With February half term almost upon us, the window for booking a last-minute overseas family holiday is closing fast. While you might still snap up a European city break, skiing packages in popular destinations sold out months ago, and decent winter sun options will be few and far between.
What’s more, the hassle involved with travelling abroad right now could make you reluctant to commit. Yes, the UK Government has scrapped testing for children and vaccinated adults (from February 11), but rules in many other countries remain strict. Spain, for example, only welcomes fully vaccinated teens, which, considering only 12% of British 12 to 15-year-olds have had two jabs, makes it an impossible option for many families.
Yet there’s a February half-term option right on our doorstep. Why not make the most of what the UK has to offer? Plenty of availability can be found, even in some pretty special self-catering properties. Indeed, the aforementioned easing of overseas travel rules has reportedly turned the heads of those who had previously been planning a staycation, perhaps leaving more options for those who would prefer to remain on home soil.
The first travel update of 2021, when it was revealed that vaccinated Britons would no longer need to take a test to re-enter the country, saw UK holiday cancellations rise by 18 per cent compared to the previous two weeks, according to Guesty, a property management platform.
Yet the UK still remains appealing for a particular type of break – for all the extended family. “We’re noticing a trend for larger properties, with many of our customers opting for multi-generational trips to get groups of family and friends back together,” said a spokesperson for holiday property company Sand & Stone Escapes.
The places to book below include mansions and estates perfect for a big family getaway and options that would suit a family of four.
Take over a manor
With Elizabethan Manor in the village of Pulborough, you can treat the extended family to a grand home-from-home, complete with a heated pool, tennis court and walled garden. As you tuck into a daily feast in the dining room, with a fire blazing in the traditional stone fireplace, picture the manor’s previous guests. Among them was Elizabeth I, who stayed in 1591. There’s ample room for grandparents, cousins or family friends. Teenagers who are typically not enthralled by the prospect of a family holiday will find space for freedom. Bedrooms are spread out over two floors, with en suites in most. Outside, there’ll find some 1.4 acres of private grounds to roam.
