These UK Airbnbs are perfect for fun family escapes this October half term

No sooner have we dropped the kids at the school gates after the long summer break — mastering the delicate art of school logistics in the process (drop offs, pick ups, school clubs, playdates, homework, lost property, phew) — than along comes the October half term break. It creeps up on the best of us. 

If you’ve yet to make plans, we’ve rounded up some fabulous UK Airbnbs to consider for a family holiday at the end of October*. And while we can’t guarantee sunshine (or even a clear run of dry days) at this time of year, we can vouch for the fact that each place on this list offers something special for families. Pack board games, heated throws, wellies and Halloween decorations and you can hunker down for a cosy escape somewhere close to home this autumn. 

From cute cottages with crackling fires to luxury lodges with cinema rooms, here are our favourite spots for hassle-free holidays in the UK. 

Impress the kids by booking this cosy cottage in Salisbury with its own treehouse! On the edge of ancient woodland and a lake, you'll also have access to a huge garden and a hot tub (sleeps 6)

Old Keepers Cottage, Salisbury

Sleeps: Six (two bedrooms, four beds)

Amenities: Kitchen, TV, WiFi, garden, BBQ, parking, bed linen, hairdryer, self check-in, highchair, travel cot, kids' books and toys, treehouse, hot tub (Dutchtub)

Location: At the edge of Knightwood Copse, an 80-acre ancient wood around a 20-minute drive from Salisbury.

This gamer's getaway in southwest Wales features retro arcade machines, games consoles, a kids' play area and a giant chess board for fun family stays (sleeps 6)

Canllefaes Granary, Penpac, Carmarthenshire

Sleeps: Six (three bedrooms, five beds)

Amenities: Kitchen, TV, WiFi, garden, BBQ, parking, bed linen, hairdryer, self check-in, shared outdoor pool (May to September)

Location: The quiet village of Penparc, just two miles from the pretty market town of Cardigan in Carmarthenshire and a 15-minute drive from the coast

Set within a 50-acre nature reserve in Dartmoor, this traditional stone cottage features a games room, a hot tub and bikes to borrow (sleeps 5)

Butterdon-Dartmoor Cottage, Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor, Devon

Sleeps: Five (two bedrooms, three beds)

Amenities: Kitchen (no washer-dryer), TV, balcony, WiFi, parking, bed linen, hairdryer, travel cot, highchair, self check-in, wood-burning fireplace, BBQ, games room, hot tub (charges apply), bikes to borrow,

Location: The ancient market town of Moretonhampstead, a 40-minute drive from Exeter

Cosy up in the Cotswolds in a three-bedroom cottage with access to an outdoor pool, a sunken trampoline and a nearby lake for kayaking, paddle boarding and cycling (sleeps 6)

Clover Cottage, Lower Mill Estate, Cotswolds

Sleeps: Six (three bedrooms, four beds)

Amenities: Kitchen, TV, balcony, WiFi, parking, bed linen, hairdryer, travel cot, highchair, self check-in, shared pool and sauna

Location: Lower Mill Estate, a 15-minute drive from Cirencester

Head for the Highlands and bed down in a contemporary cottage at the edge of Loch Tay. Kids will love the playground, indoor pool, tennis courts and nearby watersports (sleeps 6)

Kenmore Cottage, Loch Tay Resort

Sleeps: Six (two bedrooms, three beds)

Amenities: Kitchen, TV, WiFi, parking, bed linen, hairdryer, self check-in, pool, hot tub, sauna, gym

Location: At the northeastern edge of Loch Tay, around an hour's drive from Perth and around 90 minutes from Dundee.

Combine style and sport in Sussex at this contemporary Grade II-listed cabin equipped with a tennis court, football goals, a trampoline and a zip line (sleeps 4)

The Nest at Severels, Chichester, West Sussex

Sleeps: Four (two bedrooms, three beds)

Amenities: Kitchen, TV, WiFi, garden, BBQ, parking, bed linen, hairdryer, self check-in, highchair, travel cot, tennis court, table tennis table, football goals, badminton nets, trampoline, zip line

Location: The pretty village of Runcton, a 10-minute drive from Chichester. Pagham beach is a 20-minute cycle ride away and West Wittering's epic sand dunes are a 15-minute drive away.

Stay in a Scandi-style barn conversion on the Essex/Suffolk border with a cool kids' play area, a wood burner and a hammock. Perfect for stylish rural escapes (sleeps 6)

Barn in Little Bentley, Essex

Sleeps: Six (three bedrooms, five beds)

Amenities: Kitchen, TV, WiFi, parking, bed linen, hairdryer, self check-in, cot, high chair, baby bath, garden, firepit

Location: The village of Little Bentley on the Essex/Suffolk border, around a 25-minute drive from Colchester.

Kick back in the capital in a fancy Kensington townhouse with gorgeous period features and fun kids' amenities steps from the Science Museum. You won't have to lift a finger either as housekeeping is included! (sleeps 9)

South Kensington, London

Sleeps: Nine (five bedrooms, six beds)

Amenities: Kitchen, TV, WiFi, parking, bed linen, hairdryer, self check-in, garden, cot, high chair, garden, firepit, BBQ

Location: South Kensington, between Kensington and Chelsea, within walking distance of some of London's top free-to-enter museums including the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the V&A.

-Destination recommended by Mumsnet user, Geranium1984

Hunker down in a luxury woodland eco lodge in Somerset with an on-site cinema room, sauna and bar, plus a hot tub with forest views (sleeps 6)

Belvedere Retreat, Clapton-in-Gordano, Somerset

Sleeps: Six (three bedrooms, three beds)

Amenities: Kitchen, TV, WiFi, parking, bed linen, hairdryer, self check-in, garden, cot, high chair, cinema room, table tennis, sauna, bar, garden, firepit, BBQ, hot tub

Location: The village of Clapton-in-Gordano, a 30-minute drive from Bristol and just 10 minutes from Portishead Beach.

When is October half-term 2025? 

School holiday dates vary across the UK and some schools close for one week; some for two. Generally the October half-term holiday runs from 27 to 31 October, 2025. Academies, free schools, foundation schools and faith schools may close at different times. If you're unsure about your school's term dates, it's best to contact them directly before booking anything! 

About the author

Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel.

She has written hotel reviews, features and destination guides for top publications including the Guardian, Four Seasons Magazine, Travelzoo, Visit Britain and Visit London. She loves nothing more than researching and writing about fun things for families to do in destinations near and far, as well as trawling the Mumsnet holiday forum for inspiration for her next trip away with her husband and two kids. 

*Property information/availability correct at time of writing