Short Break Ideas For October Half Term
September 7th, 2016Now expired – we’ll bring you more details as they come in for October Half Term 2017.
So October Half Term is nearly upon us so if you’re thinking of a few days away during the school holidays, then we’ve a few ideas that might be of interest to you;
1. Hotel, Breakfast + 3 Attractions from £139/family
What’s not to like in this short break that combines luxurious accommodation, (think leisure facilities and buffet breakfast), with family entry to 3 visitor attractions of your choice priced from £139 a family.
Opt for an overnight stay & breakfast at a range of hotels in or around Leicestershire, (including Leicester Marriott & Hilton Hotels) & then combine with a variety of attractions & activities including Twycross Zoo, National Space Centre, Conkers & Swadlincote Ski Centre. You can even come back later in the year if you can’t fit them all in during your short break. This offer includes hotel accommodation, leisure facilities, breakfast and family entry to 3 visitor attractions/activities from £139 per family, (2 adults & 2 children 16 years & under). Additional children can be added to the packages for an extra charge.
Photo; Phil Loach
2. Thrill Hopper Ticket; Alton Towers, Drayton + 2 Attractions
How about entry to Alton Towers, (including Scarefest), Drayton Manor Theme Park, Thomas Land & Zoo + 2 other attractions all in for £60pp? Complete all 4 attractions within October Half Term – think Nemesis, Rita & Scarefest at Alton Towers, G-Force & Shockwave at Drayton, staggering off for some aqua thrills at WaterWorld before completing your journey with a bout of Adrenalin Tubing! Alternatively hold back on WaterWorld & SnowDome to use these during November for a more leisurely experience, (t& c’s apply). Tickets priced at £60pp or £170 for a family of 4.
3. Trusted Housesitters
Offer your services as a pet sitter with TrustedHousesitters and be rewarded with FREE accommodation during your travels. If you are comfortable caring for a pet, (generally cats & dogs) & happy to make yourself at home in someone else’s home then this can offer substantial savings on a trip to London. A great option for families in this home-from-home environment that offers you cheap break away. Monthly membership costs around £7.50 a month, (1 year minimum requirement), that allows you to access FREE accommodation throughout the year.
Alton Towers Runaway Minetrain, (photo; Phil Loach)
4. Travelodge; Kids Go Free
Book a family room in any of Travelodge within the UK, Ireland & Spain and the Kids Go FREE over October Half Term.
Family rooms can take up to 2 adults & 2 children plus a cot with over 530 hotels available to choose from. Even better news with every adult purchasing an unlimited all you can eat breakfast up to 2 children, (under 16 years) can enjoy breakfast for FREE too! This Kids Go Free offer is valid for children under 16 years when accompanied by a paying adult sharing a family room. For double deals look out for the Travelodge Friday Night Promo Code running on bookings taken before 7 November 2016.
5. Accommodation + 3 Attractions from £145/family
This short break package offers hotel accommodation, breakfast + family entry to 3 visitor attractions from £145 per family of 4, (children under 12 years).
The advantage with this offer is the range of Staffordshire attractions to choose from including WaterWorld, Trentham Monkey Forest, SnowDome, Shugborough, Churnet Valley Railway, Conkers & Trentham Gardens. Tickets are valid until the end of the season so there’s time to pop back later if you can’t fit it all into one short break, (t&c’s apply).
6. Citybase Apartments
As an alternative to an expensive hotel in London, look out for Citybase Apartments that has the added benefit of offering a self catering element to your stay. Ideal for one night stays through to much longer lets, these serviced apartments are located throughout London and work well for travellers on a range of budgets. You’ll find a range of accommodation from studios & 1 bedroom flats through to penthouse apartments!
Houses of Parliament, (photo; Phil Loach)
7. Youth Hotel Association
It’s perhaps not something that would necessarily cross your mind, but Youth Hostels have come a long way from simply accommodating backpackers.
Now actively reaching out to families, many hostels now offer private en-suite rooms that can sleep up to 6 people that work well for larger families too. You’ll find a great range of accommodation options including woodland lodges, (Lee Valley), old historic buildings, (Ilam Hall) & even recycled shipping containers , (Eden Project) plus plenty of good reviews available from families who’ve first hand knowledge.
8. Budget London
For those planning a few days in London this October Half Term, we’ve plenty of money saving ideas to help you enjoy London on a budget. Whilst the main London Attractions can be costly, with a pinch of planning and a sprinkle of imagination, you’ll find plenty of alternative options offering FREE/cheap entry for those that think ahead.
9. Short Theme Park Breaks inc Alton Towers/Drayton Manor
Opt for an Alton Towers Resort Family Break or a Drayton Manor Theme Park Family Break that include overnight accommodation & breakfast, family tickets to Alton Towers/Drayton Manor + 2 other visitor attractions from just £235 a family at Alton Towers or £170 at Drayton Manor.
Your two other attractions include venues such as Water World, Trentham Monkey Forest, SnowDome, New Vic Theatre & Shrugborough with a choice of hotels within the area. Whilst all 3 attractions under the Alton Towers break must be completed within 3 consecutive days, there is a greater flexibility on when you visit under either the Drayton Manor Family Break or the Family Fun Break.
The Eden Project, (photo; Phil Loach)
More Ideas for October Half Term
Follow our Guide to October Half Term 2016 packed the latest seasonal deals & discounts plus ideas for days out under £20 to help you keep the costs down. Also included is a round up of Halloween/Scare Attractions, best value offers and short break ideas.
