a posh resort abroad than it does a UK holiday park.

The food at this resort is fantastic, too, as restaurants and shacks serve up everything from Filthy Fries to Magical Milkshakes.

Nearby you can laze out on the sands of Cleethorpes Beach, or hop on the historic Cleethorpes Light Railway – which makes a stop at the tiniest pub in the world.

Whitecliff Bay, Isle of Wight

3-night stay for two from 22 – 25 May: £298

Whitecliff Bay on the eastern tip of the Isle of Wight is a gorgeous coastal destination with golden beaches overlooked by dramatic cliffs.

The Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park is a scenic spot to stay, with a giant outdoor pool looking out to sea.

On-site there’s activities like a crazy golf course, and stylish places to eat and drink like The Nab Bar and The Culver Club.

Nearby head to the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary to spot rare species, or Dinosaur Isle for family-friendly fossil walks.

EVERY few months you can grab free tickets to the races at racecourses like Doncaster and Ayr – but only if you’re a Sun Club member.

Once you sign up to Sun Club, you can benefit from a range of exclusive, members-only offers.

These include free darts tickets, 50% off West End shows, money off of London attraction tickets, plus early access to £9.50 holidays and more.

It’s really easy to sign up – simply click the button below to sign up to the £1.99 monthly membership, or bag a year for just £12.

Right now there’s a range of free race days for Sun Club members to make the most of, where you can bag four tickets for races every few months.

We’ve put together all of the race days coming up in the calendar for Sun Club members to pick from – plus the best things to do nearby, so you can make the most of your travels there.

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April Racedays

Gents Evening 2026 at Fontwell Park Racecourse, West Sussex
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 at 3:15pm

Fontwell Park describe this raceday as “The Ultimate Lads Day Out”, and ask guests to think Peaky Blinders and dress up dapper for a charmingly fun day.

Fontwell Park in West Sussex is also the only racecourse in the UK with a figure of eight-shaped steeplechase, which requires some amazing skill from the jockeys and is a joy to watch.

Make the most of dressing up posh and explore the Arundel Castle and Gardens, an 11th-century castle surrounded by 38 acres of gardens.

Saturday Evening – April Flat Racing 2026 at Doncaster Racecourse
Sat, 25 Apr 2026 at 2:35pm

This April Flat Turf Racing offers an exciting way to watch a straight mile sprint live, plus there’s even 50% off draught drinks and £10 off bottles of fizz for the first hour after the gates open.

Doncaster Racecourse offers fun for all the family, with live entertainment and food and drinks stalls to explore.

Doncaster Racecourse is one of the oldest in Britain, putting on world-class races since the 1500’s – and you could bag a historic day of fun there for free if you’re signed up to Sun Club.

Nearby top attractions include Yorkshire Wildlife Park and the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, should you wish to make a day of it.

Country & Western Racenight 2026 at Southwell Racecourse
Sat, 25 Apr 2026 at 4:00pm

Yeehaw! Don your cowboy hat and boots for a country-themed night at the races with this last-minute racing night offer.

Expect live renditions of Dolly Parton classics by a tribute act, followed by a night of dancing to DJ tunes.

There’s plenty to do nearby too, like wandering The Workhouse, a popular National Trust site.

Four-Legged Friends Raceday at Nottingham Racecourse
Sun, 26 Apr 2026 at 12:15pm

No need to leave your furry friend at home with this dog-friendly race day at the esteemed Nottingham Racecourse.

You can even enter your pet in a range of competitions, which include Loveliest Lady and Best Rescue.

If you’re staying for the weekend, take your furry friend on a walk through the beautiful grounds of Wollaton Hall.

May Racedays

RSA Syndicate Evening Racing at Huntingdon Racecourse
Tue, 19 May 2026 at 4:30pm

Race days at Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire make for a spectacular day out.

The home of the Peterborough Chase offers other fun events throughout the year, such as their RSA Syndicate Evening Racing, where you can bag a free ticket this May as a Sun Club member.

Spend the day beforehand having a nosy in Cambs Lock Antiques or the Cromwell Museum.

Tennent’s Raceday at Ayr Racecourse
Wed, 20 May 2026 at 12:10pm

Ayr is Scotland’s premier racecourse, home to massive events like the Scottish Grand National and Ayr Gold Cup.

The Tennent’s Raceday is one of the venue’s biggest midweek racing events, with plenty of friendly competition and top-tier hospitality.

There’s plenty to do nearby too, like strolling the historic Auld Brig or visiting the town centre to pop in some traditional pubs.

Feel Good Friday Racing at Carlisle Racecourse
Fri, 29 May 2026 at 1:10pm

Thoroughbred horse racing venue Carlisle Racecourse are running a Feel Good Friday race day, where you can expect an afternoon packed with plenty of races and also music from a live DJ.

This is the only Friday in the racecourse’s racing calendar, so make sure to bag it whilst you can by signing up to Sun Club.

Stay the weekend and explore two mega historical sites: Carslisle Castle and the epic Hadrian’s Wall.

June Racedays

Virtus Property Race Night at Warwick Racecourse
Wed, 3 Jun 2026 at 4:30pm

The Virtus Property Race Night offers evening races under the lights, plus access to bars and the food market.

This evening also includes access to the Grandstand, winner’s enclosure, pre-parade and parade ring, too.

Spend the day beforehand at Warwick Castle, where you can see exciting shows from falconry to live jousting.

Fiver Friday Evening Racing at Market Rasen Racecourse
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 at 12:05pm

Head to Market Rasen Racecourse for a family-friendly evening packed with exciting races – plus under 18’s get to go for free.

Market Rasen Racecourse is a beautiful site in the Lincolnshire Wolds, which held its first race in 1924.

The Lincolnshire Wolds are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and offer plenty of scenic hiking and walking trails.

July Racedays

Family Sunday Raceday at Ayr Racecourse
Sun, 5 Jul 2026 at 12:00pm

The Family Sunday Raceday makes for a brilliant summer’s day out with the kids.

The day will include seven races, family-friendly entertainment, and even a mascot race where colourful characters will compete.

Turn the weekend into a family staycation and meet the animals at Ayr Farm Park or visit the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.

Glasgow Fair Family Raceday at Ayr Racecourse
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 at 12:00pm

The Glasgow Fair Family Raceday sees various owners and trainers put their horses to the test on the grounds.

There will be seven races, as well as free entertainment – plus kids go free.

Other things to do nearby include seeing the ruins of Greenan Castle or takig a stroll along Ayr Beach.

How to bag your free racing tickets

How to sign up to the Sun Club Membership Programme:

Step 1: To book your racing tickets join Sun Club now for just £1.99 a month.

Step 2: Then head to the Offers Hub Racing Page, select the ‘Four Free Racing Tickets’ tile, choose the racecourse you want to go to then click the ‘Book’ button.

Step 3: Confirm your details and then you will receive an email with your tickets.

Once tickets are all claimed, we will open up a limited waiting list for cancellations before showing it as ‘Fully booked’.

18+ Terms & Conditions apply, thesun.co.uk/club.

18+ UK only. Online access required. Four tickets every three month of active subscription. Racecourses and racedays vary subject to availability. Sun Club: 18+ UK only. New customer offer: £1.99 per month or £12 per per year unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For full T&Cs, visit thesun.co.uk/club   

FORGET boring beige hotels and predictable pillows.

Whether you’re lounging on a luxe boutique ship, sipping cocktails in a quirky hub, or waking up in a treehouse — these unique escapes are redefining city stays.

These super-cool stays in two of the UK’s capital cities are perfect weekenders, says Sub-Editor Milcah Fajardo.

Fingal, Edinburgh

THE PAD

Roll your suitcase along the Port of Leith, and you’ll soon find yourself at the red carpet to this five-star floating hotel.

From the art deco finishings to the grand ballroom, it exudes glamour.

But even after a £5million glow-up, the former Northern Lighthouse Board ship retains its history, preserved in the Engine Room and nautical details.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Luxury cabins feature super-king beds, tartan textiles and a balcony with dock views.

Plus, the jade-green bathroom with brass taps and rain shower is like something from my Pinterest board.

Meanwhile, The Lighthouse restaurant is award-winning for good reason.

Beneath the hammered gold ceiling, we dine on truffle scrambled eggs on toast, £15, and porridge brûlée, £9.50, for breakfast.

Dinner is superb, too, as we tuck into delicate duck ravioli with wild mushrooms, sage and parmesan foam, £15, beef cheek in a périgourdine sauce, £38, and creamy Basque cheesecake with honey ice cream, £11.

EXPLORE

Visit The Royal Yacht Britannia, a stone’s throw from Fingal.

The self-guided tour will take you from the Royals’ quarters and grand state dining room to life below deck for crew.

Entry is free for Fingal guests (Royalyachtbritannia.co.uk).

And you have to visit Edinburgh Castle, even if you skip gaping at the sparkling crown jewels and just hike up for the views.

Entry costs £21.50 (Edinburghcastle.scot).

For handmade souvenirs and local eats, Stockbridge Market is open every Sunday.

We defy you to resist the hog-roast buns with apple sauce, £10, or the haggis sausage rolls, £4 (Stockbridgemarket.com).

REFUEL

Leith eatery Barry Fish does seafood so well that it landed them a spot in the Michelin Guide.

The addictive fish pastrami, £14, and flaky sea trout in a buttery shrimp sauce, £25, won’t disappoint (Barryfish.co.uk).

Also nearby is Alby’s, where hot focaccia sarnies filled with gooey ‘nduja cauliflower cheese, £12.50, and succulent chicken pakora, spiced onions and lettuce, £13.50, are to die for (Albysleith.co.uk).

Tucked away in the centre is games bar Mortal Kocktail – sink a pint with a few rounds on the vintage pinball machines (@Mortalkocktail).

Or experience Scottish cuisine like no other at Badger & Co – sample exquisite Scotsman scallops topped with haggis, neeps and samphire, £14, juicy Highland wagyu burger, £22, and rich blackberry jam teacake, £9.50 (Badgerandco.com).

DON’T MISS

The Johnnie Walker Signature Experience, from £30, is as fascinating as it is boozy.

Learn about the founder and your own whisky palate, then head to the rooftop for a wee dram while gazing at the gorgeous skyline (Johnniewalker.com).

BOOK IT

Double cabins at Fingal cost from £317 B&B (Fingal.co.uk).

Moxy Belfast City, Belfast

THE PAD

Written across the mirror in pink are the words: “Welcome, Milcah. A good story starts here!”

And they’re not wrong.

Rooms at this central spot are minimalist, but come with huge waterfall showers, Lily O’Brien’s chocs and very handy rain macs.

Refreshing welcome cocktails of gin, elderflower and cranberry set the tone, as does the vibrant lobby, where industrial chic meets playful pop art.

Later, the Wake-Up Call, £11 – a poitín-spiked espresso martini – pairs well with loaded nachos, £10.50, and saucy barbecue wings, £9, in the bar.

Come morning, we find a buzzing breakfast service with a handful of fry-up options and a continental spread.

EXPLORE

Nearby, St George’s Market is home to stalls selling everything from vinyl and vintage wares to Cuban street food – make a beeline for Belfast Bap Co’s humongous bacon rolls, £9.

Next, ride the hop-on-hop-off bus, £19, to stop by the peaceful Botanic Gardens, learn all about the Troubles at Ulster Museum (Ulstermuseum.org), spot incredible street murals and take in the poignant Peace Walls (City-sightseeing.com).

Finally, at Thompson Dock you’ll find Titanic Distillers – the city’s first whisky distillery since Prohibition. Discover the craft and sample it on a one-hour tour, £25 (Titanicdistillers.com).

REFUEL

Hit the bustling Cathedral Quarter for excellent pubs.

Don’t miss Kelly’s Cellars – built in 1720, it is Belfast’s oldest pub, and you can expect lively traditional performances alongside your Guinness, £5.80 (Kellyscellars.co.uk).

Head upstairs at The Morning Star, a short stroll away, for treats including stout-and-treacle-braised beef with hispi cabbage, champ and bordelaise sauce, £24, in the classy dining room (Themorningstarbar.co.uk/the-lounge).

Finish your night in opulent townhouse bar Margot, sipping an indulgent Four Storeys cocktail – a mix of bourbon, amaro, cola syrup and chocolate bitters, £13 – in the snazzy leopard-print snug (Margotbelfast.com).

DON’T MISS

At Titanic Belfast, travel back in time to the ship’s construction and even listen to the last SOS messages from its crew – it’s both immersive and compelling.

Entry costs £24.95 (Titanicbelfast.com).

BOOK IT

Double rooms at Moxy Belfast City cost from £109 B&B (Marriott.com).

Meanwhile, Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley found a tree-mendous family break in the capital of the north.

Treehouse Hotel, Manchester

THE PAD

After a stay with The Magic Faraway Tree vibes? Found!

This place is all stained-glass features, cascading foliage and cute birdhouses in the heart of the city.

Kids are given wooden tiles to illustrate, then add to the decor, while screening room Flix plays family films in the school hols.

At eatery Pip, Old Winchester gougères, £5, and Lancashire hotpot, £26, steal the show, as do the sherry-based cobblers, £11, while children will be suitably chuffed with home-made fish and chips, £9.

Come morning, roll out of bed for Derbyshire oatcakes with ham and eggs, before hitting shopping heaven on Market Street.

EXPLORE

From Squid Game to Paw Patrol, Immersive Gamebox in the Arndale Centre offers challenges to conquer as a team, and it’s quite a workout!

One-hour games cost from £28 per adult and £18 per child (Immersivegamebox.com).

Equally close is the Museum of Illusions, with its mind-bending displays and photo opps aplenty.

Entry costs £25.50 for adults, £21.50 for over-fives (Moimanchester.com).

Elsewhere, dive into a giant ballpit, crack the dazzling light maze and stand inside an actual bubble at Bubble Planet.

Tickets cost £16.90 per adult, £12.90 for over-threes (Bubble-planet.com).

REFUEL

Buzzy foodhall Mackie Mayor will please the whole crew – the barbecue burger at Mumma’s Fried Chicken, £12.50, and Pico’s Tacos’ frozen margaritas, £17 for two, are standouts (Mackie-mayor.co.uk).

Need a post-shop sugar hit?

Head to Haute Dolci Deansgate for pistachio-cream-smothered pancakes with raspberries and gelato, £12.50 (Hautedolci.co.uk).

Or scoff top-notch paccheri Genovese – large pasta tubes tossed in beef ragu – £16.90, and pizzas at Vincenzo Trattoria (Vincenzomanchester.co.uk).

DON’T MISS

Feel a piece of the moon, program an interplanetary rover and discover what the planets smell like at the Science And Industry Museum’s new Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition, £10 for over-fours (Scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk).

BOOK IT

Family stays at Treehouse Manchester cost from £190 B&B (Treehousehotels.com/manchester).

ALL eyes are on Europe this summer, with cruise lines slashing the price of voyages around the Med and close to home.

With some destinations off-limits right now, holiday sites like iglu.com have recorded a surge in interest for locations such as Northern Europe, the Arctic and the British Isles.

Plus big names including Celebrity Cruises have up to £800 off staterooms.

David Gooch, boss at iglu.com, says: “Holidaymakers remain committed to travelling, but are carefully choosing their destinations.”

You’ll need to be quick to lock in those bargains, though.

Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of the top summer cruise deals to bag right now:

FJORD FIESTA

I tried the Nordic cruise with dog-sledding, Northern Lights and cable cars

SEA OF FEAR

Cruises thrown into chaos by Iran crisis as ‘thousands stranded’ in Middle East

SPAIN FROM SOUTHAMPTON

YOU can save £55pp on this two-week sailing around Spain’s sun-drenched coastline, ticking off the hotspots of Cadiz and Barcelona, where you can shop and gorge on tapas to your heart’s content.

Best of all, you won’t need to hop on a plane beforehand, as it sets sail straight from Southampton.

Step on board Cunard’s Queen Anne, home to 15 restaurants, a zen spa with a wellness studio and more than enough entertainment to keep you amused.

Exclusive to this ship is the Bright Lights Society, a classy ­velvet-clad venue where passengers can cosy down with a glass of fizz and live musical performances.

