IF the back-to-school routine is already feeling like a drag, it could be time to think about a family break during October half term… especially as there are some incredible deals on offer right now.
If you know where to look it’s possible to nab a UK holiday complete with water slides, firework displays and loads of evening entertainment for a miniscule £3.32 a night per person. And luckily, Sun Travel have already done the trawling for you.
October half term is a great time for a holiday because all the extra Halloween events are so much fun for kids[/caption]
The Legoland Windsor Resort’s Brick or Treat Halloween event is fun and there are some really good deals for a hotel stay, including theme park tickets.[/caption]
We looked all over the UK to find the cheapest, and best, breaks on offer for October 27 – November 2. (Prices all correct at the time of writing.)
Huge sweeping beaches and an indoor pools from £13.25 per person
The Haven Perran Sands resort in Cornwall is set on a long, wide beach and couldn’t be more perfect for a family break.
It’s just down the road from surfers’ haven Perranporth, although you might need to be particularly brave to give the Cornish water a go in chilly October.
Days can still be spent playing on the beach, walking along the picturesque coastal path or in the outdoor playground.
Perran Sands in Cornwall have luxury cabins on the beach for extended families as well as fantastic budget options[/caption]
There’s a huge indoor pool, as well as a heated outdoor lagoon with a fun water slide, with access to the pool and sports centre included as part of the October package.
The popular holiday park on the Cornish coast has evening entertainment and on-site pubs and restaurants, including a brand new chicken eatery that has been a hit with guests.
There are lots of fun Halloween activities planned including a disco, pumpkin workshops, a fancy dress parade and specialist food and drinks, such as spooky cocktails and mocktails.
Plus, kids eat for £1 during half term and you can get two hearty adult roast dinners for £20.
Price is based on two adults and two children sharing a Saver Caravan (£159 for three nights).
A sunny spot on the Essex coast for £5.70 per person
Highfield Grange holiday park in Essex is on one of the sunniest coastlines in the UK, so if there was ever going to be a warm week in the October half term, you’ll find it here.
It’s a small, lively campsite on the coast between the golden beaches of Clacton, Walton-on-the-Naze and Frinton-on-Sea.
There’s plenty to keep kids occupied on site, including heated indoor and outdoor pools, a 200ft flume slide and a multi-sports court.
Highfield Grange Holiday Park in Essex has a fantastic outdoor and indoor pool and is close to the beach in Clacton-on-Sea[/caption]
They can also play outside in the large playground and the clubhouse has live music, comedy performances and games nights in the evening.
Parkdean Resorts lays on a spooky programme of events during the October break, including craft workshops and pumpkin carving, fancy dress competitions, Slime Time and a Monsters’ Ball.
Best of all those Halloween extras haven’t affected the prices, with a family-of-six able to stay in a Lingsea Caravan for three nights for only £104 – that’s less than £6pp per night.
Glamping in Castle Ward, Co.Down for £12.96 per person
This beauty spot doubled up as Winterfell in Game of Thrones and is just as beautiful in real life.
The Castle Ward Estate, which is part of the National Trust, has walking trails, gorgeous lookout points and stunning landscapes which are ideal for families to explore.
Bikes are available for hire, including balance bikes for small children.
Castle Ward is beautiful in autumn and there are lots of fun activities for families[/caption]
A 15-minute walk will lead you into Strangford Village, which has lots of family-friendly pubs and restaurants.
Although it may be super brisk now autumn has officially arrived, you can also take the ferry to Portaferry for an afternoon at the beach.
Castle Ward is on the shore of Strangford Lough, the largest sea lough in the British Isles. The water is calm so it’s easy and safe to rent a canoe or kayak and spot seals, porpoises and otters.
Prices are based on a family-of-five sharing a Glamping Pod (£64.80 per night).
A Halloween adventure at Legoland for £74 per person, including a stay at the hotel and two days at the theme park
A trip to Legoland is top of a lot of kids’ must-do lists, and October half term might be the best time to go thanks to some great deals and a full calendar of spooky Halloween events.
Brick or Treat is a Lego-themed Halloween party, with a monster party, trick or treating and monster meet and greets. All of this is on top of the regular offering at Legoland, which includes a whopping 55 rides.
This deal through holidaypirates.com includes an overnight stay, entry to the theme park for two days and all the extra Halloween events and breakfast.
Legoland, Windsor is full year-round but Halloween is one of the best times to go[/caption]
With so much included, this works out excellent value for money for families, especially as walk-up prices for Legoland can be as much as £68 – but it’s not one of our cheapest finds.
Price is based on two adults and two children sharing a room (£296 for one night).
A fun family break for £3.32 per person and a chance to meet The Gladiators
Butlin’s is a Sun Travel favourite for its fantastic offering, top locations and unbeatable prices.
The best deals for the October school holidays can be found at Butlin’s in Minehead – with breaks for only £53 for a family of four, spending four days at the resort.
The resort is set on a mile of golden beach but you don’t need to worry too much about the weather as there is lots to do inside, including a huge water park with four chutes and the Skyline Pavilion which has entertainment, arcades, soft play and the famous Red Coat show.
Combine a stay at The Dalmeny with a trip to see the Blackpool Illuminations[/caption]
Outside there is a fully-inclusive fairground and the Butlin’s Skypark, a huge state-of-the-art playground suitable for all ages as well as being wheelchair accessible.
Shows for the October half term include Meet the Gladiators and The Masked Singer Live, which is ideal for the whole family to enjoy.
For Halloween, the Butlin’s Resorts go all out with firework displays, pumpkin carving, the boneshaker Halloween party and Halloween character photo shoots.
The fairground also gets a spooky green and orange overlay.
If you fancy exploring outside the resort, Minehead is close to Exmoor National Park, where you’ll find nature trails, walking paths and stunning views.
Dunster Castle is also nearby, with the West Somerset Railway steam train ride also only a short drive away.
This deal is based on two adults and two children sharing a Comfort Room at £53 for four days – working out only £3.32 each per night. Not bad for the school holidays!
Plus, if you plan on sticking around at the Butlin’s resort, you can also add on a dinner and all-inclusive drinks bundle, potentially saving you cash on food and drink too.
A stunning stay on the seaside in Lancashire for £42pp with Halloween half term extras
This elegant hotel on the promenade in St. Annes-on-sea in Lancashire is a stylish seaside stay for families looking for something a bit nicer during the October half term.
The hotel has an in-house restaurant and bar as well as an indoor, heated pool, Jacuzzi, dry heat sauna and eucalyptus steam room (for over 18s).
Better still, The Dalmeny has a dedicated family entertainment team, plus a full program of entertainment every weekend and in school holidays.
The cool indoor pool at the fab The Dalmeny Resort Hotel in Lancashire[/caption]
There is also a kids arcade, cinema, pool tables, arts and craft room and table tennis tables. Plus a Halloween pool party on Saturdays.
In October, for only £10 a day, kids can join the kids club and be entertained making Halloween masks, creating ghosts in a jar and making trick-or-treat hats and headbands along with a week-long calendar of events.
Parents can use the opportunity for some ‘me time’ and utilise the gym and spa, which is included with the price of the room.
The bar has evening entertainment but the hotel is also close to Blackpool, so you could go along the seafront and see the Blackpool Illuminations too.
Rooms in the school holidays start from £169 for a family room, sleeping four, and including breakfast. That works out at £42 each, but when you think of all the children’s activities included, it’s a great deal for a stylish hotel on the beach.
