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Plan your next family holiday
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Cheap family holidays: Great offers for the whole family
With school calendars, work schedules and other obligations to consider, it can be difficult to find the perfect time to organise a family holiday. To make planning your next family trip a little easier, we've got cheap deals designed for families to all your favourite destinations throughout the year.
Whether it's a family beach vacation in Spain, a child-friendly glamping trip in the UK or a budget city break with activities for all ages, we've got you covered with the best family holiday deals. And don't worry if you forgot to book an early bird deal in advance - just keep your eyes peeled for great last-minute holiday deals. For more inspiration on where to go, check out our guide to the best holiday destinations.
8 affordable UK family holiday destinations that won't break the bank
When you're looking for your next family-friendly holiday in the UK, you want to get the best value for your money; that way, you can have some extra cash to spend on kid-friendly activities while you're there. After all, family holidays are all about doing as much as possible, creating memories along the way.
While many families choose to travel in summer, winter travel can be just as good. What's more, many of the UK's most beautiful spots are particularly well suited to going on holiday as a group and offer plenty of different types of accommodation for groups.
We've created a list of eight places that we think are great for enjoying a family break on a budget. Some are super cheap while others offer great value for money. But we promise that they're all great budget break options!
1. Cornwall
Cornwall is a great shout if you are looking for a family holiday in the UK. Since it's on the south coast, it offers a milder climate and hundreds of beaches - a great way to enjoy a beach holiday without having to endure a flight with the kids. You will find a range of accommodation options in Cornwall that are perfect for families. You could stay in a family-friendly room in a hotel, a B&B or a private cottage, or you could opt for a glamping trip (choose from lodges, treehouses and more), where you often get an awesome choice of amenities - maybe even an outdoor swimming pool!
2. Lake District
The Lake District is a well-known spot for family holidays in the UK. Depending on the type of holiday you are after, the Lake District really does have it all. You can choose to go on an adventure holiday, stay in a traditional caravan in a fun-filled holiday park or stay in a spa hotel.
If you and your family love being active on holiday then the Lake District is definitely a place you should consider. With the region's endless choice of hiking trails, forests, outdoor activities, parks and boat trips, it's the ideal destination to get back to nature.
3. York
York is a small, stunning city in North Yorkshire and is one of our favourite places for a family holiday. There are so many activities on offer for you and your family - for example, there are many museums if you want to learn more of the local history on your holiday. Head to the York Dungeons if you love a good scare or join a ghost walking tour in this allegedly haunted city. Summer is a great time to visit York but we also recommend planning a trip from the end of November through December, when the Christmas markets are in full swing.
4. Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth has to be one of Norfolk's great family-friendly gems. This bustling resort town offers a long, sandy beach with many activities to do as a family. As we all know, the UK weather can be unpredictable so if the sunshine lets you down, head to the SEA LIFE Aquarium to marvel at marine life or for some kid-friendly thrills, you could visit the Pleasure Beach and Joyland amusement parks, which have many rides suitable for children.
5. London
We'll admit it - when looking for a budget family holiday in the UK, London won't be the first place to come to mind. However, with its wide range of hotels offering family rooms and plenty of more affordable accommodation outside of the city centre, there are many options for you and your family. Once here, there are loads of attractions for kids, including the world-famous Harry Potter Studio Tour (a must-do for any Harry Potter fan). There is also the London Zoo, Kidzania, Shrek World and so much more - you won't have a second to be bored during a trip to our wonderful capital city.
6. Manchester
With its friendly atmosphere and many great hotel options, Manchester is another city we would recommend visiting with the family. There is so much to do, including bowling, going to the cinema, shopping, attending sports matches and even doing behind-the-scenes tours of a number of football stadiums. If that's not enough, there are also museums, child-friendly walking tours and a hop-on, hop-off bus service, where you can learn about the city without having to worry about your own transport.
7. Chester
Located in the county of Cheshire, Chester is another family-friendly destination that we just had to include on the list. The number-one attraction to visit while you and your family are in Chester is definitely the zoo. The award-winning Chester Zoo has over 21,000 animals for you to check out. Chester also happens to be a great base for day trips to places like Liverpool and Wales.
8. Eastbourne
Rounding off our list is Eastbourne, a great option for a budget family break in the UK. It'll be tough to get bored when you're on holiday in this coastal town. There are a number of things to do here that are perfect for the whole family. There is a stunning marina, adventure park, soft play areas, a pier for a nice stroll with the family and a choice of theatres if you fancy catching a family-friendly show.
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Family holiday parks in the UK
If you’re not too fussed about the location, holiday parks provide a great break for the whole family. Luckily, there are loads of reliable holiday parks dotted around the UK that are both fun and offer good value for money. Different holiday parks will offer different types of activities, but holiday parks are ideal for a more adventure-filled holiday, with the onus being on activities rather than sitting back and relaxing.
Read on to discover our best tips for booking a UK holiday park.
