Sun Club

ANTIGUA, Florida and the Caribbean… what do they all have in common? Obviously they’re all beautiful, exotic destinations that typically cost thousands to visit.

They’re also some of the amazing locations currently being offered as prizes in some incredible competitions. We’ve rounded up all of the best ones to enter right now…

There’s something for everyone, from luxury staycations to five-star escapes abroad – plus all are free to enter.

So whatever your ideal holiday is, here are some of the best competitions currently taking entries offering a wide range of prizes…

Europe

Live like royalty on a family trip to Versailles

Le Shuttle is giving away a trip to Versailles for a family of four, with access to the Palace of Versailles, the Trianon Estate, Queen’s Hamlet and Gardens, plus a guided tour of the special Marie-Antoinette by Sofia Coppola exhibition.

You’d stay at the Le Louis Versailles Château MGallery and get a VIP shopping experience with One Nation Paris.

To enter, create a free Le Shuttle account by 1pm on October 16 – click enter.

Travel in style on a Croatia long weekend

Win a short break on the Dubrovnik Riviera in Croatia, plus an Osprey backpack and a £250 Ellis Brigham voucher.

The winner gets a four-night trip and can choose between either a men’s Farpoint 55 or women’s Fairview 55 pack.

Just answer the question ‘what is the capital city of Croatia?’ along with your details by December 15 – click to enter.

Live in luxury on a French Alps family ski trip

Family Ski is offering a seven-night family ski holiday for four to the French Alps.

Included in the prize is £500 of Roarsome Ski Wear for Kids, accommodation in a luxury catered chalet at either Ardent, Portes du Soleil or Reberty, Les Trois Vallées (depending on availability), childcare and airport transfers.

You’ll need to book your own travel from the UK to Geneva, plus lift passes, ski hire and travel insurance.

To enter, fill out the entry form and follow Roarsome and Family Ski Company on Instagram by October 31 – click to enter.

Take the family to the alternative Lapland

Win a family trip to Swedish Lapland worth £4,648.

On Instagram, Letsgofaraway is offering a round-trip (flights up to a maximum of £1,033.09) to Grand Lodge at Blueberry Lodge Lapland for up to eight people.

One activity at the lodge for all guests in included, plus a private session in the relaxation area, which has a sauna, Nordic hot tub and a homemade fika.

To enter, follow @letsgofaraway_, @hospitality.guide, @danieltravl and @blueberry_lodge_lapland on Instagram, then like the competition post, tag two friends and repost/share.

The holiday must be for a date between 2028 and 2029 – enter by midnight on October 31 – click to enter.

Snowy holiday to Innsbruck

Monster energy drinks is offering a snow trip for two people to Innsbruck in Austria.

All you need to do is enter your details by October 31 – click to enter.

Long-haul

All-inclusive luxury holiday to Antigua

Win a seven-night all inclusive holiday to St James’s Club & Villa in Antigua, with Neutradol.

The resort spans 100 acres and features two “moon-white” beaches and three pools.

To enter, answer the question ‘What do Neutradol Laboratory tests prove?’ by January 10, 2027 – click to enter.

Bucketlist 16-day road trip to New Zealand

Via Waitrose, with Trailfinders, win a road trip in New Zealand lasting 16 days with return flights for two from London.

Included is two nights in a hotel, plus two weeks with a Maui Ultima Plus Motorhome.

Enter with your My Waitrose card number before October 13 – click to enter.

If you don’t have a card, that’s fine, you can sign up for free.

Luxury Saint Lucia holiday and Arsenal tickets

Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences is offering a seven-night round-trip to Saint Lucia from London.

You’ll also get two tickets to an Arsenal game hosted by the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and two Arsenal t-shirts.

Answer the questions ‘what is the name of Saint Lucia’s famous national landmark?’ and ‘which Arsenal legend has just visited Saint Lucia?’ by December 15 – click to enter.

Fabulous, personalised holiday toOrlando

Tripadvisor and Visit Orlando are offering an eight-night holiday to Orlando, Florida for two people, plus a free holiday planning session.

To win, enter your details before the end of December – click to enter.

Live like a millionaire in the Cayman Islands

Win a five-night condo stay at Harbour Heights, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands for up to four guests.

You’ll need to purchase your own flights though.

Fill out your details by July 30, 2027 – click to enter.

Cruise

14-night all-inclusive cruise to the Canaries

Saga is giving away a 14-night all-inclusive cruise to the Canaries and Casablanca.

You’d set sail from Portsmouth on January 6, 2027 in a Twin Standard Balcony cabin, stopping at La Palma, Tenerife, Madeira and Gran Canaria.

All you have to do is be over the age of 50 – click to enter by November 20.

Cruise to France and Spain plus spending money

Via Ice Lolly, Cunard is offering two people a cruise worth £2,000 from Southampton to Spain and France.

Set sail on June 13, 2027, to La Coruña, Gijon and Getxo in Spain before visiting Le Havre in France.

With $250 (£188.65) to spend on board.

Click to enter before midnight on October 12.

14-night Caribbean cruise with food and drink included

Ambassador Cruise Line is giving away a two-week Caribbean cruise for two people.

Choose between three Ambassador Cruise Line sailings between November 22 and February 14.

The giveaway includes a twin ocean view cabin for two people, full-board and return Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow or Manchester.

Click here to enter your details by October 11.

Scenic river cruise worth £7,000

Win a river cruise through Europe on the Danube or Rhine with Scenic worth £7,000.

The prize includes suite accommodation, excursions, five dining venues, premium drinks, butler service, return flights and transfers and complimentary e-bikes to explore the destinations you stop at.

Click here to enter your details by October 31.

P&O Britannia cruise

Win a seven-night cruise for two onboard P&O Britannia, Via Vision Cruise.

Click here to enter by January 31.

Island hop in Greece on a cruise

Win a seven-night Greek Intensive Cruise with Azamara Cruises for two people, departing from Athens on October 9.

Stay in an Oceanview Stateroom, stopping at Patmos, Rhodes and Crete.

You will need to get your own flights though.

Click here to answer how many ships are in the Azamara fleet by February 1, 2027.

Seven-night Scandinavian cruise

In this Cotton Traders competition, two people and their guests will win a seven-night cruise to Sweden and Denmark.

You’d travel from London Cruise Terminal on April 24, 2027 with Ambassador Cruise Line.

Click here to enter your details by October 7.

Stunning staycations

Five star trip for two at Old Course Hotel, St Andrews

Old Course Hotel in Scotland is a five-star spot boasting views of the Fife coastline and a large golf course.

Win a one-night stay at the hotel for two people with a two-course dinner and a full Scottish breakfast – worth £700.

You’ll get a full day to spend at Kohler Waters Spa, with a spa pool, hydrotherapy suite with a thermal pool, steam room, sauna and plunge pool and the UK’s first Espuro Foam Steam Rooms.

Each guest will get a 50-minute treatment, from a custom massage, hot stone massage, classic prescription facial, reflexology session or a 25-minute facial and 25-minute massage combo.

You need to have a Muddy Stilettos account to enter (free to sign up) and click here to answer ‘what town is Old Course Hotel in?’ by October 14.

West End show and a 4-star London hotel stay

The Royal Mint recently launched a coin dedicated to the musical Wicked to celebrate 20 years of the West End show.

To celebrate they are giving away a one-night stay at The Clermont Hotel, a silver Proof Colour edition of the Wicked UK coin and two tickets to the London show.

Click here to answer ‘what is the name of the university that Glinda and Elphaba attend?’ by October 18.

Luxury hotel stay and £400 goodie bag

Salcombe Gin has teamed up with Harbour Hotels to give away an overnight stay for two at any Harbour Hotel, with breakfast included.

You will also get a Salcombe Gin Coastal Cool Bag Bundle, with a Salcombe Gin School Experience Voucher for two people (worth £160).

Also included is a £250 voucher to spend at fashion brand Beaufort and Blake.

Click here to enter your details by October 13.

Five-star countryside retreat and year’s supply of popcorn

Popcorn brand Jo & Sephs are offering a luxury trip to Devon, to celebrate the release of the new Sense and Sensibility movie.

The prize includes a three-night stay in a five-star hotel, a private horse-drawn carriage ride and afternoon tea, plus a year’s supply of popcorn.

Click here to answer the question: ‘in Sense and Sensibility, what are the names of the two Dashwood sisters at the heart of the story?’ by November 30.

A luxury stay at Andy Murray’s Scottish country house hotel

Discover Britain is running a competition to win a luxury stay at ‘Cromlix’ – Sir Andy Murray‘s country hotel in Scotland.

It includes dinner in the hotel’s new restaurant – The Garden Room.

Click here to enter your details by January 3, 2027.

A three-bedroom holiday home worth £60,000, plus £10,000

Park Holidays UK is giving away a 36ft x 12ft three-bedroom holiday home worth £60,000, plus £10,000 spending money.

Click here to enter your details by December 31.

Win your own holiday park lodge for a year

Park Leisure is giving away a 12-month ownership experience for a lodge worth £60,000, with £3,000 park credit to be used on site.

You will also get free Wi-Fi for the ownership period, plus all utility bills included.

Click here to enter by March 31, 2027.

IT’S supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year – until you spend £250 on a beauty advent calendar that leaves you feeling ripped off.

While most mere mortals won’t get their hands on P. Louise’s latest extravagant design until November, a large number of beauty enthusiasts have ripped theirs open and revealed everything inside it. Spoiler alert – I don’t think it’s worth the cash.

And in a crushing blow to entrepreneur Paige Louise Williams, the general consensus seems to be that her old rival Made By Mitchell – founded by Mitchell Halliday – has a much better offering this year, which I’m told has fuelled their old feud. 

My insider said: “Everyone knows beauty advent calendars are big business these days and it means a lot to brands like P. Louise and Mitchell that the fans like them.

“To see people slating her creation is tough, but knowing many prefer Mitchell’s is a hard pill to swallow. 

“If anything it will make her even more determined to come out on top next year.”

Known for her extravagant packaging and bold makeup, P. Louise What Glows Around Advent Calendar is a massive pink and gold light-up carousel featuring 25 doors of full-size products. 

But the lavish box comes with a hefty price tag of £250, with the brand claiming it’s full of products valued at £500.

In comparison, the Harrod’s beauty advent calendar is £225, but with contents worth over £1k, Fortnum & Mason Beauty Advent Calendar retails for £275, but claims to be worth over £1,225 and the No7 The Ultimate Beauty Advent Calendar, comes in at £170 and is worth £550.

Made By Mitchell’s version – called the Apres Ski – is priced at £99 and states that everything included is a brand new product, which makes it difficult to value. 

Fans have the option to pay both upfront or in instalments for the P. Louise version, which promises to offer new formulas, flavours and shades made just for Christmas. 

If you don’t have £250 lying around, you can pay £25 today and then pay the rest interest free over the next month. 

But as unboxing videos flood TikTok, some viewers have been left distinctly underwhelmed. Many consumers feel the calendar is bloated with skincare items rather than makeup the brand is famous for. 

Others are questioning the curation of the products altogether.

One person raged: “I think this year’s is the worst. The products do look good, don’t get me wrong, but she should have two different ones now or at least do a proper 50/50 mix of skincare and make-up. For the price I feel like you could get a higher end skincare advent calendar instead.”

One creator was disappointed after a piece broke off her box before she could properly open it. Another declared it “felt like rip off.”

After watching clips online, lots have vowed to cancel their order, with one person commenting: “I’m gutted I’m going to cancel my order. I don’t want boring skincare and a few pieces of generic makeup like mascara and a neutral eyeshadow palette.”

Another frustrated fan questioned the contents, asking: “Is she just putting the stuff that’s not selling in there?”

Have you ordered P Louise’s advent? Let me know what you think fay.leyfield@thesun.co.uk

Whenever P. Louise faces criticism, another name is rarely far behind: Made By Mitchell.

Mitchell Halliday‘s wildly successful beauty brand has also been heavily promoting its own holiday calendar. 

And according to many beauty enthusiasts watching the drama unfold, Mitchell has completely outshone his former friend this season.

“Honestly I think this one (P. Louise) is so disappointing compared to other years,” one user noted. “I feel Made by Mitchell have definitely taken the advent crown between the two brands this year.”

Another commented: “I would be disappointed if I paid for this advent calendar this year. I think Made by Mitchell are getting it right. Packaging still on point but the right level of products etc.”

It’s certainly not the first time TikTok Shop juggernauts Paige and Mitchell Halliday have been pitted against each other.

Indeed, the pair have a long history before things went awry. 

Mitchell was a star make-up artist and instructor at the P. Louise Makeup Academy and the two frequently collaborated, dominating the UK glam scene together. 

However, as Mitchell’s star rose and he eventually branched out to launch his own brand, Made By Mitchell, their close relationship fractured.

Things came to head when they collaborated on a product together in 2019 – the now iconic Paints. 

Mitchell claims his name was removed from the product, which led him to make the decision to go it alone. Paige has not publicly commented on the situation.

He admitted the pair no longer speak at all, despite once being so close. 

But the split certainly didn’t seem to harm either of them, who have gone on to be really successful.

Paige started out in life with humble beginnings on a council estate but is now amassing a huge net worth of £100 million thanks to her overnight success online. 

We reported how last year alone, Paige raked in a whopping £71.3 million for her cosmetics.

The 31-year-old founded the P. Louise Make-up Academy and salon back in 2014 in Manchester before expanding to produce her own cosmetics line.

She was able to kickstart her passion project with a £20,000 loan from her grandmother and is now reaping the rewards for her tenacity.

In 2024, the brand broke records by making £1.5m in 12 hours while promoting the beauty products on a TikTok Shop Live. 

It’s been an extraordinary journey but not without its controversies.

Last Christmas her Pinkmas event was cancelled after issues with the licensing process.

The event was supposed to run from December 1 to January 4 and was meant to include attractions including a pink ice skating rink and a pantomime performance.

Tickets had been priced at £60 for off peak times and £80 for peak times – leaving fans gutted it didn’t take place. 

But as Pinkmas showed, a bump in the road – or a backlash on TikTok – rarely keeps Paige down for long. 

While Mitchell may have snatched the advent crown this year, we imagine Paige is already plotting her payback for next year.

BY October, the hot summer weather starts to dwindle out, as autumn begins to creep in.

But if you’re looking to relive those dizzy sunshine highs, there are some fantastic short-haul holiday deals we’ve found that will cost you as little as £135 each.

Temperatures in these spots still hit the mid-twenties, meaning eating al fresco is a completely normal decision rather than a cold survival test.

But a dirt-cheap package is only half the story – once you land, you still want to afford lunch or a crisp, cold beer without breaking the bank.

So, I’ve factored in local resort prices too, so your spending money goes miles further.

Hot weather, cheap booze, and a break from chilly UK – what more could you want?

1. Carvoeiro, Portugal – from £135pp

Taking the top spot on our board for the absolute cheapest October escape is Carvoeiro.

It’s the Algarve at its finest: gorgeous views over the sea, white-walled village streets, and long, lazy outdoor lunches that take up the entire afternoon.

October serves up temperatures in the mid-twenties, and local cafés serve up cold Super Bock beers for just over £2.50.

I found five nights self-catering at Colina Village for just £135pp, flying direct from London Gatwick on October 31, 2026.

And here, you get a full spacious apartment rather than a standard hotel room.

But my favourite feature, by far, is its heated indoor pool – so if you get a rogue, overcast hour in late October, you can retreat for a warm swim without missing a beat.

2. Sunny Beach, Bulgaria – £145pp

Sunny Beach pairs a huge beach with some of the lowest local prices in Europe – local beach venues serve up large glasses of wine for just over £3, meaning you can stay out for dinner without keeping a nervous eye on your bank balance.

The early-October forecast shows reliable 24C highs, which sounds a whole lot better than putting the central heating on at home.

I tracked down five nights self-catering at Aparthotel Cote Da Zure for £145pp, flying direct from London Luton on October 4, 2026.

The kitchenette layout in these apartments is ideal for grabbing quick poolside breakfasts before heading down to the sea. Lovely jubbly.

3. Acharavi, Corfu – £150pp

Acharavi sits on Corfu’s scenic northern coast, serving up a gorgeous beach and a slow, authentic Greek pace. Perfect for an October wind-down.

October temperatures hover right around 23C here, and you can grab five nights room-only at Tzilios Studios for £150pp, flying direct from London Gatwick on October 13, 2026.

And I should say, room-only is the smart play here as it means you can explore the Greek tavernas for breakfast rather than sticking to a hotel clock, and evening beers with a view cost around £5.

The hotel also sits barely 400 metres from the sand and features its own quiet garden pool area surrounded by olive trees. A proper bit of me.

4. Zaton, Croatia – £155pp

Zaton combines crystal-clear water with direct access to the historic streets of Zadar, where you combine beach time paired with proper local sightseeing, and October highs here regularly touch 26C.

I found five nights room-only at Zaton Holiday Resort for £155pp, flying direct from London Luton on October 10, 2026.

Waterfront restaurants down by the harbour sell local draught beers for around four quid.

But back at the hotel, you get access to nine pools, a massive beach area, authentic Croatian food and top-shelf cocktails, so I wouldn’t blame you if you never left…

5. Icmeler, Turkey – £155pp

Icmeler wraps around a green, mountain-backed bay that delivers a far more relaxed atmosphere than neighbouring Marmaris – and October highs of 26C.

I spotted five nights self-catering at Club Ekinci Palace for £155pp, flying direct from Manchester on October 10, 2026.

The resort centre sits a flat ten-minute walk away, where local bars advertise cold Efes beers for just over £3.

The hotel itself packs a massive outdoor pool complete with its own waterslide, keeping daytime entertainment on site completely free too.

6. Guardamar del Segura, Spain – £155pp

Guardamar is a Costa Blanca gem for travellers who want miles of untouched, dune-backed sand without stepping anywhere near Benidorm.

You get long sunny lunches, wide beaches, and up to 25C heat in October.

And I found a great deal here too: five nights room-only at Playas de Guardamar for £155pp, flying direct from Bristol on October 4, 2026.

Local beachfront bodegas offer glasses of regional Spanish wine for around £3, with the hotel set up right by the beach and literally steps directly out onto the sand.

7. Manilva, Spain – £160pp

Manilva is a peaceful Costa del Sol spot built for quiet beach stops and finding low-key seafood spots that don’t charge tourist-trap prices.

You can lock in five nights at Pierre & Vacances Terrazas Costa del Sol for £160pp, flying direct from Bournemouth on October 11, 2026 on a self-catering basis.

Along with 26C highs in October, local tapas bars near the hotel serve up cold draught beer for under £3 a pint.

This is another hotel where you’re bagging yourself a brilliant apartment as your room, and each has a wide, covered terrace with an outdoor dining table, giving you a brilliant private space for alfresco drinks overlooking the coast.

8. El Arenal, Majorca – £170pp

Majorca typically holds onto 23C weather well into October, making it ideal for a low-cost break where the agenda consists purely of warm weather, a few drinks and good food.

Early this October, I tracked down five nights at Ahoi! Urban Beach for £170pp, flying direct from London Stansted on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

This deal even takes care of breakfast upfront so you can get straight out each day and local beach bars serve up pints for less than four quid.

