Family holidays in October half term

By William and Sally Gray, Editors of 101 Family Holidays

Looking for family holidays in October half term? We have compiled some exciting ideas for you and your family both at home and abroad, whatever your budget. We have recommendations for families with children of all ages through to teenagers.

October half term holidays in the UK

Even if the UK doesn’t enjoy a long Indian Summer, it does have some great places to stay in October. The Sands Resort Hotel in Cornwall has plenty of indoor activities and facilities, especially well suited to younger children. Take (or rent) wet suits and try your hand at surfing too – the hotel is right on Watergate Bay.

If you prefer the freedom of a self-catering holiday, Classic Cottages has the pick of family-friendly houses in Cornwall.

For something more bracing, head for the stunning Northumberland coast, not least home to Alnwick Castle where many scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed. cottages4you has a great choice of houses and cottages to rent in the region.

Cosy up together around your wood burning stove in your very own English safari down on the farm. Stay in one of Feather Down Farms‘ gorgeous three-bedroom tents, the epitome of luxury camping – they have sites on farms in England, Wales and Ireland.

If you fancy renting a thatched cottage or a grand country house but the dog must come too, Rural Retreats has a wide choice of properties throughout the UK that permit pets.

Take an exciting family adventure holiday with Ramblers to discover the beauty of the Lake District. Highlights of this 4-night trip include a tour of Honister Slate Mine, a visit to Whinlatter Forest Park and a night walk by Buttermere Lake.

Treat the kids to a London theatre break including a night in a hotel and show ticket from just £73. Shows include Batman Live, Shrek the Musical and The Lion King.

Fancy an adrenalin rush? Take a theme park break with hotel included to one of many great attractions including Legoland Windsor and Alton Towers.

Half term holidays in the Mediterranean

Turkey’s Bodrum peninsular is still lovely and warm in late October; Mark Warner’s Sea Garden Beach Resort is a great choice if watersports are high on your agenda. The all-inclusive prices make it a good option for holiday budgeting too, with no nasty surprises when you check out.

One of Greece’s southernmost islands, Crete is a good bet too. With their own private pool, Cachet Travel’s Pendamodi villas are in a delightful countryside setting with a hire car thrown in so you can explore at leisure.

If a luxury hotel is more your style, head to Crete’s Daios Cove with five star luxury plus an exclusive Scott Dunn children’s club for ages 4months up to 13 years.

In a similar vein, but on a bigger scale, is the Aphrodite Hills Resort in Cyprus. All the family will find plenty to do with an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts, a children’s Pirates Village, beach club and dreamy spa. There are interconnecting rooms too.

Budding Beckhams and Murrays should head for La Manga Club in southern Spain where October half-term weeks always have a host of junior sports coaching and tournaments on offer – tennis, football and dance are scheduled for October 2012.

It’s not too late in the season to rent a villa in Spain. Find our recommendations in Mallorca and Menorca, Catalunya, South West France and Provence.

Half term holidays elsewhere in Europe

Younger children will love making friends with their very own Pedro on Inntravel’s donkey trail through the foothills of Castile, one of Spain’s most beautiful regions. Amble through the countryside with your faithful companion, stopping off for the night in family-friendly local hotels en route. Departures in late October.

For a quick fix of magic for younger children, take them to Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. The new Toy Story Playland alone makes it all worthwhile. Accommodation options range from self-catering cabins right up to five star luxury resorts.

Use pedal power to explore some of France’s most beautiful regions on a cycling holiday with Belle France. The 6-day Loire en Famille itinerary includes the chance to take in a zoo parc, a chateau and Roman ruins en route.

The Adventure Company knows all about making sure teenagers are kept busy and happy. They offer a range of 8-day adventure trips specifically for families with teenagers – try diving and mountain-biking in Turkey or trekking in Morocco, for example.

Long haul holidays in October half term

Sharm el Sheikh is a great place to learn to dive. If your children are aged 10 years or more, they can learn to dive and achieve a PADI qualification which they can build on in future years around the world. Warm seas and warm sunshine are pretty much guaranteed.

Morocco isn’t really long-haul, as it’s less than four hours flying time from the UK. But the weather in October is likely to be perfect with warm sunny days, perfect for a family adventure holiday – this exciting trip includes 6 nights at a riad  in Marrakech with its own pool plus an overnight desert camping adventure and camel ride at Ouarzazate.

Antigua is only an eight-hour flight away with short transfer times once you arrive. It’s perfect for a dose of post-hurricane season sunshine. Stay at the all-inclusive Verandah Resort & Spa with activities geared for all ages including those hard-to-please teenagers – and low season prices.

Antigua is also home to Carlisle Bay, one of the most chic hotels in the region. Children from 6 months upwards are made very welcome with all sorts of special touches for the grown-ups as well as younger guests. The beach is text book white sand tropical idyll.

For a bit of playground one-upmanship, how about a horse-riding safari in South Africa. It’s pricey but perfectly feasible in a week with no jetlag and no anti-malarials required. Aardvark Safaris will ensure you are perfectly matched to the right camp according to your experience and children’s ages – Ant’s Hill and Ant’s Nest are the most popular.

Find more half term holiday ideas, or visit our homepage for more family holidays.

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