Travel Deals

FANCY a last-minute break? You aren’t the only one. Holiday Hypermarket has found that one in five Brits are booking trips just two weeks before jetting off.

And there are plenty of great holiday deals too – and we’ve found some holidays all under £300pp.

Seven Hills Camping & Village, Italy

Set in the Italian countryside is Seven Hills Camping & Village which has bungalow-style accommodation.

It has an outdoor freshwater swimming pool and a sun terrace for soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine.

For food and drink, head to one of the three restaurants, café or poolside snack bar.

A seven-night stay including flights departing from Liverpool Airport to Rome Ciampino on July 27 returning on August 3 will set you back just £209pp.

Hotel Abades Benacazón, Spain

This beautiful hotel is a sophisticated retreat in the Aljarafe region.

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It has a fresh swimming pool with a sun terrace surrounded by sun loungers and parasols.

The rooms are modern, great for relaxing in after exploring the city of Seville which is a 15-minute drive away.

A seven-night stay including flights departing from Leeds Bradford to Jerez on July 26 returning on August 2 will set you back just £239pp.

Exe Sevilla Macarena, Spain

The Exe Sevilla is a four-star hotel in historic Macarena district of Seville directly opposite the historic Macarena Basilica.

It has a rooftop pool open during the warmer months and a poolside bar too.

The hotel can arrange bike rental to explore the area and set up guests on organised tours of Seville.

A seven-night stay including flights departing from London Luton to Seville on July 28 returning on August 4 will set you back just £289pp.

Maxwell Holiday Club, Turkey

Maxwell Holiday Club is a retreat in Marmaris on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast.

From the swimming pool to evening entertainment, there’s plenty for guests to do.

All rooms come with a private balcony with outdoor seating so the weather can be enjoyed well into the evening.

A five-night stay including flights departing from London Gatwick to Dalaman on July 20 returning on August 4 will set you back just £289pp.

Trabukos Beach Complex, Greece

Found on the main strip of Kavos in Corfu is the adults-only Trabukos Beach Complex.

It’s close to the city centre and within walking distance from lots of bars and nightclubs.

The hotel itself has a pretty swimming pool, and some of the spacious rooms have their own balcony.

A five-night stay including flights departing from Manchester Airport to Corfu Airport on July 27 returning on August 1 will set you back just £260pp.

Hotel Cappelli, Italy

Hotel Cappelli in Tuscany is labelled the ‘go-to spot for a chilled-out city break‘.

There’s an outdoor pool, terrace, lush garden and when it’s time to eat, Ristorante Giulio serves up classic Italian dishes.

If the Italian heat gets too much, there a cosy TV lounge inside.

A five-night stay including flights departing from Stansted Airport to Pisa on July 30 returning on August 4 will set you back just £245pp – including breakfast.

*Prices correct at the time of publication

NOTHING beats the pure joy of a family summer trip to a theme park or waterpark.

Except, of course, when you can stay there overnight for cheap and continue the thrills the next day.

Waking up on the doorstep of world-class rollercoasters and giant wave pools makes a family getaway all the more magical – plus it means you can skip the drive home after a long day of fun.

From beach cabana-themed hotel rooms to seeing giraffes out of your window on safari stays, these theme parks and family resorts have fantastic accommodation options.

Here’s our pick of the best family breaks to book at the UK’s top theme parks and waterparks, with budget-friendly deals starting from an incredible £2.44 per person per night.

Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire

Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire is a favourite among theme park fanatics, and it’s clear to see why.

The resort boasts world-class rollercoasters like Nemesis with its relentless G-force, and The Smiler, which holds the Guinness World Record for the rollercoaster with the most inversions.

But did you know that Alton Towers has its own waterpark and multiple hotels on-site, too?

While the resort’s woodland lodges, stargazing pods and luxury treehouses offer a fairytale-style escape, a stay at their Splash Landings hotel puts you on the doorstep of the on-site waterpark.

The Caribbean-inspired Splash Landings has playfully-styled family rooms, ranging from tropical beach hut themes to a unique ice cave room, and places you mere steps from the waterpark.

The hotel’s waterpark stretches both indoors and outdoors, and has bucketloads to do for families.

Thrill-seekers will love the Master Blaster water coaster, while those with little ones can relax in the gentle ‘Bubbly Wubbly pool’.

Butlin’s

With three seaside resorts in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness, Butlin’s is a classic choice for a UK family getaway.

Entry to each resort’s waterpark, Splash Waterworld, is included in the price of a Butlin’s break.

With a theme that ‘brings the best of the British seaside inside’, at the Bognor Regis pool you’ll find a Helter Skelter waterslide and the Stick of Rock slides.

Meanwhile at Minehead, you can whirl around a huge space bowl, shoot down the speedy Blue Comet flume, or simply drift along the relaxing lazy river.

Over in Skegness, the waterpark boasts nearly 3,000 square metres of pool and play areas, which includes outdoor river rapids and a 60ft tall Vortex fast flume.

Not to mention each site has its own fairground, where access is also included in the price of your break.

Here you’ll find classic rides like carousels and waltzers all the way up to the Super Swing at Skegness, which drops you at a 27 degree angle.

Chessington World of Adventures

Chessington World of Adventures Resort in Surrey is the ultimate choice for a high-energy family holiday.

The park is home to over 40 rides and attractions, including the hair-raising Vampire rollercoaster and the dizzying, spinning coaster Dragon’s Fury.

Exploring the World of Jumanji feels like stepping straight into a movie screen, where you can ride Mandrill Mayhem – the world’s only ‘launched wing coaster’ that rushes backwards and forwards past a giant jaguar.

The resort has two themed hotels located just a short walk from the theme park gates.

At the Safari Hotel, wake up and look out over the Wanyama Reserve, where you can watch giraffes, zebras, and ostriches roam past your window.

Over at the Azteca Hotel, families can sleep inside a mystical jungle temple, with beautifully-decorated rooms that would make any kid feel like a real explorer. Some rooms even have slides inside.

Big Blue Hotel – Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort

Blackpool‘s seafront theme park Pleasure Beach boasts legendary coasters like the Big One, which drops brave riders from a staggering 213ft, and Aviktas, a new gyro-swing ride which opened earlier this summer.

Little ones aren’t left out either, thanks to the dedicated Nickelodeon Land, where they can ride the Rugrats Lost River and meet characters like SpongeBob SquarePants.

To turn your theme park day into a weekend stay, the four-star Big Blue Hotel sits right on the edge of the park and offers a stylish and family-friendly place to retreat to.

Many hotel rooms offer breathtaking, front-seat views of the rollercoasters swooping past.

Plus the hotel even has its own private entrance to Pleasure Beach, and offers free theme park tickets from Sundays to Fridays.

Here you’re also only 10 minutes’ walk from Sandcastle Waterpark, with 18 waterslides and a tropical climate.

Legoland Windsor Resort

Legoland is absolutely packed with immersive lands and kid-friendly rides – plus the on-site hotels and waterpark are just the cherry on top.

Soar through the air on Flight of the Sky Lion in Lego Mythica land, or race against a pal on the high-speed Minifigure Speedway coaster.

But the adventure doesn’t end when the theme park gates close, thanks to the resort’s spectacular themed hotels.

At the Legoland Resort Hotel, you can sleep inside fully immersive rooms styled around Lego Pirates, Ninjago, or Kingdom adventures.

At the luxurious Castle Hotel, choose between mystical wizard and brave knight suites.

There is also the tranquil Woodland Village, which offers a relaxed escape in cosy lodges (yes, these also fit the Lego theme) and circular camping barrels.

The resort also has several outdoor splash zones that are perfect for a sunny day.

Over in DUPLO Valley, kids can tackle Drench Towers – the largest water play structure in the UK packed with colourful slides and tipping buckets.

Splash Safari, on the other hand, has interactive water jets and large DUPLO animal figures that are perfect for little ones.

TLH Leisure Resort, Devon

While not strictly on-site, sunny Devon‘s TLH Leisure Resort has four mega hotels to pick from, and is just 10 minutes from the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark.

The TLH Derwent Hotel is the biggest, with the Starlight Lounge providing sparkling evening entertainment like cabaret and bingo nights.

The TLH Victoria Hotel is an elegant option with two large ballrooms, and it regularly hosts dance stays and evening soirées.

The TLH Carlton Hotel is home to the Aztec Spa, with multiple swimming pools, a gym, and pampering treatments like Elemis facials and deep-tissue massage.

While at the hotel you’ll have access to both indoor and outdoor pools, plus the spa with its sauna, hot tub and steam room, the waterpark here is just down the road in Paignton.

Splashdown Quaywest is the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark, and it sits next door to the golden sands of Goodrington beach.

The waterpark has adrenaline-pumping slides like the Devil’s Drop, where you plummet 65ft down into a black hole, and The Screamer, a high-speed slide that will take your breath away.

Plus kids will love clambering and climbing around Shipwreck Island – a new, giant themed play area in the water.

YOU don’t need to empty your pockets to visit big-name theme parks and resorts this summer.

Especially not when these major UK attractions are offering free extra return tickets and 89p admission for kids.

We’ve rounded up the very best offers at popular resorts like Alton Towers, Chessington, Legoland and Butlin’s that you can book this school summer holidays.

From half-price entry offers to kids tickets for less than £1, here are the ultimate theme park bargains for summer 2026.

Legoland Windsor Resort

Legoland are running a summer promotion that lets you unlock an extra day of theme park fun for the price of a single ticket.

There is an absolute mountain of things to do at this resort to keep both little ones thrill-seekers happy all day long.

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Tackle the park’s 55 rides and live shows, marvel at the Lego models in Miniland, or let the kids’ imaginations run wild in the brick-building zones.

While trying to cram the entire resort into a single day can feel like a mad rush, knowing you can return means you can relax and take in the park at your own pace.

The best part about this offer is that the free ticket you unlock doesn’t have to be used only at Legoland.

You can also redeem your free ticket for a trip to Chessington World of Adventures, Alton Towers or Thorpe Park instead.

Book your tickets to Legoland Windsor Resort from £29.75pp + claim an extra FREE return ticket

Gulliver’s Theme Parks

Save a massive 48% off a trip to a Gulliver’s Theme Park this summer at any of their four theme parks: Milton Keynes, Rother Valley, Matlock Bath, or Warrington.

With this Wowcher deal families can bag a ticket for £12.50 each, nearly halving the cost of buying a ticket direct for £25.

Whether you want to conquer the dizzying Gyrosaur, board the Rocky Ridge Railway, or meet live animals at the farm park, there’s plenty to do across all locations.

Throw in completely free parking and free entry for toddlers under 90cm, and you’ve got an affordable school holiday treat for the family.

Book your tickets to Gulliver’s Theme Parks for £12.50pp

Alton Towers Resort

Alton Towers is slashing the cost of a visit this school summer holidays with two theme park visits for the price of one.

The sprawling theme park is packed with world-class, white-knuckle rollercoasters for adrenaline junkies, alongside family-friendly rides like the new Bluey kids coaster.

There’s also exciting events this summer, such as the Minecraft Meet the Mobs from July 18 – August 28 plus the Bluey live experience with meet and greet, running throughout the summer.

To get the offer, make sure to claim the deal before July 27 and save your ticket and barcode from your first visit. Then you can claim yourself another visit to Alton Towers, or a free trip to Legoland, Chessington or Thorpe Park.

Book your tickets to Alton Towers resort from £29.75 + claim an extra FREE return ticket

Flamingo Land

Families heading to North Yorkshire this summer can slash up to 50% off their day out at Flamingo Land Resort thanks to a Wowcher deal.

Here you’ll find hair-raising rollercoasters like the 10-inversion Sik Coaster and the lightning-fast Velocity motorbike ride, which launches from 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds.

Smaller thrill-seekers in tow can explore the Peter Rabbit Adventure, brave the river rapids, or take a quick break from the rides to stroll the zoo.

Tickets can be used on any date until November and start at £29pp, plus there are extra discounts available if you purchase multiple tickets. For example, if you book for a group of six you will save an extra £18 on top of the deal, while groups of four can save an extra £19.

Book your tickets to Flamingo Land from £29pp

Chessington World of Adventures

Score two visits for the price of one on your next trip to Chessington World of Adventures.

Visitors can test their nerve by hurtling backwards on the terrifying Mandrill Mayhem in the World of Jumanji, or fly through the treetops on the popular Vampire coaster.

You could even tick off the World of Paw Patrol, a colourful themed land new for 2026 with gentle rides such as Chase’s Mountain Mission.

To claim the deal, buy a ticket online before July 27 to snap up a free return ticket that is valid for visits until September 25. As part of a combined summer promotion, you could also use your tickets at Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, or Legoland Windsor instead.

Book your tickets to Chessington World of Adventures from £29.75 + claim an extra FREE return ticket

Butlin’s

Kids can bag a day visit to Butlin’s for 85p when visiting with a full-paying adult this summer, plus under 2’s go free.