This hotel has recently received a modern, boutique refurbishment, and it feels far sleeker than standard budget options – I love that it sits just two streets back from the main beach strip. Ideal.

9. Tholos, Rhodes – £170pp

Rhodes is one of my absolute favourite spots for wringing every last drop of summer out of the year, with October temperatures comfortably averaging 24C and Tholos (also known as Theologos) on the west coast is far quieter than Faliraki, making it an ideal base for exploring the island.

You can grab five nights at Sunlight Studios for £170pp, flying direct from London Stansted on October 15, 2026 on a self-catering basis.

Local tavernas line the village in Tholos, where a large glass of local Greek wine costs around the £4 mark.

But the standout feature at Sunlight Studios is the layout: every room comes with a private balcony looking out towards the sea, allowing you to catch the famous west-coast Mediterranean sunsets right from your room.

10. Agadir, Morocco – £175pp

If guaranteed heat is your non-negotiable, Agadir is where I’d send you first in Autumn.

October here serves up consistent 26C sunshine alongside a massive, golden beach and a flat seafront promenade that’s ideal for evening walks.

I found five nights at the Hotel Agyad Morocco for £175pp, flying direct from Dublin on October 7, 2026 on a room-only basis.

Local prices here are remarkably cheap too – head down to the traditional fishing port and you can grab a plate of freshly grilled local fish for around 60 dirhams, which is roughly £4.80.

The hotel itself sits a short ten-minute stroll from the main beach, but the real insider win is its massive, quiet garden pool terrace.

And because it stays sheltered from Atlantic breezes, the pool gives you a perfect suntrap to tan, dip, dry and repeat all week.

IT was the row that erupted all over TikTok a year ago – with insiders insisting there was no way back for Charly Anne and the Welsh 5.

But for the first time in more than a year, The Sun can reveal how Charly is attempting to make a ‘return’ to the social media stars for a very savvy reason – and the real reason she’s still secretly fuming with Becki Jones.

The Sun were the first to lay bare the feud between Charly and the other four members of the Welsh 5 – Cory, Lea, Kane and Ieuan – last year and told how it had even led to a devastating fallout between Charly and her own mother, Trudi Anne.

The rift originally began with a row over Charly’s relationship with girlfriend Emily Woodfin, with the other four members claiming she was controlling – an accusation which both Charly and Emily deny.

But bridges were left officially burned when Trudi sided against her own daughter by uploading a series of dance videos she made with Cory and Lea as well as Becki Jones, who also fell out with Charly amid the feud.

Now it seems that Charly may finally be having something of a change of heart – but is it all for the right reasons?

Sources close to Charly have told The Sun how the Welsh influencer is secretly considering publicly reuniting with her sworn enemies as part of a savvy business decision.

Our insider told us: “Things have all gone quiet on the Welsh 5 feud front in recent months.

“Everything exploded last year and it seemed there was zero chance of reconciliation when Charly’s own mother snubbed her in favour of the others.

“But amid the silence in the months that have followed it seems that some very interesting conversations have been going on.”

One of Charly’s pals has conceded that, since separating herself from the group, potential work opportunities have begun to slowly dry up.

Industry experts suggest that, for brands, the appeal of the Welsh 5 as a group is what drew them in – with Charly now no longer having a piece of that pie.

Our source told us: “Charly views her life as a business – like many influencers do.

“She was at the top of her game amid the Welsh 5 hype but things have certainly been slower since then.

“After the split, it is almost like she has ended up becoming the ‘problem child’ – and it has put people in the industry off wanting to work with her.

“For the first time, she has quietly been considering if now could be a good time to publicly reunite with her former pals but not necessarily because she wants to build relations but in order to continue building her career.

“Charly knows deep down that if everyone is seen to be on friendly and amicable terms, the interest in her could ramp up again.

“Her followers would have a field day if she started sharing content with Cory and Lea again!”

Moreover, Charly is still feeling annoyed that her greatest rival Becki is continuing to get bigger and bigger.

Her pals admit it is a sting every time she sees Becki’s success as she always felt she was destined for the same fate.

They told us: “Charly is determined to become as well-known as Becki – even all these months on.

“If a reunion with the Welsh 5 is what it takes – she thinks she’d be ready to do it.

“But, ultimately, this is all just private talks at the moment.

“It is very much speculative thoughts that Charly is having – no one knows if it is something she will actually go through with.

“Plus, the others in the Welsh 5 might also not be ready to make amends.

“The channels for a reunion are definitely there though. They still have the same team around them, it wouldn’t take much for a few strings to be pulled behind-the-scenes.

“It has all been a bit of a mess but for the first time it seems that the mess may be ready to come to an end.

“Only time will tell but it is certainly closer than ever to happening.”

The Sun has reached out to the Welsh 5 and Charly’s reps for comment.

AUTUMN is a fantastic season for a cheap UK staycation – you just have to know where to look.

Luckily, our team of travel experts have banded together to reveal their favourite UK holiday spots for the season… and each is paired with an amazingly cheap holiday deal.

From coastal holiday parks with plenty of Halloween action for kids, to underrated charming Cotswolds towns, we’ve selected breaks that are even better in autumn.

Here’s our pick of affordable autumn UK holidays starting from less than a tenner per person.

Heacham, Norfolk

Travel Reporter, Jenna Stevens

North-west Norfolk might just be my favourite place to visit in autumn.

The royal estate of Sandringham is home to a 600-acre country park, where you’ll stroll down paths shaded by emerald evergreen trees and fiery red cypresses.

The blue and yellow walking trails are marked by giant sculptures of woodland animals. Make sure to also stop by the giant wooden playground with the kids, all for free.

In nearby Snettisham you can hand-feed deer on a Deer Safari at Snettisham Park (£13.50 per adult, £11.50 per kid) or settle down for a local pint by the fire in 14th century pub The Rose and Crown.

In the village of Heacham you’ll find Church Farm, where you can pick your own pumpkins to take back and carve (or simply pose for some family photos with their amazing hay bale displays). Drive a bit further to Brookhill Farm in Thursford and you’ll find a giant pumpkin house.

Base yourself at Parkdean Resorts Heacham Beach for a Halloween-themed October break with loads to do for kids, including rain-proof activities like indoor fancy dress contests, slime-making and a huge ‘Monster Ball’ party.

Plus here you’re only 15 minutes’ drive from Sandringham and Snettisham, and a short walk from Norfolk’s typical golden sands for a breezy beach walk.

You can book a three night weekend break from October 15 in a Bronze caravan sleeping six for £139 total. That works out to £7.72pp per night – plus the Halloween activities will already be up and running.

Witney, Oxfordshire

Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey

A hot chocolate, comfy walking boots and a stroll through the countryside to the pub is my idea of heaven in autumn.

And where is more beautiful that the Cotswolds? But skip the busier towns and head to Witney, often overlooked in favour of the nearby Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water.

The best coffees are found at Coffeesmiths, while a slice of cake from Hunter’s Cake Cafe is a must.

While it has a crazy amount of pubs (the Hollybush is my favourite), there is one that is worth the walk.

Then follow the river for an easy 2hr30 walk through the fields, ending at The Rose Revived Pub where you can warm up with a fantastic roast dinner.

Then hop in a taxi back to Witney and stay at The Blue Boar, a converted 16th century former coaching inn which recently underwent a huge makeover with rooms from around £64.

Salisbury, Wiltshire

Assistant Travel Editor, Sophie Swietochowski

Autumn is, in my opinion, the most magical season for glamping. Nature is at its finest: woodlands are carpeted in crunchy golden leaves and there’s a brisk chill in the air that makes golden hour feel even more cherishable.

And there’s no better place to take advantage of all this than Liba Vineyard in Salisbury, home to just three cosy wooden cabins, sleeping up to four.

Buried in rugged countryside on a working vineyard, each bolthole comes with floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular views of the scenery, while bedrooms come with sky lights for night time observing.

You’ll actually feel grateful for the brisk weather here as that means you can take advantage of the wood-fired hot tubs and roaring outdoor fire pits (don’t forget to pick up some marshmallows for toasting)

While you can’t yet drink the wine from the vines grown outside your door, it’s still the perfect spot for hunkering down with a glass of red and a board game.

Cabins cost from £34.75pp (or £139 in total) per night.

North York Moors

Travel Reporter, Jenna Stevens

The North York Moors National Park is best explored in the autumn, with waterfall walking trails, miles of heather moorland and quaint coastal towns that are far quieter than in the summer.

The Falling Foss walk takes you on a peaceful loop through ancient forests to reach a 30-foot waterfall, while the Mallyan Spout in Goathland is a more challenging route, but this waterfall is the tallest (70 feet).

Whitby is also a must-visit, with the spooky Whitby Abbey ruins to explore as well as plenty of Dracula history. Dip into the UK’s best fish and chip shop Trenchers for an award-winning lunch.

One of the best ways to take in the views is aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which covers 24 miles of scenery, stopping at pretty villages such as Goathland and Pickering and ending in Whitby. Day Rover tickets start from £42.70pp with one child going free per adult.

There’s even a theatrical ghost train with a complimentary local G&T on select dates for Halloween (£40pp).

Book a cosy three-night cottage stay in Whitby for £17.94pp per night with this deal from cottages.com.

Peak District

Head of Travel, Lisa Minot

Discover the dark side to the Peak District’s stunning countryside on a new guided walk launching this autumn that brings stories of plague, murder and highwaymen to life.

Dark Tales of the Peaks is a new experience that brings to life the tragic history of the village of Eyam – where the entire village isolated itself during a devastating plague in 1665.

Hear tales of the doomed lovers separated by the outbreak and learn about notorious highwayman Black Harry at Carlswark Cavern.

You’ll also follow ancient roads to Stoney Middleton and discover its historic Roman Bath House before enjoying a hearty meal inspired by food of the period at The Cupola Kitchen including pottage with flatbreads and Bakewell pudding.

The four-hour experience is from £85pp.

And for a stunning stay nearby, Glenhurst in Holmesfield, Derbyshire is a five-bedroom modern country home sleeping up to ten.

The star of the show is the stunning view over the huge garden – and open countryside beyond – from the terrace that sits just outside the vast open-plan kitchen, living room and dining room.

Three nights’ self-catering this autumn is from £115pp, based on ten sharing.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Travel Reporter, Cyann Fielding

Not many cities in the UK are prettier than Edinburgh in autumn and for families, it is full of exciting spots to explore.

Wannabe wizards should visit Greyfriars Kirkyard – while yes, it is a graveyard, you’ll find headstones with lots of the most famous characters’ names including Potter, McGonagall and even Tom Riddell.

Much-loved Victoria Street has Harry Potter-themed shops too, as well as colourful architecture.

For history buffs, Edinburgh Castle is definitely worth exploring and if you want a bit of exercise, head up Arthur’s Seat and take in the spectacular view.

For a gentler walk, gander long the river to Dean Village – a neighbourhood full of stone house that look as if they have been ripped from the pages of a fairytale.

It’s also worth getting lost in the National Museum of Scotland for an entire day, exploring thousands of objects across several grand galleries – for free.

Meninger Hotel Haymarket has funky family rooms with a double bed and a bunk bed, ensuite bathroom and free WiFi from £125 per night.

Anglesey, Wales

Travel Reporter, Alice Penwill

For crowd-free breaks filled with nature-watching and windy beach walks, I don’t think you can do better than Wales.

This year Anglesey has been named ‘unfashionable’ but ‘lovely’ by The Telegraph for the summer holidays, however I happen to think it’s pretty perfect for autumn.

My favourite beach on Anglesey is Traeth Lligwy which I discovered on a hike around the coast which is glorious in the summertime.

If you visit on the weekend, pop into the Lligwy Beach Cafe to pick up a hot chocolate to keep warm on the beach stroll and tuck into a pasty.

If you fancy a quaint village-stay, I’d suggest staying in Moelfre which is a short 20-minute drive to Beaumaris.

Don’t expect lots of entertainment or activities, but there’s a pub to to hunker down in called the Kinmel Arms, and my favourite spot is the cute little coffee shop called Ann’s Pantry.

I loved the cottage we stayed in called Bryn Awel and it sleeps up to six people.

With seven nights costing £567 (or £13.50ppn each), it’s snug with a cosy woodburner to fire up during the chillier months and views across the beach.

Being in Wales, take a rain mac and an umbrella to have on standby, because you never know when the weather will turn.

London city break

Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey

I love a trip to London in autumn, as the summer crowds have gone, but it is still warm enough that you don’t need a huge coat when walking around, that becomes a pain to carry each time you step inside.

And there are so many ways to do it on a budget.

After all, it is one of the world’s best museum capitals when it comes to them being free, meaning you could visit the British Museum, the V&A and the Natural History Museum without paying a penny.

And while there are loads of good restaurant deals, my hack to trying all those viral bakeries is getting a Too Good To Go bag which, if you’re quick, means you can try some of the capital’s top snacks while spending a fraction of the price.

When it comes to how to stay cheaply, I have stayed in my fair share of absolute bargain hotels. 

The ultimate budget stay is Zedwell Tottenham Court Road, where the underground rooms start from £71 (so around £35 each). But if you fancy a window, you can’t go wrong with a stay at The Drey, which has rooms under £100.

OLIVIA Attwood has a lot to celebrate – she has cracked the luxury drinks market. Her booze brand Savano is now being stocked in Selfridges as part of a seven figure acquisition.

But we can reveal that behind closed doors, the 35-year-old has found herself in hot water after the truth about the brand was revealed.

The reality star has been subject to complaints to the advertising watchdog ASA for glamorising smoking and drinking in controversial ads.

This summer, Olivia launched Savano, marketing it as a premium, ready-to-drink canned cocktail brand. 

Promoted heavily across her Instagram and TikTok to her 3.2 million followers, Savano was positioned as the ultimate beverage accessory, inspired by Olivia herself. 

Fans have naturally rushed to support what they believed was Olivia’s brand-new, ground-up entrepreneurial venture.

But there was one crucial piece of information that some followers felt Olivia had withheld.

Savano is not an entirely original creation dreamt up by the reality star. Instead, it is actually a strategic relaunch of an already existing product line called Tom Savano.

And we can reveal that she has gone a step too far when it came to pushing the product – the Advertising Standards Authority received a number of complaints over two social media posts which they said made out smoking was cool and alcohol has “therapeutic qualities”.

A celebrity endorsing a product on Instagram is obviously allowed, but they have to make it clear that it is a paid-for advert and usually use the hashtag #ad.

Even after the ASA complaint involving her ‘informally resolved’, Olivia has still got posts up without the #ad hashtag.

In one post, she’s seen crouching down next to a pool with a can of Savano, captioned: “wtf my horoscope keeps telling me to go off the rails”. 

While in another, she’s sunbathing on a luxury yacht with another can in her hand. 

Plus, one shows her in a bikini with just her cleavage and bikini top showing with a Savano can in front and the caption saying: “Boating with my baby @savano”.

A spokesperson said ASA was forced to intervene for this glamorisation.

A statement said: “We received complaints about two Instagram posts on Olivia Attwood’s account promoting Savano drinks.

“The complainants challenged whether the posts were irresponsible by glamourising smoking, implying that alcohol had therapeutic qualities and encouraging styles of drinking that were unwise.

“They also challenged whether the posts were obviously identifiable as ads.”

As Olivia was compliant with ASA, the situation was “informally resolved” without any further action.

A statement added: “We approached the advertiser about the issues that had been raised and they agreed resolve these issues without being subject to a formal ruling.

“Because of this we closed the case informally, without the need for a formal investigation.”

Olivia has even roped new man Pete Wicks in to help plug the brand – she shocked her followers as she posted images of herself with her legs wrapped around him – with a Savano in hand.

An insider commented: “It was a masterclass in marketing. Olivia is being as open as ever with her life and is being very business savvy at the same time. 

“Some people might find it a bit icky that she’s using her new romance to promote her brand, but it just makes sense for her.”

This sudden, intense oversharing has fascinated her followers and relationship experts. 

Celebs Go Dating expert Dr Tara Suwinyattichaipor said: “It could be because it’s good PR but also to claim their love and the strength of their relationship with the public unapologetically. It’s not a bad sign to want to show off your partner when you’re deep in love!”

Savano is not an entirely original creation dreamt up by the reality star. Instead, it is actually a strategic relaunch of an already existing product line called Tom Savano.

Founder James Kerslake sold his brand in March of this year to UK drinks producer Babco International for an undisclosed amount.

And just four months later, Olivia announced Savano to the world.

The brand had undergone a facelift, dropping the “Tom” for a punchier, simplified name, and brought Olivia on board as a celebrity partner to front the glossy new image.

Celebrity endorsements and partnerships are par for the course in the influencer world, but  many felt the marketing made it appear as a solo passion project built from scratch. 

My business insider said: “Everyone was a bit miffed when Olivia bought out Savano, with no mention of it already being a brand.

“It’s done really well but it’s perhaps less surprising considering it was already well established and sold in Sainsburys.

“The original founder put his blood, sweat and tears into it before selling it on. He of course had no idea that Olivia would be taking over and becoming the face of it all.

“It’s all been a whirlwind for everyone involved but people are wondering why Olivia hasn’t mentioned it’s past. It all feels a bit cloak and dagger.”

James Kerslake launched Tom Savano in 2018 and was making six figures in profits while still doing his day job. 

Business owner – named Fran Gresswell who owns Riviera Iced Tea – shared a video on TikTok regarding Savano’s origins. 

Fran told us: ‘When Olivia announced Savano the name instantly reminded me of Tom Savano cocktails. A few weeks later the parent company who purchased Tom Savano announced they had launched Savano so I put it together. 

“This is often the case with celebrity brands who partner with companies who will operate the brand for them and often hold a significant or majority stake. It’s something I think people are often unaware of! I think it’s a genius marketing move by Babco International to bring Olivia onboard.”

Fans were outraged, with one commenting: “How is she sat there saying it’s been in the works for a year it’s MY cocktail brand when it’s literally an established brand with the same flavours lmaoooo. Very disingenuous.”

Another added: “The lack of transparency is disappointing tbh.”

While someone else commented: “I just don’t like the way she’s promoting it as if she invented it. They basically rebranded it and they taste exactly the same.”

But not taking this lying down, the successful businesswoman hit back and set the record straight.

“My brand, Savano, my baby. It was acquired by my partners, it existed as Tom Savano, and then with me, we relaunched it,” Olivia told her fans in an Instagram video.

“We re-marketed it, we renamed it, we repackaged it, and we developed signature flavours. For example, my Moscow Mule. Guys, do you even understand how many Moscow Mules I had to drink to get that right? And it’s perfect.

“With me as the majority stakeholder and my team working seven days a week on my baby, in a matter of months, we have made Savano a household name.” 

Cheers to that!

PUBS, watersports, outdoor decks with hot tubs and saunas, who said holiday parks are just for kids?

And the even better part is going with a group of friends can mean the break is SO much cheaper than going with kids – some by as much as £887 and these are the best ones we’ve found.

Butlin’s Big Weekenders

Let’s start with the classic – a Butlin’s Big Weekender, they’re big, bold and made purely for adults.

You can forget the kids’s shows or character meet-and-greets and instead opt for bottomless brunches and pool parties.

Don’t miss Bingo Bango either. The adult twist on the game has competitors dancing to party anthems and competing in interactive games to win prizes like giant inflatable unicorns.

