Weekend Content

YOU don’t need to spend a fortune to treat the family to a magical winter getaway this year, with breaks from as little as £2.44pp a night.

So instead of stressing over hosting at home during the festive season, you could be kicking back in a cosy lodge.

We’ve found breaks where there’s loads to do for the whole family, including free pantomimes, Christmas lights trails and magical visits to Santa’s Grotto.

Whether you’ re after a pre-decorated cabin with a private hot tub, or a full Christmas dinner cooked for you, here’s our pick of budget-friendly Christmas breaks to get booked in now.

Away Resorts Winterfest

November 20 – December 20, 2026

Away Resorts go all-out on Christmas, with action-packed Winterfest celebrations across Tattershall Lakes, Sandy Balls, Retallack Resort, St Ives Bay and Mill Rythe resorts.

Festive activities on offer include writing letters to Father Christmas, stuffing a Christmas teddy and creating your very own snow globes (these activities are at an additional cost).

There’s also spectacular free Christmas entertainment shows.

This includes festive candlelight concerts, the ‘bonkers’ Elves Misbehaving show, and the Forest of Light illuminations walk in the New Forest location.

Breaks start from £112 for three nights, based on a three night break for eight people in a luxury sea view caravan at St Ives Bay.

That works out to £7.46pp per night.

Parkdean Resorts Winter Wonderland

November 27 – December 30, 2026

Parkdean Resorts’ Winter Wonderland celebrations are made with families of all ages in mind, with extra toddler-specific activities added new for this year.

Spend your days as a family making baubles or training for Christmas at the Elf Academy (at an extra cost) or settle down to watch this year’s family pantomime, Aladdin.

Little ones will love the free Festive Tots activities like The Big Christmas Party 4 Tots or the Festive Tots & Tunes sing-a-long sessions.

Plus you can meet Father Christmas himself, as well as Mrs Claus and the elves – or even book in to have breakfast with them at an additional cost.

Breaks start from £129 for four nights in a bronze caravan sleeping six, working out to £5.38pp per night. Go all inclusive from an extra £100 per adult or £40 per child add-on per break.

Or stay over the big day itself to tuck into a Christmas dinner as a family – minus the washing up. A three-course meal on Christmas starts from £49.99 per adult and £29.99 per child.

Butlin’s Festive Wonderland Breaks

November 23 – December 30, 2026

Butlin’s are putting on the ultimate sleigh-cation during December, with extra, festive-themed shows and activities added to an already action-packed programme.

Themed experiences include a festive movie night, a silent disco and the interactive Christmas Chaos games showdown, all part of your break.

Stay over on Christmas itself and you’ll get extra perks, like a special fireworks display and a four-course Christmas dinner (£58 per adult, £38 per child).

Meeting Father Christmas is a free activity that is part of every Christmas break.

The 30-minute Express Delivery experience includes an opportunity for kids to write a letter, before posting it and wandering through a fully decked-out Christmas zone to meet the main man himself.

Festive Breaks start from £39 for four nights across their locations, based on a family of four. This works out to £2.44pp per night.

Festive breaks at Haven

November 28 – December 30, 2026

Escape to a cosy seaside caravan with its own pre-built, pre-lit Christmas tree on a Haven festive break.

This year, parks are putting on Jack and the Beanstalk for their festive panto, and the Seaside Squad are teaming up with Santa’s elves for free Christmassy live entertainment shows.

There’s plenty to do during the day, too, including themed pottery workshops, stocking workshops and the opportunity to meet Santa in his Grotto. These pre-bookable activities come at an additional cost.

Food menus get a makeover for the festive season too, with takeaway stands offering festive smash burgers, on-site pubs cooking up hearty roasts, plus the option for a three-course meal with a welcome drink on Christmas day (adults £59.99, kids £14.99).

Participating parks include Craig Tara in Scotland, Primrose Valley in Yorkshire and Cala Gran in Blackpool. Click here for a full list.

Festive breaks start from £49 for four nights in November or December, working out to £3.06pp per night. Or you can stay from £335 for four nights over Christmas week.

Hoseasons Christmas Lodge Getaways

November – December 2026

Whether you fancy a holiday lodge, a cosy cottage or a full-on family holiday park break, Hoseasons have collected them all neatly on their Christmas getaways page.

You can sort the holidays by pre-decorated stays, places with an open fire or woodburner, lodges with hot tubs as well as dog-friendly options.

Some of our favourite options include this cosy lodge with a hot tub in Cargill, as well as this pre-decorated farmhouse in Lincolnshire.

Seven night breaks over Christmas start from £249. Split a six-berth caravan between a group, and that works out to £5.93pp per night.

Park Holidays Cosy Winter Breaks

November 2, 2026 – March 4, 2027

If you want an affordable winter break in a quiet corner of the UK, look no further than a Park Holidays cosy winter break.

During this period, most of these holiday parks are open for accommodation only – meaning that you can bag yourself a seriously cheap stay. Just pack your Christmas snacks and games to bring along with you for a seriously cosy escape.

And if you want to make use of a heated pool, spa facilities and on-site bars and restaurants that do stay open, look at breaks for Brynteg in Wales or Rye Harbour in Sussex.

A three night winter break at Brynteg in Wales in a gold caravan sleeping six starts from £179, working out to £9.94pp per night.

Shorefield Christmas Cracker Weekends

4-7 & 11-14 December, 2026

Retreat to a glamorous woodland lodge this winter, where days are filled with festive live music, shows and plenty of family activities.

Shorefield’s Christmas Cracker weekends see all the Christmas classics such as festive quizzes, pantomimes, carolling and more.

If you’re bringing the kids along, there’s craft workshops plus a Father Christmas meet and greet, plus the park’s restaurants sees a festive menu takeover.

Click here to see all the activities you can book, with free options as well as workshops at an additional cost.

Christmas Cracker Weekendsstart from £224. For three nights in a flexifleet caravan sleeping four, that works out to £18.67pp per night.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

SOMETIMES you just want a break from the hum-drum of daily life, without having to spend too much money.

