Family holiday options genuinely worth knowing about this week
- Handpicked by Our Travel Mums
- Based on family prices – edit ages on booking
- Availability checked before publication
- Always honest opinions
This Week in Family Travel
Should you wait for a last-minute half-term bargain?
Still hovering over the “book now” button? You’re not alone. TUI reported this week that holidaymakers are continuing to book closer to departure – but average selling prices are holding up. Waiting doesn’t automatically mean cheaper holidays.
Our take? Flexibility is useful; a last-minute gamble is less helpful when you need a particular school week, a local airport and a room that sleeps five.
Before booking, compare the whole family’s total, including luggage, transfers and meals. A tempting headline price can look very different once everyone – and their suitcases – has been added.
And this week’s other reminder: shoulder season swimming requires a bit more thought and attention. An October hotel bargain becomes much less appealing if the outdoor water is freezing and the “indoor pool” turns out to be an adults-only spa, or even worse, closed! Make sure you check all the deets!
With that in mind, this Sunday’s shortlist covers October adventures, February sunshine and affordable UK escapes with somewhere warm to swim.
The Sunday Six
We search through hundreds of family hotels and family deals each week. These are the six we think are actually worth your attention.
Sandymouth Holiday Resort, Cornwall | £99pp
October half-term · £395 total for a family of four
24-31 October 2026 · 7 nights · Self-catering
A budget-friendly Cornish escape with an indoor heated pool, pirate-themed play area and family entertainment. Head out for coastal walks and rock-pooling, then warm up with a swim.
Family of five? Three-bedroom Tamar 3 accommodation, sleeping up to six, is available for £445 total for the same dates.
Accommodation only. Travel, food and paid activities extra. Prices checked 27 September and subject to availability.
Ohtels Les Oliveres, Costa Dorada | £247pp
October half-term · £988 total for a family of four
24-28 October 2026 · 4 nights · Half board · East Midlands flights
An autumn escape with breakfast and dinner included, beaches nearby and the Ebro Delta to explore. PortAventura theme park is around 45 minutes away by car, while the hotel’s heated indoor spa pools welcome accompanied children aged five and over.
Based on two adults and children aged 5 and 6. Includes £28 local fees and small underseat bags. Hold luggage, airport transport and attraction tickets extra. Return flight departs Barcelona at 07:05.
Costa Encantada, Costa Brava | £405pp
October half-term · £2,024 total for a family of five
25 October-1 November 2026 · 7 nights · Bed & breakfast · Luton flights
A full week away with all five of you sharing one room and breakfast included. Explore Lloret de Mar and the Costa Brava, with an indoor heated pool for swimming when the October weather turns cooler.
Based on two adults and children aged 5, 7 and 10. Includes £29 local fees. Carry on luggage included with Jet2 flights. Checked luggage, transfers, lunches and dinners extra.
HOVIMA Jardín Caleta, Tenerife | £730pp
February half-term · £2,919 total for a family of four
14-21 February 2027 · 7 nights · Bed & breakfast · Manchester flights
A week in La Caleta with a superior one-bedroom apartment with side sea view, plus breakfast, checked luggage and transfers included. The hotel confirms winter heating for a main pool and its children’s pool, with February daytime temperatures averaging around 22°C.
Based on two adults and children aged 7 and 8. Includes 22kg checked luggage and 10kg hand luggage per person, plus coach transfers. Lunches, dinners and excursions extra.
LIVVO Lago Taurito, Gran Canaria | £450pp
February half-term · £1,799 total for a family of four
16-21 February 2027 · 5 nights · All-inclusive · Luton flights
Escape for some February sunshine with meals and drinks included, a beach nearby and access to the neighbouring waterpark. Expect pleasantly warm days, with February daytime temperatures averaging around 21°C.
Based on two adults and children aged 7 and 10. Includes approximately £3 local fees. Checked luggage and transfers extra. The waterpark is unheated. Return flight lands at Luton at 23:05 on the last Sunday of half term.
Kenegie Manor, Cornwall | £55pp!
February half-term · £275 total for a family of five
13-20 February 2027 · 7 nights · Self-catering
An affordable base for exploring West Cornwall, staying in a two-bedroom Silver Cottage sleeping up to six. Enjoy coastal outings and trips into Penzance or St Ives. The park has an indoor heated pool with a children’s splash pool, with swimming sessions booked on the day.
Accommodation only, based on two adults and three children. Travel, food and outings extra; bring your own towels. Confirm pool opening for these February dates if this is important, and also the fifth person’s sleeping arrangement before booking.
This week’s head-to-head
Home or Away?!
Option 1: Home | £395 for a family of four
Cornwall
24-31 October · 7 nights · Self-catering
Pros
- Much lower upfront cost, with a full week away.
- Indoor heated pool for swimming whatever the weather.
- Pirate-themed play area and family entertainment.
- Self-catering gives you flexibility over meals and spending.
Cons
- Food and travel costs need adding to the £395.
- October weather could mean wet days and fewer outdoor adventures.
- The journey could be long and painful, depending on where you live!
- Cooking and washing up still come on holiday with you!
VS
Option 2: Away | £1,799 for a family of four
Gran Canaria
16–21 February · 5 nights · All-inclusive · Luton flights
Pros
- February daytime temperatures average around 21°C.
- Meals and drinks included, making the holiday budget easier to plan.
- Return flights included, with a beach nearby.
- Waterpark access included for families who love slides.
Cons
- Higher upfront cost for a shorter, five-night stay.
- Checked luggage and airport transfers cost extra.
- The waterpark is unheated, so the water could feel chilly (Top Tip: We usually take wet suits for this time of year!)
- The return lands at Luton at 23:05 on Sunday – a late finish before school if your children return on Monday.
Our verdict
Sandymouth gets our vote for a budget-friendly week away, especially if your children are happy with swimming, playgrounds and coastal adventures. Cornwall is a beautiful part of the UK to explore.
Gran Canaria gets our vote for escaping the British winter, with meals taken care of and a better chance of warm afternoons.
These are different school-holiday dates and different types of break. Compare the final cost of travel, food and extras before choosing.
Which would your family pick: save with Sandymouth or go for Gran Canaria?
“Would you book it again?”
This week we’re looking at Lalandia in Billund, Denmark.
We asked our audience of mums what they thought of this family holiday park and there were overwhelmingly positive responses!
- “Couldn’t rate this resort any higher if I tried”
- “The location is perfect and literally about a 6 or 7 minute drive from the airport”
- “I don’t think it is possible to put into words just how much there is to do here!”
More Holiday Deals by Airport!
Never miss a bargain!
Every Sunday, we’ll send you six family holiday deals worth knowing about, a quick read on the market and one brutally honest comparison. No endless list of random prices. Just the holidays we genuinely think deserve a closer look.