Tips for booking a holiday park in the UK
Before making your booking, always check to see what sort of facilities and activities are provided. Most UK holiday parks feature a huge swimming pool with slides, plus plenty of other outdoor activities like cycling, all of which will keep the kids occupied for the entire stay.
There are plenty of different types of accommodation to choose from too. You could stay in a typical hotel, but many operators also offer camping sites or caravans to stay in. These are usually designed with families in mind. That means there will be care facilities for younger kids and some operators will also provide specific packages for families with children within particular age groups.
If you want to play it safe, go with a well-known holiday park operator like Haven, who have parks across the country, from Cornwall to North Yorkshire. Butlins and Centre Parcs are other famous options, but shop around if you want to get the best price. Booking early is essential for the peak summer months and most operators will offer lower prices for early bookings.
The best family holiday destinations abroad
Want to book an international family holiday but don't know where to start? The ideal family holiday destination should be safe, budget friendly, be full of attractions to visit and activities to do and not involve an arduously long flight. The good news is that we've rounded up a list of destinations that fit all these criteria - here are our top choices for a budget family break abroad.
Majorca
One of Spain's beautiful Balearic Islands, Majorca is an excellent choice for a family getaway - especially if you're craving a lot of beach time in the sun! Some of the most popular places to stay here include Palma de Majorca, Playa de Palma, Magaluf and Port de Pollenca.
When you're tired of spending the day at one of Majorca's Blue Flag beaches, there are many places and activities to keep the whole family busy, from waterparks and escape rooms to aquariums and mini golf.
Antalya
It may require a slightly longer flight, but Antalya is an absolute paradise for families wanting to get away. Located on the southwest coast of Turkey, you'll find a wide range of family-friendly resorts here - and most of these will feature facilities and activities for kids.
When you're not busy checking out the beach and impressive historical ruins, there are many other family-friendly attractions, such as amusement parks, waterparks, aquariums and more.
Crete
Another one of our favourites, the Greek island of Crete really does feel like it has something for everyone, including families travelling with little ones. Heraklion, Chania and Elounda are popular choices for a family stay, but you can find family-friendly resorts over much of the island.
After you're done exploring the Knossos archaeological site, there's no end to the things you could get up to, from visiting picturesque beaches and impressive caves to thrilling waterparks and memorable animal parks.
Tenerife
It's another family favourite in Spain, but this time we're off to the Canary Islands. Tenerife is the largest island here and features a whole lot of value for money when it comes to travelling as a family.
Los Cristianos, Playa La Arena, Los Gigantes and Costa Adeje are considered the best areas to stay for a family holiday, and there's a bunch of resorts that cater specifically to those travelling with kids in tow. Once on the island, there's so much to do: whale and dolphin watching boat tours, water and adventure parks, volcano viewing at Teide National Park and soaking up the sun at pristine beaches.
Algarve
Located in the south of Portugal, the Algarve has long held its spot as a go-to destination for UK travellers - and that extends to family holidays too. The short flight time is particularly appealing as well, at just under three hours from most UK airports.
Most families choose to stay in Albufeira, Lagos and Carvoeiro, with many family-friendly activities and attractions being available all along the bustling southern coast. Jump on a boat tour of the Ria Formosa lagoon, visit one of the many waterparks, explore the rock formations of Ponta da Piedade or enjoy a day at the beach.
All-inclusive family holidays
Family holidays should be fun, but they can also be a little stressful, especially when you're caring for young children. Booking an all-inclusive family holiday could take away some of the hassle. After all, planning activities, meals and budgeting aren’t high on anyone’s holiday to-do list, especially when there are beaches and sunshine to enjoy. And that's where all-inclusive could come in handy.
It’s pretty easy to see the benefits. You'll know the price upfront and you'll know that all your food and drinks will be included in that price too. There's also usually plenty of free activities and entertainment on offer for kids. That leaves more time for you to sit back, relax and take it easy.
Need some inspiration? Here are some all-inclusive family holidays to get you started.
Discover the cheapest all-inclusive family holidays to Spain
Check out the best all-inclusive deals for family holidays to Turkey
Enjoy budget all-inclusive family holidays to Greece
Find all your all-inclusive family holiday deals to Egypt
Book the ultimate all-inclusive family holiday to Cyprus
Kids-go-free holidays
While many family-friendly resorts are a good budget option, these can also offer kids-go-free discounts. Some all-inclusive resorts will offer this, as will many other family package deals you can find out there. The clue is in the name: whichever holiday package you end up booking, one child will get the flight and hotel for free as well as access to all the facilities and the same food and drink benefits.
A kids-go-free offer can help you save lots of money, especially if you need to travel within peak months or during school holidays. To get the best kids-go-free deal, we’d recommend booking way ahead, rather than last minute. Terms and conditions will depend on the provider, so always check the fine print.
Browse more of our latest family holiday deals!
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