GO: The 14-night Sun-Kissed Spain itinerary costs from £1,314pp, departing Southampton on August 16 to Lisbon, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Cartagena, Malaga and Cadiz. See cruise.co.uk or call 0870 990 8824.

BEST OF GREECE

HOW does a balmy week hopping around the rugged islands of Greece sound?

On board the glossy Celebrity Infinity, you’ll tick off the ancient city of Athens, where you can explore sandy ruins before sailing over to Rhodes, which boasts even more fascinating history.

The ship then makes its way to Ephesus in Turkey and Santorini and Hydra in Greece, with a final stop in Mykonos, loved by celebs and famous for more than just its nightlife, with stunning sandy beaches dotted across the island.

If you’re new to cruising, Celebrity Infinity is the perfect ship size for first timers, with room for just over 2,000 passengers and enough space for exploring — but it’s not so large you’ll feel overwhelmed.

GO: The seven-night Best of Greece voyage now costs £799pp (with discounts applied), departing Athens on July 4. Flights cost from £99pp.

See celebritycruises.com.

MED, AEGEAN & ADRIATIC

YOU’LL be spoilt for choice when it comes to late fun on board Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess.

A buzzing Vegas-style casino sits alongside swanky cocktail bars and an epic two-storey theatre hosting concerts, movie nights and sports event screenings.

There are cracking kids’ clubs, for those travelling with little ones and teens.

Meanwhile parents can unwind with a daiquiri on a cabana in adults-only The Sanctuary.

In 14 nights you’ll tick off some of the most scenic Greek Islands, Croatian gems and some of Italy’s top foodie spots, including Naples, home to the best pizza in the world — at least the Sun Travel team think so.

GO: The 14-Day Mediterranean, Aegean & Adriatic voyage is from £1,339pp, departing Civitavecchia on August 18 and calling at Corfu, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Naples, Salerno, Santorini, Kusadasi and Katakolon. See princess.com.

NORWEGIAN FJORDS

NORWAY’S bright blue fjords and ice-capped mountains aren’t just for winter.

In fact these magical landscapes look even more spectacular during the summer months, under the sun’s glow.

On this seven-day voyage on board MSC Virtuosa, you’ll get to explore Lerwick, The Shetland Islands’ only town, then experience the spectacular silver sand beach on Maloy and cascading waterfalls in Flam.

Before returning to Southampton, the ship calls at Kristiansand, known for its glorious sandy beaches and fresh seafood.

While on board MSC Virtuosa, swing by the spaceship-themed Starship Club, where a friendly robot bartender named Rob can whip you up a cocktail.

GO: The seven-night Norwegian Fjords from Southampton cruise now costs from £792pp, departing Southampton on July 18. See ­iglucruise.com.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN

TICKING off some of Europe’s top bucket-list destinations, this week-long Mediterranean sailing is great for adventurous families keen to explore key landmarks but with time to unwind on board.

And if you’ve still got energy to burn, Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas won’t disappoint.

With racing waterslides on the upper decks, a zipline and action-packed laser tag experiences, youngsters will never be bored.

Grown-ups needn’t panic, though, there are plenty of pools and seven whirlpools for those keen to take things at a slower pace.

In one week, you’ll be able to shop ’til you drop in Barcelona, pose in front of the leaning Tower of Pisa, see Rome’s ancient colosseum and more.

GO: The seven-night Western Med Cruise is from £783pp, from Barcelona June 28, calling at Palma, Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples.

See ­royalcaribbean.com.

THE crisis in Iran has had a knock-on effect around the world from the rising cost of fuel, an increase in energy bills, and where to go on your next holiday.

But when it comes to the price of summer breaks this year, the good news is that they’ve barely moved – and in some cases, the cost of holidays have even dropped by hundreds of pounds.

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

On average holidays are up £23, but TravelSupermarket has also revealed that surprisingly, hundreds of popular destinations have actually seen prices fall.

TravelSupermarket has found that some holidays at certain destinations are actually cheaper than when the Iran conflict began.

Here are the top five destinations with the biggest price drops in the summer holidays based on a seven-night holiday between April and September, 2026.

TRIP UP

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DIG IN

We found 20 of the cheapest all-inclusive hotels for summer… with breaks from £349pp

Italy

At the very top with the biggest price drop is the Neapolitan Riviera in Italy.

Here, holidays are sitting at an average price of £905 per person, which has a price drop of £232.

It’s where you’ll find beautiful and colourful towns perched on clifftops – with spectacular views of Mount Vesuvius in some cases.

Specifically, it’s where you can explore the clifftops of Sorrento, the island of Capri and Ischia in the Bay of Naples.

Other places in Italy make it into the top five too – the Amalfi Coast and the Italian Lakes.

The Amalfi Coast is a popular destination with millions of tourists who flock there every summer for its great weather and tasty food.

Now, holidays on average there have dropped by £126 per person, with the average price of a break being £1,073.

At the Italian Lakes, which is where you’ll find the beautiful Lake Garda, Como, Maggiore and Orta – prices have dropped on average by £122pp.

Now, the average cost of a holiday here per person during the summer is £714.

For more on holidays, here are our favourite TUI breaks…

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue

Globales Montemar, Ibiza

This hotel sits on a quieter side of Ibiza, so you can soak up the island’s natural beauty away from the party crowds. This family-friendly option has a large pool that curves around the resort, surrounded by plenty of sunbeds, plus a kids zone. Here you’re just a 10-minute stroll from a horseshoe-shaped bay with clear waters.

BOOK HERE

Hotel Club Jandia Princess, Fuerteventura

This resort is set up like a small village, with low-rise buildings set among palm trees and six different swimming pools. Entertainment spans from DJ nights to bingo and live sports screenings, plus sports on offer include water polo, rifle shooting and shuffleboard.

BOOK HERE

Gavimar Cala Gran Costa Del Sur, Majorca

This hotel sits on Majorca’s Cala Gran Beach, a beautiful cove just a short drive away from the coastal town centre, with its trinket shops and relaxed bars. The hotel itself has all the activities and entertainment you’d expect, including bingo and live music – as well as some unique extras like mini golf and archery. Week-long breaks start from £478pp.

BOOK HERE 

Riu Baobab, Senegal

The Riu Baobab is the only TUI hotel in the country, sat on the Pointe Sarane coastline. There are the four huge pools overlooking the beach, swim up pool bars and a copious amount of sunloungers to choose from. The sushi at the Asian Dorayaki and the pasta dishes at Veneto are the highlight meals of this standout hotel. Week-long breaks start from £883pp.

BOOK HERE

Caribbean

If you’re looking for a long-haul destination, check out the Dominican Republic.

TravelSupermarket worked out that the average holiday here is now £1,364pp – a drop of £130pp.

It has cracking weather, white sand beaches, beautiful resorts and lively towns like Punta Cana on the eastern side of the island.

The Dominican Republic is also the cheapest in the Caribbean – the average price of coffee is £1.53 and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can start from £4.90, according to Wise.

In comparison, a meal in Barbados is around £14.50 and a coffee is around £3.32.

Spain

If quick and easy holidays are more your bag for 2026, then check out La Palma.

It’s not the most well-known of the Canary Islands and is much quieter too.

It doesn’t have the enormous resorts, so if a calmer, nature-inspired holiday is on the cards, it’s a great option.

The main town is Santa Cruz La Palma which has bright coloured buildings, cobbled streets and wooden balconies that look over the black-sand beach.

Holidays here have dropped by £120 and can be on average as cheap as £474pp.

Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket, said: “Despite the current uncertainty, summer holiday prices haven’t moved dramatically — up by just £23 on average across all destinations.

“For holidaymakers sitting on the fence, that’s a signal worth paying attention to. Prices won’t stay like this indefinitely, and with so many destinations actually seeing prices fall — places like Majorca, Corfu and Turkey — now could be a smart time to book ahead of any increases.

“Holiday companies are keen to get bookings moving, and that’s likely filtering through into some very competitive pricing right now.”