This means that for one adult and one child, your entire family day out would cost a total of £19.85.

A day pass drops you straight into the action with unlimited turns on the traditional fairground rides and access to massive outdoor play areas.

You can also pack your swimsuits and tackle the flumes and wave pools at the subtropical Splash Waterworld, before catching a live daytime stage show starring the kids’ favourite characters.

Available across their Bognor Regis, Minehead, and Skegness resorts, it’s a ridiculously cheap way to enjoy a fun-filled family day out.

Make sure to get in quick, because this offer is only available until July 16. However, from then, day tickets during the school summer holidays will be discounted by 15%.

Book your day tickets to Butlin’s – with kids tickets from 89p

*Prices correct at the time of publication. Terms and conditions apply.

BOOKING something to look forward to doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank.

In fact, you can jet off to trendy European capitals or unwind at a spa hotel in the British countryside for less than you’d think.

We’ve rounded up a selection of the best Wowcher travel deals on offer right now, starting from £89 with options both in the UK and abroad.

Whether you want to hop on the Eurostar to the canals of Amsterdam, pop over to Paris for a 4* getaway, or take the ultimate £99 gamble on a mystery holiday, we’ve got you covered.

Wowcher Mystery Holiday – £99

This famous travel gamble lands you return flights and a minimum 3-star hotel stay for £99pp, with 100+ worldwide destinations in the mix.

While you could bag a sunny beach escape to Ibiza or a chic city break to Rome, the real jackpot is landing a long-haul trip to New York, Bali or the Maldives.

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Other destinations where you could land a mystery holiday include Disneyland Paris, Thailand and Miami.

Book a £99 Wowcher Mystery Holiday

4* Peak District Countryside Spa Stay – £89

Escape to the spectacular hills of the Peak District with this four-star spa staycation for two.

Situated on the edge of Staffordshire, this bargain break at The Three Horseshoes Country Inn includes a cosy overnight stay, a cooked breakfast, and access to the spa.

Nearvy, explore rock formations at The Roaches, go paddle-boarding at Rudyard Lake, or visit Alton Towers Resort, which is a 20-minute drive away.

Book a 4* Peak District Countryside Spa Stay from £89pp

4* Paris Getaway with Hotel, Flights, and Breakfast – £119

Whisk yourself away to Paris on a stylish, four-star city break from £119pp which includes return flights from your pick of nine UK airports, plus a two night stay and a delicious daily breakfast to fuel your sightseeing.

Stay at the sleek 4* Best Western Plus Suitcase Paris – La Défense, which has beautifully-designed contemporary rooms and a relaxing lounge bar.

Ticking off landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre is totally effortless too, thanks to a metro station just 300 meters from the hotel door with direct routes straight into the city centre.

Book a two-night city break to Paris from £119

Northampton Stay at Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club – £104

Treat yourself to a countryside retreat with a stay at the Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club, starting from just £104 for two people which includes delicious two-course dinner or buffet access, a complimentary glass of wine each, and a full breakfast.

You’ll also enjoy unlimited access to the on-site gym and sauna, plus handy perks like a 2pm early check-in and an 11am late check-out to stretch your relaxation time.

Golf fans can even tee off on the PGA European-tour standard course, while the hotel sits just a short drive away from the beautiful Daventry Country Park and the iconic Silverstone Circuit.

Book a stay at Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club for £104

Amsterdam Eurostar Break with Hotel Stay – £139

Hop aboard the Eurostar for a seamless two-night city break to Amsterdam, with return Eurostar tickets plus a stay at the modern ibis Amsterdam City West, which places you close to the vibrant Westerpark.

Getting around the capital will be easy, too, with a metro station a five-minute stroll from the hotel door.

From there, a quick ride drops you right at Amsterdam Centraal, putting bucket-list attractions like the Van Gogh Museum and beautiful canal cruises within easy reach.

Book a two-night city break in Amsterdam for £139

*Prices correct at the time of publication.

IF you think a getaway to a gorgeous Greek island means forking out for an expensive holiday, think again.

We’ve scoured the internet for some of the cheapest Greek island holiday deals, and we’ve found absolute steals to spots like Santorini and Rhodes.

Whether you want to party til dawn on Zante’s legendary strip, zip down waterslides with the kids in Crete, or live a luxury lifestyle for less in Santorini, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s our top picks for Greek island getaways, with week-long package holidays starting from £185pp.

Zante – £210pp

Situated a stone’s throw from the beach with a shimmering outdoor pool and a quirky cocktail bar, the Canadian Hotel in Zante’s Laganas is an ideal stay in Zante.

The hotel has everything you’ll need for a sunny holiday.

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This includes a sizeable swimming pool, plus extras like a library where you can grab a book and bike rentals.

Here you’re only a 15-minute stroll from Zante’s near mile-long strip, where you can relax with a cheap cocktail in beachfront bars.

Make sure to tick off a trip to Navagio Viewpoint to spot a fascinating shipwreck and watch the sun set at a clifftop restaurant at Porto Limnionas.

Book a seven-night room-only stay at the Canadian Hotel with return flights from London Stansted for £210pp.

Kavos, Corfu – £185pp

This adults-only hotel in Kavos is perfect for those who love to be in the heart of the action, as it sits smack-bang on the main strip.

Nightlife here is top-tier, with plenty of karaoke bars and Irish pubs along the strip to kick off your big night out.

Plus there’s mega nightclubs such as Future Club for unbeatable House and Techno nights, plus the buzz of Kavos Beach is only a five-minute stroll away.

For something more relaxing, head down to Agios Petros Beach – a quiet bay with luminously-blue waters.

Plus the Trabukos Beach Complex hotel has an outdoor pool lined with loungers, parasols and even beachy egg chairs – perfect for chilling in the sun.

Book a seven-night room-only stay at the Trabukos Beach Complex – Adults Only, including return flights from London Luton, for £185pp.

Kos – £329pp

Kos is the ideal pick for an affordable, sun-drenched island holiday, with miles of golden sand beaches and turquoise waters begging for a dip.

Here you’ll find fascinating Roman and medieval attractions like the Roman Odeon and the Asclepieion – an ancient temple where Hippocrates taught.

For some lesser-known things to do, check out the bubbling volcanic hot springs at Embros Thermae.

Or stroll the flower-lined streets of the mountaintop village of Zia.

Stay at the Kipriotis Village Resort, a hotel themed to look like a traditional Aegan village, where Roman ruins overlook a large swimming pool.

Book a five-night all inclusive stay, with return flights from London Stansted, for £329pp.

Rhodes – £299pp

With 300+ days of sunshine a year, picturesque whitewashed villages and plenty of waterparks and family attractions, Rhodes is a popular pick for a reason.

Some of the island’s best beaches include Anthony Quinn Bay, where thick pine trees shelter a quiet, sparkling cove, and Tsambika Beach.

It’s a top choice for families thanks to its shallow waters and watersports available.

Rhodes is also home to a spectacularly-preserved medieval Old Town and buzzing resorts like Faliraki, making the island a true all-rounder.

The Rose Hotel in Faliraki is a peaceful pick with an outdoor pool surrounded by vibrant green gardens – a family-run hotel with a friendly feel.

Book a five-night self-catering stay, with return flights from Edinburgh, for £299pp.

Crete – £439pp

Greece’s largest island, Crete, is a surprisingly affordable option given just how stunning its scenery is.

While the Elounda area is known for its glam, ultra-luxury resorts, you can head further west along the coast for those same sparkling seas and beaches for a fraction of the cost.

Here you’ll find gorgeous Greek fishing villages like Milatos, which has plenty of traditional tavernas, a tranquil beach and unique attractions like Milatos Cave, which has a small church built inside.

Head into nearby Heraklion for affordable boat trips and a to visit Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which houses the best of the island’s ancient history.

The Minos Imperial Luxury Beach Resort Milatos is a five-star beachfront resort with seven pools, a spa and amazing food and drink including a barbecue restaurant on the beach.

Book a four-night stay with breakfast, with return flights from London Gatwick, for £439pp.

*Prices correct at the time of publication.

REMEMBER when finding a £1 pint on holiday was the norm? Those days feel a long way off. 

Just like here in the UK, classic holiday hotspots have seen food and drink prices creep up over the last few years.

And now, in plenty of major resorts, the old-school £1 beer is nothing more than a nostalgic memory.

But as a holiday expert, I knew the mythical £1 pint hadn’t vanished entirely.

So, I went digging, trawling holiday reviews and local expat forums and cross-referenced Facebook groups.

I even tapped up every contact I have working in hotels overseas.

And I have great news: the £1 pint is alive and kicking… you just have to know exactly which backstreets to turn down.

Even better, every single spot below is a destination where I clocked a full package holiday for under £400 per person. Or £401 if you want your first pint thrown in…

Benidorm, Spain

If there’s one destination refusing to let the £1 pint disappear quietly, it’s Benidorm.

People love to moan that the strip isn’t as cheap as it used to be, and to be fair, they’re almost right.

But every time I go looking for a proper value holiday, Benidorm still cleans up – and there’s one legendary venue everyone mentions: Uncle Ron’s.

They’re famously flying the flag for the €1 pint long after everyone else moved on, making it the ultimate first pitstop to prove the old-school Benidorm spirit is alive and kicking.

I even clocked a five-night stay at the Terralta Apartments, flying direct from Bristol at the end of September on a self-catering basis, from just £260pp.

Aside from putting you well within striking distance of Uncle Ron’s, the real draw at this hotel is the massive lagoon-style pool area that features its own dedicated poolside supermarket.

It means you can stock your apartment fridge with cheap local snacks and ice-cold cans at local residents’ prices without having to lug heavy shopping bags back from the town centre.

Sunny Beach, Bulgaria

Sunny Beach has spent years dominating the European holiday market when it comes to budget trips, and in 2026 it certainly hasn’t lost its crown.

The beaches and weather here really live up to the name, and your spending money stretches ridiculously far when you get there.

Whenever I’ve visited, I’ve stopped bothering to convert prices back into pounds after day one because everything is just SO cheap.

For the ultimate bargain brew though, Bulgaria-obsessed holidaymakers point straight to The Funny Pub, which regularly slashes its local lager prices down to the £1 mark during daytime promotions.

You can lock in five nights at the Aparthotel Cote Da Zure, flying direct from Luton on a self-catering basis, from a crazily low £160pp.

And the perk of this specific property is that every room comes with a proper, deep balcony overlooking a quiet green pine forest lot.

It gives you a peaceful, scenic spot to pre-drink your bargain beers before heading out onto the main prom to chase £1 pints all night.

Marmaris, Turkey

Every time I check booking data, Marmaris tends to dominate the dashboard.

Thanks to the great exchange rate, British holidaymakers get unbelievable buying power the second they step off the plane.

When I asked around to find out where experts would send a mate for a rock-bottom pint, the Crazy Daisy Bar topped the list, famously keeping local draft beers around the £1 mark during their extended afternoon happy hours.

So I went and tracked down five nights at the Grand Villa Sol Apart, flying direct from Manchester in September on a self-catering basis, from £335pp.

And the restaurant team at this hotel are kind of famous too.

They cook up a traditional Turkish clay-pot stew on-site that beats most of the overpriced tourist traps on the main marina, letting you secure a top-tier local meal for pocket change right by your sunbed.

Sarande, Albania

I’ve said it before and I’ll keep shouting it from the rooftops: if you want to catch the next massive travel trend before the crowds ruin it, get to Albania.

The water is stunningly clear, the Balkan scenery is stellar, and because the tourism infrastructure is still developing, the prices haven’t quite caught up with the quality yet.

When asked about tracking down a £1 pint here, a couple of people in the office laughed and told me I’d probably get change back from a quid if I ordered a local lager at Jericho Cocktail Bar on the front.

I found a six-night stay at Hotel Vola, flying direct from Luton with breakfast included, from just £235pp. And for a coastal spot that feels like a hidden Mediterranean secret, which is huge value.

The standout feature at this hotel, for me, is the private beach access.

They have cordoned off a quiet, rocky swimming platform directly below the hotel with free loungers.

This allows you to bypass the crowded public beach clubs and swim in the exact same pristine Ionian water for zero extra cost.

Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Ayia Napa still suffers from a bit of an old-school 90’s clubbing reputation, which I think is really unfair.

The coast here boasts some of the finest sand in Europe, the sea is bath-warm well into autumn, and because it sits so far south, you get guaranteed scorching sun long after the rest of Europe has started cooling down.

If you want a £1 beer here, head straight to Senior Frog’s, where they regularly run afternoon drink promos designed to keep your spending money intact.

I found a great deal nearby too, with five nights at the Green Bungalows Hotel Apartments, flying direct from Gatwick at the end of September on a self-catering basis, from £275pp – which makes this deal an absolute shoulder season winner. 

And what I loved about these bungalows was the outdoor hot tub and courtyard setup – they’ve built a massive, open-air hot tub right beside the main pool bar, meaning you can wind down in the evening heat with a cheap drink without having to head into the busiest parts of the resort.

Laganas, Zante

Zante is another island that gets judged far too quickly based on the main strip. 

Walk ten minutes away from the neon signs and you’re looking at beautiful turtle-nesting beaches, traditional family tavernas, and some of the clearest water in Greece.

For a budget pint, the Rescue Club is the staple shout, running massive seasonal daytime promos that knock local drafts down to the £1 mark.

I even found five nights at the Acapulco Marinos Apartments, flying direct from Manchester at the end of September on a self-catering basis, from £385pp.

It’s a cracking price for a Greek island, and what I love about this family-run spot is their on-site traditional olive grove garden… Not what you’d expect in Zante, eh?

The family actually harvests their own olives right on the grounds to make homemade oil for the pool bar snacks, giving you a proper, authentic slice of Greek island hospitality right at your sunbed.

Prague, Czech Republic

I couldn’t write an article about cheap beer without including the absolute capital of lager.

No, it doesn’t have a beach, but if your idea of a holiday involves wandering historic cobbled streets and dropping into ancient beer halls, it’s unbeatable.

While the centre has indeed gotten pricier over the years, lots of people pointed me toward U Zlateho Tygra (don’t ask me how to pronounce that), a historic pub where a world-class Czech Pilsner still costs around about a quid.

You can grab a city break at the Bohem Prague Hotel, flying direct from Bristol in early September on a room-only basis, from just £175pp (is it me, or are trains to and from Manchester and London more expensive than that these days?)

The real win at the Bohem though is its location in the Smichov district.

This hotel sits completely outside the overpriced tourist zones, putting you right next to the local Staropramen neighborhood bars where food and drink prices drop by 50 per cent compared to the Old Town Square.

Cheers to that!

All prices were accurate at the time of writing but may vary.

WEEKEND plans in the UK can easily burn through a hundred quid these days – so why not spend that exact same cash on a European getaway instead?

Travel companies Wowcher and Loveholidays offer city breaks that bundle your return flights and hotel stays together, all for £99 or less.

Whether you want to sip world-class beers in hidden cellar bars, or soak up the sunshine by a gorgeous Italian lake, here are five city breaks you can snap up now starting at £79pp.

Lake Como – £79

Rub shoulders with celebs at Italy‘s most glamorous lake without paying Hollywood prices.

Here you can cruise across sparkling waters, ride the funicular railway for panoramic mountain views, and tuck into delicious risottos at a waterfront trattoria.

Spend your days in Lake Como exploring historic cobblestone towns and lush botanical gardens right on the water’s edge.

BEACH KEEN

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This Wowcher deal includes a stay at the traditional B&B Hotel Como, which recently won a TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice award.

Wowcher offer a two night break to Lake Como with return flights from London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Bristol or Edinburgh, from £79pp.

Krakow – £89

Lose yourself in the cobblestone charm of Poland‘s cultural capital, where fairytale spires tower over Europe’s largest medieval market square.

Feast on traditional dumplings by day before wandering the glowing historic streets and exploring underground cellar bars by night.

From the trendy cafes of the old Jewish Quarter to the grand castle overlooking the winding river, Krakow packs masses of history into every corner.

This bargain Wowcher deal bundles in your return flights and a stay at the charming Hotel Yarden by Artery Hotels, right in the heart of the city.

Wowcher offer a two night break to Krakow with return flights from Newcastle, Edinburgh, London Bristol or Manchester from £95pp.

Barcelona – £99

Spend a whirlwind weekend in Barcelona to try tasty tapas, visit golden beaches, and tick off a visit to the jaw-dropping Sagrada Familia.

Wander the winding alleys of the Gothic Quarter before dipping into buzzing bars along La Rambla.

When the sun goes down, head to the hidden neighbourhood plazas like Plaça del Pi to drink cold beer under the palms.

This brilliant Wowcher deal bundles your return flights with a stay at the modern, four-star Eurostars Executive hotel.

Wowcher offer a two night break to Barcelona with return flights from Edinburgh, London Birmingham or Manchester for £99pp.

Prague – £99

Escape to Prague on a fairytale break where the streets are filled with soaring stone spires and historic castles.

Here, winding cobblestone streets hide traditional taverns and cellar bars pouring world-class lager.

Vibrant market stalls fill the sprawling Wenceslas Square, while the famous Astronomical Clock draws lively crowds to the historic Old Town.

This Loveholidays getaway pairs your return flights with an easy stay at the automated, digital-entry Royal Court Legerova apartments.

Loveholidays offer a two night break to Prague with return flights from London Luton for £99.

Venice – £99

Tick off a trip to romantic Venice with this cheap Loveholidays city break deal.

You can hop onto a public water bus for a few euros and cruise down bustling waterways, passing striped-shirt gondoliers along the way.

Stop off at a traditional neighborhood tavern to wash down bite-sized cicchetti snacks with a glass of bright orange Aperol spritz.

Loveholidays is offering flights plus a stay at the traditional Venetian hotel Agli Artisti, situated steps from the Grand Canal.

Loveholidays offer a two night break to Venice in November with return flights from London Luton for £99.

*Prices correct at the time of publication.

FANCY bagging a sunny getaway at a European resort from £9.50?

You don’t need to spend a fortune to book a family break abroad, because our famous £9.50 Hols unlock some of the biggest and best holiday resorts across Europe.

We’re talking massive pool complexes, thrilling waterslides, and doorstep access to gorgeous beaches – plus quirky perks like on-site bakeries with fresh bread delivered straight to your door.

Good news – new dates will be released for all of the following European holiday parks plus more on Wednesday, July 8.

But if you want to beat the crowds and bag yourself a bargain before they all sell out, make sure to sign up to Sun Club.

Sun Club members will get exclusive access to these holidays an entire day early, scoring the best deals before anybody else.

Read more on £9.50 holidays

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KID YOU NOT

The £9.50 holiday spots packed with cheap and FREE things to do for families

Whether you want to lounge under banana trees in Spain, explore ancient Rome from a shaded pine forest, or splash in Croatia’s clear blue seas, these action-packed parks have something for everyone.

Here’s our selection of the mega European holiday parks you can book with Hols from £9.50.

La Torre del Sol, Costa Dorada, Spain

While the kids are busy splashing around in a dedicated pirate pool and splash park, adults can kick back with a cocktail under the shade of lush banana trees at La Torre del Sol.

Centred around a massive swimming pool, this pretty resort is styled with Roman and Moorish designs.

There are plenty of ways to keep the energy high with table tennis, bike rentals, and evening family discos.

But the best way to unwind at this resort is going for a relaxing soak in a hot tub in the unique shape of a snake.

Millau Plage, France

Sat on the edge of France‘s Tarn River among rolling green hills and deep rock gorges, this holiday park is a total outdoor playground.

Here you can set off on a canoe or paddleboard onto the water, have a game of basketball or football on the multi-sports pitch, plus kids can tire themselves out on the outdoor adventure course.

Plus you could even hire a bike on-site and load up a picnic with fresh food from the park’s very own bakery, then pedal off to explore the nearby town of Millau.

When you return, you can unwind in your modern holiday home. Each spacious unit comes with full self-catering facilities and a private outdoor space.

Fabulous, Lazio, Italy

Surrounded by a sprawling 70 acres of beautiful pinewoods, Fabulous is an aptly-names resort that sits on Italy‘s Ostia coast.

The area was once a bustling port city in Ancient Rome, and while there is plenty of history and nature here to explore, the resort itself is packed with top tier amenities.

You can spend your days alternating between a massive outdoor pool and a lazy lagoon, catching thrills on the waterslide, or soaking in the whirlpool.

Plus the resort is a convenient 30-minute drive away from the centre of Rome, where you can tick off all of the must-see sites and restaurants.

Bella Austria

Set in a landscape of massive mountains and vibrant meadows, Bella Austria looks just like a film set.

Tucked away in the rural Katschtal Valley, this active park is built for outdoor adventures.

Nature lovers can set off on scenic hiking trails, guided countryside tours, and cycling routes down to the nearby Mur River.

When you aren’t out exploring the local villages, the resort keeps the whole family happy with a mini animal farm, sports pitches, and a traditional Austrian wellness area complete with saunas.

Park Umag, Istria, Croatia

Facing the turquoise Adriatic Sea, Park Umag is a massive, lively resort on Croatia‘s Istrian peninsula.

With direct beach access, it features two miles of waterfront promenade and Blue Flag beaches that are perfect for exploring on hired bikes.

When you aren’t off exploring the local beaches, the site keeps everyone busy with two seafront pools, waterslides, water zorbing and an inflatable obstacle course.

There’s also four restaurants, a pizzeria as well as supermarkets and a traditional market on-site – so you won’t go hungry.

Orbitur Valverde, The Algarve, Portugal

Imagine waking up to freshly-baked bread delivered to your door before spending the day out exploring the Portuguese coast.

That’s what’s on offer with a stay at Orbitur Valverde, a holiday park ideal for those who love the outdoors.

Tucked between The Algarve‘s Lagos and Praia da Luz, the resort has a wealth of dramatic coastal walks and sweeping sandy beaches right on your doorstep.

On-site there’s an action-packed itinerary of golfing, horse riding, and scenic boat trips that will fill your days with adventure.

SUN Hols from £9.50 are back!

Hundreds of new Hols from £9.50 are being released across holiday parks in the UK and Europe this July.

To be among the first to bag your holiday for under a tenner, make sure to sign up to Sun Club.

While Sun readers collecting codes can access hundreds of new hols from July 8, Sun Club subscribers can bag the best deals a whole day early on July 7.

This gives Sun Club members priority in booking their desired dates and places at popular parks that might soon sell out.

To help you pick a park, our Queen of £9.50 Holidays Tracy Kennedy is here to share some of her favourite spots.

Read more on Hols from £9.50

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She’s picked her top holiday parks in beautifully British seaside towns with beachfront sports bars, waterslides and more.

Here’s Tracy’s guide to her favourite British seaside towns, and their holiday parks where you can stay from £9.50.

Lower Hyde, Shanklin, Isle of Wight

Tracy said: “The best holiday park I’ve ever been to is Lower Hyde on the Isle of Wight – that is my firm favourite. I’ve returned several times because my family and I really liked it.

“There’s loads to do on site itself, it’s actually one of the only sites where we didn’t mind spending the entire day there. There’s plenty of nature trails around the park, and there’s also an adventure park on site.

“The entertainment teams are top-quality at Lower Hyde and plenty is free compared to other parks.

“In the evenings, the entertainment starts off with discos and character meet and greets for the younger kids, with their own show. Then there’s some great bingo, followed by an adult game show.

“Later in the evening there’s more acts from visiting acts such as comedians or magicians, or a performance from the entertainment team.

“There’s then a disco until midnight, so you can stay there all night, if you fancy it.

“Lower Hyde also have a restaurant with really good pub-style food called The Barnhouse, plus they also have little food huts such as the Thunderbird Chicken shack and an ice cream parlour.

“The must-visit spot nearby is Shanklin. There’s lots of little artisan shops, and it’s not a far walk, about a 10-minute walk into the centre.

“If you walk further, it takes you into Shanklin Old Village. There’s a lovely little restaurant there called The Crab, with beautiful seafood.

“There is also the famous old thatched cottage from all the postcards. Not only is it lovely to look at, but it does afternoon tea inside (from £7.95).

Parkdean Resorts Newquay, Cornwall

Tracy said: “When I first arrived at Newquay Holiday Park I was totally flabbergasted. We stayed four days, and I don’t think it was long enough!

“The park has three outdoor pools which are perfect for hot days, and cracking evening entertainment.

“There’s also a 200ft-long waterslide and mini golf and amusements, which are perfect for a summer holiday.

“When you want to go out and explore Newquay itself, you’re only 10 minutes away by bus or car, and there’s buses right outside the park.

“Newquay is just beautiful. There’s 11 beaches there and they’re all gorgeous.

“There’s a traditional seaside promenade by Towan Beach too with seaside treats like candy floss and hot doughnuts.

“It’s great for families as there’s lots of cafes and places to sit down, an Asda if you need to pick up any last-minute bits, and the seafront here actually has proper toilets!

“We visited all the local beaches and walked past the hotel where the Roald Dahl film The Witches was made: The Headland.

“We also drove out to Port Isaac, and walked around where Doc Martin was filmed. All you have to do in these places is pay for is parking and bring your own food.

“Then you can just walk around and see all of these really cool filming locations, and that costs you nothing!”

Lyons Robin Hood, Rhyl, North Wales

Tracy said: “This site is really up-to-date. It’s recently undergone a £1.5m makeover, with all the new developments ready for this summer.

“Some of my favourite things about this park are the enthusiastic entertainment staff, as well as the food.

“The pool here is so good that my youngest went swimming every single day. It has a brand-new splash zone, three super slides and even a spa for the adults.

“It’s just had activities like go-karting added to the list of things to do, and there’s new sports courts and trampolines.

“I last went at Halloween and it was just absolutely fantastic, but the entertainment is great year-round too. The costume characters come out to meet the kids after shows.

“I’ve stayed in three levels of accommodation here, and I liked all of them. Each caravan was clean and spacious, with multiple big bedrooms, so you can’t go wrong here no matter what your budget is.

“I’d recommend going for the highest-ranking caravan option if you can, which is a platinum. We’ve stayed in platinum and it’s lovely. We had a little bit of a balcony that we had our coffee and drinks on.

“I usually like to bring my own food to save money, however the food here is just lovely and definitely worth the money.

“We had cod and chips (£6.95) from the on-site chip shop here and really enjoyed it – in fact, we had it twice because it was that good.

“There’s a beautiful beach just across the road from the park. You might even see some seals – we saw some on my last visit and I was so excited.

“Rhyl is just 5 minutes away, and there’s loads to do there. Shops, a massive marine lake, and my favourite – a miniature train that takes you around the town (£4 per adult £3 per child).

“A trip into Rhyl could even be a free day out if you planned for it. Pack a picnic, wander through its streets, plus there’s even a free attraction: Rhyl Museum and Arts Centre.

Seal Bay, West Sussex

Tracy said: “Seal Bay is a very popular holiday park, and for good reason.

“The site feels like one big party park. It’s got its own fairground on-site, and it’s directly on the beach.

“There’s a free bus that picks you up and takes you where you want all around the park – which is especially great if you’re not so mobile.

“The entertainment here is spectacular. It’s not just your standard holiday park shows, there’s aerial performances, fire eaters and all sorts.

“They’ve got a great sports bar too, and its right on the beach. So you don’t even have to leave site if you don’t want to.

“Plus there’s a lovely outdoor seating area where you can have Greek gyros, burritos and ice cream. My teenager loves her takeaways!

“If you do want to get off-site and explore, you can go to Bognor Regis for the day.

“Bognor is a truly Great British seaside town. It’s got a beautiful seafront, a small traditional pier, and all the classics like hot doughnuts and fish and chip shops by the sea.

“You could easily spend a full day in Chichester, too.

“It’s a historical town with a great big cathedral and lots of interesting things to do, like museums and galleries.”

“Seal Bay is also one of the parks that offers dates during the school holidays with Hols from £9.50 – and you’re not going to get a holiday there any cheaper if you book direct.

“So if you’ve been wanting to visit a popular site like this one, it’s definitely worth doing it through £9.50 Holidays.

QUEEN of the Sun £9.50 holiday, Tracy Kennedy, is back to answer your burning questions on all things budget breaks

Tracy has been taking £9.50 holidays for 30 years, and even runs a Facebook group dedicated to helping people book their Sun holidays.

Now she’s here to answer all things Hols from £9.50, from how to get a good deal during the school holidays to the items she can never leave without packing.

https://thesun.formstack.com/forms/js.php/travel_agony_aunt_2026Online Form – 9.50 Hols Agony Aunt – 2026

You can leave a question for Tracy by filling out the form above, and with each Q&A with Tracy we will pick one lucky reader to win a £100 Amazon voucher.

This week’s winner of a £100 Amazon voucher is Stephanie Marriott. Congratulations, Stephanie!

Are there any 9.50 holidays left to book?

Kelly Noble

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Yes! The next top up is coming on July 7 for Sun Club members, and July 8 for people collecting codes.

The first lot of £9.50 holidays come out in January, but there are many promotions throughout the year. The cheapest holidays do tend to go quick, but don’t let that put you off.

My secret tip is that some people book and then they choose to upgrade, so those cheaper dates that were once sold out come back and are then released again.

And if you are signed up to Sun Club, you’ll get first pick of the holidays during each top-up.

Always keep an eye out for the top-up promotions and check the website regularly.

How do I get a good deal during the school holidays?

Fiona Curry

If you have specific dates in mind, I always recommend being up and waiting for the moment when the £9.50 holidays are released.

Sun Club get to book first, so I’d recommend joining so you get first access. It’s only £1.99 a month, and we all stay up for when access opens to Sun Club members at midnight.

That way you get to book your holiday before the final codes drop.

Firstly, research the parks you’d like to go to, and have all the parks and dates you’d ideally want written down in front of you.

Just in case they don’t come up, I suggest having some alternatives that you wouldn’t mind going to.

Not every park has availability during the school summer holidays, but quite a few of them do.

There is also quite a lot of availability in other school holiday periods, like October half term, which can be a lovely time to go with lots of themed activities.

Seal Bay and Golden Coast are two family-friendly parks that have offered dates in the school summer holidays – and you’re not going to find a holiday at popular parks like that for a cheaper price anywhere else.

What is your essential packing item? Not the obvious (food, clothes, towels) but a little something that makes the trip so much easier?

Lorraine Cooper

Every time I go away, I take an essentials box with me. My mum used to always bring one on trips when I was little, and now I do the same.

It’s basically a box packed with all your essential bits, like washing up liquid and sponges. I even take those little travel-sized bottles and siphon off any cleaning products or toiletries into them.

We also bring tins, pasta, spices, non-perishable foods like that. The kind of bits you’d reach for in your cupboard at home, that might not be there in your caravan.

Bringing those sorts of bits with you will save you spending an extortionate amount at the on-site shop. Then you only need to buy any fresh food once you’re there.

Also, always pack a tin opener and potato peeler, just in case!

What are the best parks for a longer (seven day) trip?

Sharath Reddy

For a longer trip, you’ll want a holiday park with loads to do on-site so that there’s enough to keep you busy for a whole week.

For this I’d recommend Seal Bay in Selsey, which is in West Sussex. It’s definitely got enough to keep you busy.

On site it feels like one big party park. Seal Bay has its own fairground and it’s right on the beach, so definitely have a beach day. There’s even a bar which is practically on the beach.

It’s also got a lovely big pool with lots of water activities, so you could also have a pool day. It’s also got a Wave Rider surfing machine.

Then when you want to explore off-site you’ve got Bognor Regis, Chichester and Littlehampton all nearby.

You could easily spend a full day in Chichester. It’s a town with a great big cathedral and lots of artsy and historical things to do, with museums and galleries.

In Littlehampton you’ve got beaches and Harbour Park with rollercoasters, and it also has a miniature railway.

Then of course you’ve got Bognor Regis, which is a fantastic British seaside town. It’s got a beautiful seafront, a small traditional pier, and all the classics like hot doughnuts and fish and chip shops by the sea.

You could even buy a day pass to Butlins if you wanted. So you can bag a cheap stay with £9.50 holidays, then buy a Butlins day pass to go over and do all their daytime activities and visit the fairground.

What would you suggest to make a £9.50 holiday a bit more manageable for SEN families?

Stephanie Marriott

I actually get this question a lot in my Facebook group, and it’s a very important one.

Depending on how old your children are, if you can go away outside of the school holidays, then do. The parks tend to be a lot quieter which can be helpful.

But if that isn’t doable, you can always ring the site and ask if they have any special hours for kids with extra needs. Quite a lot of them offer a quiet hour at the pool, for example.

I’d also recommend having a look at the activities and entertainment program ahead of time to see what you would like to spend each day doing.

There are usually things like arts and crafts and indoor activities which might be a bit quieter than the full-on evening entertainment.

HUNDREDS of new £9.50 holidays are set to land this July – including popular holiday parks with previously sold-out dates.

Over at club950.co.uk, Sun readers will soon be able to bag themselves a bargain break at a range of holiday parks across the UK and Europe.

Ahead of the new drop of holidays, our Hols from £9.50 Agony Aunt Tracy Kennedy is here to answer your questions.

Tracy Kennedy has been taking £9.50 holidays for 30 years, and has tried and tested holiday parks everywhere from the Isle of Wight to Wales, and nearly 300,000 follow her advice online about taking The Sun’s budget breaks.

This week, she is answering everything from how to actually book yourself a £9.50 holiday, to the most peaceful holiday parks with walking trails.

You can ask Tracy your own question by filling out the form. As we release each Q&A with Tracy, one lucky reader will be picked to win a £100 Amazon voucher.

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This week’s winner of a £100 Amazon voucher is Charlotte Varns. Congratulations, Charlotte!

https://thesun.formstack.com/forms/js.php/travel_agony_aunt_2026Online Form – 9.50 Hols Agony Aunt – 2026

Are there any more ways to get a £9.50 holiday this year?

Skye Sinclair

Yes, there is! There is another lot of £9.50 holidays coming in July.

Sun Club members can book from one minute past midnight on July 7, and people collecting codes will be able to book from Wednesday July 8.

If you’ve never done a £9.50 holiday before, there are a few different ways to do it.

You can collect the codes that will appear in the newspaper each day, or join Sun Club (£1.99 per month) and book without having to buy the paper and collect the codes.

Before all of this, make sure to go and have a look on the £9.50 holiday website to see which parks are available that you’d like to go to.

The holidays start from £9.50 per person, and yes you can really book them for that cheap.

Then it’s up to you if you want to upgrade your accommodation or add on any passes.

So your cheapest holiday for a family of four would be £38 – I have never found a holiday online any cheaper than that!

Do you have regular go to easy meals that you like to make when you go on holiday in a caravan?

Emma Bush

I cook quite a lot when I go away on holiday, and if I’m going to be cooking, it’s got to be quick and easy.

No roast dinners or fancy meals here – some people in my group do that in their caravans, and I think it’s great!

But for me I always bring cupboard foods like pasta and sauces, so that I always have something quick and easy to cook.

Another one of my favourites is hot dogs. They take just minutes to make and will cost you far less than any of the fancy, expensive ones they sell on-site.

Most caravans will come with a fully-equipped kitchen with microwaves, hobs and a full oven, so you might as well make use of them and save yourself some money.

Another one of my favourite quick and easy meals to make is grabbing a hot rotisserie chicken from the supermarket and serving it with some potatoes and salad.

It’s very simple and you can do so much with the leftovers.

Which holiday parks are ideal for the elderly? Something quiet with some nice dog walks?

Charlotte Varns

My top tip for finding a quiet park is to go on holiday during school term time.

That way the parks will be much quieter, and you’ll often get a better deal outside of the school holidays, too.

In terms of specific parks, a few come to mind. North Wales is lovely and has some beautiful walks, so I’d recommend a few of the parks there.

Lyons Robin Hood is a relaxing holiday park with direct beach access.

Ty Mawr, Lyons Lido Beach and Golden Sands Rhyl are other options which all have beautiful coastal walks nearby.

Outside of Wales, I think Cherry Tree in Norfolk is a lovely option. Norfolk is very flat, so you can get out for walks and it won’t be too challenging.

Are the entertainment passes included, or do you buy them additionally?

Jonathan Smith

Usually the entertainment passes are additional add-ons.

But my secret tip would be to check online first, as there are actually some £9.50 parks that will include your entertainment passes in the price on certain dates.

Park Holidays Pakefield offers club room passes for free for all dates. Park Holidays Sand Le Mere also offers the same.

Make sure to research this ahead of time, as lots of other parks will also offer free passes for specific dates.

What are your recommendations for the most accessible sites?

Tracey Layton

Firstly, always make sure to call your holiday park and let them know that you will need an accessible caravan.

Lower Hyde in Shanklin is a great option, and if you’d like to go out and visit the beach there’s even a lift that takes you down to the seafront.

Plus to get to the beach lift from Lower Hyde, the ground is completely flat.

I’d also recommend Camber Sands holiday park. It’s a beautiful site that is also very flat, and you’ll have the beach right on your doorstep.

Some places across the UK have also started offering beach wheelchairs for hire.

If you’re wanting to visit a beachfront holiday park, I’d recommend looking up if the local beaches offer this.

YOU don’t need to board a flight for massive waterparks, thrilling rollercoasters and sunset open-air movie nights.

The UK is home to some incredible mega resorts that pack in all the entertainment your family could want.

And the best part is that you can book them with Hols from £9.50.

Hundreds of new £9.50 holidays are set to land over at club950.co.uk this July.

To be among the first to access them, make sure to sign up to Sun Club.

While those collecting codes in the paper can access the hols from July 8, Sun Club members can log on a whole day early on July 7.

Read more on holiday parks

HOT DEAL

Last-minute cheap breaks to UK holiday parks this sunny weekend from £11pp a night

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Quaint seaside town with UK’s biggest hols park welcomed 2 huge stars this week

Being able to book an entire day early can make all the difference, as popular parks and dates send to sell out fast. Sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 a month, and you’l be ahead of the booking crowds.

We’ve rounded up some of the biggest and best UK holiday parks with new dates dropping with the July £9.50 Hols top-up.

These include the UK’s biggest holiday park, and a popular beachfront resort with its own on-site theme park and waterpark.

Here’s our selection of the mega UK holiday parks you can book with Hols from £9.50 this July.

Unity Beach, Brean

Unity Beach in Somerset is a huge award-winning resort with plenty to do for families, plus you’re just steps away from the seven mile stretch of beach at Brean Sands.

This park boasts its own theme park, Brean Theme Park, which the largest in the South West. It has over 40 attractions, including outdoor rollercoasters, classic dodgems and a log flume.

The park also has its own waterpark, Unity Splash, which is reopening this summer with new upgrades. There’s both an indoor and outdoor splash zone, with waterslides and rubber ring rides.

And if that’s not enough, there’s axe throwing, crossbow shooting, a trampoline park, indoor soft play and a nine hole golf course.

Billing Aquadrome, Northampton

Spread across 235 acres of parkland and lakes, Billing Aquadrome in Northamptonshire is a massive playground for family entertainment.

This newly-upgraded site is packed with unique activities, from a BMX pump track and alpaca feeding to paddleboard hire and its very own miniature railway.

The park puts on plenty of outdoor entertainment like silent discos and outdoor cinema shows, plus you can grab a bite at the on-site burger joint or dessert shop.

Then end your nights by retreating back to a cosy lakeside pod right on the water.

Golden Sands, Rhyl

Golden Sands Holiday Park in the traditional seaside town of Rhyl is the ideal base to explore North Wales.

This park puts you within short driving distance of legendary castles such as Gwyrch and Bodelwyddan, plus there’s beautiful nature spots like Dyserth Waterfall on your doorstep.

When you aren’t out exploring, on-site there’s a heated indoor pool, arcades, a sports court, plus a soft play area.

Plus there’s plenty of activities that kids will love such as slime workshops and NERF gun battles.

Grab some dinner from the site’s traditional fish and chip shop before settling down to watch the live entertainment kick off in the evening.

Trecco Bay, Porthcawl

As one of Europe’s largest holiday parks, and the biggest in the UK, it’s no surprise that there’s no shortage of things to do at Trecco Bay.

Explore the sprawling pool with aqua jets that help you twist and turn under the water, or hop in an aqua paddler mini boat or inflatable jet ski and take in the views from up top.

Back on dry land there’s bumper zorbing and an outdoor battlefield for NERF guns, plus pirate-themed golf and a Make a Bear zone where kids can create their own cuddly friend to take home.

When it comes to food and drink, you can pick from well known eateries like Papa Johns pizza, Burger King, Thunderbird Fried Chicken and sip on Costa Coffee.

Plus the town of Porthcawl is right on your doorstep, with multiple Blue Flag beaches, a scenic promenade to stroll and a funfair to enjoy.

Lighthouse Leisure, Dumfries

Just a stone’s throw away from the local beach and its landmark lighthouse, Lighthouse Leisure is a coastal, family-run park with a warm and friendly feel.

Entertainment here offers all the holiday park classics from kids evening discos to bingo, karaoke and race nights.

The site also has a heated indoor pool perfect for rainy days, plus an outdoor adventure playground that kids love to climb.

From here it’s a 28 minute drive to Dumfries, where you can take the kids to meet the animals at Dalscone Farm Fun or explore the massive ruins of Caerlaverock Castle.

GOOD news for those who love a bargain break – The Sun’s Holidays from £9.50 are back

Hundreds of new affordable holidays will be added to the Club 950 website this week, including breaks in both the UK and Europe.

And if you are signed up to Sun Club, you will be able to bag yourself a holiday a whole day early – giving you priority when booking.

A range of dates will be available for last-minute holidays for 2026, as well as breaks to book ahead for 2027.

Even some popular holiday parks that have previously sold out will have new dates added to book.

Traditionally, Sun readers were able to book their £9.50 holiday by buying papers and collecting the codes that would appear in print over a series of days.

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And while this is still an option, there is a faster way to gain access to these £9.50 holidays.

If you sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 a month or £12 for a whole year, you can gain early access to the holidays on the £9.50 website.

Sun Club members will be able to access the new holidays a whole day early, from 00:01 on Tuesday, July 7.

Whereas everybody else, including those collecting codes or booking via Sun Savers, will have to wait until the morning on Wednesday, July 8.

Once you are a Sun Club member you simply click a link on the Sun Club offers hub to be taken straight through to the website, no codes needed.

And by logging in from one minute past midnight, you can be among the first to pick whichever holiday you’d like before they sell out.

There are hundreds of holiday parks to pick from on the Hols from £9.50 website, including popular UK parks and even beachfront resorts in places like Spain and Italy.

Some of the most popular UK holiday parks offered by Hols from £9.50 include Seal Bay in Chichester and Hendra in Newquay.

Holiday parks in Europe include the beachfront Playa Tropicana in Spain and Altomincio Family Park in Lake Garda.

But that’s not all for Sun Club members – there are plenty of other perks that come with signing up, too.

Sun Club members can claim free and discounted tickets to attractions and events across the UK, including top theme parks, darts nights and days out at the races.

In fact Tracy Kennedy, The Sun’s £9.50 Holiday Agony Aunt, saved £974 in one year on holidays and days out by being a Sun Club member.

Tracy totted up her savings from her £9.50 holidays as well as free and discounted attraction tickets, and was astonished to find out that she had saved herself nearly a grand across the year.

Current offers available for Sun Club members include up to 60% off West End shows, free racing tickets, and the cheapest tickets to Drayton Manor available anywhere.

There are also plenty of freebies up for grabs too, like free audiobooks, ebooks and a summer skincare bundle.

SUN Hols from £9.50 are back, with thousands more bargain breaks being released next week.

If you’re still looking to book an affordable holiday to look forward to with the family, then you’re in luck.

We’ve rounded up 9 of the top UK Hols from £9.50 resorts receiving NEW breaks to book from next week – and it turns out they are some of the most popular holiday parks among Sun readers.

BUT… if you want early access to be one of the first to bag a booking, then join Sun Club for £1.99 a month, or £12 for the year, as Sun Club members get priority access when booking.

Hols from £9.50 are set to be restocked on Wednesday, July 8, with thousands of new holidays available.

But if you want to book them earlier than anyone else, you should sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 per month, or £12 for the year.

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Sun Club members get access to the holidays from midnight on Tuesday, July 7, so will get the first pick of holidays.

Once you’re a member, go to the Sun Club Offers hub and find Hols From £9.50.

Follow the link from the offers page, and you can book your break from midnight on Tuesday, July 7.

Lighthouse Leisure

Two minutes’ walk from the beach and the picturesque lighthouse that gives this holiday park its name, Lighthouse Leisure is a well-located holiday park.

This family resort is in Dumfries, Scotland, a beautiful market town which sits on the Anglo-Scottish border.

Nearby family days out include meeting the animals at Dalscone Farm Fun, visiting impressive castles like Century Caerlaverock, and learning about the famous Scottish writer at the Robert Burns House.

The holiday park itself however has plenty to do, like an outdoor play park which kids love to climb and an entertainment lounge and bar that grown-ups love to retire to in the evenings.

And with family discos, bingo, karaoke nights and more, you’ll be sure to make some lasting family memories on holiday here.

Seal Bay Resort

Seal Bay was the number 1 most popular park with £9.50 holidaymakers last year, and you can still book a holiday there in time for this Easter.

With so many activities for families of all ages, it’s easy to see why this resort is such a big hit.

Kids can have a go on the park’s surfing simulator, tackle the climbing wall, or try their hand at digital darts, axe throwing and archery.

This resort sits smack-bang on the beachfront of Selsey, and accommodation includes everything from simple seaside caravans to luxurious glamping or beachfront pods.

All stays come with access to swimming pools and the resort’s top-rated entertainment, so there’s no need to fork out on extra passes.

Nearby there’s plenty of family attractions like the Harbour Park amusements and the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum.

Hayling Island Holiday Park

Just east of Portsmouth, Hayling Island is packed with family activities and golden beaches to explore.

At Hayling Island Holiday Park, kids will love the on-site splash park, arcades and adventure playground.

Plus activities like a Wipeout inflatable course, disc golf and ‘Tough Mutter’ dog agility course are hard to find elsewhere!

The park comes alive at sunset with evening entertainment, which ranges from Glow Show DJ Battles to Freddie Fever, a celebration of the band Queen.

End the night by heading back to a luxury caravan with your own hot tub, and you’ve done holiday parks right.

Parkdean Resorts Landguard

Landguard is a tranquil town surrounded by forest and golden beaches, and this holiday park has direct access to its shores.

Parkdean Resorts Landguard offers touring and camping, as well as caravans and cosy wooden lodges that are a perfect fit for the woodland surroundings.

Entertainment here is of a high-standard, with Parkdean classics like the Krew animal characters hosting meet and greets, as well as unique options like slime and squishy toy-making.

Landguard is also only a stone’s throw from Parkdean Lower Hyde, and guests can enjoy double the fun and double the facilities between both parks.

Parkdean Resorts Naze Marine

Walton-on-the-Naze is a charming countryside town by the sea, with a soft sand beach, seafront gardensa and a vintage pier to stroll.

The relaxing town is also only a few minutes’ drive to Frinton-on-Sea, another old-fashioned seaside town with plenty of walking routes waiting to be explored.

Parkdean Resorts Naze Marine is the ideal base to explore both areas, with cosy caravans that make the perfect retreat after a day out exploring.

Plus the on-site entertainment is well worth a visit here, with PAW Patrol Mighty Missions and Milkshake! mornings being just two of the exciting kids’ shows on offer.

Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park

Billing Aqudrome in Northamptonshire is 235 acres of non-stop activities that kids will love.

Kids can get off their devices and in touch with nature with survival skills, den building, pond dipping, or by hopping on a paddle board or pedalo.

Plus there’s loads of other unique activities like BMX rides, dance classes and alpaca feeding.

Evening entertainment includes is all-singing and all-dancing, with fun extras like silent discos and a large outdoor amphitheatre with performances.

If you want to make the most of the nature, choose to stay in a cosy lakeside pod, or even bring your own tent to get back to basics.

And when it comes to food and drinks, there’s plenty kids will love, like the Bak’D & Swirls dessert shop and Smash’d Town burger restaurant. There’s also healthier options like grazing boards available, too.

Parkdean Resorts Valley Farm

Parkdean Resorts Valley Farm has plenty to do, including both an indoor and outdoor pool, kid-friendly evening shows and lively bingo nights.

This fuss-free resort has caravans and lodges that are fully equipped with everything you’ll need for a stay, plus there’s accessible and dog-friendly options, too.

This holiday park is just 10 minutes’ walk from Clacton-on-Sea, the ideal seaside town for a family holiday.

Here you can jump on fairground rides, eat fish and chips by the sea, or test your luck on arcade games on the pier or at Clacton Pavilion.

Parkdean Resorts Lower Hyde

Lower Hyde Holiday Park combines some of the very best in entertainment with a top location and plenty of food and drink options.

Sit down for a bite to eat at the family-friendly Barnhouse Bar and Restaurant, or grab a snack from the ever-popular Scoops ice cream parlour or Thunderbird Chicken shack.

Nearby you can pop into the cafes and shops of Sandown, or explore the beaches and coves of the rugged coastline.

This park is also close to the scenic town of Shanklin, where thatched-roof cottages line the picturesque old town.

Guests at Parkdean Lower Hyde can also use the facilities of the nearby Parkdean Landguard Holiday Park.

Parkdean Resorts Thorness Bay

Sat on the north coast of the Isle of Wight, Parkdean Resorts Thorness Bay is a top pick for those who love beautiful natural landscapes.

The park sits within woodlands overlooking the sea, with plenty of coastal trails and walks on your doorstep.

But this peaceful location isn’t short on exciting things to do – here kids can enjoy zipping down the slide into the heated indoor swimming pool, or burn off some energy at the adventure playground or the sports courts.

There’s delicious dinner options at the Fish and Chippery, and top entertainment and cocktails at the Regatta View Showbar.

And you can end the night by catching some z’s in a comfy chalet, lodge or safari tent.

YOU don’t need to jet off abroad to guarantee a golden tan this summer.

With summer 2026 already showing up as an absolute scorcher, most of us are itching to get out and soak up the rays while they last.

We’ve rounded up the sunniest spots in the UK that see nearly 2,000 hours of sunshine per year.

Plus we’ve paired each spot with a cheap hotel deal, so you can book yourself a budget-friendly seaside staycation this summer.

Bognor Regis, West Sussex

With over 1,900 hours of sunshine per year, Bognor Regis has been crowned as one of the sunniest places in Britain by the Met Office.

The seaside town has plenty to see and do, including a town centre packed with traditional sweet shops, book shops and boutiques.

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Make the most of the sunshine down at the seafront, where you’ll find a historic promenade train and traditional pier with its own arcade and casino.

You can also buy day passes to Butlin’s Bognor Regis, and make use of unlimited fairground rides and the indoor waterpark with a Helter Skelter waterslide.

Plus you could even have a go on the resort’s brand new giant claw machine, which has been awarded a Guinness World Record as the largest in the world.

For a cheap place to stay, Premier Inn have opened up a new hotel with fancy Premier Plus rooms right on the seafront.

Staying at the new hotel also gives you access to its glamorous lounge ‘The Social’, decked out with pink and neon decor, offering late night food and 2-for-1 cocktails.

Book a stay at the Premier Inn Bognor Regis from £102 per night.

Eastbourne, East Sussex

With a warm microclimate protected by the South Downs, Eastbourne consistently ranks as one of the sunniest places in the UK.

The town enjoys 1,890+ hours of sunshine per year, which is 500 more than the average UK town.

The seaside town is bursting with exciting attractions, like the rainbow-coloured Tower Art Gallery and Royal Hippodrome Theatre showing music and comedy events.

Soak up the sunshine with an ice cream out on the Victorian pier, or take a ride on the miniature steam railway through the 12-acre EMSR adventure park.

Plus the town’s three-mile stretch of beach is backed by pretty beach huts and dotted with deck chairs and loungers, giving you plenty of spots to sit and sunbathe.

Book a stay at the Pearl & Pebbles Eastbourne from £52 per night, or £26pp per night.

Shanklin, Isle of Wight

Shanklin in the Isle of Wight has been crowned as the sunniest place to live in the UK, seeing 1,976 hours of sunshine per year.

The picturesque seaside town is known for its pretty thatched roof cottages, traditional tearoom and quaint shops and cafes.

Shanklin Beach is a golden stretch of sand perfect for families with a beachfront chippy, ice cream shops and a pirate-themed mini golf.

There’s even a clifftop lift that will transport visitors down from the town centre to the esplanade, making this beach a great accessible option.

Visit nearby Shanklin Chine to see the island’s oldest tourist attraction – a wooded ravine with charming narrow paths and bridges that take you to see waterfalls.

Book a stay in The Belmont hotel from £109 per night, which also offers discounts for the ferry to and from the island.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

With an impressive 1,884 hours of sunshine per year, Southend consistently ranks as one of the sunniest destinations in the UK.

The seaside city is home to the longest pleasure pier in the world, packed with restaurants, arcades, and kiosks selling sticks of rock and hot doughnuts.

You can brave the near two-mile walk out over the Thames Estuary, or simply hop on the quirky pier train to reach the very end for panoramic sea views.

You could also grab a wristband for Adventure Island for £30pp and make use of unlimited rollercoasters and fairground rides.

For a cheap place to stay, Premier Inn has a well-located hotel on the Eastern Esplanade, putting you just steps from the sand.

Book a stay at Premier Inn Southend On Sea (Eastern Esplanade) hotel from £52 per night.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

IF you’re dreaming of sun-soaked beaches, crystal-clear waters, and glam hotels but your bank account is saying otherwise, you don’t have to cancel your summer plans just yet.

While traditional holiday hotspots like Spain and Greece are reliable, they are becoming increasingly expensive.

Luckily, there’s a handful of stunning European destinations offering amazing holiday vibes for a fraction of the cost.

How about the white sand beaches of Albania, or the affordable resorts of Montenegro

We’ve rounded up three incredible, wallet-friendly European countries where your money stretches further.

This means spectacular package holiday deals starting from just £159pp.

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Albania

Bathed in sunshine for over 300 days a year, Albania offers stunning natural landscapes, sweeping beaches and cheap hotels that feel ultra-luxurious.

The coastline blends the dramatic, rugged scenery of the Balkans with the sparkling, turquoise waters of the Adriatic and Ionian seas.

Your budget stretches remarkably far here compared to holiday hotspots like the Greece or Italy.

For a mix of golden beaches and historical sites, head to Durres, where you can climb the Venetian Tower or explore Roman ruins for free.

For wallet-friendly restaurants and stunning landscapes, try Sarande, which is home to the Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with scenic thick forest overlooking the shore.

Or head to Vlore to stroll its pretty old town lined with boutique cafes and shops, hop on a boat trip to visit stunning sea caves and stay in one of its super glam hotels for a very affordable price.

OUR TOP DEAL

The four-star Ames Hotel & Spa in Vlore is a glamorous hotel with its own private beach and spa.

It’s a small, friendly hotel that is perfect for couples, where you can spend your days taking beach walks and unwinding in the sauna and steam bath.

The deal we’ve found is for early October, which would still be nice and warm with temperatures sitting at 24°C.

The five night stay with breakfast at the Ames Hotel & Spa in Vlore, including return flights from London Luton, is for £219pp.

Montenegro

More and more Brits are catching on to Montenegro as their next holiday destination, with its other-worldly beaches and affordable package holidays.

Budva is a buzzing coastal spot with a walled medieval Old Town to explore, and even an island you can visit called Sveti Nikola dubbed by locals as ‘Hawaii Island’.

For a spot of sunbathing, head to Mogren Beach, where towering limestone cliffs shelter two sandy coves with turquoise waters.

Similarly, spots like Ulcinj and Bar are great value coastal towns – Ulcinj is home to Velika Plaza, or ‘Long Beach’, an eight-mile stretch of sand with shallow waters to paddle in and activities like kite boarding.

While Bar is home to unique attractions like Red Beach, a cove with a maroon-coloured shore, and King Nikola’s Palace, a castle-turned-museum surrounded by lush green gardens.

Visit Becici for endless golden beaches dotted with loungers, activities like paragliding and paddleboarding, and high-end hotels for cheap.

OUR TOP DEAL

The Eurostars Queen of Montenegro hotel is in Becici, where a pristine stretch of beach is backed by a line of luxurious yet affordable hotels, visited by the likes of Madonna and Angelina Jolie.

The hotel itself has a huge wellness zone with a Turkish bath, tropical shower, saunas and whirlpool – as well as a sprawling outdoor infinity pool.

Rooms alone usually cost between £200 – £250 per night, however we’ve found a very affordable deal.

We found a deal for a five night stay with breakfast at the Eurostars Queen of Montenegro in Becici, including return flights from London Stansted, for £325pp.

Bulgaria

You might already know about Sunny Beach, but Bulgaria is home to a whole host of affordable coastal resorts that you may never have heard of.

Just south of Sunny Beach, Nessebar is the affordable and arguably more beautiful neighbour.

Both the north and south beach offer soft sands and clear, shallow water – plus a strip of seafront bars and restaurants that feel less chaotic than the party vibes of

This ancient city feels like an open air museum, with and Old Town packed with 20 ancient Byzantine churches and a fascinating ancient fortifications.

Further up the coast you’ll find Golden Sands, a resort that earns its name with a two-mile beach backed by a buy promenade lined with buzzy restaurants and seafront bars.

This family-friendly resort town also has plenty of attractions and activities like Aquapolis Water Park and off-road buggies.

OUR TOP DEAL

Perla Golden Sands is an action-packed, family-friendly hotel backed by the vibrant greenery of a natural park.

The hotel has plenty to do for kids, including an adventure playground, kids club, evening shows and activities like table tennis and horse riding.

And a week-long holiday is an absolute bargain.

We found a deal for a seven night stay with breakfast at the Perla Golden Sands with return flights from London Luton for £209pp.

*Prices correct at the time of publication.

FANCY a half price holiday? You may want to read this.

On the Beach have launched a massive surprise sale across 218 city break destinations, where holidaymakers can bag up to 50% off a break.

This includes capital cities like Rome, Paris and Amsterdam, as well as popular city break spots like Krakow and Milan.

The 72-hour flash sale ends at midnight tomorrow (June 3).

The discount applies to last-minute breaks with departure dates from July 4 to August 26, 2026.

With hundreds of hotels and dates available, you could be setting off on an affordable city break this summer for less than you’d think.

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Barcelona

The four star Attica 21 Barcelona Mar is an ideal spot to stay in the trendy Spanish city.

This hotel has a rooftop pool with sweeping city views, as well as comfy, modern rooms and a well-stocked buffet breakfast.

Here you’re also only a short walk from the beach, Platja de la Nova Mar Bella, which is one of the more peaceful stretches of sand in Barcelona.

The On the Beach flash sale offers breaks to Barcelona including flights for £325pp this August, including return flights from London Luton.

Bangkok

Ever fancied going to Thailand but haven’t quite got the budget?

You can book a holiday to Bangkok, staying at the four star Century Park for a week for £1,055pp.

This also includes your return flights from London Heathrow, which is a huge bargain considering flights to Bangkok alone typically cost upwards of £600.

The stunning four star hotel has a relaxing rooftop pool, tropical gardens, two restaurants and two bars.

Rome

Imagine sitting down with a drink soaking up the sun on the balcony of your hotel in Rome – that could be you this summer.

Hotel Mancino 12 offers traditional yet stylish rooms with balconies overlooking the historic city.

One of the best parts about this hotel is its location – you’re just a short walk from must-see spots like the Trevi Fountain and Roman Forum.

On the Beach offer a four night stay this August, with return flights from London Stansted, for £405pp.

Valencia

Slip away for some sun this July to sunny Valencia in Spain, with a stay at the Azz Valencia Congress Hotel & Spa.

This modern hotel has its own spa, where you can take a leisurely swim in the pool or book yourself in for a blissful massage or pampering facial.

Rooms are bright, fresh and modern, with crisp white linen and sleek wooden finishes.

Outside you’ll find a manicured lawn and crystal-clear pool begging for a dip.

Here you’re a 10-15 minute drive away from the city centre, where you’ll find world-class paella and a plethora of fascinating museums.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

WITH summer in full swing, there’s nothing quite like packing a bag and heading off to explore the best of Britain on a staycation.

But you don’t need to empty your wallet to enjoy a brilliant break this year.

Best Western has 200+ great value hotels across the UK, plus they are currently offering FREE breakfast on selected 2026 breaks if you book them before July 31.

Click here to browse which Best Western hotels are offering free breakfast, which includes hundreds of country houses, seaside hotels and city stays across the UK.

Not only this, but they have put together special staycation packages which they call GEMS – which stands for Great Escapes, Memorable Stays.

These are specially-curated breaks that include your stay, food, as well as special experiences like cocktail masterclasses, family activities and spa treatments.

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We’ve rounded up the most exciting, best-value staycations across the UK that you can book with Best Western with very affordable rates.

From 80’s disco weekenders to wellness weekends by the sea, here’s our round-up of the best-value Best Western breaks this summer.

80’s party night – The Hatfield Hotel, Lowestoft

Lowestoft‘s original 80’s party night is taking place on the weekend of September 26-27 – and a stay at this Best Western hotel comes with a free ticket.

Spend your Saturday night boogieing to Chica DJ’s 80’s anthems, which range from famous rock and pop songs to sing-your-heart-out ballads.

Book a stay at Best Western’s Hatfield Hotel for your ticket, a comfy place to stay right on the seafront, and free breakfast included in the morning.

Stays start from £103.68 per night.

The Art of Mixology Escape – Abbots Barton Hotel, Canterbury

If cocktail classes and fresh stone-baked pizzas are up your street, then opt for this package stay at the Abbots Barn Hotel.

Once you’ve checked in, guests will head to The John in Canterbury, where you can take part in a cocktail masterclass and sit down to sip your own creations. Plus the prosecco on arrival truly sweetens the deal.

This stay also includes a delicious stone-baked pizza for dinner, plus a Full English breakfast with all the trimmings in the morning.

Make sure to spend time in the hotel itself, which is a grand Victorian Gothic property surrounded by two acres of peaceful, manicured gardens.

Stays start from £229.49 per night.

Wellness weekend – The Kings Arms, Christchuch

Treat yourself to a wellness weekend at The Kings Arms hotel in Christchurch, Dorset this summer.

This GEM stay lets you pick a wellness treat from a 60-minute sauna session on Avon Beach, or a yoga or pilates class.

The relaxing stay also includes a free gift from Bramley and midday check out so you can enjoy a slow start in the morning.

Stays start from £131.97 per night.

Coastal escape – Hotel Collingwood, Bournemouth

Enjoy a three-night stay in sunny Bournemouth at Hotel Collingwood, a BW Signature Collection hotel with a luxurious feel.

This break includes a decadent three-course dinner each night as well as fresh Full English breakfasts in the morning, plus the Bubble Lounge Bar is the perfect classy spot to enjoy a cocktail or two.

Guests will also get full access to the Eden Spa, which has a pool, sauna and hydrotherapy treatments. You’ll also get 25 per cent off any spa treatments, so make sure to book yourself in for a massage.

Plus it’s easy to get out and discover Bournemouth with a 24-hour hop-on, hop-off bus ticket included with your stay.

Stays start from £180 per night.

Family stay with soft play – Centurion Hotel, Somerset

Two adults and one child can set off on a family staycation this summer at the Best Western Plus Centurion Hotel in Somerset.

This hotel has its own soft play on-site, Planet Volt, where little ones can slide, climb, and crawl to their heart’s content.

The hotel is also in an ideal location for countryside walks, where you can explore tranquil riverside and woodland trails as a family.

Then return to a comfortable and spacious family-sized room, and enjoy freshly-cooked breakfasts in the morning, included in your stay.

Stays start from £124.81 per night.

DREAMING of a luxurious 5-star all-inclusive holiday, but not wanting to break the bank?

It turns out you don’t need to fork out on Ibiza, Mykonos or Saint Tropez to lounge at a glamorous beach club or enjoy a five-star stay this year.

Luckily, there are some lesser-known European spots where you can live the high life on holiday for much less.

We’re talking glittering marinas, trendy rooftop bars, boat trips on clear water bays and beaches that look like the world’s most expensive hotspots – but for a fraction of the price.

With cocktails under £3 and shockingly affordable five-star stays, here are the holiday spots where your money goes the furthest.

Durres, Albania

If you want a holiday that feels like five-star luxury without the price tags of Ibiza or Mykonos, Durres feels like the ultimate cheat code.

This stunning stretch of the Adriatic coast has quickly transformed into a high-end hotspot packed with glam beachfront clubs and bars.

Head to Sunset Bar for an outdoor drinking spot that lets the views do all the talking – and where cocktails cost as little as 300 lek (£2.75).

Here, comfy striped sofas look out to a stretch of glimmering sea on Albania‘s Adriatic coast that has fantastic sunsets.

Another affordable but luxurious spot is Illyrian Garden, a 360° rooftop bar with a secret garden-themed terrace.

Cocktails here start at 500 lek, which works out to roughly £4.60.

It’s also worth visiting this spot in the daytime to sip a strong local coffee and soak up the rays.

Plus, the hotels in Durres offer a luxurious, five-star feel for a fraction of the price. We found a deal for an all-inclusive week away that works out to £62pp per night.

Turquoise Coast, Turkey

For a taste of the high life that won’t drain your savings, Turkey’s sun-drenched Turquoise Coast offers spectacular value.

There are plenty of holiday spots to pick from along the Turkish coast, but there are two particularly affordable areas.

Antalya is the king of the mega resort – here, ultra all-inclusive packages mean round-the-clock pampering, top-tier dining, and huge pool complexes for low prices.

It’s a fantastic area for families, with the Land of Legends theme park resort on your doorstep in Belek, as well as unique attractions like the Antalya Toy Museum and shallow water beaches like Lara Beach.

If you prefer a chic escape with glitzy bars and a vibrant marina, head to the Aegean side to Bodrum.

Bodrum delivers a Saint Tropez feel on a budget, with a waterfront lined with glamorous bars and lounges facing yachts.

It’s hard to go wrong whichever spot you choose on the Turquoise Coast. A budget-friendly meal out averages at £5.88 in Bodrum and £6.20 in Antalya, according to Wise.

Hurghada, Egypt

Red Sea hotspot Hurghada is a great-value alternative to further flung destinations, offering year-round sunshine and affordable all-inclusive hotels.

Away from the resorts, you can snorkel world-famous pristine reefs, or set sail to the sandy Giftun Islands and go dolphin watching on a boat trip that can cost as little as £20.

Considering you have endless soft sand beaches and exciting water activities on your doorstep, prices here are surprisingly cheap.

According to Wise, a meal out at an inexpensive restaurant averages at £2.82, and a beer can cost you as little as 83p.

Plus there’s plenty of attractions here for families, including waterparks like Jungle Aqua Park and Makadi Water World, as well as activities like parasailing and dune buggies on sites such as GetYourGuide.

Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

For jaw-dropping landscapes, reliable sunshine and luxurious hotels for cheap, try a trip to the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro.

The scenery here has the dramatic feel of the Norwegian fjords, mixed with the sunshine and glamour of the Italian lakes.

The crystal-clear bay is framed by towering limestone cliffs, backed by cobblestone medieval towns such as Kotor and Perast – perfect for an afternoon of exploring.

Montenegro itself remains incredibly wallet-friendly compared to other European spots with dramatic landscapes, such as Switzerland.

Head to the Old Town Pub Kotor for €5 (£4.31) cocktails, and go out for dinner guilt-free with your pick of budget-friendly restaurants. A meal out can cost you just £8.63 per person, according to Wise.

You can easily spend your days here cruising on water taxis for less than a tenner or simply hiking and exploring beautiful coastal trails completely for free.

Plus, you can absolutely book yourself into a super sleek all-inclusive hotel on a budget.

Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria

Sveti Vlas sits on Bulgaria‘s Black Sea coast, where the green slopes of the Balkan Mountains sweep down to the water.

This sophisticated pocket of Bulgaria is the classy, tranquil sibling to the neighbouring party hub of Sunny Beach.

Explore the buzz of the Marina Dinevi, where you can stroll past yachts, dine at waterfront restaurants, and lounge at trendy beach clubs that mimic the upscale vibes of Marbella or Ibiza.

Soul Beach Bar offers huge, pristine white daybeds on the sand with fresh fruit cocktails and glowing lanterns.

Renting a sunbed here costs a super-affordable 10 – 15 BGN (around £4 – £6) per person per day.

Because your money goes incredibly far here, you can tuck into fresh seafood platters, sip cocktails on plush daybeds and grab those Instagram pictures guilt-free.

We found a deal for a week-long all-inclusive stay in a five-star hotel in Sveti Vlas for £57 per person per night.

*Prices correct at the time of publication

IF you’ve got kids, you already know how the holiday hierarchy works.

A pool’s nice, a kids’ club’s helpful, but a hotel with its own on-site waterpark’s the holy grail – that’s the sort of currency that buys you good behaviour until Christmas.

The only problem is that waterpark holidays usually carry an eye-watering premium and sell out for summer, FAST.

So, I dug straight into our summer average booking data to find the spots delivering all the splash, without the cash.

And I’ve unearthed 7 family favourites where you get the slides, the lazy rivers, and the splash zones without completely clearing out the savings.

Here’s where your budget goes furthest this summer.

7. PortAventura Hotel Gold River, Costa Dorada

If you’ve got proper thrill-seekers in the family, they’ll love this hotel for more than just the waterpark.

Because you’re staying directly inside the PortAventura resort grounds, you get unlimited access to the main theme park and entry to the massive Caribe Aquatic Park, which features towering mega-slides, indoor play areas, and massive wave pools.

The real insider win at this hotel though, is the hotel’s private entrance to the park – it completely bypasses the main turnstiles, letting you stroll straight into the park before the main gates open to help you beat the August queues.

For this setup, the average summer price sits at £130 per person per night – but when I had a look, I tracked down a half-board stay at PortAventura Hotel Gold River for just £528pp in late August.

6. Mukarnas Spa & Resort Hotel, Turkey

The Mukarnas Spa & Resort Hotel in Alanya shows exactly why Turkey dominates family holiday value charts every single year.

The hotel boasts a serious aquapark packed with multiple high-speed drop slides, curved flumes, and dedicated pirate-themed splash zones for toddlers.

And what makes this hotel a certified winner for parents, too, is the layout of the beach pier – the resort positions its quiet cabanas just far enough from the waterslides that you can actually escape the noise and read a book while the animation team keeps the kids occupied.

The average summer price for this one comes in at £126 per person per night, but you can score the full package at Murkanas Spa & Resort on an all-inclusive basis for £650pp this August.

5. HYB Eurocalas, Majorca

The HYB Eurocalas is one of Majorca’s most reliable value family hotels year after year, and it’s an absolute paradise for younger kids.

The star of the show is its massive, pirate-themed splash park, which is completely packed with mini slides, water cannons, bucket drops, and enough colourful chaos to keep toddlers entertained for hours.

This hotel’s also kitted out with multi-room family apartments that come with proper partitions, meaning you don’t have to sit in the dark whispering from 8pm when the kids crash out after a day on the slides.

The average summer price sits at a very reasonable £125 per person per night, and when I went searching, I found a peak-summer, 5-night all-inclusive deal at HYB Eurocalas for £540pp in August.

4. Club Mac, Majorca

Club Mac Alcudia is basically an institution for British families after years and years of popularity, and it’s famous for being an absolute beast for entertainment.

Aside from its own massive three-hotel pool complex, booking a room here gives your family free, unlimited access to the huge Hidropark waterpark right across the road, which features 15 different multi-lane racer slides and kamikazes.

The best bit of insider advice I can give you for this resort is their late-night buffet service –  they run a dedicated midnight snack station that’s absolute gold dust if you’ve been out watching the family tribute acts and have kids suddenly complaining they’re starving at 11pm.

This classic family favourite has an average summer price of £124 per person per night. But right now, you can bag an all-inclusive stay at Club Mac this August for just £500pp.

3. Eftalia Splash Resort, Turkey

Eftalia Splash Resort is where the value starts getting ridiculous, especially given the scale of the attractions on offer.

It features one of the most towering, intense waterpark setups you will find anywhere in Europe at this price point, boasting massive multi-lane racers, family raft flumes, black holes, and a huge splash tower.

The killer insider feature here is the ‘Eftalia Island’ beach club access. Because the hotel runs a seamless, free shuttle down to a massive beachfront complex where the all-inclusive food and drinks carry over to the sand, meaning you never have to budget extra for lunch by the sea.

The average summer price is sitting at £109 per person per night, and I clocked an all-inclusive package at Eftalia Splash for £613pp between 22–27 August 2026. Bargain.

2. Bellevue Club, Majorca

The Bellevue Club in Alcudia is a big self-contained resort and one of Europe’s largest holiday complexes – but it’s different to your typical waterpark hotel in that the waterslides aren’t really the main attraction.

This place packs in multiple distinct pool zones, sports areas, and an on-site lake, alongside an array of family-friendly waterslides and splash zones.

And as this place is so sprawling, the insider trick is utilising their on-site supermarket and private guest laundry facilities, which means you can pack light, skip the airline checked-bag fees entirely, and sort breakfast in the room for pennies before heading out to the central flumes.

The average summer price is an incredibly low £107 per person per night, but I dug up a self-catering deal at Bellevue Club, in August, for just £335pp. This deal might be my pick of the bunch!

1. THB Tropical Island, Lanzarote

My absolute top waterpark hotel on the board is THB Tropical Island in Playa Blanca, which completely dismantles the theory that Canary Islands waterpark holidays require a second mortgage.

The resort features a massive array of splash zones, family slides, and premium cooling-off spots scattered across its massive grounds.

But what makes this hotel the absolute benchmark for value on this list for parents is its adult-only quiet zones.

The resort has cleverly cordoned off a premium, deep-water pool and thermal spa area strictly for adults, meaning you can trade waterslide shifts with your partner to get an hour of genuine peace while the kids are tearing up the splash park down the other end.

The average summer price is a stunning £91 per person per night, and when I went for a peek at the deals, I found an August self-catering stay at THB Tropical Island for an absurdly low £363pp, flying from Edinburgh from 22–27 August 2026.

ANYONE who’s looked at holiday prices over the last few years will know one thing: summer getaways haven’t exactly been getting cheaper.

But this year, a big change in booking habits has completely blown the market wide open.

Because British holidaymakers are playing chicken with the calendar and leaving bookings later than ever, airlines and hotels are staring down a reduced summer capacity.

So, rather than flying empty seats and leaving hotel rooms vacant, some airlines and hotel operators are aggressively cutting prices across the board to get bookings in and holidays shifted.

Before we start, though, I should say that not EVERY destination is seeing price drops like this.

But when I crunched the numbers on package data for a family of four, I noticed that some of the year-on-year drops are massive.

So here’s where the prices are falling fastest for summer 2026…

Menorca: £536 cheaper than last year

If you’ve never been to Menorca, imagine everything people love about Majorca and Ibiza… but with the volume turned down.

It has always been a major winner for families because it’s incredibly safe, relaxed, and completely skips the club-heavy energy of its neighbours.

The big news is the pricing: our data shows family holidays here are trending noticeably down compared to last summer.

I flagged a seven-night stay at the Minura Sur Menorca on an all-inclusive basis, flying from Manchester on 22 August, from £858pp – which is a massive £536 cheaper than this exact package last year.

For a destination that traditionally sells out and hikes its rates in August, finding an all-inclusive setup under these numbers is a serious win against the usual school-holiday tax.

The hotel itself is a brilliant family workhorse on the outskirts of Punta Prima with massive pools and a splash park that will easily keep the kids occupied for hours.

If you’ve got a young family like me, my favourite thing about this property is that they run a free, regular shuttle bus straight down to the beach throughout the summer.

It saves you from dragging hot, tired kids and a mountain of beach gear on a 15-minute trek in the August heat.

Paphos, Cyprus: £246 cheaper than last year

Paphos is a super-reliable destination that absolutely nails the holiday basics.

You get guaranteed scorching weather, great beaches, and a vibrant harbour front packed with tavernas and bars, without feeling overcommercialised.

And when I took a look, I noticed that prices are down sharply across the resort, making it an ideal window for a bargain.

You can lock in seven nights at the Kefalos Damon Hotel Apartments on an all-inclusive basis, flying from Glasgow on 22 August, from £623pp, saving £246 compared to last summer.

Cyprus has some of the longest, most reliable sunshine windows in Europe, which usually means paying a massive premium to secure an August departure.

Snagging this deal lets you bypass that peak-season markup while keeping food and drinks entirely off the daily spreadsheet.

What makes this place stand out for me is the quality of the recent modern room upgrades.

They’ve kitted the apartments out with brilliant, fully functioning kitchenettes, which means you have a high-spec, contemporary space to retreat to.

This is a massive step up from the dated, basic apartments you usually get saddled with on a budget European getaway.

Crete, Greece: £172 cheaper than last year

Crete is a massive island that handles every type of holidaymaker, but for families, it’s a brilliant choice because you can have completely different holiday experiences depending on where you pitch up.

The great news for the budget, though, is that pricing across the island seems to have headed south for late bookings.

I spotted a seven-night stay at the Bali Beach & Sofia Village hotel on an all-inclusive basis, flying from Bristol on 22 August, from £468pp – knocking £172 off last year’s price.

Greece in peak August for under £500 per person with all your food and beer thrown in is an absolute gift, by the way.

What I loved about this place was that they run free, weekly Greek cooking lessons hosted directly by the hotel’s executive kitchen chef.

It’s a brilliant, authentic touch where you can actually learn how to whip up proper local specialities, which is exactly the kind of genuine, cultural insight you never expect to get from a standard all-inclusive package property.

Gran Canaria: £179 cheaper than last year

Gran Canaria is perfect for Brits because the weather is spot on all year round.

As a destination, it handles families, couples, and groups effortlessly, and right now the value across the island is dropping back into our favour for this summer.

One standout deal I saw in the data was seven nights at the Maspalomas Oasis Club on an all inclusive basis, flying from Dublin on 22 August, from £410pp – making it £179 cheaper than last year.

The Canary Islands usually command a massive premium in August because they are a safe bet for sun, but this price point lets you dodge that summer-holiday markup.

The real winner at this hotel is the food quality at the buffet, which you’ll be delighted to learn, completely dodges the lukewarm, processed repetitive food sometimes associated with cheaper all-inclusives.

Instead, they have live show-cooking stations at dinner, where the chefs grill fresh meats and fish directly to your order, right in front of you.

Getting proper, freshly seared food on an all-inclusive budget under £450 is an absolute steal.

Dubai: £135 cheaper than last year

Dubai probably isn’t the first spot you associate with price drops, which is exactly why the numbers caught my eye straight away.

Yes, August in the UAE is hot, but that’s exactly why the luxury hotels open up the discount books, with summer family packages dropping well below their usual rates.

Plus, they have some of the best air conditioning in the world.

I clocked seven nights at the Jumeira Rotana on an all-inclusive basis, flying from London Gatwick on 22 August, from £720pp – a drop of £135 against last year.

For Dubai, getting a full all-inclusive package at this price point is a total anomaly.

It means you can indulge in the city’s notoriously expensive dining scene without worrying about a massive bill at check-out.

My pick of features at this hotel though is its rooftop pool – it’s a corker.

It gives you a fantastic, elevated view of the Dubai skyline while you cool off.

And because the hotel is a smaller, more boutique property by Dubai standards, the staff actually bring chilled towels and refreshments straight to your lounger.

It feels incredibly attentive without the chaotic, impersonal hustle of the massive beachfront mega resorts.

Hurghada, Egypt: £107 cheaper than last year

If your absolute main priority, like me, is stretching your cash as far as humanly possible, Hurghada is incredibly tough to beat.

The Red Sea is legendary for its crystal-clear water, and the resorts here offer far more facilities per pound spent than almost anywhere else in the Med, with prices sliding down again this season.

So imagine my face when I saw this deal: seven nights at the El Karma Aqua Beach Resort on an all-inclusive basis, flying from Belfast on 22 August, from £578pp, saving you £107 on last year’s price tag.

The value loop here is simple: you get a massive beachfront resort with its own massive on-site waterpark thrown in for under £600, keeping the kids entertained all week without you ever needing to pull out your wallet.

What I love about this specific place is that they offer swim-up rooms where you can literally step out of your patio doors and straight into a crystal-clear pool channel.

It gives you that premium, luxury resort privilege where you can entirely skip the morning sunbed race and slide straight into the water from your own terrace.

LOOKING forward to a seaside staycation with the family this summer?

It can be hard to know where to book your next UK seaside holiday. With many Brits picking the same overcrowded spots, you can soon feel like you’re fighting for every square inch of sand on the beach.

Luckily, there are plenty of off-the-radar stunning seaside towns and villages where you can enjoy a summer holiday without the crowds.

We’ve gathered travel insiders from Cornwall, Devon, Norfolk and Kent to share their favourite lesser-known holiday spots – with cheap pints, quiet beaches and stays from £30 a night.

Norfolk

Travel Reporter, Jenna Stevens

I grew up on the North West Norfolk coast, going quay jumping and crabbing after school with my friends.

Over the years, I’ve seen tourists flock to the same overcrowded spots time and again, while some of the prettiest towns and villages stay pretty much deserted.

While Cromer and Great Yarmouth make for great cheap and cheerful holidays, there are much prettier and less crowded options further west along the coast.

Wells-next-the-Sea is the picture-perfect seaside town. Walking down the high street, Staithe Street, feels like stepping back in time.

You’ll wander past an old-fashioned butcher’s, bakery and greengrocers on your downhill stroll towards the sea – plus plenty of trinket shops selling seashell earrings or buckets and spades.

The high street leads to the picturesque quay, where the Victorian Granary gantry jets out over the water, and you can watch fishermen haul in fresh catches throughout the day.

Here you’ll find the old-fashioned Pop Inn Amusements, a sweet shop selling giant lollies and classic sticks of rock, plus my favourite surfer dude-feel coffee shop, Wills of Wells.

Not to mention the fact that there’s a massive, golden, award-winning beach lined with colourful beach huts backed by a sprawling pine forest.

There’s a large beachside cafe too, plus you can stay by the sea at the Pinewoods Holiday Park, with camping and touring pitches from £30 per night.

While Wells is absolutely worth visiting, tourists have certainly caught on to its charm.

Further into West Norfolk, there are small towns and villages that offer true peace and quiet – where your only neighbours are grazing sheep.

Some of these best-kept secrets are Fring, Shernborne, Wolferton and Anmer.

They’re the kind of remote, rural villages perfect for a countryside walk where you won’t pass anyone but horse riders out on a hack.

Stay at nearby Bircham Windmill, where there are camping pitches for £36 a night.

In fact, this site makes for a fantastic family day out, where you can bake your own bread from scratch for £3.95 and climb up to the top of the mill for stunning views of the surrounding villages and fields.

Although it’s quiet, there’s plenty more to do nearby. Bottle feed lambs and hand feed deer at Snettisham Park, tour the royal grounds of Sandringham Estate, or sit down for a pint of local ale in the gloriously British pub The Rose and Crown.

Devon

Travel Reporter, Cyann Fielding

Devon or Cornwall? I’m here to tell you don’t need to look further than Devon – with fewer crowds, heaps of beaches and the quaintest of villages, nothing quite beats it.

As a born and bred Devonian, one spot I will always shout about is the English Riviera.

Formed of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, the coastal towns boast an unusual micro-climate for the UK that has allowed palm trees to thrive.

Named after the French Riviera, you can expect a similar vibe but for a fraction of the price.

Stay at the newly opened £20 million seafront Hotel Indigo by IHG in Torquay from £74 per night (and there are dog-friendly rooms) – you can’t get closer to the sea with only a road separating you from the beach.

From the hotel, stroll down to Abbey Sands Beach, where you will find red-pink sand backed by a green area and the famous Torre Abbey, which you can visit for £11pp.

On the other side of Abbey Sands, walk around the harbour, which is currently under development to make it into a swish seaside hub of restaurants and cafes.

Drop by Pier Point for some fish and chips on the way – which are often voted best in the country.

For more traditional and quieter seaside towns, head to Dawlish or Teignmouth, where you will find seaside arcades and cheap cafes selling freshly made Devonshire delicacies such as pasties and cream teas.

It’s not all about the seaside in Devon, though – Dartmoor National Park sprawls over 368-square-miles with over 160 rocky tors, ideal for lengthy country walks with dramatic views.

One of the most accessible spots is Haytor, where you can head up to the tor from a car park – and don’t worry, it isn’t too steep a climb – and then nearby check out Haytor Quarry, which appears frozen in time with disused machinery still present.

Keep an eye out for wild ponies too, of which there are about 1,500.

For a historic spot – head to Exeter – a university city with a sandstone cathedral and bustling high street.

The city even has links to Harry Potter as J.K. Rowling once studied there, and it is thought that she based Diagon Alley on Gandy Street in the city centre.

For another unique spot, pop to Totnes – a town that has often been noted for its hippie lifestyle, free of big brands and chains.

Drop by on a Friday or Saturday to catch the antiques and food market, for bargain finds and huge Lebanese wraps setting you back a tenner (but big enough for two!).

In the North of the county, head to Woolacombe for the perfect holiday park break.

You could head to Golden Coast Holiday Park, for example, which costs from £219 for a seven-night break for a family of four – so just £7.83 per person per night.

The beach stretches over three miles, and there is an abundance of holiday parks around the town, many of which have evening entertainment, hot tubs on chalet decks and indoor and outdoor pools.

Kent

Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey

Kent has seen a huge resurgence in recent years, aided by the pandemic, which saw thousands of people leave the Big Smoke for sunnier and sandier climes.

As one of the many who did so, I’ve since lived in both Folkestone and Margate, which are both on the rise as trendy destinations.

(I have a soft spot for both Whitstable and Deal as well, although both are much more established seaside towns).

When it comes to Margate, there are two new boutique hotels, Fort Road Hotel and No.42 Guesthouse, which have opened in recent years, the latter of which has a fantastic rooftop bar in the summer.

I love heading to the George & Heart pub just outside of the Old Town, or Rose In June for a cosy pub pint.

If you want a bit of weird and wonderful, make sure to hit up the Shell Grotto – whose origin remains a mystery – or the Crab Museum, free to visit and the largest crab museum in Europe.

Both the Turner Museum and Dreamland are free too, so you can easily visit on a budget.

The tidal lido is worth the trek, and you’ll be joined more by locals than tourists, but hop in before warming up with a coffee and sauna session.

But to me, Folkestone is winning on all sides.

It’s 52 minutes by train from London; you’ll never have to fight for space on the massive beach; it has the UK’s biggest beach sauna; it has so much art, including a Banksy – the hooks are endless.

Live music takes place at the Harbour Arms most weekends, and I highly recommend the Sunset Sessions at The Tasting Rooms for three courses and live jazz for £35.

Chase it with some oysters and a glass of champagne in The Lighthouse Champagne Bar – and you can even see France on a clear day.

Perhaps controversial, but even the touristy Good Yard food market is well worth a visit. No tourist traps here!

For an affordable place to stay, The View Hotel Folkstone has rooms from £67 per night.

Cornwall

Travel Writer, Katy Bright

Growing up in Cornwall, I’ve always had plenty of pretty places to explore. If I had to plan the perfect day in my home county, here are some places I would not miss.

Start the day off right with one of the best breakfasts around. Bude cafe The Coffee Pot offers £5 breakfasts with bacon, eggs, sausages and a hash brown, which cannot be faulted.

I may be biased, but I think Boscastle truly is one of the most beautiful places in the UK.

It’s a peaceful seaside sanctuary with a fascinating witchy history and beautiful walks, such as the one to Willapark Lookout.

Plus, it offers some of the best pub grub around – you’ve got to try the Cobweb Inn’s steak and ale pie (£13.95). Wash it down with a traditional Cornish ale.

Many tourists, of course, flock here, so it is important to learn to avoid the tourist traps.

Newquay, one of the most popular holiday destinations in Cornwall, is just way too busy during school breaks.

If you’d like to visit, I would definitely recommend going outside of the school summer holidays, when it is quieter, and the queues are much less manic.

If you are a coffee or matcha fanatic, Blend makes some of the best drinks I’ve ever tasted. Their banana bread iced matcha is a personal favourite of mine.

Something we all look for in a holiday to Cornwall is the best spots with a pint and a view – and my top pick for this is Trebarwith Strand’s, Port William.

A pub perched over the sea, it even offers cosy rooms for guests to stay in.

If you visit between mid-April and early May, you’ll be in my home county for one of my favourite events of the year.

Although it sits right on the border of Cornwall and Devon (so some may be a bit offended by me putting it in this list!) Strawberry Field Lifton’s ‘Tulip Fest’ makes for a very wholesome day out.

Picture a field full of half a million multicoloured tulip bulbs. There is something about walking around a field of endless tulips that just feels so whimsical.

An underrated place to stay is Whitsand Bay Fort holiday park. It’s very highly rated in online reviews, and it’s no surprise to me as a local – this is one of the best places to stay around.

Open all year, it offers both rooms and tent pitches with amazing views of Whitsand Bay. Pitches start at £15 a night, making it a super affordable and proper Cornish alternative to other popular places to stay.