Spurred on by increased business in recent years, UK operators are really upping their game this year by adding new entertainment options and experiences to their packages and parks.
While domestic holidays used to be staid, now there are plenty of opportunities for fun and adventure on home turf, and according to operators, although holidaymakers are not guaranteed sun, the future is looking bright.
“Booking figures are up considerably year on year,” says Allan Lambert, head of retail sales for Bourne Leisure. “As guests look for greater value for money, our strategy of annually reinvesting profits to improve the customer experience helps increase consumer confidence when holidaying closer to home.”
Hoseasons has doubled the size of its Go Active programme for this year, while Matthew Herbert, UK holidays manager at Shearings, says: “While traditional coach tours to seaside resorts continue to be popular, our new tours for this year include everything from three-day city breaks to a 10-day cruise around Britain.”
Other operators point to a change in perception in how clients view domestic breaks. Jason Brindle, sales and marketing director for Pontins, says: “There’s a growing awareness that the UK can offer choice, quality and outstanding value for money. Also holidaying in the UK helps to avoid the possible hassles of airports and travelling abroad with children.”
Here is a taste of the great deals on offer for the Easter and May school holidays across the UK.
City slickers
London will have even more family appeal following the opening of two new shows, The Wizard of Oz this month and Shrek the Musical in May.
A night in a family room at the four-star Regent’s Park Marriott Hotel with breakfast and tickets for either show costs from £321 for a family of four for a weekend in May or June with Superbreak. superbreak.com, 0871 221 4444
Shearings is offering bargain short breaks to some of the UK and Ireland’s liveliest cities, including Dublin, Belfast and London. A three-day Dublin Weekend Hopper costs from £99 by coach or £199 by air, with departures available from April. Includes two nights’ B&B.
Hit the coast
Superbreak has a kids-go-free offer for Sea Life centres including Blackpool, Brighton, Scarborough and Weymouth throughout April and May. One night’s accommodation and a one-day ticket to the Blackpool centre costs from £56 for a family of four.
For those who want to linger over their sticks of rock, Shearings has a host of coach trips heading to the seaside over Easter. Most include excursions and half-board accommodation, making budgeting easier. The Llandudno and Great Little Trains tour costs from £279 per person for five days.
The big attractions
Theme parks are a perennial hit with children, but the cost of a visit can be a white-knuckle ride for parents.
However, during April and May, Superbreak is offering a one-night stay near Legoland with a two-day park pass from £110 for a family of four, while overnight accommodation close to Alton Towers and a day’s park pass costs from £129.
Get active
Sporty types can learn, improve or just have fun doing a host of activities from rock climbing to gymnastics, fencing to short mat bowls on a Hoseasons Go Active break, now available at 10 of the operator’s parks.
A week for a family of four sharing a two-bedroom lodge at Piperdam Lodges in Liff in Scotland costs from £451 at Easter, and £664 during the May half-term with activities paid for at the park.
Going all out to attract the active crowd, the operator will also be launching its new Cycle Xtra, bike-based activity breaks from April 2 at five parks with activities including guided off-road bike rides. A week at Finlake Lodges, Devon costs from £495 at Easter and £725 during the May half-term for a family of four. hoseasons.co.uk/agents, 0844 847 1144
Outdoor types might like to ramble their way to the secret beauty spots on the Isle of Wight. Cross-Solent ferry operator Wightlink has launched a free insider’s guide brochure that can be downloaded online at wightlink.co.uk/secretwight offering a useful tool to give to clients when they book ferry crossings. wightlink.co.uk, 0871 376 1000
Offers and promotions
- Hoseasons is offering families up to £80 off week-long breaks, and £40 off short breaks, during the Easter holidays at 145 of its parks.
- Haven is offering up to 15% off all breaks taken during the 2011 school and bank holidays when booked by February 28.
- Butlins is offering up to 20% off peak-time breaks.
- Pontins is offering up to 50% off family breaks at Easter and May half-term for bookings made before February 28.
Holiday parks
From April 8, holidaymakers can stay in safari-style tents at Haven’s Perran Sands and Burnham on Sea parks. The operator is also introducing lazy rivers, outdoor giant flumes and space bowls. Easter activities at Haven’s parks include bonnet and bunny mask-making.
Come the May half-term, Haven looks to the US for its theme with a new stage show, Summer High 2 – The Graduation. An energetic musical, the cast gives guests the chance to take starring roles. Also new for both half-term holidays is Annabel’s Creative Kitchen where children get to create their own lunch with child food guru Annabel Karmel.
A three-night, self-catering break at Easter costs from £179 and during May half-term from £279, based on up to six people sharing a three-bedroom standard holiday home at Golden Sands Holiday Park in Lincolnshire.
Butlins will be celebrating its 75th birthday this year with a programme of surprise events to mark the occasion, kicking off with special Easter activities including egg hunts, a fancy dress parade and choc-tastic Easter parties.
Meanwhile, this year’s entertainment programme sees performers from TV’s The X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent take to the stage. A three-night break over the May half-term costs from £79 per person based on four sharing silver self-catering accommodation at Bognor Regis. bourneleisuresales.co.uk, 0845 070 4742.
At Pontins’ five seaside parks, children get to meet Captain Croc and his animal pals and try to outsmart evil Safari Sam as they hunt for hidden treasure in the Quest to the Secret Island show. Innovative sports activities meanwhile include Water Walkerz, giant transparent balls that holidaymakers climb inside and then propel themselves across a swimming pool.
A three-night weekend self-catering break for a family of four in a one-bedroom budget apartment costs from £298 at both Easter and May half-term, or £149 if booked before February 28. 0844 576 5959, pontins.com/agents
