Some pubs can be rented out for families and friends to stay over for as little as £17 per person, per night.
Pubs located in the Peak District, Shropshire, Herefordshire and beyond can now be used as the perfect little getaway.
If you and your mates love a cosy pub to unwind and enjoy a few tipples while having a game of pool, or just having somewhere to get together and enjoy the banter, this could make the perfect stay.
From birthday celebrations to many other kinds of get-togethers, why bother meeting up at the local boozer where you have to queue at the bar, find somewhere to sit or stand, and talk over the background noise, when you can have the place all to yourself with your favourite people?
Sykes Holiday Cottages
Not only do these great holiday lets feature all the best bits of a well loved boozer, including pub grub, pool tables and actual bars, two of the best are just over an hour away from Manchester.
Gathering all your best people together in one place could also be a cost-effective way to take a break. Starting from as little as £17 per person, per night, you could enjoy a seven-night stay at a pub for less than the cost of a meal out.
Set inthe village of Hope in the Hope Valley Derbyshire, this pub is right at the heart of the Peak District.
Located in spacious grounds with ample off road parking for 25 cars this beautiful house provides a wonderful base for family celebrations and holidays.
Guests can settle down for a pint or two with a pre-ordered keg of cider and beer, starting their getaway off the right way as they pull themselves a pint or two.
There is also a games area with a selection of table games and books, table football and a Smart TV and games console to help occupy the younger members of the party, whilst the fibre broadband will ensure a good connection for guests.
Sykes Holiday Cottages
Outside is a large enclosed and safe gravelled area with a paved patio and covered hot tub, a charcoal barbecue and plenty of outdoor seating for groups to relax and drink in the fresh air whilst planning what to see or where to go next.
Seven-night stays start from £4,000 in October with Sykes Holiday Cottages. With the ability to sleep up to 30 people, guests could be looking at spending a week in the Peak District for just £19 per person, per night.
The Temple, Peak District
You can escape to this luxurious, fantastically spacious, historic property for large celebrations with beautiful views.
Holidaycottages.co.uk
This former hotel now serves as a gigantic holiday home complete with an impressively large bar area.
Located in the beautiful wooded gorge of the River Derwent, it is surrounded by stunning wooded hills and cliffs, and within walking distance there is an abundance of attractions such as Gulliver’s Kingdom, the Peak District Mining Museum, aquarium and arcades.
During their stay guests will be able to enjoy plenty of fun and games including a pool table, table tennis, air hockey and even a karaoke machine complete with lights.
Seven-night stays start from £4127 with Holidaycottages.co.uk and this behemoth of a holiday home can house up to 34 guests at a time, working out at a little over £17 per person, per night.
Holidaycottages.co.uk
The Boar’s Head, Shropshire
This incredible former 16th century pub and inn rests within the centre of Bishop’s Castle in south Shropshire, offering superb accommodation with all the fantastic facilities you’d expect from a former pub and coaching inn.
Look forward to spending your time in the snug, cinema room for your relaxing evenings, or enjoy some family fun with a game of darts and pool in the games room.
For days out, you can simply explore the town from the doorstep or head off on many different walks taking in the beautiful countryside, leading you past castles, gardens and much more.
Sykes Holiday Cottages
Seven-night stays start from £3,998 in October with Sykes Holiday Cottages and you and up to 22 of your friends could spend the week in the pub for approximately £24 per person, per night.
The Old Church House, Devon
This enchanting Grade II-listed inn provides spacious and stylish accommodation to cater to the needs of your celebratory getaway with friends and family.
The Old Church House, in Torbryan, is one of England’s oldest and most unique inns. Dating from the 13th century it is steeped in history and folklore.
Sykes Holiday Cottages
Nestled in a picturesque village between majestic Dartmoor and Devon’s glorious south coast, and you have the perfect venue for a special getaway.
The bedrooms are chic, the kitchen has all the modern equipment you need, and there are plenty of highlights including a snooker room and darts alley.
Seven-night stays in September start from £3,481 with Sykes Holiday Cottages. Spacious enough groups of up to 24 guests, you could enjoy a late summer break in Devon for as little as £20 per person, per night.
The Five Bells Inn, Norfolk
Sykes Holiday Cottages
Nestled away next to the waterside church of St Peter’s, this converted pub is a wonderful choice for a special occasion or family get-together.
In the bar area, there’s a pool table and a football table to keep guests occupied for hours, while others can gather around the bar for a more relaxing evening.
On pleasant evenings the outdoor hot tub can be used for guests to enjoy a cosy night under the stars in this picture-perfect corner of the country.
Seven-night stays are available in August starting from £3578 with Sykes Holiday Cottages. With enough room to sleep up to 21 guests, a stay in Norfolk could cost as little as £24 per person, per night.
Holidaycottages.co.uk.
This 14th Century country mansion is set within 22 acres of Herefordshire countryside. Guests can take a leisurely stroll around the five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens including a nature trail.
As well as a separate bar area, games and cinema room, library, pool table and wood-panelled dining room, the huge holiday mansion has its very own vineyard which produces sparkling wine, cider and apple juice.
This stately home can sleep up to 24 guests and provides the perfect backdrop for any special occasion, making guests feel like royalty.
Four-night stays in September start from £3,964 with Holidaycottages.co.uk.
Shrek fans can now live out their dream and stay in the huge, green ogre’s swamp home – now listed on Airbnb.
The ‘mud-laden, moss-covered’ real-life recreation of Shrek’s Swamp is located within the grounds of Ardverikie Estate, in the Scottish Highlands.
The idea for the cosy forest hideout is inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek film series, released between 2001 and 2010.
Alix McIntosh / Airbnb
Airbnb released the listing on Tuesday, with Shrek enthusiasts able to book overnight stays from Friday, October 27th to Sunday, October 29th.
The live-in tree stump features a studio layout with two beds and one bathroom, where up to three guests at a time can make a reservation for free.
The short and long-term home stays firm said the offer is ‘a nod to the priceless refuge Shrek’s Swamp has provided fairytale creatures of all kinds’.
Alix McIntosh / Airbnb
The murky den features ‘Danger’, ‘Beware Ogre’ and ‘Stay Out’ signs on the path leading up to the quirky property. But once inside, it is delightfully snug and inviting.
The unusual listing is hosted by Shrek’s animated sidekick, Donkey, who has agreed to ‘swamp-sit’ in his absence.
About the charming mossy refuge, Donkey posted on Airbnb: “Shrek’s Swamp is lovely. Just beautiful. The perfect place to entertain guests.
Alix McIntosh / Airbnb
“You know what I like about it? Everything. The overgrown landscaping, the modest interiors, the nice boulders, all of it.
“I can’t wait for guests to experience this muddy slice of paradise for themselves.”
To coincide with the launch, Airbnb will make a donation to HopScotch Children’s Charity, which provides some of Scotland’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children with respite breaks through nurturing and dynamic holiday trips.
Alix McIntosh / Airbnb
Anyone interested in staying in Shrek’s Swamp can request a reservation from 6pm on Friday, October 13th.
Legoland in Windsor has revealed a first look into its brand-new holiday park, opening in 2024.
The newly built Woodland Village with over 130 lodges and 20 camping barrels will open to the public next May, with overnight stays on sale now. Prices to stay on the 10-acre site start at £295 or a family of four.
While most lodges sleep up to five guests, with 10 premium lodges able to sleep up to seven people.
Legoland
Features at the Woodland Village include The Clubhouse Restaurant & Bar, which will serve up campfire-inspired grub in a woodland-themed setting.
Youngsters can explore the several woodland-themed play areas equipped with climbing frames and rope bridges based on spider’s webs and treehouses.
The family attraction will also have brick-building activities, nature trails, an entertainment hub, and colourful new Lego characters.
Legoland
Helen Bull, Division Director at Legoland Windsor Resort, said: “The LEGOLAND Woodland Village has been a long time coming and we’re incredibly excited to now be taking bookings ahead of the official opening in May 2024.
“This moment marks years of planning and unwavering dedication to providing a magical experience for all our guests.
“The LEGOLAND Woodland Village is part of a significant transformation for the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort and we look forward to welcoming families to this new way to stay next year!”
Legoland
But this isn’t the only exciting new addition to a Legoland-themed attraction, as an adventure golf attraction will be opening this October.
Also next month, the Legoland Discovery Centres in Birmingham and Manchester will be hosting their own Monster Parties, with a series of spooky attractions for Halloween.
Meanwhile, the Legoland theme park is set to close the Viking River Splash – one of its most popular rides – by the end of the month. The park haven’t given a reason as to why, but the ride will become part of Viking history.
UK holidaymakers will have to pay a fee when they enter Europe on their travels next year, as post-Brexit rules come into force.
From next year, Brits will need to obtain a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) visa waiver to visit popular holiday destinations, including Spain, France, Italy and Greece.
The system will check the security credentials and charge a fee to travellers visiting EU member countries for business, tourism, medical or transit purposes.
Brits will have to complete an application form and pay a fee of seven euros – which works out at around six pounds.
Lauren Friedman / Flickr
So far, 30 European countries have been confirmed as requiring ETIAS travel authorisation next year.
Although the EU has not confirmed an exact date for when the ETIAS comes into force, guidance does say it will be ‘operational in 2024’ – pushed back from the original 2020.
The ETIAS travel authorisation is then valid for three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Travellers will be able to travel to and from the countries whenever they wish, providing the overall limit of the authorised stay is complied with.
Peter K Burian / Wikimedia
According to EU guidance, most applications will be processed within minutes, but could take up to 96 hours.
However, some applications may take longer if additional documents are required, and travellers are advised to not purchase any tickets or book accommodation until they have the ETIAS.
It’s best to apply for one as soon as you start planning your holiday (although applications aren’t open just yet).
To apply for the ETIAS you’ll need to provide your personal details, as well as travel document information and details of any past criminal convictions.
Pedro Szekely / Flickr
You will also need to state the first country you intend to visit. However, once you’ve received the ETIAS you’ll be able to visit any of the 30 countries it covers, whenever you like.
The 30 European countries where visa-exempt travellers require an ETIAS travel authorisation are:
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The exact date of when ETIAS will come into force is yet to be announced. Visit the ETIAS website for more information by clicking HERE.