FAMILY holidays abroad aren’t easy on the wallet, with the costs of your hotel, dinners, and days out to water parks and attractions piling up.
So for many parents, a hotel with its own water park is the ultimate holiday holy grail.
Zip down rainbow-striped waterslides at Skanes Serail and Aquapark in TunisiaCredit: Love HolidaysGranada Luxury Belek Hotel has its own amusement park and fairgroundCredit: On The Beach
It’s the difference between spending money on expensive day trips, versus a week where the kids are entertained on-site, from breakfast until bedtime.
But finding a resort with that “wow factor” that is also actually affordable is easier said that done.
To skip the stress, travel insiders at top holiday companies have selected some of their best 2026 summer holiday deals, and we’ve put together ten of the most exciting all-inclusive gems across Europe and beyond.
From fairytale castle resorts in Turkey to a sparkling-new jungle-themed aqua park in Egypt, here are travel companies’ top picks for all-inclusive water park hotels for the summer – that the kids are bound to love.
Travel experts from Loveholidays hand-selected the following deals in cost-friendly Tunisia, Bulgaria and Turkey.
Plus, all of these breaks are within the school summer holidays.
Skanes Serail and Aquapark, Tunisia
You can bag a week-long all-inclusive stay at Skanes Serail and Aquapark for just £509ppCredit: Love Holidays
The Skanes Serail and Aquapark is a huge, rainbow-coloured resort that’s perfect for an action-packed holiday in the sun.
Loveholidays called the resort “a superb choice for families looking for an action-packed holiday in the sun”.
“With its on-site waterpark, children’s pool and mini-club, there’s plenty to keep younger guests entertained throughout the day.
“Set on a private beach with sun loungers and parasols provided, this hotel offers a fantastic blend of beachside relaxation and aquatic fun.”
Take your pick of giant swirly water slides that land you straight in the refreshing pool, or make use of the hotel’s private beach, spa and sports courts.
There’s 224 comfy air-conditioned rooms here, plus three restaurants, a poolside bar and even a beachside barbecue for when you get hungry.
And with a price that works out to around just £72.71pp per night, that’s a great deal for an all-inclusive mega resort stay.
Loveholidays offer a 7-night stay from 26 July, including return flights from London Southend, for £509pp.
Aquamarine – All Inclusive, Sunny Beach, Bulgaria
Aquamarine is an actio-packed hotel in the lively resort of Sunny Beach, BulgariaCredit: Love Holidays
This four-star stay sits in the lively resort of Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, and makes for an ideal family holiday base.
Loveholidays decribed the hotel as a top pick “for families looking for a budget-friendly holiday in the sun”.
“Located in the vibrant Sunny Beach resort, this welcoming property offers excellent facilities for children including a kids’ club and playground, making it an ideal base for memorable family holidays.”
There’s plenty for kids here, including an adventure playground, kids club and activities like beach volleyball and an indoor games room.
There’s an outdoor pool for both adults and kids, the latter with a mini splash park and waterslides.
The golden sands of Sunny Beach are just a five-minute walk away.
Plus the hotel provides loungers and parasols so you don’t have to scramble for a spot.
Loveholidays offer a 7-night stay from 23 July, including return flights from London Luton, for £559pp.
Club Dizalya Hotel – All Inclusive, Konakli, Antalya, Turkey
Club Dizalya Hotel in Turkey’s Antalya is a pretty choice with a private beach and splash parkCredit: Love Holidays
This luxurious-looking, four-star all-inclusive resort comes with its own private beach and a giant, palm-lined pool with two big water slides.
Loveholidays named the hotel “a superb choice for families looking for a beach holiday in Turkey”.
“Set just a stone’s throw from a private sandy and shingle beach, this resort offers excellent facilities for children including a kids’ club and playground.
“With its all-inclusive package and range of amenities, it provides everything needed for a memorable family getaway.”
The hotel grounds themselves are beautifully-decorated with blooming purple Bougainvillea.