After all, what’s better than a beautiful hotel room where you can wake up at your leisure, or a cosy cottage with all your family?

So as the team of travel experts at the Sun, we’ve looked at all of our favourite places across the UK where we’ve stayed which DON’T break the bank.

And you certainly don’t have to splash the cash on expensive five star stays to enjoy a luxurious and restful break.

Not only have we searched the entire UK, from Edinburgh and the Lake District to Oxford and Kent, but all of these stays are less than £100, so £50 each an night.

Some are even a bargain £3 each, per night. You’re welcome.

Searles Hunstanton, Norfolk

A cheap and cheerful holiday park break can really jazz up an otherwise boring and drizzly November.

Growing up in north Norfolk, I spent my fair share of days at Searles Leisure Resort. I even worked on the mini golf course, so I have plenty of recommendations!

Visiting in the autumn is super affordable. Use of the pool, sauna, jacuzzi and £1m kids splash zone is completely free (as long as you book direct) – so no need to buy an expensive add-on swim pass.

If visiting over a weekend, make sure to tuck into their impressive Sunday carvery. While the main restaurant can get busy, I recommend eating in the Sports Bar which overlooks the golf course.

While on-site entertainment is limited in autumn, there’s plenty of indoor, kid-friendly attractions nearby such as Farmer Fred’s soft play in Heacham and shows at Hunstanton Princess Theatre.

The site practically backs onto Hunstanton promenade, so you can be on the seafront in only a few steps. On dry days, make sure to walk all the way along to Old Hunstanton’s stripey chalk cliffs for a stunning view.

Grab a pack of hot, sugary cinnamon doughnuts from Kay’s, then head to Hunstanton Pier amusements to spend your spare 2ps. You won’t miss the massive building right on the green with a bowling alley overlooking the sea.

With a November Super Savers break, you can bag a four-night stay for £119. If you stay as a group of six, that works out to £4.96pp per night. – Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Maldron Hotel, Newcastle

If you’re looking for a fantastically central hotel to enjoy a night out in the party city of Newcastle while still getting a good night’s sleep, you can’t go wrong with the Maldron Hotel on Newgate Street.

This modern, fresh hotel delivers 4* quality at great prices.

There’s free wifi, smart TVs, air conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities and a choice of deluxe rooms, executive suites and family rooms.

There’s hearty breakfasts and all-day dining at the Grain and Grill bar and restaurant as well as options that can be delivered to your room.

But its main attraction is its central location. Opposite the Eldon Square shopping centre and close to The Gate leisure complex, it’s just a three-minute walk from Newcastle’s Central Station and close to local metro stations.

Footie fans will love the fact they can walk to St James’ Park and the Quayside is with its famous bridges, modern art galleries, lively bars and famous Sunday market is also just a 10minute stroll away.

Rooms from from just £68 a night for a double room, or £34 each. See maldronhotels.com. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Cefn Nannau, Wales

An off-grid cottage staycation, deep in rural countryside just can’t be beaten – especially at this time of year when the autumn chill is finally starting to hit.

There’s room for the whole family (and more) in the gorgeous 12-person Cefn Nannau, buried among rolling fields in Corwen, North Wales.

It features two cosy living rooms with roaring log burners and board games so you can hunker down on those dark evenings, plus there’s an outdoor hot tub overlooking farming fields where sheep graze freely.

Rooms are cosy and come with glorious green views (and many feature en suite bathrooms, too) while the spacious kitchen, with a rugged Aga, is great for whipping up group feasts.

The property’s charm comes from its history as a former barn and character comes in the form of wonky beams and traditional terracotta floor tiles.

Its location is second to none, too.

Wales‘ largest freshwater lake, Bala Lake, is a short drive away,stretching 3.5miles in length. There’s also Snowdonia National Park right on your doorstep.

Cefn Nannau cottage costs from around £21 per person per night, based on full occupancy and a stay of seven nights. See sykescottages.co.uk. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

London & Paris Hotel, Folkestone

Sea views, check. Cosy rooms, check. Fantastic pub grub, check. With all the boxes ticked, the London & Paris Hotel in Folkestone I think is one of Kent‘s best, affordable places to stay.

The seaside town is short of boutique hotels, with the majority of options being B&Bs or pub stays.

But the London & Paris reopened back in 2023 after years of renovations restoring the historic building.

Now, every room has sea views, and each is designed in elevated beach chic, so kooky patterned interiors and blue striped walls.

It no longer has its own restaurant, but the downstairs Harbour Inn pub is one of the finest in town with fantastic fresh seafood and Sunday Roasts.

Even better, Folkestone is less than an hour from London so makes for a great weekend trip from the capital.

Rooms start from £90 a night, so £45 each – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Butlins, UK locations

Earlier this year, I made my first pilgrimage to Butlin’s at their Skegness resort, and was so overwhelmed that I drew up an hour-by-hour activities spreadsheet to make sure that we made the most of every opportunity.

In just three days, we saw six shows, swam in the pool, played mini golf and laser quest, explored the soft play, spent far too many pound coins in the arcade, enjoyed arts and crafts and went to the fun fair.

We didn’t have time for the bowling, go-karting, pottery, climbing and aerial adventure courses.

What’s particularly incredible is that so many of these activities are included in the price of your stay, even if you go for the cheapest accommodation.

Their base rates start from £49 for four nights for a family of four during school holidays, which is an astonishing £12.25pp per holiday (working out to around £3 each a night).

It doesn’t matter where you book – the cheapest or priciest rooms – the activities included in the price are the same.

The quality of the entertainment is top notch too – and much cheaper when you could easily be spending £40 each for tickets to the West End, while Butlin’s shows are included and the same standard.

If we’re conservative, that’s £120pp for three nights of quality shows already. – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Pinewoods Holiday Park, Norfolk

In my mind, holiday parks are rowdy places filled with screeching children and soft play fun barns, so imagine my surprise when I pulled up to the peaceful Pinewoods Holiday Park in Norfolk.

