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Best October half-term holiday deals for 2024: beach breaks, campsites, UK hotels and more
Fancy squeezing in a holiday before Christmas rolls around? We’ve rounded up the best October half-term holiday deals for bargain breaks with the family.
By Rebecca Roberts & Rachel Erdos | Last updated Sep 23, 2024
It feels like as soon as the kids are back to school, you’re making plans for October half term. We don’t blame you —that first half-term break of the year always feels much needed.
On the one hand, there’s the culture shock of being back in the swing of school after the long summer holidays, and then looming around the corner are shorter, colder days. So what better way to make the most of time off with the kids than booking an October half-term holiday for the whole family?
Your plans for a half-term holiday will obviously depend to some extent on budget. Whether you’re planning a long-haul holiday of a lifetime, a quick European break or a relaxing week in the UK, we’ve found the best October half-term deals for 2024.
At a glance: best October half-term deals for families
TUI Holidays: big reductions on October breaks in popular resorts
Hoseasons Holidays: 5% off for Mumsnet users
On The Beach: great deals on half-term beach breaks
Center Parcs: deals on fun October half-term escapes
Parkdean Resorts: half-term breaks from £129
Cottages.com: 7% off for Mumsnetters
Heritage Breaks: overnight historical breaks from less than £50
1. TUI: October half-term holiday savings
Pictured: TUI BLUE Tarida Beach, Ibiza | Save with TUI this October half term
Tui are pretty good for [October half-term] packages." - WonderingWanda
If you need a bit of sun and excitement to see you through winter, an October break with TUI ticks all the boxes. Whether you fly to Orlando or Jamaica, or stay closer to home with a European break, a TUI holiday is always easy, with pools, kids’ clubs, child-friendly restaurants and all the details taken care of for you.
There are loads of deals available for October half term. Your best bet is to keep things flexible on the departure airport front and sort by price to find the best prices. We found a seven-night break in a one-bedroom apartment (sleeping four) at the Talayot Apartments in Menorca for £1500 including flights from London Luton. The resort has six pools, a TUI kids’ club and lots of activities.
We also spied a seven-night package in a one-bedroom, self-catered apartment on the Costa del Sol on offer for £1800 for a family of four including flights from London Gatwick.
Don't forget to check out our guide to the best family holiday destinations for October half-term to help you plan your trip.
2. Eurocamp: discounts on half-term breaks across Europe
Pictured: One of Eurocamp's glamping pods | Book a bargain Eurocamp break
I love Eurocamp holidays and so do my dc. I’ve genuinely never had a bad experience, the caravans are always clean and the staff helpful." Whatsthepoint1234
Eurocamp is offering up to 20% OFF October half-term breaks at a range of sites across Europe. And if your kids are at a school that has two weeks off in October you can save an extra 5% on holidays of 11 nights or longer.
Discounts are valid at coastal and countryside spots in France, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy including sites that Mumsnetters know and love like:
Check out our guides to the best Eurocamp sites and the easiest Eurocamp sites to get to from the UK, both featuring recommendations from Mumsnet users.
3. Hoseasons: 5% off holidays for Mumsnet users
Pictured: Trelawne Manor in Looe, South Cornwall | Book your Hoseasons stay now
We love a hoseasons caravan! Cheap and cheerful and more sites than haven!" - Mammyloveswine
October in the UK has much to recommend it (if you can dodge the drizzle), and there are loads of destinations to discover on a staycation. To help your budget go further, we've negotiated a special discount for Mumsnetters that offers 5% off Hoseasons holidays. Note that you'll need to be logged in to your Mumsnet account to access this brilliant deal.
Hoseasons offers cottages, lodges and boats for hire all over the UK, where you can make the most of the country’s beautiful autumn colours. Whether you want a cute rustic lodge in the countryside, an action-packed adventure holiday by the sea or a slow week’s boating on the Broads, you’ll find something to suit. Hoseasons is a popular choice for self-catering Mumsnetters, who report that the accommodation is typically bright, clean and well appointed. Meaning all you need to do to keep everyone happy is pack the beach kit and board games, books and Bordeaux.
If you fancy a week-long boating break, the Rhapsody at Stalham in Norfolk, which sleeps a family of four is available from Saturday 26 October for £579. Or for something on dry land, we found lots of cottages and lodges sleeping up to four people in Devon and Cornwall for half-term week from as little as £350.
Read next: Best UK family holiday destinations
4. On the Beach: great deals on half-term beach breaks
Find your half-term break with On the Beach | Book your On the Beach half-term break
Sometimes you just need some sand between your toes and On the Beach makes finding the perfect beach break a cinch, with half-term holiday deals searchable by budget breaks, all-inclusive, long-haul, holidays with kids’ clubs and more.
When we searched we found some bargain breaks on the Costa del Sol for under £600 per family including self-catering accommodation and flights from London Stansted.
5. Center Parcs: deals on October half-term breaks
Pictured: Woodland Lodge in Whinfell Forest, Cumbria | Book Center Parcs for October half-term now
A perennial favourite of Mumsnetters, Center Parcs is offering deals for October half term at its Whinefell Forest, Sherwood Forest, Longleat Forest, Elveden Forest and Woburn Forest.
Mumsnetters point out that it can get pricey as lots of activities can quickly add up, but if you limit yourselves a little bit, your kids are happy to make the most of the pool, and you self-cater, it doesn’t need to break the bank.
October half-term is a great time for a Center Parcs break as there’s loads to do, whatever the weather. If you luck out with some dry days you can spend the week outdoors, on zip wires, quad bikes or simply cycling in the forest, and if the weather turns, go indoor climbing, swimming, pottery-making or simply cosy up in your cabin. There are more than 200 activities to choose from, meaning there’s something to keep everyone busy at all times. And you can book yourself into the Aqua Sana spas for a relaxing or pampering treatment to help you recover from the first half-term of the academic year. See? Something for everyone.
A four-night break starting Friday 25 October in a four-bedroom Woodland Lodge at Woburn Forest (sleeping up to eight people) is currently £1899 per family.
6. Parkdean Resorts: 7-night breaks from £179 per family
Pictured: East Anglia & Lincolnshire | Book your Parkdean Resorts holiday now
From camping to glamping and caravans to cosy lodges, Parkdean offers breaks all over the UK and you can cash in on a bargain break this October half-term. Consider exploring somewhere new - there are sites in Wales, Scotland, the Lake District, Devon and Cornwall and the Isle of Wight to discover.
For inspiration, we've put together a guide to the best Parkdean Resorts according to Mumsnetters, all packed full of recommendations from families that have stayed there.
There are fabulous on-site facilities to keep children of all ages busy, from swimming pools and kids’ clubs to evening entertainment. There will be lots of Halloween activities to get involved with, too, And all the parks are close to areas with plenty to do, whether you want to climb a hill, explore a castle, visit a theme park or paddle in the sea.
Two-night breaks start from as little as £99 per family and you can nab a 7-night stay from £179 including White Acres in Newquay, Thorness Bay in the Isle of Wight and Whitley Bay in Northumberland.
7. Cottages.com: 7% off for Mumsnet users
Special discount for Mumsnetters | Take me to the Cottages.com offer
What could be more autumnal than a stay in a cosy country cottage this October? If roaring fires, pub lunches and long walks kicking up leaves are on your half-term agenda, Cottages.com might be what you’re looking for. And we've got a special deal for Mumsnetters that gets you 7% off every booking. As an added incentive, the Mumsnet discount can be used alongside any other promotions on the site! Note that you'll need to be logged in to your Mumsnet account to access the deal.
From the Scottish Highlands to the tip of Cornwall, there are family-friendly cottages, converted barns and more ideal for a break with the kids this half term.
Example stays include a Victorian townhouse in north Wales (sleeps 7), a cute Cornish cottage near Newquay (sleeps 6) and a luxury safari lodge retreat in Somerset (sleeps 6).
8. Heritage Breaks by Holiday Extras: overnight historical breaks from £200 per family including attraction tickets
Overnight heritage stays with Holiday Extras | Book your Heritage Breaks stay now
How about a historical half-term break to kindle the interest of any Horrible Histories fans? Holiday Extras offers a range of Heritage Breaks that combine an overnight stay with breakfast plus attraction tickets for the whole family at some of London's best known attractions including The Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace and St Paul's Cathedral.
We found October half-term breaks on offer for a total of £200 for a family of four. Consider a Sunday night stay for a reduced rate.
Note: All prices and promotions correct at the time of writing.
When is October half term in the UK?
Generally October half-term 2024 is either 21 to 25 October or 28 October to 1 November, 2024. It's best to double check when your child's school term and half-term lands, as some dates vary across the UK.
Some schools don't follow these term dates including academies, free schools, foundation schools and faith schools so if you're unsure about your school's term dates, it's best to contact them directly.
October half term survival guide for parents
Wherever you’re spending this half-term, here are some wise words from Mumsnetters on how to get through the week and make the most of every moment.
Keep them busy
“I try to keep mine out and about and busy during holidays as otherwise they'll constantly ask to spend their whole time on tablets or fighting.” Rover83
But build in some down time, whatever you’re doing
“We're going to a cottage in Wales in the middle of nowhere and with no TV or wifi just to get away from it all. Planning on doing nothing much but taking wellies and warm clothes for walks. Looking forward to an escape.” LovelyBath77
Make the most of Halloween events
“We’re going pumpkin picking and to a Halloween event. Scarecrow trail and trick or treating on Halloween plus Halloween films. Local Halloween party the day before.” GenerallyStruggling
If the sun is what you need, make sure it’s pretty much guaranteed with our guide to October half-term family holiday destinations
“I've been to Tenerife 6-7 times for October half terms. There has been the occasional day with a rain storm, but it's consistently been 23-25 degrees.” RookieMere
Make the most of the last of the good weather
“Last year we did yurt camping in Cornwall and we all loved it and even did surfing lessons (even me) during the October half term break!” FarGone
But do have a wet weather plan, too
“We find that city breaks are good at that time of year because we can do something indoors like a museum if it’s cold or wet. York is a great city for children and there are several free museums.” RiceKrispie22
Enjoy your local cities
“Check out the bank of England, they sometimes put stuff on for kids during half term, including lifting up a gold bar which is in a glass case. There's always the monument and Sky garden. The V&A sometimes do activities. I remember my kids were able to make a template and print a tee shirt for free. Just wander around Covent Garden to see the street artists, or China Town to explore the interesting shops.” StitchInTime
However much you do or don’t do, don’t let half term stress you out. Not every day has to be an ‘event’
“As they grow up kids won’t remember the big days out and the money you spent. They’ll remember being with you and feeling happy, content and safe, regardless of where that was.” Moonshine160
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real parents
We always start our research on the Mumsnet holiday forums. With over 8 million users a month, we know we’re going to get a whole host of genuine recommendations for great UK holiday providers that will cater for a range of needs and budgets. And best of all, the suggestions come from users that have been there and done that.
Expert guidance and traveller reviews
We then consult the experts to make sure we’re recommending that is suitable for families. This means cross-checking properties with travel sites like TripAdvisor and Booking.com to check recent user reviews and ratings. We’ll always look at any negative comments so that we can give a balanced review.
About the authors
Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. At Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. As a mum of two, she knows all too well how difficult travelling with kids can be. Whether it’s within the UK or abroad, she’s on a quest to find only the best and most family-friendly locations, with the help of Mumsnet user recommendations. She recently took the family to experience the magic of Disneyland Paris. Check out her review of Les Villages Nature Paris for insider insights.
Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel. She has written hotel reviews, features and destination guides for top publications including the Guardian, Four Seasons Magazine, Travelzoo, Visit Britain and Visit London. She loves nothing more than researching and writing about fun things for families to do in destinations near and far, as well as trawling the Mumsnet holiday forum for inspiration for her next trip away with her husband and two kids. Recent reviews including Eurocamp Duinrell and Fowey Hall Hotel.