On the beach you’ll find plenty of loungers and thatched parasols facing the glimmering Black Sea.
Loveholidays offer a 7-night stay from 4 August, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £599pp.
Travel experts from On the Beach chose resorts for Sun readers in sunny Sharm el Sheikh, Belek in Turkey and Salou, Spain.
Rixos Radamis Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
The Rixos Radamis in Sharm El Sheikh opened their Aquamania Jungle Park in March 2026Credit: On The Beach
Rixos hotels are known for their ultra-all-inclusive luxury, and their spot in Sharm El Sheikh is no exception.
On the Beach labelled the Rixos Radamis “a top luxury family resort with premium all-inclusive service and access to one of Egypt’s best upscale aqua park experiences”.
Better yet, they have has just opened up their new 35,000sqm Aquamania Jungle Park in March of 2026.
This new aqua park has 28 water rides, including the thrilling RocketBLAST water coaster, tube rides and plenty of themed splash zones.
And when it comes to keeping the kids entertained, this resort has far more than your standard kids club.
Rixy Kids Town is an immersive mini town where kids can act out their dream jobs as detectives, scientists, chefs and more in interactive activities.
On the Beach offer a 6-night stay, including return flights from London Luton, for £633pp.
The Land of Legends Kingdom Hotel, Belek, Turkey
The Land of Legends Kingdom Hotel has slides, rollercoasters, a circus, a spa and moreCredit: On The Beach
This massive five star-rated resort really lives up to its name, The Land of Legends.
On the Beach named this resort “the best overall waterpark hotel because it combines a huge aqua park, thrilling slides and a full theme park experience all in one resort”.
This hotel complex not only has its own huge water park, but even its own theme park with rollercoasters, a 5D cinema and luxurious spa.
This resort has one seriously epic water park, towered over by Magicone, a giant water slide that swirls you into what looks like a black hole before shooting you down into a massive, lagoon-like pool.
Plus the entertainment doesn’t stop there, with kids’ circus shows, boat parades and even free entry into the largest theme park in Turkey on-site.
On the Beach offer a 6-night stay from 4 July, including return flights from London Stansted, for £778pp.
Granada Luxury Belek Hotel, Turkey
The Granada Luxury Belek Hotel has a fairytale theme, with waterslides attached to a giant castleCredit: On The Beach
If you let a child design the ultimate holiday resort, it would probably look exactly like the Granada Luxury Belek.
On the Beach called the resort “one of the best family resorts in Turkey thanks to its massive on-site aquapark, lazy rivers and huge variety of pools and slides”.
This massive Turkish resort is home to the Wonderland, a giant fairytale-themed water park.
The water park has plenty of spectacular slides that you enter from a spectacular castle, a wave pool, lazy river, 12 adult pools and five kids’ pools.
There are also three pristine artificial beaches on site, for when you’re done splashing around and want to soak up some sun.
Pair this with an on-site Chocolatier, large, family-friendly rooms with swim-up pools, and themed bars like the Wizard Bar and Street Bar Disco – and you’ve got yourself the dream family holiday destination.
On the Beach offer a 6-night stay from 4 July, including return flights from London Stansted, for £568pp.
PortAventura Hotel Gold River & Theme Park, Spain
Stay at PortAventura Hotel Gold River for access to a theme park and water park on your doorstepCredit: On The Beach
Immerse yourself in this Western-themed hotel in sunny Salou, a resort designed to feel like an American Wild West frontier town.
This pick from On the Beach is “perfect for families who want both rollercoasters and water slides, with direct access to PortAventura’s famous theme and water parks”.
A stay here includes unlimited access to PortAventura Park, where you can take on over 40 rides and rollercoasters.
You’ll also get entry to Caribe Aquatic Park, a tropical garden paradise of thrilling slides and waterfalls.
And if that’s not enough, you’ll get day tickets to Ferrari Land, too – home to Red Force, the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in Europe.
To top it all off, one child stays free with this deal from On the Beach.
