Half-term trips abroad have jumped as much as 40% as families rush to escape unsettled UK weather

Families are rushing to swap rain for rays in a half-term holiday booking “frenzy”, a leading travel firm has revealed.

Package specialist On the Beach has reported a surge in business for what forecasters says could be unsettled weather during the kids’ break from school. Bookings for late May getaways have jumped as much as 40% in just a few weeks, the firm said, with a spike in recent days. Forecasters are warning Britain faces a mixed half-term weather, with mostly warm weather but heavy showers too.

As an added incentive, families could get away for less too. On the Beach says taking a week away during the May half term typically costs around £577 less than same week in the peak month of August.

Other travel firms and airlines have also reported travellers leaving it late to book because of money worries and nervousness about the Middle East conflict and delays at EU airports because of new border checks. It has led to companies offering bigger discounts to get them to commit.

Caspar Nelson, holiday expert at On the Beach, said: “Brits can put up with a lot, but a washout half term isn’t one of them.

“The second the forecast starts hinting at rain and grey skies, families go into full holiday-hunting mode, searching for last-minute sunshine in Spain, Turkey and Greece.

“We’ve already seen a uplift in bookings over the past couple of weeks, and with the half-term forecast now taking shape, we’re expecting another major rush this weekend. For a lot of people, the choice is simple when faced with chance drizzle at home or guaranteed sun by the pool.”

Among the late May offers from the firm are:

:: A six night all-inclusive stay at the LIVVO Jandia Golf in Fuerteventura, Spain, including flights leaving from East Midlands on Monday 25 May costing just £393 per person (based on two adults and two children).

:: A five night all-inclusive stay at the BLUESEA Los Fiscos in Lanzarote, Spain, including flights leaving from Manchester on Wednesday 27 May costing £253pp (based on two adults and two children).

:: A five night all-inclusive stay at the Miarosa Konakli Garden in Antalya, Turkey, including flights leaving from London Gatwick on Wednesday 27 May costing £355pp (based on two adults and two children).

:: A seven night all-inclusive stay at the Villamarina Club in Costa Dorada, Spain, including flights leaving from Manchester on Sunday 23 May costing £495pp (based on two adults and two children).