Staycation tips and ideas

THE UK’s best holiday park has been revealed and it is the ultimate peaceful retreat.

Named Best Holiday Park at the Sykes Gem Awards 2026, Stonerush Lakes in Lanreath, South Cornwall is spread across 28 acres and is home to numerous different lodges.

Lodges vary in size between one and three bedrooms, are all detached and timber clad.

Many also have views of the lake or hillside and you can book one with its own hot tub too.

And if you really want something special, there are lodges with cinema rooms and spa facilities available.

There’s an onsite Old Mill Bar and Restaurant right by the lake, ideal for grabbing a bite to eat with meals made using local produce.

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If the weather is nice and sunny, you can sit on the outside terrace.

The inside is just as nice though, with a roaring fire to cosy up next to on cold winter days.

And what’s better is that your four-legged best friend doesn’t have to miss out as the site is dog-friendly.

For a day out, you can also head to the villages of Looe or Polperro, which are both around eight miles away.

There are several hidden beaches nearby as well, such as Lansallos Cove, Lantic Bay and Talland Bay – which are all within a 15 to 25 minute drive.

Silvano Geranio, owner said: “We are absolutely delighted to be named Holiday Park of the Year in the Sykes Gems Awards.

“Personally, I feel incredibly proud to own a park that has received this recognition, but more than anything, I’m delighted for the team.”

Many visitors note how peaceful the park is, with one person commenting: “My idea of paradise.”

Another guest said: “We over looked the lakes which has an abundance of wildlife so quiet and peaceful and relaxing.”

A third person added: “It’s the ultimate relax.”

You could book into a lodge that sleeps up to four people for £477 for seven nights – working out at just £17 per person, per night.

LONDON’S legendary Christmas lights will be here before we know it, so now’s the time to get planning your big festive day out.

But instead of battling the crowds out in the cold to watch a Christmas lights switch-on, why not see Britain’s best from higher up?

Save 20% on The Original Tour’s Christmas Lights London Bus Tour + claim a FREE Thames sightseeing cruise. Use code: FESTIVELONDON

Float right underneath the magical displays on an open-top bus, ideal for taking amazing pictures and completely dodging the shopping crowds.

And this winter, The Original Tour has slashed 20 per cent off their popular Christmas Lights Tour tickets.

By clicking here and entering the code FESTIVELONDON at checkout, adult tickets drop from £36 down to just £28.80, while kids’ tickets drop from £22 to £17.60. Infants under two travel free.

Hop aboard a classic double-decker bus and head straight for the rooftop, where you’ll have a reserved seat.

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You’ll glide right under the spectacular, sweeping golden angels of Regent Street, as well as the massive glittering canopy across Oxford Street.

You’ll also weave past the ridiculously luxurious shopfronts of Bond Street, take in the buzz of Piccadilly Circus, and spot the famous giant Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square.

And instead of a pre-recorded tape, a live local expert rides along with you, bringing the journey to life with London secrets, history, and festive stories.

With plenty of fun facts to entertain the kids, perfect selfie points and all of this taken in while being sat down, is there any better way to soak up the spectacle?

Extra freebies

Your Christmas Tour ticket also grants you a completely free daytime River Thames cruise, so you can make a proper festive trip out of it.

Plan it all for the same day, and you can spend the afternoon ticking off Big Ben and the London Eye from the water, before hopping on the bus to see the city by night.

Save 20% on The Original Tour’s Christmas Lights London Bus Tour + claim a FREE Thames sightseeing cruise. Use code: FESTIVELONDON

To top it off, you’ll also get free access to six self-guided walking tours via The Original Tour’s partner app.

These detailed audio tours include popular destinations like Kensington Gardens as well as all the famous parks and palaces of the city.

The coolest part about the walking tours is that once you have downloaded them on the app, your phone will activate when you walk past a landmark that is part of the tour.

Tie it all into the same weekend, and your entire itinerary is sorted – ticking off all the major sights in London – for under £30!

The FESTIVELONDON code is valid to use right now through to 3 January 2027, so now’s the time to lock in your dates before slots sell out.

Save 20% on The Original Tour’s Christmas Lights London Bus Tour + claim a FREE Thames sightseeing cruise. Use code: FESTIVELONDON

FESTIVELONDON expires on 03/01/2027 11:59pm (BST).

Terms and Conditions:
The offer is available from 12 October 2026 until 3 January 2027, with tours running daily from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The discount applies to adult and child tickets only, excludes family tickets and cannot be combined with other offers. Blackout dates apply and are from 21 December 2026 to 30 December 2026. Blackout dates are dates in which promotional offers cannot be used. More information can be found on the website at theoriginaltour.com.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

A MAJOR London road and tourist destination will be permanently pedestrianised.

Camden High Street will be fully pedestrianised following a year-and-a-half trial.

The high street is a well-known tourist destination in the capital, being home to the historic Camden Market – which around 250,000 people visit every week.

Camden High Street has been temporarily pedestrianised since last May from outside the tube station up to The Elephant’s Head pub.

Eventually, the pedestrianisation could be extended up to Camden Lock Bridge.

Following a consultation, 57 per cent of respondents said that they wanted the street to be pedestrianised permanently.

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Councillor James Slater said: “Camden Town is an important shopping and transport hub for local residents as well as being an internationally recognised destination that draws people in from across London, the rest of the UK, and the world.

“After 18 months, we asked this summer whether you wanted to see the pedestrianisation become permanent.

“Based on our consultation and the positive outcomes we have seen, we have made the decision to make it permanent.”

He added: “Better bus journeys around Camden Town are very important to us – that’s why we will be introducing a trial bus lane on Kentish Town Road with the aim of speeding up northbound bus journeys.

“We will also be introducing additional new community safety patrols as part of a £1 million investment in Community Safety Officer patrols around Camden’s town centres.

“We also heard that many of you are open to the idea of the pedestrianisation being extended over Camden Lock Bridge towards the junction with Chalk Farm Road.

“We will therefore be developing and testing a design for a potential extension over the next few months, and we will publish further information next spring to seek your views on it.”

It comes after the UK’s busiest street – Oxford Street – was pedestrianised yesterday.

The pedestrianised section stretches over half a mile.

Future plans will see more trees added to the street, as well as seating areas and two public squares.

ONE of the UK’s largest indoor waterparks is set to close next week until next year.

Despite usually remaining open year-round, Aqua Park in Stoke-on-Trent will close for renovations next week.

The park is part of Waterworld and will be closed from November 2 until early next year.

The park is hosting a ‘Last Splash’ party on November 1 before the closure with a DJ between 12pm and 4pm.

Few details have been revealed about the renovation, but the park currently has 30 rides and attractions.

The website simply states that it cannot wait to welcome back visitors with “exciting upgrades”.

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Wayne Goodall, Managing Director of Waterworld Leisure Resort, said: “Our closing party is the perfect chance for visitors to make a last splash with us before we close for a short time to make exciting changes across the Aqua Park.

“At its heart, Waterworld offers families a place to spend time together, escape from everyday life and enjoy that holiday feeling, whatever the weather.

“The upgrades we have planned are set to build on that sense of fun and enhance the way we tell our story, creating a more immersive experience for our guests.

“We can’t wait to reveal more about the upcoming investment soon.”

Adventure Mini Golf and Adventure Mini Village will remain open while the Aqua Park undergoes renovation.

Waterworld first opened in 1989 and is heated to a toasty 30C year-round, with numerous different slides such as Cyclone, Hurricane and Stormchaser.

There are racing slides as well and even a water rollercoaster.

If thrill rides aren’t your thing though, you can relax in the wave pool or bubble pools.

There’s also a rapids area, hot tubs and a children’s splash area.

IS there anything that sparks joy in the hearts of children more than the zoo?

Combine it with one of the most popular kids’ books, Room On The Broom, along with some Halloween-themed activities, and you have the perfect potion for family fun.

That’s exactly what you can expect from Twycross Zoo this half-term.

Until November 1, the attraction has introduced a new magical corn maze based on Julia Donaldson’s much-loved book, to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Bringing the fantastical tale — about a witch and the menagerie of animals she picks up on her broomstick — to life, it’s an experience that swept my children away.

Based in the middle of the Leicestershire zoo’s Gruffalo Discovery Land, the excitement started building as soon as my five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter were handed a tote bag filled with goodies.

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The best way to any child’s heart.

There was a passport to get stamped and, more importantly, sweets to power them through.

It wouldn’t be Halloween without some sugar, of course.

With a promise of more treats to discover along the way in the corn maze, we took off at a speedy pace — although with timed entry slots, it never felt like we were being rushed.

Greeted by a wall of hay bales, pumpkins and pictures of the famous characters, we began to make our way through the warren of narrow paths in search of surprises.

Magical clues guided our path through the tall corn crops to several clearings where we found quotes from the book and a cute stamping station where the kids could mark their findings in their passports.

Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for sweets hidden in pumpkins along the way.

Waiting for us at the end was a giant broomstick photo opportunity and a chance to meet the witch — perfect for souvenir snaps.

There’s no time-limit on the maze but my eager kids managed to whizz through in 15 minutes, which gave us plenty of time to explore the rest of the Gruffalo Discovery Land — and that was before we even made our way round the zoo.

Named after another one of Julia Donaldson’s best-sellers, The Gruffalo Discovery Land is home to a treetop play area as well as interactive character trails and meet-and-greet opportunities.

It’s ideal for younger kids. But the real fun sits within the main zoo.

Twycross is home to more than 500 animals and it’s the only zoo in the UK to house all four species of great apes — gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans and bonobos.

The latter were a particular favourite during our visit as we watched them loudly play and squabble from both an outside platform and an inside viewing window, giving us a full 360-degree experience.

It made a welcome change from watching my own children wrestle each other.

We all loved watching the penguins in action, too, timing it perfectly when we caught them at lunchtime indulging in a fish supper.

It wasn’t difficult to spot the UK’s only herd of kordofan giraffes either, who weren’t at all fazed by us staring up at them.

In fact, one even came over for a closer inspection, extending his long neck towards the ground in fascination.

The zoo is easy enough to walk around with kids, although be warned that work is currently going on in some areas, with boards blocking off certain enclosures as the zoo undergoes a £25million transformation.

We’ll have to wait until next year to see what’s in store for those areas, but the closures certainly didn’t ruin the experience.

After a packed day on foot, we were ready for some downtime — and that is exactly what we got at Hampton by Hilton in Nuneaton.

For those travelling from afar, the hotel is an easy 20-minute drive away and the perfect overnight stay for families.

The Hub restaurant here features a menu guaranteed to keep little mouths satisfied, including burgers, paninis and pizzas.

But if none of that takes your fancy then a short walk down the road is a gorgeous Nepalese restaurant, Crossed Khukris Gurkha.

A set meal for four costs £66 and comes with poppadums, dumplings, a number of curries and loads of extras.

We were so well fed and at less than £17 a head, the price is scarily good.

I suppose it is Halloween after all . . .                                  

GOBBLING up sandy scraps of seaweed from the beach floor certainly isn’t the norm for me on a coastal stroll.

But it was for the residents of Guernsey between the 12th and 16th Centuries. And it’s a tradition that’s now coming back into fashion.

Nutrient-packed seaweed, abounding all over Guernsey, is free for the picking and just one of the many ways the island benefits from being surrounded by super-clean waters in the Channel.

I joined Guernsey Seaweed on one of its foraging tours of Havelet Bay and learned the marine plants here are in big demand at the island’s fanciest restaurants.

The slippery green stuff features heavily on a sophisticated menu at Michelin-starred Vraic, woven into cocktails and also adding a punch to rich broths.

After feasting on some pepper dulse, dubbed the truffle of the sea, I can completely see why chefs love it so much. There’s nothing of the fishy taste you would expect.

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Instead, I’m hit with a garlicky umami flavour.

The earthy and delicious taste, I’m told, is down to the warm temperature of the sea around the island, just 27 miles off France’s Normandy coast.

The Gulf Stream ensures the water here rarely dips below 8C in winter — which is why you’ll spot locals swimming year round.

Admittedly, even 13C felt like too much of a chill for me. But if you plan your trip well, you can ensure you combine a swim with a post-dip sauna session to warm up.

There are two mobile saunas on the island, Hot Haus and Rock Box, which can be booked online and are just a stone’s throw from the sea.

Rock Box, a converted, eucalyptus-infused horsebox, overlooks the Cobo Slipway in summer and features a huge window allowing those inside to soak up soothing coastal views while they sweat.

And sweat, I sure did. Conveniently, there are several watering cans, filled with icy water, positioned by the sauna door for guests to use in between ten to 15-minute stints in the heat.

The sauna was a treat that my limbs most definitely appreciated after a strenuous Pilates class earlier that morning.

Pilates instructor Lydia Cherry runs both Reformer and mat sessions at the Forme studio in St Andrews, for locals and holidaymakers alike.

Despite the moves seeming gentle, my abs were quivering within a matter of seconds as I was put through my paces.

If you prefer something a little more gentle, though, beachfront or paddleboard yoga are both popular choices for holidaymakers seeking a wellness fix.

That’s if you have enough strength left after tackling the island’s scenic coastal paths, though.

Guernsey is so small — around 24 square miles — that you can walk its coast in just a few days.

One of the more manageable treks — and beautiful — is the short 45-minute route from St Peter Port to Fermain Bay, combining fabulous coastal views with dense woodland that’s carpeted in bluebells during spring.

Reward your efforts afterwards with a tasty pint of local Rocquette cider — which uses some of that famed seaweed — at the Beach Cafe.

From my picnic table, perched just above the water, I could watch the foamy waves while listening to the birds overhead.

Make sure to order yourself a super-fresh crab sarnie, too, which comes loaded to the max and smothered in mayo. Delicious.

And that word can be used to describe the fare at many of the island’s restaurants.

Michelin-recommended Alba, in St Peter Port, in particular, strives to keep dishes local and serves up elegant sharing plates.

Its homemade tagliolini with Shetland mussels in a white wine and lemongrass sauce is an absolute steal at £15.

Wash it down with an Alba Tomatini, a classic martini with tomato twist (£11.50), and you’re in for a good night.

For a more casual bite, the Fleur du Jardin does classic pub grub, from fish-and-chips to bangers and mash.

It also has 14 boutique bedrooms upstairs that are as charming as the old-fashioned, stone-wall pub itself with its sea-themed decor.

The only thing that’s missing is a bit of seaweed.

WHEN the temperature drops and the nights get darker, booking a holiday in to look forward to feels all the more important.

Luckily, if you know where to look, Britain is packed with brilliant holiday parks that actually get better in the winter months.

We’re talking massive, 30C indoor water worlds for warming up from the frost, to luxury log cabins and magical woodland light trails.

Plus, avoiding the peak summer rush means you can bag incredible deals for a fraction of the usual price, so here’s our winter holiday park favourites from a tiny £3.06pp per night.

Warmwell Holiday Park, Dorset

This cosy woodland holiday park in Dorset is made up of timber lodges only, with lakeside, hot tub and pet-friendly options sleeping up to eight people.

But don’t let the tranquil woodland setting fool you: Warmwell is packed with adrenaline. The park actually has its own 110m all-weather ski slope where you can ski, snowboard, or hurtle down in a rubber ring.

If you’d rather stay inside, the massive heated indoor pool has a thrilling, twisting water flume and a mini wave pool for little ones.

We found a three-night break in a superior lodge sleeping eight for £263, working out to £10.96pp per night.

Tattershall Lakes Country Park, Lincolnshire

While this action-packed holiday park is famous for its summer watersports, you’ll get a completely different experience in the winter.

This park puts on its very own ‘Winterfest‘, where from November 20 – December 20 you’ll find special events like candlelight concerts, kids house party events and the ‘Winterfest Spiegletent’ full of festive live entertainment.

There’s also the massive indoor pool and kids splash zone with slides for the kids, plus a luxurious spa and the cosy Tattershall Park Pub for Mum and Dad.

You can bag a four-night midweek break in a superior caravan sleeping eight from £168, or £5.25pp per night.

Sandy Balls Holiday Village, Hampshire

For a dose of woodland magic this winter, book in for a lodge retreat at Sandy Balls Holiday Village in Hampshire.

With The New Forest on your doorstep, you’ll have plenty of time for family bike rides, woodland alpaca walks or even strolling through the ‘Forest of Light’ festive display which arrives at the park in November.

Kids can head indoors to warm up with pottery painting or slime factory sessions, while grown-ups might prefer the evening’s Boombox Bingo, quiz or karaoke sessions.

We found a deal for a four night break in a luxury caravan sleeping six for £264, working out to £11pp per night.

Bluestone Wales, Pembrokeshire

Head to Pembrokeshire in Wales this winter to escape the cold and drizzle for a site with a giant, subtropical temperature waterpark.

Spend rainy afternoons in the Blue Lagoon Water Park, which is totally free for guests. There’s a wave machine, four waterslides, plus a relaxing lazy river and bubbling pools.

There’s plenty more weather-proof activities like an indoor zipline, climbing wall and a bear-making boutique.

We found a deal for a four-night break in a spacious wooden lodge for four for £540, working out to £33.75pp per night. Or if you want to book ahead for Jan or Feb, there’s an early bird offer on where you can save 10-20 per cent on 2027 breaks.

Seashore Holiday Park, Norfolk

If you love a winter beach break away from the crowds of the summer, you’ll love Great Yarmouth‘s only beachfront park: Seashore Holiday Park.

The flat, golden sands of Yarmouth are perfect for a winter stroll, before coming back to warm up in the heated indoor waterpark with two 11 metre flumes.

Once you’re done making a splash, you can retreat to a double-glazed, toasty heated caravan for a movie night.

We found a deal for a four night break in a saver caravan sleeping four for £49, working out to £3.06pp per night.

Finlake Resort & Spa, Devon

Finlake feels like a glamorous forest retreat with A-frame timber lodges with hot tubs, a woodland spa and sauna offering hot stone massages, and a glimmering fishing lake.

Kids will love the on-site waterpark Finlake Falls, which is heated to around 30C and packed with waterslides, fun sea scooters and a beach-like area with gentle waves for little ones.

Compared to somewhere like Center Parcs, where the cheapest seven-night lodge break we found this winter was £1,548 you’re getting much better value for money here.

At Finlake, you can bag a seven-night stay in a traditional, two-storey wooden lodge from £239 for the week.

Craig Tara, Ayrshire, Scotland

From the snow-dusted peaks of the Isle of Arran to the rugged clifftops of the Ayrshire coast, Scotland is beautiful in winter.

But it’s even better when you can retreat back to a cosy, centrally heated caravan or luxury lodge to thaw out.

Haven’s Craig Tara offers not only luxurious lodges and warm, affordable caravans, but one of the biggest heated indoor waterparks in Scotland, Splashaway Bay.

As for indoor activities, there’s also a giant indoor Airspace facility loaded with interactive darts, shuffleboard, and a climbing wall to wear the kids out.

You don’t even need to head out and brave the cold for dinner with an on-site Burger King, Papa Johns, and a sea-view restaurant just steps away.

We found a deal for a four night break in a saver caravan sleeping four for £49, working out to £3.06pp per night.

IF you love the countryside but prefer something glam over actually getting mucky, this one’s for you.

Silchester Farm in Hampshire delivers all the charm of a country escape without you ever having to ruin your shoes.

This rustic retreat was even featured on Made in Chelsea, which tells you something about who you’ll be rubbing shoulders with here.

From where to eat to local history, here’s everything you need to know about staying at Silchester Farm in Hampshire.

Where is Silchester Farm?

This stay is in Silchester, a small village close to Basingstoke in Hampshire. The farm is less than an hour’s train journey away from London.

If travelling by car, the farm is well-signposted through a series of pleasant country lanes, crossing over wooden bridges and past old-fashioned country pubs and pretty churches.

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What’s it like?

A popular wedding venue, Silchester Farm is a stylish rural retreat set among fields of quietly grazing sheep and calm countryside.

The site centres around a series of manicured flower and vegetable patches, vine-draped arbours and an outdoor barn kitchen.

What are the rooms like?

Framing the outskirts of the vegetable patches you’ll find the Pyggies, nine giant, self-contained pig arks.

There’s room on the steps outside to drop off your wellies and brolly from your day at the farm. Once you open the door, you’re met with cosy warm orange lighting, a relaxing wood scent, and a giant bed you’ll immediately want to jump on.

The Pyggies are equipped with kitchenettes, which have lovely touches like glass-bottled milk in the fridge, posh teabags as well as matching cup and saucer sets.

In our Pyggy, Rosemary, a large telly sat above a cosy wood burner, opposite a large sofa to sink into. The bed was piled up with cosy throws, and behind a wooden screen was a roomy bathtub complete with the Silchester Farm’s own soaps and body creams.

A spacious rainfall shower, cosy curved ceiling and giant glass doors letting the sunlight pour through were the cherry on top of this chic countryside accommodation.

Rooms start from £252 per night for two, with great rates on last-minute bookings in particular. See SilchesterFarm.co.uk.

What is there to eat and drink?

The Trough Farm Shop on-site is a great spot for brunch, with coffee, sausage rolls, cakes and pastries available, with indoor and outdoor seating.

As for dinner, you’re best off booking in at a nearby pub, as the restaurant here is usually reserved for wedding guests.

The Plough Inn is a pretty, restored 18th century pub serving food and local ales, while The Calvella Arms does a spectacular sticky toffee pudding.

There are, however, food events you can book yourself onto at the farm. The Sunday Club offers fantastic roasts with giant yorkies (from £22) while the Harvest Feast sees the outdoor kitchen come alive with seasonal produce served by a roaring fire. Check dates here.

What else is there?

Silchester is a Roman village, and is a short walk from well-preserved, third century walls as well as amphitheatre ruins. Reception will happily direct you on the walking route.

While there’s no gym at a rustic retreat like this, there are bicycles available to hire, as well as a tennis court facing the pristine country gardens.

Is it family friendly?

Each of the Pyggies sleep up to two people, equipped with king-sized beds fit for two adults.

This retreat is best for couples’ escapes or friends getaways.

Is it accessible?

While there are ramps available for accessing the farm’s buildings and gardens, the site is made up of pebble and grass pathways also.

Silchester Farm recommend disabled visitors are accompanied by a companion where possible. For more information, see their website.

AS a live music lover, I have visited London’s The O2 – the UK’s most popular live entertainment venue – numerous times in my adult life.

But with my primary school aged child? Despite living half an hour from the venue, I’ve never even considered it as a day out. 

Until that is, I took my son to iFly Indoor Skydiving over the summer holidays and we had a whale of a time. 

Swapping my O2 beer goggles for mum goggles, I suddenly became acutely aware of all the other activities the massive dome offered, outside of huge concerts and bar-hopping. 

So we boomeranged back there during a rainy weekend to try out yet another one of their kid-friendly attractions – Activate. 

Activate bills itself as a ‘live-action gaming adventure,’ with nine different interactive game rooms featuring a bunch of activities for all ages and skill levels. 

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In the laser room, we dodged moving laser beams to reach a target, in the hoops room we had to sink a certain number of basketballs in the hoop, in the grid room we pranced across a lit-up dancefloor, and in the strike room we aimed balls to blast asteroids out of the sky. 

The best thing was every activity took max two minutes, so you were never waiting longer to get into your next game. 

During our session, which costs from £22.95pp for 60 minutes, there were families with kids my son’s age, groups of ten year olds, mums with teenagers and twenty-somethings who’d come for an afternoon out, because you can set the level at each room before you enter. 

It was the same when we visited iFly. In our group of seven, there were two tweens, a 16-year-old and a twenty-something couple on a date alongside my seven-year-old son and I. 

And we all had an equally brilliant time. 

While anyone aged 3 to 93 is welcome at iFly, you do need a degree of bravery because you have to get inside a huge, glass wind tunnel that sends air upwards at speeds of 120mph to 165mph, and attempt to do your best flying squirrel impression.

The wind is STRONG. So strong that you simply have to flop forwards as you enter the tunnel.

But I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a big grin on my son’s face as the moment he first flew off the ground, which only got wider when he opted for the special “High Flight” add-on, where the instructor took him on a spinning flight, 40 feet up towards the top of the tunnel.

Each session lasts around a minute, and everyone in our group got four sessions as part of their package (although that might change depending on group size), with the opportunity to add a High Flight to each of their goes in the wind tunnel, which cost £15 a pop.

It’s well worth doing the add-on at least once if you can afford the extra cost, as unless you’re planning on jumping out of a plane anytime soon, this is the closest you’ll ever come to flying high above the ground.

There are plenty more family attractions at the O2 too, especially the famous roof climb – with a special ‘Halloween Up at The O2 climb’ scheduled for on October 31.

But there’s also Oxygen Activeplay trampoline park and Clip N’ Climb, plus later this year they’ve got Guinness World Records London opening – the first permanent entertainment venue from Guinness World Records.

If all that fun makes you hungry, there are stacks of restaurants offering kid-friendly food – from pizza and burgers for the less adventurous eaters, to Mexican, Brazilian street food and Chinese hotpot.

We opted for Maki and Ramen, a chain inspired by the ramen shops of Japan.

As well as an extensive sushi menu, they serve up very good bowls of steaming ramen – we opted for their signature pork tonkatsu with a side of beef (my son) and the tofu hell ramen with a side of kimchi (me).

If you visit during the week, you can also take advantage of their £18 lunch deal that gets you a main, side and drink.

We popped next door to Haute Dolci for pudding, sharing two of their signature gelato sundaes garnished with warm chocolate cake, fondue chocolate and crushed Ferrero Rocher.

Stuffed to the brim with noodles and ice cream, my son was unusually compliant about a trip to the O2’s outlet shops.

The venue has a number of high street brands like Nike, Adidas, Kurt Geiger and Whittards offering up to 70 per cent off RRP, and I managed to pick up a couple of dresses for a significant discount and a pair of Nike trainers for my son for £20.

Great fun, great grub and great shopping in a totally rainproof destination? We’ll definitely be back.

Only problem now is my son’s keen to go to a gig now too…

A HUGE multi-million pound upgrade is set to transform two popular holiday parks in the UK.

The two holiday parks are Parkdean’s Skipsea Sands Holiday Park in East Yorkshire and Thorness Bay Holiday Park on the Isle of Wight.

At Skipsea Sands Holiday Park, there will be number of new activities including an indoor adventure climbing experience, indoor adventure golf and off-road driving experiences for children aged four and over.

The play areas, both indoors and outdoors, will be expanded including the bounce park, sports court and a Bear Grylls themed escape room.

The park will also add a Scoops Ice Cream shop and Joe’s American Grill as well as have a new outdoor entertainment space with seating.

The £5million investment is set to be completed by Easter 2027.

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Steve Richards, CEO at Parkdean Resorts, said: “We’re committed to investing £5million in Skipsea Sands Holiday Park, upgrading our accommodation and further enhancing the holiday experience for guests and owners in East Yorkshire.

“From exciting new activities that include adventure golf and high ropes to an enhanced food and drink offering, there will be even more for families and holidaymakers to enjoy.”

Then, as for Thorness Bay Holiday Park on the Isle of Wight, the £6millon transformation will include a new high ropes, indoor adventure golf and off-road driving experiences for children aged four and over as well.

Just like Skipsea, the indoor and outdoor play areas will be improved too, with a bounce park, sports court and a Bear Grylls themed escape room.

The park will also gain a new two-storey building that will be home to the Hat-Tricks sports bar with interactive darts, pool and shuffleboard.

Food and drinks spots will also be expanded at the park with a new Scoops Ice Cream parlour, a Joe’s American Grill and Thunderbird Strip Shack.

And once again similar to Skipsea’s expansion, there will be new outdoor areas for entertainment and dining.

Steve Richards, CEO at Parkdean Resorts, said: “This investment reflects our continued commitment to supporting local jobs, tourism and economic growth in the communities where we operate.

“We look forward to welcoming guests to a new and improved Thorness Bay from Easter 2027.”

A number of other Parkdean Resorts parks have recently undergone upgrades including Highfield Grange Holiday Park in Essex and Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth.

Vauxhall Holiday Park revealed its £5million upgrade earlier this year, with a new sports bar, darts and indoor adventure golf.

The holiday park has also been upgraded to include more kids’ play zones as well as high rope courses.

WE’RE always on the hunt for the next big thing to keep families entertained without breaking the bank – and there is a spot in London often overlooked that has a great line up for 2027.

Home to thousands of events every single year, London’s Southbank Centre is bigger than most people think, spanning 11 acres from one foot of the London Eye all the way to Waterloo Bridge.

Best of all? A whopping 40 per cent of everything on offer is completely FREE.

Speaking exclusively to Sun Travel, Mark Ball, Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre has lifted the lid on all the thrilling events and exhibitions set for next year adding that “there’s always something to entertain you here”.

And it seems only locals know the full extent of the hidden gem, with Mark adding that they often see it as their art centre with just under half of visitors coming from the South London area.

So here are his top tips on everything coming up.

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Family-friendly activities, events and attractions

When it comes to 2027, families will have loads to do, including a re-designed ‘V-Play’ space, with soft play for children aged between two and seven years old.

Tickets for this area will cost under a tenner.

For the slightly older kids there will be ‘Small Evolutions’ – a new virtual reality experience launching next September.

The project is inspired by the 50-year-old skatepark at the Southbank Centre and will allow visitors to experience skateboarding tricks in virtual reality.

Another family favourite is the Imagine Children’s Festival which will return in February half-term and span 10 days.

During the festival – which is designed for children aged zero to 11-years-old – there will be theatre, dance, music and drawing workshops.

Events for fans of music and the arts

If it is music you’re into then head to the centre’s famous Meltdown Festival.

Following in the footsteps of pop superstar Harry Styles – who curated the 2026 event – artist FKA Twigs will be curating the event for 2027.

She will be the headline performer as well as the overarching curator of the event and will deliver a multi-sensory experience packed with dance, video, visual arts, and live music.

Reflecting on what it was like working with a global pop icon like Harry Styles for last year’s festival, Mark revealed how dedicated the former One Direction star was to the Southbank festival.

Mark said: “Harry is so passionate about music and he’s got such a range of musical influences.

“People see him through one lens as a big global pop star, but his influences are really diverse – from avant-garde Japanese music to electronic and classical.”

And despite his global status, Harry was as hands-on as it gets.

“Harry’s fingertips were over every decision. Whenever he could on his days off, or even after performing huge stadium shows, he would sneak in from Wembley to sit in the back of the auditorium and support the artists he had booked. He was incredibly present.

“For his own show, he wanted to work with an orchestra for the first time, delivering this stunning orchestral presentation with Harry at the centre on piano and vocals.

“We’re always looking out for who will be the Elton Johns or Paul McCartneys of our generation — and it’s people like Harry Styles,” Mark added.

Looking forward to next year’s event, FKA twigs said: “I am honoured and excited to be curating Meltdown at the Southbank Centre.

“The potent artistic and cultural landscape in London has raised me from Croydon College, to performing in underground cabaret clubs, dancing till sunrise in warehouses on the docks and last year being lucky enough to sing my operatic songs in one of the largest arenas in London.

“The cultural and artistic clash in this city is like no other.

“Where cultures, sounds, stories and traditions from all over the world meet, collide and transform one another. I intend to bring you a slice of all that has raised me and continues to inspire me: celebrating the diversity, freedom and creative energy that I believe makes London one of the world’s great capitals of music and the arts.”

Other celebs included in the line up for 2027 include world-renowned pianist Lang Lang who featured on Channel 4‘s The Piano and will headline a major performance in December.

It also wouldn’t be the Southbank Centre without exhibitions and one exciting one coming in 2027 is a Chris Ofili exhibition at Hayward Gallery, which will mark his return to the capital.

Free events to pop in your calendar

According to Mark, one of the best things about the Southbank Centre is that 40 per cent of all the events are free.

And there are also a heap of ways to get cheaper tickets, with an under 30s scheme, as well as family tickets and local tickets.

The Winter Light programme, which will return soon as well as at the end of 2027 is free to visit, for example.

The trail includes neon installations, outdoor light art and projections, usually running from November through to February.

At the same time visitors will also be able to enjoy the winter food and Christmas market.

As for next summer, the Summer Terrace Stage with free outdoor concerts, classes and performance events will return again.

Hidden gems at the centre

The fun of visiting the Southbank Centre though goes beyond the events.

In fact, the attraction has many hidden gems not many visitors know about.

And they are all free to visit as well.

For example, on Level 5 of Royal Festival Hall visitors can discover The National Poetry Library which houses the world’s largest collection of post-war poetry and spoken word.

It also features a pop-up children’s poetry library.

Mark added: “Two thirds [of the Royal Festival Hall] is public space… It gives that sense that the Royal Festival Hall is a kind of people’s palace.

“It’s for everybody – a really vibrant, kind of village hall type space where there’s lots going on.”

“One of the really lovely things about going into the Royal Festival Hall on the weekend is lots of people self-organise activities.

“At the weekend there are people playing board games, there are dancers rehearsing and they’re all people from the local community using it as a community resource.”

And around the centre there are often free exhibitions or trails to explore including a current Quentin Blake trail.

Mark said: “We’ve got a whole series at the moment of huge illustrations of artists by the designer Quentin Blake, who is 90 this year and has made these kind of archetypes of musicians and skateboarders pasted throughout the building, so you can wander around the building, find these wonderful Quentin Blake stories.”

Talking of skateboarders, visitors can also head to the Southbank Skatepark which is the UK’s longest-running dedicated skatepark.

“People don’t think that the skate park is part of the Southbank Centre, but it is – we absolutely see it as part of the cultural offer here,” added Mark.

How to spend a day in the area

As for Mark’s personal recommendations to make a full day out in the area, there are loads of great food and drink spots nearby.

He said: “If you’re feeling a bit flush and you want a really fancy drink, Skylon is a restaurant that overlooks the river with floor-to-ceiling windows and an amazing drinks bar with gorgeous cocktails.

“It’s a really good way of treating yourself.

“There’s also a great kind of old-school boozer called the Hole in the Wall, at the back of Waterloo Station.

“You have to go through quite a tiny door to get there, so lots of people miss it but it has really nice beer.”

And if coffee is your preferred tipple, “the best coffee in London” according to Mark, can be found at Beany’s – a little van on the left hand side of the bridge.

The best way to find out what is happening at the Southbank Centre – especially as more events are yet to be announced – is by signing up to the newsletter, according to Mark.

What if I’m not local?

If you can’t make it to London, the Southbank Centre actually has programmes across the UK as well.

For example, every five years in partnership with regional galleries the Southbank Centre hosts The British Art Show which tours five UK cities over 18 months.

The next edition will be held in 2028 and travel to Coventry, Swansea, Bristol, Sheffield and Newcastle and Gateshead.

Meltdown festival also hosts events across the country with artists curating local weekends to support struggling grassroots venues.

Mark said: “Grassroots music venues are the lifeblood of the music industry, where the musicians get their first try out, where they learn how to perform in front of an audience, it’s really important that those places thrive.”

NEXT MONTH the capital is set to get a HUGE new multi-million attraction with never- seen-before areas.

Opening on November 28, the £427million London Museum will be in Smithfield in the General Market.

And the best thing about the new attraction is that it will be completely free to visit.

It will be the world’s largest city museum with three different spaces documenting the past 10,000 years of the capital with over seven million objects on display.

One area will be called ‘Real Time’ and feature a covered street where visitors can explore real time data about different parts of London.

In the second space, ‘Our Time’, will be the centre of the museum with events and activities including immersive theatre.

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Around ‘Our Time’ there will also be 13 installations about London, a restaurant and a bookshop, with festivals and markets planned for the future too.

For extra fun, after-hours DJ sessions are also planned for Fridays and Saturdays.

The main gallery will then be known as ‘Past Time’ and can be found underground.

The gallery will take visitors through London’s history with exhibits including the recent ‘Piranhas’ artwork by Banksy as well as older pieces such as Charles I’s execution vest.

Notable other objects that will be on show at the museum will include the swimming trunks worn by Tom Daley for the 2012 London Olympics and Paul Simon from The Clash’s bass guitar, which he smashed on stage.

On the lower level of the museum there will also be a giant six-metre tall window that will let visitors look through to a tunnel where the Thameslink trains pass.

In 2028, the museum will open even more areas inside the Poultry Market building with galleries including ‘Temporary Time’, ‘Imagined Time’ and ‘Deep Time’.

This building will house the museum’s temporary exhibitions, collection stores and learning centre.

In ‘Imagined Time’, there will be a platform hanging beneath the ceiling with different installations reflecting London’s past, present and imagined future.

The General Market first opened in 1883 as a meat market but has remained abandoned for the past 30 years.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, previously said: “The opening of the new London Museum will be a hugely significant moment both for London and internationally.

“Backed by one of the largest ever cultural investments in our capital, London Museum will attract millions of visitors and Londoners and reinforce our status as the cultural capital of the world.

“London Museum celebrates the past, creates opportunities in the present and will inspire future generations, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.”

LEAVE it to the Americans to come up with a name for gawping at trees.

Leaf peeping was a phrase coined in the Sixties in Vermont and it’s now caught on here.

And no wonder, as Britain puts on a dazzling show every autumn, though this year it will be harder to time.

After the hot, dry summer, the National Trust predicts vibrant but patchy colour, with some gardens running late and others early.

Jacob Lewis reveals the best spots to head to in the next few weeks.

SHEFFIELD PARK & GARDEN, EAST SUSSEX

FOUR lakes double the colour at this Grade I-listed garden, which was planted for autumn.

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The tupelo trees turn bright red, and one variety changes colour around ten days ahead of the rest.

By the water, swamp cypresses glow amber.

You can even arrive by steam on the Bluebell Railway, whose station is a 15-minute walk away.

Cost: £19 adults, £9.50 children — National Trust members free.

RICHMOND PARK, LONDON

BELLOWING stags are the soundtrack in October, when the red deer rut reaches its peak.

Head for the Isabella Plantation, a woodland garden where Japanese maples flare crimson and winged spindle bushes turn rosy scarlet.

Entry is free, but keep one eye on the leaves and the other on the stags, keeping at least 50m away.

Cost: Free entry and parking.

WESTONBIRT, THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM, GLOUCS

NEARLY 300 varieties of Japanese maple grow here, setting the Acer Glade ablaze.

A new trail through Silk Wood this year is themed around nine Japanese ideas about the seasons. Book ahead.

Cost: £19 weekdays or £22 weekends, children £5.

BLICKLING ESTATE, NORFOLK

BEECH, oak, lime and sweet chestnut are mirrored in the lake in front of this Jacobean mansion.

Follow the two-mile Lake Walk, then head into the Great Wood, where the beeches glow amber and a pyramid-shaped mausoleum stands among the trees.

Cost: Free entry to parkland — parking £5, NT members free.

CANNOCK CHASE, STAFFS

NOT every tree that turns gold is a broadleaf.

Larches are conifers that drop their needles in winter, and here they blaze yellow against the dark pines.

Follow the Sherbrook Valley trail to the stepping stones, with beeches adding copper along the way.

Cost: Free entry — parking from £1.20.

SHERWOOD FOREST, NOTTS

ROBIN Hood’s old stomping ground is at its best when the oaks turn russet.

Pay your respects to the Major Oak, the giant at its heart thought to be up to 1,200 years old.

Sadly, the ailing tree died this year after suffering drought and heatwaves, but it still stands as a monument.

Oaks turn late, so there’s still plenty of time.

Cost: Free entry — parking £7, RSPB members free.

HARDCASTLE CRAGS, WEST YORKS

BEECH, oak and birch cling to the sides of this steep valley, near Hebden Bridge, above the tumbling Hebden Water.

Follow the riverside path to Gibson Mill, a cotton mill built around 1800, then grab a drink from its Weaving Shed Cafe and sit out by the millpond, hemmed in by trees.

Cost: Free entry — parking £5–£8, NT members free.

LOUGHRIGG TARN AND ELTERWATER, CUMBRIA

FOR the classic Lake District postcard view, walk the easy four-mile loop from Elterwater village via Skelwith Bridge to Loughrigg Tarn.

On a still day, the Langdale Pikes, the craggy peaks at the head of the valley, are reflected in the water, framed by turning woodland.

Cost: Free entry — paid parking, NT members free.

ALLEN BANKS AND STAWARD GORGE, NORTHUMBERLAND

KEEP an eye out for elusive red squirrels in this deep gorge carved by the River Allen.

Most of its beeches were planted in the 19th century, and they spill copper and gold colours down the valley sides.

The riverside path then leads to medieval ruins and a Victorian summer house.

Cost: Free entry — parking £3–£5, NT members free.

COED Y BRENIN, SNOWDONIA

PISTYLL Cain plunges into a dark pool deep within the 9.000-acre King’s Forest.

You can reach it via a 2.2-mile walk beside the River Mawddach, leaving conifers behind for broadleaf woods and the ruins of old gold mines.

Cost: Free entry and parking at Tyddyn Gwladys.

LOCH AN EILEIN, CAIRNGORMS

A RUINED 13th-century castle on an island steals the show here.

In autumn, the birch, rowan and aspen of the ancient Rothiemurchus Forest flare gold against the dark Scots pines.

The flat 3.5-mile loop is easy for kids. Scotland turns first, so don’t hang about.

Cost: Free entry — parking £5 per car.

TOLLYMORE FOREST PARK, CO DOWN

GAME Of Thrones fans will recognise this forest at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, which was used as a filming location.

Walk the River Trail along the River Shimna, crossing stepping stones and some of its 16 bridges beneath beech and oak.

Cost: Free on foot — £5 per car.

CHRISTMAS will soon be upon us, so it’s time to get those festive dates lined up in your calendar.

You don’t need to shell out a fortune for lifetime memories though – we’ve rounded up plenty of activities full of festive cheer that won’t break the bank. From free ice skating to festive illuminations – here are the top memory-making days out for you and your family…

Ice skating

Nothing says winter and Christmas quite like a festive ice skating rink.

Blackpool has a synthetic ice rink that stretches 20m long and is FREE to use, including free skate hire – all you have to do is show up and hand over your shoes for some boots.

Meanwhile, Caerphilly On Ice at Caerphilly Castle is selling early bird skate tickets from just £9. 

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – the UK’s largest open-air ice rink is built around Hyde Park’s Victoria bandstand and has tickets from £9.35 for kids and £12.95 for adults, off-peak.

Stockeld Park in North Yorkshire has a festive ice rink set within its adventure park from November to February, with tickets from £14.

Boxpark Liverpool is bringing back its popular ice rink, with adult tickets from £10 and kids tickets from £8.

Dalkeith Country park has a Winterfest Skating Rink, with £11 tickets for adults and £9 tickets for children.

 Aviemore Ice Rink at Macdonald Highland Resort has adult ice skating tickets for £14 and kids tickets for £12.

Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland has ice skating tickets from £15 for adults and £12.50 for kids.

Ice Skate Birmingham at Centenary Square has early bird adult tickets from £9.50 and kids from £8.50, rising to £14 for adults in peak times and £12 for kids.

Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland has ice rink and sky skate tickets from £13.60 for adults and £9.60 for kids.

Bath on Ice has tickets from £16.50 for adults and £14 for kids, with an outdoor rink beneath the Christmas lights in Royal Victoria Park.

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland – York’s original and largest open-air ice rink – returns for its 21st year, with adults tickets from £18.09 and kids from £16.99.

Skate Manchester in the city’s Cathedral Gardens has adult tickets from £16.80 and kids tickets from £15.40.

Light trails

Light trails such as RHS Glow Light Trails at Wisley cost as little as £7.50 per adult and £6 per child when booked for an off peak session in advance.

RHS Bridgewater’s celebration of light in Salford runs from 26 November to 30 December new Super Off Peak tickets starting at £9.25 for adults or £6 for RHS members, and £5.50 for kids.

Gulliver’s Theme Parks has their annual Land Of Lights running from October 24 to January 30, with early bird tickets from £12.50 for both adults and kids.

The Bay of Lights Illumination Trail returns from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with its biggest and brightest trail yet, on Torquay’s seafront.

The Winter light Trail through Trentham Gardens at Trentham Estate near Stoke On Trent is very affordable, with adult tickets from £17 and kids tickets from £12.50.

Lightwaves Salford is running from 23 November to 13 December 2026 and is free to enter, with  illuminated artworks along a 2km trail around MediaCity and Salford Quays.

Alnwick Garden light trail in Northumberland runs from 20 November to 3 January and has off-peak tickets from £18.15 for adults and £11 for kids.

The Christmas Light Trail at National Trust’s Dunham Massey in the North West costs from £19.50 for adults and £13 for kids.

For a rainproof option, try Noel – a Christmas light show at Liverpool Cathedral from 27 November to 5 December, priced from £10.50 for adults and £8.50 for kids.

For that post-Christmas lull, The Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival returns from 19-30 January, 2027. It’s free with no booking required.

The Bristol Light Festival will return for its seventh edition from 18 February to 27 February 2027. It is free to attend, with no booking or ticket required.

Lantern parades

For the ultimate wholesome activity, why not take part in a local lantern trail with the kids.

For example, Burning the Clocks in Brighton will return this year with thousands of people making paper lanterns and carrying them through the city before burning them on the beach.

This years theme will be ‘Magicada’ which represents a symbolic rest followed by a noisy awakening – though a date for when it will take place is yet to be revealed.

In Devon, Totnes launches its late night Christmas shopping nights on December 8 with a free Carnival Lantern Parade through the town.

There will be handcrafted lanterns with live music and street performers alongside 70 stalls and 125 independent shops remaining open into the night.

In South London, a light procession takes place through Maritime Greenwich on November 18, ahead of the annual Christmas lights switch-on that evening. 

Winchester Cathedral Lantern Parade takes place on 23 November, with participants carrying recycled or homemade lanterns through the city streets – the theme this year is ‘Angel’s Message.’

Leamington Lantern Parade in Leamington Spa takes place on December 6, with participants carrying homemade lanterns to a backdrop of stilt walkers and carol singers.

Corn Exchange’s Festival of Light in Newbury town centre takes place on December 13, with lantern-making workshops available to the public in the run-up.

Christmas markets

The UK is home to some fabulous Christmas markets and most are free to visit.

Most towns have their own, and here are some of the biggest, oldest and quirkiest around the country.

Manchester’s Christmas Markets feature 200 wooden chalets across ten city centre locations, with a fairground and a huge Ferris wheel, craft stalls, a pop-up pub and an undercover ice skating rink.

Edinburgh’s Christmas market in Princes Street Gardens are easily some of the prettiest, with wooden chalets, fairground rides and a Ferris Wheel alongside a background of Edinburgh Castle.

York’s St Nicholas Fair looks like something from a Hallmark Christmas movie, with plenty of local traders selling local produce and crafts in wooden chalets.

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market was named one of the best in Europe in 2024 – is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Austria and Germany, with traditional arts and crafts plus German food and drink.

Oxford Victorian Christmas Market takes place from November 12 – 15, with costumed traders and Victorian-style street performers, alongside 50 stalls selling decorations, food and drink.

Portmeirion Welsh Christmas Market runs from 4-6 December in Portmeirion Village, Gwynedd, North Wales, featuring 120 stalls and live performances around along the village’s unique streets.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland is the biggest Christmas event in the UK.

The attraction returns to London’s Hyde Park on November 19 and will run until January 3, 2027.

Yes, there are plenty of activities and food stands that cost a fortune, but there are also ways to keep costs down and have a fantastic day out.

This year there are tonnes of £1 entry tickets, which are typically for weekday sessions.

Free activities once you’re inside include:

Visiting Santa’s Grotto in Santa Land is free and comes with a small gift.

Free live music at the Market Square and the Explorer’s Rest.

There’s a free Elves’ Workshop too, with interactive experiences and games for little visitors to enjoy.

Christmas day out at the National Railway Museum

In York, you can visit the National Railway Museum for free and its upcoming Christmas event is also free.

Free Christmas activities include writing a letter to Father Christmas, exploring winter science activities and designing a 2027 calendar.

You can upgrade your experience to meet Father Christmas aboard the Guard’s compartment on a train for £15 per child.

The event runs from December 2 to 23 and each child will get a small gift as well as a hot chocolate.

National Trust Santa Visits

The National Trust is an excellent location for the annual family festive day out.

The buildings are already beautiful and look great spruced up with some decorations, they often have winter trails through the large gardens and many of them feature their own Santa’s grotto.

When booking an activity, you actually get a lot of festive fun for the price of your ticket.

For example, Father Christmas at the Farm, at Tatton Park in Cheshire, features a nativity scene, live music, festive entertainers, a grotto, make-your-own reindeer food and a Christmas pop-up cafe. Adult tickets are £12.50 and kids tickets are £14. Runs from November 21 to December 24.

Father Christmas at Sunnycroft in Telford, Shropshire lets visitors step into the world of The Wind in the Willows with a 20-minute journey through the homes of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Mr Toad, that ends with a visit to Father Christmas.

One child and one accompanying adult costs £25. Runs from December 4-13.

Storytelling with Santa at Kingston Lacy in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, lets kids enjoy a story read by by Father Christmas, plus a gift and a photo opportunity. Tickets cost £15.50 per child and includes one accompanying adult. November 28 – December 23.

Visit Father Christmas at Gibside Stables in Gateshead lets visitors join playful forest elf Happy Holly Berry and Father Christmas for a festive story, then receive a small gift and a photo opportunity. Kids tickets tickets cost £18 and the adult is included in the price. Runs from November 29 to December 23.

Find out more about the National Trust Santa visits here.

Coca-Cola Christmas Truck

The Coca-Cola Christmas Truck tours each festive season, offering free drinks, festive photo opportunities and interactive games.

Admission is free and you don’t need to buy tickets or book in advance.

Coca-Cola usually reveals the tour schedule around mid-November, featuring around 15 stops across the UK.

The stops usually run from around midday to 8pm, between late November and Christmas.

Day Out With The Kids has their own truck tracker, which they’ll update when the 2026 dates come through.

Christmas light switch-ons and parades

Across the UK there are also a number of Christmas light switch-ons and parades that don’t cost a penny to watch.

For example, you could head to Carnaby Street’s Christmas lights switch-on in central London, which will take place on November 4, with the theme ‘Press Play on Christmas’ and neon lights inspired by 1990s nostalgia.

Neighbouring Covent Garden has its Christmas lights switch-on on November 12, featuring more than 300,000 lights and free festive entertainment around the piazza.

Also in the area is Regent Street’s Festive Spirits switch-on on November 5, with a traffic-free event, family entertainment and in-store experiences.

Newcastle Christmas Light Switch-On is on November 12 and features live entertainment, panto stars and festive games.

Darlington Town Centre Christmas switch-on takes place on November 15, hosted by radio DJs and starring pantomime characters, plus a fireworks display after the switch-on.

Rochdale Town Hall hosts Ignite Fire Festival – with a magical trail of fire, lights and sound from November 20-22 that ends with the town’s Christmas light switch-on.

Preston’s Christmas Lights Switch-On returns to the Flag Market on November 21, with East 17 headlining an evening of live music, entertainment, magic, football, pantomime and plenty of festive fun.

The Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On took place on September 4 and the lights will run nightly until january 3 – six miles of illuminations along the Promenade from Starr Gate to Red Bank Road.

AS rooms with a view go, my vista from the seventh floor of Gary Neville’s Hotel Football is hard to beat.

Well, for a Manchester United fan anyway.

From here I can almost reach out and touch the legendary Old Trafford, aka The Theatre of Dreams.

It’s a shivers-down-your-spine moment for me and my lad Reggie, who often make the trip to follow our team — but never in such style.

Usually, we’re forced to leg it from the stadium to be squashed into a tram in order to make the train back down south.

This weekend, we’re not in a rush as there’s no game on, but that’s why we’re here.

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On non-match days, footie fans can nose about the stadium, which has sat on this site since 1910 and holds just over 74,000 fans.

Enjoy it while it lasts. United plan to build a new 100,000-seat stadium — just a David Beckham free-kick away — by 2035.

For around £30 you can spin round the museum and visit the Reds’ trophy room, giving a glimpse of past glories.

It also tells the club’s story from its Newton Heath beginnings, through the Busby Babes and the Munich air disaster, to the 1968 European Cup and Sir Alex Ferguson’s Treble winners.

You can walk along the edge of the new, state-of-the-art “hybrid” pitch (96 per cent grass, four per cent artificial fibres), relaid this summer for the first time in 14 years, and sit in the dugout.

You also get access to the dressing rooms and plush directors’ box.

The guided tour lasts around 70 minutes and takes in the players’ tunnel, too.

We filled our faces back at the hotel in Cafe Football, where classic pub grub — fish n’ chips, burgers, pizzas and salads — is on the menu.

It’s decent enough to fill a hole and portions are immense (the loaded fries are enough for eleven players and a few subs).

It has a well-stocked bar where you can sink a few pints while you watch whatever game is showing.

While the theme of the hotel is football — did you guess? — it’s not limited to United.

The brightly-lit dining room — not a spot for romance — is decorated with photos of players as diverse as Peter Crouch and Kevin Keegan.

Upstairs, the rooms are perfectly comfortable, as befits a four-star hotel that’s part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio.

We had one of the fancier ones, which was dedicated to United’s Class of ’92 players, like Gary Neville and his Hotel Football co-owners Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Philip Neville, who opened the hotel in 2015.

It’s a cute touch and will delight young fans.

The compact bathroom squeezed in a bath and a rainforest shower.

My only gripe was that the pillows were too big, so I woke up with a stiff neck and a new double chin.

Up on the roof is Heaven, a five-a-side pitch with views across Old Trafford and the city, which can be booked for kickabouts and parties.

And if anyone needs a break from football, the Imperial War Museum North is close by, with The Lowry arts centre just across the Manchester Ship Canal at Salford Quays.

On paper, Hotel Football looks a bit out of the way if you’re planning to be in the centre of town (it’s a 15-minute tram ride from Piccadilly).

But for us, the United faithful, it’s definitely worth a schlep.

THE Cotswolds is one of the few places in the UK that looks even more beautiful at this time of year than during the summer months.

Gorgeous thatched-roofed cottages offer a snug escape, old pubs light up roaring fireplaces and woodlands are carpeted with fiery leaves.

I was visiting Bourton-on-the-Water, which offered all of this and more. In fact, the picture-perfect village has been dubbed the “Venice of the Cotswolds” thanks to its gorgeous scenery.

Weaving its way through the heart of the village, the River Windrush has a series of low stone bridges spanning its clear, shallow waters.

Honey-coloured homes line the grassy banks, creating a stunning backdrop that looks like the set of an English murder-mystery drama.

Its charm is magical and it comes as no surprise to learn that Kourtney Kardashian pipped me to the post, visiting the village and snapping the cottages I was lucky to call home for the weekend in her Instagram story.

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And Instagram-worthy this home certainly is.

Kestrel Cottage is the perfect bolthole for a weekend away. With one beautifully-decorated bedroom and a comfy sofabed, there is more than enough room for a couple, family or group of friends.

It’s one of four cottages set within an old mill and it’s bursting with character. It looked like it was straight out of an interior design magazine with fluffy carpets, a chic olive-coloured kitchen and bare-brick walls.

I loved how well equipped and homely the kitchen was, with enough facilities to whip up dinner for a cosy night in, along with all the decor you’d want to jazz up your own home.

My fairytale visit does come with a cautionary tale, though.

Where the Kardashians go, wannabe influencers will follow.

And Bourton-on-the-Water serves up the perfect picture spots, with a steady stream of visitors — although slightly less so now that summer is over (another good reason to visit in autumn).

Plus, staying in the heart of the village comes with the luxury of slipping out before the crowds for a peaceful wander in the sunshine to grab a morning coffee.

Bakery On The Water is the enemy of your waistline, but well worth it. Two cappuccinos and a side of pastry and sausage roll was the fuel we needed to explore.

We bounced from gift shop to restaurant, perusing all the lovely-looking menus, past the sweet store and ice cream parlour (making a note to return in summer), before turning the corner to find the beautiful Victorian Christmas Shop — a treasure trove for the festive-obsessed among us, myself included.

Coffees long gone, we treated ourselves to a pint or two by the fire at The Old New Inn, and wiled away the afternoon playing cards and debating where to eat that evening.

Bourton-on-the-Water leaves you completely spoilt for choice when it comes to food. With Smiths, the award-winning burger joint, two Italians, a Chinese, chippie and pizza spot, it’s almost impossible to agree.

After much debate, we opted for one of the lovely village pubs, The Willow, which has a huge garden overlooking the river.

This hostelry does pub classics properly, including a top-notch fish served with suitably crunchy chips (£19.95) and a traditional steak and mushroom pie loaded with moreish gravy (£19.50). The roast dinners looked good, too. Although those are best saved for Sundays.

Ahead of filling your belly, a Sunday in the Cotswolds is best spent strolling the scenic landscapes — and this time we decided to venture beyond the confines of the village.

A gentle, winding footpath guided us through the countryside towards the twin villages of Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter.

The peaceful, 1.5-mile route takes you along the banks of the River Eye, past wildflower meadows and yet more honey-coloured cottages.

The tranquillity of Lower Slaughter (despite its name) is what struck us most, especially when compared to its tourist hotspot neighbour. Crowds were minimal and all that could be heard was the chirp of birds and a gentle stream.

If you’d like to fuel here ahead of your walk back, Slaughters Country Inn is known for its excellent roasts.

Cosying up inside by the fire, we enjoyed another well-earned drink before ducking low ceilings to get to the restaurant, where we were met by giant Yorkshires, roast beef and all the trimmings.

Skip dessert, though, and end your meal at the Hawkstone Brewery instead — another gem we can thank Jeremy Clarkson for.

It’s less Aperol spritz and more traditional English pints — mine with an elderflower twist. The perfect way to toast an autumn escape.

It may even top Venice . . . 

EVERY parent knows that taking a toddler on holiday often feels less relaxing getaway and more like a parenting shift in a different location.

Don’t worry – we’ve found the ultimate cheap holiday for parents with under 5’s where everything’s taken care of for you – plus the kids even eat for free.

Book a four-night Tots Break from £6.19pp per night (save £70)

Parkdean Resorts are running Tots Breaks packages, four-night stays starting from £99.

If you’re visiting as a family of four, that works out to a tiny £6.19pp per night.

These action-packed breaks are bursting with free activities and entertainment that’s sure to keep the little ones smiling.

However, the best part may just be the food. On a Tots Break, kids eat completely free for the entire duration of your stay.

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That means hot breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are totally sorted, saving a family up to £70 on their holiday dining.

Fussy eaters are well-catered for with the Starland Krew Menu, with kid-friendly classics like tomato pasta, beef burgers, and chicken strips with chips.

You won’t need to constantly dip into your wallet to keep them entertained, either. These breaks are packed with free activities tailored specifically to young children.

Kids can burn off energy at the Tots Adventure Playground, get stuck into messy play, or enjoy the musical Tots & Tunes sessions.

Plus there’s even adorable ‘Mini Olympics’, mini archery, and mini fencing classes.

And if your kids are completely obsessed with their favourite TV characters, you’re in luck.

Book a four-night Tots Break from £6.19pp per night (save £70)

Parkdean Resorts host Milkshake! Mornings packed with stories and singing, plus the chance to meet PAW Patrol legends like Chase and Marshall in the flesh (well, in the fur).

The fun is perfectly timed for early bedtimes, too. Early evening entertainment includes toddler discos, ‘kideoke’ sing-alongs, and even a fun ‘Sparkle Like a Princess’ event.

When it’s finally time to crash, the accommodation is set up for families.

The standard Bronze caravans are spacious, featuring stylish cream-coloured interiors, fully equipped modern kitchens, and TVs for a chilled movie once the kids are asleep.

Tots Breaks are available across dozens of Parkdean Resorts locations nationwide throughout the year.

Participating parks include Sandford in Dorset, a peaceful woodland park close to Poole and Bournemouth, and Trecco Bay in Wales, which is one of Europe’s largest holiday parks.

If you have older children, they may enjoy a Parkdean Resorts’ Nickelodeon Weekender instead.

These breaks start at £163 for three nights, working out to £13.58pp per night for a family of four.

Nickelodeon-themed entertainment includes ‘Mighty Missions’ set by PAW Patrol’s Ryder, learning the Pup Pup Boogie dance, and meeting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Families can even enjoy a ‘Movie with the Stars’, where you’ll sit down to a movie night alongside the actual characters from the film.

Book a four-night Tots Break from £6.19pp per night (save £70)

Prices correct at the time of publication.