These are the 20 holiday destinations that have fallen in price, according to TravelSupermarket…

Here are the 20 destinations that have fallen in price – and the average amount less per person…

1. Neapolitan Riviera, Italy (price drop -£232)
2. Dominican Republic (price drop -£130)
3. Amalfi Coast, Italy (price drop -£126)
4. Italian Lakes, Italy (price drop -£122)
5. La Palma, Spain (price drop -£120)
6. Bodrum Area, Turkey (price drop -£118)
7. Mexico (price drop -£110)
8. Dalaman Area, Turkey (price drop -£110)
9. St Lucia (price drop -£101)
10. Cape Verde (price drop -£99)
11. Antalya Area, Turkey (price drop -£90)
12. Costa de Almería, Spain (price drop -£88)
13. Majorca, Spain (price drop -£86)
14. Montenegro (price drop -£84)
15. Corfu, Greece (price drop -£83)
16. Skiathos, Greece (price drop -£82)
17. Hurghada, Egypt (price drop -£77)
18. Izmir Area, Turkey (price drop -£76)
19. Tuscany Coast, Italy (price drop -£69)
20. Costa Brava, Spain (price drop -£63)

For more cheap holidays, here’s a 10 all-inclusive weekend holidays abroad that are cheaper than a night out with mates in the UK.

And here are 20 of the cheapest all-inclusive resorts for summer 2026 – with family holidays from £349pp.

WHITE sand beaches, enormous castles, and peaceful canals – no I’m not describing France or Spain or Portugal as you can find all of this in the UK without spending much money.

Sometimes we Brits don’t appreciate what we have on our doorstep, and let’s face it, exploring the country can be costly – but here are some truly bucket list spots that you can see on a budget.

Richard Madden has been exploring the country on foot, by rail, road even boat for his new book Great British Journeys – and has given Sun Travel an insight into his favourite finds.

Richard says: “Obviously travelling on a budget depends where you start from – but walking, whether it’s on the coast or in the countryside is free.”

By foot

He started by saying: “I was brought up around the Lizard Peninsula, and here are some incredible places to walk to, like Kynance Cove.

“In Sussex, my most favourite walk is along Seven Sisters which is spectacular with Cuckmere Haven, where the estuary meets the sea.

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls

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“It’s also big news that the King Charles III England Coast Path has just opened.”

The coastal path project was 18 years in the making – it’s now the longest coastal path in the country and is around 2,700 miles long.

It circles the entire English coastline with it’s start (or end) point at Berwick-upon-Tweed all the way to Land’s End.

By train

But, if you don’t fancy walking miles, give your legs a rest and hop onboard a train because you can see plenty from a train window.

Along the East Coast Main Line (which stretches from Newcastle to Edinburgh) you’ll get pretty views of beaches and seaside towns like Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

On the fastest services, the full length of the journey takes around 1hr38 and one-way tickets can cost as little as £7.70.

Richard says: “That whole line is beautiful with coastal views and castles.

“You don’t even have to do the whole thing – just go on a couple of stops like to Alnmouth, or go further up and you’ll pass Dunstanburgh Castle.”

On the full stretch of the line, passengers will also see the Tyne Bridge, Lindisfarne Castle, the Edinburgh skyline and Firth of Forth.

Further south, another popular route is onboard the Bluebell Line which is just around the corner from National Trust‘s Sheffield Park.

Tickets for adults to board the heritage steam train start from £27 and when you book, check for children’s rates which are just £1 with their ‘kids for a quid’ offer.

The West Highland Line, also dubbed the ‘Hogwarts Express‘ is another incredibly scenic journey.

Actually called the Jacobite Steam Train, the 41-mile round trip goes between Fort William and Mallaig in the Scottish Highlands (from £72.75).

However if you’re on more of a budget but still want to get the views, hop on a public service line instead.

A ticket from Fort William to Mallaig which crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, typically starts around £9.20.

When exploring the UK – why not check into some of our favourite hotels?

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue

Margate House, Kent

This stylish boutique hotel is in a seaside townhouse, a short walk from Margate’s coolest bars and restaurants. Decked out with plush velvet sofas, flickering candles and striking independent art, inside feels like a warm welcome home. Rooms are stunning, especially the ones that give you a glimpse of the sea.

BOOK HERE

The Alan, Manchester

The Alan looks extremely grand, built into a beautiful Grade II listed building. Spread across six floors, with 137 rooms, each one looks like a fancy design magazine. From the concrete coffee tables to the pink plastered walls, the industrial-inspired designs perfectly replicate the history of the city.

BOOK HERE

The Queen at Chester Hotel

This historic hotel has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens and Lillie Langtry through its doors. Rooms have richly-patterned carpets with super soft bed linen and premium toiletries in the bathroom. Go for a superior room for extra goodies including bathrobes and snack boxes.

BOOK HERE

The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge

This Cambridge hotel is in the ideal spot, within walking distance to bars, shops and hotspots like the university colleges and Parker’s Piece. The inside couldn’t be prettier, with huge stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and rooms with enormous clawfoot bath tubs.

BOOK HERE

By Boat

To explore the country, most of us will hop into the car, but Britain is so well connected through its waterways.

Richard is no stranger to canal boating and reveals some of his favourite journeys to do around the country.

He says: “The Shropshire Union Canal is one I’ve done on quite a few occasions.

“That one goes to Cheshire, and you get these fantastic views of the Roman walls, so it’s a particularly good one.

“Another that I’ve done quite a few times is the River Wye, on the border of Wales.

“It’s Wordsworth country and it’s got incredibly beautiful surroundings in that area like Tintern Abbey which go past on the water.

“To make it better, there are lots of pubs along riversides, so you can moor up and go in.”

One very famous waterways spot is the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, where you’ll find the Bingley Five Rise Locks.

Renting a 6-berth narrowboat for a week generally costs between £900 and £1,500.

If you split that between a group of six, it can work out as little as £21pppn – but this varies depending on the season.

Richard also has some top tips for those planning a staycation or day trip around the UK to reduce the costs.

He says: “My key tip is to work it all out beforehand – the further you book in advance, the cheaper things will be.

“Go through your options as well, like how you’ll travel there and if it’s cheaper to take the bus, or if it’s worth going by train than by car.

“You can consider options like camping to keep costs down, but I would say it’s only worth doing that if you enjoy it – don’t if you’re not going to have a good time.

“There are so many different landscapes in the UK and generally, you don’t have to go far to see them.”

Great British Journeys by Richard Madden (National Trust Books, £14.99) is out on April 9.

THE cost of getting a new passport has gone up today – but there is a way to avoid paying the steepest price.

The new price has seen the standard price of a passport go over £100 for the first time, with the highest cost being £129.50.

However, there is a way to avoid paying the most expensive fee.

The new £129.50 cost – up from £120 – is for any 54-page passport, larger than the standard 34-page one.

Unless you are a very frequent traveller, you are unlikely to need the bigger version.

Not only that, but the £129.50 cost is also if you apply via postal form rather than online.

FEE FRENZY

Brits have just DAYS left to avoid new £100 passport price hike

PASS IT ON

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Do it online and it drops to £116.

Most Brits will pay around £102, as this is for any 34-page passports that are applied for online.

Kids passports have also increased, and you could pay as much as £94 for one.

However, this is also for a postal form application, and a 54-page one.

Apply online for a 34-page passport and it drops to £66.50 – a saving of £27.50.

Anyone born on or before September 2, 1929, can apply for a free passport.

Thousands of Brits also still have burgundy passports, despite the new navy options rolled out back in 2022.

Anyone with a burgundy passport should check the start date of them as a number of families have been caught out.

New rules – introduced when the UK left the EU – mean any ‘additional’ months on passports are no longer valid.

This means if your passport has a start date of March 2016 but an expiry of December 2026, it has technically already expired.

Instead, your passport will expire 10 years past the start date.

Some countries – including many in the EU – also require there to be three months after the day you plan to return home.

And here is everything you need to know about the new British passports rolled out last year – said to be the most secure ever.

UNSURE where to head for your next getaway?

Why not ditch the plane and head off on a European ferry adventure instead?

Most of these routes tick off multiple destinations and you can save buckets on soaring air fares going by foot, car or train and sea.

Sophie Swietochowski has ideas to inspire you . . . 

GOOD FOR: FOODIES

ROUTE: Sail Poole to Guernsey then on to Saint-Malo, Normandy before returning to Portsmouth or Dover.

IT takes just three hours to reach Guernsey via ferry — a big win if you’re travelling with youngsters.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Seafood and dairy are the food heroes here and there are plenty of seafront spots to sample them.

Le Nautique restaurant is renowned for its seafood, especially the oysters — you can pick up half a dozen for £12.50.

Expect even more plates of wonderfully fresh fish in Saint-Malo.

From this port city you can then make your way to some of Normandy’s top foodie hotspots, all within a couple of hours’ drive.

Bayeux, which is most famous for housing the historic Bayeux Tapestry, is crammed full of gorgeous apple orchards, hence why cider is a popular drink in these parts.

Ferme Lecornu is right in the city centre and offers a “Royal tasting” experience.

GOOD FOR: COASTAL VIEWS

ROUTE: Sail Holyhead to Dublin, return from Belfast (Larne) to Liverpool.

THE rail routes of Ireland are among the most beautiful in the world, offering simply stuinning views of the blustery ocean as you trundle along the cliffside tracks.

This ferry and train-hopping route requires no car — so make sure to celebrate your sustainability efforts with a Guinness or two.

You won’t be hard pushed to find a decent pour in Dublin, although Mulligan’s on Poolbeg Street repor-tedly serves the best — and it’s even attracted a few famous faces in its time, including John F Kennedy and Judy Garland.

Head from one Irish capital to another, catching the train to Belfast.

If you do just one thing here, make sure it’s a Black Taxi Tour that unearths the fascinating history of Belfast’s troubled past.

Then catch the train to Larne, where the scenery gets pretty spectacular — about six miles from the centre you’ll find The Gobbins Cliff Path, overlooking the often ferocious sea.

GOOD FOR: WILDLIFE

ROUTE: Sail Penzance to the Scilly isles – St Mary’s, then Bryher and Tresco, returning back via St Mary’s to Penzance.

KEEP your eyes peeled because your chances of spotting dolphins are always high in both Cornwall’s Penzance and the Isles of Scilly.

Once you’ve caught the ferry over to St Mary’s island, head to Peninnis Head which offers panoramic views of the ocean.

From this high perch you can watch bottlenose dolphins hunting in the choppy waters below.

Hop on the small ferry over to Bryher where even more magnificent coastal creatures await.

We’re talking grey seals, hermit crabs and even puffins.

Your best chance of spotting them is from now until July, so if you’re heading out there, it’s a good idea to pack a decent camera.

From here, make your way over to Tresco and catch some well-deserved downtime on the glorious beaches.

Pentle Bay has previously been named one of the best beaches in the UK thanks to its white sands and peaceful turquoise waters.

GOOD FOR: WHISKY CRAWLS

ROUTE: Sail from Ardrossan to Arran then to Kintyre, on to Cowal then to Wemyss Bay via Bute. If short of time, consider a single-destination option – Oban to the Isle of Mull is just 45 minutes each way.

SCOTLAND blends breathtaking scenery with world-famous whisky — what could be better?

Make your way from the mainland to the Isle of Arran, which has all the unspoilt beauty of the Highlands, but comes with ocean views.

The coastal road wraps all the way around the island in 55 miles and is well worth exploring — with the famous distilleries of Lochranza and Lagg.

Or save those tipples for your next stop in Kintyre peninsula and specifically Campbeltown, otherwise known as the Whisky Capital of the World, because it was once home to over 30 distilleries.

Stay sober enough to take in the views at Cowal and then Bute (sometimes known as the Madeira of Scotland), before finishing your adventure in Wemyss Bay where you can wander the gorgeous Inverkip coastal path.

For a different tasting experience, ferry over from Oban to the Isle of Mull, and sample picturesque Tobermory, home to a very fine single malt.

HOW TO BOOK: Direct Ferries has some excellent tools for planning routes.

The travel site has designed an interactive map that identifies the most convenient port for any journey, with links out to each individual ferry operator to book.

Prices vary per journey, but all ferry journeys mentioned above cost from under £100 per car.

See discoverferries.com.

A MAJOR airline has slashed the price of fares by 50% for summer as the Middle East war tumbles demand for long-haul flights.

Etihad is now offering some of the lowest ever prices seen for long-haul flights from the UK for May and June as it kicks off a price war with Gulf airlines.

Travellers can get return economy flights with the gulf airline from London to Sydney, via Abu Dhabi, from £688.

This is almost three times cheaper than flying to the Australian capital with British Airways (BA), via Singapore, on the same dates – which is £1,850 in economy.

The Foreign Office is currently advising against all but essential travel – which doesn’t include holidays – to the United Arab of Emirates amid the ongoing conflict.

But Etihad, which is the official airline of the UAE, appears to be gambling on hopes that the situation in the Middle East will have eased by next month.

C NYTHING

The major World Cup host city which once had the world’s tallest building

GO SEA

English coastal town overlooked by busy neighbours that’s like ‘going back to 1950s’

An Etihad insider told The Times, which analysed the airline’s prices: “As soon as travel picks up, we want to be back to flying planes 100 per cent full in all cabins, as we were before the conflict. These prices will help.”

The airline is also offering market-leading fares to other popular destinations from the UK, including the Maldives, Tokyo and Bangkok.

Brits can get return economy flights to the Maldives with the airline in May and June from £581 – compared with £3,380 with British Airways.

Flights to Singapore are form £391, but are £980 with BA.

Emirates and Qatar Airways, the other main Gulf airlines, have not cut their prices.

Demand for long-haul flights has plunged since the war in Iran first broke out at the end of February, with flights cancelled and the Foreign Office issuing “do not travel” warnings for countries in the Middle East.

Countries in Europe including Spain have seen demand rise, as Brits look for alternative destinations to travel to.

The UK Foreign Office states: “FCDO advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates.

“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).”

THE SUN’S £9.50 Hols Agony Aunt, Tracey Kennedy has tried and tested holiday parks across the UK for over 30 years.

Over her decades of staycations, Tracy’s ticked off popular holiday spots from the Isle of Wight, to North Wales, down to Land’s End in Cornwall.

It’s fair to say that Tracy knows her stuff when it comes to UK holiday parks – whether it’s how to bag a bargain break, or find the best free and cheap family attractions whilst you’re away.

Over three decades of staying at holiday parks up and down the UK, Tracy has ranked her top five holiday parks based on accommodation, entertainment and location.

Plus she’s sharing all of the hacks she uses to save while she’s away.

We’ve paired each park with the cheapest deal available online, including three-night breaks for two for under £50.

5. Haven Burnham-on-Sea Holiday Village

“This holiday park is in a lovely seaside town in Somerset, and I like it so much that I’ve been back several times.

“My tip for booking a Haven holiday would be to book a Haven Hideaway package.

“These are the cheapest breaks possible, and can cost just £49pp. I paid just £120 for a full week away on a Haven Hideaway.

“However it’s worth noting that Hideaway holidays don’t come with a Play Pass as the standard breaks do, so make sure to check which activities are included at each Haven park, and which you would have to pay extra for”.

Entertainment and activities

“There’s plenty to do here without paying extra for the add-on activities. This site has a lovely arcade, which is cashless apart from the classic 2p machines.

“I wasn’t too keen on it being cashless at first, but once you’ve got your card and have topped it up with as much or little as you want, it’s easy to use.

“As for the evening entertainment, I went last year and it was really quite good. The comedy is especially great.

“With Haven parks, if you make sure to download the app, about 2 weeks before it’ll tell you which activities you can book if you have the Play Passes.

“But you dont need passes for the arcade or evening entertainment, it’s just for swimming and paid activities. They can be nice to have, but you don’t have to get them”.

Accommodation

“I stayed in a saver caravan, which is the lowest grade, but it still has heating and everything you need.

“I always go for the cheapest I can but that is still nice, and the saver option here is great if you’re looking to stay on a budget“.

Local area

“Burnham is a quiet town, so it can be quite a peaceful place to stay. There’s also a lovely beach and lighthouse in walking distance from the park, as well as a cinema. But mainly this is a great base for exploring.

“Brean is about a 10-minute drive away, and there’s loads to do there. Brean Beach is gorgeous, plus there’s a splash park, Brean Theme Park and an animal farm, so there’s loads to do.

“You’ve also got Cheddar Gorge a half-hour drive away. You can of course try loads of cheese, but there’s really fascinating caves and clifftop walks there, too.

“If you’re willing to drive a bit further, about 40 minutes, you can also visit Wells. There’s loads of medieval historic sites there, like Wells Cathedral as well as the Palace and gardens”.

Bag a cheap stay

You can book a four-night stay in a saver caravan with a Haven Hideaways deal from £49, based on two adults sharing. This deal also comes with a low-deposit option from £30.

4. Riverside Holiday Village, Bleadon, Weston-super-Mare

“I went to this holiday park last year for my 50th, and had such a fantastic time. I have lots of memories coming here with parents, and now I get to bring my kids!

“One of the best things about this park is where it’s located. It’s less than 10 minutes from Weston-super-Mare‘s seafront”.

Entertainment and activities

“This is quite a small site, but it does have a good arcade, restaurant, and entertainment performances.

“There’s no costume characters for the kids, but if you visit in peak season, there’s a pretty packed activity schedule that keeps them busy.

“It’s a very relaxing site if you prefer a peaceful holiday. There’s a beautiful lake to walk around, and you can pop out into Weston whenever you’d like”.

Accommodation

“We stayed in a large Gold caravan, which doesn’t work out to be too expensive once you split the cost between a group of people.

“We paid £650 total, and the Gold caravans can sleep up to six people, so that works out at around £109pp – which isn’t bad at all for a full seven days during the summer holidays.

“We had wrap-around decking which is lovely to sit on and enjoy your coffee in the morning or a drink in the evening.

“I recommend going as a large group and splitting costs so you can try out the nicer accommodation. This is one of the parks where I’d say it’s worth it”.

Local area

“The surrounding area, Bleadon, is very quiet. There’s just a couple of cosy pubs.

“But if you want a proper day out, then you should drive or catch the bus into Weston-super-Mare itself.

“There’s loads of things to do in Weston. If you want to stick to free things to do, Weston Museum is a great one and has activities for kids.

“Visiting the Grand Pier is a full day out itself – there is a small charge of £2, which is the same for both adults and kids.

“There’s lots of cost-friendly places to eat on the pier, like chip shops, a Costa and a Tiffany’s.

“My favourite though is Revo Kitchen. It’s inside the old Sea Life centre and it has 360-degree views of the sea. It’s dog-friendly, and does amazing, family-friendly food.

“It’s easy to spend the whole day at just the pier. There’s a ball pit, arcade games, fun house, ghost train – loads to do.

“Obviously it can be costly, but there are great-value wristbands available for kids to go on unlimited rides.”

“The Little Kids wristband, with unlimited rides suitable for younger children, costs £15 and lasts all day. The Big Kids wristband costs £20.

“There is also an Ultimate wristband available for £30, which includes unlimited rounds of golf and go-kart races.

“You don’t have to pay the entry fee cost of £2 for those with wristbands. You can buy the wristbands for the Grand Pier ahead of time online“.

Bag a cheap stay

You can book a three-night stay at Riverside Holiday Village in a Purn Gold WF caravan from £169, based on two adults sharing. This deal also offers a low deposit option of £25.

3. Martin Mere Holiday Village, Blackpool

“This park is around 10 minutes’ drive into Blackpool, and there is so much to do there for families.

“They have also just had a major upgrade, with a brand-new restaurant, a refreshed Show Bar, and an expanded arcade added”.

Entertainment and activities

“It’s all about the entertainment with Haven. And the best part is that most of it is free.

“There’s an outdoor pool and lazy river, and you can book inflatables for your little ones to use.

“They’ve got plenty of fun things for families with kids like a climbing wall and a giant football dartboard.

“You’ve also got Linked Bingo at 5:15pm every evening, which sometimes has massive cash prizes.

“They’re also adding four new kids shows ready for summer this year”.

Accommodation

“The caravans are spacious, clean and have everything you need. Even the saver caravans are tremendous value for what you get.

“What I like about the accommodation here is that most caravans are only a short walk to the entertainment, which is great if you stay up late”.

Local area

“There is absolutely loads to do in Blackpool. You can even see the tower flashing its lights at night from the park.

“Blackpool can be as cheap or expensive as you like, but I’ve been going for years and found some good ways to save money.

“One of the best-value places to go is Coral Island Arcade, which has a restaurant where kids eat free.

“Once you’re at Coral Island, make sure to pick up any free leaflets that are there. They often have vouchers inside for discounted attractions.

“We picked one up and got a free go on the camel derby – so always look out for leaflets before you book something!

“Some of my other favourite things to do are going up into the tower, where there’s an arcade, the dungeons and a circus inside the tower itself.

“Then of course you’ve got Pleasure Beach – but if you know you want to go, book ahead of time online.

“That way you can pay £30 for entry rather than £60 on the day.

“If you’re wanting to save money on ticking off the paid attractions, there’s a new card where you can do them all for a fixed price called The Blackpool Pass.”

“The Blackpool Pass starts from £35 and includes unlimited entry to eight Blackpool attractions: Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE, Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Blackpool Tower Eye, Blackpool Tower Dungeon, Blackpool Tower Circus, Gruffalo and Friends Clubhouse and Peter Rabbit: Explore and Play.

“You can expect to save up to 70 per cent on attractions compared to booking individually.”

Bag a cheap stay

You can book a four-night stay in a saver caravan with a Haven Hideaways deal from £49, based on two adults sharing.

This deal also comes with a low-deposit option of £30.

2. Lyons Robin Hood, Rhyl, North Wales

“This site is really up-to-date. It’s recently undergone a £1.5m makeover, with all the new developments set to be fully done in May 2026, ready for your summer holiday!

“Some of my favourite things about this park are the enthusiastic entertainment staff, as well as the food – I always really look forward to the food when holidaying here!”

Entertainment and activities

“The pool here is so good that my youngest went swimming every single day. It has a brand-new splash zone, three super slides and even a spa for the adults.

“It’s just had activities like go-karting added to the list of things to do, and there’s new sports courts and trampolines.

“I last went at Halloween and it was just absolutely fantastic, but the entertainment is great year-round too.

“The costume characters come out to meet the kids – all the info on who is coming out when is listed on the wall, so you can meet the characters, comedians and singers.”

Accommodation

“The standard caravans here are slightly different to other holiday parks, for example like at a Haven resort.

“Their highest-ranking option is a platinum. We’ve stayed in platinum and it’s lovely. We had a little bit of a balcony that we had our coffee and drinks on.

“I’ve stayed in three levels of accommodation here, and I liked all of them. Each caravan was clean and spacious, with multiple big bedrooms, so you can’t go wrong here no matter what your budget is.

“I usually like to bring my own food to save money, however the food here is just lovely and definitely worth the money!

“We had cod and chips (£6.95) from the on-site chip shop here and really enjoyed it – in fact, we had it twice because it was that good! Food here is also really good value for money”.

Local area

“There’s a beautiful beach just across the road from the park, just remember to bring some snacks, as there’s no cafe or shop to buy food.

“You might see seals here – we saw some on my last visit and I was so excited.

“You can see them bobbing around in the sea, it’s nice to see them out in the open compared to an aquarium.

“Rhyl is just 5 minutes away, and there’s loads to do there. Shops, a massive marine lake, and my favourite – a little train that takes you around.

“Lots of people go crabbing, too…we caught some massive ones!

“A trip into Rhyl could be a free day out if you planned for it. Pack a picnic, wander through its streets, plus there’s even a free attraction: Rhyl Museum and Arts Centre.

“The only thing you would have to pay extra for if you wanted to would be the train, which costs £4 per adult and £3 per child.”

Bag a cheap stay

You can book a three-night stay at Lyons Robin Hood in a Bronze three-bedroom caravan from £111.30, based on two adults sharing.

Lyons Robin Hood is also available at Sun Hols from £9.50, where a break for four people can cost as little as £38.

1. Lower Hyde, Isle of Wight

“The best holiday park I’ve ever been to is Lower Hyde on the Isle of Wight – that is my firm favourite.

“I’ve returned several times because my family and I really liked it. I like everything about the park.

“There’s loads to do on site itself, it’s actually one of the only sites where we didn’t mind spending the entire day there.

“There’s plenty of nature trails around the park, and there’s also an adventure park on site.

“Lower Hyde also have a restaurant with really good pub-style food called The Barnhouse, plus they also have little food huts such as the Thunderbird Chicken shack and an ice cream parlour.

“They’ve just had a new outdoor bar open up, too.”

Entertainment and activities

“The entertainment teams are top-quality at Lower Hyde and plenty is free compared to other parks.

“I like the archery in the daytime, plus there’s a great pool to make use of, too.

“I watched some brilliant entertainment there last year.

“In the evenings, the entertainment starts off with discos and character meet and greets for the younger kids, with their own show.

“Then there’s some great bingo, followed by an adult game show.

“Later in the evening there’s more acts from visiting acts such as comedians or magicians, or a performance from the entertainment team.

“There’s then a disco until midnight, so you can stay there all night, if you fancy it.”

Accommodation

“I’ve stayed in both chalets and caravans, and the caravans are top-notch, very cosy and warm.

“The accommodation is in a really nice quiet area. There is a little bit of a hill walking down, so do let the site know if that’s an issue if you plan to visit”.

Local area

“The must-visit spot nearby is Shanklin. There’s lots of little artisan shops, and it’s not a far walk, about a 10-minute walk into the centre.

“If you walk further, it takes you into Shanklin Old Village. There’s a lovely little restaurant there called The Crab, with beautiful seafood.

“There is also the famous old thatched cottage from all the postcards. Not only is it lovely to look at, but it does afternoon tea inside (from £7.95).

“There’s also Shanklin Chine, a wooded coastal ravine that is the oldest attraction on the island.

“If you wanted to visit, then you can loop right down to the beach afterwards and make your way back up – that’s the perfect day out.

“Some of my favourite things to do in the area are keep an eye out for red squirrels on nature walks, and go stargazing at night – the Isle of Wight has clear skies where you can see the stars”.

Bag a cheap stay

You can book a three-night stay at Parkdean Lower Hyde in a Bronze three-bedroom caravan from £99, based on two adults sharing.

Parkdean Lower Hyde is also available at Sun Hols from £9.50, where a break for four people can cost as little as £38.

How Tracy saves extra on her holidays

As ouur Hols From £9.50 Agony Aunt, Tracy Kennedy has several tips and tricks up her sleeve when it comes to saving money on your staycations.

Here is exactly what Tracy does to prepare ahead of time and save on her holidays, as well as her top tips for saving whilst you’re away.

She told us: “One of the most cost effective things you can do is cook your own meals.

“I’d make a note of some easy, cost-effective meals that are quick to make so you can get it done and get out and enjoy your holiday.

“I like to pack an essentials box of non-perishable food bits with me, like packets of rice, pasta, and tinned food – just make sure you don’t forget to bring a tin opener, too.

“I also bring a small amount of washing up liquid and cleaning products in little travel bottles so we don’t have to buy full-sized ones. This really helps with the shopping, especially if you’re on a budget.

“Then when you do go shopping, all you have to do is buy the fresh stuff like bread, milk and butter.

“I like to slowly buy bits to add to my box in the months before my holiday, as it spreads the cost out and saves you spending too much in the expensive on-site supermarkets when you arrive.

“Once you’re prepared with food and cleaning supplies, it’s time to start thinking ahead on how to save on attractions.

“Before I go anywhere, I make sure to Google everything there is to do nearby. Especially for days out. See if there are any two for one ticket offers at local attractions, or even places that are free to visit.

“Especially during holidays like Easter, as nearby attractions will often have free events for kids like Easter egg hunts.

“When I visited Prestatyn in North Wales, I did my research ahead of time and found free pottery classes for kids, so we spent an afternoon doing that.

“Also check the National Trust website as well as English Heritage, because sometimes they offer free days out, too. Also check Sun Superdays and Sun Club offers, too!

“If you’re staying at a seaside resort, you can easily spend an entire day out on the coast for free. Check which dates you are there have good weather, and plan to pack a picnic, walk along the promenade, go for a swim.

“Sometimes there will be free children’s Punch and Judy shows, or local festivals – always Google the area and search on local Facebook groups in case there are events whilst you’re there.

“If you’re going as a couple or friends, it can be nice to explore local towns with cheap public transport.

My friend and I visited Lyons Robin Hood last year, and planned to go to Llandudno.

“We bought a £6.50 day saver ticket, jumped on a bus with Llandudno as the final stop and sat on the top deck at the front, and the views we had were absolutely amazing.”

“You can get family saver tickets too if there are more of you, then you can go out for the day, get a great view of the local towns and all you have to buy is the bus ticket. It’s a nice, cheap day out for all of the family.

“Similarly, I planned a cheap day out at the coast a few years ago in Newquay, Cornwall.

“We visited all the local beaches, walked to Lands End, and I planned a walk past the hotel where the Roald Dahl film The Witches was made.

“We also drove out to Port Isaac, and walked around where Doc Martin was filmed. All you have to do in these places is pay for is parking and bring your own food.

Then you can just walk around and see all of these really cool filming locations, and that costs you nothing!

“Definitely research the area before you go to see if any movies or TV shows were filmed there”.

FAMILIES can bag free tickets to top attractions over the Easter holidays with a quick move that takes just minutes.

The offer includes GoApe, ZSL zoos and top English Heritage sites which can easily set you back around £30 for admission.

The Free Days Out annual pass is offered by comparison site MoneySupermarket to uses who have joined its SuperSaveClub.

As well as the Free Days Out pass, you can get cashback when you shop through the site and other competitions and discounts.

You can join the membership club when you buy or take out a qualifying product through the site such as insurance or a new credit card.

But you can also join without spending any cash at all.

HOLI-YAY!

Freebies to entertain the kids over Easter holidays with games, days out & more

CHA-CHING

Nine freebies to get this week worth £513 including £100 days out and £200 cash

You’ll qualify for membership when you sign up and simply look up your credit score while logged in.

It takes just a few minutes to enter some details such as your address and date of birth to sign up for the credit score check.

Then you automatically become a member of the SuperSaveClub and you can tap through and access the Free Days Out pass.

Through the pass you can look for days out by postcode or location to see what’s on offer close to you.

You can then ‘claim’ an offer such as a free ticket.

Some of the more premium venues are ‘hot picks’ and you can only claim a free ticket once a month.

This includes Whipsnade and London ZSL zoos, as well as GoApe – but it’s worth noting not all GoApe venues are included.

For all other venues you won’t be able to claim more than once in seven days.

Once claimed, vouchers will need to be used withing 14 days.

To cut the cost of days out and top venues, you can also check websites for discounts.

For example, you’ll get 10% off bookings through GoApe when you sign up to its email distribution list.

A Kids Pass can also cut the cost of days out – it costs just £1 to sign up for the first 30 days which can easily be recouped if you are using it to get discounted entry tickets.

Just remember to cancel the subscription if you don’t think you’ll continue using it.

WHEN you book a £9.50 Holiday, you get the added bonus of all the fun family events and activities available on-site.

But sometimes you fancy venturing out as a family to explore the area, and luckily, these resorts have plenty to see and do out and about.

Plus you don’t have to blow the budget by leaving the park – there’s loads of free and cheap things to do as a family.

Hols from £9.50 are set to be restocked this Tuesday, with thousands of new holidays AND new holiday parks – and you can get priority access with Sun Club.

If you fancy signing up to Sun Club to access the £9.50 Hols deals early, head to thesun.co.uk/club and join for £1.99 a month or £12 for a year.

Once you’re a member, go to the Sun Club Offers hub and find the Hols From £9.50 page.

Read more on £9.50 holidays

PARK UP

10 of our fave £9.50 holiday parks in the UK – with MORE breaks added from today

PARK UP

£9.50 Holiday expert picks best parks for entertainment and top beach resorts

Follow the link from the offers page, and you can book your break from midnight on Tuesday, March 31.

Whether you’re a family full of mini outdoor explorers, rail enthusiasts or older teens who love a thrill ride, we’ve rounded up some of the most affordable family days out at top £9.50 UK holiday destinations.

Here’s our pick of UK holiday spots with plenty of affordable attractions and day trips to enjoy, close to £9.50 holiday parks.