Saltmash Lodge in Wells-next-the-Sea has ample room for six people – and a dog too. 

Inside, the master bedroom is impressively large with a kingsize bed, spacious en-suite and plush dressing area. The other two had twin beds and a separate bathroom.

My favourite part though, is the open-plan dining, kitchen and living area surrounded by large windows and a skylight.

Outside there’s a wraparound deck with a barbecue. But during the autumn, evenings are best spent settled on the sofas in front of the coal-effect fire.

Pinewoods is in a top location too, an equal walk into the town of Wells which has pretty quayside pubs and boutiques. Walk the other way to get to Wells beach with lots of golden sand and backed with brightly decorated beach huts and, beyond that, a pine forest.

Lodge prices start from £747 for a three-night stay, sleeping six people in three bedrooms which works out to £41.50pp per night.– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Mollies Motel, Oxford

Mollie’s opened its first ever motel in Oxfordshire in 2019 – a quirky concept inspired by roadside stays in the US, except more lavish.

And best of all, it’s super cheap.

In fact, I challenge you to find a more chic and handsomely-decorated bedroom for the same low price as this (less than £40pp a night).

The hotel started as the budget-friendly little sister to swanky members club Soho House and although it is now a separate entity, it still maintains a close relationship with the brand.

That means uber stylish furniture from Soho Home and Scandi-style decor. Think wooden panelling, earthy tones and funky lighting.

If you love American grub, then you’ll love the hotel’s diner which sticks to the American theme with huge burgers, dirty fries and hard shakes loaded with whipped cream.

Rooms cost from £37per person per night, on a room-only basis, with other hotels including Mollies Bristol and Mollies Manchester. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Kickass Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Now hear me out: don’t knock a hostel until you try it. 

Kick Ass Grassmarket sits in the centre of Edinburgh, just a few minutes’ walk from all the major attractions and is a welcoming and secure hostel. 

Now, when you think of a hostel you probably picture dorms full of bunk beds and strangers, but at Kick Ass you can actually get a private room making it a great budget option. 

Plus you’ll get the benefit of social spaces and a fully-equipped kitchen. 

A double or twin room costs from just £70 per night, and has enough space for your luggage. 

Rooms have plenty of sockets, a full-length mirror and reading lights by the bed. And if you are lucky, you might even get a castle view – not bad for £35pp, eh?

Edinburgh is stunning all year and you don’t have to spend much to have a good time in the city, with hiking the famous Arthur‘s Seat is a top free activity. 

The National Museum of Scotland is also well worth exploring; its airy central atrium lets light flood the museum.– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

The Alan, Manchester

One of my favourite cities in the UK is Manchester, as it has all the elements of London – fantastic food scene, beautiful architecture and history – just with friendlier locals.

Oh and much cheaper hotels that are just as beautiful.

I love The Alan, built into the a former Victorian cotton warehouse.

The rooms feel elevated, so pink plaster rooms, marble tables and orange glass mugs, as well as brass bathroom fittings and fancy toiletries.

They have all the modcons, from flat screen TVs to Bluetooth speakers as well while the bar below is where you should be meeting your mates for a glass of wine and some nibbles.

Rooms start from £62 a night, or £31 each. – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

SHE’s the Osbourne sibling that’s had a somewhat fractious relationship with her famous brother and sister over the years – having historically shunned the spotlight while they appeared on screen.

So it came as something of a surprise to fans to see Aimee warmly reunite with Jack and mum Sharon earlier this week – and an even bigger ‘shock’ for younger sister Kelly we’re told, who publicly revealed she’d cut all ties with her last month.

Jack, 40, was seen hugging Aimee, 43, outside his home in LA on the eve of Kelly’s 42nd birthday, with mum Sharon also present.

The public show of affection seemingly confirms the two siblings are on good terms, despite his prior confession they’re “not close at all” after late dad Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral in July last year.

Sources have exclusively told The Sun there’s a reason behind the recent reconciliation, but that it’s proven painful for Kelly who continues to have no contact with Aimee.

“Kelly is currently not on speaking terms with Aimee and she was shocked to see the cosy reunion between the three of them,” they said.

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“It couldn’t have come at a more emotional time for Kelly who marked her birthday this week, with her late dad Ozzy very much on her mind amid the celebrations.”

But it’s not just Kelly who is still coming to terms with the death of her late dad, with Aimee’s own grief prompting the family olive branch.

“Since Ozzy passed away, Aimee has really retreated into herself and shut down. It’s her way of dealing with grief,” another insider tells us.

“Everyone reacts differently and Sharon, as well as Jack and his wife, are doing their best to support her as best they can.

“Aimee can’t watch videos or look at photographs of Ozzy, she finds it too upsetting.

“Sharon completely understands and respects that. All she wants to do is to support her children as best they can and help them through this,” they add. “Spending time with Aimee and Jack has been lovely for her and it means so much to have them together as a family.

“Kelly chose not to be involved and that’s fine. It’s her decision and if that’s what she wants, then no-one is going to be able to change her mind.”

Though Kelly and Aimee are not talking, their fall-out won’t lead to any upset between her, Jack and mum Sharon.

“While Kelly isn’t happy with the situation she understands and respects it’s up to Jack and Sharon,” we’re told.

“Ozzy’s passing has been a reminder of how important family are – and while Kelly has closed the door on Aimee, she won’t be letting her mum and brother’s reconciliation with her estranged sister affect her relationship with them.

“It’s painful as Aimee is yet to reach out to Kelly, but if she was to make the first move and it was genuine, then Kelly would be somewhat happy to hear from her.”

Similarly matriarch Sharon is keen to continue as ‘a rock’ for all her children, standing by each of them “even if they’re not seeing eye-to-eye as siblings”.

Back in September, Kelly declared her lack of relationship with sister Aimee – after years of behind-the-scenes feuding, with Kelly admitting she felt Aimee was “embarrassed” of the family.

