summer

THE year is flying by, so much so that it’s time to think about your next holiday. So where is set to be big in 2027?

With events like the Ryder Cup, football tournaments, eclipses and K-pop festivals – these are the spots you should book a holiday to next year.

Algarve… for Formula 1

The Algarve could be a great should for fans of Formula 1 as in June, it will return to Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão.

It will be the first time the F1 has been to the track since 2021.

If you fancy a holiday there as well as a thrilling race, Portimão has an old quarter to explore along with a busy marina and lots of pretty beaches.

From the UK, you can get direct flights from 21 UK airports to Faro – which is the gateway airport to the Algarve region.

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Burgas… for Eurovision

After their win in Vienna with 516 points, Bulgaria will host the Eurovision Song Contest next year.

Anyone wanting to witness countries going head-to-head with bizarre performances should head to Arena Burgas next May.

The city on the Black Sea coast is also one of the cheapest spots for a family holiday with 89p beers and all-inclusive holidays for under £280.

One-way flights to Burgas can cost as little as £17 and are direct from nine UK airports.

Brazil… for FIFA Women’s World Cup

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 will have 64 fixtures across eight host cities throughout June and July.

Locations include Salvador, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro which according to Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey is ‘just like the movies’.

It’s home to Sugarloaf Mountain where you’ll see one of the Wonders of the World, Christ the Redeemer, and the city also has the famous Copacabana Beach.

Rio de Janeiro has direct daily flights from London with British Airways, taking just over 11 hours.

Luxor… for the eclipse

For those who enjoyed the recent partial eclipse in August – a total solar eclipse will block out the sun over parts of North Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Luxor in Egypt is a spot that will see a lot of the eclipse – it will be dark for a total of six minutes and 22 seconds.

The city is known for having the historic Valley of the Kings tombs, and Karnak Temple.

There aren’t any direct flights to Luxor – indirect journeys can take nine hours with a stopover at Cairo.

Australia… for Men’s Rugby World Cup

Between October 1 and November 13 2027, rugby will dominate Australia at the Men’s Rugby World Cup.

Matches will take place across the country in Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle, Sydney, Brisbane and Townsville.

Of course heading to Australia isn’t just a weekend break for Brits – so make the most of it by planning excursions, heading to its beautiful coastline and even go on a safari.

It’s about to get easier to travel to as with new direct BA flights to Melbourne next January while Qantas will launch the longest ever flights called Project Sunrise between Sydney and London in 2027.

Madrid… for UEFA Champions League

The Premier League season is already underway and soon enough the UEFA Champions League will be too.

Paris Saint-Germain are the ones to beat – and the final match will take place at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on June 5, 2027.

There’s plenty to do in Madrid too from visiting its world-class art museums like Prado and eating at Mercado de San Miguel where pintxos (open sandwiches) start from £1.30.

One-way flights take two and a half hours and start from as little as £13 and depart from six UK airports.

Limerick… for the Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup golf tournament between teams from Europe and the US will return after two years being held at the Golf Course at Adare Manor in Limerick.

The competition takes just three days, so there’s plenty of time to explore the city.

Take a stroll along the riverside, tour King John’s Castle and enjoy a pint at JJ Bowles which is considered the oldest pub in Limerick.

The nearest airport is Shannon which is a 30-minute drive away from the city. One-way flights are as little as £15 and it takes an hour and a half from UK airports.

Florida… for Disney

Any fans of Disney will want to head to Florida next year, with a number of new exciting launches.

There’s the new Disney World attraction at the Glob Theatre called “Welcome to Monstropolis”, with the monsters in the show introducing visitors to Monstropolis.

And the new cruise ship Disney Believe is set to launch in late 2027 – with a Moana-inspired Grand Hall, Tinker Bell on its bow and Woody and Buzz Lightyear on the stern.

Airlines like BA, Norse, American Airlines, Finnair, and Iberia offer direct flights to Orlando.

Seoul… for K-pop

Calling any K-pop fans – you might want to book flights to Seoul.

Next December it will launch Fanomenon, a festival with concerts and award shows centered around K-pop will debut on December 2 which hopes to rival Coachella.

Head of Sun Travel, Lisa Minot, even tried out a K-pop dance class when she visited as well as exploring K-beauty shops in Myeong-dong and popped into a cat cafe.

Virgin Atlantic launched new flights from Heathrow to Seoul earlier this year, with return flights from £840.

Goodwood… for the races

If you don’t fancy hopping on a plane, then stay right here in the UK.

In West Sussex the Goodwood Estate hosts races throughout the year, and scheduled for 2027 is Qatar Goodwood Festival between July 27 -31.

It will also host a motorsport Festival of Speed between July 15-18.

There’s also live music, lounges, a roof garden, private bars and boxes.

SUMMER may be on its way out, but Brits are still heading abroad – so double check these rules before you go.

If you fail to check these then you might not get to go on holiday at all.

Expiry date

The very first thing to check before you head on holiday is the expiry date on your passport.

To be valid for travel British passports must have been issued within the last 10 years.

Figures have shown up to 100,000 holidaymakers a year face being turned away at airports if their passport is more than a decade old.

So, before you travel, check the start date, not the expiry.

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For example, if a passport has June 2016 start date but a November 2026 expiry, it has technically expired.

Not realising this soon enough could result in a costly mistake.

Tom Vaughan, travel insurance expert at Confused.com said: “Our research shows that 1 in 5 (21 per cent) Brits have had to renew their passport within just a few weeks of travelling, and less than half (43 per cent) know that EU travel requires a passport issued within the last 10 years.

“If you do get caught out, sorting an emergency passport can now cost up to £240, and that’s before you factor in time off work and a trip to a passport office.

“Unfortunately, travel insurance won’t cover the cost, or any flights or holidays you miss as a result, and children face even longer delays as same-day service isn’t available for their passports.

“So before you finish packing, check two things: the date your passport was issued, and how long is left on it. Our passport checker can help you avoid a last-minute panic and ensure your holiday starts the way it should, stress-free.”

Additional months

A number of countries also require British holidaymakers to have a few additional months left on their passport to travel.

Any Brit heading to Europe will also need at least three months of validity left on their passport after the day you plan to leave.

If there is less than three months left on your passport, you will be refused at the gate or even beforehand and will have to renew your document.

Some other countries require even longer with some wanting six months left on the passport – this includes UAE, Egypt, and Chile.

Spare pages

Some countries actually require blank pages in your passport for manual stamping.

If you’re heading to Europe, one page of blank space is fine.

Countries requiring at least two blank pages for entry include Austria, Italy, Germany, The Bahamas and other tourist hotspots.

Standard UK passports have 34 blank pages, but you can pay extra for one with 54 if you’re a regular traveller.

THE sun was beating down on the harbour walls where parents and their children were perched, gawping down into the water.

One youngster was giggling with delight at her bucket, which was filled with scuttling crustaceans from her succesful attempts at crabbing.

Holidays in the UK don’t get much better than this.

And with Britain basking in weather as hot as the Med over the past few months, there’s been even less of a need to fork out on flights abroad.

I was in Wells-next-the-Sea, a quaint Norfolk town home to trendy boutiques, quayside pubs and a pretty beach backed by rows of colourful beach huts.

As a large family of five, we’d decided to ditch the pricey hotel in favour of Pinewoods Holiday Park, which occupies a gorgeous perch, set a short way back from the ocean.

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It was the first time in a while that a place had exceeded my expectations.

When we arrived at our six-person lodge, I heard a swift declaration of “I could live here!”

The spacious Saltmarsh Lodge — there was ample room for our group, plus the dog — embraced its position near the coast with its wooden panelling and white slatted ceilings, and its three cosy bedrooms were spotlessly clean.

The master bedroom came with a kingsize bed, spacious en-suite and chic dressing area while the other two had twin beds and a separate bathroom.

My favourite part was the open-plan dining, kitchen and living area, where light poured in from the glass doors, large windows and skylight.

We spent most of our evenings in here, settled on the squishy sofas and armchairs playing cards and board games in front of the coal-effect fire.

Afternoons were spent on the wraparound deck, which was delightfully cool thanks to the trees that offered shade from the sun.

The fact it was all enclosed was a big selling point as it meant our furry friend could pad about freely with little chance of escape.

And as we sat on the decking with a tipple, we couldn’t believe how quiet and peaceful the setting was.

Apart from the obvious visual giveaway, you’d never have guessed that there were more than 100 pitches surrounding us.

Around the corner from our lodge was an on-site playground, an allotment (reserved for holiday home owners) and a shop for all the essentials. We’d stocked up on everything we needed for tasty breakfasts, such as pastries, eggs and condiments.

When in Norfolk, you have to buy the locally made Krusty Loaf bread, which is baked fresh every day and raved about in the area.

The white loaf, with lashings of butter and scrambled egg, went down a treat.

After an indulgent first breakfast, we took a mid-morning stroll to the beach where the dunes are backed by brightly decorated beach huts and, beyond that, a pine forest.

With the sea reachable in just ten minutes, it meant that the dog could be frolicking in the water in no time.

You could easily spend a whole day here, with a pit stop at the Wells Beach Cafe, which serves up cracking bacon butties and frothy coffee.

It also has a pizza corner and an ice cream bar, as well as soft and hard drinks, including Prosecco.

But if you’re not much of a beach lover, the main town centre on the other side of the holiday lodge is well worth a potter around.

The port town has a history dating back more than 400 years and is still renowned for its fresh seafood.

I was drawn more to its trendy shops than the fish, though — Glitter & Mud does some excellent trinkets, from homeware to clothing.

