Staycation

This family-friendly park is perfect for a weekend break, and it’s right on the beach too, so there’s plenty to do right on your doorstep and it’s right by some brilliant days out too

A holiday park that has won multiple awards and has been listed among the best in the UK has short breaks for families from just £49.

The park, which has features such as direct beach access and a huge pool with waterslides, is often listed among the UK’s best parks and its location on the Devon coast means it’s close to plenty of family-friendly days out too.

This sprawling park on the outskirts of Exmouth has 1,641 caravans and lodges, making it one of Haven’s biggest locations, and it’s packed with activities to enjoy both day and night.

Devon Cliffs Holiday Park can be found in Sandy Bay, known for its distinctive red cliffs that shelter its soft sand shores. The beach can be reached via a ramp from the holiday park, and there’s a beachfront café and bar where you can enjoy the views.

At the heart of the park is a vast complex where you’ll find the indoor and outdoor pools, with the latter open during the sunny school holiday seasons. The indoor pool has a shallow water area for kids, waterslides, plus plenty of space to swim, while the outdoor pools include areas for the little ones to splash around.

Next to the complex you’ll find The Jump, a sheer drop where brave kids or adults can take a leap and land on a big soft cushion. There’s also the Aerial Adventure, where you can climb through the treetops, and outdoor play areas, so there’s lots of adventure to be had.

In the evenings, you can enjoy dinner at one of the park’s restaurants, or its very own branch of J D Wetherspoon which opened recently. The Red Rock serves all your Spoons favourites right on the park. There’s also evening entertainment from the Seaside Squad, including a new Tiger Club Show which promises a “nostalgic 90s twist”.

The park is close to Exmouth where the River Exe meets the English Channel. You can follow the path from the town to the sea enjoying the traditional seaside vibes of the promenade. There’s also the long sandy stretch of Exmouth Beach which has rockpools that are uncovered when the tide is out.

From Exmouth’s marina, you can also take boat tours along the Jurassic Coast, enjoying the sights of this stunning and historic part of the UK. During the summer months, there are also daily cruises along the River Exe, where you’ll see miles of rolling Devon hills and the area’s unique wildlife including thousands of geese, and on occasion, adorable grey seals that relax by the edge of the water.

Find out more about Devon Cliffs Holiday Park and book your break here from just £49 per family.

Of course if you’re thinking about a family holiday to Devon, there are heaps of other brilliant options to choose from too. For example, Parkdean Resorts and Hoseasons both offer a range of stays near some of the region’s prettiest beaches, while Pitchup.com can be a useful source for finding budget-friendly camping options too.

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Travelodge confirmed it has changed its pet policy and upped the flat fee it charges pet owners for bringing their animals to its hotels

Budget hotel chain Travelodge has made a major change to its pet policy ahead of the peak May half-term and summer travel season.

Travelodge currently allow pets in all of their hotels in both standard and SuperRooms, and up to two domesticated animals, either cats or dogs, can currently stay with their owners in each room.

Previously, this was charged at £20 per pet per stay, regardless of how many nights the owners stayed, to allow for an additional deep clean of each room at the end of a break. However, this has now been increased to £25 per stay, meaning people who want to travel with their pooch or feline will end up paying more.

A spokesperson for Travelodge confirmed the change, telling the Mirror: “We are proud to be the only UK budget hotel chain to welcome pets at every one of our 600+ hotels, 365 days a year.

“Having held our pet supplement at the same price for over a decade, we have introduced a £5 increase across the majority of our hotels to reflect rising operational costs and ensure we can continue to offer a great quality stay for guests travelling with their animals.

“Unlike many other hotels, our flat fee of £25 per pet covers the entire duration of a pet’s stay, ensuring Travelodge remains a highly competitive and value-for-money option for pet owners. Customers will see the new price on the website when they make a pet booking.”

Travelodge customers who are travelling with pets can add them to their booking as an extra at the payment stage. While pets are allowed to stay in rooms, they’re generally barred from bar and restaurant areas. Its website also confirms: “Assistance dogs are welcome at all Travelodge hotels, free of charge.”

Recently, there has been a lively debate around dogs in public places, as a major European airline announced plans to allow dogs in the cabin. The plans will mean owners travelling on an Italian airline will be able to book a seat for their pup, rather than locking them in crates into the hold. A poll showed that 95% of Mirror readers agreed that dogs should be allowed to sit alongside their owners in the cabin.

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A recent poll also showed that six out of ten dog owners choose their holidays based on their pet’s preference. The survey, which involved data from over 2,000 pet owners, showed that top destinations in the UK for dog-friendly travel included Devon and Cornwall.

An impressive 78% of dog owners who took their pet on holiday chose destinations based on whether there were nice places nearby for walkies, while 30% said they’d never return to a staycation spot if it failed to meet their pet’s needs. Around a third of pet owners also plan their routes and travels around doggy-friendly rest stops.

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A five-star Haven holiday park is packed with family-friendly activities, and best of all it has direct beach access with a long stretch of sand to enjoy

The UK has loads of great holiday parks to choose from, and they’re a practical option for families who’d like cost-effective accommodation, plenty of activities, and a lively atmosphere.

If you’re looking for a staycation for May half-term or the summer holidays, then this may be the perfect option for families with school aged kids. Set on a beautiful sandy beach, this holiday park has a 5-star rating from the AA, who called it “a very popular park with many guests returning every year”.

Perran Sands Holiday Park in Cornwall sits on 500-acres of grassland and sand dunes, and if you walk through the grassy paths you’ll reach the vast sandy beach that stretches over three-miles. The sand is soft and fine, and when the tide is out rockpools full of tiny sea creatures are uncovered. The park even offers surfing lessons for those who’ve always wanted to try catching a wave.

The sea can be quite choppy at Perran Sands, and although there is a lifeguard on duty at peak times, you may prefer to take a dip in the pool instead. On chilly days holidaymakers can enjoy the indoor pool with its own flume ride, while in the summer months, the outdoor pool is a great place to cool off. There’s also an outdoor lazy river where swimmers can float around and enjoy the sunshine.

Back on dry land, guests can book a round of crazy golf, enjoy the NERF Training Camp, hire go-karts, or take part in fun outdoor activities such as den building. In the evenings, entertainment includes appearances from Haven’s seaside squad. There are also lots of options for dinner, including the Surf Bay Café which has a Cornwall-style interior including its own campervan, and a brand new branch of popular US-chain Slim Chickens.

Like most Haven parks, Perran Sands has a number of accommodation options. You can book a 4-night break in a saver caravan from £49, and other budget-friendly options include yurts and geo-domes, some of which are right on the seafront. The park also has lodges, chalets, and three-bedroom beach houses which offer sea views and sun decks.

Walk along the seafront for about half and hour and you can visit nearby Perranporth. This charming seaside town is full of souvenir and surf shops, relaxed pubs, fish and chip shops, and tearooms. About a 20-minute drive away is Newquay, famous for its beautiful beaches and for being a surfers paradise.

Visit Newquay Zoo, a compact but fun zoo in the gardens of Trenance Park, or explore the 16th-century Trerice manor house. The Blue Reef Aquarium is also popular with families thanks to its wide range of colourful sea creatures on display, while the Oasis Fun Pools offer indoor and outdoor slides, rapids, and more.

Find out more about Perran Sands and book your break here. Of course it’s not the only tempting offering in Cornwall; there are a wealth of different sites where families can find bargain breaks too. Away Resorts for example has a St Ives Bay site with private access to a three-mile-long sandy beach, while Parkdean Resorts has budget-friendly midweek breaks as well as new all-inclusive packages for families wanting to stretch their holiday budget that little bit further.

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Is it possible to have a luxury staycation with the kids in tow? This hotel offers a range of features to make family holidays more fun, including complimentary childcare for kid-free time

If you’re looking for a family staycation that’s close to the coast, yet also has plenty for the kids to do, and even gives you the chance for some child-free time, then read on.

A hotel in Dorset is offering luxury family-friendly accommodation overlooking spectacular Chesil Beach, with lots of thoughtful touches to make your time away easier. Moonfleet Manor is set in a beautiful Georgian property and is an excellent place to explore the Jurassic Coast.

While we all love spending time with our kids on holiday, one of the main services that’s bound to appeal to worn-out parents is the hotel’s Four Bears Den Kids Club.

This Ofsted-registered onsite club takes care of kids from three months to eight years, and all guests get a complimentary two-hour session per night’s stay, starting at either 9.30am or 2.30pm. This gives you kid-free time to enjoy a romantic stroll, have a spa treatment, or just read a book in peace.

In the evenings, you can also hire a video monitor for free, so while the kids nap in the room, you can enjoy a nightcap. The hotel also offers a babysitting service for an additional fee if you want to explore the local area.

During the school holidays and weekends, the kids club offers a program of activities designed for family fun, from toasting marshmallows to scavenger hunts, so all ages can enjoy quality time together.

Just a short walk from the hotel is an indoor pool available for guests to enjoy throughout their stay, plus there’s a sauna and the option to book spa treatments for the grown-ups, including facials and ocean-inspired rituals.

Kids can enjoy the colourful play barn, where you’ll find an under-5s play area, table tennis, arcade games, and even a hands-on Science Room for young Einsteins to play in.

The problem with some family hotels is that they tend to focus just on practicalities, and they can be quite dull for adults. But Moonfleet Manor has a luxury, design-led style, so rooms are inviting whether you are staying as a couple or with kids.

There are also two-bedroom family rooms available that offer a separate sleeping area for the kids. This means you can tuck them away in bed and enjoy your evening without worrying about keeping them awake.

The hotel overlooks the unspoiled shingle shores of Chesil Beach, an 18-mile stretch of seafront that’s full of incredible fossils and spectacular scenery. Between the beach and the hotel is the Fleet Lagoon, a marine-protected area full of wildlife and seabirds, so you can’t walk directly onto the shingle from Moonfleet. However, you can drive a short distance to Abbotsbury or Portland for a beach walk or fossil hunt.

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Less than 20 minutes away is the seaside town of Weymouth, a family favorite for many generations. Here you’ll find a SEALIFE Center, Sandworld – an impressive collection of sand sculptures and castles, and the sandy Weymouth Beach, which is set in a cove, so kids can paddle and swim on sunny days.

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The iconic Dorset beach featured in one of the most emotional scenes in Ryan Gosling’s new film, and fans are now visiting the picturesque Jurassic Coast location for spring walks

One of the most iconic coastal spots was recently featured in Ryan Gosling’s latest film, Project Hail Mary, and the good news is it’s located right here in the UK for those who want to visit.

There’s always a thrill when you recognise a familiar location in a film or TV programme, whether it’s a documentary or the backdrop for a fictional tale. While the UK serves as a popular setting for numerous blockbuster films and television series, one of this year’s biggest cinema releases actually filmed one of its most memorable scenes in the UK – and it’s accessible to visit right now as a stunning walking destination.

That’s precisely what one London-based couple decided to do, bringing their dog, Presto, along to the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth in Dorset to see the Project Hail Mary filming location after recently watching the film at the cinema.

“Cried at the cinema at this beach so we went in real life,” they captioned their video, before sharing footage from their day trip adventure.

Without giving away any spoilers, the beach serves as a significant location for one of the film’s characters, with several of the more poignant scenes captured here, making it particularly meaningful for fans to experience. That said, the breathtaking views alone make the journey worthwhile.

Durdle Door stands as one of Dorset’s most photographed and iconic landmarks. Situated on the Lulworth Estate in south Dorset, it forms part of the stunning Jurassic Coast.

The coastline holds such exceptional geological significance on the world stage that UNESCO designated it as England’s first natural World Heritage Site in 2001, placing it alongside iconic natural treasures such as America’s Grand Canyon and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

The stunning natural limestone arch was created when powerful waves eroded the rock and carved a hole through its centre. The name Durdle comes from the old English word ‘thirl’, meaning to pierce, bore or drill.

The film also features the neighbouring Man O’ War Beach, which visitors can normally reach via a footpath. However, the pair revealed that during their late March visit, storm damage had swept away the steps leading down to this beach, rendering it currently inaccessible.

Still, they weren’t bothered, as they were able to take in the spectacular views from the clifftops overlooking the beach.

How do you get to the Jurassic Coast? If you’re travelling by car, you can park at the sizeable car park reached through Durdle Door Holiday Park. From there, it’s a 15-minute walk down a steep path to the steps above the beach.

For those without a car, the iconic landmark is also reachable by bus, with a brief journey from Wool in Dorset taking you straight to the beaches.

The London pair weren’t alone in their admiration for the landmark, as numerous others quickly flooded the comment section to share their own visits.

“Went back in 2022 and loved it, need to go back again now that I saw it in the film,” one person wrote. Someone else added: “I wish I hadn’t seen that this was in the movie before we saw it but it was special seeing it with my boys who I took there in 2022.”

This seaside hotel is arguably one of the most famous in the UK, and it overlooks the city’s long shingle beach and lively promenade, as well as being just steps from the easily-recognised pier

A weekend at a seaside hotel is a classic British staycation. From windswept walks on the promenade to fish and chips on the beach, it’s fun no matter what the weather.

Seaside accommodation can vary massively from independent B&Bs to chains, and a recent article by Which? uncovered some of its inspectors’ favorite seaside hotels from across the UK, with properties from Fife to Kent making the list.

However, clinching the number one spot is a five-star property that overlooks the famous Brighton Beach. The Grand is over 155-years old, and has had a complete refurb in recent years, restoring much of the former glory to this long-running hotel.

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Even among Brighton’s long promenade which hosts many huge hotels, the Grand stands out as a landmark of the city. Its marble columns and iron balconies harking back to when Brighton was a stylish seaside destination for Victorians.

The hotel has over 200 rooms, from simple doubles with comfy beds to grand sea-view suites, and each room has suitably nautical colors and touches that will get you in the mood for seaside fun.

Downstairs, guests can relax in the thermal suite with a hydrotherapy pool, jacuzzi, and steam room, or can book a spa treatment such as a facial or massage, the perfect end to a long day exploring the city. It also has a stylish restaurant overlooking the seafront, where you can enjoy a classic afternoon tea or a dinner menu featuring freshly caught seafood.

Staying at the Grand means you’re just a short stroll from many of Brighton’s attractions. Brighton Palace Pier is a must-see. Dating back to 1899, it’s another example of Brighton’s ornate Victorian architecture, and you can enjoy amusements, fairground rides, bars, and colourful end-of-the-pier shows.

Explore the Royal Pavilion and gardens, a unique Regency-era palace inspired by Indian architecture. This ornate building is often compared to the Taj Mahal on the outside thanks to its dramatic domes and minarets. A newer addition to the skyline is the Brighton i360, an observation tower that gently lifts visitors 138-metres into the sky. Walk around the glass viewing pod and you can enjoy sea views on one side and the city and the South Downs on the other.

Holidaymakers bringing kids along, or just those who love seeing colourful creatures, will enjoy SEA LIFE Brighton. It’s the world’s oldest continuously-running aquarium, having been open since 1872, and includes the classic glass tunnel for spotting sea animals up close.

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The Lanes and North Laine are also must-visit areas when you spend a weekend in Brighton. North Laine is full of colourful independent shops offering vintage clothes, unique household items, and artworks, while The Lanes include boutique shops, stylish cafés and upmarket restaurants. As the name implies, these are found down narrow, pedestrianised streets where you can wander for hours and find the city’s hidden gems.

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This unique Airbnb offers an out of this world experience. Not only do you sleep inside a UFO, even going to the loo takes you on a sci-fi adventure thanks to the TARDIS-shaped toilet

If you’re driving through the countryside in Pembrokeshire and spot what looks like an alien aircraft that has landed on Earth, don’t panic. You’re not about to get abducted by aliens, but you may have just stumbled across a unique Airbnb.

Tucked down a narrow country road near the Welsh village of Templeton is the Melin Mabes glamping site. It offers three unique experiences in the middle of the countryside: a traditional caravan, a treehouse, and the oddest option, the Spodnic UFO. Once featured on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, this galactic-themed experience is set in a small fibreglass building that the owners bought on eBay.

The ‘UFO’ started life as a structure built for London’s 2012 Olympics and used to house generators, and when the owners picked it up off the auction site, they added their own touches to create a unique staycation spot. Now you can book a stay via Airbnb or the Melin Mabes website.

Inside, the pod has been completely transformed with silver walls, sci-fi memorabilia and lots of fun touches. It features a double bed and a set of bunk beds, so four guests can share the space, alongside an inflatable alien.

At the centre of the pod is a ladder that leads to a platform with a glass dome. From here, you can use a telescope for a spot of stargazing or enjoy views of the Welsh countryside. Outside, there’s a kitchen area under cover that includes a fridge, cooker, and running water, as well as a table and chairs.

But perhaps the most fun feature is the bathroom, which is set within a replica TARDIS box. It has a private shower, toilet, and sink, so you don’t have to deal with morning queues at a shower block.

Next to the Spodnic, you’ll also find a private hot tub and outdoor shower, and the outside space is enclosed, so you can also bring your furry friends and let them run around.

This unusual Airbnb is just a few minutes from the village, where you’ll find a cosy pub and some cottages. Just down the road is the Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, a wholesome family-friendly attraction that has fairground rides, a small zoo, a farm, and adventure play activities such as toy diggers. Folly Farm also offers accommodation such as lodges and glamping, and guests get unlimited free attraction entry during their stay.

About a 15-minute drive away is Saundersfoot Beach, a long sandy Blue Flag beach that has clear, shallow waters, making it popular with families on sunny days. At one end is a working harbour, where you’ll see small boats coming in, and there’s a historic lighthouse you can visit. Just steps from the harbour, you can enjoy freshly-caught seafood in one of the many local restaurants.

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Tourist, Samuel Carceres confessed he was ‘unaware places in England like this exist’ after visiting a picturesque medieval town that is just two miles from the coast

If you’re after a quintessentially British location to explore that’s perfect for a weekend away, an escape in the south of England comes highly recommended. “I can’t believe places like this in England exist,” confessed visitor, Samuel Caceres in a TikTok video.

The Spaniard shared footage of himself standing on a cobbled hillside street, taking in an array of Tudor architecture after making the journey to the Sussex town from London. “It’s famous for one of the prettiest streets in the UK – Mermaid Street,” Samuel explained as he descended the slope. “This medieval street dates back to the 12th century.”

The town he’s referring to is Rye, where Samuel kicked off his visit by tucking into a “delicious brunch” at the Whitehouse restaurant.

“I then wandered through the town’s charming little alleyways,” he added, passing independent shops including The Mint Arcade and Curious and Curiouser.

Samuel continued: “There is so much to do here – from climbing the church’s tower to take in the sweeping views – to exploring the church’s grounds and postcard-perfect streets.”

He proceeded to tell his followers they simply ‘can’t miss” the chance to enjoy a pint at the Mermaid Inn – an historic hotel and restaurant that “feels like stepping inside a Tudor castle”.

Samuel also highlighted Rye’s Watchbell Street, drawing attention to the “stunning viewpoints” it provides of the surrounding countryside overlooking the River Tillingham.

He concluded his visit at the “famous” Cobbles Tea Room, where he savoured an afternoon tea. “It was cosy, welcoming, and perfect for homemade scones and a warm cup of tea,” Samuel enthused.

He wrapped up his travel recommendation: “You need to add Rye to your bucket list – it’s the perfect daytrip.”

And he provided additional details in a caption: “Rye is a storybook town full of crooked lanes, medieval charm, and smuggler legends. Once a major port and part of the historic Cinque Ports, Rye lost its seaside access as the coastline shifted, but not its character.

“In the 18th century, it became a hotspot for smuggling, with secret tunnels said to run beneath old inns like The Mermaid Inn. Writers like Henry James found inspiration here, and festivals like Rye Bonfire Night still light up the cobbled streets.”

How to Get to Rye

Discover Sussex has the following advice for those wishing to travel to Rye:

By Car – If you are driving, there are many car parks in Rye including Rope Street car park, the Cattle Market car park (not Thursdays) and Cinque Ports Street car park, which are all within walking distance to the town centre.

By Train – Rye has a beautiful Grade II listed train station, which is located north of the town centre and is only minutes from the high street. Trains run approximately every hour from London St Pancras, which require one change at Ashford International, with the journey taking approximately 1 hour 10 minutes.

This stunning Cornish village is a must-visit destination with breathtaking views, award-winning Michelin Guide dining, and a vibrant community spirit

We won’t describe this village as a ‘hidden gem’ because its gloriously stylish existence is hardly a secret – in fact, its appeal among the wealthy and well-known only adds to its elusive allure. Nestled snugly at the very tip of a breathtaking peninsula, when we say the vistas stretching out from this hamlet are unrivalled – we mean every word.

If the promise of extraordinary views isn’t sufficient to tempt you into paying a visit, there’s a wealth of further attractions to consider: fresh locally-sourced produce, Michelin guide restaurants serving world-class cuisine, a spectacular waterfront setting and a vibrant community spirit in abundance. All of this and more make the fishing village of St Mawes in Cornwall a certified must-visit destination.

Situated at the furthest point of the Roseland Peninsula, this jewel in South Cornwall ranks among Britain’s most coveted holiday spots, frequently earning the nickname ‘the St Tropez of England ‘. It has everything you could possibly desire in a short break – a crystal-clear cove with waters reminiscent of the Caribbean, charming and colourful cottages brimming with seaside character, eateries impressive enough to leave you in a food coma, and the ribbon topping off an already remarkable package – a castle.

It comes as little shock, then, that The Times recently named it among the ‘most beautiful places to visit’ in England. What is shocking is that it hasn’t yet been completely swamped with tourists – unlike St Ives or Padstow – and that’s likely due to its remote location, which takes time to reach.

Getting to this Cornish village isn’t impossible by any stretch, though – a picturesque car ferry or 40-minute journey from St Austell or Truro will transport you there with ease, reports the Express.

What makes the seaside village special

St Mawes boasts a rich maritime history, having been constructed around a beautiful sheltered harbour on the eastern side of the Fal Estuary – undoubtedly one of Britain’s finest sailing locations.

Upmarket waterfront eateries enhance this hamlet’s irresistible charm, with one of the hotels (Hotel Tresanton) even providing its own yacht, Pinuccia, for charter.

If you need convincing, look to the royals. St Mawes has become a certified Royal Family favourite, with King Charles and Queen Camilla regularly visiting the village during their yearly trips to the area as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.

St Mawes appeared to have won over the previous generation of royals, too, with the village described as one of Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother’s preferred destinations during their journeys aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. The appeal is universal (and spans the generations), it seems, as in recent years, Prince William and Princess Kate have also been spotted bringing their family to this coastal gem.

Foodie heaven

For a village with a population of roughly 700 people, give or take, St Mawes punches well above its weight when it comes to dining options, enough to make even the most food-obsessed cities envious.

Dishing up gloriously fresh seafood using locally sourced Cornish produce alongside stunning harbour views, The Idle Rocks is a Michelin Guide restaurant that’s guaranteed to leave a lasting impression if you pay it a visit.

Another waterfront treasure, Hotel Tresanton, was awarded one of the inaugural Michelin Keys in 2024, celebrating extraordinary hotels worldwide. The cocktails and ambience of the venue are frequently described by guests as ‘top-tier,’ and the spectacular view of St. Anthony’s Lighthouse is the cherry on top.

St Mawes Bakery is another essential stop, particularly for lunch, while the neighbouring St Mawes Seafood Bar serves… well, unrivalled seafood. Evening drinks can be savoured at The Rising Sun or the more traditional Victory Inn, while the St Mawes Hotel is equally brilliant for a sit-down meal. Cafe Chandlers is a fantastic spot for coffee and delectable, freshly baked goodies. Harbourside dining at The Watch House in St Mawes is, quite simply, a no-brainer.

Things to do in the seaside haven

Top of the agenda is exploring St Mawes’ distinctive, clover leaf-shaped St Mawes Castle – a magnificent example of Tudor craftsmanship and engineering. Nearly circular in design, this stunning historical landmark was constructed by Henry VIII.

Children, in particular, will be captivated by the numerous cannons positioned across the castle’s terraced lawns, which command views over the beautiful bay. Boutiques and galleries add an artistic flair that any prosperous village needs to truly distinguish itself, and the Waterside Gallery is an excellent destination.

Summers Beach offers a wonderful sheltered location for swimming (not always guaranteed in Cornwall), while Tavern Beach, nearer to the castle, is ideal for some traditional rock-pooling.

Harbour Beach, situated right in the heart and only reachable at low tide, is the spot to visit with your four-legged friends. It’s worth noting that there are no lifeguards on duty in St Mawes. Be sure to visit Lamorran House Gardens, featuring its charming bridges and cascading waterways.

There’s no shortage of activities in this Cornish village, making it the perfect choice for your next UK break.

The park is considered the largest in the UK, and among the biggest in Europe, and it’s packed with activities and things for kids to do, perfect for a last-minute Easter or half-term break

Holiday parks can be a great choice for families. Staying in a caravan or lodge means you get more space than the average hotel room, and just steps away from your accommodation you can enjoy the park’s entertainment and activities.

If you like a holiday park with a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, then there’s one option that could be perfect for your family break. Widely considered to be the largest holiday park in the UK, Trecco Bay Holiday Park in Porthcawl, South Wales, has over 2,000 caravans and lodges in its beachfront park, and it’s also among the largest in Europe.

Guests can choose from a wide range of two to four-bedroom caravans and lodges with a variety of accommodation grades from Bronze to Prestige. There are even pet-friendly options for those who want to bring their dog along to join in the fun. All accommodation includes a living area, a fully-equipped kitchen, and separate bedroom areas. You can check availability and book via Parkdean’s website.

The park has a large indoor pool complex, which includes a waterslide, and outside, you’ll find a wet play zone complete with shoots and water guns that opens in the warmer months. Families can book activities such as Aqua Paddlers, which allow kids to race around the pool, and Aqua Jets, which help you dive and swim under the water.

A high-ropes course is a fun way to balance and swing through the tree tops, or you can hire Family Karts and zip around the park together. There’s also an adventure playground, amusement arcade, soft play, plus kids’ clubs to keep little ones entertained.

While you can choose to stay in and cook in your caravan, the park has lots of restaurants, bars, and takeaways if you feel like a night off. Guests can enjoy a Burger King or Papa John’s, or family favourites at the Boathouse. There’s an Indian menu at Tandoori Kitchen, and American-style cuisine at Thunderbird Chicken among the many dining options.

Trecco Bay sits on a sandy beach, and some accommodation has sea views. This Blue Flag beach is just steps from the park and has lifeguards during peak periods, so kids can paddle and swim in the clear waters. The promenade is the perfect place for coastal walks, and you can even walk along the Wales Coast Path to nearby Porthcawl for a day trip.

The park has a 4.2 star rating on Google, with one recent review saying: “Lots of activities for the kids! High ropes, climbing wall and sport activities are great choices! Pool was fab.” However, one negative review said: “We left a day early. I had booked three nights, but we left the next morning because of the filth and the strong smell. With the cold weather, we had to open the windows because the smell was awful.”

Porthcawl has classic seaside town vibes, and here you’ll find more beaches, a charming local museum, a historic lighthouse, and a high street with independent shops and colourful terraced houses. If you’d rather stay closer to the town, there are B&Bs available such as Olivia House Guest House And Hotel which has a quirky interior, and the beachfront Seabank Hotel.

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Brits have shared the top 30 things they love most about staycations as more and more choose to stay at home instead of going abroad

Brits’ favourite things about a staycation include shorter travel times, avoiding the airport – and proper pub lunches. A poll of 2,000 adults revealed over a third of Brits would prefer to holiday on home turf than go abroad. In addition, rising travel costs have made 50% of Brits more likely to holiday at home.

Nevertheless, many enjoy the opportunity to visit the countryside and take in scenic drives. For 28%, the stunning coastlines are the best thing about staying in the UK, with 62% saying the best type of staycation is a ’coastal getaway’. This was followed by 50% who love a city break and 28% who enjoy camping or glamping.

Eurig Druce, managing director of Vauxhall, which commissioned the research, said: “The UK is such a wonderful place to holiday, and it’s been great finding out why people love it so much.

“Everyone has memories of holidaying in the UK from their childhood, and more than ever, Brits are choosing ‘staycations’ over going abroad, whether that be because of the beautiful scenery on our doorstep or the comfort of travelling in your own car.”

The south west of England was considered the best place to get away for 21%, followed by Scotland (15%) and Wales (11%).

It emerged those polled, via OnePoll.com, are willing to spend an average of £391.11 per trip. And the only potential downside was that 78% felt the weather could make or break a holiday in the UK.

The car is the most common mode of transport (80%) with the average person travelling just under 206 miles. Of the electric vehicle drivers polled, 77% said having charging points at their accommodation is important.

The research found 15% have been asked by their children to be more environmentally friendly when planning their trips, and one in 10 said sustainability is a priority for them when booking.

Eurig Druce from Vauxhall added: “The Grandland Electric has been designed with families in mind, with a spacious interior, large boot and an electric range of over 300 miles, making it the ideal vehicle for a ‘staycation.’

“Whether it is stunning coastlines, rural escapes or bustling city centres, the home nations have some fantastic places on offer for people to enjoy.”

THE TOP 30 THINGS BRITS LOVE ABOUT STAYCATIONS

1. Stunning coastlines
2. Shorter travel times
3. Visiting historical landmarks
4. Green countryside
5. Avoiding the airport experience
6. Woodland walks
7. Fish and chips
8. Learning more about the UK
9. Proper pub lunches
10. Taking scenic drives
11. Feeling refreshed
12. No luggage restrictions
13. Taking the dog
14. Full English breakfasts
15. Staying in unique places
16. Wildlife watching
17. Supporting local independent shops
18. Watching the sunset
19. Everything in a language you understand
20. Familiar shops and produce
21. Ice cream
22. Not having to worry about exchange rates
23. Live music
24. The people
25. Amusement arcades
26. Local festivals
27. Farmers’ markets and local produce
28. Proper tea
29. Trying regional dishes
30. Sleeping in without the guilt of missing the day

A travel enthusiast has praised the unique and picturesque town as looking straight out of a fairytale with its colourful thatched cottages and an all-year Christmas shop

While we all love our home comforts, sometimes it’s nice to get away and discover somewhere new. And this picturesque town might be the perfect destination for a spring getaway.

With a plethora of travel options available to reach other countries or destinations within the UK, deciding where to go can be a challenge. However, one travel enthusiast named Dani, from London, has recently sung the praises of a charming UK town that looks almost as if it’s out of the pages of a fairytale.

Dani frequently shares her favourite hidden gems discovered during her UK travels with her 13,100 followers on Instagram, where she goes by the handle ‘dani.inlondon’. One of her latest travel spots seemed as if it had leapt right off the pages of a storybook.

“Fairytale cottages, an all-year Christmas shop, and a place that feels straight out of Beauty and the Beast… this is Shanklin,” Dani wrote at the beginning of the caption for her video post about the town on the Isle of Wight.

In the video, Dani can be seen meandering through the quaint, winding streets of the town, which are lined with old, yet vibrant cottages boasting thatched roofs making up most of the high street, including the Christmas shop she mentioned.

There are also numerous routes to explore, with some leading down to the sea, while others take you to cafes and restaurants where you can savour a meal while admiring the stunning landscape.

“You’ve got the beach just down the road, the famous Shanklin Chine to explore, and so many little spots to stop for coffee or cream tea along the way,” Dani elaborated.

She continued: “If you’re looking for the perfect spring getaway that feels a bit different, this is definitely one to add to your list.”

And Dani wasn’t alone in her sentiment, as the comment section of the video quickly filled with users expressing their surprise and delight about the Isle of Wight town.

“What a cute place,” one person wrote, while another remarked: “Aww this place is so gorgeous, absolutely beautiful.”

A third person said: “Ohh such a cute place, looks amazing.”

How to get to Shanklin

If you’re keen to visit this enchanting town, there are several ways to reach it. You could opt for a drive down to Portsmouth Harbour, followed by a 20-minute ferry ride to the Isle of Wight. Upon arrival at Ryde Pier Head, simply continue the 20-minute drive down to Shanklin.

If driving isn’t your prefered mode of transport, you can also catch a train directly to Portsmouth Harbour. This makes it easy for you to access the ferry, which will be included in the train fare if you book your journey directly to Shanklin.

Upon reaching Ryde, simply make your way to the train station for the final part of your trip, a 22-minute train ride to Shanklin.

If you’re looking for inexpensive holidays in parks with caravans or lodges that offer plenty of activities and access to nature, then here are some picks for the May half-term dates

May half-term can be an excellent time to book a staycation. It’s usually warm and pleasant, but avoids the intense heat of summer, and popular tourist areas can be less crowded than in July and August.

Many parents will be looking for UK holidays like Center Parcs, with cosy lodges, lots of natural beauty nearby, and plenty to keep the kids entertained. While Center Parcs is an excellent choice for families, May half-term is a pricey time to book. A four-night break in its Whinfell Forest venue in Sherwood Forest for two adults and two children will set you back £1,349. Although if you can go the week before the same break is £599.

However, there are plenty of alternatives to Center Parcs across the UK that offer similar accommodation, activities and vibes for less, and here are a few cheaper breaks you could consider for May half-term. All prices are based on two adults and two children on a four-night midweek break from May 25. All prices are subject to availability and may change.

Tattershall Lakes, Lincolnshire – from £542

In the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside is Tattershall Lakes, a 300-acre resort that sits around serene lakes. Its list of activities is impressive, both on water and dry land, and guests can tackle high ropes and zip wires, take on the inflatable aqua course, swim in the indoor pool or outside lido, or hire a bike and explore the park’s many country trails.

This holiday park offers both caravans and lodges, the former being the cheapest option for May half term at £542 for four nights. However, you can upgrade to a Comfort Lodge for the same dates for £737, or Luxury Alpine Lakeside Lodge for £948. Some accommodation options also have private hot tubs for cosy evenings in. Check availability and book via the Away Resorts website.

Keldy, North Yorkshire – from £895

Lodges at Keldy are deep in the forest, some of them just peek through the trees, while others look out over vast, unspoilt meadows. If you’re looking for a half-term break in nature, this peaceful park is a great option. Accommodation is in well-equipped cabins, and the cheapest option for half-term is the Silver Birch. Priced at £895 for four nights, this cabin has two-storey accommodation that includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and its own private hot tub on the decking. Book online at Forest Holidays.

Part of the park’s appeal is that there are not huge amounts of amenities. You simply enjoy the peace of the forest, whether that’s relaxing on your deck or taking a walk or cycling in the forest. There is a shop and coffee lounge for food, a children’s play area, plus a few activities such as archery and a zipwire on offer.

The park is set within the North Moors National Park and is close to the quaint market town of Pickering, where you can hop on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway or explore the ruins of a medieval castle. Or you could just simply enjoy the peace and quiet of this part of England.

Plassey Holiday Park, North Wales – from £945

Within 250 acres of park and woodland in the Dee Valley, you’ll find Plassey Holiday Park, Retail Village and Golf Course, an impressive luxury holiday park with plenty of indoor and outdoor fun. Half-term breaks start at £945 for a two-bedroom studio lodge, which offers modern, open-plan accommodation and includes an outdoor hot tub. These lodges can be booked via Hoseasons, which also offer options such as upmarket safari tents.

The complex includes a large indoor pool, retail village with unique shops and boutiques, a 9-hole golf course, fishing ponds, and walking trails through surrounding farmland. Guests can play badminton or table tennis, enjoy the lively entertainment schedule, or explore the countryside around Wrexham, such as the vast National Trust – Erddig manor house.

Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park, Northamptonshire – from £559

If you’re looking for a half-term packed with activities from axe-throwing to slime-making, then Billing Aquadrome may be the park for you. Lots of activities are included in your holiday price, and there is also a range of extras you can add to your booking if you are a family who likes to always be on the move.

Included in your break are activities such as fitness classes, immersive adventures for kids, live stage shows and family games. There’s an indoor swimming pool, outdoor splash park, soft play, and fishing lakes within the park’s grounds. Once you’ve booked your break, you can also add on extras such as sessions on the lake’s inflatable aqua park, alpaca feeding, or even survival skills courses.

A stay in a three-bedroom Bronze caravan costs £559 for a midweek half-term holiday, but the park offers lots of accommodation options, such as the riverfront Brook glamping pod or Platinum caravans with decking and hot tubs.

Landal Kenwick Woods, Lincolnshire – from £579

Despite having 24 parks across the UK, Dutch holiday park brand Landal Greenparks isn’t as well-known here as it is on the continent. Its parks focus on enjoying nature, outdoor activities, and cosy accommodation, and are worth a visit if you’re looking for a family break. At Landal Kenwick Woods, you can enjoy a four-night half-term break in May for £579 if you stay in one of its wooden six-person lodges, which have three bedrooms and a classic cosy cabin interior. You can book online on Landal’s website.

Kenwick Woods has a heated indoor pool with a hydrotherapy section, spa and thermal suite, 18-hole golf course, and gym alongside a café and restaurant. Outside, it’s in a great location for exploring Lincolnshire Wolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known for its chalk hills, valleys, and miles of unspoilt greenery.

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Tourism chiefs are predicting a near two million jump in the number of Brits holidaying at home this Easter

Around 12.5 million Brits are planning an Easter staycation – as the Middle East war deters families from jetting abroad.

The number of people who say they intend to holiday in the UK over the Easter weekend is up sharply from 10.6 million last year. The near two million surge will help deliver a bumper £4.8billion boost to tourism and the wider economy, according to VisitEngland, which published the data.

The number saying they hope to holiday at home dwarfs the estimated 7.4 million who are planning a trip abroad this Easter. Of those definitely aiming to take a staycation during the Easter break, the majority will be short breaks of one to three nights.

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It came as VisitEngland’s Trip-Tracker revealed that more than a quarter of those it surveyed, 28%, were worried about the impact of the Middle East conflict on their upcoming travel plans in April and May. The top concern was having less money to spend due to the economic impact. There have already been fears of air fare price hikes and possible flight cancellations.

The number of people planning an Easter staycation this year also marks a big jump on 2024’s 11 million, and nearly double the 6.5 million in 2023. A further 5.1 million people surveyed said they were undecided about whether to take an overnight holiday trip in the UK during the Easter weekend. The top reasons were “waiting to see if I can afford it” and “waiting to see what the weather is like”. Forecasts for the weather suggest it will be a mixed bag next week, but with settled conditions over the Easter weekend itself.

However, those driving for days out and holidays in the UK face a hit to the wallet from soaring fuel prices on the back of the Iran war. The nationwide average for unleaded has jumped to 150p a litre, up 17p since before the conflict erupted. Diesel drivers have been hit even harder, with diesel now averaging 176.68p per litre, a leap of 34p in recent weeks.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Petrol has now broken through the unwelcome milestone of 150p a litre (150.11p), something drivers haven’t seen since mid-May two years ago while the average price of diesel is now approaching 180p at 177.68p.

“With the long-awaited four-day Easter weekend almost within touching distance, the cost of getting away by car is going to be noticeably higher this year.

“And with average prices at motorway services at 166p for unleaded and 182p for diesel, drivers on long journeys will need to plan very carefully where they refuel. The best advice remains to shop around for fuel and make use of free apps such as myRAC to never pay a penny more for fuel than is absolutely necessary.”

Some families may also think twice given another wave of bill increases – including water and council tax – from the start of April, and warnings that food price inflation could jump again.

Kate Allen, owner of Devon-based Finest Stays, said: “For now, we’re not seeing a slowdown. Bookings are up around 10% on this time last year, with more guests opting to stay in the UK rather than travel further afield to places like Dubai.

“The Great British holiday is very much in favour, as we’re a nation that prioritises getting away, and domestic breaks are benefiting from that shift. That said, there’s a nervous undercurrent. Fuel costs feel like a slow leak, pressure building rather than bursting.

“We’re expecting more guests to postpone or cancel, and that’s where it gets tricky. Terms and conditions may cover it, but it doesn’t make refund conversations any easier when the wider impact on businesses and homeowners isn’t fully understood.”

Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “It is wonderful that so many people are planning on having a staycation this Easter weekend, whether that’s spending time visiting our stunning landscapes and coastlines or exploring our vibrant towns, cities and cultural landmarks. Supporting domestic tourism helps local areas thrive – fuelling small businesses, boosting pride, and strengthening community economies.”

VisitEngland chief executive Patricia Yates said: “Tourism businesses and destinations will be looking to the critical Easter weekend for much needed cash flow so it’s encouraging to see so many of us are planning a holiday at home, with its ease, convenience and certainty of budgeting. We also know that the cost of living remains a concern for holidaymakers, leaving it difficult too for businesses to plan in advance.

“We have incredible activities, experiences and places to stay for all tastes and budgets, and there really is nowhere quite like Britain in springtime. From walks in our beautiful countryside with the promise of a pub lunch or discovering contemporary culture in our buzzing cities to enjoying fish and chips on the beach, there is something for everyone. So, a rallying cry to please go out and explore the amazing destinations and events here on our doorstep this spring. Tourism businesses will be very pleased to welcome you, you will have an amazing time and create memories to make you smile all year.”

It came as trade body UKHospitality stepped up criticism of what has been dubbed a new “tourist tax”. Labour is proposing to allow regional mayors in England to introduce a “visitor levy” on overnight stays, as already happens in some European countries. While details of how it would work are still to be finalised, it could either be a per head charge or a percentage of the cost of the stay. Small businesses – from guesthouses to B&Bs – say it could lead to closures.

Modelling by Oxford Economics, commissioned by UKHospitality, which assumed a 5% levy, warned it could lead to a £1.6billion tax increase for holidaymakers by 2030, and a £2.2billion hit to the economy.

Nate McFall has spent the past six years travelling the globe curating tourism content for social media, but he says a cold North East beach town is still one of his favourite places

A globetrotter who has dedicated the last six years to travelling the world claims the finest destination he’s discovered is a “cold little beach town” in the North East of England.

Nate McFall, whose videos focus on highlighting unusual accommodation and travel adventures, posted on Instagram where he admitted there’s nowhere quite like home.

“I spent six years travelling the world, and yet somehow this is still one of my favourite places I have ever been,” he opened in a clip filmed on the shoreline. “I didn’t realise when I left, but this place shaped me in more ways than I can explain.”

While he may have visited Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia recently, Nate maintains this chilly North East coastal spot still “hits different” whenever he returns.

“It was actually here about eight years ago that I tried surfing for the first time,” he went on, displaying a photograph from the moment in 2018.

“It was cold – like properly cold – but something shifted in me that day because if I could surf in the freezing cold North Sea, what else is possible?”

Nate admitted that throughout his journeys he had been “chasing something” he’d already discovered.

“This is Tynemouth,” he revealed. “A small coastal town, but it’s full of life. Wherever you look, people are enjoying this place running along the seafront, swimming in the sea and surfing.”

Nate also pointed out the wealth of coffee shops dotted around the town, noting that at weekends, Tynemouth’s Victorian railway station “turns into a bustling market” of people selling “delicious food, crafts and handmade trinkets.”

The traveller also declared Tynemouth home to the “best chip shop in England”. He made his way back down towards the beach to show the reasons why.

“It’s served out of what is basically a shipping container [called The View],” he explained. “There’s a fresh sea breeze and with fishcake in hand, I top it off by looking at 1,000 year old ruins [Tynemouth Priory and Castle] right next to me.”

Nate concluded by stating he’s utterly convinced the UK possesses beauty that countless people fail to appreciate.

Enjoying a chilli fish empanada from Riley’s Fish Shack, he closed: “It’s proof that you don’t always need palm trees or plane tickets. Some of the most unreal places are right here on our doorstep.”

Writing in response, one Instagram user enthused: “I love this – I’m from Whitley Bay and am a wild swimmer so am always at the beach when I visit home. It’s such a special place.”

A second person declared: “Love Tynemouth and Riley’s fish shack, on a summers night as it gets a little chillier, sitting around one of the fire pits with friends is such a good way to finish a weekend.”

A third commented: “Love this. I am in New Zealand. So many beautiful places in the world. No country has the title of best place. Tynemouth looks cool. I will visit it now when I next visit UK.”

And a fourth person praised: “Thanks Nate. Spent many lovely days at Tynemouth as a child. Haven’t been back in 50 years since my family moved to Florida, USA. But still have fabulous memories. Thanks so much for reminding me.”

The UK’s ‘holiday park of the year’ has been revealed and it has everything including cosy glamping pods, beautiful beaches on the doorstep and incredible stargazing opportunities

An eco-friendly holiday park close to Morpeth in Northumberland was named the best in the region at last night’s (March 19) Destination North East England Tourism Awards.

At the annual ceremony, now in its 24th year, Tranwell Farm Holidays was named the winner in the Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year category. The site is on a farm that has been cared for by the family for over 60 years, and since 2022 it has offered a range of unique glamping experiences.

Accommodation options include grass pitches, where you can camp surrounded by beautiful meadows, or you can bring your own caravan or campervan. There’s a cosy shepherds hut for two, a comfortable camping pod, and two woodland lodges surrounded by trees which come with a private log-fired hot tub.

Guests can also enjoy some unique experiences while they stay on the farm. There are sessions where they can meet the park’s rare breed lambs, and you may even get to bottle feed one or witness a birth. The park is also set in an area with an official ‘dark sky’, meaning it’s an incredibly spot for stargazing.

Guests can hire a stargazing kit including binoculars, hot water bottles, and a rug, and can even hire a telescope to help them explore the cosmos from Earth.

Less than a 10-minute drive away is Morpeth, a historic market town with the River Wansbeck running through its centre. It has a traditional high street with a mix of chains and independent shops, as well as the indoor Sanderson Arcade where you’ll find upscale boutiques.

Stroll along the riverfront Carlisle Park and spot historic buildings such as Morpeth Court. Once the town’s court and gaol, it now houses a colourful antiques centre and café, as well as holiday apartments. The Morpeth Chantry is another unique place to visit. This medieval chantry house, which once held church services, is now home to a bagpipe museum which often has live performances.

Northumberland is known for its long, beautiful and unspoilt beaches, and there are a few that can be explored nearby. About half an hour away is Blyth Beach, a sand and shingle beach that has a long promenade and colourful beach huts. Its waters have been rated as ‘excellent’ by the council, so you can take a dip or surf if the conditions are right.

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Cambois Beach is also just a short drive away and this sandy beach has pretty sand dunes and footpaths among the sandy dunes. It’s a quieter spot with fewer facilities, but perfect for a peaceful walk and popular with dog walkers. You may even share the beach with a few people who are fishing, as it’s a great spot to catch flounder and cod.

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This seaside town has been named the best in the country and has a resort pedigree that stretches back well over 150 years, but it also has plenty of modern day challenges

Everyone has a story to tell about Blackpool. Usually a bad one.

Whether it’s tales of optimistic family holidays that turned into washouts, hotels mysteriously burning down, or stag-dos that bump into far-right protests, it’s the kind of place that people enjoy dunking on.

“What’s going on around here?” I asked the bartender of one town centre pub on my first evening in town.

“F*** all!” he said joyfully, before handing over my £3 pint.

In one, quite literal way, he was onto something. Blackpool has a big problem with emptiness. Specifically, empty shops. Wander five minutes down the road from the Tower, and there are rows of crumbling units with boarded-up windows, clearly long vacated. Others seem occupied but shuttered against the winter winds and lack tourists. It’s a jarring experience, walking from the flashing lights and boinging sounds of the mega-arcades into a deserted lot piled with rubble.

The statistics don’t make for good reading. The town of 144,000 has the third-highest rate of empty shops in the country, according to the Centre for Cities, with 17.6% closed. In some areas, like Central Drive, the figure is 30%. Blackpool also has the second-most abandoned buildings, with one for every 45 people.

Some, such as the £7.6m easyJet Hotel on the prom that never materialised, or the vast, long-empty Odeon, are particularly annoying for residents. And for the newly elected Labour MP for Blackpool North, Chris Webb, who beat Tory Scott Benton partly by promising to tackle the problem.

“I am greatly concerned about it. There are far too many empty properties in the town,” he told the Mirror.

“Once you go past South Pier, you get to Bloomfield. It is the most deprived place in the county. The boarded-up shops there have an impact on whether people travel further out to great places like Waterlow Road and Bond Street.”

While a lot needs to be done, progress is being made. When I visited, builders were hammering away inside the Odeon building, which was adorned with a ‘Coming Soon – June 2026’ banner promising a family entertainment megaplex. An ‘Empty Properties Task Force’ was launched last month to target landlords of long-term vacant properties with Compulsory Purchase Orders, while cash is being splashed on modern retail units and green spaces in Central Drive. Under the new ‘High Street Rental Auctions’ initiative, the council can now sell off five-year leases for shops that have remained empty for over a year, which should help to inject a bit of life into the harder-hit areas.

As much as a lick of paint and Pride of Place funding won’t fix all of Blackpool’s deeply rooted deprivation issues or significantly lower its crime rate, it could help to bring the two versions of the town closer together.

In the summer, Blackpool is the same buzzing pleasure resort that has been enthralling millions of beach-dwelling, rock-chomping Brits since the Victorian age.

In the winter, however, it is a different story.

As soon as I stepped off the train on a dark February afternoon, a frosty gust of wind doused me in the famous North West precipitation. Somehow, I’d arrived in the only part of the country that wasn’t enjoying the first sunny shoots of Spring.

The combination of crumbling properties and miserable weather creates a stark vibe, utterly different from the sandcastle-and-donkey-rich summer months.

“It’s dead quiet out,” the Holiday Inn hotel receptionist remarked as we watched a few hunched raincoated figures push through the wind. For a town that relies on tourism to bring in £2 billion a year and support 30% of its jobs, becoming a relative winter wasteland is a big problem. And one that Blackpool might finally be answering.

Trainline data show that Blackpool is at the beginning of an off-season popularity boom.

Sajjad Motamed, the firm’s UK country manager, explained: “We’ve seen winter rail trips to Blackpool rise by more than 90% compared to last year, with particularly strong demand for weekend breaks. What’s striking is that the growth isn’t just coming from the North West – we’re seeing demand from right across the UK, for example, bookings from Edinburgh have more than tripled year-on-year. It suggests people nationwide are rediscovering classic seaside destinations outside of the traditional summer season, whether for a short getaway or to explore somewhere they may not have previously considered.”

Although the particular Thursday afternoon I’d turned up on was grim to the point that everyone sensible decided to stay inside, the spike in train bookings to a town recently named the country’s best by the Telegraph is borne out by official council figures. In 2023, Blackpool welcomed a record 21.5million visitors, a 5.3% rise in just a year. There are high hopes that 2024 and 2025 will increase the numbers further, once the stats are in.

So why are people coming in the winter?

One reason is cost. Blackpool was recently crowned the UK’s cheapest seaside resort, thanks to delights such as £1 burgers at Higgitt’s Las Vegas Arcade, £3.90 fish and chips at Bentley’s on Bond Street, and £6 breakfasts at Peekaboos. Come winter, room rates are slashed as hotels fight to fill the thousands of rooms in a town with the third cheapest property prices in England and Wales, according to Land Registry data.

Another is the growing selection of off-season activities.

I dropped into the 2024 opened Showtown Museum, which tells the story of Blackpool’s entertainment history through highly interactive exhibits and tapdancing staff members. Until April, a fascinating exhibition is telling the story of little people in the entertainment industry. It is difficult to imagine today, but the Blackpool Tower’s skygardens were once converted into a miniature village “populated” by little people.

Now visitors to the town can stop off at Showtown before heading up the Tower and down into the dungeons on the same Blackpool BIG Ticket that delivers 50% savings and costs £31

Throughout the year, there are plenty of free exhibitions on show at the listed Central Library, home to the Grundy Art Gallery.

After soaking up a bit of culture, you can head to the town’s iconic, year-round Coral Island. I’d bet a tub of 2ps that there is no bigger, more impressive or absurd arcade in the country. Stretching across a good number of football pitches’ worth of lurid carpeting, Coral Island is packed with one-armed bandits, coin droppers, the latest VR tech, and an indoor rollercoaster that wheels over the heads of the gamblers below.

