For an alternative affordable half-term getaway, families sail off on a scenic boating holiday on the River Severn - and save 15 per cent on the week’s hire of selected narrowboats with Waterways Holidays until the end of January. Seven nights’ hire of Omniscient – a fully equipped 58ft narrowboat (sleeping up to eight) - with oak-panelled interior – is reduced to £638 (saving £112) for the week commencing 11 February. In addition, up to four well behaved pets are welcome free of charge.
For a half term adventure on the water's edge, hop across the Solent to the Isle of Wight with Wightlink. Enjoy a four-star break at Harbour Farm Lodge in Bembridge, set within an RSPB Nature Reserve and just a short walk to the beach where at low tide there is a vast number of rock pools home to a multitude of curious creatures including porcelain crabs, sea anemones and periwinkles and other-worldly marine algae. The log cabin sleeps four in two en-suite bedrooms. On 11 February, a one-week Wightlink Green Getaway costs from £450 for a family of four (£113 per person) including self-catering accommodation and return car ferry crossings from Portsmouth or Lymington.
Harewood House is launching a fabulous half term week to celebrate nature and raise awareness of conservation. Join in a week of fun activities and demonstrations for all the family to highlight the beauty of nature and raise awareness of conservation. Enjoy the walks featured in the release Harewood's new 'Love Nature' walks booklet, engage in activities such as alpaca wool spinning, pottery painting, craft making to name a few. You can also watch countless birds take flight over the lake while hidden in the brand new bird hide. 11 - 19 Feb 2012, 10am - 4pm. Adult £10.00 Senior £9.00 Child £6.00 Harewood Members free (10 per cent pre-booking discount applies, see website for details).
Others may be jetting off to the Alps for half-term, but you can avoid all that airport chaos by heading instead to the St George's Hotel in Llandudno. The hotel is just a short distance from a scenic dry ski slope, where you and the kids can learn to ski or snowboard from scratch or work on that freestyle, all with fantastic views of the sea and Snowdonia. While you're there, try out Britain's longest toboggan run or sno-tubing before heading back to the seafront hotel. Three nights in February half-term cost from £372 in total, based on a family of four sharing a premier king sized room, including breakfast. Group ski lessons cost from £27.
Take the kids to watch newborn lambs being fed by their mothers and enjoy entertainment including sheep-shearing at The Big Sheep, near Bideford, Devon. Family-friendly entertainment will include the rather wacky sheep races (complete with knitted jockeys) and duck trials - where border collies round up perplexed ducks. BlueChip Holidays is offering guests half-price entry when they book a self-catering holiday over the February Half Term. A selection of high quality self-catering cottages, apartments and houses are available nearby starting from as little as £53 per person for three nights at The Decks on the outskirts of Bideford.
This picturesque property offers the opportunity for the kids to get down with the animals, feeding newborn calves and collecting eggs for breakfast. It costs just £280 per week starting on 11 February and sleeps five with Holiday Cottages.
Yes, even in February! Just don a wetsuit and you're away. Retreat to the wild beauty and rugged coastline of north Cornwall with contemporary self catering experts Beach Retreats. Think meticulously stylish properties, all in spectacular settings, close to the beach and an amazing array of places to eat, drink, play, relax and shop. The beach in front of Waves apartments,offers three miles of perfect sand at low tide. Prices from £570 for a week at half term.
Located in over four acres of secluded gardens and mature woodland, Trigony House Hotel in Dumfries, Scotland, offers a great base for families to explore the surrounding countryside, with activities including horse riding, land rover safaris, falconry and archery. Falconry experience courses include handling, learning about and flying these beautiful birds. Courses are priced from £65 per person for a half-day course (there's currently a 20 per cent discount until the end of March if you pre-book). A superior room accommodates two adults and two children and is priced from £155 per night b&b.
Take a four-night break at Derwent Bank Country House, set in woodland on the shores of Derwentwater. Organised guided walks tailored for families with kids are on offer during half term, with beautiful walks taking in the amazing scenery with stop-offs including Peter Rabbit's garden (altogether now: awww). HF Holidays is offering kids go free deals on these walking breaks, which start at £329 per adult.
The Slimbridge Wetland Centre, set within 325 hectares against the backdrop of the Severn Estuary, offers a vast array of fun and wildlife watching, with special events such as children's introductions to bird watching (£12 - pre booking required) on selected dates, where wardens will give some expert tips on how to learn and develop bird watching skills and knowledge. Visit wwt.org.uk for details.