In an emotional interview on Paul C Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast, Kelly expressed deep resentment over never having a supportive older sister, and explained why she cut her out of her life permanently.

Paul asked: “Is there hope for a reconciliation?”

“No,” she replied. “No… I respect her, I accept her, but we’re different, and that’s okay…

“If you’re not going to accept me for who I am, and constantly be trying to change me and say horrible things about me, and truly seem to thrive when I’m not doing well, I don’t want you in my life.”

Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne died on July 22, 2025, and was laid to rest next to the lake in his Buckinghamshire home the same month.

The Sun has reached out to representatives for Kelly, Jack and Sharon Osbourne for comment.

BACK in 1988, this actor found fame as a child in one of the most terrifying horror films of the decade.

Fast forward 38 years, the movie star, who is now 45, looks completely unrecognisable – but can you guess who it is?

The star in question is Alex Vincent, who played Andy from Child’s Play, which was the first ever Chucky film.

Now all grown up, he looks a far cry from his horror movie days as a kid, as he promoted a recent fan event on Instagram.

The actor was just six years old when he starred in the terrifying movie about a doll that comes to life and goes on a killing spree.

Alex went on to star in all three of the Child’s Play films which ran until 1991.

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The film star then appeared in the 2013 film, Curse of Chucky, and six years later he starred in the TV show reboot.

These days Alex can often be found doing horror movie conventions, where he gets to meet fans of the famous franchise.

The original Child’s Play movie was released in 1988 and it went on to become a series with six sequels.

The plot centres around Chucky, a serial killer called the Lakeshore Strangler, who performs a voodoo ritual to transfer his soul into a toy doll.

Alex’s character Andy is relentlessly terrorised by Chucky throughout the Child’s Play franchise, with the doll framing him for his murders.

Speaking about being the main star in such a terrifying film at a very young age, the actor told Indiemacuser.com: “The content didn’t matter much to me, in terms of scaring me.

“I was a bright kid… And nothing about being on that set was scary.”

The former child star added: “It was an incredibly fun and exciting experience for me at six-years-old.

“I got to leave school for a couple months and go work with a super cool electrical puppet in Chicago and LA.”

However, despite being known for one of the most famous scary films ever made, Alex made a surprising revelation.

“I’m not the biggest horror fan!” the star admitted.

However, Alex added: “But I know a lot of horror icons personally, so I am familiar with their films.”

PRINCESS Andre may be a household name here in the UK, but the aspiring beauty mogul is set to conquer the US next year.

Insiders tell us she is taking her cosmetics brand By Princess to the States in a bid to give Kylie Jenner a run for her money.

The daughter of Peter Andre and Katie Price has been cropping up on red carpets and celeb-filled events over recent years as she carves out a career for herself in showbiz.

As well as her ITV show The Princess Diaries, the star has is working on her own cosmetics line, By Princess.

And a source close to Princess’s camp says has big aspirations for the brand, as they share: “Princess is a smart cookie and her goal is global domination, make no mistake about it.

“She is going to America next summer, that’s already planned and she will be spending a fair bit of time over there. It’s a big country and takes real commitment and time to crack, but Princess isn’t afraid of hard work and it’s always been her dream to break America.

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“The blueprint for her and her team is to make her Britain’s answer to Kylie Jenner, and she is laser focused on making that a reality. The plan is to go over there in 2027 to do some media appearances and meet beauty retailers, and then launch her range in US stores the following year.”

And she has a secret weapon in her arsenal.

Our source explains: “She has a powerhouse team behind her as the company making her products are the same team behind Made By Mitchell, the massively successful brand launched by make up artist Mitchell Halliday.

“Made By Mitchell recently broke America and is now stocked in Ulta Beauty, the largest speciality beauty retailer in America, so the team behind that will hopefully help Princess follow in the same footsteps in the US as they have so many connections over there.

Our mole adds: “It’s a notoriously tricky market to crack but Princess has taken her time and worked on this brand for two years. Her goal was always great products at affordable prices, and there is a real gap in the market for that, both here and Stateside.”

The Sun understands that America has already come calling for Princess, and she was recently offered a huge US show.

Our insider reveals: “Princess was approached to appear on a massive American TV show recently, but she turned it down. It wasn’t because it wasn’t an amazing opportunity, it’s more that it’s all about the timing and the timing wasn’t quite right at the moment. It might be the right move for her in a year or two though, so watch this space.”

The source adds that the programme was not Love Island USA or the upcoming US version I’m A Celebrity.

“It’s not the kind of show people would expect,” they teased.

In the meantime, Princess – who is appearing on Celebrity Race Across The World with her brother Junior – is extremely busy on this side of the pond before she jets overseas next year.

Sources tell us the products will soon launch in high street store Boots too.

“Getting into Boots is huge,” spills our insider. “It’s the biggest beauty retailer in Britain and they don’t just take any celebrity beauty range, so it’s a huge coup for Princess and her team and will take the brand to the next level.”

And while it has not been officially announced yet, we understand she has also scored another series of The Princess Diaries.

“Cameras were following Princess on the red carpet at the Pride of Britain awards earlier this week, and they were shooting scenes for the next series,” our insider confirms. “It’s been a massive success for ITV and ITVX, so it’s no surprise they want more.”

The fashion world is also snapping at Princess’s heels and she wore her first couture dress to Pride of Britain earlier this week, being dressed by designer Tabja.

“Couture houses are taking note of Princess and want to dress her,” says a source close to the young mogul. “She was voted second best dressed teenager last year by Tatler magazine and that really made fashion circles sit up and take notice.”

The Sun has approached a rep for Princess for comment.

THIS 90s pop icon has shown off her timeless beauty and looks like she hadn’t aged a day since finding fame 30 years ago.

Back in 1996, the singer, now 67, released a HUGE hit single – but do you recognise who it is?

The star in question is Welsh singer Donna Lewis who shot to fame in her mid-30s when she released her song, I Love You Always Forever.

But 30 years after she unleashed the smash hit song onto the world, the singer looks like time has stood still.

Sharing a video on TikTok, Donna could be seen lip-syncing to the hit that made her famous.

The star’s trademark blonde hair flowed around her shoulders and she sang along to I Love You Always Forever in her stunning garden.

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Writing over the video, she penned: “POV: You wrote a song everyone knows 30 years later.”

Donna’s fans went wild for the video, with one writing: “One of the best songs ever written, and would fit any decade.”

I Love You Always Forever was such a smash hit that it not only charted in the UK, the song also did well in Australia, Austria, Canada, France, and the U.S.

In fact it was such a huge hit in America, the track reached Number Two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Following the success of the song, in 1997, Donna enjoyed success at the Brit Awards, and was nominated for British Female Solo Artist.

The singer initially signed with Atlantic Records, but after releasing her second album, decided to go independent.

Over the years Donna has continued to release new music and can often be found touring.

Away from the spotlight, the singer lives in New York with her business manager husband, Martin Harris, and their son, Archie.

NEXT time you’re flying somewhere long-haul, there is a little-known code you might spot on your boarding pass.

The ‘secret’ code means you could be entitled to a complimentary hotel room, certain meals, and airport transfers by the airline.

STPC is an abbreviation for ‘Stopover Paid by Carrier’ – it’s a perk for when a long-haul journey requires a longer layover.

Usually this is given if there is no connecting flight available and travellers then have to take a stopover between eight to 24 hours.

In some cases you can request this at the gate, but in most, you will have to apply for the STPC voucher days in advance through the airline’s website or customer service.

Talking to Travel + Leisure, Andrés Serra, head of operations at Optimise Travel said: “This is a transit service arranged in advance for long layovers. It is different from compensation for delayed or cancelled flights.”

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She continued to add that in some cases if a traveller chooses to take the longer layover when a shorter one is available, some airlines might offer STPC, while others might not.

Eligibility depends on the airline, specific route, fare class, cabin type, and the exact length of the connection.

Included in STPC programs is usually the hotel room, some meals and airport transfers, but additional things like room service and alcohol usually are not.

Turkish Airlines offers complimentary STPC for passengers with long connections in Istanbul.

This is available for passengers travelling in economy with a layover of 12 hours or more.

Those travelling in business class with the airline who have a layover of nine hours or more are eligible for a complimentary hotel stay if a shorter layover flight option is not available.

Emirates‘ STPC is called Dubai Connect, providing a free hotel, transfers, and meals for those with long stopovers.

For those travelling in economy and premium economy there must be a minimum of an 8 hour layover with a maximum of 26 hours.

Business and first class passengers are entitled to Dubai Connect for a layover that’s a minimum of six hours.

Those who want to use Dubai Connect must book at least 12 hours ahead of the incoming flight to Dubai.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways offers STPC for passengers with a long layover at Hamad International Airport in Doha.

The connection in Doha must be between 8 and 24 hours.

For those buying tickets through the likes of Avios or other award schemes, the STPC will not be able to be used.

The hotel will be between four and five stars, with complimentary round-trip airport-to-hotel transfers and a visa will be supplied too.

IF you’re already planning your next camping holiday, then these are the places you should be booking.

Caravan and Motorhome Club  has announced the winners of its 2026 Site Awards, with beachfront destinations to pitches in the Cotswolds.

The Site Awards are awarded to ‘celebrate the dedication, hard work and creativity of campsite teams across its UK network’.

The 2026 awards had three main categories: the longstanding Sites in Bloom competition, the newly introduced Inspirational Photograph Award, and the Sustainability Award.

One of the new awards for this year is the Inspirational Photograph Award Winners which highlights summer campsite staff who capture things like landscapes, wildlife, and facilities across the campsite network.

One of the winners was the New England Bay Club Campsite in Scotland which sits right off the beach and has sweeping views of Luce Bay.

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Here, campers can go swimming, sailing, or try out water sports.

On-site there’s also a playground and games room with the nearby town of Stranraer having golf courses, green bowling, a swimming pool, sports centre, theatre and cinema.

It has 67 touring pitches, three camping pitches and rates start from £15.20.

Another of the winning campsites is Broadway Club Campsite in the Cotswolds.

Surrounded by natural beauty, the campsite is a perfect spot for exploring the cycling and walking trails.

It’s easily within walking distance of Tuesday Street Market – which is the largest open air street market in the Cotswolds, as well as over twenty local pubs, restaurants, and cafes.

Being on Bourton Road, the campsite is ideal for anyone wanting to explore Bourton-on-the-Water and Moreton-in-Marsh.

On-site it has a play area for children with a climbing frame.

It has 184 touring pitches and 10 pods available to hire – rates start from £22.30.

Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite also scooped up the award in the category for the best in the North of England.

The campsite itself sits within acres upon acres of woodland where visitors will find the 232 pitches ranging from touring to camping and pods.

On-site is a mini adventure playground and nearby, families can go cycling, rock climbing, and even enjoy guided pony treks.

Of course, the campsite has direct access to Coniston Water where there’s a chance to go sailing, windsurfing, and canoeing.

On Coniston Pier a few miles away, there are steamboat rides and boat hire.

Rates for pitches at Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite start from £23.50.

Harvey Alexander, CEO of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “Our campsite teams work tirelessly to create welcoming environments and memorable stays for our members and guests.

“The 2026 Site Awards highlight the incredible passion, care and creativity present across our entire campsite network. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and runners-up.”