There are lots of themed weekenders too, with music ranging from the 60s up to the 2000s.

During October there are 14 Halloweenenders at all three locations (Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness) where the classic Big Weekender has a spooky twist.

There’s 80s thriller nights to 90s music-themed fright nights and – if you love all kinds of music – there’s the Replay Time Warp Terror which is a “monster mash-up of the 80s, 90s, 2000s.”

We all know Butlin’s for being cheap, cheerful and full of fun, but going as adults seriously has its perks.

Adults can stay in Butlin’s Minehead Resort for a Back to the 2000s Big Weekender for three nights from October 2 from £49pp.

Meanwhile, for a family of four to go away during October half-term this year in Minehead prices start from £374 or £93.50pp.

Parkdean Resort, Lizard Point

If a coastal break is on the cards, consider a Parkdean break to Lizard Point.

It has a large indoor and outdoor pool with adult-only swim sessions, so you won’t be splashed by kids all the time.

There’s also brunch club for holiday feasts and wine tasting.

Crafting is on the cards too from jewellery making to designing cards, creating mosaics, and sip and paint sessions.

During the evening, put your boots on for country and western evenings, go all Cluedo at murder mystery events, and get competitive during quiz nights or grab the mic at adult-karaoke.

It’s also a few minutes away from the beach.

A four-night break at Lizard Point for four adults from October 5-9 in a Bronze Two Bedroom Caravan starts from £99.

Meanwhile, for a family of four to stay in a Bronze Two Bedroom Caravan between October 26-30 starts from £215.

For almost the same price, four adults could upgrade to a Gold Premium 3 Bedroom Caravan which is the best in the caravan range.

It has three bedrooms, dedicated parking and even bring a pet for £119 (between October 5-9).

Away Resorts, Tattershall Lakes

Tattershall Lakes is ideal for an action-packed holiday full of watersports, and no, it’s not all for kids.

The holiday park in Lincolnshire has a lakeside lido, paddleboarding, kayaking, an aqua park with a huge inflatable, pedalo hire and make sure to try out the jet skis too.

There’s a chance to get up high on the high-ropes course or the zip wire.

When it comes to entertainment, there are silent discos, karaoke and crowdeoke (where everyone sings so no one goes solo).

Guest acts take to the stage from tribute acts to DJs, there’s an outdoor cinema and a cash bingo that’s specifically for over 18s.

After all the activities, head to the spa which offers facials, pedicures, manicures and massages which start from £39.

Pop into the Tattershall Park Pub & Kitchen for a drink, or head to the rooftop Bar 49 for a classic cocktail.

A family of up to six can stay in a value caravan for four nights during half-term from £384  – or £16pppn.

Meanwhile, across five nights in early October, a group of up to eight guests can stay in a Superior Caravan from £299.

Or for a more luxury stay, book The Shadow Wood Lodge with a hot tub which sleeps up to eight guests in early October from £677 – or £21.15pppn.

While it’s slightly more expensive, The Shadow Wood has an enclosed decking with outdoor furniture perfect for a drink in the evening.

The cosy lounge has a large flatscreen TV and there’s allocated parking too.

Haven, Primrose Valley Holiday Park

The Primrose Valley Holiday Park in Yorkshire is perfect for anyone looking for a beach break with friends.

It has direct and easy access to the large, award-winning sandy beach stretching along Filey Bay.

Back on-site, there are two heated swimming pools and a huge outdoor pool which will reopen for the summer season in 2027.

Haven’s first-ever J D Wetherspoon pub called The Five Stones is there too and open all-day, whether you’re after a fry-up breakfast or a pint.

If you’re after fried food, head to Slim Chickens for buttermilk chicken tenders, wings, and milkshakes.

There are chains as well if you want a familiar face from Burger King to Starbucks, Papa Johns and Millie’s Cookies.

When it comes to activities, test out the fear factor with ‘The Jump’ where you literally take a leap of faith off a raised platform.

It also has a lake where guests can rent out pedalos or try their hand at kayaking, plus a designated fishing lake too.

Afterwards, head to the LakeHouse Restaurant and Bar for a bite to eat with views across the water.

Evening shows include live music, and adult-friendly entertainment like Never Forget with all the boy band tunes, and 80s Electric Nights.

In October half-term, a family of four can stay in a Saver Caravan from £385.

For four adults, a four-night break from October 9-12 starts from £269 in a Silver Caravan.

Both stays include swimming pool access, access to activities, entry to arcade and entertainment venues, as well as access to restaurants and takeaways.

Center Parcs, Elveden Forest

Center Parcs has never been cheap – but there is a reason why it’s a top holiday park, and it costs much less to go during term-time, so grab your friends and head over.

And as an adult, there’s no reason to be bored because there are 132 activities.

For high-energy thrills, try out the treetop glider or get competitive with a game of sports like football, badminton, glow table tennis and golf (and crazy golf).

If you want to give karaoke a go, but want to avoid the crowds and just sing with your mates instead, book a SingPod which is a soundproof pod where you can pick your own tunes.

It has a Subtropical Swimming Paradise with multiple swimming pools including a wave pool, slides, and whirlpools.

For some privacy, book a Cabana Cove where food and drink from Canopy Café and Bar will be delivered direct to your cabana.

Each cabana comes with a large Sky HD TV, fluffy towels, a safe and cold drinks.

Of course, the Center Parcs has Aqua Sana Forest Spa which has steam rooms and saunas, a heated outdoor pool, an ice cave and relaxation rooms.

Elveden Forest has the largest watersports lake of all its villages, with electric boats or rowing boat hire, paddleboards and kayaks.

During October half-term, a Woodland Lodge for a family of four across four-nights costs £1,899.

Inside, it has a double bedroom, twin bedroom, terraced lodge and access from 4pm.

Four friends could book a Forest Lodge for four-night between October 5-9 from £1,339.

A lodge has three bedrooms, two with double beds, one twin – all of which have en-suites. The best part is that this Forest Lodge comes with its own sauna and hot tub.

Park Holidays, Sandhills

For a more sophisticated break, Sandhills in Christchurch is a great choice for those wanting to spend time quality together by the seaside.

Found in Dorset, Sandhills has direct access to Avon Beach which holds a Seaside Award (which is awarded to the best UK beaches for being clean, safe, and well-managed).

It also has a heated outdoor pool (open until October 31), as well as a gym fitted out with weights and elliptical machines.

During the evenings, head to the on-site bar and lounge which serves drinks and light snacks.

When there’s good weather, head outside to enjoy the sunshine on the terrace.

Nearby there’s more to explore like Chichester Watersports, Fruzey Gardens, Osborne House and the New Forest.

A three-night stay from October 26 in a Lymington Luxury Apartment starts from £432.

However a stay in the same apartment for three nights from October 11 costs £309.

You can even upgrade to a Lyndhurst Luxury Apartment which has two bedrooms from £354.

Landal Green Parks, Dylan Coastal Resort

Landal Green Parks was recently voted the fourth place best holiday park Which? – and one of its most impressive holiday parks is Dylan Coastal Resort in South Wales.

The holiday lodges sit high on a hilltop looking out over the Taf Estuary which make for incredible views.

The lodges range from one to four person to six-person stays – and some have hot tubs too.

Below the holiday lodges is Milk Wood House where guests will find all the facilities including an infinity pool, outdoor spa area, and lots of therapy treatments.

It’s also where guests will find the bar and restaurant which can be enjoyed on one of the three terraces.

Nearby, try out watersports and bouldering at Wild Lakes or explore the National Botanical Garden and the beautiful fishing village of Tenby.

For a family of four to book a four-night stay during half-term in a four-person lodge is £1,291.

The four-person lodge – Sonnet 2 Spa has two bedrooms, two bathrooms with a decking area and hot tub.

But for adults to book a holiday during the school holidays, it’s much cheaper.

A four-night stay in a Milk Wood four-person lodge from October 12 can be booked from £404.

On the same dates, a six-person lodge Sonnet 3 Roof Terrace Spa lodge which has three bedrooms, a hot tub and huge enclosed rooftop with deck chairs starts from £564.

Bluestone National Park Resort, Wales

Tucked away in Pembrokeshire woodland is the Bluestone National Park and with so much to do, it’s a hit with both children and adults.

Often considered the crown jewel of Bluestone is its Blue Lagoon Water Park.

It’s a huge heated, subtropical indoor pool complex and guests can use it at no extra cost.

The subtropical waterpark has a huge wave machine, four twisting, high-speed flumes, a lazy river.

Outside of the pool, try out the zipline, take an electric bike tour through the woods, or try and tackle a climbing wall.

The spa has lots of relaxing treatments from massages to manicures, pedicures, facials – and finish off the day with an afternoon tea.

A four-night stay during October half-term in a Caldey Lodge starts from £1,240.

It’s a single-storey, open-plan stay with a living area, dining room and kitchen, and spacious bathroom along with an outdoor patio.

However, for a stay outside of school holiday, the price significantly drops.

A stay for four adults across four nights from October 5 in the same Caldey Lodge is £320.

You can even upgrade to a Carningli Lodge, which sleeps up to eight people for £800.

Included in the stay with the Carningli Lodge is a six-seater buggy to navigate the park – the lodge has an open-plan living and dining, a sunroom with a Juliet balcony.

Each double room includes an en-suite with roll-top bath and shower, and there’s a separate bathroom for the twin rooms.

I SPEND most of my days scouring the web to track down the cheapest possible holiday deals – to share them all with Sun Club members.

Spending so much time filtering and flicking through holiday websites means I’ve gotten pretty good at seeking out a bargain.

In fact, I’m often finding UK breaks for under £5pp, city breaks for £99 and under, and even family holidays abroad for £150pp or less.

So I’ve decided to reveal exactly how I find these cheap holidays: the very best websites to use, and how to use them to bag the best deals.

Holidays abroad

Loveholidays and On the Beach are two incredible companies when it comes to bagging the cheapest deals.

Both offer package holidays which bundle in your return flights, accommodation and board of your choice – so there’s no need to worry about having to book it all separately.

Loveholidays

With Loveholidays, it’s really easy to filter breaks by all inclusive, family friendly, short haul, long haul and more.

Their cheap holidays page lets you pick between cheap all-inclusives, beach holidays, city breaks and even family holidays with free child stays.

You can also filter by breaks under £500pp or even under £300pp. Drag the slider bar all the way down to the bottom, and you may even find hols for £120pp or under.

For example, under the ‘Cheap Beach Holidays’ tab, I found a week-long holiday to a four-star resort in Magaluf in October for £119pp.

On The Beach

On The Beach works in a similar fashion, and their cheap holidays page is regularly updated with ‘our cheapest deals of the week’, which often start from a super low £100pp to destinations like Portugal and Malta.

This page also currently has a ‘cheap holidays for autumn under £500′ section.

Some of the cheapest holidays they’re offering this autumn are week-long breaks to Turkey (from £135pp) and the Canary Islands (from £180pp).

One of the best deals I found for autumn using the cheap holidays page to navigate the offers is for a four night break in The Algarve for £95pp.

Wowcher

As well as UK breaks, Wowcher is also great for booking holidays abroad.

Yes they have the classic £99 mystery holiday, but they also offer beach holidays, European city breaks, cruises and even long haul escapes.

These include a glamorous Lake Como getaway from £79pp, an all-inclusive Egypt holiday from £299, and even an incredible Las Vegas holiday with flights for £399.

I recommend browsing their cheap holiday packages page or all-inclusive holidays page.

Lastminute.com

Lastminute.com is another great site that does what it says on the tin – and more.

While the homepage often showcases some of the site’s best value deals, they also have specific pages rounding up cheap family holiday destinations as well as cheap adults-only resorts.

Plus the site is still king when it comes to bagging a last-minute break. This webpage rounds up the week’s best exclusive deal, plus an offer of the week and last chance bargains.

Offers of the week are certainly one to keep an eye open for – their most recent was for a trip to a 5* resort in Tenerife for four nights with flights for £484pp.

The site also has a loyalty programme which is completely free to join, and can bag you up to an extra 15 per cent off holidays and experiences.

The offers get better the more holidays you take, and as you climb the ranks you can unlock more and more perks.

These include free travel audioguides, 10 per cent off car hire and free lounge access if your flight is delayed.

Sundeals

Sundeals is the new kid on the block when it comes to cheap holiday deals, and is a new branch of familiar favourite holiday company TUI.

Here you can explore deals by budget (under £350, under £500, under £1,000) or by destination and more.

On their cheap holidays page, I’ve found all inclusive holidays from £234pp, beach holidays from £115pp and city breaks from £147pp.

Plus, the holiday company offers holidays with super low deposits from £30pp, so you can get your next break locked in for cheap.

Travelzoo

This is the only site you’ll have to pay for on this list, but my goodness is your membership worth it.

A Travelzoo membership costs £30 a year, but you can also try out 30 days of membership for £1.

Signing up means you’ll get Travelzoo’s ‘Top 20 deals’ dropped into your inbox each week, so you can easily have a quick browse to see if anything takes your fancy.

Or you can head to the site to browse cheap holiday deals broken down into loads of specific categories, from Asia Pacific holiday deals to island holidays and safari deals.

The best value to be found for foreign holidays here is for long haul breaks. The first time I came across their long haul holiday deals, I couldn’t quite believe my eyes.

You can visit gorgeous hotels in New York for £653pp, the Dominican Republic for £690pp and Mexico for £860pp – all for a week-long break including flights.

I even found an 11-night Egypt holiday which packs in your flights, four nights at a 5* all inclusive resort – followed by a Nile cruise which stops at major historical sights – for an unbelievable £549pp.

To be able to view and book these deals, you have to be signed up as a member.

Where to look

Where you’re looking for your holidays is equally as important as how you’re looking.

You might be tempted to hop online and look for the same familiar favourites you’ve been to before, such as cheap Spain or Greece holidays.

But if you’re open to trying somewhere new, I’d recommend not ticking the ‘destination’ box. Instead, go for ‘beach holidays’ and see what pops up.

That way, you’re opening up hundreds or even thousands of new holiday options – which massively increases your chances of finding something cheaper.

And if you know there’s somewhere you really don’t want to go to, you can just untick it from the left-hand column of the page. Easy peasy.

I’d recommend keeping an eye out for Bulgaria, Albania and Montenegro holidays specifically.

These three destinations are absolute powerhouses when it comes to an affordable beach holiday.

Bulgaria has all-inclusive getaways from £279 and flights from the UK under £15. Plus once you’re there, you can grab a meal out for under £9 and a cappuccino for just 88p.

Albania has been named the ‘Maldives of Europe‘ thanks to its beaches with bright white sand and electric blue seas, with holidays from £165pp.

Montenegro offers £255 holidays and even has been referred to as ‘St Tropez with Benidorm prices’ by one travel expert.

UK Holidays

Best Western GEM stays

Forget paying for just a bed for the night. Best Western’s GEM stays are hotel break packages with your room, food, and extra perks completely sorted for you.

The GEM packages stand for ‘Great Escapes, Memorable Stays’ and are centred around a huge variety of fun experiences.

The Somerset Family Escape package (from £123.38 per night) bundles in a family stay for two adults and one child with breakfast plus soft play access for the kids while parents can unwind in the spa.

Whereas the Ultimate Girls Night In package at Brackenborough Lakes & Resort reserves a hot tub lodge for two nights, breakfast each morning, three bottles of Prosecco and £15 takeaway credit per person from £44.50pp per night.

Wowcher

The UK holidays section of Wowcher is hiding some serious bargains, from spa weekends, to city hotel stays, to rural retreats.

Look for any offers with the pink ‘Price Drop’ label to find the cheapest deals.

Some of the top offers for UK breaks on Wowcher right now include a 4* break in Manchester for two with breakfast for £105, shaving 41 per cent off full-price.

Another fantastic offer is for a wellness retreat to Woodford Bridge Country Club, where four people can escape for four nights from £79 (£4.94pp per night).

Travelzoo

Travelzoo’s UK holiday deals are just as impressive as their deals for holidays abroad.

If you head to their UK hotel breaks, deals and stays page, you can find weekends away from as little as £59.

You can stay at one of the world’s oldest inns, The Olde Bell in Hurley, from £75 a night with breakfast. This saves you 48 per cent when compared to booking direct.

Another great deal is this two night break in Northumberland for £89pp, which puts you up in the Riverdale Hall Hotel which overlooks the Northumberland National Park.

And that super cheap £59 deal? It’s for a seafront stay in Eastbourne, with an overnight break for two at the The Lansdowne hotel, working out to only £29.50pp.

Remember, however, that you have to be a Travelzoo member to unlock these deals (£30 per year).

Holiday parks

Whether you enjoy pitching up a tent, cosying up in a caravan or even splashing out on a hot tub lodge, holiday parks have stays to suit all budgets.

Choosing to stay in a holiday park can be a fantastic way to tick off a new UK destination without having to fork out on an expensive hotel.

You can often bag a three or four night family break at a holiday park for £90-£100 if you know where to look, which would typically only get you one night in a hotel!

£9.50 Holidays

If you’re looking for a super cheap getaway, The Sun’s £9.50 holidays offer some of the best rates out there, which are often significantly cheaper than booking with the same park direct.

The bargain holidays are released in stages throughout the year, with the biggest Hols from £9.50 drop taking place in January,

As a Sun Club member you can bag your break earlier than anyone else – so make use of this perk!

Make sure to check the Sun Club Offers Hub and club950.co.uk to keep updated with Hols from £9.50 releases.

Parkdean Resorts & Park Holidays

If the £9.50 holiday booking window is closed, Parkdean Resorts and Park Holidays offer some of the best rates among UK holiday parks.

Look out for Parkdean’s last minute breaks page where you can bag a three night stay in Norfolk from £99 or Cornwall from £109.

Park Holidays have 50+ award-winning parks across the UK – their short breaks page offers stays from £129.

Want to save even more? Go for a cosy wooden glamping pod instead of a caravan with Park Holidays, and you can stay from £50 for a two night break. These pods sleep four, so that’s only £6.25pp per night.

SOME hotels give you a quiet pool, a basic buffet and a slightly battered table tennis table in the corner.

Others serve up 81 water slides, life-size dinosaurs, hypercoasters, wave machines and entire fairytale kingdoms.

Variety is the spice of life, after all.

These are the resorts where the accommodation isn’t just somewhere to sleep – it is the holiday.

You could venture outside, obviously, but when there’s a full-scale waterpark or theme park right outside your bedroom door, convincing the children to leave the grounds would require a serious family negotiation.

I’ve hunted down eight of the wildest, most action-packed family resorts available this autumn and winter.

We’re talking theme park stays from £353pp and all-inclusive waterpark breaks from £405pp, with prices based on a family of four.

Every deal includes return flights and access to the hotel’s headline attractions too – so here are my eight picks guaranteed to ruin basic swimming pools for your children forever.

Aqua Mirage Club & Aqua Parc, Morocco – from £573pp

You know a resort takes entertainment seriously when its grounds cover 20 full hectares beneath the Atlas Mountains.

Aqua Mirage features a massive on-site waterpark packed with free-fall tower slides, a sprawling wave pool and an interactive splash castle for preschoolers.

Away from the water, you get six tennis courts, football pitches, evening shows and several pool areas – including a dedicated adults-only pool and spa for parents trying to remember what silence feels like.

