Half-term hiatus: 5 last-minute family escapes

​With the school break imminent, there’s still time to plan a getaway

Take a hike on the Isle of Wight (HF Holidays)

The cost of holidays may reach a peak whenever the kids are off school, but that doesn’t mean a half-term adventure needs to break the bank. With the break almost upon us, there’s still a good range of deals to be found, both at home and overseas.

Emerald Isle

Although British kids may be braced for a break, school holidays fall at different times across the Irish Sea. This means there’ll be no peak-season crush - and with flight prices at a half-term high, ferry travel compares favourably. Irish Ferries (irishferries.com/holidays) is offering week-long, self-catering cottage stays in Waterville, County Kerry (where the nearby rocky coastline doubled as Luke Skywalker’s hideout in the recent Star Wars movie) from £718 in total for a family of five, including ferry crossings (with car) from Pembroke or Holyhead on 28 May.

The coastline on the Ring of Kerry route (Discover Ireland)

Walk it off

HF Holidays (hfholidays.co.uk) has good news for families stretching their budget. Children under 11 go free on the company’s UK walking breaks, while older kids (up to 17) pay half price. Its Isle of Wight itinerary (departing 28 May) includes a choice of daily, guided walks planned specifically with youngsters in mind. Routes feature highlights such as Carisbrooke Castle and The Needles rock stacks, plus there’s plenty of time for enjoying the beach or group activities at the hotel. Adults from £499pp for four nights, full-board.

Mess about in boats

A holiday afloat presents challenges and trials - from negotiating locks to navigating tunnels - that all add up to a memorable family adventure. Drifters (drifters.co.uk) operates a fleet of self-drive narrowboats from 45 bases across England, Wales and Scotland, with vessels still available this half term. Departing 28 May, a week exploring the North Oxford Canal, via pretty villages and Warwick Castle, costs from £1,540 for four people, including rental, fuel and tuition. Shorter trips cost from £880; and no family members need miss out – pets are welcome, too.

Take a narrowboat holiday along England's waterways (Drifters)

Viva España

The UK weather is always capricious, so if cloudy skies stand to ruin your holiday, you’d better look further afield. Mallorca is ideal in May, where flower-filled landscapes bathe in wall-to-wall sunshine. Jet2holidays (jet2holidays.com) has seven nights’ self-catering in Alcudia from £439pp, based on two adults and one child, including transfers and flights from Leeds Bradford on 29 May. Or upgrade to a five-star hotel in Lanzarote, with seven nights’ B&B from £549pp, based on two adults and one child, with flights from East Midlands on 29 May.

Key to happiness

Florida is the archetypal family destination, but why not skip the theme parks and head south for something more “real”? A trip to the Florida Keys affords chances to spot wild dolphins, see the sea turtle hospital or seek pirates’ bounty at Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum. Hayes and Jarvis (01293 762 456, hayesandjarvis.co.uk) has a seven-night, family fly-drive departing 29 May from £1,149 per adult and £849 per child (based on a family of four, room-only) including hotel stays on Duck Key and Key West, car hire and flights from Heathrow.

Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum