The best UK breaks for October half term

See a top show in the West End

The cooler weather October brings is perfect for visiting London's wealth of attractions. Whether your thing is galleries, museums, shopping, or snapping historic landmarks like Big Ben and the Tower of London, October half term in London has something for every family – including world-beating West End shows.

A night at the theatre (or a cheeky matinee) in London is bucket-list worthy in our eyes, and luckily for you there are plenty of shows to see this October. First time in the West End? Long-running classics like Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and Wicked are sure to delight. After something for the little ones? They'll love Frozen and Matilda The Musical, and you will too!

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Visit a royal palace

Speaking of London, it would be rude not to say hello to the Royal Family while you're there. Buckingham Palace – the King's official London residence – will be closed to the public in October, but it's still worth the visit to explore the surrounding grounds and see the Changing of the Guard. This iconic ceremony is free to watch, and the Foot Guards will be accompanied by a full military band playing everything from traditional marches to classic pop songs.

Other royal residences are open to the public in October. Windsor Castle, home to countless former monarchs including Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and ready to welcome you and your family. It's as grand as you'd expect, and you can even see the Changing of the Guard here too.

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Meet Peppa Pig

Are your kids the world's biggest Peppa Pig fans? Are YOU the world's biggest Peppa Pig fan? Then you'll want to head straight to Paultons Park, as it's home to the first and biggest Peppa Pig World.

You'll find 9 fabulous Peppa Pig-themed rides, a splash park and both indoor and outdoor play areas. You can even meet Peppa Pig and her brother George! And if that's not enough for you, Paultons is the best-rated theme park on Google and is home to over 80 exciting rides and attractions and 5 themed worlds to explore, so there's something for the whole family to enjoy.

October half term is a great time to visit, as Paulton's Halloween Spooktacular will be in full swing. There will be plenty of frightfully fun shows and rides to enjoy, plus Peppa and George will be all dressed up in their spookiest outfits.

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Beatlemania in Liverpool

If you and your family are after a city break this half term, Liverpool is pretty hard to beat. It's home to the Royal Albert Dock, a UNESCO Word Heritage Site where you'll find shops, restaurants, the Tate Liverpool and the Mersyside Maritime Museum. But music fans will want to head here for a different reason – The Beatles Story Exhibition.

The Beatles are one of the most iconic groups in music history and are synonymous with the city of Liverpool – and you can learn all about their rise to stardom in the Brittania Vaults. The Exhibition displays loads of authentic memorabilia, including never-before-seen photographs, original hand-written lyrics and even Ringo Starr's drum kit!

There are plenty more Beatles hot-spots to see in the city, including the Cavern Club where the band played in their early days, Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, and even the band's childhood homes.

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Dog-friendly breaks

We haven't forgotten your four-legged friends this half term. An October short break wouldn't be the same without your beloved pet, so why not choose one of our hand-picked, dog-friendly hotels in idyllic locations throughout the UK? Your pooch will be pampered with free food on the first night of your hotel stay, and dog beds and bowls are included.

Windsor's our pick of the bunch for dog-friendly breaks. Windsor Great Park has over 4,800 acres of parkland for you and your pup to explore, plus the Thames Path and National Trust footpaths and byways make for the perfect long walk.