It also gives you two holidays in one: a high-energy waterpark resort and easy access to Marrakech’s historic souks and main square.

I found a five-night all-inclusive break from £573pp, flying direct from Manchester on 26 December 2026.

That means you can swap the post-Christmas slump for slides, sunshine and unlimited food and drink – without having to wrestle another turkey into the oven.

My insider tip at this hotel is to take advantage of its free shuttle into central Marrakech, saving your family a fortune on taxis when you do fancy a break from the slides.

PortAventura Hotel El Paso & Theme Park, Spain – from £353pp

First things first: this isn’t just a hotel with a couple of slides attached – it’s a property built inside one of Europe’s largest theme park resorts.

Designed like a colourful Mexican hacienda, Hotel El Paso sits right on the edge of PortAventura Park, giving you easy access to six themed worlds packed with massive rollercoasters such as Shambhala and, my personal favourite, Furius Baco.

Right next door is Ferrari Land, home to Red Force – the 112-metre-high vertical accelerator that launches riders from 0 to 112mph in five seconds flat. I’m not speaking from experience this time. No, thank you.

The best bit is that PortAventura theme park tickets are included with your stay.

I found a five-night room-only package from £353pp, flying direct from Manchester on 24 October 2026 – right in the school half-term window.

When you consider how much standard admission to the park can cost on its own, getting your hotel, flights and multi-day park entry for £353pp in the school holidays is an absolute steal.

HL Paradise Island, Lanzarote – from £405pp

There are waterpark hotels, and then there are waterpark hotels with giant prehistoric creatures towering over the slides.

Guests staying at HL Paradise Island get free entry to Dino Aquapark, where multi-lane racing chutes and enclosed tubes twist around massive, life-size dinosaurs.

The main resort features several swimming pools, sports courts, live evening entertainment and full all-inclusive dining.

Lanzarote stays pleasantly warm right through autumn and winter, making it a brilliant option for some sunshine when the UK enters full freezer mode.

I found a five-night all-inclusive break from £405pp, flying direct from Birmingham on 13 February 2027.

As those dates fall over the February half-term period for many families, that’s excellent value for a school-holiday escape with food, drink and waterpark entry covered.

My tip here is to book an apartment. Having a separate living space and kitchenette means parents get somewhere to relax once the children crash out after a day of chasing dinosaurs.

LIVVO Costa Taurito & Waterpark, Gran Canaria – from £495pp

Taurito looks like someone has built an enormous holiday resort inside a canyon beside the coast.

At the heart of it is Lago Oasis Waterpark – a massive saltwater park packed with kamikaze chutes, racing slides and a giant pirate-ship splash fortress.

Guests at LIVVO Costa Taurito get access to the park, putting all the water-slide madness just steps from their room.

Southern Gran Canaria is one of Europe’s most reliable winter-sun destinations, and the hotel offers all-inclusive dining to keep the holiday food admin nice and simple.

I found a four-night all-inclusive stay from £495pp, flying direct from London Luton on 14 February 2027.

It’s a compact half-term hit of winter sunshine, with flights, meals, drinks and waterpark access all rolled into one price.

I also love the natural volcanic-sand beach just 200 metres from the hotel, giving you somewhere quieter to escape whenever you need a breather from the slides.

Sol Dunas Family Fun, Cape Verde – from £430pp

Sol Dunas is less of a standard hotel and more of a self-contained holiday town.

This sprawling resort features multiple swimming pools, water slides, splash parks, playgrounds and sports courts, forming part of the wider Melia Dunas mega-complex.

Cape Verde is the closest thing to a long-haul winter-sun holiday on this list, serving up temperatures around 25C, plenty of blue skies and broad golden beaches on the island of Sal.

I found a six-night all-inclusive package from £588pp, flying direct from Bristol on 26 October 2026.

Being in the autumn half-term, this deal gives families almost a full week of reliable warmth without the faff of a connecting flight.

It costs slightly more than some of the Spanish options, but a full week of reliable warmth, direct flights and comprehensive all-inclusive dining at a resort of this size still represents excellent value.

Pickalbatros Aqua Blu Sharm, Egypt – from £638pp

Aqua Blu features enough slides to make your local UK “waterpark” look like a damp garden shed.

Part of the enormous Aqua Park City complex in Sharm El Sheikh, this brightly themed resort boasts high-speed racing chutes, wave pools, raft rides and towers of twisting tubes.

The resort is fully all-inclusive and includes access to a private beach via a quick, free shuttle.

Sharm El Sheikh delivers reliable warmth throughout the year, making it a strong choice for autumn or winter sun.

I spotted an eight-night all-inclusive stay from £638pp, flying from Birmingham on 14 February 2027.

It’s the most expensive deal on this list, but you’re getting more than a week of winter sun, all your food and drink, luggage and unlimited access to an enormous waterpark during a peak family-travel period.

The real insider perk, though, is the dedicated children’s buffet, built at a lower level so little ones can grab their own meals without endless parental manoeuvring. Genius.

Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park Resort – Neverland, Hurghada Egypt – from £565pp

This resort features 81 individual water slides.

Eighty-one.

That includes giant family raft rides, multi-lane racers, wave pools and massive themed splash fortresses spread across a complex that feels as though it was designed by a child given an unlimited construction budget.

Beyond the waterpark, Neverland packs in VR gaming arenas, ice skating, huge live productions and an enormous selection of speciality restaurants.

Despite the ridiculous scale of the property, Egypt’s competitive resort market keeps prices shockingly low.

I found a six-night all-inclusive break from £565pp, flying indirectly from Manchester on 16 February 2027, with hold luggage included.

That gives you six nights of all-inclusive dining, luggage and non-stop access to 81 slides during the February half-term period for less than £600pp.

It’s also well worth using the hotel’s internal land train, which runs constantly around the complex, so tired little legs don’t have to walk miles between the slides and your room.

IT’s been three years since Chloe Sims and her siblings had a relationship-ending on-screen spat.

The bitter feud played out on the short-lived series, House of Sims, which followed their glamorous move to Hollywood – with a furious Chloe cutting contact with sisters Demi and Frankie after they returned to the UK.

Fans will remember how the rift began when Frankie and Demi learned that only Chloe, their brother Charlie and his fiancée Georgia’s names were put on the WiFi bill for the family’s apartment – making it difficult for them to build a credit score in their new country.

Now, in a shocking turn of events the girls have all been under one roof at a family event for the first time.

A source close to the family spilled all, telling The Sun: “Nobody thought Chloe would bury the hatchet with her sisters Frankie and Demi, as things had soured so badly between them.

“If you’d have asked anyone a couple of years ago, they would have said relations were likely to remain strained for good.

“But recently they all came together for their dad Tony’s 65th birthday as he had a big party in London and they have taken big steps in getting their relationship back on track.

“There are still old wounds and hurt there, so they aren’t quite back to the tight relationship they once had but this is huge progress.”

Our insider went on to reveal how Chloe’s daughter is the key player in attempting to heal family relations within the Sims household.

They told us: “Chloe posed for lots of pictures with Frankie and Demi, which were shared on her daughter Madison’s Instagram, and it was lovely to see this development.

“Maddie has remained close to her aunties throughout this rift, and hated it when her mum wasn’t speaking to them.

“She always dreamed that they would come back together one day, and she was pretty instrumental in helping pave the way for that to happen.

“At the end of the day, Chloe loves Maddy more than anything in the world, and hates seeing her upset, so it was important for her to work on her relationship with her sisters and bring the family back together again.”

Our source continued: “Time can be a great healer, and a lot of the things they fought about seem quite petty now.

“Of course there are still issues that they need to work through, but they’ve realised they were all under quite a lot of pressure when they moved to the States for their own reality show, House of Sims, and it didn’t always bring out the best in any of them.

“Now that they are no longer a family business in that sense, and a lot of water has gone under the bridge they can slowly go back to remembering the good times.”

Chloe is said to be missing her family as she still splits her time between the US and the UK.

The source said: “As she sees her parents getting older, she realises life is too short to have family feuds.  

“Her dad’s recent birthday get-together was a catalyst to sort out a lot of the beef and the resentments, and just let it all go and move forward.

“They’re taking baby steps but it’s huge progress compared with where they were at.”

The Sun has contacted the sisters’ representatives for a comment.

Looking back on three years ago, Frankie and Demi were furious as all four siblings were paying equally towards the apartment, yet Georgia wasn’t contributing financially and still getting credit.

The ensuing clash led to drinks being thrown, Chloe branding her sisters ‘evil users’ and Frankie and Demi leaving LA for good.

Last year, a source told how Chloe’s closeness with her brother’s fiancée, Georgia Shults, was the main factor behind why things turned sour between the former TOWIE brood.

A pal of the Sims clan told us: “It’s as if Chloe and Georgia are sisters now, and Frankie and Demi are strangers to them. Frankie and Demi basically felt like they were pushed out, and Chloe has no time for them anymore.”

Meanwhile, sources in Chloe’s camp said she didn’t expect Demi and Frankie to “kiss her a**” but she was on TOWIE first and “paved the way for them to have a platform and felt they have ever acknowledged that.”

They said: “With Georgia, she feels like she gets the sisterly love and support she’s not had from Frankie and Demi. Georgia always has her back and sometimes ‘family’ is about more than just sharing the same DNA.

As for Georgia, she felt like Frankie and Demi are making her the scapegoat.

Chloe, Frankie, Demi, Charlie and Georgia upped sticks to LA four years ago after signing a six-figure deal deal with OnlyFans’ OFTV to film a series about their efforts to make it in America.

After the falling out, Chloe, Charlie and Georgia all decided to stay out in the States and sources admitted it only made the family rift deeper.

It seems it could be a new era for the Sims girls.

QUIET beaches, cosy hot chocolates in the caravan, loads of rainy day activities for the kids: October half term is the perfect time for a family getaway.

Especially when you can head off on holiday for as little as £2.75pp a night.

Rather than just offering a cheap bed for the week, these holiday parks are running action-packed Halloween activity schedules, with everything from monster talent shows to good-old pumpkin carving.

Plus we’ve purposely picked out spots with plenty more to do off-site, such as a scare fest takeovers at a seaside theme park and a Halloween steam train ride where kids go free.

Better yet, all of these affordable deals are for holidays within the October half term. Many of them begin from Friday night, meaning you collect the kids straight from school and head straight into half term fun.

From the misty Moray coast in Scotland to seaside Halloween fun in Skegness, here’s our favourite UK holiday parks to visit this October half term – from as little as £2.75pp per night.

Butlin’s October Half Term stays

If you visit to Butlin’s this October half term, expect to find everything fully decked out for Halloween.

The fairground will become the ‘Scareground‘, where monsters lurk in thick fog and you can experience the rides at night in glowing neon green.

The classic ‘Night at Reds’ show held by the Butlin’s redcoats has been given a monster makeover, with Halloween-themed games, sing-a-longs and an ‘Eerily Silent Disco’.

Throw in a mega Halloween Welcome Party, character photo shoots, themed pottery painting and pumpkin-carving sessions, and you’ve got yourself a thoroughly spooky break.

Plus, new for 2026, you’ll find the Skyline Gang Monster Mash – a talent show starring the classic characters with a different winner each night.

We found a four night break at Butlin’s Minehead in a standard family room sleeping four for £44, which works out to £2.75pp per night.

Parkdean Heacham Beach, Norfolk

Head to West Norfolk’s Heacham Beach holiday park for an autumn seaside break packed with plenty of spookiness.

Free themed activities include nighttime guided ghost walks around the park, and ‘Professor Slime’, where kids step into the slime lab to create their own concoctions.

In the evenings, settle down for the Quiz Nation Halloween Special where you can put your knowledge to the test against other holiday parks across the UK.

Or, if you come alive with energy at nighttime, stomp your way over to the Zombie Rave, where you can dance the night away.

If you fancy getting out and about, Church Farm Pumpkins sits on the edge of the village and is the perfect pumpkin patch for pictures and picking your own.

We found a three night stay from October 23 in a Bronze caravan sleeping six for £229, working out to £12.72pp per night.

Parkdean are running Halloween activities across 59 holiday parks between October 2 – November 1, with a more extensive activity program during the half term break.

If you’re looking to stay at another Parkdean resort, the following holiday parks won’t have the Halloween activities: Church Point, Fallbarrow, Gatebeck, Limefitt, and Todber Valley.

Haven Skegness

Whether you want to visit a seaside theme park for a creepy scare fest, or go ghost-hunting along the coast, Haven Skegness is ideal for a family Halloween break.

Haven are running loads of Halloween activities this year across their parks, including crafty activities like Halloween Make a Bear and build your own Halloween basket.

Even the food and drink will receive a Halloween twist, as grown-ups can grab a Ghoula Colada or Cursed Lagoon cocktail.

Make sure to step off-site to visit Fear Island, theme park Fantasy Island‘s scare fest where you can dip in and out of immersive zones like creepy cabins inhabited by clowns.

Fear Island takes place on the following dates: 17-18, 21-25 and 28 Oct October, as well as November 1. If you book ahead online you can save 10%.

We found a deal for a three night stay at Haven Skegness from October 23 in a Saver caravan sleeping four for £205, working out to £12.81pp per night.

Parkdean Node’s Point, Isle of Wight

This Isle of Wight holiday park isn’t just for visiting in the summer, it makes for a fantastic October break, too.

At Havenstreet Station, you can board the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for its magical ‘Witches, Wands and Whistles‘ event (17 – 31 October) where kids go free on a themed train ride (adults £26).

Or for a free afternoon out, go on a ghost hunt around the ancient stone walls of Carisbrooke Castle.

On-site, Milkshake Mornings will take a Halloween twist, with a spooky story time as well as themed arts and crafts.

Older kids can make Halloween tie-dye t-shirts, or take part in The Wizard Academy show.

We found a three night break in a Gold caravan sleeping eight for £259, working out to £10.79pp per night.

Haven Quay West, South Wales

Take a trip to Haunted Haven in pretty South Wales this October with a stay at Haven Quay West.

The holiday park is putting on an ‘Eerie Entertainment’ series, with a fancy dress parade featuring giant pumpkins, spiders and ghosts, as well as a Halloween edition of the Seaside Squad show.

During the day kids can get creative with sand art, pumpkin carving and even a Halloween nature trail, where you’ll get up close to creepy crawlies.

This park is also in an ideal setting for breezy autumn walks, with a woodland trail that leads you directly down to the beach, where you may even spot wild dolphins.

If you time your trip for Halloween night, you can stroll down to the harbour for a huge, free fireworks display which lights up the sky over the waters of Cardigan Bay.

We found a four night break in a Saver caravan sleeping four for £265, working out to £16.56pp per night.

Park Holidays Silver Sands, Scotland

Take an autumn break to the misty Moray Firth coast in Scotland with a stay at Park Holidays’ Silver Sands resort.

If you don’t want to brave a brisk beach walk out in stunning Lossiemouth or Cairngorms National Park, you can stay on-site to make use of the indoor heated swimming pool.

During the October half term, there’ll be everything from ghost storytelling to costume contests and classic pumpkin carving.

During the day, kids activities start from 10am and include bead art classes, Segways and wax workshops.

In the evening, settle down to kids shows from the Krazy Krew or stay late for karaoke, cabaret and bingo.

We found a four night break in a Gold caravan sleeping six for £161, working out to £6.71pp per night.

WHEN Joey Essex was pictured getting close with newly single Love Island star Priya Jaswal earlier this month, many hoped it was the start of the latest reality TV romance. 

But The Sun can reveal that despite their late-night flirtation things have not been heating up between the Towie icon and the Surrey-born beauty for one very surprising reason. 

Even though Joey has acquired something of a lothario reputation – dating a bevvy of beauties including Jesy Potts and Sam Faiers, since rising to fame on the ITV reality show in 2011 – he’s got his eyes on a very different sort of prize, I’m told. 

A source tells me: “Priya and Joey spent the evening laughing and joking away so many assumed it could turn into something more serious.

“But Joey is taking a break from women and sex at the moment. In fact, he’s taken a vow of chastity.

“He’s got this big boxing match next month and he’s taking it very seriously.

“He is determined to win and has been sweating it out in the gym and is going to give it everything he has got.

“So Joey is on a strict sex ban until after the fight.”

The 36-year-old TV star is scheduled for a Misfits Boxing match on October 10 against comedian Dapper Laughs – real name Daniel O’Reilly – at the Copper Box Arena, London. 

Misfits was launched in 2022 by YouTube star KSI and his manager Mams Taylor as the home for celebrity-style crossover bouts.

The effectiveness of sex bans before big sporting bouts is contested, but it is thought that Muhammad Ali abstained for six weeks prior to matches, as he believed avoiding sex preserved testosterone, focus and leg strength.

Joey is not the only modern day boxer to take a pre-match vow of chastity.

Tyson Fury has also switched to no-sex preparations, instead of his previous method of masturbating furiously before matches. 

In 2022, ahead of his fight against Derek Chisora, Fury told Barstool Sports: “You know how I used to masturbate seven times per day to give me power?

“This time I’m celibate. I’m celibate for seven weeks until the fight. It’s a new method, I’m trying something out.

“I’m going in there with a loaded gun, someone’s getting in severe trouble.

“I’m gonna be testosteroned out of my head completely. Seven weeks’ worth.”

Joey’s stringent new regime will be a bitter blow for gorgeous Priya, 25, who is newly single after splitting from Love Island villa beau Aidan Murphy hours before the NTAs. 

Joey and Priya were inseparable at the after party at London’s O2 arena, looking cosy as they chatted for hours and then left the bash together.

They then carried on partying at the after-after party in the Skybar at the nearby Intercontinental Hotel.

A source said at the time: “Joey and Priya really hit it off and got close. We’ll have to see what happens.

“Obviously Priya is very fresh to showbiz and just out of her connection with Aidan so we’ll see.”

However, according to sources, the pair swapped numbers and exchanged messages since their fun night out together. 

It is not the first time that Joey has been linked to a Love Island beauty. 

The London-born star even did his own stint in the villa in 2024, entering on the evening of Day 1 as the first “bombshell” of the series. Essex was the first celebrity to appear on the revived version of the show.

Joey was linked to model Grace Jackson, with whom he reportedly enjoyed a whirlwind romance for around six weeks in early 2024 after meeting in Dubai.

However, their relationship ended abruptly, leaving Grace feeling “hurt and confused” by Joey’s decision to break up.

The situation took an unexpected turn when Grace entered the Love Island villa on June 13, 2024, much to Joey’s shock.

It certainly called fireworks and became the drama of the season.

He was initially coupled up with Samantha Kenny, but later swayed toward bombshell Grace, leading to explosive arguments and mixed signals.

Joey then later turned his attention to another bombshell, Jessy Potts. This transition caused massive fallout with Grace, resulting in explosive arguments that dominated the screen time.

But it was not meant to be. Joey Essex and Jessy Potts confirmed their split on September 18, 2024.

The break up came just seven weeks after they left the Love Island villa together.

Despite their initial connection, both Joey and Jessy cited their busy schedules as a significant factor contributing to their breakup.

Jessy said that they “tried to make it work”, but the demands of their post-villa lives made it challenging to maintain their relationship.

More recently Joey confirmed on The Sun’s Showbiz Fix that he is a single man, and if his boxing career continues to thrive, it might just stay that way.

THE price of a big night out in the UK costs on average £74 per person when you factor in food, travel and drinks.

When you’re looking at those kinds of numbers, it makes way more sense to splash the cash on the latest trend for Brit holidaymakers – all inclusive weekenders in a hot country.

I searched every autumn weekend across October and November to find the absolute cheapest two-night all-inclusive packages for two adults – including return flights.

Somehow, you can jump on a plane, sleep in a hotel, eat three meals a day, enjoy unlimited drinks, and soak up some sunshine for little more than the cost of a couple of nights out at home. Grandparents, get the babysitting schedule ready.

Cala Millor, Majorca – £180pp in October

Cala Millor is one of the best places for international date nights, with its immaculate sandy beach and a flat, palm-lined promenade if you fancy stepping outside the hotel gates for an evening wander.

Early October still feels properly summery in Majorca, with temperatures around 25C – warm enough for poolside lounging without the oppressive August heat.

And you can lock in two nights all-inclusive at the BLUESEA Don Jaime for £180pp.

The outbound flight leaves Birmingham at 7.35pm on Friday and lands in Palma at 11.05pm, so there’s no need to sacrifice a full day’s annual leave.

Even better, the return flight doesn’t leave Palma until 11.15pm on Sunday, landing back in Birmingham at 12.50am – giving you almost all of Sunday on the island.

The hotel sits close to Cala Millor’s main strip and around five minutes’ walk from the seafront, with an outdoor pool, sun terrace and buffet restaurant to eliminate virtually all food-related admin for the weekend.

Alanya, Turkey – £195pp in October

If serious heat is your primary objective, Alanya takes the top spot on the shortlist.

The Turkish Riviera regularly stays in the mid-twenties throughout October, while its beaches, bars and resorts remain alive and kicking long after the British summer has packed up.

I found two nights all-inclusive at Sun Star Beach Hotel for £195pp, with the flight leaving London Stansted at 7.55pm on Friday meaning you can complete the working week before heading to the airport.

The return flight then leaves Antalya at 4.30pm on Sunday and lands back at Stansted at 6.55pm, so you’ll still get most of Sunday in Turkey without arriving home in the middle of the night.

The hotel sits in Mahmutlar and has its own beach area, an outdoor pool with waterslides and an on-site Turkish bath and spa.

For knackered parents, that means you can spend the weekend alternating between the hammam, the beach and the all-inclusive bar. A demanding schedule.

Calas de Mallorca, Majorca – £180pp in October

We’re heading back to Majorca for mid-October, but this time to the more peaceful east coast where it sits at 24C mid-October.

Calas de Mallorca is built around a series of sheltered, dramatic coves rather than one enormous resort strip, making it ideal if your perfect child-free weekend involves making as few decisions as humanly possible.

You can grab two nights all-inclusive at HSM Canarios Park for £180pp.

The outbound flight leaves Birmingham at 7.35pm on Friday, so you can work the day before setting off, and the Sunday flight leaves at 11.15pm, unlocking virtually the whole weekend without using a full day of annual leave.

The real trade secret at HSM Canarios Park is its free shuttle bus, which drops guests at Cala Antena Beach.

The hotel also has three outdoor pools, mini golf, tennis courts and a poolside bar – so you can get competitive before a post-workout tipple.

Lloret de Mar, Spain – £225pp in October

Late October on the Costa Brava loses the peak-summer surge of tourists while keeping hold of pleasant daytime temperatures of around 22C.

I hunted down two nights all-inclusive at BLUESEA Copacabana for £225pp.

The flight leaves London Luton at 7.40pm on Friday, allowing you to finish work before disappearing to Spain.

The return departs Barcelona at 4.10pm on Sunday and lands back at Luton at 5.35pm, getting you home at a surprisingly sensible time while still giving you the chance to spend the morning and early afternoon wringing every last drop out of the all-inclusive bar.

The hotel is close to Lloret de Mar town centre, putting you within easy reach of its shops, seafront promenades, tapas bars and beaches.

It may still be difficult to peel yourself away from the hotel’s sun terrace and outdoor pool, though – particularly once you’ve established a steady flow of all-inclusive drinks and snacks.

Agadir, Morocco – £150pp in November

This is the single best deal on the entire list, for me.

While the UK drops into its usual grey drizzle, Agadir serves up temperatures in the mid-twenties and miles of golden sand.

And for anyone who thinks Morocco is too far for a couple of nights, the outbound flight takes less than four hours.

It leaves London Stansted at 3.45pm on Friday and lands in Agadir at 7.35pm, meaning you may only need to take Friday afternoon off work.

And the return flight leaves Morocco at 7.30pm on Sunday and lands back at Stansted at 11.25pm, giving you almost all of Sunday in the sunshine.

You can secure two nights all-inclusive at El Pueblo Tamlelt for a frankly ridiculous £150pp.

It’s a sprawling, traditional Moroccan-style resort surrounded by gardens, with several pools, restaurants and bars.

And Agadir’s enormous beach and seafront promenade are only a short walk away, too.

El Arenal, Majorca – £155pp in November

El Arenal sits on Majorca’s southern coast, delivering a wide, flat seafront promenade, easy beach walks and plenty of open cafes, bars and restaurants.

November is mild here, with temperatures around 20C, making it a brilliant low-cost escape from the weather, household chores and anything requiring a packed lunch.

The flight leaves London Gatwick at 5.05pm on Friday and lands in Palma at 8.25pm.

Even better, the Sunday return doesn’t leave Palma until 10.45pm, landing back at Gatwick at 12.15am, giving you another full day on the island.

I found two nights all-inclusive at BLUESEA Mediodia for just £155pp.

The hotel sits only around 80m from the sand and right in the heart of El Arenal, meaning you can fit in an early-morning beach walk before heading back for an unlimited breakfast.

Albufeira, Portugal – £175pp in November

Albufeira is a really smart late-autumn pick because its Old Town remains open and lively long after summer ends.

You get historic cobbled streets, cliff-backed beaches and seafront restaurants without fighting half of Britain for a table – and temperatures up to 20C in the day.

And yes, there is a greater chance of rain than in summer, but there’s also every chance of blue skies, alfresco drinks and wondering why you ever considered the local cinema.

The outbound flight leaves Newcastle at 5.20pm on Friday, fitting neatly around the working day.

And the return leaves Faro at 5.25pm on Sunday, so you still get most of Sunday in Portugal without rolling through the front door after midnight.

You can book two nights all-inclusive at the four-star Grand Muthu Forte da Oura for £175pp.

The hotel is close to Oura Beach and the lively Areias de Sao Joao area, with a large outdoor pool and spacious terrace surrounded by gardens.

Perfect for an Aperol Spritz-fuelled wander before heading down to the beach.

Torremolinos, Costa del Sol – £180pp in November

Closing out November, Torremolinos delivers mild 20C Andalusian weather, a gorgeous seafront and excellent fresh seafood in the historic La Carihuela district.

I spotted two nights all-inclusive at the four-star BLUESEA Al-Andalus for £180pp.

The flight leaves Dublin at 5.05pm on Friday, so there’s no need to lose your entire Friday.

And the return doesn’t leave Málaga until 10.30pm on Sunday, meaning you can squeeze the maximum possible amount of sunshine out of a two-night stay.

The hotel is set in peaceful subtropical gardens, with an outdoor pool and sun terrace and within walking distance of La Carihuela Beach – famous for its long promenade and plenty of dangerously tempting seafood restaurants.

That is a four-star all-inclusive escape for less than some couples spend on dinner, drinks and a taxi home. No-brainer.

THERE’S a specific point during every peak-summer holiday when even the most committed sun worshipper has to admit it’s all getting a bit much.

The beach is shoulder-to-shoulder, the sand is hot enough to cook an egg and you’ve started timing dinner around whether you can secure a table without joining a queue.

That’s why I’ve become a massive advocate for the October break.

Across the Mediterranean, daytime temperatures comfortably hover in the mid-twenties and, even in October, there are hours and hours of proper sunshine every day.

Meaning you can still pack your swimwear, bring the sun cream and expect to come home a lot more tanned.

And my favourite part is: you enjoy all of that without the intense August heat, peak-season crowds or, most importantly, peak-season prices.

I crunched the booking data across our most popular summer resorts and found that October breaks are up to 49 per cent cheaper than their peak-August counterparts.

So these are the seven classic summer spots where October can genuinely be a better and much cheaper time to travel.

7. Hersonissos, Crete – 40 per cent cheaper

Crete is one of the best places to squeeze a final dose of proper Greek sunshine out of the year.

As one of Greece’s most southern major holiday islands, it holds onto summer far longer than many of its northern neighbours.

October in Hersonissos still serves up highs of 24°C and warm seas, keeping proper beach-and-pool days firmly on the menu.

Hersonissos also stays lively well into autumn, and the gentler heat also means exploring Heraklion or visiting the Palace of Knossos doesn’t turn into a sweaty endurance test.

Matched booking data shows that October packages here are, on average, 40 per cent cheaper than in August.

And I found a four-star, all-inclusive stay at Hotel Heronissos, just 100m from the beach.

It has a huge outdoor pool and puts you within walking distance of the resort centre, while your meals, snacks and local drinks are all included.

The full package works out at £320pp for 7 days – roughly £46pp a day – including the flights. Bargain.

Book a 7-night all-inclusive stay at Hotel Heronissos from 8 October 2026, with direct return flights from Bristol, for £320pp.

6. Cala Millor, Majorca – 40.1 per cent cheaper

Majorca doesn’t just pull down the blinds the second September finishes, you know?

October in Cala Millor can still hit highs of 25°C earlier in the month, with sea temperatures sitting at a very swimmable 23°C.

But the biggest win in October, by far, is the elbow room.

In August, finding a towel-sized patch on Cala Millor’s huge sandy bay feels like bidding for a London flat – but in October, you can just walk down and lay your towel out.

Booking data shows that October packages are, on average, 40.1 per cent cheaper than in August, which is a pretty crazy saving for Majorca.

I found a four-star, half-board stay at Bakour Garbi Cala Millor, which sits just 400m from the beach, has a large outdoor pool, kids’ club and playground, and its heated indoor pool and spa area is ideal for an October break.

It gives your family a built-in back-up plan if an autumn cloud briefly rolls past.

Book a 7-night half-board stay at Bakour Garbi Cala Millor from 14 October 2026, with direct return flights from Bournemouth, for £340pp.

5. Afandou, Rhodes – 43.7 per cent cheaper

Rhodes is arguably the strongest weather bet on the entire list for autumn.

October brings highs of 25°C, around nine hours of sunshine a day and sea temperatures of approximately 24°C.

That is still proper tanning weather, and feels particularly nice when everyone back home has already turned the central heating on.

Afandou is ideal for a quieter escape, with one of the longest beaches on Rhodes and a traditional village centre.

The slightly gentler heat also means you can explore the island properly without spending the entire day desperately seeking shade.

My booking data shows that October packages are, on average, 43.7 per cent cheaper than in August – another massive saving.

I tracked down a room-only stay at Golden Days Aparthotel, a simple, cheap-and-cheerful base with an outdoor pool, a separate children’s pool and a tourist train running down to Afandou Beach.

Getting a full week on one of Greece’s warmest islands for under £190pp is an absolute steal. In fact, I’ve paid more than that for a train ticket to London this year.

Book a 7-night room-only stay at Golden Days Aparthotel from 2 October 2026, with direct return flights from East Midlands, for £185pp.

4. Albir, Costa Blanca – 44 per cent cheaper

Albir delivers Costa Blanca sunshine without putting you in the middle of Benidorm.

That being said, Benidorm is still close enough for waterparks, nightlife and an emergency tribute act, but Albir itself stays super-relaxed.

October brings highs of 24°C and around eight hours of sunshine a day, alongside a palm-lined promenade overlooking the pebble beach.

The cooler autumn breeze also makes it a far better time to tackle the scenic walk up to Albir Lighthouse without desperately searching for shade every five minutes.

Booking data shows that October packages are, on average, 44 per cent cheaper than in August.

And I spotted a four-star, bed-and-breakfast stay at Sun Palace Albir in a quiet part of the resort.

It has an outdoor pool, a big sunbathing terrace and a spa area for when you fancy taking relaxation very seriously.

The stand-out feature here, though, is its restaurant terrace, which has panoramic views across the mountains and out to sea, a far better spot for breakfast than a rainy motorway service station – speaking from experience.

Book a 7-night bed-and-breakfast stay at Sun Palace Albir from 20 October 2026, with direct return flights from Manchester, for £305pp.

3. Kusadasi, Turkey – 44.3 per cent cheaper

Kusadasi stays properly hot into October, with daytime temperatures reaching highs of 26°C along the Aegean coast – and I have to say it’s absolutely gorgeous.

You could easily spend seven days flitting between the pool and the buffet, but October’s gentler heat also makes exploring the ancient marble streets of nearby Ephesus infinitely more enjoyable than during the height of summer.

When I took a peek, matched booking data showed that October packages to Kusadasi are, on average, 44.3 per cent cheaper than in August.

And to highlight that value, I found a four-star, all-inclusive stay at Marbel Hotel.

It has a huge outdoor pool, tennis court, gym and Turkish hammam bath house, with your meals and drinks wrapped into the price.

It’s a great choice if you want plenty to do at the hotel while remaining close enough to dip into the centre of Kusadasi.

Book a 7-night all-inclusive stay at Marbel Hotel from 7 October 2026, with direct return flights from London Stansted, for £365pp.

2. Laganas, Zante – 45.7 per cent cheaper

Laganas in August and Laganas in October feel like two completely different worlds.

Peak summer brings wall-to-wall crowds and full-throttle nightlife, but by October, the volume turns right down, but temperatures can still reach highs of 25°C.

You get to enjoy Laganas’ vast golden-sand beach and the clear Ionian Sea without sharing them with thousands of foam-party-obsessives.

Some seasonal bars and clubs begin closing as the month progresses, but for me that’s part of the appeal.

You still get the sunshine, warm sea and beautiful coastline – just with considerably less people around.

And booking data shows that October packages are, on average, a whopping 45.7 per cent cheaper than in August.

I found a bed-and-breakfast stay at Atlantis Hotel Zante, and this place is just 7km from the airport.

That means you can be beside the pool remarkably quickly instead of spending the first afternoon touring every hotel on the island aboard a transfer coach.

The hotel has an outdoor pool, a separate children’s pool and a Jacuzzi, while the rooms include a mini fridge, kettle and toaster to keep the snack admin easy.

Book a 7-night bed-and-breakfast stay at Atlantis Hotel Zante from 13 October 2026, with direct return flights from London Stansted, for £255pp.

1. Oropesa del Mar, Costa del Azahar – 48.6 per cent cheaper

Taking the top spot for the biggest seasonal saving is Oropesa del Mar on Spain’s underrated and underdiscovered Costa del Azahar.

October temperatures here can still climb to highs of 25°C, allowing summer to stretch on long after the UK has descended into grey drizzle.

This purpose-built Spanish resort has broad beaches and wide promenades that feel calm and effortless once the July and August rush clears out.

The slightly gentler temperatures also make October a much better time to explore the coastline or head towards Castellon and Valencia.

My booking data shows that October packages are, on average, a staggering 48.6 per cent cheaper than in August – nearly half the price for the same Spanish coastline.

I found a bed-and-breakfast stay at Magic Sports Hotel, part of the Magic World resort and a real gem of a hotel for the easily-bored holidayers among us (guilty).

It has sports simulators, themed rooms, huge swimming pools and an on-site waterpark with slides inspired by everything from Formula 1 to winter sports.

Finding seven nights here with direct return flights for £265pp feels, quite frankly, ridiculous – and it’s my pick of the deals, for sure.

Book a 7-night bed-and-breakfast stay at Magic Sports Hotel from 3 October 2026, with direct return flights from London Stansted, for £265pp.

IT was written all over Katie Holmes’s face as she arrived at the Calvin Klein show at this month’s New York Fashion Week. 

The reason for the actress’s mega-watt smile? The man on her arm, artist Jason Bard Yarmosky, whom Holmes, 47, has been dating since the start of the summer – and helped her get over the trauma of her doomed marriage to Tom Cruise. 

Holmes and her new man, 39,  attended four major fashion week events together, each time carefully co-ordinating their outfits – which in Hollywood terms says far more about relationship status than you might think. 

Their romance has been the talk of New York society this summer, since they were first spotted in the Hamptons together in early July. 

Handsome Jason is something of a name himself, building 40,000 followers on Instagram where he shares his work. 

A source tells The Sun that he and Holmes have fallen for one another – fast – and that engagement may well be the next move. 

“They have become close very quickly,” says the source.

“Something about Jason’s sense of self and passion for what he does really pulled Katie into his orbit and they’ve become inseparable. They are very much in love.”

They reportedly first met at a Tribeca Festival dinner in June, where Yarmosky had been selected for the festival’s Artist Awards Programme which was presented by Chanel. 

They immediately bonded, says a source, over their “shared creativity”, with Holmes impressed by his work and his “quietly confident” energy. 

Yarmosky is certainly cool, becoming something of a power player on the New York art scene, recently creating work for a special exhibition at iconic department store Bergdorf Goodman. 

His website describes his paintings and drawings as centring around “themes of aging, time and memory” with a lot of his recent work inspired by his grandparents. 

They made their relationship Instagram official this month, and shared sizzling photos from a trip they took to Lake Como in Italy as a collab post, the ultimate new power couple move. 

Our source said that the trip was a huge step for them, and their electric connection was plain to see in the series of bikini photos as they enjoyed a boat trip on the lake.

Her friend Amy Astley, the former Vogue editor, commented that she was “glowing”. 

“For Katie to make this romance so public is very telling,” said one friend. 

“She has deliberately kept her romantic life under wraps for decades.” 

Indeed, Holmes’s only long term relationship since her high-profile divorce from Tom Cruise, after almost six years of marriage, was with Jamie Foxx. 

They were said to have dated for five years and in that time they were photographed together out in public only a handful of times. 

In 2019, there were two – very rare – public appearances, first at the Clive Davis and Recording Academy Pre-Grammy Gala, then at the Met Gala. 

A few months later, the romance was said to be over – and Holmes hasn’t found a great love again, until now, despite being linked fleetingly to chef Emilio Vitolo Jr. in 2020 and musician Bobby Wooten III in 2022.

“Things feel very different for Katie now,” said the source. 

“For the first time since splitting from Tom, she wants to show the world how in love she is.”

And she certainly is – so much so that rumours are circulating that the pair could even be heading for engagement. 

“It’s been a complete whirlwind,” said one Hollywood source.

“Katie’s friends and – most importantly – her parents Martin and Kathleen, all approve of the relationship. It is a big deal that they are together so publicly, it says a lot about where they are at.”

Holmes has been notoriously private about every aspect of her life since her extremely high profile marriage, and subsequent divorce from Tom Cruise – something which left her feeling “shaken” and “cautious about living in the spotlight” said sources at the time. 

It has been almost twenty years since the pair married in a lavish Italian wedding, at Bracciano’s 15th-century Odescalchi Castle – a celebration that reportedly cost them upwards of $3 million and included a performance by Andrea Bocelli. 