Make sure to pop into The Golden Fleece for a pint, too, which we enjoyed on its small patio while seagulls squawked overhead.

Before we knew it, three nights had rolled by and we had to wave goodbye to our cosy lodge.

But we couldn’t leave until we had ticked off one British seaside staple: fish and chips.

A lengthy queue forms outside Plattens every evening — and for good reason.

Its batter is wonderfully crispy and its curry sauce packs a punch.

Like I said earlier, holidays in the UK don’t get much better than this.

Former England bowler Kate Cross has announced she will retire from cricket at the end of the summer.

The 34-year-old, who played 102 times for England between 2013 and 2025, has been playing in domestic cricket since losing her England contract last year.

“It is incredibly hard to imagine ever saying goodbye to playing the sport that has been such a huge part of my life and shaped me into the person I am today but the final chapter is in sight,” Cross said.

“I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to play the game I love professionally and get to do it at the highest level.”

Dame Sarah Storey, the chair of Lancashire where Cross made her debut aged 14 and became the first woman on the county’s academy, described Cross as a “true Lancashire legend”, adding she “made an incredible contribution to both Lancashire and England Women”.

Cross, who played in The Hundred final for Sunrisers Leeds last weekend, is due to play the reminder of the season for Lancashire, including against The Blaze on Sunday in Nottingham.

Cross made her England debut aged 22 in a T20 in West Indies and featured in England’s 2013-14 Ashes win – their most recent victory in the Women’s Ashes – that winter.

The seamer fell out of favour after a run across formats, meaning she watched England’s iconic 2017 World Cup win at Lord’s from a hospitality box.

But Cross regained her place and was a regular in the Test and 50-over England side until being left out by new coach Charlotte Edwards last summer.

Her last international was an ODI against India last July.

She finishes her career with 25 Test wickets, 101 in one-day internationals and 14 in T20s.

England all-rounder Sam Curran has been ruled out of the remainder of the English season with a groin injury, ending his hopes of a potential Test comeback this summer.

Surrey’s Curran, 28, last played a Test in 2021 but had been considered for a recall for the series against Pakistan as England look to balance their side after the retirement of Ben Stokes.

Selector Marcus North suggested Curran could have been picked for the ongoing first Test had he not been managing his fitness through The Hundred and said he would come into contention for the third Test on 9 September.

Further assessment has revealed Curran requires surgery on the groin issue, however.

He will have an operation on Friday, ruling him out of the remainder of the season with Surrey and England’s white-ball matches against Sri Lanka in September.

In March, Curran pulled out of this year’s Indian Premier League with a groin issue.

The MI London captain missed one of his side’s Hundred matches and did not bowl his full allocation in four of their other seven group games.

Without Curran, Stokes or another seam-bowling all-rounder, England opted not to pick a frontline spinner for the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley.

They instead attempted to balance their side by picking Dan Lawrence to bat number six and fill the role of spin bowler with his part-time off-spin.

England all-rounder Will Jacks, who filled a similar role in the Ashes last winter, is also absent from Surrey’s squad for Thursday’s County Championship match against Nottinghamshire after having an operation to remove his appendix.

His availability for the T20 and ODI series with Sri Lanka will be assessed.

Best known as the voice of Love Island, Iain Stirling is trying something completely different as the host of Race Against the Tide

Love Island’s Iain Stirling has stepped away from the villa and onto the sands of Scotland in a bold new series.

Race Against the Tide, which has just launched on BBC Two, sees Stirling take centre stage as host of a distinctive sand sculpture competition.

Prior to the series launch, Stirling said: “Audiences are going to love Race Against the Tide! It’s got everything you could want from a summer show – stunning Scottish scenery, incredible creativity, and, of course, lots of sand puns – you can be shore of that. I can’t wait for everyone to see what our teams create.”

Filmed on St Andrews Beach, the show welcomes seven teams to compete in a race against time, with pairs given just six hours to construct sand sculptures before the incoming tide washes them away. Each duo comprises one professional sculptor and a complete amateur.

The contestants hail from a diverse range of backgrounds, including a leather craftsman, cake decorator, plasterer, stationery designer, carpenter, art teacher and fine art student.

The sculptures are assessed by industry professionals Sadie Clayton and Jamie Wardley, who judge each creation on technical ability, creativity and storytelling, reports the Daily Record.

The debut episode aired on Tuesday (August 18) evening and fans were genuinely impressed, taking to X, formerly Twitter, to share their verdicts.

One viewer enthused: “Watching #RaceAgainstTheTide on # iPlayer. It’s actually quite fun.”

Another added: “#raceagainstthetide – fantastic fun and silly summer television and completely pointless. Great stuff.”

A third delighted viewer chimed in: “Loving #RaceAgainstTheTide with @IainDoesJokes on @ BBC @BBCTwo a great fun new show. Who doesn’t love making sand castles on the beach. This is that x1000! Original idea! Well done.”

However, the programme failed to win everybody over, with one critic posting: “I think this is better viewed on mute #raceagainstthetide.”

Each episode of Race Against the Tide centres on a fresh challenge built around a distinct theme. The opening instalment tasked the contestants with creating a sculpture inspired by the phrase ‘Life’s A Beach’.

When the challenge concluded, Rachel and Athena secured the title of Sand Champions, while Zara and David were eliminated from the competition.

Across the upcoming five episodes, the other couples will be eliminated until one team claims the first Race Against the Tide crown.

Race Against the Tide is available to stream on BBC iPlayer

IT can be hard to relax on holiday when kids are running riot – so check out these hotels where children’s clubs take centre stage.

Kids can play games, try out new sports, check out the waterparks enjoy the mini disco, and even have a whole plan curated for them – here are some of our favourites.

Parklane, Cyprus

Not only will the Parklane Hotel in Limassol be a hit with the adults but kids will love it too.

The Explorers Kids Club at Parklane covers more than 3,000m², making it one of the largest kids clubs in Europe.

With its sensational castle kids club, pirate ship splash pool and sports facilities, for children aged from four months to 11 years.

Flights and a stay in this hotel start from £699pp.

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TUI BLUE Sensatori Akra Fethiye, Turkey

The TUI BLUE Sensatori Akra Fethiye is another fab family spot with five swimming pools, six restaurants and seven bars.

The Kids’ Club runs six days a week, with activities like Silly Science and Water Mania.

There are activities designed for teens too, including mocktail-making sessions – every evening kicks off with a children’s show but there are also cabaret performances and silent discos.

You can get a 7-night all-inclusive stay here from £1058pp.

GF Victoria, Tenerife

Children will be obsessed with the kids’ club play area at GF Victoria in Tenerife which has a whole programme of activities.

There’s a Baby Club too where little ones can play and craft at the Mini Club; kids can race around on the track. There’s also a Teen Club with gaming, DJ sets, table football and air hockey.

For more action, there’s an adventure park with a climbing wall, hanging bridges, zip line and tree houses.

A family of four can stay here for seven-nights in September from £659pp.

The Land of Legends Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Antalya, Turkey

This hotel is a children’s haven thanks to its ample amount of activities not to mention warm weather.

When it comes to activities, Club Nick offers unforgettable experiences for children with themed activities, play areas, and beloved Nickelodeon characters.

It doesn’t stop there either as there are themed rooms inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Dora, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Star Trek.

Also included is free access to the Land of Legends theme park – seven-night stays start from £1,635pp.

Daios Cove Hotel, Crete

This hotel sits on a hillside overlooking its private bay on the north-east part of Crete.

Run by Scott Dunn, this hotel has a specially designed programme for children from babies to 11-year-olds.

For children aged 5-7, the Voyagers Kids Club includes activities like watersports, semi submarine trips and mocktail masterclasses.

A family of four can stay here for five nights from £3,988 or £199pppn in October.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

OFFICIALS in Italy are cracking down on anyone attempting to bag themselves the best beach spot by leaving items on the sand all week.

From sunloungers to parasols, those caught trying to reserve a space in the morning or late at night could receive a fine over £400.

On a coastal suburb in Naples called Torre del Greco, officials like coastguard staff and police have been removing ‘reserved’ spots.

Tourists have been leaving items on the beach overnight in order to keep their place.

During a morning sweep of one of the beaches called Laghetto, authorities seized up to 40 items, as reported by The Guardian.

Others have complained that items like sun umbrellas and small tables have been left unattended for days by tourists reserving the space to use later on.

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The port authority said: “It is a practice that recurs each summer, but it is expressly prohibited.

It added that “occupying the beach in this manner violates the regulations governing the management of maritime public domain areas.”

Anyone caught leaving belongings on the beach after sunset to keep their spot will be fined up to €500 (£425).

Beaches in Torre del Greco include Spiaggia libera Il Laghetto and Moon Beach.

This isn’t the only spot to crack down on sunlounger hogging.

These rules are being enforced by the Calpe Town Council, which affects the Costa Blanca.

Local authorities in the Spanish resort have the right to remove sunbeds, towels and parasols put on beaches before 9.30am.

Anyone whose belongings taken away will have to pay to get them back and could face a fine of up to €250 (£216).

Across Europe, other crackdowns include smoking on beaches and wearing swimwear in public spaces that aren’t the beach.

MORE Brits are facing problems at the border in Europe, with many being stopped and facing even longer queues – and it could affect thousands.

The new Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires biometric checks from Brits, has been in place since April.

But a new report from The Telegraph has found that those with ‘faded fingerprints’ are being rejected by the machines – a problem associated with older passengers.

One 80-year-old woman told the publication how EES failed to recognise her fingerprints on a trip to Palma in Majorca.

Angela Evans said: “I tried several times, on different machines and with assistance from a member of staff, but to no avail. My fingerprints would not register.

“I suspect this is because of my age – 80 – and that my fingers are probably worn smooth and not ‘ridgy’ enough to record.”

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Another holidaymaker, Barbara, struggled to register her fingerprints at Salzburg Airport.

After holding up a “long line of passengers”, Barbara said she discovered she has “no fingerprints”.

Both women had to then see a member of airport staff and queue to have their passports manually stamped.

Another older couple couldn’t get through the EES gates at Naples Airport and had to join a queue that was so long it went outside the terminal.

After waiting for two hours and missing their transfer pick up, the couple were seen by a member of staff but said they were “put off flying” as a result.

While fingerprints don’t technically ‘fade’, they do change as skin loses its elasticity with age.

The surface is then less defined and harder for digital scanners to read.

It’s not the first issue to come with the introduction of EES.

One woman who is an identical twin faced a problem when she was mistaken for her sister.

In some cases, Brits have been left in queues of up to six hours while waiting to register with EES.

Some holidaymakers have even missed their flight because of delays at passport control.

MADISYN Shipman has shown off her stunning curves in a very tiny bikini.

The former Nickelodeon child star, now 23, lounged outside in a $655 Burberry bikini while boasting about doing “absolutely nothing.”

“Currently unavailable… I’m busy doing absolutely nothing,” she captioned her hot photos.

She also showed off her new short haircut, encouraging her fans, “Girl, cut the bob!”

After her spending her childhood starring on Nickelodeon kids’ show Game Shakers, Madisyn released her own music and later ditched Hollywood entirely.

Now, she works as a nutritionist, according to her Instagram bio.

She also now is a content creator for Playboy, posting sexy photos with the mens’ magazine.

“Over the years I’ve really evolved into a space that’s more about personal growth, wellness, and being authentic online,” she recently told Naluda magazine.

“I’m a certified nutrition and wellness coach, and I’m passionate about helping people feel good from the inside out, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

“Right now, I’m focusing on my music career that blends real-life experiences with empowerment while also posting content that’s honest, a little unfiltered, and hopefully makes people feel less alone.”

SPENDING the afternoon at a shopping centre is pretty much my seven-year-old son’s worst nightmare when it comes to activities.

Unless, of course, that shopping centre used to be a massive nuclear power station, which now houses some of the country’s most expensive flats and sits on the River Thames.

Battersea Power Station is a masterclass in how to turn an empty site into a prime tourist destination after its multi-billion pound regeneration.

The site reopened in 2022 and by 2024 it was named one of the world’s best places to visit by National Geographic.

As a local – I live 25 minutes drive away – it is now one of my favourite places to bring my child.

Despite its large number of luxury shops such as Calvin Klein and Chanel and high-end restaurants, it also has masses of free and cheap activities for kids in the school holidays, seasonal family events and one-of-a-kind attractions.

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This summer, Horrible Histories has launched its first live museum show at The Pharaohs’ Gold exhibition in the immersive NEON venue.

It features more than 180 priceless, 3,000-year-old artifacts from Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, including the coffin of Ramses The Great.

What truly brought it to life was the Horrible Histories show, where an actor portraying Pharaoh Ramses took us through the exhibition, telling us fascinating stories.

It’s not the cheapest, at £37.50 for adults and £17.50 for children, but it doubles up as a theatre experience and never have I seen my son so engaged at a museum.

Equally engaging is Electric Summer, a retro-style fairground on the riverside garden in front of the power station, from now until the end of August.

There were free games like splat the rat and giant chess, along with paid-for activities like dodgems and petanque.

Our favourite by far was the roller rink, which hosts everything from silent discos to kids’ specials for the £12 tickets.

During our session, my son and the other kids got a whole hour’s skating lesson from the wonderful staff.

As we were visiting in the summer holidays, we were also able to take advantage of the kids-eat-free offers at various restaurants.

This meant my mum and I were able to have a slap-up meal at Gordon Ramsey’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar for just £22 each for a two-course set menu, while my son got “the best burger ever” and a banging sticky toffee pudding, for free.

Of course, if you can’t make it during the summer holidays, there is still plenty going on for kids.

The Chimney Lift is a recent Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award winner that takes you 109 metres up to the top of one of the towers for 360-degree views of the capital.

Then there’s the Lego store with free play areas, and the world’s first standalone Transformers store.

A five-minute walk away is Battersea Park, with a huge outdoor playground, Go Ape and Battersea Park Children’s Zoo.

You could spend three whole days in a 500m radius and not get bored.

Not bad for a venue that just 16 years ago was voted “Britain’s second worst eyesore”.

PASSENGERS are facing serious delays and disruption at Heathrow Airport following flooding in the central terminal area.

Access to both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 is restricted with flyers warned not to try and access either by road.

Heathrow has asked the public to only travel to the terminals via rail and underground services.

If passengers must travel via road they are asked to use park and ride and head to Terminals 5 or 6 to use the free rail services from there.

The airport said: “Our teams are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, we apologise for any disruption caused.”

It comes amid the school summer holidays – marking the busiest period of the year for Heathrow.

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In a statment issued via social media Heathrow Airport asked passengers to utilise the Heathrow Express, Elizabeth Line and Picadilly line services to access the airport.

The statement read: “Flooding in the central terminal area has resulted in on-going road closures restricting access to Terminals 2 and 3.

“Passengers travelling to or from either of these terminals today must not travel by road.

“Passengers are strongly advised to use Heathrow Express, Elizabeth Line and Piccadilly Line rail services where possible.

“Any passengers that must travel by car must use Park and Ride, head to Terminals 4 or 5 and take free rail services from there, or change at local rail stations.

“Please allow extra time for your journey. Our teams are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, we apologise for any disruption caused.”

IT’S been a long, hot summer and it isn’t over yet – but if you’ve already spent a fortune entertaining the kids, you don’t need to spend anymore money to enjoy the rest of it.

Across this month, kids under the age of 16 can travel on local buses for free, and what makes it even better is that there are a number of UK bus routes that happen to head to top attractions that are also free.

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said: “We know how hard it can be for families to enjoy their time together as they face persistent cost of living pressures.

“That’s why this summer, we’re giving families room to breathe as children can hop on the bus for free as part of our Great British Summer Savings scheme, which is also giving money off attractions and restaurants, as well as cheaper train fares.

“From beaches to iconic historical sights, there’s loads of beautiful attractions kids can get to for free.

“We want everyone to enjoy their summer holidays, and by taking action, we hope no one misses out on the small plans that make life more fun.”

Here are some of the Department for Transport‘s best spots you can head to for free…

Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall in Northern England, stretches across 73 miles and was a barrier built by the Roman Empire.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that visitors can visit for free.

Key spots to explore along the wall include Walltown Crags, where you’ll see stones snaking along the Whin Sill cliffs.

There of course is the section where you can see the stump of the famous Sycamore Gap tree as well.

If you want to see a breathtaking view, head to Winshields Wall, which is the highest point along the entire wall.

And for history lovers, there’s Poltross Burn Milecastle, which is one of the best-preserved remaining small forts from the Roman Empire.

Bus to catch: Go North East AD122

Northumberland Coast

The Northumberland Coast stretches for more than 30 miles, meaning there is plenty to explore.

One great spot is Embleton Bay & Low Newton, which is a crescent-shaped beach with sand dunes, overlooked by the remains of Dunstanburgh Castle.

Or for a more family-friendly beach head to Beadnell Bay, where you will find golden sand and a number of water sports activities.

You could also head to Amble, which has a working harbor where you will find restaurants selling fresh, local seafood.

Bus to catch: Arriva Northumbria X18

Lake District (Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere)

Or you could head to the heart of the Lake District where you will find Windermere, Ambleside, and Grasmere.

You will be able to explore England‘s largest lake, where you can see pretty cottages and head off on scenic walks.

Drop by Windermere town where you will find Victorian stone buildings as well as cosy bakeries and unique independent shops.

In Ambleside, on the other hand, you can head off on a 10-minute walk to Stock Gyhll Force, which is a dramatic 70 metre waterfall in the middle of woodland.

Bus to catch: Stagecoach Cumbria & Lancashire 555 or 599

Peak District National Park (Bakewell/Castleton area)

Instead, you could head to the Peak District National Park to the Bakewell and Castleton areas, in the centre of the National Park.

Around here you will find historic market towns, riverside walks and amazing hiking routes.

One spot to visit is Bakewell, which is the largest town in the Peak District National Park.

The town sits on the River Wye and is known for hosting bustling outdoor markets – just make sure to grab some famous Bakewell Pudding before you leave.

Bus to catch: High Peak 199 or 272

Stratford-upon-Avon

Literary fans can head to the home of Shakespeare – Stratford-upon-Avon – where they will find a historic market town.

Have a gander around the town and look at the quaint Tudor architecture, before relaxing in Bancroft Gardens.

You can visit where Shakespeare is buried in Holy Trinity Church.

And for a bit of history mixed with retail therapy, pop down Henley Street which is completely pedestrianised with antiques stores and cosy boutiques.

Bus to catch: Stagecoach X18

Seven Sisters Country Park

In East Sussex, you can head to Seven Sisters Country Park with breathtaking coastal views making it the ideal spot for coastal walks.

You’ll see the seven chalk cliffs which were formed by ancient river valleys.

Tie a visit to the famous viewpoint near Seaford Head in to your walk as well, where you will spot the Coastguards Cottages.

This is also a great spot for spotting birdlife, including kestrels and egrets.

Bus to catch: Brighton & Hove buses 12 or 12A or 12X

New Forest National Park

Found mostly in Hampshire, the New Forest National Park sprawls across a staggering 219sqm.

The park boasts historic woodlands as well as free-roaming ponies.

Across the park, you can also head to a number of quaint villages.

For example, in Lyndhurst – which is often dubbed the ‘capital’ of the forest – you’ll find cosy shops and the New Forest Centre.

Bus to catch: morebus X3 or X6

Eastbourne

In East Sussex, you could head to Eastbourne – a much loved seaside town.

Often thought to be the sunniest place in the UK, you can venture to the Victorian pier where you will find arcades and slot machines.

Then stop by the beach, which if you head to during low tide, you might be lucky enough to find some fossils.

Before leaving, grab some fish and chips or an ice cream from one of the many beach shacks.

Bus to catch: Coaster 12

Lands End

What better place to go than the most westerly point of England?

The famous headland at Land’s End, Cornwall, is a great spot for coastal walks as well as taking in the views of staggering 61-metre cliffs.

On clear days, you’ll even be able to see across towards the Isles of Scilly.

Make sure you snap a pic of the kids with the distance signpost before you leave.

Bus to catch: Go Cornwall bus 1A

York Railway Museum

In York, you could visit the National Railway Museum – the largest railway museum in the world.

Ideal for kids, it is open each day from 10am to 5pm and inside there

There are around 100 locomotives in the museum and a number of interactive zones too.

After exploring the museum, have a wander around York and admire the pretty architecture.

Bus to catch: First York 59

Ashmolean Museum

In Oxford, you can explore the city and then head to the Ashmolean Museum.

It is the world’s second university museum and Britain’s oldest public museum.

You can spend hours exploring art and archaeology collections including Egyptian mummies.

Another fascinating item to look out for is Guy Fawkes’s lantern from the 1605 Gunpowder Plot.

Bus to catch: Stagecoach 2

Durham Cathedral

Head to Durham and explore the city’s cathedral, which was built back in 1093.

The cathedral forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside Durham Castle.

Inside, you can see ribbed stone vaulting and grand 6.6metre high columns.

The cathedral was even a filming spot on the Harry Potter series.

Bus to catch: Gateshead Central Taxis 40 or 40A, or 40C

White Cliffs of Dover

In Kent, you could visit the White Cliffs of Dover.

While the nearest bus does drop you around a mile away, it makes the ideal day walk to see the white cliffs that formed 100million years ago.

On a clear day you might even be able to see France.

The recently opened King Charles III England Coast Path also runs past the cliffs.

Bus to catch: Stagecoach South East 93

Dartmoor National Park

Dartmoor National Park in Devon is home to hundreds of towering granite tors that once used to be molten magma in the Earth‘s crust.

Today, the National Park is the ideal place to go on scenic hikes.

One accessible spot is Haytor, which is about a 15-minute walk from a visitor centre.

Make sure to look out for Dartmoor ponies too.

Bus to catch: Stagecoach South West 1 or 38 or 118

Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary

Who doesn’t love a donkey?

Well, at the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary in Devon you can see more than 200 of them.

The site is also home to a number of activities including a maze for kids to explore.

And if you get hungry, there is an onsite cafe for a nibble.

Bus to catch: AMVT 899 or Stagecoach South West 9A

To see the full list of operators and attractions you could visit via the bus, head to the Gov.uk website.

LOOKING for some last minute action-packed family days out this summer?

Luckily, top UK theme parks are teaming up with giants like Minecraft, Formula 1 and Pokémon for amazing events that you and the family to get stuck into.

Whether your little ones want to hunt down real-life Minecraft Mobs, build LEGO Poké Balls or ride record-breaking coasters after dark, you still have time to do all of the above this summer.

Here’s the top events across UK theme parks that STILL have plenty of availability in August, from as little as £19 per person.

Alton Towers

Minecraft Meet the Mobs event: until August 28

If you’ve got any Minecraft fans in the family, you’ll want to bring them along to the Meet the Mobs event at Alton Towers.

Families can explore the theme park in an entirely new light as Creepers, axolotls, baby pandas and more roam the park ready to pose for pictures. And yes – you can meet the Minecraft movie-famous Chicken Jockey.

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There’s also an adorable Baby Mob Trail which takes you through memorable scenes and terrains from the movie and game. Complete the trail, and you’ll even get a baby axolotl hat to take home.

Not only this, but there’s even Minecraft-themed food and drink to enjoy, plus an arts and crafts zone to take a breather.

Book a day to ticket to Alton Towers from £32.13pp

Legoland Windsor Resort

Lego Festival and Pokémon collaboration: until August 31

Think everything you get from a fully-fledged festival – headline performances, chill zones, live music and more – but fully designed for kids. And throw in a whole bunch of Lego bricks.

Not only is there live shows and brick building zones here, but there’s also a new-for-2026 Pokémon play zone.

Here you get an interactive Pokémon Trainer experience, before building your own Lego Poké Ball as well as plenty of other themed activities.

You can even grab a family photo with Lego Pikachu for the memories.

Plus, for any Formula 1 fans, there’s also a new F1 Thrill Zone, where you can take on the Lego Brick Stop Challenge as you build against the clock.

Throw into the mix designing, building and racing your own F1 car, and you’ve got yourself a pretty action-packed day out at the Lego Festival.

Book a day to ticket to Legoland Windsor Resort from £29.75pp

Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park Lates: Summer Sounds: 14, 15, 21 and 22 August

Make the most of summer’s bright, sunny evenings with Thorpe Park Lates, where you can ride coasters up until 9pm in August.

Not only can you stay out later, but the theme park also hosts live DJ sets, so you’ll have a soundtrack to your late night rides.

Tackle the record-breaking Hyperia, go from 0-80mph in under 2 seconds on Stealth, or reach speeds of nearly 60mph on The Swarm.

If high-intensity coasters aren’t your thing, there’s bumper cars, teacups, a 4D cinema and plenty more attractions to spend your evening drifting between.

Book a day to ticket to Thorpe Park from £35

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Late Night rides with fireworks and summer shows: until August 29

End the night with a bang at Blackpool Pleasure Beach with their Late Night Riding and Fireworks nights.

Here you can ride famous coasters like the Big Dipper and The Big One into the night, before grabbing a hot drink to watch the fireworks to put a finish to a fun-filled day.

The fireworks begin at 10pm, with an epic backdrop of massive rollercoasters and the familiar Blackpool seaside skyline.

There’s also entertainment shows running until the end of summer. One of which is the Evolution of Magic (£14) where you can watch an interactive magic show from Britain’s Got Talent-famous illusionists, Craig Christian and Elizabeth Best.

Book a day to ticket to Blackpool Pleasure Beach from £29

Gulliver’s Land

Summer Soundwaves: until September 1

Gulliver’s Land are bringing the festival feeling to Milton Keynes, with a packed live DJ schedule throughout the rest of the summer.

DJ Leonard’s Rides and Vibes sees Leonard the lion leading dance parties throughout the park, plus Buddy’s Buccaneer Boogie brings the pirate tunes.

And that’s not all – there’s also K-Pop Karousel events where you can learn dance routines and take part in karaoke, plus you can spin under the lights at Dodge’s Disco Dodgems.

When you’re not stopping to sing and dance at one of the park’s many parties, there’s rides like the Jungle Falls waterslide and The Wriggler caterpillar kids coaster, plus a dinosaur trail and farmyard to explore.

Book a day to ticket to Gulliver’s Land from £12.50

Prices correct at the time of publication.

A MAJOR budget airline is facing travel chaos as staff promise to walk out THIS weekend.

EasyJet cabin crew in France are vowing to walk out due to rota arrangements and working conditions.

A strike notice was issued for August 7 to September 2 which means staff can walk out at any time during that period.

However, 48 hours notice must be given.

And now the strike dates have been announced for August 15 and 16.

Airports facing disruptions include Lyon, Nice, Paris Orly, Bordeaux and Paris Charles de Gaulle.

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A spokesperson for ⁠easyJet told Sun Travel: “We are extremely disappointed that unions representing our France-based cabin crew have announced plans for industrial action on 15 and 16 August, outside any formal negotiation process and despite our offer of adjustments to tackle their concerns.

“Given we have planned negotiations in September, we call on the unions to call off this opportunistic action at this important time of the year for our customers.

“We are sorry for the impact the unnecessary action will have on our customers.

“We will do all we can to minimise disruption. Customers whose flights are affected will be informed directly and will be offered options including a free transfer or a refund.

“We advise customers travelling to or from France on 15 and 16 August to check the status of their flight via our Flight Tracker.”

In a statement from the group of unions said: “Any flight cancellations or disruptions resulting ​from these days of action will be solely attributable to easyJet, which has chosen not to give a ​serious response to the repeated warnings from ​trade unions over the past months.”

A previous strike notice was suspended due to wildfires in the Gironde region.

The unions said at the time: “For nearly a year, the unions have been warning easyJet management about the continuous deterioration of cabin crew working conditions: chronic schedule instability, last-minute changes, imposed trip patterns, particularly burdensome rotations, and a total lack of protective measures.”

Late summer hiking in the Austrian Alps

Haldensee is a clear, sparkling cold lake located at the bottom of the Tannheimer Tal valley in the Austrian Alps (about 90 miles south-west of Munich). We visited last year, just when summer was on its way out, and it was too cold to skinny-dip in the lake (unless you were very brave). Nonetheless, if you’re a hiker, a ski lift takes you up into the Allgäu Alps where you can walk through dense forest to Bad Kissinger Hütte serving refreshing apfelschorle, warming soups and seasonal bakes to refuel for the journey downhill. When going down, we were accompanied by tinkling cattle, ambling along the mountain-side springs, which made the experience so much more memorable.
Kovida

Mountain tracks of Lake Garda, Italy

Northern Lake Garda, where the mountains tower above the lake, is one huge adventure playground: walking, cycling, climbing, boat trips and all manner of watersports on the lake. There are castles, waterfalls and valley cycle trails. The old Ponale mountain road might be the pick for cycling (best on ebike) and walking. It winds through tunnels and clings to the rock with spectacular views over the lake. At Ponale Alto enjoy a hearty pasta dish washed down with a local beer or wine, before returning downhill all the way.
Dave Thomas

Swiss bliss near Mont Blanc

Skip the crowds of Chamonix and spend a week at La Fouly, in south-west Switzerland. Some walking routes are busy (it is a hub for the famous Tour du Mont Blanc walk) but there are plenty of walks to choose from, many of which are not on the main trail. Walk to the Lacs de Fenêtre, where you can hear the gurgling burps of rock ptarmigans at first light, and the shrieks of marmots as you descend back down into the valley. We camped by cool, fast-flowing rivers at Camping des Glaciers in La Fouly.
Daniel

Meadows and cowbells in Slovenia

The loudest sound in Slovenia’s Logar Valley is usually a cowbell. A narrow road runs through flower-filled meadows to the foot of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, but it’s best explored on foot or by bike, stopping at the little farms that sell homemade cheese and apple juice. Follow the easy trail to the 90-metre Rinka waterfall, then linger over lunch at one of the mountain inns to enjoy the view. I stayed overnight in a family-run guesthouse, and by early evening the day visitors had gone, leaving the valley almost silent except for swallows and grazing cattle.
Susanna C

Dragonflies and lilies on Italy’s secret lake

The spring-fed Lago di Monate, between the much larger lakes of Maggiore and di Varese, has possibly the freshest swimming water in Italy, chiefly because of its longstanding ban on motorboats. You can hire paddleboards to cross the calm surface to vast lily beds, blooming in summer and alive with dragonflies. The grassy beach with sunbeds and umbrellas at Il Coppale is very reasonable with evening meal (fresh fish, naturally) on their terrace at about €25 with a view over the lake to the Alps.
Tim Leadbetter

Alpine ambience in Bavaria

Looking for a reasonable budget autumnal trip, a search on the usual sites led us to Bavaria, and the outdoorsy town of Ruhpolding. Alpine atmosphere was immediately delivered, with a charming unpretentious ambience. There is a really impressive waterpark and cool blue lakes, such as Lödensee and Weitsee. Hikes through classical Alpine scenery took us to an alm, a mountain refuge in high meadows where local milk and beer was served with platters of meat and cheese. A little further away the huge Chiemsee gave us a day at the beach. A stop in Munich on the way back allowed us to visit the excellent BMW museum, part of which is free.
Brian Lowry

Cycling the Velosud this summer was the perfect trip to the mountains without having to cycle up or down them. We spent two weeks leisurely following the signposted route in the foothills of the Pyrenees, often alongside rivers, with mountain views every day. It’s all either traffic-free or on very quiet roads, and passes by spa towns such as Salies-du-Salat, the beautiful Foix and Mirepoix, and lovely, low-key but well equipped campsites (always with swimming pool, aperitif and morning croissants).
Rowan

A cross-border trek on the Camino Francés

I’ve walked close to 2,000km of the Camino de Santiago, traversing Spain from the Pyrenees to the Galician coast and following the crashing waves of the Atlantic Portuguese coast in northern Portugal. One of the most stunning stretches of the Camino Francés (part of the Camino de Santiago) takes you from the French Pyrenean town of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to the Spanish village of Roncesvalles. It’s a very tough climb, but it’s well worth the effort. In the early morning mist, as you approach the border with Spain, the panoramic views from above the cloud line will take your breath away. A truly spectacular experience.
Stephen Taylor

Tuscany’s wild side

It’s amazing that the Alpi Apuane are not better known. This raw, jagged cluster of marble peaks forms a dramatic backdrop to the bucket-and-spade beaches of northern Tuscany. These mountains are laced with challenging trails, including the multi-day Via Vandelli, linking Modena to the coast. The valleys shelter quiet, refreshing streams and half-forgotten villages. Above the treeline, the hiker is rewarded with expansive views of the mountains, the sea, and the surreal marble quarries hewn from the mountainsides. This is the wild side of Tuscany.
Robert

Winning tip: The Vosges mountains by train

The Vosges mountains in eastern France are made up of forest-covered rounded peaks called ballons, and are accessible by train. The line between Colmar and Metzeral provides easy access into the Wormsa valley, where forest paths climb past streams to the peaceful Lac du Fischboedle, surrounded by trees. From there you can climb the third highest mountain in the Vosges, Hohneck (1,363 metres), for sweeping views towards the Alps. The food in the region is delicious, especially tarte flambée (flammekueche), a traditional thin flatbread topped with creme fraiche, onions and bacon.
Hannah

Given the resilience and diversity of our local mosquito population and our warming climate, Los Angeles doesn’t really have an easily defined mosquito season.

That was one of my biggest takeaways — and bummers — from my conversation with Chris Barker, an epidemiology professor at UC Davis who has studied mosquitoes for almost 30 years, including at his lab.

“I hate to say it, but there are mosquitoes year-round,” Barker said, “and in Southern California in particular, many of your mosquitoes are active year-round, and they don’t go through a reproductive pause, so they’re really just waiting on conditions to be right for biting and for development. In that sense, the warmer [weather], the better for the mosquitoes, and the worse it is for us.”

For this week’s edition of The Wild, our weekly outdoors newsletter, I spoke to Barker about how hikers can best avoid nature’s rudest insect this summer. I wanted to understand what common misconceptions hikers have about mosquitoes, any behavioral changes we can make and what types of trails are most likely to have active mosquito populations. (Spoiler alert: It’s a lot of them.)

First, let’s quickly discuss the mosquitoes that you will find in Southern California, as Barker emphasized to me that we shouldn’t just imagine mosquitoes as one bloodthirsty monolith.

“There are many species of mosquitoes that exhibit a wide range of behaviors, and some species never bite people,” Barker said. “Knowing just a little bit of mosquito biology can help a hiker know when and” where to hike.

Types of mosquitoes found around L.A. hiking trails

In California, there are more than 50 species of mosquitoes, living from below sea level in the desert to above 10,000 feet in our mountains, according to the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Thankfully, our local population is smaller than that and includes:

• Three mosquitoes in the Aedes genus: Often dubbed “ankle biters,” the black-and-white-striped female aedes mosquitoes bite during the day, often around the legs, often multiple times; the most prevalent in Southern California, Aedes aegypti, generally lives where people are, as it depends heavily on manmade water sources to lay its eggs; different species are vectors for different diseases, including Aedes aegypti, which can carry dengue fever.
• Six mosquitoes in the Culex genus: Adults are most active from dusk to dawn; they prefer to bite birds but will bite humans; otherwise, they will rest in cool, shaded dense vegetation; the Southern house mosquito in this genus can transmit West Nile.

Culex mosquitoes bite at dawn and dusk and tend to feed off birds. The Southern house mosquito in this genus can transmit West Nile.

(Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District)

• Anopheles franciscanus: Living in warm sunny pools with algae; not known to carry disease in California; peak biting during dusk and dawn; included in this list to make us all feel a little better, just in case you worry as much as your local outdoors journalist about mosquito-borne diseases.
• Ochlerotatus sierrensis: Also known as “western treehole mosquitoes,” these little jerks lay their eggs in tree holes, especially oaks, laurels and eucalyptus, and emerge in spring, ready to unapologetically ruin your backpacking trip; these mosquitoes will bite in the day and evening, but are especially active at dusk.
• Ochlerotatus washinoi: Also known as “woodland pond mosquitoes,” which makes them sound more charming than they are, these aggressive daytime biters are typically found in floodwater habitats in early spring; not known to carry disease in California.

A quick 101 on West Nile virus

Outside of an itchy bite or, in rare cases, a severe allergic reaction, the most significant health threat that mosquitoes pose to hikers around L.A. is West Nile virus.

West Nile virus is typically contracted by humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people infected with the virus, an estimated 80%, never know it, because they don’t get sick. About 20% of those infected experience flu-like symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Less than 1% develop serious illnesses that affect the central nervous system and usually require hospitalization.

Similar to the lack of clarity around who develops long COVID, scientists have yet to identify why certain people develop serious neurological conditions from West Nile. Advanced age, especially in people 65 and older, is thought to play a role, given that with age, the body’s immune system is slower to respond to threats, according to the National Library of Medicine. Other risk factors are thought to include being male; having diabetes, heart disease or chronic kidney disease; or being immunocompromised, according to research.

In recent years, reported West Nile human cases have typically peaked in early September, according to data analyzed by the L.A. County Department of Public Health. This year, West Nile has been detected in traps and in dead birds across L.A., but especially in Cerritos and Long Beach, according to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.

Given all that we know now about our local mosquito population and risks, let’s discuss Barker’s tips and tricks for how hikers can best avoid getting bit.

How L.A. hikers can best avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes

People walk in and around the Arroyo Seco.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

1. Consider what water source is near.

I personally love hiking along the Arroyo Seco or San Gabriel River, where it’s often shady and cooler than other parts of Angeles National Forest. Unfortunately, mosquitoes love those areas too.

Mosquitoes prefer standing water, but not permanent water, Barker said. For certain species, this could be a segment of the river where the water has stopped flowing, leaving a nice warm pool for mama mosquitoes to lay their eggs, or even a small puddle.

