With the birth of the Royal Baby, the continued fuss over the Olympics and the uncharacteristically warm weather we’re having this year, it’s easy to see why many of us Brits have opted to holiday in the UK. There’s no expensive flights, no hidden costs, no weight limit on what you can take, and you’ll be unpacking in your chalet or hotel room within a few hours of closing your front door.

Rather than be upset they aren’t going to an all-inclusive resort off the African coast, your kids are likely to be pretty chuffed you won’t be embarrassing yourself trying to order their meals in Spanish, the heat is manageable, and (if you’re brave enough) they might be able to bring a school mate along with them. This was my reaction to our UK breaks when I was growing up, and my brother was happy anywhere if there an amusement arcade nearby.

The fact that you can save so much money, means you might decide to go outside the kids summer holidays too. You might even opt for two smaller breaks rather than the traditional August whopper to space things out a little. With Halloween falling in the kids half-term, October is a great time to take another cheeky (well-earned of course) short break.

So just what kind of breaks really get the kids excited? Here’s my selection of best UK breaks for children in the Halloween season.

BUTLINS

Good old Butlins. They’ve got a whole host of Halloween-inspired things lined up in the UK October Holidays. All their favourite attractions including Splash Waterworld, Traditional Funfair Rides, and West-End quality shows are still available to enjoy, aswell as a Trick or Treat Trail and some spooky arts and crafts to keep the children busy. The Skyline Gang will also be holding a Spooktacular party too, providing mum and dad with the perfect excuse to get out the facepaints and join in.

With some really reasonable deals on the website you could have fun at one of butlins resorts for less than you thought.

HORSE TREKKING BREAKS

I don’t think many parents can claim their children haven’t begged them for a horse at some point. I know I did. Thankfully my parents turned me down. This present would have quickly lost its appeal after a week’s worth of 5am stable runs before school to shovel poo. Most laughable is that I only wanted a horse in the first place because my best friend had one - I don’t think I’d ever climbed on one before that request went in to my parents!

But being around horses can be incredibly calming, encourage independence and is a forms of exercise that you don’t necessarily realise you are doing until you get off. There are some beautiful country, seaside, or mountainous trek in the UK so you’ll experience a bit of the great outdoors you’ve been craving, yet still be able to rest your weary head on a luxury pillow at the end of the day. Better still, the kids will be so worn out, you’ll get some ‘adult time’ of an evening.

CANAL BARGES

Little thought of, a canal boat holiday can be an amazing experience for little people. Waving at passersby, having a cheeky steer of the boat, helping navigate locks, and spending quality time with mum & dad and siblings can be a fantastic low-cost holiday.

Far from being claustrophobic and limited, it’s the UK’s answer to a cruise holiday, with plenty of tried and tested routes that offer fabulous off-boat activities, and cosy living quarters to whip out the board games of an evening. It’s something just a little bit different to add to your holiday scrapbook.

So is anyone going away in October? We weren’t. We’re off to the Canaries in late September, but somehow writing this feature might just have changed my mind…