10 family-friendly cottages to book for October half-term

With the Summer of Staycations almost over and the onset of autumn beginning to set in, it's time to start thinking about the October half term break.

Organising a family holiday is never easy but it pays to start thinking in advance, and especially as holiday cottages are already starting to book up over half-term dates.

So, if you don't want a repeat of the feeding frenzy that was this year's clamour for staycation properties, we recommend doing your homework now so that come October you're enjoying a quaint holiday home with the family.

While we can't guarantee you the heat of the Caribbean, we can vouch for there being some pretty stunning spots that are just as scenic and plenty of enjoyable days out to experience with the kids.

We've picked out out favourite destinations, and most-coveted cottages, that still have availability (as we write) to book for the cosier season: expect crunching through leaves in your wellies, visiting picture-perfect honey-hued villages and tucking into oversized mugs of hot chocolate in front of the fire.

From a 4,500 sqft converted barn with the WOW factor to a quaint Cotswolds cottage that just screams 'cosy', we've found something for every type of family out there.

Sounds like bliss, doesn't it?