Who cares if the Pleasure Beach is shut for the winter when you’ve got that?

As much as Mr Webb insists the town’s “reputation for stag and hen dos is greatly diminished”, it’s hard to argue that Blackpool isn’t a booze town. Whatever the season, across its 166 bars and pubs, you’ll find dozens of drinks deals cheap enough to make any Up From Londoner swoon. For a quiet but affordable pint, the Churchill is a good bet. For something a bit more late-night and rowdy, the Galleon delivers live music and a great atmosphere most nights.

For Mr Webb, the “missing piece” to the winter tourism slump puzzle would be an all-purpose indoor arena, designed for expos and eSports. Its arrival is uncertain and some way off yet, but talks with the owners of a Premier League football club are promising, the MP says.

This seems like a natural step for a town with a deep-rooted entertainment pedigree. From Strictly to George Formby, people have long come to Blackpool for a show. When I visited, Derren Brown was at the Grand as part of his Only Human tour. At the start of the performance, he uncorked several big cannisters of laughing gas into the auditorium to lull the crowd into a pliable state before having his mystifying, merry way with us.

Whether the gas was real or not, what wasn’t fake was the uproarious laughter of the audience throughout his two-hour set. Lancastrians are a friendly bunch. Whether it’s the charming staff in Stefani’s Pizza joint, a smily mum who stopped her pram for an impromptu chat, or the jovial reaction of an audience member publicly outed as a thief by Brown, there’s a good chance Blackpool will offer you a warm welcome, however miserable the weather.

British holiday firms are reporting a boom in bookings up to 235% compared to this time last year, as the Iran war forces people to cancel far-flung destinations and look closer to home instead

Brits are looking again at holidays closer to home this summer as fears grow that the Iran war could ground flights and spike plane ticket prices by up to 50%.

Aviation bosses are said to be growing increasingly worried that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could spell jet fuel shortages within weeks – and are struggling to get guarantees of supply beyond the next month. ⁠

Contingency plans being drawn up would see holidaymakers hit by airlines ‘rationing’ their operations, including a reduced schedule, higher prices and cancellation of less profitable routes.

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It comes as other destinations beloved by British tourists have ended up Iran’s crosshairs.

Cyprus, Turkey and Abu Dhabi are some of the destinations thrown into doubt this year thanks to the Middle East crisis – but holidaymakers are already making ‘staycation’ bookings instead for the likes of Norfolk, Pembrokeshire and the Isle of Wight as they eye up a safer, more certain getaway.

David Land, who works at the University Technical College in Durham, was forced to cancel upcoming stays in Dubai and the Maldives for his wife Barbara’s birthday – and has lined up “sunny Cornwall” as an alternative.

“I’m a bit of a foodie, so I quite like the idea of seeing how many restaurants I can go to, in terms of Paul Ainsworth’s, Rick Stein’s”, he said, aiming to spend four or five days “at least” in the Land of Saints.

David and his wife, who are both in their 70s and tied the knot in 1979, went on one of their first holidays together on the beaches of Northumberland – and he’s also considering a return there this year.

“I would say the majority of our holidays have been abroad, in Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean – but we’ve been saying ‘Why can’t go on a holiday more in the UK’?”, he told the Mirror. “Apart from the need to pack appropriate clothing, it’s a lovely place to go – as long as the people doing it don’t try to rip us off, as happened a bit around Covid.”

‘We’re not going to listen to Donald Trump’

Asked why he hasn’t chosen to simply reschedule his existing foreign holidays, he said: “We’re not going to listen to Donald Trump when he says the war’s going to be over in ‘three or four weeks’. There’s no confidence that we would be able to go back, not until the war stops, and even then we’d have to know that it’s not going to start again.”

Businesses across the UK tourism industry are already reporting a boom in bookings not seen since the pandemic, with Google searches for ‘best staycations’ up 40% since Trump launched his bombardment of Iran.

Business is booming, say British travel firms

Samantha Evans, founder of Humphreys of Henley, said her luxury travel firm has experienced the “busiest start to the year on record”, with the “safe and deeply enriching” surrounds of the English countryside attracting both domestic guests and those from further afield, particularly the United States.

She told the Mirror: “Luxury hotels are reporting an increase in domestic demand over the next three months. British guests are choosing to stay closer to home, but still want exceptional, experience-led travel – so they’re trading airports for the countryside rather than cancelling plans altogether.”

Rental agency Habitat Escapes told the Mirror that their bookings are up 235% this week compared to the same date last year, with the majority for Silverlake Estate in Dorset and the remainder for Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswolds.

And industry expert Emily Keogh, a former judge for The Hotel Magazine Awards, said there was renewed interest in “spontaneous countryside escapes and coastal getaways that can be booked at relatively short notice” because of the new difficulties in international travel.

Others believe this is part of a movement back towards British holidays that began well before the Middle East crisis, as Matthew Price, CEO of travel firm Awaze, said: “This trend of staying closer to home is part of a broader pattern of behaviour we’ve seen in the UK for a number of years, where holidaymakers are choosing staycations over going abroad. From coastal to countryside getaways, the quality and variety on offer in the UK means a domestic break can feel just as exciting as going overseas.

He revealed bookings were up 26% for Cottages.com, alongside a 10% rise in summer bookings for Hoseasons. While the South West remains a popular destination, regions like the North West and Southern Scotland are seeing “the strongest year-on-year growth for the peak summer period”, Mr Price said.

And the Great British holiday may benefit too from rising jet fuel prices, which experts have warned could push up the cost of plane tickets very soon.

Jet fuel shortages threaten cancellations and price hikes

European jet fuel prices reached an all-time high of $1,698 per tonne this week – more than double the $830 per tonne before the air strikes on Iran – and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is sending alarm bells ringing among airline bosses.

While European airlines have stressed that they are currently operating with normal levels of fuel, Scandinavia’s SAS became the first this week to admit it had introduced a “temporary price adjustment” in response to the soaring prices, with more expected to follow.

Experts now predict a potential 30% to 50% hike in plane tickets for European summer holidays if the fuel crisis drags on, potentially costing an extra £600 for a family of four heading to the Canary Islands, Greece or Morocco.

Long-haul flights would see even steeper price increases, with a family trip to Australia going up by an eye-watering £2,400.

James Noel-Beswick, head of commodities at market intelligence firm Sparta Commodities, told the BBC: “I think we’re weeks away from maybe flight cancellations or delays due to lack of jet fuel, rather than months.”

An end to the age of cheap foreign holidays is likely to help tip the balance back in favour of domestic holidays when it comes to cost, as ‘staycations’ have long been criticised for poor value for money – especially when it comes to accommodation.

You can expect to pay at least £500 for five nights in a budget holiday let near St Ives – but in Malaga, the equivalent would set you back just £350.

Air travel chaos threatens holiday favourites

British holidaymakers preparing to head to Spain on their Easter getaways have meanwhile been warned to expect chaos at airports, with a national baggage handler strike threatening to cause missed connections and delayed boarding.

And there’s mounting uncertainty around Turkey, where three Iranian missiles have been intercepted since the beginning of the conflict, and popular Brit destination Cyprus, which saw the RAF base on the island’s southern coast come under drone attack.

Foreign Office chiefs currently advise anyone travelling to either country to be aware of the risks of ‘regional escalation’.

The Citizens Advice Bureau say holidaymakers who are unsure over a trip they have booked in the months ahead should get in touch with their travel provider – but don’t cancel before speaking to them, as you may lose your right to a refund.

Top 10 destinations for British summer holidays:

The top 10 UK destinations for summer staycations, based on consumer research of 2,000 UK adults by Sykes Holiday Cottages: