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HAMPTON Court Palace has everything families need for a fun day out and it’s all within the grounds of an enormous former royal home.

From seeing inside the historic building itself to the pretty gardens, a kids’ playground and there’s even a comic-book themed takeover this summer.

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When you’re at a loss with how to keep the kids entertained over the weekend, or the next warm day during the week – head to Hampton Court Palace in London.

Kids in particular will love its enormous playground called the Magic Garden.

It’s aimed at children under 12 and has so much to keep them entertained from climbing up the huge towers to even facing a ‘dragon’.

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There’s a secret grotto with hidden pathways, plenty of slides and a sandpit, while a nearby cafe is the best spot to stop for hot drinks and snacks.

Another popular spot is the maze – which is the oldest surviving hedge maze in the country.

It covers a third of an acre on the grounds of Hampton Court Palace with plenty of twists and turns throughout.

And this summer, a new Beano-themed trail is set to launch.

From July 25 to August 23, kids will be able to see some of their favourite characters like Dennis the Menace and Gnasher.

More information about the trail says “Dennis, Minnie, Harsha, Rubi and Gnasher were late for their Bash Street School trip to Henry VIII’s palace.

“To save the day, Dennis has turned his go-kart into a time machine with Rubi’s flux capacitor – but “whoops”! it has malfunctioned and crash-landed in Hampton Court Palace.

“Now the timeline’s in a right royal muddle and Henry VIII is not amused. It’s utter chaos! It’s up to YOU to help the Beano friends fix their busted time machine.

“Grab your special Hampton Court Palace Beano comic strip story on arrival, packed with clues to track down the missing pieces scattered around the palace.”

There will even be some historic residents like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I dressed in the classic Beano red and black stripes.

During May half-term kids can enjoy The Big Bahooey which has cabaret performances, world-class street theatre and circus workshops.

To step back in time, head back in July to watch knights take on a jousting tournament – families can pick a favourite and cheer them on until the winner is crowned.

The jousting is on during on the weekends of July 11-12 and July 18-19.

If you want to steer clear of chaotic cartoons, head to the Hampton Court Gardens for a more relaxing stroll.

The formal gardens are pruned to perfection with neat hedges, immaculate lawns, ponds and pretty flower beds – especially in the Rose Garden.

During particular days of the year, the gardens are open free of charge with no pre-booking required.

This year these are May 9-10, September 12-13, October 10-11, November 21-22, December 26 (Wilderness garden only).

Then of course there’s the palace itself, which was famously the home of Henry VIII and his six wives.

For those who want to learn even more about Hampton Court Palace, a free audio guide is included in the price of admission.

The tour explores the highlights when it was lived in by Henry VIII and even how the palace has appeared on the back-drop of TV and film since the 1920s.

More recently it was used in Bridgerton as the home of Queen Charlotte, and the gardens are frequently used when characters are strolling around London.

It’s also appeared in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, My Lady Jane, The Favourite starring Olivia Coleman, and Lily James‘ Cinderella.

For more on family days out, this adventure attraction is inside the UK’s biggest park huge playground and ‘roller slide’.

And this huge new wooden play attraction is set to open at historic English house with den building, zip lines and racing slides.

WITH temperatures set to hit the mid-20s in parts of the UK this week – and it still being the Easter holidays – there couldn’t be a better time for a last-minute staycation.

Londoners can expect highs of 25C today, while those in Cardiff and Manchester will enjoy 21C.

So with the weather being this good, the seaside is an ideal spot to soak up the sun.

Here are our favourite seaside spots in the UK you could head to this week for a last-minute break.

Teignmouth, Devon

Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Devon isn’t short of pretty seaside towns that are ideal for family days out and trips.

But when it comes to Teignmouth on the South West Coast Path, it has a charm that not many other places I have visited in Devon have.

The seafront has a wide promenade, ideal for a walk or for kids to whiz along on a scooter.

The long beach features Devon’s famous red sand due to its iron minerals.

Often the sea is too rough to swim in here, but it doesn’t matter as Teignmouth Lido – which recently announced it was going to close – has been saved and will reopen for the season.

While a date is yet to be announced, the lido usually opens in May.

About halfway along the beach, you will find the 161-year-old Teignmouth Grand Pier.

Despite suffering storm damage in late January, it remains open – just the deck at the end is closed.

This means kids can still have fun in the arcades with the penny slot machines.

In the town, there are a few shops you can explore and plenty of cafes and bakeries to grab a bite to eat, too.

Make sure to head to Jane’s Ice Creams for a treat as well – their Turkish Delight ice cream is heavenly.

If you want to extend your visit to explore the surrounding areas, hop on the ferry to Shaldon, which is the oldest passenger ferry in England.

You could stay at Coast View Holiday Park for three nights from April 10 to April 13, costing from £37.17 per person per night, based on a family of four sharing.

Southwold, Suffolk

Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

The seaside town of Southwold has it all.

Of course, it has a huge stretch of beach, but it also has the classic arcades and activities, without being too lively.

The 190-metre-long pier stretches over the sea and is filled with the classic 2p machines, an ‘Under the Pier Show’, restaurants and little ice cream parlours.

On the other side of the pier is a boating lake where visitors can rent out a pedalo or rowing boats.

It also has an adventure golf course and a cosy tearoom which has lovely views across the lake.

One of the best ways to spend an afternoon is stocking up on food and taking it for a beach picnic, which you can do at the lovely food stops in the high street, like The Black Olive Delicatessen or The Two Magpies Bakery.

Of course, a staple of the town is the Adnams Brewery, where you can buy some of its locally brewed beer – they even offer tours.

Then there’s the beach, which is lined with multi-coloured beach huts.

For fish and chips, you’re spoiled for choice with places like The Little Fish & Chip Shop and Mrs T’s Fish and Chips.

My favourite place, the Sole Bay Fish Company, is a five-minute drive away from the beach.

Pull up on the side of the road, grab your fish supper and then head out to watch the boats bobbing in and out of the harbour during sunset; it’s the perfect way to end the day.

A lot of availability for hotels in Southwold is booked up this week, but just down the road, you will find Boundary Farm, Suffolk.

You can stay from April 8 to 10 for £290 total, for a family of four in a safari tent – around £36.25 per person per night.

Boscastle, Cornwall

Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Cornwall has more than its fair share of picture-perfect seaside towns
and villages, and Boscastle is up there with the very best.

The fishing village on the north coast of the county has a more rugged
charm than those in the south, owing to the fact that it faces out into
the Atlantic Ocean.

One hundred years ago, Boscastle was a busy fishing port, but today its
dramatic, cliff-edged harbour is mainly used for small fishing boats and tourism.

Oh… and swimming.

When the tide is high, there’s nowhere better to go for a morning dip.

Then on the way back, it’s almost mandatory to pick up a coffee and a pastry from the Harbour Light cafe.

The cafe has a lovely spot next to the stream that leads out to sea,
and is the perfect place to watch the world go by.

It’s also opposite the famous Museum of Witchcraft and Magic – home to
one of the world’s largest collections of items relating to witchcraft
and magic, which is well worth a visit.

In that same riverside stretch is the renowned Rocket Store, a tiny
seafood restaurant serving excellent dishes like grilled scallops in
green chilli butter, torched seabass and grilled leeks in brown
butter.

The combination of extremely welcoming staff and the size of the
venue, makes it feel like you’re almost eating in someone’s home.

If you’re looking for something simpler, I recommend a pint in the
garden of the Wellington Hotel, which has a really cool suntrap of a
back garden.

It is a quintessential, charming Cornish fishing village, ideal for scenic walks, exploring local history, and experiencing a unique atmosphere on the north coast of Cornwall.

The YHA Boscastle is in a stunning location on the edge of the harbour, and it still has private rooms this week from just £80 a night that sleep up to six people – working out at a very reasonable £13 per person.

Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Raised in this postcard North Norfolk seaside town, I’ve had years to explore every nook and cranny.

So here’s all of the must-visit spots, with insider tips from a local.

The main buzz of the town is found on the quay, where you can easily spend an afternoon dipping into traditional sweet and souvenir shops and spending spare change in the amusements.

I recommend heading down to the East Quay with a bucket, crabbing line and diced bacon for a quiet spot to go gillying (Norfolk slang for crabbing) – a must-do when in Wells.

On the quay, Will’s of Wells is a trendy spot where you can enjoy an expertly-made flat white in a surf shack-style interior, while the Golden Fleece serves posh pub classics and local ales.

There are also two award-winning fish and chip shops here, just a few doors down from one another, French’s and Plattens, which have long divided locals with their rivalry.

Both offer seating with quay views where you can watch fishermen haul in their catches, but for me, Plattens takes the win with its crispy battered fish and soft golden chips.

Wells-next-the-Sea beach is worth the mile-long walk from the quay.

The raised coastal path offers views over the harbour, marshland and pinewoods, making your stroll down to the shore a scenic activity in itself.

Once you reach the end, you’re met with miles of sweeping golden sands, backed by rolling dunes and thick pine forests.

Colourful beach huts separate the forest from the sand, and if you fancy treating yourself on your beach trip, you can even rent one from £65 per day.

The rental comes with deckchairs, a windbreak, and, of course, shelter from the scorching sun or the odd blustery breeze.

They’re also handy for storing your belongings and have a comfy spot to sit in and watch the children play on the beach.

For a place to stay, I recommend the Pinewoods Holiday Park.

It’s perfectly placed just minutes from the beach, plus it’s close to the trendy beach cafe and watersports centre that offers kayaking and paddle-boarding.

A three-night stay from April 7 to 10 costs £174 for three people – that’s £14.50 per person per night.

Deal, Kent

Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

The Kent coastline is hardly short of fantastic seaside towns, but one of the best spots for me is Deal.

It’s quickly becoming a foodie destination to rival London, with some insanely good places to eat after spending your day on the pebbly beach.

There is The Blue Pelican, with unique small plates as well as ramen on select days.

Make sure to head downstairs to the underground bar for a mean cocktail too.

Otherwise, there is Jenkins & Son Fishmongers that opens as a street food bar, where the juicy scallop and bacon roll is a must.

The pubs are just as fabulous – The King Head has live music and a front beer garden overlooking the beach, while The Port Arms does a rather unusual but very delicious Jamaican-style roast.

Outside of eating your way around town, hit up the shops with places like The Hoxton Store and 123 High Street, making sure you don’t leave without picking up a present or two.

Grab a drink at the recently renovated Le Pinardier wine bar or the established Deal Pier Kitchen, right at the end of the brutalist pier.

And when you need to spend the night, you can head to Parkdean Resorts St Margaret’s Bay Holiday Park.

For a three-night stay from April 10 to 13, you could pay from just £17.42 per person per night (£209 total).

Whitby, Yorkshire

Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

If you love your classic UK beach break to come with a dose of the dramatic, then it has to be the seaside town of Whitby.

The north Yorkshire coastal gem is dominated by the clifftop gothic ruins of 13th-century Whitby Abbey, thought to have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

It’s perfect for a spooky family game of hide and seek.

With clean, sandy beaches aplenty, the town’s West Cliff Beach is among the most popular, complete with colourful beach huts, safe waters and rock pools for crabbing.

Nearby Pier Street is your go-to for 2penny arcades, fish and chips and more.

For a hidden gem a little further afield, check out the Falling Foss Tea Garden, a magical destination in beautiful North York Moors woodland, complete with a tumbling 30ft waterfall.

The tea garden is in the heart of the forest, and you can enjoy a strong brew and homemade cakes while enjoying the magical surroundings.

You could camp at Whitby Holiday Park between April 9 and 11 for £122 for four people, which is just £15.25 per person per night.