Their relationship had been a whirlwind, from meeting in 2004, to getting engaged in 2005 and having their only child Suri in April 2006, just seven months prior to the wedding, the pair became a Hollywood power couple – known as TomKat – in record time. 

She told W magazine, “I’ve found the man of my dreams”.

But their downfall was almost as dramatic as the couch-jumping which defined the start of the romance. 

Holmes filed for divorce from Tom Cruise in 2012 after nearly six years of marriage through a carefully planned, covert exit from the relationship. 

The Wall Street Journal reported at the time that the couple had been at loggerheads about Scientology, the controversial religion of which Cruise has been a prominent member for over 40 years, calling it a “beautiful religion”. 

He said in 2016, “It’s something that has helped me incredibly in my life.” 

He added, “It’s something, you know, without it, I wouldn’t be where I am. So it’s a beautiful religion. I’m incredibly proud.”

Reports revealed that Holmes and Cruise had disagreements over how the couple’s daughter, Suri, would be raised, with Holmes wanting to raise Suri away from Scientology. 

During a court case in 2013, Cruise confirmed that it was “one of the assertions” made by his ex-wife which led to their split. 

Following the split, Holmes was granted custody of Suri and they set up home in New York where they lived an exceptionally quiet life. 

Cruise was last photographed with his daughter, now 20 and attending Pennsylvania’s Carnegie Mellon University, in 2012 and she is said to have dropped his last name going instead by Suri Noelle, her mother’s middle name, in a recent Edinburgh Festival performance. 

“They don’t have any kind of relationship,” a source has said of Suri and Cruise. “She was raised by Katie. They are incredibly close.”

Prior to her marriage Holmes had been riding high in her career which started with hit teen show Dawson’s Creek, and had just starred in Batman Begins in 2005. 

Following their dramatic split, however, Holmes found herself somewhat “iced out of Hollywood”, says one industry insider. 

Two years ago Holmes admitted: “Do I have 20 scripts at my door, all with the green light? No. Would that make life easier? Yes.” 

Her most notable role in the post-Cruise years was as Jaqueline Kennedy in the TV miniseries The Kennedys, but the big blockbuster offers dried up. 

Two years ago, she made a splash on Broadway with director Kenny Leon’s revival of Our Town. 

Since then Holmes has been busy stepping back into the spotlight. 

She has written and directed new romcom Happy Hours, in which she also stars alongside her former Dawson’s Creek co-star – and ex-boyfriend – Joshua Jackson. 

She said earlier this year that “working with Josh again was a dream.”

Their friendship, which has been renewed in recent years after going no-contact while Holmes was married to Cruise, has been a huge part of Holmes’s “finding herself” again, our source tells us.

“With Josh, Katie can be herself,” they revealed. “He’s known her since they were kids. He’s encouraged her to find her voice artistically and also lean into being in the spotlight once again.”

And Holmes is certainly doing that, with more public appearances with her new man this year than we’ve seen since she was with Cruise, and a renewed spotlight on her life and career which she appears to be enjoying. 

“Katie is happy and confident in who she is in a way that felt impossible even ten years ago,” said our source. 

“Going through such a high profile divorce from someone who is so powerful, like Tom Cruise, was a life-shattering thing for her. It’s taken time but Katie feels free – and Jason is a big part of that.” 

As Holmes said two years ago: “I’m adamant about having a life and not letting this industry dictate decisions as simple as what I wear or as complicated as what I do.” 

She added, “You don’t want to be afraid of anything, right?” 

It looks like Katie Holmes is really living by those words.

WHEN the unpredictable British weather strikes, a tropical indoor waterpark is the ideal escape for families.

We’ve hunted down the UK’s absolute best indoor waterparks, packed with terrifying near-vertical drops for adrenaline junkies and giant interactive pirate ships to entertain the little ones.

Parents haven’t been forgotten either, as plenty of these indoor resorts have luxurious adults-only spas, bubbling spa pools, and peaceful lazy rivers to help you escape the chaos.

Best of all, these waterparks won’t break the bank, with tickets from £5.31 for adults and £2.50 for kids.

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

As the UK’s largest waterpark, it’s safe to say there’s absolutely loads of indoor fun to be had at Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool.

The attraction boasts 18 slides, ranging from the toddler-friendly treetops water chutes to a climbing frame where a giant coconut dumps 600 gallons of water onto unsuspecting swimmers.

Older thrill-seekers can tackle five record-breaking white-knuckle rides, including the Sidewinder, the world-first indoor half-pipe, and the Masterblaster, the UK’s longest indoor water rollercoaster.

While the kids run wild, adults can escape to the Sea Breeze Spa for an extra £7 to unwind in the sauna, steam room, and aromatherapy lounge.

For the ultimate VIP day out, the £60 Tiki Cabana package gets you park entry, lunch and unlimited drinks, spa access, and a private retreat complete with a TV and hot tub.

Standard tickets start at £24.95 for those aged 12 and over, £15.95 for kids aged three to seven, and under-threes get to splash around for free.

Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent

This waterpark with tropical temperatures packs in over 30 different rides and attractions under one roof.

Test your nerves on the lightning-themed Hurricane ride that descends at 17mph, or brave the Thunderbolt – the UK’s first trap-door flume that plummets you downwards at a terrifying 25mph.

If you want something a bit gentler, toddlers will love the gentle twists of the newly refurbished Python slide, while the whole family can enjoy the swirling rapids and wave pool.

When you need a breather, you can chill in the calming bubble pools and fuel up on pizza, bubble waffles, and milkshakes at the on-site restaurant.

Outside of the waterpark, the wider leisure resort contains the M Club Spa and fitness centre as well as a tiki-themed adventure mini-golf course.

General admission tickets start at £24pp.

Blue Lagoon Water Park, Wales

Beneath its giant, curved glass dome, the Blue Lagoon Water Park hides a massive wave pool, four high-speed flumes, a lazy river, bubbling spa pools and more.

Here the kids can make a splash on mini slides and water cannons at Nippers Cove, or even join in on magical mermaid schools and pirate-themed events.

While the pool complex is normally reserved for holiday park guests, you can still visit without booking an overnight stay by grabbing tickets to a public open day.

The next public open day takes place on October 28 between 6.30pm and 9pm, with entry costing a budget-friendly £11.55 per person.

The complex is completely free however for guests staying on-site at Bluestone National Park Resort, making it the perfect excuse to book in a staycation.

You can bag a three-night break in a stylish wooden lodge sleeping four from £420, working out to £35pp per night.

Alton Towers Waterpark, Staffordshire

You don’t need to brave the theme park’s giant rollercoasters for an action-packed day out at Alton Towers.

The attraction boasts its own massive tropical waterpark with toasty temperatures right in the Staffordshire countryside.

Adrenaline junkies can tackle the epic Master Blaster water rollercoaster, twist down the indoor Rush ‘N’ Rampage slides, or brave the outdoor Flash Floods flume before splashing into the giant pool.

Meanwhile, little ones can run wild in the Wacky Waterworks Treehouse, a sprawling play zone packed with over 70 interactive features including water cannons and tipping buckets.

If you prefer a more relaxing pace, you can drift peacefully along the lazy river or simply kick back on a lounger with a drink while the kids wear themselves out.

When hunger strikes, you can grab burgers and chicken strips at the Calypso Cave, or treat the family to ice cream sundaes and floats from the Ice Cream Shack.

Standard tickets start at £18 when booked online, with kids under 90cm going completely free.

There are also parent-and-toddler passes available from £23.

Coral Reef Waterworld, Bracknell

Bracknell’s Coral Reef Waterworld is one of England’s largest indoor water parks. With 30C temperatures and a giant pirate ship to play in, it makes for the ideal rainy-day family escape.

Little ones can run wild in the pirate ship and battle against each other with water cannons, or even dodge the ‘eruptions’ of the giant water volcano.

Older kids can tackle five high-tech waterslides, including the 67-metre high-speed Cannon chute and Poseidon’s Peril, a neon-lit, colour-changing raft ride built for two.

If you need to catch your breath, the main swimming pool has plenty of calmer spots to float around, featuring a swirling rapid river and relaxing bubble pools.

There’s even an adults-only Coral Spa where you can completely unwind on heated sun loungers, chill in a Japanese steam room, or sweat it out across three saunas.

Tickets from £18.60 for adults and £13.20 for kids.

Alpamare, Scarborough

Scarborough‘s Alpamare is a totally unique waterpark that truly lives up to its claim of being “unlike any waterpark you’ve seen before”.

Here you’ll find four massive, ski-themed waterslides: the Cresta Run, Olympic Run, Black Run, and Snowstorm.

Each will send you flying through high-speed twists, turns, and giant spinning funnel bowls.

There’s also a huge main indoor pool, which ripples with waves every 30 minutes. You can also brave the outdoor chill and take a dip in a heated outdoor infinity pool.

Alpamare also has its own spa, which might just be the most unique of the bunch.

The spa offers a hammam, LED ice showers, foot baths and even a Sauna World complex with plenty of room for sitting down and heating up.

Plus there’s a totally bizarre Hay Bath aromatherapy experience, where you relax on a lounger surrounded by fresh local Yorkshire hay – where the natural scent is designed to soothe the senses.

Tickets start at £10 for adults, £7.50 for kids, and £2.50 for toddlers when you book ahead online.

The Wave, Coventry

The Wave is a giant indoor waterworld containing the UK’s largest wave pool, which churns over 20 million litres of water every single day.

Zip down your choice of six high-octane flumes, including the stomach-churning Riptide – a massive half-pipe slide that blasts rubber ring riders down a terrifying near-90-degree drop.

You can also take on the dizzying Cyclone ride that spins swimmers around a giant open bowl, while younger children can safely splash away from the big drops in The Reef, a vibrant play area packed with mini slides and fountains.

If the parents need some well-deserved peace and quiet, they can escape the chaos and head over to the luxurious on-site Mana Spa.

Here you can swim gentle lengths in a quieter pool, sweat it out in the sauna and steam room, or switch off in the soothing aromatherapy suite.

Adult tickets cost £15, kids aged 11 and under £13, and babies under one go for free.

Time Capsule Water Park, Scotland

Time Capsule Water Park in Coatbridge, Scotland is a brilliant budget-friendly option that even comes attached to an indoor ice rink for the ultimate action-packed day out.

Inside the massive water complex, you’ll find a lazy river, twisting waterslides, and kids splash zones lined with water cannons.

Thrill-seekers will want to make a beeline for Tornado Tantrum, a tall flume packed with twisting drops alongside dramatic thunder and lightning effects.

Younger kids can safely splash around the toddler-friendly Cove Island, or dry off and run wild in the Tiny Tots indoor soft play area.

When it’s time to refuel the family, grab a cold drink and a poolside burger at the on-site Tsunami Cafe.

This waterpark is one of the cheapest on our list, with adult tickets costing £6.50 and kids £4.50, plus the bonus of completely free parking.

LC Swansea Waterpark, Wales

Taking the crown as Wales‘ biggest waterpark, LC Swansea goes way beyond your standard indoor pool and slide.

Here you can learn to surf on the Boardrider simulator, or hop on a rubber ring ride that blasts you uphill before gravity sends you plummeting back into the pool.

The Volcano Bay zone is the perfect place for the kids to burn off energy with interactive fountains, toys and tipping buckets.

But you can always escape the madness by floating down the peaceful lazy river or sinking into the bubbling whirlpool.

The fun doesn’t stop once you dry off, thanks to a massive underwater-themed indoor play area spanning four storeys of obstacles just next door, as well as a 30ft climbing wall.

Plus there’s a Costa Coffee for well-deserved snacks and drinks and a handy shop for forgotten swim gear.

You won’t have to empty your wallet to enjoy it all either, with tickets starting at £5.31 for adults and older kids.

Toddler tickets (ages one to three) cost £2.97, and babies go free.

CENTRAL Cee and Yasmin Hadlow’s romance has ramped up a notch – as insiders tell me he’s going all out to make her his girlfriend.

Just weeks after revealing he fell for Yasmin, 23, after watching her cracking on inside the Love Island villa, the Sprinter star, 28, is using every tool in his armoury to get her interested.

And the first is his bank balance.

Onlookers spotted the London-born rapper, real name Oakley Caesar-Su, in a very select part of Harrods on Friday with Yasmin, where he was overheard telling her: “Buy whatever you want.”

An onlooker said: “Cench seems he knows how to treat the ladies and Yasmin is no exception.

“Before they went on a date to his party at 77 London, he had organised a shopping experience for her.

“He had it all arranged to go to the private area of the store and told her to spend whatever she wanted and he’d pick up the bill.

“Cench wanted Yasmin to choose whatever she wanted for the date and more.

“She absolutely loved it. It seemed like no one had ever done anything like that for her before.

“You could tell he’s really into her because he was happy to spend thousands on her to make her feel special.

“They’re not officially dating but it seems like Cench was making a heavy play for her to want to see him as boyfriend material.”

We first revealed they were hooking up last week, after Yasmin was seen on a date with the Cee.

He made a move on Yasmin earlier this summer while she was still dating her villa co-star Tommy Stagg.

When asked if he had a celebrity crush, on 60 Seconds With Missy, Cench replied: “I do have one, I’ve got one I’m sure. Yasmin from Love Island.”

Helpfully, Yasmin and Tommy split not long after flying back from Mallorca – and Cee made his move.

Confirming their break up, Yasmin said: “Me and Tommy aren’t together anymore.

“It ended up being… It was just a lot to adjust to on the outside.

“We just ended up saying that we’ve got a lot going on. Our lives essentially weren’t aligning on the outside, but we’re still friends.”

Insiders said it was still early days between the pair but admitted Cee was smitten.

“He’s acting like he’s won the jackpot,” a source told me.

“Cench really fell for Yasmin after seeing her on the show and then on social media.

“Now he’s managed to get her on a date he is going all out to show Yasmin how special he thinks she is.

“It’s early days between them but Cench is absolutely mad for Yasmin.”

AS WE enter autumn, what better way to treat yourself than a spa trip?

There are a whole bunch of great offers out there at the moment for spa days, breaks and getaways, both in the UK or abroad.

And so you don’t have to do all that searching, we have found the very top offers for you.

Day spa pass

Brooklands Hotel spa and dining experience

The Brooklands Hotel in Weybridge offers three hours of spa access from £27pp, or upgrade to three hours of spa access, a spa treatment and a meal, from £76.69pp.

The spa features a Finnish sauna, infrared sauna, steam room, Himalayan salt room, rooftop hot tub, sunlight therapy room, experience shower, ice fountain and a relaxation area.

As well as three hours of spa access, bookings include a 25-minute or 50-minute treatment, depending on what you choose.

These include a cranial massage; back, neck and shoulder massage; express facial; body brush; manicure or a pedicure.

The package also features a meal – breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner – depending on what time of day your three-hour spa visit is booked for.

Imagine Spa Orton Hall

Orton Hall Hotel offers a half-day spa visit and treatment from £29.95pp or £59 for two people.

Orton Hall’s Imagine Spa features a heated pool, sauna, steam room and a small gym.

Guests also then receive a 45-minute Serail mud chamber treatment as part of the package.

Macdonald Houston House Hotel & Spa

In West Lothian, you can visit Macdonald Houston House Hotel & Spa, for a spa day with 25-minute treatment and two course meal for £36.19pp.

Alternatively, if there are two of you it will cost £85.

In the hotel, you can head to the pool, as well as a sauna and steam room.

Bannatyne Health Clubs

One of the most popular options for a spa day is Bannatyne Health Club, with locations across the country.

With Virgin Experience Days, book a spa day with a 30-minute treatment for two people, for £69 in total.

Treatment options include a Swedish back, neck & shoulders massage; express facial or full body seasonal scrub.

Alternatively, also with Virgin Experience Days, there is a spa day with three treatments from £55 per person.

The three treatments last 35-minutes in total and include a welcome touch facial with a scalp massage; hand and arm massage and a mini back massage.

Guests also receive a Divine Eye Mask as well.

Montcalm Royal London House

If you are in the capital, the five-star Montcalm Royal London House offers a two-hour spa experience from £34.95.

This includes the pool, sauna and steam room – though the offer is only available Monday to Thursday.

Holmer Park Spa and Health Club

Homer Park Spa in Hereford has two spa packages on offer.

The Twilight Spa costs £39, with guests allowed to access the spa between 6pm and 9pm, available Monday to Thursday.

Or for £55, there is the Thermal Relaxation Experience – a half-day (four hours) experience of the spa.

The spa includes a pool, sauna and steam rooms.

Riverhills Spa, Suffolk

Riverhills Spa in Suffolk offers a Fire and Ice Experience for £55.

It includes access to the spa facilities for four hours, such as a snow shower, volcano sauna and aroma steam room.

There is also a pool, relaxation area, fitness studio and gardens.

A robe, towel and flip-flops are included.

Wowcher mystery spa trip

Don’t want to spend anything more than a tenner? Well, with Wowcher there is an offer for a mystery spa trip.

For £9.99, you can purchase a Wowcher mystery spa trip with the opportunity to win a spa break to Paris, France.

However, most of the prizes are a £15 voucher to use towards a spa in the UK.

Might be worth the gamble though?

Overnight stays

Twilight Spa Escape at the Moor Hall Hotel & Spa

Moor Hall Hotel and Spa in Birmingham offers a Twilight Spa Escape package which includes an overnight stay, access to the spa from 4pm and a 25-minute treatment from £214.35 if you’re staying alone, and £291.90 for two people sharing a room – which works out at £146pp.

The spa features a pool, spa bath, sauna, steam room, relaxation room and gym.

And the treatment included is a Templespa Skin Smoothie Facial.

Also included is a homemade pizza in the evening and a full-English breakfast in the morning.

Doubletree by Hilton Bristol South – Cadbury House

Cadbury House in Congresbury, Somerset, which dates back to 1790, offers an overnight spa stay from £198 for two people, which works out at £99pp.

Included in the package you’ll get a standard double room for two people, with dinner and breakfast.

In the spa, there is a thermal suite with heated floors, hanging pods and an outdoor hot tub.

Spa Break for two at Trenython Manor, Cornwall

Down in Cornwall, Trenython Manor has a spa break for two from £99.

The hotel sits on a private 24-acre estate and has a leisure club as well as spa.

Also included in the package is a full-English breakfast and a bottle of prosecco.

What makes it even better is the late 12pm check-out for a good lie in.

Sunday Slowdown Spa Break at the Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa

Ringwood Hall, in Chesterfield offers a Sunday Slowdown Spa Break for a Sunday night stay with spa access, a two-course dinner and breakfast from £198.

The two-course dinner will be in the Coach House Restaurant with meals using local produce.

In the Garden Secret Spa there are steam rooms, saunas, a vitality pool and relaxation lounges.

Overnight spa break with dinner at Bournemouth West Cliff Hotel

Via Red Letter Days, Bournemouth West Cliff Hotel offers an overnight spa break for two with dinner included from £159.99 – just £80 per person.

You purchase the voucher, which can then be used within 12 months at the hotel between September and May, Sunday to Friday.

The hotel’s spa features an indoor pool, two spa pools, a sauna, a steam room, a hot tub and an “aromatherapy cave”.

A three-course dinner at the hotel’s brasserie restaurant is also included, and so is a full-English breakfast in the morning.

