Treat yourself to a mini break at a mini price
Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge, Edinburgh
Best for a chic city break
Centrally located on Freer Gait on the former site of the renowned Fountainbridge brewery, the Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge Hotel boasts an enviable setting in the heart of Edinburgh. There’s a 24-hour gym and built-in cinema, plus a rooftop bar and terrace serving tapas, craft beers and cocktails with gorgeous views of Edinburgh Castle. If you fancy exploring the city, Holyrood Whisky and Gin Distillery is a short walk from the Royal Mile and offers tasting tours. Edinburgh Castle is worth a visit too, or you can spend a day with the animals at Edinburgh Zoo. To learn more about the city’s hidden history, try an underground guided tour in The Real Mary King’s Close (Realmarykingsclose.com).
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A double room at the Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge costs from £75 per night (£37.50 per person). Go to Marriott.co.uk to book.
Butlins, Minehead
Best for family fun
Butlins offers bargain breaks year-round, but the good news is that you don’t need to pull the kids out of school to take advantage of the offers. Those looking to fit in a fun family holiday should check out the February half-term breaks, which cost from just £23 per person for three nights. Staying in a two-bedroom Silver Room in Minehead, you can expect exciting live shows and activities plus free-flow access to the pool and unlimited fairground rides. The headline act for 2023 is The Masked Singer Live, where guests can see four well-known characters from the TV show, plus new characters and celebrity performers.
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A three-night stay in a two-bedroom Silver Room in Minehead costs from £92 on 24 February 2023. Price is based on a family of four sharing and includes all live shows and activities. Dining packages start from £22.75 per adult per day, £13.65 per child (6-14) and £6.80 per child (2-5). To find out more or to book, go to Butlins.com.
The Snug, New Forest
Best for cosying up in the countryside
Set in the heart of the New Forest, The Snug in Lyndhurst is the perfect place to enjoy a wholesome family break. A short stroll one way takes you to the vibrant high street, with its quaint shops, pubs and cafés, while a walk in the other direction leads to the open forest for magical walks among the National Park’s famous free-roaming ponies and donkeys. The cottage itself is stylish and comfortable, with deep sofas, a smart TV and DVD player. For extra options, you can hire bikes from the village, play golf, go horse-riding, visit the Beaulieu National Motor Museum or explore Paultons Park – the home of Peppa Pig World.
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A three-night long weekend at The Snug starts at £99 per person. Go to Newforestcottage.co.uk or call 01590 679655 to book.
The EvergladesHotel, Derry
Best for a girls’ night away
For a fun-filled minibreak, check out the Be A Derry Girl Package. Immersing visitors into the world of the hilarious TV series, guests can discover key filming locations and hear about life in the Bogside throughout the troubles during a Walled City Walking Tour with an expert local guide. You can also enjoy an on-theme afternoon tea at the beautiful Everglades Hotel, which includes a cream horn, a cone of chips, the famous Derry sausage roll baps, a classic Tayto cheese and onion crisp sandwich and a cocktail, plus a luxurious overnight stay.
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The Be a Derry Girl Package costs from £95 per person, based on two sharing, and includes an overnight stay at the Everglades Hotel, afternoon tea and cocktail, and the walking tour. Go to Hastingshotels.com to book.
Greyhound Inn, Usk
Best for foodies
The Greyhound Inn near Usk is a stylish, warm and welcoming Welsh village pub with attractive and affordable accommodation. Set in the heart of rural Monmouthshire but within easy travelling distance of Bristol and Cardiff, you can wander the Wye Valley woods one day and go shopping, restaurant-hopping or take in a show the next. If you want to get out and about, historic attractions on the doorstep include Raglan Castle, Tintern Abbey and Big Pit National Mining Museum. At the end of the day, you can retreat to the warmth and hospitality of the Greyhound Inn to enjoy great food, made using fresh, local ingredients, or kick-back with a drink in the flower-filled beer garden.
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One night’s B&B at The Greyhound Inn costs from £95 for two (£47.50 per person). Go to Rarebits.co.uk or call 01570 470785 to book.
Words: Jo Chapman.