On the Beach offer a 6-night stay, including return flights from Birmingham, for £475pp.
A holiday deals expert from comparison site Travel Supermarket selected the following deals on the Turkish Riviera and the east coast of Majorca.
Eftalia Splash Resort, Antalya, Turkey
A stay at Eftalia Splash Resort includes access to extra fun at Eftalia IslandCredit: On The Beach
This family-friendly resort on the beachfront of the Turkish Riviera has a huge outdoor freshwater pool, plus its own on-site splash park with eight water slides.
Jacob Lewis, guest travel expert at TravelSupermarket, says: “You essentially get two water parks for the price of one here.
“You get the hotel’s own slide-packed aqua park, plus free access to the enormous Eftalia Island complex down the road, where 14 huge slides, a lazy river and pirate-themed splash pools will keep kids of every age happy.”
You’ll never have the same meal twice here. There are six dining spots including two massive buffet options, plus international favourites like Italian and Chinese restaurants.
There are also five bars, including one on the beach, a pool bar and a disco.
Not only is there plenty to see and do on-site, but the hotel offers a free shuttle service to the local sandy beach.
You’re also only a two-minute shuttle away from ANOTHER aqua park at Eftalia Island – and this one has 14 water slides. The best part is that this hotel’s all-inclusive offer extends to the facilities at Eftalia Island, too.
Travel Supermarket offer a 7-night stay from 11th August, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £620pp.
Globales Apartotel Bouganvilla, Majorca
Globales Bouganvilla in Sa Coma has a splash park with water rides for all agesCredit: First Choice
This aparthotel and splash park in Sa Coma, Majorca is a massive playground for families.
Jacob Lewis, guest travel expert at TravelSupermarket, says: “This one’s a great shout for bigger families watching the budget – it’s got its own massive Splash World water park that only hotel guests can use, so there’s no queueing behind day-trippers.
“Plus there’s roomy apartments that sleep up to six. If and when the kids have finally had enough of the slides, a free shuttle whisks you down to Sa Coma’s gorgeous white-sand beach.”
Here you’ll find two giant pools, plus water slides ranging from winding fast rides for adults, to mini slides for little ones to make a splash.
Make the most of your all-inclusive package with trips to the on-site pizzeria and barbecue restaurant, or fill up on favourites at the buffet.
For a fun-filled day out, hop on the miniature train into the town centre for souvenir shopping and beach-side strolls.
Travel Supermarket offer a 7-night stay from 4 August, including return flights from Manchester, for £769pp.
For a family holiday that feels like real affordable luxury, try this glamorous resort in Ibiza that’s steps away from a water park.
TUI BLUE Aura, Ibiza, Spain
TUI BLUE Aura is a relaxing resort with activities built for families and free water park entryCredit: TUI
The four-star TUI BLUE Aura has a luxurious feel with a tranquil infinity pool, boho-inspired rooms and dining spaces – and a fantastic water park just next door.
Standing out from the crowd, this hotel features sensory rooms for kids and a curated itinerary of family activities.
Instead of your standard kids club, expect daily experiences like cooking workshops and garden games designed for all ages.
Other hotel highlights include Parent & Tot swim classes, Swim Fit for adults and wellness activities like yoga and meditation sessions.
When you’re ready for some more excitement, walk over to the water park for free-entry access to speedy water slides, tubing and a pirate play zone for the little ones.
TUI offer a 6-night stay from 9 July, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £873pp.
The long-forgotten adventure park was once ‘always busy’ and loved by thousands and Brits are recalling childhood memories from time spent there — now it’s completely unrecognisable.
12:23, 14 May 2026Updated 12:26, 14 May 2026
Do you remember visiting this beloved attraction?(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Some places are built to spark immeasurable joy and excitement within humans and it’s safe to say theme parks rank fairly high on that list. Many theme parks around the world have given individuals core memories they hold on to dearly, even decades later, with cherished visits to funfairs forming the building blocks of countless childhoods.
