last-minute / affordable half-term travel
By Guest Contributor
Are you looking for a last-minute / affordable half-term travel round-ups? If so, Holiday Inn Express, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, has your back…
Explore the best staycation spots across the UK and Europe – all just a stone’s throw away from thrilling attractions for all the family.
And here’s the cherry on top: with our Holiday Inn Express brand ‘Kids Stay & Eat Free’!
UK – Staycations
Holiday Inn Express Droitwich Spa
35 min drive to Go Ape Wyre
30 min drive to West Midlands Safari Park
30 min drive to Worcester Cathedral
25 min drive to Worcester Woods Country Park
9 mi drive or 26 min transport to LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
15 min drive to Jump In by AirHop Trampoline Park
5 min drive or 15 min walk to Windsor Castle
14 min drive to Ascot Racecourse
Holiday Inn Express London – Watford Junction
12 min drive or 19 min transport to Warner Bros. Studio Tour
35 min drive from Wembley Stadium
39 min drive to Whipsnade Zoo
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Leith Waterfront
6 min walk to Royal Yacht Britannica
10 min drive or 35 min walk to Royal Botanic Gardens
19 min drive or 32 min transport to Edinburgh Castle
Europe Holidays
Holiday Inn Express Marne-La-Vallee Val D’Europe
13 min drive or 30 min transport to Disneyland Paris
11 min drive or 32 min transport to La Vallee Village
Holiday Inn Express Brussels – Grand-Place
18 min drive or 7 min transport to Grand Place
20 min walk to Atomium
17 min drive or 26 min transport to Royal Belgian Institue of Natural Sciences
Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam – North Riverside
30 min transport to NEMO Science Museum
24 min drive or 32 min transport to Van Gogh Museum
Children’s Online Privacy: 75% of Parents Fear Kids Aren’t Making Safe Choices Online
New research from the ICO shows 75% of parents worry their children aren’t making safe choices online, yet many rarely talk about online privacy at home. A new campaign is now encouraging families to treat digital privacy as an essential life skill, just like road safety or stranger danger.
5 Easter Chemistry Experiments for Families to Try at Home
Looking for fun and educational ways to keep the kids entertained this Easter? The Royal Society of Chemistry has shared five easy chemistry experiments families can try at home, using everyday household items to explore colour, reactions and science through hands-on play.
Auntie Cath Cooks: Chilled Honey Chicken Poke Bowl & A Hot Soy Beef Poke Bowl
In this edition of Auntie Cath Cooks, Catherine Tyldesley shares two fresh, flavour-packed recipes perfect for busy family life — a chilled honey chicken poke bowl and a hot soy beef poke bowl. Simple, satisfying and full of goodness, they’re ideal for an easy lunch or midweek dinner.
Märchenhotel Braunwald Review: A Fairytale Family Hotel in Switzerland
A stay at Märchenhotel Braunwald feels like stepping into a fairytale, with snowy mountain views, family-friendly touches, and plenty to keep little ones entertained. In this BROOD travel review, Lolo Stubbs shares why this Swiss hotel is a magical choice for a relaxing family escape.
How to make your own Easter Egg
How to make an Easter Egg using a balloon and some chocolate, by renowned chocolatier Oli Dunn
The Stress Hangover Working Mothers Rarely Name
Working mothers often carry an invisible mental and emotional load long after the day appears to be done. In this powerful piece, Sarie Taylor explores the “stress hangover” — the exhaustion, anxiety and overwhelm that can surface once the crisis has passed — and offers a compassionate reframe for why it happens and what it really means.
How the Clocks Going Forward Affects Baby and Toddler Sleep
The clocks have gone forward, the evenings are lighter, and for many parents that means one thing — sleep routines suddenly feel harder. In this expert column, Amanda shares why the seasonal light change can affect babies and toddlers, plus practical tips to help your child settle well, sleep longer, and wake less.
Women of the Year Awards 2026: Nominations Open for Inspirational Mums and Women Across the UK
The Women of the Year Awards are back for 2026, with nominations now open to celebrate exceptional women making an impact across the UK. From business and leadership to community and motherhood, this is a timely reminder to recognise the women whose work deserves to be seen.
Endometriosis: The Invisible Load so many women are carrying
Endometriosis isn’t “just a bad period”. It’s a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in places it shouldn’t (often around the pelvis, but it can show up elsewhere too)
£1,081.227 raised at this year’s Dr Michael Josephson MBE Farewell Ball
The Manchester Deansgate Hotel was transformed last night for a dazzling celebration of philanthropy and performance, as friends, supporters, and celebrity guests gathered at the Dr Michael Josephson MBE Farewell Ball raising £1,081.227 for children’s charities across the North-West.



























