Where to go?

[Hibernatalie]

I'm looking to book a holiday for October half term and need ideas of location.
2 adults, 2 DC age 8 and 6.
I don't want to fly more than about 3 hours from London. Would like warm, sunny weather in October.
Would like a beach and pool, but also a bit of culture and near a town.
Any ideas?
Thank you!

budget?

I think you might need to fly a bit more than 3 hours to get heat in October. I love Mogan in Gran Canaria. The weather is usually lovely, the place is too but not much by way of 'culture' there. A trip to the city of Las Palmas is good but not sure it would appeal to the little ones. Palmitos Park and Aqualand are good for days out but we prefer to relax at the pool or beach.

Malta or Majorca are still warm that time of year, or a little further for the Canaries

Benalmedena near Malaga

Fuengirola would be another option near Malaga. Very easy to do independently if you don't want a package as you can get a train directly to and from the airport.

Wide range of accommodation, likely to be good weather, loads of restaurants catering to many nationalities including Spanish. Waterpark nearby, good public transport to get into Malaga city or to inland white towns such as Mijas.

I was in Gran Canaria a couple of weeks ago and Puerto Mogan seemed a bit 'end of the line' with little to do except the beach and hotel facilities. Everywhere else like Las Palmas, airport, trips into the mountains was a long bus ride away and there were often only a handful of buses a day so would have to be planned carefully.