If you were hoping to go abroad this year and now you’ve left your summer hols booking a bit late - fear not.
There are still plenty of options out there for a memorable family break.
We’ve done the hard work for you and found some excellent alternatives to a bricks-and-mortar stay.
Try a glamorous tent, a fun campervan or a canal boat.
Scotland
Haven Seton Sands Holiday Park, East Lothian
Park with activities including bungee trampolining, a 9-hole golf course and indoor pool, with views over the Firth of Forth.
https://www.haven.com/parks/scotland/seton-sands
Touring pitches available, August 1, 7 nights £363.30
Narrowboat from Falkirk to Edinburgh
Seven nights on a two-bedroom boat exploring the Union Canal, with some of the UK canal network’s best views and including the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s only rotating boat lift.Diesel is extra and costs around £10 per day
https://www.black-prince.com
Availability: July 17, 7 nights, from £1,899
Glamping at Balnab Whithorn Farm, Dumfries & Galloway
Canvas lodge with private outdoor shower with optional extras such as a BBQ or private chicken coop on a farm in one of the UK’s only two gold tier’ Dark Sky Parks, with little light pollution perfect for star gazing.
https://www.featherdown.co.uk/location/balnab-whithorn/
Availability: 7-night stays available in August, £1,349. Shorter stays also available.
Motorhome from Kelty, Fife
A six-berth fully equipped motorhome with TV and bike rack, to explore Scotland starting from Kelty near Edinburgh.
https://vaaroom.com/
Availability: July and August, 7 nights, £1225
Manchester to Edinburgh by campervan
Nomad motorhome for four people with a living area, kitchenette, bathroom and sleeping area, picked up in Manchester.
https://indiecampers.co.uk/
Availability: July and August, 7 nights, £1264
South East
Camping at Polesden Lacey, Surrey
Campsite within the 1,400 acre grounds of the National Trust Polesden Lacey Estate in the Surrey hills.
https://www.emberscamping.co.uk/campsites/polesden-lacey-surrey/
Availability: Selected dates in July and August, £60 per night (minimum 2 nights)
Camping at Bentley Estate, Sussex
Located on the 700-acre Bentley Estate on the edge of the South Downs National Park and close to the seaside.
https://www.emberscamping.co.uk/campsites/bentley-sussex/
Availability: Selected dates in July and August, £60 per night (minimum 2 nights)
Camping at Henley Estate, Oxon
Campsite situated on the River Thames and a short river walk to the town of Henley-on-Thames.
https://www.emberscamping.co.uk/campsites/henley-oxfordshire/
Availability: Selected dates in July and August, £60 per night (minimum 2 nights)
Ready Camp Cambridge
Ready-prepped safari tent with real beds and creature comforts on a glamping site at Great Shelford on the outskirts of Cambridge.
www.readycamp.co.uk
Availability: July 19, 4 nights, £312.
West
Camping at Pylewell Park Estate, New Forest
Campsite with sea views just outside the harbour town of Lymington in the heart of the New Forest.
https://www.emberscamping.co.uk/campsites/pylewell-park-the-new-forest/
Availability: Selected dates in July and August, £60 per night (minimum 2 nights)
Glamping at Glastonbury Hill Farm, Somerset
These ’tented cottages’ have wooden floorboards, comfy beds and wood stoves as well as showers and private toilets, on a farm with views over the Somerset Levels.
https://www.featherdown.co.uk/location/glastonburyhillfarm/
Availability: August 23, 4 nights £810
Glamping at Hidcote Manor Farm, Gloucestershire
Canvas lodge with ensuite shower and flushing toilet at a 300-acre National Trust Farm near Chipping Camden in the Cotswolds.
https://www.featherdown.co.uk/location/hidcote-manor-farm/
Availability: August 9, 4 nights, £850
Pod with hot tub, Brokerswood Holiday Park, Wiltshire
Air-conditioned superior pod with outdoor hot tub within 80 acres of woodland and close to attractions such as Stonehenge and Longleat Safari Park.
https://haulfrynholidays.co.uk/our-parks/wiltshire/brokerswood/
Availability: July 16, 7 nights, £1,199
The Gathering Camp, Ash Farm, Dorset
Two sleeping huts each with a double bed around a central living hut and a wood-fired hot tub.
https://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/britain/england/dorset/ash-farm/the-gathering-camp
Availability: August 9, 4 nights £1820
Midlands
Jesters Shepherd’s Hut, Hill Farm, Warwickshire
A shepherd’s hut on a working family sheep farm, with a separate hut for making tea, a fire put for barbecuing and an outdoor shower among the trees.
https://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/britain/england/warwickshire/hill-farm-glamping/jesters-shepherd-s-hut
Availability: August 15, 5 nights, £775
Trentfield Farm, Retford, Nottinghamshire
Camping and caravanning pitches on a riverside site near Lincoln, Sherwood Forest and Sundown Adventureland.
www.trentfield.co.uk
Availability: July & August, £22 per night
Wales
High Life Canal Cruise, Chirk, Wrexham, Wales
A four-night canal cruise on a 4-bedroom boat departing from Chirk and crossing the 39m high Pontycysllte Aqueduct, the highest canal aqueduct in the world. Diesel is extra and costs around £10 per day
https://www.black-prince.com
Availability: August 27, 3 nights, from £1,249
North West
Narrowboat on the Bridgewater Canal, Cheshire
Ideal for families trying a canal break for the first time, the 26-mile route from Acton Bridge to Lymm and back with only one lock to navigate. Diesel is extra and costs around £10 per day
https://www.black-prince.com
Availability: August 28, 3 nights, from £1,099.
Yorkshire
Yurt in Cayton Village, North Yorkshire
Spacious yurt with reclaimed timber king-sized bed, two single beds, BBQ station and free Wifi, close to beaches, Scarborough and North Yorkshire Moors.
https://www.experiencefreedom.co.uk/locations/regions/north-of-england/yorkshire/cayton-village/
Availability: August 15, 3 nights £407
East
MegaPod at West Stow, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
Fully self-contained pods in a calm woodland with no Wifi for ‘digital detoxing’, close to a recreated Anglo Saxon village.
www.weststowpods.co.uk
Availability: July and August, 4 nights, £480.
Boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads
The UK’s largest nationally protected wetland and of the UK’s most popular boating destinations, some cancellations mean holiday cruisers are still available.
https://www.norfolkbroadsboathire.biz/
Availability: Brinks Tempo 6 berth cruiser, July 20, 7 nights, £2235
Tatershall Lakes, Lincolshire
2-bed caravan or 6-person safari tent in a park with outdoor lido and indoor pool, plus a lake for water skiing and wake boarding.
https://www.awayresorts.co.uk/parks/lincolnshire/tattershall-lakes/
Availability: August 9, 3 nights £626 (caravan), July 30, 3 nights £434 (safari tent)
Beachcomber Holiday Park, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire
Caravan sleeping 7 people on beachside park with outdoor heated pool, tennis court and sports bar.
https://www.awayresorts.co.uk/parks/lincolnshire/beachcomber/
Availability: August 2, 4 nights £726
White Horse Holiday Park, Southrey, Lincolshire
Brand new lodge with private tub on the banks of the Witham River and close to Blue Flag beaches, country walks and seaside resorts of Skegness and Cleethorpes.
https://white-horse-holiday-park-southrey.hotelmix.co.uk/
Availability: During July, 3 nights £330, 5 nights £780
Hanworth County Park, Lincolnshire
Camping and toking pitches, clamping pods and lodges with private hot tub in 42 acres of parkland on the outskirts of historic Lincoln.
https://www.hanworthcountrypark.co.uk/
Availability: Throughout summer, camping from £12/night, touring pitches from £23/night, clamping pods from £40/night, lodges sleeping up to 8 from £343/night. Use code LEISURE21 to save up to £100.
Camping at Rand Farm Park, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire
Camping pitches on popular Lincolnshire children’s farm with animal barn, tractor rides and adventure playground.
https://randfarmpark.com/camping
Availablity: July 23, July 30 and August 6, 2 nights £175.