“When I go hiking … especially in the mountains, I always look in the rock homes next to the streams that have captured snow melt water as it recedes,” Barker said. “Those rock holes keep water through much of the summer, and if you look in those rock holes, you often see hundreds or thousands of mosquitoes in individual rock holes. They’re the immatures that are still developing and will come out and eventually bite people and other animals in the area.”

I was honestly happier before I knew that.

2. Consider the day’s forecast and its effect on mosquito behavior.

“Often these mosquitoes are biting from late afternoon into early evening — so all the times we love to be outdoors,” Barker said.

Like us, mosquitoes are most active when temperatures are warm but not extremely hot. “On our hot days in the summer, mosquitoes will wait until the late afternoon, evening or even morning periods to bite instead of the hottest part of the day,” Barker said.

That said, if there’s a light breeze or it is windy, you’re far less likely to get bitten, as mosquitoes are thought to only fly up to 1 to 1.5 mph.

Dunsmore Canyon in Glendale.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

3. Take extra precautions on morning and evening hikes.

Mosquitoes are often most active during these time periods — the ideal summer hiking time. As such, Barker advised hikers to wear baggy light-colored pants and hiking shirts, so that you will remain cool enough under the sun but your skin will be more protected.

You can also pre-spray your clothing with Permethrin, an insecticide that kills and repels mosquitoes.

An Aedes mosquito, commonly called an ankle biter, prefers humans over animals. While Aedes can carry dengue, they do not transmit West Nile virus.

(Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District)

4. Reapply mosquito repellent.

I generally set a timer for around 50 minutes when out hiking to remind myself to reapply sunscreen, but I rarely remember to reapply bug repellent.

“Most people do kind of a one-and-done application and happily go off and hike, and if you hike for hours, especially if you’re using repellent with either a lower DEET concentration or some other alternatives, you often have to reapply those at more frequent intervals,” Barker said.

Mosquitoes inside a storage container are tested after capture by public health workers for West Nile virus. This particular station is in Pacoima.

(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

DEET has long been found to be a highly effective mosquito repellent, but as I reported back in 2024, DEET has a perception problem. Unlike some repellents, it isn’t naturally occurring, which has caused some members of the public to take pause.

“They want something that’s natural. They forget that strychnine [and] ricin are all natural products,” said Walter S. Leal, a UC Davis distinguished professor in molecular and cellular biology, in a 2024 interview, referencing poisons derived from plants. “Being natural does not necessarily mean it is good, and being synthetic doesn’t necessarily mean it is bad.”

Additionally, people often incorrectly associate DEET with the banned insecticide DDT. “This is a big mistake,” Leal said. “There is no chemical similarity between the two.”

The view from a bench at a lookout point near the Saddle Peak Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

5. Try coastal hikes to avoid mosquitoes.

“Coastal environments sometimes have fewer mosquitoes,” Barker said. “In L.A., you have that strong temperature gradient as you move away from the ocean, and things get warmer in the inland areas. Cooler areas slow mosquito development, and you tend to have fewer mosquitoes right along the coast.”

This excludes areas near tidal marshes, like the Ballona and Los Cerritos wetlands, where certain mosquitoes can become “quite numerous” if not controlled by local vector agencies.

The Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve in Marina del Rey in 2023.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The coastal breeze also helps hikes along the ocean — like several routes you’ll find in the Santa Monica Mountains or Palos Verdes Peninsula — have fewer mosquitoes.

“And some of the coastal mosquitoes fly inland to find their blood meal hosts before they come back and lay eggs,” Barker said. “So right along the coast is not a bad place to be from a mosquito-biting perspective.”

Did somebody say Type-O Tuesday?

A Joshua Tree and rocks are lit up by the sunrise at Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Park.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

6. If weather allows, hike in the desert to avoid mosquitoes.

“There is no real escape from mosquitoes, I would say, except possibly in the deserts in areas with less water,” Barker said. “That’s your best escape in California.”

If you head out to Joshua Tree, this generally means hiking before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m., as you will otherwise almost certainly get overheated.

7. Be mindful when taking breaks.

It’s harder for mosquitoes to bite you when you’re moving or when there’s a breeze. Keep an eye out when taking breaks, as this will more likely be the time you get bitten. And often where we like to take breaks is where mosquitoes also like to rest.

A field sample of mosquitoes that could carry West Nile virus is seen at offices of the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health in Hemet.

(David McNew / Getty Images)

“Mosquitoes do tend to rest in areas with vegetation or other vertical structures that protect them from harsh conditions like direct sunlight or strong winds,” Barker said. “The female mosquitoes also search for their blood meal hosts in those areas, which include us.

“Unfortunately for us,” Barker added, “they like a lot of the same areas we do.”

3 things to do

A group of hikers at a Just Trek event.

(Victor Martinez)

1. Celebrate community in Malibu
Just Trek, a local hiking community, will host its seven-year anniversary party at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in Malibu. The group will take a two-mile hike and then hang out at a local beach near a seafood restaurant. Donations appreciated. Register at partiful.com.

2. Behold native botany in L.A.
The L.A. Parks Foundation will host From Trail to Seed, a botany-focused nature walk, from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Fern Canyon Trail in Griffith Park. Botanist Terry Huang and park ecologist Ryan Kinzel will lead the group as they take a moderately challenging route through the park. $20 donation requested. Register at los-angeles-parks-foundation.givecloud.co.

3. Use your nature skills in Baldwin Hills
The Nature Nexus Institute needs volunteers from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday for a habitat restoration event in the Baldwin Hills. Volunteers must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. The work site will include traversing uneven terrain. Learn more at the institute’s Instagram page.

The must-read

Jackie the eagle.

(Friends of Big Bear Valley)

Jackie, arguably the world’s most famous bald eagle mama, died Monday morning after a mysterious illness that veterinarians at the Ojai Raptor Center worked hard to combat. She was 14. Jackie and her mate Shadow transformed into avian all-stars after Friends of Big Bear Valley installed live cameras of their nest. Millions of people across the world tuned in to witness the two eagles raise their young and live their lives in our local mountains. That included Anny Liu of Altadena, who started watching Jackie and Shadow and their little eaglets after losing her community to the Eaton fire in 2025. “Jackie and her family gave me hope and gave me giggles and smiles that I thought were lost with the fires,” Liu wrote to The Times via a reader callout. “My heart felt lighter when I watched her even to this day as we try to rebuild. Never in my life did I expect an eagle would help me so much emotionally and mentally.”

May we continue to allow ourselves to feel these deep connections with our animal neighbors, as it leads to us wanting to protect their homes and, in turn, protect our world.

Happy adventuring,

P.S.

Do you want to help repair damage from the devastating fire that burned across Santa Rosa Island? The California Institute of Environmental Studies needs volunteers to help implement emergency fire recovery work on the island, including rolling erosion control wattles on steep slopes to better protect the Torrey Pine forest from erosion caused by winter rains. To learn more, you can email Destinee Rabelo, the center’s restoration ecologist field lead, by using the email linked in the organization’s Instagram post. Have fun out there!

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.

THERE’S last-minute, and then there’s “I could be sitting on a sun lounger by next Wednesday” last-minute.

Well, we’re at that exact point in late summer when airline and hotel booking engines do some very interesting things.

Flights with remaining empty seats need filling, hotels want their final unoccupied rooms gone, and package prices are suddenly sitting far below where they were just a few weeks ago.

So, I’ve been digging through our live booking data to track down the destinations offering the absolute cheapest last-minute summer holidays on the board.

These aren’t bottom-of-the-barrel options either, by the way.

Every deal below includes return flights, accommodation, food and drinks, with these particular all-inclusive holidays starting from just £315 per person.

Here’s the breakdown from number eight down to the single cheapest steal on the map.

You’ll need to move fast though, because these departures are all within the next two weeks.

8. Skanes, Tunisia (from £430pp)

If you want guaranteed August heat and a fully-loaded hotel setup without paying top dollar, Skanes is the place to look.

This purpose-built coastal strip sits directly between Monastir and Sousse, meaning the resorts come with massive swimming pools, palm gardens, and access to sandy beaches.

It’s quieter than the major Tunisian city hubs, but our recent booking data shows holidaymakers have been landing stays here for an average of £82.86 per person, per night – in the school holidays!

You can lock in a five-night, all-inclusive stay at the four-star Hotel Liberty Resort from 22 August, with return flights from Cardiff, for just £430pp.

The property is a brilliant family base with a massive outdoor pool network, but the real insider win here is the hotel’s private, free return shuttle down to their dedicated beach plot.

It means you can swap the poolside lounger for the sea in under three minutes without doing a hot, dusty trek in the August heat.

7. Marmaris, Turkey (from £408pp)

Marmaris came in as the second-cheapest resort overall, averaging just £75.43 per person, per night for extreme last-minute bookings this summer.

It remains one of Turkey’s best all-rounders because it caters to every type of traveller – whether your sightseeing limit is walking from your lounger to the snack bar, or you want a buzzing marina, waterfront seafood spots, and boat trips around the pine-clad bay.

I tracked down a five-night, all-inclusive package at the four-star Hawaii Hotel, flying from Birmingham on 21 August, for just £408pp.

The hotel sits right on its own section of shingle beach, but the standout feature here is easily the location.

Because it sits right on the border of the main seafront promenade, you can enjoy a quiet, self-contained resort atmosphere during the day and walk straight out into the bustling town centre after dinner without ever needing a taxi.

6. Sunny Beach, Bulgaria (from £378pp)

Sunny Beach has built its entire reputation on being dirt cheap, and the latest figures show it still thoroughly earns that crown.