One such theme park existed in the UK, specifically in Cornwall, and people who visited the funfair in its heyday recall having some of the best moments of their lives there. It’s a pity then, that this beloved theme park now lies forgotten, completely unrecognisable in its current form, a mere shell of its former glory.
Dobwalls Adventure Park in Cornwall’s Liskeard was a family-run theme park established in the 1970s which brought incalculable joy to thousands.
Founded by John Southern, the funfair commenced operations in 1970 and held the title of being Cornwall’s top visitor attraction for years.
The theme park’s highlights were its two miniature railway locomotive networks, which were complemented by recreational grounds and large play areas, both indoors and outdoors, as well as an art gallery and stunning woodland walks.
John established himself as a pioneer in tourism after he transformed his modest pig farm into one of the South West’s most loved (and earliest established) attractions.
Dobwalls Adventure Park’s hallowed grounds saw locomotives chugging along its two-mile tracks for over 35 years, and the funfair quickly established itself as a school-favourite destination for days out.
With one admission ticket, visitors could enjoy the Krazee Kavern play barn, take unlimited rides on the locomotives in the park, step into the Rocky Ridge water and sand play area, have fun with Mr Blobby, wander through the locomotive shed, and take in the wonders of the Steam Back in Time exhibition.
The steam and diesel trains however, remained the funfair’s star attractions through the decades.
There was a choice of two tracks for visitors to indulge — the Rio Grande and the Union Pacific Railroad.
The Rio Grande line became operational in 1970 itself, and famously featured a four per cent or 1:25 gradient, earning it the title of the world’s steepest ascent on any passenger-carrying miniature railway.
Tunnels and steep climbs only added to its undeniable charm, with the line weaving in and out of a forest in a bid to recreate the Colorado railroads.
The Rio Grande’s success spread like wildfire, leading to the addition of the Pacific track in 1979, which closely resembled the Union Pacific Sherman Hill line in Wyoming, USA, and had a ruling gradient of 1.51 per cent (1:66).
Whisking into canyons and over bridges and trestles, the locomotive lines gave visitors the kind of thrill one could only dream of in those days.
The adventure park’s theme itself was modelled on successful American funfairs, complete with ‘cowboys and Indians’.
Unfortunately, the beloved theme park began to see a decline in numbers and popularity, facing stiff competition from newer, bigger and better funfairs that were coming up across the UK.
Older cherished attractions like the Go Kart track also became defunct and added to the park’s decline.
By the end of 2006, the theme park began closing down its railway lines, and by June 2007, it was announced that Dobwalls Adventure Park’s redevelopment projects had been stalled, and the funfair would not be reopening in its original form.
All of the adventure park’s locomotives were put up for sale, and by early 2008, eight of them had been sold to a man in Dorset and were to be run at Dorset’s Plowman’s Railroad near Ferndown.
The locomotives have since been exported all the way over to Australia, with some users on social media claiming to have seen them in the Land Down Under.
The 22-acre site upon which Dobwalls once sat proudly was put up for sale in 2012 with a guide price of £400,000 in a sealed bid auction.
Now, Charteroak runs a popular holiday cottages accommodation, Southern Halt, from the site where the adventure park once functioned.
Abandoned but never forgotten
Scores of Brits still remember their time at Dobwalls Adventure Park, with several social media users taking to Facebook to reminisce over the theme park’s glory days and recall the countless cherished memories they made at the famous South West funfair.
In a post on the public group 7 1/4″ Railways, one Facebook user recalled: “It was always busy when we went. I remember my 1st visit and all the steam locos were in steam.”
While another visitor emotionally shared: “Loved my visit there as a kid in the summer of 1982. Fascinating place to visit. Never had that many holidays in Cornwall.
“Intended to return around ten years later to try and take some photos of the trains in operation, but found that much of the routes had been built over, so never bothered in the end. Just watched the Big Boy depart from outside the fence!”