Here’s the full list of the Caravan and Motorhome Club Site Award Winners…

2026 Sustainability Award

Clumber Park Club Campsite

Sites in Bloom Winners

Multi-Couple Site Winner: Battle Normanhurst Court Club Campsite

Single-Couple Site Winner: Englethwaite Hall Club Campsite

Single-Couple Site Winner: Englethwaite Hall Club Campsite

Inspirational Photograph Award Winners:

Middle England & Anglia: 

1st & 3rd – Castleton Club Campsite

2nd – Lickpenny Matlock Club Campsite

Southern: 

1st- Broadway Club Campsite

2nd – New Forest Centenary Club Campsite

3rd – Crossways Club Campsite

South West: 

1st & 2nd – Dornafield Dartmoor Club Campsite 

3rd – Putts Corner Club Campsite

South East: 

1st – Rookesbury Park Club Campsite

2nd – Bearsted Club Campsite

3rd – Alderstead Heath Club Campsite 

Scotland: 

1st – New England Bay Club Campsite

2nd & 3rd – Altnaharra Club Campsite

Northern: 

1st & 3rd – Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite

2nd – Troutbeck Head Club Campsite

A HISTORIC town will host a festive wonderland with real reindeers for just one day.

The UK’s largest single-day Christmas market is returning with more than 120 stalls this December.

The Beverley Festival of Christmas will return on Sunday, December 13, bringing thousands of visitors to the East Yorkshire town for one of the country’s biggest festive events.

Shoppers will be able to browse more than 120 stalls selling everything from handmade gifts and Christmas decorations to jewellery, homeware and locally produced food.

The market will spread across Beverley’s historic Saturday Market, Wednesday Market and North Bar, with independent traders offering plenty of inspiration for anyone still searching for Christmas presents.

The day will kick off with a spectacular parade at 10am, setting off from Wednesday Market and travelling along Toll Gavel towards Saturday Market.

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Santa Claus will lead the procession alongside his reindeer, with live music, comedy acts, Steampunks, majorettes and Bernese mountain dogs also expected to take part.

After the parade, Father Christmas and his reindeer will remain in Saturday Market until mid-afternoon, giving families the chance to see them up close and take photographs.

Visitors can also expect traditional Victorian fairground rides, face painting, birds of prey displays and ice sculptures throughout the day.

Brass bands, carol singers and dancers will provide a festive soundtrack as shoppers explore the town centre.

The festival will be running from 10am until 4pm and the entry is free.

The event was first established in 1995 by local shop owner John Bird, who brought Beverley’s traders together to create a special day of Christmas shopping.

It has since grown into one of East Yorkshire’s best-known festive traditions, with 2026 marking its 30th year.

FORGET Santa in Lapland or skiing in France – when winter rolls around you’ll find me sunning myself abroad, trying to find some last-minute warmth to break up the UK’s long, grey months.

Having visited 58 countries as the Deputy Travel Editor, I’ve found some fantastic places that tick all the boxes of a winter sun break, without costing a fortune.

By that, I mean warm weather, direct flights (keeping them under seven hours, for any long-haul flight haters) and some very big bargains when it comes to hotels and beers.

So here are my favourite winter sun spots, some of which aren’t that far – and with hotels from £35 a night.

Marrakech

One of my favourite spots for winter sun that doesn’t break the bank is Morocco.

I’ve explored the Hassan II Mosque of Casablanca, and visited the beaches of Agadir.

But I think the best bargain is found in Marrakech.

Not only is it perfect for some pre-Christmas shopping – I found fantastic dupes of expensive branded candles and curtains in the souks – but you can still get temperatures just above 20C in winter.

Food is cheap too, as you’ll pay just a few pounds for a freshly-made tagine meal.

For an affordable hotel stay, skip the big name chains and go for a local riad – small traditional Moroccan hotels – which you can find for as little as £35 on websites such as Booking.com and Airbnb.

These are usually fantastic locations, and usually with some free mint tea or breakfast thrown in.

Flights are cheap too – Ryanair fly there from £14.99.

We found a deal for a seven-night stay at Aqua Mirage Club from November 26, with return flights from Manchester, for £379pp on Loveholidays.com.

Cape Verde

African island, no jet lag and flights under seven hours – enter Cape Verde.

Where else can you get all-inclusive holidays from £586pp, where you’ll be basking in 27C heat?

While lots of people head to the island of Sal, I much prefer Boa Vista.

Most of the TUI hotels are right on the beach, with swim-up bars and waterparks.

But leaving the resort is worth it too.

I found white sand beaches like Santa Monica with barely anyone on them, making me feel like I was on a Maldives private island instead.

My favourite was Praia Carlota, where you can lose the days in the hippy Morabeza beach hut with fried fish and local Strela beer.

Sand-boarding, kite-surfing, boat trips; visit in February and you can go whale-watching during humpback mating season too.

We found a deal for a seven-night stay at Hotel Pontao from November 30, with return flights from London Gatwick, for £430pp at On The Beach.

El Gouna

When it comes to Egypt, one of my favourite destinations for winter sun is El Gouna.

Flights there are around 5hr30 which go to Hurghada, with a short transfer.

The gated community means it is extremely safe as only people staying at the hotels can enter, and its still around 25C in December.

Hop on a boat to explore the man-made lagoons, or go on Sunset Desert Safaris, with hiking and stargazing with El Gouna Mountain Goats.

If you don’t mind going further afield, you can even book day trips to Luxor (just expect a very early start).

When it comes to choosing a place to stay, I highly recommend Cook’s Club.

The four-star resort has it all – fantastic restaurant, lagoon-front pool, live DJs, and rooms are super chic.

And seven night stays are as little as £509 each with your flights and breakfast with loveholidays.

We found a deal for a seven-night stay at Doubletree By Hilton Mangroovy El Gouna Resort from December 9, with return flights from London Gatwick, for £379pp at Loveholidays.

Tenerife

If you’re keen not to go much further than Spain for your winter holiday, your best bet is to head to Tenerife which is often considered the warmest of the island (due to its location off the African coastline).

Temperatures are around 22C – not hot but warmer than the UK highs of 9C.

Holidays are a bargain – loveholidays has December seven-night stays for under £200 – but I highly recommend The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife.

The dusty pink building looks like something from a fairytale, complete with beautiful suites and a hidden beach you can get to by funicular.

Seven night holidays here can be found for £797pp with flights and breakfast thrown in.

If you can drag yourself away from the hotel, there are some fantastic outdoor adventures on the island such as whale watching and hiking.

Otherwise get ready for a night out on the town of Playa de las Américas, where you will find the best bars and restaurants.

Try Spain’s cheap chain 100 Montaditos, called the Wetherspoons of Spain where sandwiches are €1 (80p) and beers are €1.50 (£1.29).

We found a deal for a six-night stay at BLUESEA Interpalace from November 15, with return flights from London Stansted, from £349pp at Lastminute.com.

Dubai

Forget the idea Dubai has to be expensive – I have the best tips on how to do it affordably (while still having fun and soaking up sun).

The United Arab Emirates is currently on the safe to travel list, with Emirates still offering daily flights from the UK.

First, the hotels – I was blown away by the Premier Inns here, which are just as cheap as the UK at around £30, but some come with rooftop swimming pools. Yes, really.

Beach clubs can also be done on a budget.

Some, like DRIFT, can cost a little as £30 midweek, which can be used against your food and drink (with Ladies Days costing just £20 instead) while others like Lucky Fish are currently free to visit Monday to Thursday.

And lunch deals let you visit some of the famous restaurants without the price, like Ce La Vie offering a three-course meal for £28 rather than their dinner menu which has £30 dishes alone.

But my favourite place to go was the Grand Souk, where you’ll find breads stuffed with cheese or Nutella for £1.22, or Iranian falooda — a sorbet-like dessert made of thin rice noodles and syrup — for £1.

Return flights from the UK can currently be found for around £500.

We found a deal for a six-night stay at Ibis Styles Dubai Jumeira from November 11, with return flights from London Gatwick, from £867pp with TUI.

Doha

Similar to Dubai yet often overlooked, Doha makes for a great winter sun destination without too long of a flight.

Flights from the UK are with Qatar Airways – often being named one of the world’s best airlines – and take around 6hr40 (and around £530 return).

It is a great ‘luxury on a budget’ for some royalty without the riyal.

My favourite hotel to go for is The Ned; while not ‘cheap’ it is much cheaper than the one in the UK and feels much fancier than it costs.

As little as £102 a night (compared to London’s £330), it’s retro glamour with gorgeous interiors and an outdoor swimming pool.

If you just want a base, there are also Premier Inn hotels for around £28 a night.

Taxies are cheap, it feels very safe as a woman travelling around and one of the best attractions is affordable – go to the National Museum of Qatar (currently around £5 entry).

Otherwise head straight to the beach clubs – for example, Doha Beach Club is around £12 each (or ladies visit on Tuesday for free). What more could you want?

We found a deal for a seven-night stay at Steigenberger Hotel Doha from January 17, with return flights from London Stansted, from £705pp with On The Beach.

ONE coastal road in Wales which is nicknamed Millionaire’s Row has been compared to the Hamptons in New York.

The houses on the rocky headland have epic sea views – but it’s also right next to one of the cheapest seaside towns where you can book a room for less than £20.

Marine Drive on Great Orme, which is a headland on the north coast of Wales, and it’s considered one of the country’s most expensive streets.

Currently, a home called Plas Craig is on sale for £2.5million – perched high up on the cliff the five-bedroom house has incredible views of the coastline.

The Hamptons is a celebrity hotspot where stars like Beyonce and Jay-Z, and Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick own homes.

While Great Orme isn’t home to any celebrities (that we know of) it was recently visited by Sigourney Weaver and Miles Teller to film a new movie called The Gorge.

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Interestingly, Marine Drive is just minutes away from one Wales‘ most budget-friendly seaside resort’s Llandudno.

Hotels are super cheap , looking at dates in October, a one-night stay or two adults on the beachfront can be as little as £23pppn.

This is the case at the Hydro Hotel which is across the road from the beach and half-a-mile from the town centre.

The Marine Hotel which is also on the promenade can be booked from £32pppn in October.

This hotel also has an indoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar and it’s a very short walk from the door to the pier.

Staying at the local Travelodge can cost £19.50pn in November.

Llandudno itself is well-known for its beautiful promenade which has multi-coloured hotels and palm trees.

It also has two main beaches, North Shore which is the town’s main and busiest beach and then West Shore, considered its ‘quieter sister’.

Last year, Llandudno in Wales was also voted one of the most affordable places for a beach holiday and one of the best too by Which?.

One popular seaside activity is to ride the Great Orme Railway which heads along the Great Orme cliffside.

Return tickets for adults start from £11.25 with tickets for children (3-16) starting from £6.80.

For anyone wanting a more varied view of the hills and seascape, you can always head up on the cable cars, which are the longest in Britain.

Catch them from Happy Valley where they travel 679 feet up into the air all the way up to the summit of Great Orme.

By visitors, Llandudno has been called one of the “very best of British coastal resorts” to a “very grand old seaside town”.

IF you’ve ever wanted to stay in a holiday home that has a touch of the celebrity about it, look no further.

These country cottages and glamping stays are all owned by TV stars including an Emmerdale actor as well as presenters of Countryfile and Escape to the Country – and you can actually stay in them.

Stag Cottage Sykes Holiday Cottage

Any fan of Emmerdale will know Kelvin Fletcher for playing Andy Sugden for 20 years.

Since then, he’s also appeared on Fletchers’ Family Farm following his new venture since leaving the ITV soap.

Also on the site of the farm is Stag Cottage, on the site of the Fletcher farm near Wincle, and you can book it on Sykes Holiday Cottages.

Inside, the cottage has been renovated into a cosy rental that sleeps up to six, there’s a sitting room with a woodburning log fire with squishy sofa and chairs.

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The kitchen has a central island and is fully-equipped with everything visitors need to make home-cooked meals.

The cottage sleeps six people and upstairs are three bedrooms all with king-size beds with plush bedding, and one has an en-suite.