Park Hall Hotel Lancashire spa break for two with breakfast and spa access

Park Hall Hotel in Lancashire offers a spa break for two, with breakfast included from just £89 – £44.50 per person.

The four-star hotel, which is surrounded by lakes and woodlands, boasts a spa with a hydrotherapy lagoon, hot tub, sauna, steam room, pool, relaxation areas and a gym.

While the package doesn’t include any spa treatments, you do get 20 per cent off treatments booked during your stay.

And you can upgrade your package to add a two-course meal at the restaurant onsite.

The package is available on select dates until April 20, 2027.

Weekend stay

Budapest, Hungary

Why stay in the UK when you could head abroad?

Fly to Budapest, Hungary, and stay at the Central Hotel 21 in the city historic Palace District for just £99pp.

Included in the package is a standard room with an en-suite bathroom, bike rental, a shuttle service, return flights, and an entry ticket to the Széchenyi Thermal Spa.

Fly from either Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Luton, London Stansted, London Southend, or London City airports.

The hotel is also ideally located close to a lot of the top sights in the city including the Danube just a five-minute walk away.

Ona Lomas Village Manga Club

In Spain, Ona Lomas Village Manga Club offers a spa break via On The Beach for just £100pp.

The spa at the hotel features an indoor pool, saunas, a steam room, a solarium and a gym.

There are a further two outdoor pools as well.

Fly from London Luton to Murcia International on October 11 and stay for two nights.

Two night European city break for two

Not sure where you want to go? Via BuyAGift you could head on a European city spa break for two people from £183.20.

The voucher can be redeemed against a wide selection of European destinations and is for two nights.

You could head to the Spanish coast for example, or visit France.

The voucher is valid for 12 months and you must make your selection before the expiry date printed on your voucher.

October half-term has had a nasty habit in recent years of making holiday prices go even more silly than usual.

With summer getting more and more expensive, you end up competing with thousands of other families for the same handful of dates, the same flights and the same hotels that properly cater for families and children.

So I went digging through our booking data to see where families were still getting decent value for the October school holidays.

And, as a dad of two young kids myself, I asked myself one more question: would I actually book it?

For me, a cheap family holiday isn’t much of a bargain if the flight times are horrendous, the hotel has nothing for the kids or you’ve got to spend half the holiday buying meals and snacks on top.

Every deal I found falls inside the school holidays, is all-inclusive for a family of four, still has availability for October half-term and comes with direct flights.

9. Melia Durres Albania, Albania – from £510pp

I’ll start with the most expensive hotel on the list, but probably one of the best examples of why I wouldn’t judge these deals purely on the number at the bottom.

Melia Durres is a proper five-star resort, and it feels much more expensive than the price I’ve found.

You’re getting that big, contemporary resort feel, a huge pool running through the heart of the hotel and a beachfront location rather than a basic base for exploring.

Albania is also one of the destinations I’d be watching closely for family holidays.

It doesn’t yet have the familiarity of Spain, Greece or Turkey for British families, and that can create some really interesting value when the obvious half-term destinations become expensive.

At £510pp all-inclusive during the school holidays, I think this is the one for parents who were already expecting to spend a little more but want something that genuinely feels like an upgrade.

The direct Stansted flights also work nicely: out on Sunday 25 October and back on Friday 30 October, so you’re getting the break firmly inside half-term without eating into school days.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Melia Durres Albania from 25 October, with direct return flights from London Stansted, for £510pp.

8. Duja Didim, Turkey – from £420pp

Turkey has become one of my go-to recommendations when families ask me how to make their budget work harder – and this is exactly why.

Duja Didim is a five-star ultra-all-inclusive resort with eight swimming pools, separate areas for children, a kids’ club for four to 12-year-olds and its own 250-metre private beach.

And even in October half-term, you can bag all of that for just £420pp.

This is the sort of hotel where, once you’ve checked in, you don’t really need a plan: pool, food, kids’ club, beach, another pool, repeat.

And that matters to me with young kids, because there’s a huge difference between a hotel that accepts families and one that’s been designed around keeping them occupied.

Didim also gives you another advantage at this time of year: you’re heading considerably further south than many of the other options on this list, which is worth bearing in mind when you’re chasing the last bit of proper heat before winter.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Duja Didim from 25 October, with direct return flights from London Stansted, for £420pp.

7. Marrakech Ryads Parc & Spa, Morocco – from £410pp

I love a wildcard holiday, and for this list, this is it.

When people think October half-term, I suspect plenty immediately start searching the Canaries, Spain, Portugal… but I wouldn’t ignore Marrakech.

For one thing, you’re buying yourself a much better chance of proper warmth without going long-haul.

And this hotel, Marrakech Ryads Parc, works particularly well if you like the idea of Morocco but aren’t quite ready to drag the kids around the medina from breakfast until bedtime.

It’s a resort-style property away from the busiest part of the city, with a big outdoor pool, kids’ club, daily activities, sports and all-inclusive food and drink.

So you can have the easy family resort holiday and still have Marrakech sitting there when you fancy actually going out and seeing something.

The other thing I like is the flight: direct from Manchester, with an 18:40 return flight, meaning you get a full extra day exploring Marrakech – a perfect pick for families with older kids.

At £410pp, I think this is a very strong half-term alternative to falling into the same trap of booking Spain again.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Marrakech Ryads Parc & Spa from 27 October, with direct return flights from Manchester, for £410pp.

6. Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort, Portugal – from £410pp

This one’s the same price as Morocco, but for a very different holiday.

Tivoli Alvor is the hotel I’d show someone who says: “Yes, we need somewhere brilliant for the children, but I’d quite like it to feel like a holiday for me as well.”

This is a five-star all-inclusive resort with six swimming pools, four restaurants, two bars, a junior club, wellness centre and a shuttle into Alvor.

Some brilliant family hotels are essentially enormous children’s entertainment centres with bedrooms attached, but Tivoli feels far more suited to adults too, without sacrificing the things that make a family holiday easy.

Alvor itself is another reason I’d choose it, because you’re not trapped in an isolated resort: you’ve got a lovely Algarve town nearby if you fancy getting out for a wander.

And at £410pp for a family of four for a five-star all-inclusive school-holiday break, I think the hotel quality you’re getting for the money is excellent.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort from 24 October, with direct return flights from London Stansted, for £410pp.

5. Canvas by Mitsis Messonghi, Corfu – from £368pp

This is probably my personal favourite pick on the list.

Beach, pools, slides, an all-inclusive wristband… very little thinking required.

Canvas by Mitsis Messonghi has four outdoor pools, three children’s pools, a mini aquapark with waterslides and a kids’ club for four to 12-year-olds, alongside its beachfront setting.

That’s exactly the kind of combination I look for when I’m comparing family hotels because it gives you options.

If the children are bored of the main pool, there’s the aquapark.

And if they’re bored of you, there’s the kids’ club.

Or if everybody’s had enough of chlorine, you’ve got the beach.

And £368pp is where this list starts getting particularly tempting.

In the deal I found, you’re flying direct from Gatwick on Tuesday 27 October and returning Sunday 1 November, staying at a four-star Greek all-inclusive hotel – all for under £400pp.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Canvas by Mitsis Messonghi from 27 October, with direct return flights from London Gatwick, for £368pp.

4. Puente Real, Torremolinos – from £330pp

This is one I’d call the safe pair of hands.

Torremolinos isn’t going to win any prizes for being an undiscovered holiday destination.

But sometimes, particularly when you’re travelling with kids, being a known quantity is a selling point.

Puente Real sits right by the beach and has the stuff families actually use: pools, children’s entertainment and a kids’ club for ages four to 12.

Its all-inclusive package also includes meals, local drinks and snacks between restaurant sittings.

And because you’re in Torremolinos rather than a purpose-built resort in the middle of nowhere, you’ve got plenty around you when you fancy getting out.

The price is the headline for me, though: £330pp in October half-term, all inclusive, with direct Bristol flights.

Once you start looking at what families can easily spend on a UK break during the same week – before you’ve bought three meals a day – this deal starts to look very, very sensible.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Puente Real from 27 October, with direct return flights from Bristol, for £330pp.

3. O7 Be Klub, Alcudia, Majorca – from £283pp

This is our first hotel to come under the £300pp mark, so it’s officially time to start taking notes.

You might recognise this hotel by its old name, Bellevue Club, but it’s now O7 Be Klub – and the sheer scale of this place is a big part of the appeal for families.

The resort covers around 250,000 square metres and has 11 swimming pools, including pools specifically designed for babies, plus two children’s waterpark areas with slides, fountains and playgrounds.

That’s worth knowing because a three-star rating can sometimes make people scroll straight past a hotel, but I wouldn’t here.

If your priority is having loads for the kids to do rather than marble reception desks and fancy toiletries, this is exactly the sort of place where the star rating tells you less than the facilities list.

You’re also based in Alcudia at this hotel, which remains one of my favourite easy recommendations for families in Majorca because of the huge sandy beach and very family-orientated resort.

For £283pp all-inclusive in the school holidays, this is seriously cheap.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at O7 Be Klub from 27 October, with direct return flights from Birmingham, for £283pp.

2. Magic Sports, Oropesa del Mar – from £268pp

This is the hotel I’d expect kids to pick themselves.

Magic Sports is Spain’s first sports-themed hotel, with rooms themed around sports including football, basketball, tennis and motorsport, plus a sports-themed waterpark with some properly substantial slides.

And Oropesa del Mar is an interesting resort to pick too.

It doesn’t have the same instant name recognition as Benidorm, Salou or Alcudia, which is probably part of why bargains can still appear here.

But for families, there’s a huge resort and a long beachfront – without you paying purely for the destination name.

I’ve previously flagged Magic Sports as one of those under-the-radar Spanish family hotels worth knowing about, and this price only reinforces it.

Because I found a deal for a family of four, all inclusive during October half term, for just £268pp.

That’s flights and hotel for less than plenty of families could spend on accommodation alone for a UK staycation during a school holiday week.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Magic Sports from 27 October, with direct return flights from London Gatwick, for £268pp.

1. Ohtels La Hacienda, La Pineda – from £263pp

I’ve been banging the La Pineda drum for a while now, and this hotel shows exactly why.

Ohtels La Hacienda is a four-star hotel in La Pineda, just 250 metres from the beach, with its own children’s waterpark, outdoor pools, spa, football and padel facilities.

And there’s another reason I really like the location for families: PortAventura World is less than three miles away.

So if you’ve got older children who need more than five straight days around the pool, you’ve got one of Europe’s biggest theme park resorts practically on your doorstep.

You don’t need to do it, obviously – the hotel has enough going on that this still works perfectly well as a straightforward all-inclusive break – but having the option is a massive plus.

A family of four can get away for £1,050 in total (£263pp), with direct Gatwick flights, during the school holidays.

That is the sort of half-term price I’d personally stop scrolling for.

Book a five-night all-inclusive stay at Ohtels La Hacienda from 27 October, with direct return flights from London Gatwick, for £263pp.

TWO years ago, Cat Deeley was in a very different place to where she is now.

The TV presenter, 49, who had replaced Holly Willoughby on This Morning in March, was grappling with a punishing work schedule, the pressure to save the ITV show from its tarnished reputation and a marriage faltering under the pressure of two “tricky” work schedules.

In the three month period she became tearful three times on screen, and appeared at times “visibly overwhelmed.”

And speaking five months after stepping into her new hosting role, she admitted the scrutiny she was under had “shocked her.”

However, the popular star has rebuilt her life after her divorce from Patrick Kielty, 55, with a second National Television Award under her belt with This Morning, a series of lucrative commercial deals and new man Charlie Coleman, who she hopes to spend Christmas with.

And friends of the star this week told how ex Patrick’s new relationship with businesswoman Michelle McManus – the pair were seen cosying up at a North London boozer – is the icing on the cake – saying she told them: “She seems nice, and she is doing me a favour, he’s a better person when he’s happy.”

One said: “Cat’s attitude is: ‘Good luck to them. At the end of the day, that’s the whole point of separating in the first place.’

“She is genuinely happy for him, and knows it’s good for them that he’s happy and positive.

“Cat herself is in a great place and that’s where she wants to stay.

“She and Charlie are getting on really well and are already talking about spending this Christmas together, though they will have to work out the practicalities as she and Paddy share the childcare arrangements 50/50.”

Former So You Think You Can Dance? host Cat – who swapped her $5 million family home in Beverly Hills for a £4.9 million five-bedroom house in Hampstead in 2020 – joined This Morning during a period of extreme turbulence.

Former host Phillip Schofield had quit ITV in May after an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger co-worker was revealed.

Holly, who appeared on This Morning for 14 years prior to her exit, stepped back from the spotlight in October, following stalker Gavin Plumb’s terrifying plot to kidnap, rape and murder the TV star being uncovered.

Plumb was jailed for life in July following an eight-day trial.

Against this challenging backdrop, Cat and Ben Shephard, 51, took the reins of the popular daytime show.

Sources told how the pair appealed to bosses as a “safe pair of hands” who could steer them out of a crisis.

But even her early interviews showed signs she feared wading in too deep, as she said: “If it gets too much for me, I’m going to quit. I don’t need to do it – I could be a mum for most of the year and go and do the shows in America.”

And in one interview she opened up about juggling work and motherhood: “I do the juggle – the juggle is real, the struggle is real. You know, we know, we’re all just trying to make everything work. It’s all a juggle.”

Cat shares two sons, Milo and James, with ex husband Patrick – who she was married to for almost 13 years before they announced their split in July 2025.

But sources say the fault lines had appeared in late 2023, when the pair were struggling to balance their schedules.

Patrick – the host of RTE‘s The Late Late Show in Ireland – commuted to film the show in Dublin, while Cat’s So You Think You Can Dance? schedule had also created issues, requiring her to jet back to the US for long stretches.

Her move back to UK television was supposed to lessen the pressure on the duo – one of TV’s power couples.

But fans noticed that the star appeared increasingly emotional on the This Morning set.

In March 2024, just days after she joined as host, Cat burst into tears backstage upon meeting Buddy, an autism assistant puppy introduced to the studio.

She explained to viewers that meeting Buddy triggered her grief over losing her family dog, Lilly, the previous summer.

Weeks later in April, while introducing guest Kerry Irving – whose late springer spaniel Max had helped him overcome depression – Cat broke down in tears and had to ask co-host Ben to take over reading her lines.

And two months later Cat fought back tears during an interview with the family of William Reckless, eight, who had to have both of his legs and nine fingers amputated due to a severe battle with sepsis and scarlet fever.

Her 48th birthday broadcast in October also caused the presenter to break down in tears, after she was surprised by a recorded message from British poet Pam Ayres – who she said had inspired her as a child.

But 2025 seemed to bring a more positive standpoint – and a bombshell, as Cat and Patrick announced their divorce in July.

Both were keen to insist that they remained amicable, and stressed that no third parties were involved in their decision to split.

They also made clear their intention to share the parenting of their children, Milo, 10, and James, eight.

A few months later, September brought an incredible boost for the star – when This Morning won the National TV Award for Daytime, after the repeated scandals engulfing the programme had seen it lose the title in 2023 and 2024.

After the cast and crew were seen going wild in the audience, Cat said on stage: “We are so lucky to get to do this show, we all love it.

“Every single person who comes on, we love this show and it’s like having a family.”

Sources told how the award was “a shot in the arm” for the entire team behind the show – appearing to signal they were back on track.

And in the months to follow, Cat was to build up a relationship with Amazon MGM exec Charlie Coleman – who she was spotted with at a Hyde Park Lewis Capaldi gig in July.

Two months later, she spoke out about how she was thriving as a single mum – saying it was about being “as organised as you can be.”

She also admitted she had an “amazing nanny” to keep their lives on track around her busy schedule.

And she added: “Everybody is doing their best.”

In the same month Paddy – who has signed a new deal with The Late Late Show which will see him host until 2028 – said he was “pretty good” adding that the divorce was “part of the tapestry of life.”

And now, with him also moved on with new love Michelle, it seems another piece of the tapestry is complete.

FANCY a fun day out at the garden centre, but need something a little more exciting than just bulbs and shrubs to keep the kids occupied?

These 10 garden centres have everything from enormous soft plays, to fun barns, autumnal pumpkin carving masterclasses, quad biking and even a sandy beach….

The Hollies Farm Shop, Cheshire

The Hollies Farm Shop has lots to explore, and is a favourite of ex-Love Islander Molly-Mae Hague.

The family-run business started as a simple honesty box on the side of the road back in 1959, but is now a major family destination with two sites.

Little Budworth is the original and larger of the two, with a farm shop, butchery, delicatessen, cafe, gift barn and even luxury forest lodges.

In the farm shop and deli, visitors can pick up fresh fruit and veg, as well as daily baked bread, cheeses, cured meats and a homemade range of cakes and juices.

In The Barn, there is an extensive collection of gifts and homeware to explore including Jellycats – visitors can also grab a bite to eat and a fully-loaded hot chocolate at The Friesian Rooms, where there is an outdoor terrace.

For those who want to spend their time at the farm, they can choose to book a luxury forest lodge, each with its own private hot tub.

There are six lodges in total to choose from, sleeping between four and six people – each has an open plan living area, kitchen and there’s a log burner.

The lodges cost from around £298 per night for four people.

Paradise Park & Gardens, East Sussex

Paradise Park & Gardens is described as a hybrid of a traditional garden centre and a family theme park.

Alongside its plant nursery, coastal gardens, water garden and coffee shop, it features an attraction zone to entertain the kids.

The indoor play area is suitable for children from toddlers to pre-teens, with token-operated arcade games, remote control cars, and a soft play with tunnels, slides and ball pits.

It also has a separate soft play area for children under three along with a miniature train and a mini golf course.

When it’s sunny, check out the outdoor play area with climbing frames, slides and a 9 hole crazy golf course.

Kids can dig about in the sandpit and even drive our remote controlled boats around the pond.

Coming up this autumn are some events too including the Halloween Trail where kids can meet Barry the Burping Monster, Squealbert the Sky Pig and naughty gnomes at the Undead Disco.

Tickets are included in entry to the park which start from £12.99.

Later on in the year there’s a Santa’s Grotto, where children can meet Father Christmas and get a little festive gift.

Tickets for children over three years old start from £21.99, and this includes all day access to the attractions at Paradise Park.

For children under three, entry to Santa’s Grotto with a Day Park Pass is £9 – accompanying adults with a Day Park Pass are £12.99.

Bury Lane, Hertfordshire

Tucked away just outside of Royston in Hertfordshire is Bury Lane which has plants and garden ornaments to take a look at and there is quite often a seasonal pick your own, from peonies to dahlias and tulips.

From early autumn, a pick your own pumpkin patch will open – so make sure to bring your wellies.

The farm shop offers an array of fresh fruit and veg, butchers, fishmongers and a delicatessen.

Then pop into the Farm Shop Cafe for hearty breakfasts, lunches and snacks with roast dinners served up on Sundays.

If you’re going as a family though, one place you cannot miss is the Fun Barn, which it added to its site about 10 years ago.

Inside is a multi-storey soft play with slides, cargo nets and activities along the way along with interactive role play areas.

It might not be what you’d expect in the countryside, but the Fun Barn also has an outdoor sandy beach with deck chairs and picnic benches dotted about.

Also outside is the adventure zone with climbing boulders, electric diggers, swings, a wooden boat to climb on, giant chess and football.