Another user wrote, “Was a fantastic place when I visited in the mid 1980’s,” while one fondly recalled, “Only managed one visit but enjoyed every minute.”
One visitor who hoped to take their grandkids to the funfair wrote: “We went there many times when holidaying in Devon and Cornwall. Bought the t-shirts and other memorabilia. I had hoped to take my grandchildren there, but sadly that’s now not to be.”
Some even shared seeing the beloved locomotives in Australia, with one individual writing, “Saw one of the big diesels at Diamond Valley Railroad near Melbourne about 10 years ago,” while another shared, “Quite a few of them are in Victoria Australia.”
One user fondly wrote, “This was a fantastic place spent a lot of time in Cornwall and visited a lot,” while another shared, “Went there every year for probably ten years when we were going to vacation to Cornwall.”
THE UK’s largest dinosaur themed adventure park is set to open its longest ride yet – and it’s just in time for summer.
Families will be able to enjoy the new attraction from July onwards.
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The outdoor adventure park has rides suitable for children up to 12 years oldCredit: Roarr!The Dino-themed adventure park is the largest in the UKCredit: Roarr!
ROARR! theme park in Norfolk has revealed a new 105-metre long attraction, dubbed the site’s “longest ride to date.”
The Fossil Falls experience will allow visitors to soar down a winding slope, set inside the park’s 85 acres of natural woodland.
The course also features a launch platform, brake ramp and 12-metre tunnel, which riders will be able to glide down inside of an inflatable ring.
The £250,000 investment marks the latest addition to the adventure park’s 25 other attractions.
Other rides include the Swing-o-saurus and Dippy’s Raceway, with an off-peak day pass priced at around £60 for a family of four.
Ben Francis, park director at ROARR!, told Eastern Daily Press: “Fossil Falls is a fantastic new addition to ROARR! and one we’re really excited to open this summer.
“At 105 metres, it’s our longest ride to date, and we think it’s going to be a real highlight for families visiting the park.
“We’re always looking at ways to invest in and improve the ROARR! experience for our visitors, and Fossil Falls is a brilliant example of that – adding real value for the families who choose to spend their day making memories with us.”
The Dino adventure park is located in just off the A47 and A1067 near Lenwade, and can be reached in just 25 minutes from Norwich by car.
It also holds a variety of activities suitable for children aged zero to 12 years old.
The park will be open from 10am to 5pm, seven days a week, in July and August.
Keeping the kids entertained is no mean feat, but a UK attraction has been named as the best for a family-packed day out or holiday, with thrill-seeking rides that beat Alton Towers and Thorpe Park
You don’t need to fork out on Disneyland when this seaside amusement park is right on our doorstep (Image: Getty Images)
It’s not always easy to keep the kids entertained and prevent them from losing interest, but there’s one attraction that has been named as the UK’s best – and it’s not where you might think.
As we lap up warmer rays on weekends and edge closer to school holidays, parents will be looking for fun-packed holidays and activities to keep the little ones entertained now more than ever. A trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris has long been a popular choice among families, yet these trips can come with a hefty price tag, despite the never-ending fun.
In a bid to help parents beat the kids’ boredom, Attraction Tickets has ranked the holidays most likely to keep little ones happily off their screens. While Disney and Universal claimed the top spots on the global list, Blackpool Pleasure Beach was the top UK destination, ranking in a respectable sixth place.
Taking the number one UK spot on the event ticket seller’s Banish Boredom Index, following thousands of analysed reviews across 160 worldwide destinations, Blackpool Pleasure Beach scored 24.3 out of 30. The combination of immersive attractions and high-energy experiences is thought to make these top attractions, where parents need not worry about their kids getting bored.
As a thrilling seaside amusement park with nostalgic wooden coasters and mega rides like ICON and The Big One, Blackpool Pleasure Beach even beats the likes of Alton Towers and Thorpe Park on the list. There are jaw-dropping rides at the Blackpool theme park, with loops, turns, twists and drops, along with Nickelodeon Land, water rides and attractions for younger children.