Kent

Kent makes for a fantastic family holiday destination, not just for its beautiful beaches and unspoilt outdoors, but for the range of cheap attractions and museums it offers, too.

If you holiday at Harts on the Isle of Sheppey, you’ll have some of Kent‘s most unspoilt nature on your doorstep.

What better place to re-wild with the kids than by taking a walk over saltwater marshes that are home to local wildlife.

The Swale National Nature Reserve fills the southeast of the Isle of Sheppey, with flat landscapes that make cycling its routes a breeze for the whole family.

Stop to take in the views of coastal marshland home to creatures such as rare butterflies, and birds of prey like Marsh Harriers.

The reserve is completely free to enter.

Over in Dymchurch, families can stay at Romney Sands, Marlie or New Beach – three seafront resorts that are built for families.

Dymchurch beach make for the ideal afternoon walk full of fresh sea air. Kids can enjoy rockpooling, building sandcastles and perhaps finding a buried fossil.

Over in Whistable, Alberta is a £9.50 holiday park with plenty to do nearby.

For an affordable indoor option, the Whitstable Community Museum is a family-friendly attraction bursting with hands-on activities for kids.

Dedicated volunteers show kids the ‘wonders of Whitstable’, like the invention of the diving helmet.

Adult tickets are only £3 each and children are free with an accompanying paying adult.

Or if it’s a sunny day, what nicer activity than a family picnic?

At the top of a winding hill overlooking the sea, Whitstable Castle provides the perfect backdrop to lay out the picnic blanket.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the perfectly-manicured gardens, and let the kids sail the high seas in the hidden gem pirate-themed play area, Dollar Dan’s Tankerton Cove. Sometimes the castle even puts on events.

Best of all, entry to the grounds is completely free!

And if you fancy checking out New Romney, train enthusiasts are in for a real treat at New Romney Station.

Not only can they watch the collection of traditional steam locomotives come and go, the station itself is home to a massive interactive model railway exhibition.

Construction of the model railway started in 1973, and has been running for 270 days each year since.

Kids will love watching these tiny trains travel a remarkable 3.5 miles a day. Entry for children is only £2 and £4 for adults.

Take your pick from five £9.50 holiday resorts in Kent.

Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire boasts a wide range of attractions and activities that the whole family will enjoy.

Budding naturalists in the family will love exploring some of Lincolnshire’s wildlife attractions.

Sun reader Linda McDonnell, 71, from Lincoln, recommends the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre, saying: “It’s very interesting – and there is more than seals to see.

“You also have other animals like parrots (Australian cockatiels), lemurs and reptiles.”

If you fancy getting outdoors in nature, Hubbard’s Hills is a fantastic free option for families holidaying in Lincolnshire.

The outdoor area of natural beauty is just under 30 minutes from £9.50 resorts Southview Holiday Park and Parkdean Sunnydale.

Sarah Al-Aidi, General Manager at Southview Holiday Park said: “Woodhall Spa is a former spa town with a really beautiful place called Hubbard’s Hills.

“It’s a real beauty spot with great picnic areas, dog walking trails and nature walks“.

Here, families can while away the day by splashing in rivers, taking nature walks or visiting the cafe, which has a play area for kids.

There are also plenty of hills for kids to burn off their energy by climbing and playing.

Hubbard’s Hills is totally free to visit, so if you take a picnic you can enjoy a free family day out. However if you’re driving, parking costs £1.

Of course no trip to the Lincolnshire seaside would be complete without a visit to Skegness.

Sun Hols from £9.50 offers four affordable resorts in the area: Southview, The Chase, Golden Anchor and Golden Palm Resort.

Simply enjoy a free day out on the beach and strolling the bustling promenade, or if you have pocket money to spend, load up an iCard with £5 to use the tokens on rides at Fantasy Island.

The park has thrilling rides for the whole family, from white-knuckle roller coasters to Dodgems, water flumes and carousels.

There’s also ten-pin bowling and crazy golf to help keep your whole brood entertained all day.

For some nature away from the noise, a fantastic free-to-visit option is the unspoilt Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve.

Here there’s walking trails, dunes, and bird watching, all located just a short drive south of the town.

Take your pick of from 9 Hols from £9.50 resorts in Lincolnshire.

Sussex

If you’re eyeing up a £9.50 family holiday to Sussex, you’ll be happy to hear that there’s plenty to keep the whole crew entertained.

Of course, you can easily spend your time on the beautiful beaches, which don’t cost a penny to visit.

Camber Sands in East Sussex is a perfect pick for families, the Blue Flag rated beach being home to calm waters and soft sands practically made for buckets and spades.

Plus with Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands on the seafront, you’ll only be steps away from your lodge or caravan down to the shore.

But if you’ve already had your fill of beach trips, then there’s a whole raft of family-friendly activities nearby.

Georgie Radford-Brown, Assistant Guest Experience Manager at Camber Sands Holiday Park recommends Rye Water Sports.

She said: “It’s an action water park that’s really close to us. They have a variety of water sports, like sailing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.”

The location will also put parents’ minds at eas, as lessons take place on a safe inland lake between Rye and Camber Sands.

The centre runs everything from board hire (from £20) to holiday clubs for children aged eight to 15 (one day from £85 including sailing, windsurfing and paddle boarding).

Meanwhile, in West Sussex, Hols from £9.50 resort Chichester Lakeside has practically more water than land, with 10 fishing lakes spread across 150 acres.

But if that’s not enough, it’s only an 8-minute drive from the resort to Chichester Watersports.

Here there’s an aqua park complete with inflatable slides. Suitable from age seven, a 50-minute session costs £20.

For another activity that will burn energy without burning a hole in your pocket, head to one of the brilliant cycle paths in Sussex.

If you have your own bike, they are also completely free to explore, and the traffic-free terrain also works well for families with prams.

The South Coast East route takes you along the seafront – you could start at Worthing and extend it to Shoreham, Lancing or Brighton depending on how far you want to go.

Alternatively, start at Shoreham-by-Sea and head inland past woods, streams and rivers on the Downs Link.

If you can’t bring your own bikes, hire a Donkey Bike via the app (from £1.80 for 30 minutes), or try Riverside South Downs who rent bikes from £20 for two hours.

Take your pick from six £9.50 holiday resorts in Sussex.

HOLS from £9.50 are set to be restocked this Tuesday, with thousands of new holidays AND new holiday parks – and you can get priority access with Sun Club.

There are two ways to unlock the bargain breaks at Hols from £9.50.

The first is by collecting codes from The Sun newspapers to enter online, with the final code printed in the paper on Wednesday, April 1.

The other way is to sign up to Sun Club for just £1.99 a month, where members gain automatic access onto the website one day earlier than everyone else on Tuesday, March 31.

This means members can have a better chance at bagging the holiday parks that sell out the fastest.

Plus there’s been thousands of new dates added ready for spring and summer this year.

Read more on £9.50 holidays

PARK UP

10 of our fave £9.50 holiday parks in the UK – with MORE breaks added from today

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Inside the most popular UK holiday park from £9.50 Hols

So why not make the most of the sunshine and bag that last-minute family holiday for cheap?

Some of the most popular UK holiday parks listed on the Hols from £9.50 website include Seal Bay in West Sussex, Hendra in Cornwall and Golden Coast in Devon.

Plus there’s also parks in Scotland and Wales like Silversands in Lossiemouth and Lido Beach in Prestatyn.

There’s even mega resorts in sunny Europe destinations, like Internacional Palamos in Spain and Le Capanne in Tuscany.

How do I go about booking?

Join Sun Club at thesun.co.uk/club for £1.99 a month or £12 for a year.

Once you’re a member, go to the Sun Club Offers hub and find the Hols From £9.50 page.

Follow the link from the offers page, and you can book your break from midnight on Tuesday, March 31.

Alternatively, you can collect the codes from physical Sun newspapers, and enter them online at club950.co.uk from Wednesday, April 1.

And if you choose to sign up to Sun Club, there’s plenty of other benefits that come with your membership.

Sun Club members get exclusive perks such as discounted tickets to top UK attractions and the chance to win free tickets to sports events.

In fact, one Sun Club member saved £974 on family holidays and days out in just one year by signing up to Sun Club.