This year, the beach is open until September 27.

Tickets for the fun Barn Soft Play & Beach start from £2 (6-11 months old) and start from £2.50 (one year olds).

Tickets for two to four year olds start from £4.50, for five to 10 year olds prices start from £5.75.

For those aged between 11-17, prices start from £2 – the first adult per booking is free otherwise it’s an additional £2.

Bridgemere Garden Centre, Cheshire

With it being the country’s largest garden centre (according to The Guinness Book of Records), Bridgemere Garden Centre has plenty for a family day out.

The massive space holds a restaurant and tearoom on site, so you can feast on a range of deli goods and brunch specials, before enjoying a pastry at the patisserie.

The area has more than six acres of gardens, including the Cottage Garden and Woodland Walk – and kids will have plenty of space to run around.

To keep them even busier, head to the centre’s soft play and the role play area called Apple Tree Town.

Inside is a mini cinema, police station with its own cell, garage that has a car, cottage, shop, post office and vets – all of which have dressing-up options too.

When it comes to events, Bridgemere Garden Centre will have its own Halloween codebreaking trail through the autumnal gardens.

Children must find the pumpkins and decode the letters to solve the special word – hand in the sheet and get a Halloween treat.

Tickets start from £3.99, and if you fancy pumpkin carving too, tickets start from £8.99.

Coming up to the Christmas season, the garden centre will have its own Santa’s Grotto where children will receive a gift and get a photo.

Ticket prices vary on the day and are dependent on age of the child – head here to book in advance as Santa will get very busy.

Stay for the breakfast and order a festive fry up, a pancake stack or an Elf’s Benedict with Santa and his elves – and hear a festive story.

Tickets for a festive breakfast with Santa are £18.50.

Barton Grange Garden Centre, Preston

We couldn’t miss Barton Grange Garden Centre in Preston off the list.

It was named the Destination Garden Centre of the Year by the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Awards – and its won the award six times before that too.

It has a huge garden area along with a farm shop, cook shop, clothing store, the Riverside Cafe and Willows Restaurant.

The children’s menu has hot meals for £9.60, as well as make your own lunch boxes from £7.20.

Throughout the year, the garden centre holds evenings from evenings with horticulturists to pottery painting sessions.

There are also pumpkin sculpting masterclasses where an expert demonstrates how to turn the squash into characters like Stitch, from Lilo and Stitch.

In November, it will be launching its Santa’s Grotto where children can meet Santa and his elves before selecting a gift from the present room, which is brimming with toys

Then there’s a stop at Mrs Christmas’ kitchen where children can decorate their own gingerbread house cookie.

Tickets to the grotto start from £30 for one adult and one child.

And while technically it’s not inside the garden centre, just across the road is the Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre, which has crazy golf, bowling and a cinema for kids to enjoy.

Yarnton Home & Garden, Oxfordshire

Every member of the family will enjoy a day out at Yarnton Home & Garden.

It has beautiful plants, garden furniture, gifts and food is served at the Allotment Cafe.

The garden centre also has a children’s toy shop filled with puzzles, soft toys and books.

To entice kids out of the shop, head to the Magic Garden, a nature-themed indoor play area.

Designed for children up to 10, it has a climbing frame made to look like a garden shed along with tunnels, rope bridges and slides.

There’s also a see-saw, swing, foam gardening tools to play with, a teepee and for the parents, comfy sofas.

The soft play centre is completely free to enter.

If you fancy getting crafty, there are lots of events on throughout the year like the Pumpkin Workshop.

Kids can get hands on scooping and carving their own pumpkin for Halloween.

The workshop takes place every hour between October 26-30 from £6.99pp.

The garden centre also has its own Potting Shed Studio where you can create your own masterpieces or simply paint them.

You can book a table for up to six people for an hour session with a booking fee of £1pp.

Craft Nurseries, Essex

Whether you’re looking for plants, shrubs, seeds, or just a day out, Craft Nurseries in Essex is one to visit.

Its indoor soft play barn will keep kids occupied, along with a dedicated play section for young children and babies.

There’s also an outdoor area with a bouncing pillows, farm animals like pygmy goats and rabbits, and a mud kitchen.

Tickets to the soft play start from £4 (children aged 0-2) and £7.50 (children age 2+).

Accompanying adults must also have a ticket – these cost £3.

The garden centre also has a restaurant and coffee shop all set within the grounds.

Birchen Grove, London

Along with being a lovely garden centre filled with a collection of outdoor planes, houseplants, gifts and pots – the children’s play area at Birchen Grove is hard to beat.

It has a huge indoor play area called The Grove Playtown which has 11 themed rooms from shops to a police station, doctors, hairdressers, to an ice cream truck.

There’s also plenty of opportunity for kids to get dressed up with fancy-dress costumes.

To secure a spot it’s advised to make a booking, with children’s tickets from £8 and accompanying adult tickets from £2.

The sessions last an hour and a half.

The fun doesn’t stop there, as outside there’s lots of play equipment from swings to a climbing frame and quad bikes.

Kids can hop on and off – they just need a token from the tills and it costs £2 a go.

The quad bikes are open 11am to 3pm every weekend and during the school holidays (children under 90cm must be accompanied by an adult).

Vanstone Park Garden Centre, Hertfordshire

Vanstone Park Garden Centre in Caldicote is the perfect place for families to enjoy a day out.

The family-run business started back in 1976 selling plants and gardening essentials – but outside is where the fun begins.

The children’s playground has the usual swings, climbing frames and slides, as well as a bouncy castle.

For any fan of trains, hop onboard the miniature railway through the grounds and woodland.

Or take a walk around the Wildlife Lake, where you can spots birds like the Greylag Goose and Moorhen.

If you’re lucky, you might even spot a deer grazing nearby.

Don’t forget to pop into The Greenhouse Cafe for a hot dinner, toasted panini, sandwich or afternoon tea.

Brookside Garden Centre, Stockport

Brookside Garden Centre in Stockport might look like your average garden centre, but on some weekends throughout the year it has a funfair takeover.

It’s a vintage attraction with some rides and games dating back to the 1930s.

Think classic merry-go-round, hook a duck and swinging boat rides.

Its next upcoming funfair will be on September 26-27 between 11am and 4pm.

The following month, there will be a Spookside Halloween Celebration from October 31-November 1 between 11am and 4pm.

The funfair is completely free to enter, rides and games are paid for with tokens that you can buy on arrival.

The garden centre is also home to the Brookside Miniature railway where families can hop onboard a ride that’s over half a mile long.

They’ll be celebrating Halloween during Spookside too and the line will be kitted out with creepy decor.

The train fare is £2.50 for everyone over the age of two.

DARKER nights and chilly days are on the way, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to hibernate – there’s still plenty to do.

From Halloween events with family-friendly discos to terrifying scare mazes and tropical indoor waterparks – we’ve found some of the best days out this autumn that will entertain the whole family.

Alton Towers

Along with its high thrills rides, Alton Towers is getting a spooky makeover this autumn.

During the day, the park is still family-friendly just with a little spookiness thrown in during the lead-up to Halloween.

Trick O’Treat Town is open for business and at the CBeebies Land Monster Ball, kids can dance their socks off.

During Dia de los Muertos, the interactive day of the dead celebrations, kids can stroll through the colourful festival and meet some mysterious characters along the way.

For teens and adults looking for adrenaline-pumping thrills, then book Scarefest when the theme park will be open when the sun goes down.

Take on signature rides like The Smiler, Nemesis Reborn and Wicker Man under the cloak of darkness.

Visitors can also put their bravery to the test in the Edge of the Forest, a live action scare maze – then see if they can find a way out of Compound – a terrifying escape room.

Day tickets start from £37pp and Scarefest Halloween Breaks start from £100pp.

Chessington World of Adventures Resort

With over 40 rides and attractions, a zoo and aquarium, Chessington World of Adventures Resort is a great choice for a family day out – and from October 3, it will have a Halloween twist too.

Returning for 2026 is the Stone Watchers: Vampire’s Lair – try to sneak through the maze without disturbing the terrifying gargoyles.

At the Enchanted Hollow: Trick or Treat, there will be underground burrows full of whimsical characters, with treasures and sweet treat surprises.

Other activities include dancing your heart out at Dr Frankenfun’s Haunted House Party and Barnyard Boogie.

The theme park stays open a little later on selected dates, so you can hop on its rides at dusk too for more thrills than usual.

Howl’o’ween Day Tickets start from £34 and short breaks from £74pp.

Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park are bringing back Fright Nights – or as they’ve named it for 2026, ’25 Years of Fear’.

For those who REALLY want to have their hearts racing, head to the all new Tenement – a fully immersive, pitch-black scare maze.

Set in an abandoned building where the power has failed and the tenants have vanished – anyone who enters will have to find their way out in the dark.

The other four existing scare mazes are all returning too; DeadBeat, Stitches, Survival Games and Trailers.

Other activities for 2026 include Creature Campus: Reunion Reckoning, a terrifying live scare show, and The Conjuring 4D Experience which brings the story to life at the Sunset Cinema.

Purgatory Town will be back with new characters and Rebel Ball has music, dance and fire performances.

Make sure to take on the rollercoasters in the dark, including Hyperia, which is the fastest rollercoaster in the UK, and SAW – The Ride that’s the world’s first horror movie–themed rollercoaster.

Day tickets including Fright Nights start from £39 and overnight stays start from £109pp.

Drayton Manor

Drayton Manor isn’t missing out when it comes to Halloween – on selected dates from October 10 to November 11 it is holding frightfully fun family events.

This year, the theme park is introducing its Blazing Halloween which include an all-new Trick or Treat Trail where little monsters can collect sweet treats and take selfies with mischievous Halloween characters along the way.

Hop onboard the Revenge of the Haunted Express on a ghostly journey through the darkest corners of the theme park (this experience costs an extra £5pp).

Make sure to stay until the evening for the End of the Day Lake Show with waterjets, bursts of fire and flashing lights.

It will all come to an end with two spectacular fireworks nights held on October 31 and November 1.

Day tickets start from £24.90pp (when booked in advanced), overnight stays vary in price depending on the time and day of booking.

Paultons Park

Families will have a great time at Paultons Park, which was crowned UK’s best theme park at last year’s UK Theme Park Awards, this spooky season.

Its Halloween Spooktacular will begin on October 9 and continue up until November 2.

Families can check out Ghostly Manor which is an interactive dark ride open throughout the event, and The Little Monsters Ball dance-party held on the main show stage.

Speaking of shows, there will be two this year; The Great Halloween Mystery and the Spirit Squad Ghoul School.

Even Peppa Pig World will be decorated for Halloween – make sure to meet Peppa and George in their pumpkin and witch costumes.

But if you want to forget the Halloween scaries, head to The Fairy Garden – the majestic secret garden will be decorated with webs and pumpkins.

On selected dates there will be late-night openings until 7.30pm.

Day tickets start from £46.75pp with short breaks in October from £269pp.

Legoland Windsor Resort

Legoland is starting its seasonal event, Brick or Treat, on October 10 – and they’ve teased that it will be the biggest party yet.

There are TWO house parties this year, first up, the Haunted House Monster Party, and the Lord Vampyre’s House Party will also return.

There’s also a Monster Jam show, character meet and greets and dressing up is also highly encouraged.

The dragon rollercoaster will get a disco makeover with sparkly lights.

Don’t miss all the other rides that remain open as usual, like Flight of the Sky Lion, LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure and Driving School.

Day tickets start from £37pp with short breaks including an overnight hotel stay and breakfast starting from £123.

Coral Reef Waterworld, Bracknell

When the weather turns and outdoor pools just aren’t a possibility anymore, it’s time to hit the indoor waterparks.

If you want to go big then head to Coral Reef Waterworld in Bracknell which is one biggest in England – lots of it is interactive too with flashing lights and sounds.

It’s tropical with temperatures of 30C and has an erupting water volcano, rapid river, bubble pool and children’s splash zone

The pirate-themed splash area is centered around a ship called The Coralina which comes with water cannons and interactive water features.

The biggest waterslide is The Cannon, which launches riders down a 67 metre-long chute like a cannonball.

Poseidon’s Peril is another popular ride – it’s for two people who are attached to an inflatable raft as it rotates and swirls through a tunnel with colour-changing lights.

If you’re after relaxation, then head to the Coral Spa which has heated loungers, three saunas, a cool pool and a Japanese steam room.

Adult tickets cost £20.55, children 5-16 cost £14.55 those aged children between 0-4 cost £1.95.

The Wave, Coventry

The Wave in Coventry is a not only an enormous indoor waterpark, but it has the largest wave pool in England too which churns out more than 20 million litres of water per day.

There are six waterslides including The Riptide which is a half-pipe slide that blasts riders in a rubber ring down a near-90-degree drop.

The Cyclone spins swimmers around a giant open bowl, and The Rapids, which is a ‘water-coaster’, hurl riders uphill before dropping them down through tight corners and tunnels.

The Reef is its splash pad which is suited for younger children with miniature slides, tipping buckets, jets and water fountains.

When you want to relax, bob along the lazy river then pop into the Mana Spa which has a spa pool, aromatherapy room, sauna and steam room.

Tickets cost £15 per adult, £13 for children 11 and under and under ones go free.

Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent

Waterworld has over 30 rides and attractions with wave pools and rapids.

It has the Thunderbolt ride, which is the UK’s first trap door drop waterslide and riders travel at 25mph.

Another speedy ride is Hurricane which descends at 17mph and has lightning effects inside the tunnels.

There are also dedicated water attractions for younger children like the interactive Jungle House and Toddler Boat slide.

Waterworld also has a mini adventure golf course as well as a restaurant and cafe serving up pizza, burgers, salads, drink and there’s a new dessert bar with 22 different flavours of ice cream.

Tickets for adults and children start from £17.70, children under three-years-old start from £6.10.

Blenheim Place, Oxfordshire

Of course, you can visit Blenheim Palace year-round but there are lots of events coming to it this autumn.

Halloween at Blenheim Palace runs from October 22 to November 1.

Kids will love its after-dark trail, light displays, immersive entertainment and spooky surprises – you might stumble upon the Spider’s lair or the Pirate’s Wreck.

Haunted half-term will return between October 24 and Sunday 1 to the Walled Garden – here there will be a circus workshop, witchy storytelling sessions and are even giant wizards will wander about.

There will be a chance to get up close and personal with animals like snakes, tarantulas, giant snails and frogs with ZooLab.

As for its other exhibitions, Dinosaurs Are Forever runs until November 1 – and it has five full-scale Megalosaurus sculptures.

Tickets for Halloween at Blenheim palace start from £23 for adults and £32 for children (between 3-16).

Tickets for Haunted Half-Term are included in general day tickets starting from £31 for adults and £15 for children.

Cumbria Dark Skies Festival

While most Brits won’t be looking forward to the darker evenings, but for stargazing, they’re perfect – where better to see them than at a dark sky festival?

From October 23 to November 20 the Cumbria Dark Skies Festival will be taking place across the county.

You can try out dark sky canoeing on Coniston Water or even try out a stargazing swim in Ullswater if you’re feeling brave enough.

There are also guided walks, and lantern-making at Nenthead Mines.

If you want to see more of the night skies, head to the new Grizedale Observatory and Planetarium which holds daily shows and stargazing events.

Make sure to check out the camping and glamping opportunities where you can see the night sky right from your bed – check out all the events and stays during the festival, here.

Tulleys Farm, West Sussex

Whether you’re after an autumnal day out pumpkin picking with the kids or want to be scared witless in a scare maze – Tulleys Farm has it all.

This year, the family-friendly Pumpkin Festival returns with Europe’s largest pumpkin patch (with 1.5million pumpkins), an observation wheel, live music, carousel, street food and marshmallow roasting.

A new land within it is The Pumpkin Valley which, as the name suggests, is filled with pumpkins scattered across winging paths and ponds.

If being scared is on your list then head to Shocktober Fest – Europe’s largest scream park.

It has scare mazes, escape rooms, even immersive zombie experiences as well as live music across three stages and rides too.

New for this year is an escape room called Relic which has a scare rating of eight out of 10.

Teams must enter to explore forgotten chambers, find clues and solve puzzles to escape the temple before the doors seal forever.

Tickets for the Pumpkin Festival start from £8.95pp, tickets to Shocktober Fest with an XScream pass start from £42.95.

The Enchanted Forest, Pitlochry

On the outskirts of the Scottish Highlands in Faskally Wood is The Enchanted Forest – a light and sound show – perfect for an autumnal evening.

This year, it celebrates its 25th anniversary with a new show  called ‘Stop The Clock: The 25th Hour. ‘

When the sun goes down, The Enchanted Forest transforms the natural woodland into a glowing wonderland with synchronized laser lights, projections to the backdrop of music.

The event will run from October 8 to November 8.

It’s worth noting that all visitors are transported to Faskally Wood by bus and there are accessible sessions too.

Adult tickets start from £28.50, child tickets start from £15.50 – and family tickets start from £78.50.

Autumn Fest, Morden Park

If you love everything autumn has from the cosy pumpkin picking with a hot chocolate in hand to spooky experiences – consider Autumn Fest in Morden Park.

It has an Enchanted Light Trail, a carnival, roaming entertainers, flash mob performances and plenty of places for seasonal photos.

The park will have a spooky makeover too with spiders suspended from the trees and haunted lake instillations.

With add-on tickets, you can see inside The Freak Show where there will be entertainment from sword swallowers, fire breathers, aerial performers and theatre.

Friday Fright Night is the outdoor Halloween cinema experience with themed movie screenings – with family and adult screenings throughout the day and night.

Autumn Fest runs between October 22 – October 31.

Tickets to the Light Trail start from £18 for adults, £12.50 for children.

Additional ticketed experiences, workshops and performances vary in price and must be purchased as an add-on.

Heritage Open Days, UK

Across 10 days Brits can enjoy thousands of free events thanks to Heritage Opens Days.

From the races at Silverstone to codebreaking trails at Bletchley Park, there’s something for everyone.

If strolling about a country home filled with autumn trees tickles your fancy, head to the likes of Lyme Park in Cheshire, Wightwick Manor and Lyveden.

For any transport enthusiasts then you can check out vintage vehicles from trams to trains at the likes of Aldridge Transport Museum, Dover Transport Museum, East Anglia Transport Museum and the Museum of Transport in Manchester.

To get into the Halloween spirit, check out the ghost walks – some of which will be held at Ripon Market Place in North Yorkshire, Knutsford, and Chester.

The event runs from 11-20 September – for a full list of the events check out the website (for some you may need to pre-book a slot online).

The Eden Project, Cornwall

Thanks to its two heated biomes – The Eden Project is a great place to visit throughout the year, and it’s a great place to warm up in the colder months.

Make sure to wear layers so you can be comfortable in the world’s largest indoor rainforest which can be as hot as 35C.

Inside are beautiful waterfalls, a canopy walkway, wobbly bridges, free-roaming partridges and over 1,000 varieties of plants.

The Mediterranean Biome is slightly cooler but can still get up to 25C with pretty flowers and plants from the Mediterranean, California and even Western Australia.

There is an upcoming Celebration of Stories Weekend coming up where children’s authors will read stories – there will also be workshops and family activities.

General admission tickets for adults start from £35.50 and children (between 5-15) start from £12.50.