And it’s not just the event ticket seller that has hailed Blackpool Pleasure Beach as the best UK family day out. One visitor shared on TripAdvisor: “Visited through the week with my 11-year-old son. Had a great day. Got on loads of rides. Went on all the big rides numerous times. Found all the staff were very friendly. The guy at the entrance was lovely.”
They added: “Disappointed that Valhalla wasn’t open. Got lunch at the Southern Fried Chicken shop. Wasn’t expecting much, but the chicken was actually really nice. Not a bad price for a theme park either. Toilets were all clean too. We will be back.”
A second shared: “The children loved it here. Very good value with the ultimate pass.” While a third summed up their trip by commenting: “I love the Pleasure Beach, it seems to get a bit of a reputation for being a ‘tired’ amusement park, but I completely disagree, still think it holds its own against the more popular parks like Alton Towers or Thorpe Park, etc.”
Top 10 attractions to beat the boredom
Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, USA
Universal Studios Orlando, Florida, USA
Disneyland Paris, Paris, France
Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo, Japan
Aquatica, Florida, USA
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire, UK
Waterbom Bali, Bali, Indonesia
Universal Studios Hollywood, California, USA
Diggerland, Kent, Durham, Yorkshire, Devon, UK
Legoland Billund, Denmark
Oliver Brendon, CEO of Attraction Tickets, said: “Nowadays, keeping children entertained on holiday is more challenging than ever. With many kids accustomed to the instant gratification of iPad games and interactive television shows, traditional holiday moments, such as lounging by the pool or playing on the beach, often aren’t enough to hold their attention.
“To take the guesswork out of planning, we created the Banish Boredom Index. By analysing hundreds of thousands of reviews, we identified the destinations and attractions that genuinely captivate kids and keep them engaged throughout the trip. The results are clear – the best family holidays are the ones where children are immersed in the experience from start to finish.
“It’s no surprise that destinations such as Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and Disneyland Paris top the list, as they each offer high levels of interactivity and imagination. For parents, that means fewer screen-time battles and more meaningful moments together. However, you don’t always need to travel across the pond, as spots like Blackpool Pleasure Beach prove that the UK can deliver that same level of excitement and engagement closer to home.
“If you’re hoping to break the iPad habit this summer, the data speaks for itself – swap Wi-Fi for rides, tower drops, or historical activities. Whether you’re planning a staycation or a long-haul escape, real-world excitement is the key to banishing your children’s boredom in 2026.”
To book tickets or to read the full list of holidays on the Banish Boredom Index, you can visit the Attractions Tickets website. For more information on Blackpool Pleasure Beach or to plan your day out, visit their website.
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
PROPOSALS for a new £600million UK theme park have been backed by the British Tourist Authority (BTA).
The Government-funded tourist authority is supporting the plans for the historical park, which will offer live shows and reenactments.
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Puy du Fou will showcase historical reenactments relevant to the local areaCredit: AlamyThe park is set to open by 2029Credit: Puy du Fou
French firm Puy du Fou submitted plans to build a site north of Bicester near the M40.
In the supporting letter, BTA director Andrew Stokes, praised the ride-free park’s established track record in France and Spain, saying it offers a “truly distinctive visitor experience through its historic theme park concept”.
He also commended the park’s collaborative approach in working with Experience Oxfordshire to create a fully authentic experience.
BTA said it “can see the potential for this project to generate significant interest and excitement among domestic and international visitors alike”.
The attraction will be similar to the French version, picturedCredit: Puydu FouThe £600million plans will employ 2,000 people directlyCredit: Puy du Fou
Stokes added that the plans “demonstrate confidence in the UK as a destination, in our leisure sector, and in the long-term strength of the visitor economy”.
The site will include four period villages with 13 live shows and have also been backed by Experience Oxfordshire.
Support chief executive Hayley Beer-Gamage said: “The decision by Puy du Fou to invest in Oxfordshire, and specifically within the Cherwell district, is a strong endorsement of the area as a globally recognised destination.
