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Last-minute half-term holidays, from UK breaks to green-list escapes

dunmore pineapple, scotland - Angus Bremner
dunmore pineapple, scotland - Angus Bremner

Is your half-term diary looking sparse? Traffic lights, local travel curbs and waterlogged forecasts may have put many off securing a late-May break. Yet for those who have cleared their week, ready for some much-deserved respite, there are still enticing options at home and abroad.

From a long weekend in the Scottish countryside to a five-star clifftop hotel near the Algarve’s best beaches, here’s our pick of last-minute family holidays.

Sleep like an 18th-century earl

If you're looking for a short mid-week getaway, head straight to Falkirk. In between the town and the small, picturesque village of Dunmore you’ll find The Pineapple. This 18th-century summerhouse, built for the 4th Earl of Dunmore, is topped by the giant, ornate carving of the fruit. The eye-catching dome was added in 1777 when the earl was forcibly returned to Scotland after serving as Governor of Virginia – his own take on the tradition for sailors to put a pineapple on the gatepost as a sign of their homecoming. It sleeps four people, with availability from June 2 to June 4 for £657 (landmarktrust.org.uk).

Idle along the 'Kent Riviera'

Explore what this increasingly popular seaside town has to offer with a mid-week stay in this Scandinavian-style Victorian house. Ideally located in central Margate, it's mere minutes away from some of the town's best restaurants. Be sure to finish off a day at the beach with making your own s'mores in the property's fire pit in the back garden. It sleeps six people, with availability from June 2 to June 4 for £789 (airbnb.co.uk).

margate kent - Airbnb
margate kent - Airbnb

Go glamping in a Grade II listed farm

For those wanting to get back to nature but with a dusting of luxury, squirrel away in this glamorous yurt up in Lincolnshire. It sleeps up to six people and comes with a hot tub and a fire pit. Tucked away in the grounds of Sawcliffe Manor House, a Grade II listed farm house dating back to the Middle Ages, options include going for walks with wild horses on the nature reserve or booking a spa session in their natural spa. Available June 2 to June 4 for £643. (airbnb.co.uk).

scunthorpe north lincolnshire yurt - Airbnb
scunthorpe north lincolnshire yurt - Airbnb

Explore a Portuguese fishing town

For those looking for warmer climes, Portugal is one of our few green-list foreign holiday options thus far. A break with Tui will help to avoid some of the current foreign travel hassle thanks to the tour operator's discounted Covid-19 testing packages. It offers a seven-night all inclusive break at the 5T Riu Guarana in Olhos D'Agua, a fishing town right in the heart of the Algarve. Perched in a clifftop overlooking the sea, it has three pools, two restaurants and is less than an hour from the airport, with Albufeira only 4km away. Prices start from £604 per person, based on two adults and two children sharing. Flights depart from Birmingham on 3rd June 2021 and includes transfers. (tui.co.uk).

funchal, madeira - Getty
funchal, madeira - Getty

Book in for B&B in Albufeira

Fancy a package break in the Algarve, with evenings spent in local restaurants? EasyJet Holidays offers a seven-night stay at The Paladim & Alagoamar in Albufeira on a bed and breakfast basis for £442 per person, including flights from Bristol Airport. The hotel is centrally located between the old town and main strip, and is just a short walk from the beach. It's an ideal base for a fly-and-flop escape, especially with temperatures pushing up into the mid-20s from next week (easyjet.com).

Antrim, Northern Ireland - Chris Lacey
Antrim, Northern Ireland - Chris Lacey

Hop over to Northern Ireland

Listen to the waves crashing on the shores of White Park Bay, Co. Antrim from the comfort of this three-bedroom seaside cottage. Nestle in the old fishing hamlet of Portbradden, you’ll have all-encompassing views of the beach and out towards the western cliffs of Rathilin Island. The National Trust property have free entry to sights including Giant’s Causeway , Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House. It sleeps up to six with availability from June 1 to June 3 for £982. (nationaltrust.org.uk)

Indulge in Michelin-starred meals

Those who want to splurge on their first post-lockdown break might be tempted by this property, which includes a two-Michelin starred restaurant. The five-star Cliff Bay stands “on a promontory with direct access to the sea and beautiful views over the Bay of Funchal,” writes Telegraph Travel’s Portugal expert, Mary Lussiana. She also mentions its flower-filled garden with direct access to the ocean.

The Cliff Bay has three swimming pools and a spa, so to occupy children and weary parents. Even more awaits those who venture beyond the town to soak up the attractions of Madeira and its sister island. A seven-night stay for a family of four (on a bed and breakfast basis), including flights departing from London Gatwick on June 4 is available for just under £3,425 through Thomas Cook (thomascook.com).

gibraltar - Getty
gibraltar - Getty

Plan a long weekend in Gibraltar

The tiny British Overseas Territory is welcoming Britons with just a free, rapid test required on arrival (visitors must also complete a passenger locator form). Those itching for outdoor adventure could flit between dolphin-watching boat trips, paddleboarding sessions and encounters with some of the Rock’s population of 200 Barbary macaques. For holidaymakers seeking sun and sea, the glut of restaurants around the Ocean Village development and eclectic collection of beaches – from the attractive man-made sweep of Sandy Bay to the colourful homes of Catalan Bay – will more than suffice. British Airways holidays offers four nights at The Elliot Hotel from £739 per person for a family of three. This includes return flights from Heathrow, travelling on selected dates between 2 June - 3 June inclusive (ba.com/gibraltar). Limited availability.

Travel rules and restrictions are liable to change at short notice. Check local travel guidance and/or international travel restrictions and entry requirements at gov.uk before booking. For more ideas on where to stay, see our guide to the best hotels in the UK.