Climbing high at low prices

Holiday company PGL has announced a special offer on ‘Climbing Adventure’ seven-night residential holidays for children at its Boreatton Park centre in Shropshire in August.

The holidays combine all the techniques and checks for enjoying safe climbing with the chance to earn the National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme Level 2.

Three and a half days are spent ‘learning the ropes’ – including some outdoor crag climbing - with the remainder of the time spent enjoying the centre’s many multi-activities such as motorsports and kayaking.

The new price per child is £359 (saving £150) for full-board accommodation, all activities, instruction and equipment, plus evening entertainment. Dates available are 8 August for the 10-to-13s, 15 August for the 13-to-16s and 22 August for the seven-to-10 year olds. For more information, visit pgl.co.uk.

And for the adults:

The great Irish combination of seafood, live music and Guinness goes into overdrive at the annual Galway International Oyster Festival with four days of celebrations which include tastings, the World Oyster Opening competition, live music and parties (galwayoysterfest.com for full schedule).

With thousands of visitors expected, accommodation in Galway itself is now difficult to find, but for those still keen to experience the atmosphere, Irish Ferries Holidays has availability in self-catering cottages at Renville Village, ten minutes’ drive away in Oranmore.

A week’s rental starting 20 September – the Festival starts on 24th – is £550 which also includes return Holyhead/Dublin cruise ferry crossing for car and four adults. For more information and reservations, visit irishferries.com.

For all the family:

For larger families or groups of friends still hoping to book a cottage this summer, Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire has a choice of properties sleeping eight-to-10 which are available for later in August.

For example, The Rocket Carthouse is a unique property (sleeping eight – not suitable for small children) which was once a coastguard watchtower at Angle. With panoramic sea views and close to the Coastal Path and beaches, the house on offer at £1072 (saving £172) for week commencing 22 August.

Another unique property, this time with a garden leading straight onto Saundersfoot beach, is Sunrise. This beautifully presented house sleeps up to 10 in five bedrooms and has glass doors right across the back for fabulous sea views. The rental for week commencing 21 August is £3014. For more information and bookings, visit coastalcottages.co.uk.