“This investment will drive job creation, stimulate economic growth, and increase visitor spend across both the district and the wider county.”
According to the park operator, the site will directly employ around 2,000 people, while supporting a further 6,000 jobs in hotels, restaurants, suppliers, and other local businesses.
Puy du Fou also said it will deliver a £500million annual boost to the local and regional economy.
In a report published earlier this year, BTA broke down the long-term economic benefits for Oxfordshire and the Cherwell district.
“Tourism has a significantly positive regional economic impact across the UK”, Stokes said.
“Relevant to Oxfordshire and Cherwell, the South East region is the second largest recipient, accounting for £17 billion of economic activity in 2024.”
Puy du Fou first opened in 1978, and is rated the second best attraction inFrancebehindDisneyland Paris.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? player who scooped £500,000 explains how it will make a huge difference to their lives after tough times
21:01, 10 May 2026Updated 21:02, 10 May 2026
Andrew was stumped on jackpot question(Image: Supplied)
Andrew Fanko missed out on the chance to take the jackpot on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? – but insisted his £500,000 prize had still saved his family financially.
The 44-year-old and his wife Frankie, who live in Market Harborough in Leicestershire with their six-year-old daughter, both work as translators. Andrew admitted work has been thin on the ground recently, as AI was putting them out of business, putting him under further pressure on him to do well on the show.
He made it to the million pound question but decided against answering it as he couldn’t be certain – and if he had gone with the ITV audience he would have been WRONG. It still meant he walked away with half a million pounds and played one of the best games in the show’s history.
Asked how the money will change his life, Andrew said: “It’s come at a really, really lovely time. First because our work has been kind of thrown under the bus a bit in the last few years because of AI. We are both translators and the freelance translation market has pretty much died to death in the last five to 10 years so although I’m lucky enough to have an in-house position at the moment, I don’t know how long that’s going to last, and Frankie’s work has dried up quite a lot so this will really make a huge difference to us.
“If either of us want to retrain or anything like that, it gives us the chance to be able to do that and I don’t think early retirement is a possibility, but it certainly makes our lives a lot easier.
“We genuinely were getting pretty concerned about the work situation. It was getting pretty stressful. Knowing that it is gonna come in fairly soon has been absolutely massive for us. It’s made a huge difference. We both feel a lot lighter, a lot more positive.”
Andrew sailed through the ITV show until hesitating on Question 12 for £125,000 about which cell type does not have a nucleus. He phoned his friend Jonathan who was 60 percent sure it is bacteria, and after using his 50-50 went with this correct answer.
He stumbled again on a question 14 for £500,000 about which character is killed in Murder on the Orient Express. He tried to get help from host Jeremy Clarkson but when that failed, correctly guessed Sam Ratchett.
His final question for £1 million was to name which one out of the four people named was an EGOT winner, meaning having scooped four different arts prizes including an Emmy and an Oscar.
He didn’t know the answer and asked the audience but the majority of them thought it was Bette Midler. After taking the £500,000 and not answering, Andrew was told the correct answer was Andrew Loyd Webber.
Reflecting on missing out on the big prize, Andrew said: “I’m fine with it. Honestly. The only way I wouldn’t have been fine with just missing out is if I had known the answer to the million pound question and not gone for it, but I just didn’t know it. So it is the best of all worlds really because I’ve been able to win a really life changing sum of money, genuinely life changing, and I know I couldn’t have done any better. So yeah, I have no regrets at all.
“The main pressure I felt was on the half a million pound question. So the Agatha Christie question, Frankie(wife) is a massive Agatha Christie fan. So I was like I could feel the eyes kind of burning into the back of my head. I knew that she would know it in a heartbeat. But I had to think about it, quite a lot before I was confident enough to go for it.”
Andrew and his wife are both big quiz fans and he has previously been on MasterMind, 15-1, Only Connect, and Brain of Britain. The couple also won on Eggheads with two friends, taking a £33,000 prize between them.
His big win has not put him off having a go at other TV quizzes.
He revealed: “I probably will do stuff in the future. Just because I absolutely love it. It might be harder to get on now, I guess, but you know… Mastermind. I got to the semi final four years ago and I still have ambitions to do well on Mastermind.. perhaps not immediately because I do want to take a little break from it, but yeah, I think Mastermind in the future is the one that I want another crack at. So the last time I did Britain at the Winter Olympics and African World Heritage sites.. so quite a range. I’d maybe do something like the TV show Spooks or perhaps something to do with Liverpool Football Club, although that’s been done loads of times. Something else sporty, I think.”
Now the episode has aired his long wait for the money is now almost over, having filmed the show last year, and once paid he will take his daughter Jemima to Disneyland and to buy his wife a new car.
He speaks French, Italian and Spanish but the first holiday they take will actually be a cruise to the Norwegian fjords with extended family.
Andrew said: “I wasn’t really nervous in the chair itself. I enjoyed it. I love answering quiz questions and it is what I spend most of my time doing. But the actual win with the lights and Jeremy and the audience and everything.. you do sort of lose a bit of perspective of where you are.
“I would say, the biggest tip I’ve got is probably to practise the fastest figure first – because that’s the key. I think once you get in the chair, that’s the great thing about Millionaire and the format is that once you get in the chair, anyone can win a huge amount of money because I don’t think they ever ask you sort of really, really genuinely very hard questions.
“It’s just such a wide range of things that that’s what makes it hard to progress quite a long way, but they can just fall for you. “But I would definitely practise faster than the first at home before you go and also while you’re practising in ‘the millionaire’s row’ where you sit before you go on, you get a chance to sort of get your fingers ready and practise on.”
Last month viewers saw Roman Dubowski win £1million in the opening episode of the series. He told the Mirror he celebrated with a cup of tea after he correctly answered that a Bass Ale logo appeared in the novel ‘Ulysses’ and paintings by Picasso and Manet.
There have been a total of seven winners of the £1million in the UK since the show began in 1998. Clarkson replaced Chris Tarrant as the host when the show returned in 2018 after a four year break.
ONE year after its announcement, Paultons Park is finally set to open its new Viking-themed land in a matter of days.
Called Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, the £12million land will have its very first inverting rollercoaster, a swing ride and Middle Age themed ‘feast’ dining.
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Paultons Park is opening its Viking-themed land on May 16Credit: Paulton’s Park /Liz Lean PRThe theme park will have three new rides including Vild SwingCredit: Paulton’s Park /Liz Lean PR
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Paultons Park, which was voted ‘Theme Park of the Year,’ is opening its new land on May 16.
Riders will climb a huge vertical hill before they twist and fly through the air upside down.
There will also be the swinging ride called Vild Swing, which is suitable for families.
It’s a first-of-its-kind attraction in the UK that launches riders 12metres into the air and allows them to experience a feeling of weightlessness.
Drakon is the theme park’s first inverting rollercoasterCredit: Paulton’s Park /Liz Lean PRThe swing ride ‘Vild Swing’ is suitable for familiesCredit: Paulton’s Park /Liz Lean PR
She said: “On the kids’ favourite rides, such as the Velociraptor and Cat-O-Pillar coasters, we were able to fit in about three rounds in 15 minutes.
“Ghostly Manor even won Best New Attraction at last year’s UK Theme Park awards, one of ten gongs Paultons bagged that I’ve have to agree with thanks to a number of key factors.
“These include the short queues, incredible customer service (employees all cheerful), the cleanliness (bathrooms spotless) and the attention to detail and the fact that they don’t charge for parking, unlike several other big theme parks.
“We spent the entire weekend outside, grinning from ear to ear. And we were blown away, in the good sense.”
A day ticket to Paultons Park is £46.75pp which includes park entry, free parking as well as entry to see the gardens, animals and character meets.