Recent breaks have been averaging just £76.90 per person, per night, making it the third-cheapest resort in my research.

And in Sunny Beach, its broad, sandy beach stretches for miles, packed with waterparks, family attractions, and beachfront bars.

You can bag a five-night, all-inclusive stay at the three-star Yunona from 20 August, flying direct from Manchester, for just £378pp.

Getting five full days of accommodation, food, and drinks – plus flights included – for under £400 in peak August is nuts.

And at Yunona, I love the sheltered design – because despite sitting right in the heart of the resort near the main attractions, the pool area is entirely enclosed by the hotel block, creating a surprisingly quiet and relaxed sanctuary away from the main strip’s noise.

5. Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria (from £373pp)

Playa del Ingles serves up reliable sunshine all year-round, but summer is when I think it’s at its best.

It’s one of Gran Canaria’s liveliest spots, boasting a huge beach, sprawling shopping centres, and the famous Maspalomas sand dunes right on your doorstep.

While my data shows the resort averaging as little as £83.43 per person, per night, live deals offer a way to beat that average significantly.

I found a five-night, all-inclusive deal at the Green Field aparthotel, flying from Bristol on 19 August, for £373pp.

That works out to £74.60 per person, per night – nearly £9 below the resort average.

What makes this three-star property a standout for me is the apartments – every unit comes with its own kitchenette and a wide private balcony, giving you a proper, spacious living area to retreat to rather than feeling crammed into a standard hotel room.

4. Icmeler, Turkey (from £370pp)

Icmeler is the calmer, considerably greener neighbor to Marmaris.

The resort wraps around a sheltered bay, surrounded by mountains, with a beach, canal, and quiet seafront tavernas.

While our booking data shows travellers currently paying an average of £79.43 per person, per night here, live availability drops well below that baseline – even when you’re looking at the very last-minute.

I clocked a five-night, all-inclusive break at the four-star Club Munamar Beach Resort, flying from Bristol on 19 August, for £370pp – bringing the nightly cost down to just £74 per person.

The hotel features three separate pool zones, an excellent entertainment team, and its own private beach section.

They even provide reserved sunbeds and shades exclusively for guests, saving you from paying daily commercial beach fees down on the main shore.

3. Maspalomas, Gran Canaria (from £340pp)

Maspalomas actually registered as the most expensive of these eight resorts in the recent booking data, averaging £89.43 per person, per night.

However, hunting through live availability reveals a massive price loophole that completely flips that narrative.

You can lock in a five-night, all-inclusive package at the Maspalomas Oasis Club, departing Bristol on 19 August, for £340pp.

That slashes the daily price down to just £68 per person, per night – more than £21 below the resort average.

The property itself is a low-rise, bungalow-style complex in the quiet Campo Internacional area. 

And the apartments even have a duplex layout – instead of sharing corridors in a noisy multi-story block, you get your own self-contained bungalow with a private ground-floor terrace surrounding the pool.

2. Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote (from £338pp)

Puerto del Carmen came in as the absolute cheapest overall resort for super-last-minute holidays, with guests paying an average of just £73.15 per person, per night, according to the data.

That’s remarkable value given that Lanzarote is one of the most reliable options for guaranteed weather in Europe.

I even spotted a five-night, all-inclusive holiday at the three-star BLUESEA Los Fiscos, flying direct from Manchester on 22 August, for £338pp – coming out at just £67.60 per person, per night.

And this place is an apartment-style hotel tucked into the hillside above the old town.

The absolute best feature here is the elevated panoramic terrace, Because it sits above the main harbour, the pool bar serves up sweeping, uninterrupted views across the Atlantic Ocean while you grab an evening drink. Beauty.

1. Laganas, Zante (from £315pp)

Laganas takes the number one spot on our board for the absolute cheapest complete holiday package.

While it’s famous for its nightlife strip, move away from the main strip and you’ll find the protected Zakynthos Marine Park, traditional tavernas, and excellent boat trips out to spot loggerhead turtles.

While average bookings sit at £87.62 per person, per night, the live deals reveal a massive price drop that you can take advantage of.

You can secure a five-night, all-inclusive stay at the four-star Majestic Hotel and Spa, flying from Bristol on 19 August, for just £315pp.

That works out to a rock-bottom £63 per person, per night for return flights, accommodation, and all your food and drinks in peak August.

The hotel sits right in the heart of the action, featuring a massive central pool deck and an on-site spa, making it the ultimate budget launchpad for anyone wanting to be right in the center of the resort energy.

IF you are looking for a last-minute summer break for the whole family, check out these Eurocamp resorts.

With swimming complexes, waterslides, sports, entertainment and nearby beaches it will keep everyone entertained – and we’ve found 10 that still have spaces this August from £10.60pppn.

Château de Fonrives, Dordogne, France 

Anyone who’s a fan of water will love this Eurocamp as it has three swimming pools and five thrilling waterslides.

For relaxation, check into the wellness centre which has a sauna, massages and beauty treatments – there’s also direct access to nearby lakes and a free kids clubs for children between 5-17.

Seven-nights from August 22 in a Comfort three bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £446.53 per party – or £10.60pppn.

Les Ecureuils, Vendée, France 

Found on the coast of France, this Eurocamp is surrounded by miles of sandy beaches.

There’s also a huge family pool, children’s splash park and waterslides as well as a lazy river and Jacuzzi – when it comes to eating, take a look in the restaurant called Amy’s House which serves up salads, pasta and burger dishes.

CHEAP AS CHIPS

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Cheap UK stays from £9.50pp – with FREE bottomless wine & £11pp coastal cottages

Seven-nights from August 22 staying in a two bedroom Safari Tent that sleeps up to five guests, from £543.06 per party – or £15.50pppn.

Sole di Sari, Corsica, France

This stretch of Corsican coast is part of a nature reserve and within touching distance of the sea.

It also has a newly refurbished waterpark with a family pool, shallow children’s pool, splash park and and twisty waterslide – during the summer months there’s evening entertainment too.

Seven-nights from August 22 staying in a Comfort three bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £597.38 per party – or £14.22pppn.

Camping Fabulous Village, Rome, Italy

This fabulous village has it all for a family fun holiday from its many swimming pools to its large sunbathing area.

Along with its on-site restaurant and bar there’s also a gelateria for when it’s time to cool down – when it comes to activities, kids can try out tennis, football, volleyball and trampolining.

Seven nights from August 22 staying in a Classic two bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to four guests, from £663.74 per party – or £23.70pppn.

Klein Canada, Limburg, Netherlands 

This Eurocamp sits on the Maasduinen National Park and it has pools, ponds with a touch of Canadian adventure.

Along with its outdoor swimming pools, there’s a fishing pond regularly stocked with carp and whitefish for enthusiasts. With the National Park on your doorstep, it’s a great spot for walking through forests, heathlands, and river dunes.

Seven-nights from August 22 staying in a Premium three bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £681.87 per party – or £16.24pppn.

hu Norcenni Girasole Village, Tuscany, Italy

Thanks to its location, pitches at this steep park have incredible views of the Tuscan countryside.

Adults will love this Eurocamp as it has wine tasting excursions and and wine tasting evenings at the on-site shop – it also has eight swimming pools and six watersides and is close to Florence, Pisa and Siena.

Seven nights from August 22 staying in a Classic two bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £718.06 per party – £17.10pppn.

Aminess Maravea, Istria, Croatia 

There are activities and water sports galore at this beachside Eurocamp in Croatia – it might be surrounded by leafy trees but it’s right next to the water too.

Adults can cool off in its tidal infinity pool and lido, while kids can paddle in their own pool complete with slides and spray park. You can to try traditional Croatian cuisine here too at Restaurant Loop which provides all-day selection of meals and snacks.

Seven nights from Saturday 22nd August 2026 staying in a two bedroom Super Lodge Tent that sleeps up to five guests, from £718.06 per party – £17.10pppn.

Atlantic Club Montalivet, Gironde, France

The Atlantic Club Montalivet is surrounded by pine trees but is right by the ocean too with direct access to the beach.

It has multiple swimming pools and guests will love the U-shaped waterslide which you can go down on with an inflatable. Sports are well covered too from tennis, mini golf, beach volleyball and football to pétanque.

Seven nights from August 22 staying in a Comfort two bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £802.55 per party – or £19.11pppn.

hu Birkelt Village, Mullerthal, Luxembourg

This Eurocamp is nicknamed Little Switzerland thanks to its surrounding meadows, woodlands and rivers.

It has an impressive pool complex which has a retractable roof that opens when the sun arrives along with a kids’ disco, play area, bar and restaurant.

Seven-nights from Saturday 22nd August 2026 staying in a Comfort three bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £947.31 per party – or £22.55pppn.

Terme Čatež, Lower Carniola, Slovenia

The highlight of Terme Čatež has to be its outdoor waterpark with waterslides, a wave pool, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, 450-metre lazy river and even a pirate island.

The Pri Kapitanu restaurant serves regional specialities which guests can enjoy on its lakeside terrace. For sight-seeing, Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, is under one hour away.

Seven nights from August 22 staying in a two bedroom Safari Tent that sleeps up to five guests, from £977.48 per party – or £27.93pppn.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

A NUMBER of major attractions are set to shut early tomorrow, or close entirely, as Brits brace for the fifth heatwave of the year.

The mercury is set to rise to highs of 38C tomorrow, with very hot conditions anticipated for England and Wales.

Landmarks across England are closing early tomorrow in order to look after the wellbeing of staff and visitors.