There’s also a snug and conservatory, and outside is a garden with lawn, patio area, decking, furniture and hot tub.

Stag Cottage has 89 reviews all of which are five-star, one called it the “absolute chicest luxury retreat in the Peak District.”

Some even said they had met their hosts: “We loved our stay made all the more special meeting Kelvin and Liz who are both lovely genuine people, they made us feel so welcome and nothing was to much to ask.”

The cottage is largely booked up for the rest of the year, but if you wanted to book a break in January 2028, a seven-night stay starts from £1680 – or £40pppn.

Cotswolds Farm Park

Did you know that Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has his very own attraction called Cotswolds Farm Park?

It is a farm and petting zoo with animals like donkeys, cows and sheep for kids to see.

When it comes to playing, there are indoor and outdoor play areas with soft play, sand pits, Bouncy Pillows, swings, a zipwire, ride-on tractors, quarry play and a sensory garden.

For a peaceful experience, families can head on the wildlife walk or longer Woodland Walk through surrounding farmland.

Some decide to visit for the day – but it can be easily turned into a weekend getaway thanks to its range of stays from luxury lodges, cabins, safari tents, glamping pods.

There are also pitches to pop up your own tent which starts from £29.96pn.

Glamping pods start from £50 per night, it sleeps four people and has a private decking, electric BBQ along with a communal kitchen area and a shower block.

For a more glam stay, opt for a luxury lodge with a hot tub like the Exmoor and Ronaldsay.

These lodges both sleep up to six people, have a private bathroom and shower, fully-kitted out kitchen and with an upgrade come with a wood-fired hot tub.

A two-night stay from October 13 for four people starts from £654.50 – or £81.80pppn.

Mole Hill Hut

Hidden away in the rolling hills of Herefordshire is a glamping site owned by Escape to the Country‘s Jules Hudson.

Presenter of the BBC show used his skills to handcraft his very own bespoke shepherd’s hut that you can book.

On Jules’ own land near the Wye Valley, the hut is tucked away in a private meadow – the hut is designed for two people as a secluded, off-grid retreat.

Inside is a cosy double bed, a functional kitchenette, and an adjoining lounge area called “The Trough.”

Guests can spend their evenings around the outdoor wood-burning stove enjoying panoramic views of Herefordshire’s rolling hills.

Also provided are books, magazines, maps and board games and guests will find luxury toiletries.

The hut cost £150 per night (for two) with a three-night minimum stay – anyone who books a seven-night stay can get 15 per cent off.

MICHELLE Keegan may have gripped the nation with her new ITV drama The Blame, but there’s one surprising TV appearance that has been doing the rounds on social media again.

It’s not the actress fronting a Netflix mini-series or portraying a soldier in Our Girl, but a forgotten stint on The Jeremy Kyle Show.

Michelle was technically on the now-axed chat show – but as her Coronation Street character, Tina McIntyre.

The soap hilariously did a crossover with Jeremy Kyle’s eponymous show for a special episode back in 2010.

The show tackled family and relationship issues and saw members of the British public work out their drama on air.

And who has more drama than the Platt family?

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During the crossover episode, Michelle’s character Tina appears on the show as her boyfriend, David (Jack P. Shepherd) is accusing her of having a relationship with his brother Nick (Ben Price).

In a clip from the episode, which has been unearthed by TikTok users and is now being circulated around the app, the trio are seen at loggerheads.

“Shut up David,” Tina is seen shouting over the stage as the pair go back and forth, with Jeremy getting involved.

Later, Nick and David are seen fighting over Tina as Nick slams: “She doesn’t like him. She doesn’t fancy you, she doesn’t, it’s over!”

“You think you can fly in, Nick, and take a piece of her,” hits back David, as Tina breaks down into tears and he slams her “waterworks”.

A crying Tina then tells Jeremy: “I’m sick of him, he ruins everything. Even the thought of accusing me of sleeping with Nick, it’s not important to me right now.

“And he’s got a cheek to actually question it – you’ve got a cheek David.”

The hilarious crossover, which was to celebrate the 1000th episode of the Jeremy Kyle Show, came in the middle of Michelle’s time on Coronation Street, which she joined in 2008.

As the clip has been circulating around Tiktok, many users on the video streaming app were confused as to whether it was real or for a skit.

One user said: “If I didn’t know this was a special episode with actors, I would’ve thought this was real, it’s well good 👏😂”

“I would not have recognised her…what year is this???,” said a second of Michelle.

A third praised: “Corrie was on another level creating this with JK, it makes it look so more real.”

Michelle was just 23 at the time of filming the scenes.

She eventually left the soap in 2014, as Tina was killed off.

A MAJOR UK airport has announced a £2 billion ‘Master Plan’ that it hopes will land 30million passengers a year.

The expansion will create 50,000 jobs, including 3,800 on site.

Birmingham Airport‘s 15-year plan makes the best of its existing runway with major upgrades to passenger facilities.

It currently has around 13 million passengers travelling through it a year, so the 2041 goal of 30 million annual passengers is more than double.

As early as next year, flyers will see improved baggage facilities, additional aircraft stands and better public transport access.

The terminal area is a main fixture of the expansion, and is set to become 60% larger.

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Parking will be vastly improved, too – in the first five years there will be two new car parking areas for flyers.

Nick Barton, Chief Executive Officer at Birmingham Airport Limited, said: “The £2bn proposed investment is unprecedented at Birmingham Airport and will take our airport close to 30m passengers.

“This level of ambition sends a strong signal of support and confidence in our airport and wider region.”

Birmingham Airport has assured local residents that in 2041, the noise impact will be similar to how it is today because of quieter aircraft.

They have also said they will be net zero by 2033; they list energy efficiency, alternative fuels and renewable electricity as a few reasons why.

The West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, said: “It’s set to bring thousands of new jobs, better international links, and unlock vital backing for local businesses and supply chains.

“This consultation gives local people and business owners a chance to have their say and help shape the airport’s expansion so that it brings lasting benefits for our communities.”