For more seaside destinations to explore, here’s an English coastal town overlooked by its busy neighbours that’s like ‘going back to the 1950s’.

Plus, seven great UK seaside towns with beachfront theme parks – and you can stay with Hols from £9.50.

ON hearing that I was going to Malta, my grandfather insisted I check out a street in Valletta affectionately known as “The Gut”.

A quick Google search revealed that this “historically notorious” alleyway used to be the city’s premier red-light and entertainment district for British and American servicemen.

Given that Grandad was in Malta during his Navy days in the 1950s, I dread to imagine what he had in mind when suggesting I go there above anywhere else in the country.

Nevertheless, I’m glad I followed his advice because, in the 70-odd years since, it has cleaned up its act.

Located at the opening of The Gut at the time of my visit, (but now in St George’s Square) was Fifty Nine Republic, a restaurant that has featured in the Michelin Guide five years in a row.

Its head chef, Maria Sammut, is one of Malta’s greatest culinary assets — named “Best Maltese Chef” in recent years — and serves some of the finest fare in Valletta.

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Her prawn tacos perfectly showcase the best of Maltese seafood — giant, juicy prawns fried in a satisfyingly crispy batter, with bright and delicate pickles elevating each mouthful — which you can enjoy in the sun of St George’s Square, opposite the opulence of the Grandmaster’s Palace.

Something I doubt my grandad did too often on his nights in the city.

It was a well-earned meal, too, after a morning spent getting to know Malta’s more adventurous side.

While the stereotypical image of a tourist in Malta may be that of an older person seeking some relaxing winter sun, there is plenty in the way of activities for holidaymakers with a penchant for getting the adrenaline pumping.

I am typically not that type of person, which I realised as I found myself dangling from a cliff face with little more than a bungee cord and a metal hook for safety, doing something called via ferrata.

It involves scrambling along precarious ledges, using fixed steel cables to ensure anyone who falls is just about kept alive.

So, instead of doing the crossword with a cuppa — my normal morning routine — I had to rely on my minimal upper body strength and uncharacteristically delicate footwork to take me from the bottom of a sheer cliff face right to the top.

As a man who struggles with vertigo, this didn’t come easily, but the impressive landscapes — rugged cliff tops and lush greenery stretching out until they met the shimmering blue sea on the horizon — made it more than worthwhile.

What’s more, I was surprised at how quickly I started to enjoy myself.

The combination of warm weather, pushing 20C in February, spectacular scenery and trying something exciting put a spring in my step — ironically, the last thing I needed as I clambered up to the summit.

Delighted to have survived, I tested my resilience further — horse riding through the countryside of Bidnija village.

Yet this turned out to be an altogether more peaceful affair, as my steed — the majestic Romeo — begrudgingly bore me on his back and clip-clopped through some tranquil and verdant scenes.

Aloe plants rose out of the ground, looking like large desert cacti, making me feel like I was in my own John Wayne movie.

I even tipped the brim of my hat to passers-by as I rode towards the sunset, thoroughly enjoying an activity I would never before have thought to try.

The same thing happened on repeat throughout my visit.

Whether it was e-bike riding along the Dingli Cliffs — the highest point on the island, with vistas stretching for miles over sapphire seas — or abseiling on Gozo, the second-largest island in the Maltese archipelago, my perceptions about what I enjoy doing were constantly being challenged.

That’s not to say I didn’t make the most of a chance to relax in the warmth, while thick grey clouds at home were refusing to let any sunlight through.

Staying at the Marriott Resort & Spa meant I could unwind after my exertions and, come early evening, I could be found on a sunbed by the outdoor pool on the 13th floor, overlooking St Julian’s Bay.

The hotel also has an indoor pool, a gym better equipped than most actual gyms, and a spa offering a range of treatments and massages, including couples’ options.

After a wind-down by the pool, evenings were spent exploring the extensive selection of bars and restaurants.

Although I couldn’t try all the highly recommended eateries, I was particularly impressed by Trattoria AD 1530.

This charming Michelin Guide restaurant is located in the fortified medieval town of Mdina, which Game Of Thrones fans will recognise as King’s Landing from series one.

It perfectly showcases the Italian influence on Maltese cuisine, with its seafood pastas particularly worth a taste.

Then there was Sole by Tarragon, which offers beautiful harbour views, locally-caught seafood and Mediterranean classics.

My advice — order the sea bass, one of their nautical-themed cocktails and the caramel and banana dessert.

I’ll just have to go back and try all the ones I missed another time. I’ll see if my grandad has any more hot tips.

THERE’s a Spanish city that is set to be nearly 30C this week – and luckily for Brits it’s less than three hours from the UK.

Seville’s got everything Spain has to offer from affordable wine to beautiful plazas and free flamenco performances.

This week, temperatures in Seville are set to soar with highs of 27C, according to the BBC.

Thanks to its location in southern Spain, Seville often sits 17C and higher – even in the winter months.

It’s very easy to get to as well with direct flights from all over the UK although the cheapest is with Ryanair, who has £14.99 flights from London Stansted next month.

When it comes to what to do there, you’ll be spoiled for choice at the riverside city with lots of beautiful sites and great food for affordable prices.

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On average, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant start from £10.50.

As for wine, it tends to sit between £2.50 and £3 – depending on where you go within the city.

Plaza de España is one of the biggest and most well-known landmarks in Seville.

It’s a huge semi-circular plaza stretching over 50,000 square metres with four bridges sitting over a canal decorated with brightly coloured mosaic.

It’s a favourite spot within the city for pretty pictures, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a free flamenco dance.

If you want to get out onto the water, you can rent pedalos for a few euros.

The square even doubled as the planet of Naboo in the second Star Wars film.

In the middle of the city is the enormous Seville Cathedral – which is the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world.

You can choose to go inside if you wish, but as someone who has been you can see plenty of its grandeur from outside.

But if you want to head inside a standard ticket costs €13 (£11.25).

Other hot spots include the Real Alcázar palace and La Giralda tower.

Travel Reporter Alice Penwill visited the city two years ago. She said: “I loved strolling about Seville, particularly the Alfalfa neighbourhood.

“It’s got plenty of pretty little cafes and restaurants to explore – one of my favourites was Casa Toni which cooks up tasty paella.

“Salvador Square is beautiful in the morning time, take a stroll there and make sure to pick up some brunch from Sagasta.

“It has outdoor seating too so you can bask in the spring sunshine.”

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey has also visited the city and has some top tips on how to see its main attractions for free.

She said: “The Royal Alcázar of Seville, a palace dating back 1,000 years, offers limited free tickets on Mondays between 6pm and 7pm.

“Or for Seville Cathedral, there are 100 free tickets a day between 2pm and 3pm.”

Kara’s favourite bar is El Rinconcillo which is the city’s oldest tapas bar which dates back to 1670.

And you can get a huge glass of wine for £3.

For more on Spain, here are last minute deals at four-star hotels in 30C temps from £249pp.

And this European city with 3,000 hours of sunshine a year named best destination to visit in 2026.

THE CANARY Islands are facing huge storms and rain this week, which has even meant snow in places like Tenerife and La Palma.

Here’s what you need to know if you have a holiday booked there.

What is happening in the Canary Islands?

Storm Therese has left the Canary Islands in turmoil as weather warnings have remained in place for several days.

More snow is expected in Tenerife after the mountains in the Teide National Park were blanketed in white on Thursday.

As a result, more than 40 flights have been cancelled this week across the Canaries.

Orange and yellow alerts are in place across the islands, warning of heavy rain, storms, flooding and high waves.

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Can I cancel my holiday?

If you want to cancel your upcoming holiday to the Canary Islands, you will be left out of pocket.

This is because the UK government still deems it safe to travel to Spain, so airlines and tour operators are under no obligation to refund you.