This includes Britain’s largest zoo, Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, which spans over 600 acres and welcomes nearly one million annual visitors.

Whipsnade, alongside London Zoo in Regent’s Park, are both shutting two hours earlier at 4pm, in comparison to its regular 6pm closing time.

The decision hopes to “help support the wellbeing of our animals, visitors and staff during the hottest part of the afternoon”, according to the two major attractions.

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Brits are set to bask in 38C highs tomorrow afternoon, with rare amber “extreme heat” warnings in place for London, parts of the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands and South Yorkshire.

This heat has further seen popular museums such as the Young V&A, a children’s museum in Bethnal Green, close entirely, as well as the Sir John Soane’s Museum in Holborn closing at 1pm.

The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich will shut both its Painted Hall and Chapel tomorrow as a result of heatwave warnings in place for the capital.

London’s free open water lido, The Royal Docks Summer Splash on the banks of the Thames, has said on its Facebook page that they “expect” to shut completely tomorrow.

In Twickenham, the gothic-style Strawberry Hill House & Garden will also close in its entirety tomorrow “due to extreme heat warnings”.

Attractions that are set to close tomorrow are expected to reopen as usual on Friday (August 14) morning.

WOULD you rather spend £15 on a takeaway pizza, or use that money to go on a mega family holiday?

Your next family getaway in the UK doesn’t have to involve saving up for months and months.

Not when we’ve found entire family holidays for less than the price of a pizza.

Order a large pizza from Domino’s and you can expect to pay at least £14.

A six-piece tenders bargain bucket from KFC costs £15.99, and a chicken sharebox from McDonald’s on its own will set you back £13.69. And that’s all before you add drinks and delivery on top.

We’ve found 10 UK family holidays that cost less than all of the above – priced at £12.50pp or under.

So put down the delivery apps, and start packing your bags. Here’s the best family holidays you can book right now for less per person than a Friday night takeaway.

1. Devon Cliffs, Exmouth

Backed by dramatic red cliffs and perched above its own, award-winning private beach, Devon Cliffs is one of Haven’s top coastal resorts.

This holiday park is ideal for kids who love to make a splash, with a massive, four-lane indoor waterslide that plunges you straight into the indoor pool – plus a rubber ring tube slide outside.

Out on the beach, you can take part in sea kayaking and paddle-boarding lessons.

Back on land, there’s adrenaline-pumping activities like high-ropes courses and mini 4×4 off-roading.

Keeping costs down for meals is a breeze thanks to the resort’s own Wetherspoons pub, The Red Rocks, where you can eat familiar favourites like curries and pizzas and enjoy cheap pints.

Another dining option is the South Beach Cafe, which serves up seaside cocktails with sunset views.

When night falls, two live entertainment venues keep the whole family entertained with everything from classic bingo to 90’s tribute acts.

2. Marton Mere, Blackpool

Just a ten-minute drive from Blackpool’s famous seafront, Haven’s AA five-star rated Marton Mere holiday park has so much to do that you’ll barely want to leave site.

Family days here are spent braving free-fall airbag drops on ‘The Jump’, conquering the huge climbing wall, and getting competitive at the NERF Training Camp.

For something a little more relaxing, you can float down the outdoor lazy river or take a gentle swim in the heated indoor pool.

Feeding the family is hassle-free too, with on-site options including Papa Johns, Burger King, and Cook’s classic seaside fish and chips.

Evenings centre around the newly-upgraded Showbar, packed with exciting entertainment like interactive game shows.

Best of all, you’re just moments from the iconic Blackpool Tower, the world-famous Illuminations, and Pleasure Beach’s newest thrill rides such as Aviktas, which opened earlier this summer.

3. Billing Aquadrome, Northampton

Sprawling across 235 acres of lakes and countryside in Northamptonshire, Billing Aquadrome is designed to keep even hard-to-please teenagers off their phones.

Where else can kids feed alpacas, ride on a BMX pump track, learn TikTok dances, and ride a miniature railway all in one afternoon?

Kids can go full Total Wipeout on the lake’s massive inflatable obstacle course, while younger ones get stuck into slime-making and outdoor survival workshops.

When the sun goes down, the outdoor cinema becomes a popular spot with its open-air cinema screenings, plus there’s also silent discos and live shows in a giant outdoor amphitheatre.

Refuelling the family is easy thanks to loaded burgers at Smash’d Town and sweet snacks from the Bak’D & Swirls dessert shop.

To top it all off, you can fall asleep right on the water’s edge by booking a stay in a cosy lakeside pod.

4. Littlesea, Weymouth

Overlooking Dorset’s tranquil Fleet Lagoon, Haven’s AA 5 Gold Star-rated Littlesea Holiday Park puts natural wonders like Durdle Door and the Jurassic Coast right on your doorstep.

When you’re not out on a nature hike, there’s unique activities like pottery classes, an inflatable arena and games of beach bingo on-site.

Plus there’s plenty of Haven holiday classics too, like a crazy golf course, archery and football sessions.

Keen swimmers get the best of both worlds with heated indoor and sunny outdoor pool – plus it wouldn’t be a proper seaside holiday without getting in the sea.

The park is also only a 10-minute drive from the town centre of Weymouth and the historic Nothe Fort.

5. Orchards Holiday Village, Clacton-on-Sea

Active families are spoilt for choice at Essex’s AA four-star Orchards Holiday Village.

The park packs in a nine-hole golf course, mini Segway hire, Footgolf, and pop-up Football Fun Factory sessions into one site.

Soak up the countryside views by cycling around the large fishing lake, or if the weather plays up, spend those spare two pence coins winning prizes in the amusements.

A stay here isn’t complete without a visit to Clacton Pier and Pavilion, which is 17 minutes’ drive from the park.

This well-loved seaside spot has over 20 exciting rides that you can take on with a £12.99 unlimited ride wristband.

6. Butlin’s

What’s better than a family weekend away at Butlin’s?

There’s an abundance of activities across the popular Bognor Regis, Skegness, and Minehead resorts.

On rainy days, kids can spend hours conquering the massive Splash Waterworld waterpark, loaded with high-speed flumes, raft rides, and wave pools.

The action centres around the Skyline Pavilion, where the stage hosts West End-quality live productions, pantomimes, and character meet-and-greets with TV favourites.

Add in high-ropes courses, archery, soft play arenas, and direct beach access – and your schedule is packed from morning to night.

Plus, make sure to make use of the traditional fairground for unlimited spins on the dodgems and carousels.

7. Parkdean Looe Bay Holiday Park, Cornwall

From crabbing off Banjo Pier to exploring the giant biomes of the Eden Project, Parkdean Looe Bay puts proper Cornish adventures front and centre.

On-site, kids can splash around in the heated pool, tackle wildlife trails, or join in with action-packed tots’ activity sessions.

Nighttime brings live family entertainment alongside quality park dining, with all inclusive food and drink options up for grabs on selected midweek breaks.

Off-park, you’re just minutes from West Looe’s sandy coves, quiet rockpools, and Nelson, the town’s legendary bronze seal statue.

Historic harbour pubs like The Jolly Sailor serve up hearty home-cooked meals and fresh local catches straight off the boat.

Plus, with the Monkey Sanctuary and Polperro‘s ancient fishing village right around the corner, you’ll never run out of day trips.

8. Hopton Holiday Village, Great Yarmouth

Haven’s Hopton Holiday Village isn’t just another bog-standard holiday park – it’s the reigning AA Holiday Park of the Year.

Sitting in Norfolk’s Hopton-on-Sea, here you’ll get direct beach access to signature flat, golden sands and gentle waves.

Fresh from a massive makeover, parents can even grab a cheap pint and family meal at the park’s brand-new, on-site Wetherspoons, The White Clover.

Kids won’t get bored either, thanks to a newly upgraded pool complex that has doubled in size and comes stacked with high-speed flumes and an inflatable arena.

On dry land, little thrill-seekers can tackle everything from a Mini Aerial Adventure and climbing wall to Segway tours and go-karting.

When night falls, pull up a seat at the buzzing lounge bar for a drink while the kids go wild for the Seaside Squad live shows.

You’re also only 12 minutes from Great Yarmouth’s legendary Golden Mile, where you can tackle giant seafront rides.

And if you don’t visiting outside of peak travel seasons (which – let’s be honest – makes for a much more peaceful break anyway) you can bag a serious bargain.

9. Unity Beach, Somerset

Unity Beach in Somerset is an absolute powerhouse of a holiday park. And lucky for you, it’s available with The Sun’s £9.50 holidays.

What really sets this park apart is that it has its very own theme park and waterpark right on site.

Thrill-seekers can tackle over 40 attractions at Brean Theme Park, from spinning rollercoasters to classic log flumes.

Then head over to the newly-upgraded Unity Splash waterpark or fast slides, rubber-ring rides, and heated indoor and outdoor pools.

Throw in an 18-hole golf course, plenty of sports, and direct beach access, and you’ve got a non-stop holiday where boredom simply isn’t an option.

10. Seal Bay, West Sussex

Perched on a private mile of coastline in Selsey, Seal Bay delivers a classic seaside family holiday, but with a thoroughly modern upgrade.

When you’re not out enjoying the beach, there’s a massive, tropical water complex with plenty of slides and splash pads, plus a sunny outdoor lido surrounded by cabanas.

This holiday park also boasts its own on-site funfair, plus activities like ten-pin bowling, pottery painting, and high-ropes climbing courses.

When day turns to night, the resort comes alive across its multi-million-pound entertainment venues.

You’ll get to see some all-singing, all-dancing theatre productions with everything from acrobatics to pyrotechnics on stage.