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Our Best Family-Friendly Breaks for the October Half-Term Holidays

14 September 2026

What happened to the summer holidays? They seemed to flash by so quickly that if you’re anything like us, you’re feeling a tiny bit cheated!

Luckily, there’s some more holiday-time on the horizon. And here’s the good news: we’ve got a fabulous selection of family-friendly retreats all ready and waiting to help you make the most of it.

Each of these retreats has current availability of 3 or more nights for the October half-term holidays*. You’ll also find each one boasts such a wonderful sense of unusualness, that you’ll have no problem recalling every moment of that precious holiday time.

Our tip? Nab your favourite quickly, because it won’t be free for long!

*Please note, October half term dates differ between regions, but cover the last three weeks of the month in Oct 2026. Available at time of writing.

Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: Rowden Mill Station Saloon Coach, Herefordshire

Lydcott Glamping

Widegates, Cornwall, England
A unique, expertly handcrafted back-to-nature escape that showcases some of the best sea views in Cornwall.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 6
From
£100 / night

The Treehouses at Lanrick

Doune, Perthshire, Scotland
Five sumptuous, eco-friendly tree-treats with idyllic riverside views and a woodland sauna, magically nestled on the borders of the Trossachs National Park.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: 2 (+2) per treehouse
From
£240 / night
Lanrick and Leckie Treehouses have 3+ nights available at both sites over half term

Merlin Farm Eco Cottages

Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, England
A sumptuous and award-winning trio of converted farm barns, powered by nature and beautifully situated in peaceful Cornish countryside close to Mawgan Porth Beach.
Bedrooms: 2 per cottage
Sleeps: 4
From
£895 / week

In the Stix

Greetham, Rutland, England
Six unique and ultra-modern geodesic domes, each with their own private kitchens, bathrooms and blissful wood-fired hot tubs in rural Rutland.
Bedrooms:
Sleeps: 4-6 per dome
From
£515 (4 nts)

Tom's Eco Lodge

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, Isle Of Wight, England
Sustainable rural glamping on the Isle of Wight - where you'll find the perfect setting, from scenic romantic escapes to fresh, fun-filled family adventures.
Bedrooms: varies
Sleeps: varies
From
£90 /night
Farm park complimentary for guests with lots of spooky themed fun!

Rowden Mill Station Saloon Coach and GWR Brake Van

Bredenbury, Herefordshire, England
Vintage-styled retreats, secluded on a green platform at a restored 19th century railway station, amongst peaceful North Herefordshire countryside.
Bedrooms: 1-2
Sleeps: 2-4
From
£125/nt (Brake Van)
Saloon Coach available 27th to 30th October (3 night stay)

The Ark

Nr Whitsand Bay, Cornwall, England
A unique and luxurious houseboat for grand, dog-friendly group stays on Cornwall’s dreamy south coast, with ocean-view decking and a laid-back studio for movie nights, games and yoga.
Bedrooms: 8
Sleeps: 12
From
£1527 / week

Warksburn Old Church

Wark, Northumberland, England
A globally-unique and ultra-luxurious Net Zero conversion of a 19th century church, in beautiful rural Northumberland close to Hadrian’s Wall and Kielder Water.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 6
From
£250/night
Recently awarded a prestigious 2026 VisitEngland ROSE Award

Rowden Mill Station Building and Parcel Office

Bredenbury, Herefordshire, England
Nostalgic, first-class couples and family accommodation at a restored 19th century railway station, set amongst timeless North Herefordshire countryside.
Bedrooms: 1 or 2 per property
Sleeps: 2 or 4 per property
From
£110/nt Parcel

Sycamore Lodge

Halstead, Essex, England
A luxurious, dog-friendly A-frame retreat for couples and small families alike, with a private hot tub, plentiful onsite facilities including sauna, and beautiful woodland surroundings on the Essex and Suffolk border.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 4
From
£459 /2 nts

Fforest Farm

Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Simplicity, adventure, and beautiful outdoor living - that's what you'll find at fforest farm.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: Varies
From
£280 /2 nts

Little Seed Field

Ripon, Yorkshire, England
Wild luxury glamping at its most naturally breathtaking, in cosy wooden cabins nestled on a friendly, family-run farm in the Yorkshire Dales.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: Up to 4 per cabin
From
£95 / night

East Thorne Family Roundhouses

Bude, Cornwall, England
An original glamping concept, lovingly created by a family who fell in love with glamping and the Great Outdoors...and set about creating a luxury en-suite glamping alternative for their guests. 
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2-4
From
£160 / night

Glamping Under the Stars

Portlaoise, County Laois, Ireland
A private, magical haven with joyfully quirky retreats and idyllic wildflower meadows, peacefully secluded in Ireland’s ‘Ancient East’ close to bustling Dublin.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 6
From
£195 / night

The Big Hoot Caravan

Cullompton, Devon, England
A retro, TV-featured showman's living van, vibrantly restored with authentic 1970s style, and secluded on peaceful a Devon farm that's surrounded by wildflower meadows.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 4
From
£95 / night
Very child friendly, with an indoor play barn!

The Signal House

Beer, Devon, England
A former Devon coastguard and signal house, transformed into a charming coastal retreat on Beer Head’s breathtakingly scenic clifftops, within strolling distance of the secluded Hooken Beach.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 6
From
£75 pp/pn

Hoe Grange Holidays

Matlock, Derbyshire, England
Eco-friendly, accessible, self-catering log cabins, camping pods and a gypsy caravan on a working farm in the Peak District.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: Varies
From
£180 /2 nts

Ty Cwch

Cwmtydu, Ceredigion, Wales
An award-winning, architect-designed boathouse in Cwmtydu, sleeping up to twelve people across three pods, right on the Welsh Coast Path
Bedrooms: 3 pods (4 bunks each)
Sleeps: 12
From
£100 / night

Dittisham Hideaway

Dittisham, Devon, England
An exquisite collection of luxury treehouses, a gleaming original 1956 American Airstream, and spacious artisan shepherd's lodges, all with private wood-fired hot tubs and beautifully nestled in the scenic heart of Devonshire countryside.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 1-5
From
£95 / night

The Hideaway at Baxby Manor

Husthwaite, Yorkshire, England
Chill out, unwind and savour sensational glamping and camping at The Hideaway - a wonderfully relaxed, totally friendly and perfectly placed eco-friendly campsite in the heart of North Yorkshire.
Bedrooms: Studio
Sleeps: 2 or 4 per unit
From
£25 / night
Availability and LOTS of Hallowe'en activities onsite, from pumpkin picking, the Baxby Boo-Trail, family games and tasty Autumn treats

Culbin Edge

Brodie, Moray, Scotland
A reviving slice of forest living and coastal adventure, based from a cosy eco-cabin at the Edge of paradise.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2-4
From
£465 (3 nts)
October availability 23rd October onwards - 3 nights, 5 nights, and 7 nights availability.

Seabank Selsey

Selsey, West Sussex, England
Prepare for a first-class holiday at stunning Seabank - a railway carriage retreat on the southernmost point of West Sussex.
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 8
From
£450 (2nt)
Rare availability for all of the October half-term (16th-30th October) - enquire for offers.

The Witches Mill

Castletown, Isle of Man
Immerse your souls in magic and mystery with a family-friendly stay in the Isle of Man’s oldest windmill, a major hub for witchcraft in times past and a short walk away from the medieval Castle Rushen.
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 8
From
£200 / night

The Highland Lassie

Dochgarroch, The Highlands, Scotland
A luxurious and lovingly-restored vessel for holidays with family and friends, beautifully moored on the Caledonian Canal in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, close to Inverness.
Bedrooms: 5
Sleeps: 10
From
£2400 / 3nts

Mayen Estate

Rothiemay, The Highlands, Scotland
A sumptuous collection of Scottish Highland hot tub retreats for couples and families on a sweeping, heritage-rich estate surrounded by 900 acres of peaceful nature in the Deveron Valley.  
Bedrooms: 1-3
Sleeps: 6
From
£200/night
Great availability for October - Bailies Cottage is perfect for families!

Logie Newton Lodges

Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Indulgent rural luxury on a blissfully remote, dog and horse-friendly family farm nestled in sublime Aberdeenshire countryside, with private hot tubs for stargazing and a wealth of natural wonder to discover.
Bedrooms: 1 or 2 per lodge
Sleeps: 6
From
£185 /nt (7nts)

Lewis Longhouse

Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
An award-winning, eco-friendly haven that's rich in home comforts and attention to detail, with breathtaking views of the Hebridean Isle of Lewis.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£2000 (week)

Ekopod

Launceston, Cornwall, England
Luxury glamping pods set under the starry skies of Bodmin Moor, with a wild spa on site and the scenic backdrop of Cornwall's ‘Peaceful Valley' to keep you company.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 2/4/8 per unit
From
£110 / night

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