It is only when travel is warned against that it is likely your holiday will be cancelled and refunded.

Bad weather does not affect this.

And the weather warnings are expected to be lifted by the end of the week – so won’t affect the Easter holidays.

What if my flights are affected?

Compensation doesn’t apply here either – weather is seen as “out of the airline’s control”.

This means they do not have to offer any compensation if your flight is delayed by the weather.

They do, however, have a duty of care towards you, which includes hotels if the flight is delayed overnight, as well as food and drink vouchers.

The airline must put you on an alternative flight if yours is cancelled as well.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) states: “If your flight is cancelled, many airlines will provide vouchers for you to buy food and drink.

“If you require accommodation, they may book a hotel and arrange transportation for you.

“If you end up paying for things yourself, keep every receipt and do not spend more than is reasonable.”

If you accept a refund, their duty of care ends towards you and you will have to pay for your own hotels and return flight home.

THE seaside city of Agadir has been revealed to be the most affordable break for summer 2026.

A week basking in the Moroccan sunshine can cost as little as £24 per person per night between June and August – not to mention it has great weather and direct flights.

loveholidays has found the cheapest getaways for summer holidays between June 1 and August 31, 2026.

Agadir has come in first place with seven-night breaks costing on average £230 per person, or £33 per person per night.

The Moroccan city along the southwestern coast is surrounded by the Anti-Atlas mountains, but also has a six-mile long urban beach with golden sands.

It’s an ideal destination for Brits as the flight time is less than four hours.

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The city is known for having hot weather too, and according to BBC weather, Agadir will reach highs of 27C next week.

Looking on the loveholidays website, Sun Travel found some even cheaper deals for seven-night breaks in June, for as little as £24 per person per night.

The three-star Appart Hotel Igoudar, which offers child-free stays, has seven-night breaks from £169 per person.

The hotel has Kasbah-style apartments which is just steps away from the beach.

There’s an outdoor swimming pool area too, and one dedicated to children.

Departing on June 3, 2026 breaks start from £169 per person – or £24 per person per night.

Or going away on August 24, 2026, across seven-nights start from £219 per person.

Another great pick is the Club Al Moggar Garden Beach which has its own private beach and a large swimming pool.

Going away from June 3, 2026 for seven nights including breakfast and flights starts from £239 per person – or £34 per person per night.

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recently visited the city – and here’s what she found.

She said: “The Moroccan city is home to the country’s largest market, Souk El Had, as well as a bustling harbour and modern marina.

“Rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 1960, the sprawling city nestles against the Atlantic Ocean and its palm-lined wide roads feel more Miami than Morocco.

“At Taghazout Beach, hordes of eager surfers took to the sea before I’d even finished my morning coffee.

“As a novice surfer, I opted to watch those riding the waves, while my companion made friends with the stray dogs and hawkers selling Moroccan breads.”

Another spot Kara visited was the Wall of Remembrance, which commemorates the lives that were lost in the earthquake in 1960.

Souk El Had is where you’ll find 3,000 shops selling lots of items from clothing to candles, souvenirs and gifts.

Closely behind Agadir in terms of affordability is Costa Dorada in Spain where average seven-night stays cost £381 per person on average.

loveholidays’ most affordable destinations this summer…

loveholidays has revealed the top 10 most affordable destinations for a seven-night summer getaway – and the average price…

1. Agadir, Morocco – £230
2. Costa Dorada, Spain – £381
3. Murcia, Spain – £399
4. Lanzarote, Canary Islands – £403
5. Gozo, Malta – £403
6. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands – £411
7. Riga Region, Latvia – £434
8. Corfu, Greek Islands – £438
9. Andalucia, Spain – £439
10. Halkidiki, Greece – £440

Here’s another city in Morocco that’s just one hour by boat from Spain and has cheap five-star hotels.

And here are cheap long-haul destinations to visit in 2026 with £119 flights and £8 hotels.