6 h. ago France’s eight weeks of summer holidays, or England's six? I’ve done both and know which one I prefer | Gillian Harvey

With vacations of up to 14 weeks on the continent, education can suffer – although on the plus side childcare and holidays are much more affordableRemember the summer holidays of your childhood – the seemingly endless, sunny days many of us look back on fondly? Those six “precious” weeks look very different when you’re a parent. Having to feed, entertain, look after and fund your offspring during the extended break can sometimes make the summer seem endless for all the wrong reasons.Parents in England where, as in Scotland and Wales, the school summer break is six weeks, have complained that this is too long, and are backing a reduction to four weeks. Pity then the parents in mainland Europe: French school holidays last for eight weeks. In some regions of Italy, summer is a whopping 14-weeks long. Having birthed and brought up my five children in France, only moving back to England in April last year when my eldest was 14 and my youngest nine, I’ve experienced summers on both sides ...

Politics

17 h. ago The 22 best things to do with kids this summer in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion

We're within touching distance of the school summer holidays, so it's time to plan for a summer of fun with your family where thousands of us head to each year - west Wales

Politics

27 h. ago Virgin Media's Sky Sports bundles cut by £330 ahead of Premier League season

Virgin has slashed more than £300 off select TV, broadband and Sky Sports bundles to their 'lowest ever price' in its Summer of Sports sale, offering plenty of Premier League, EFL and Formula 1 action for less

Politics

32 h. ago Road closures to know as Merchant City festival celebrates 850 years of Glasgow

The festival runs from July 18 to 20 with live shows, markets and family fun for Glasgow’s 850th anniversary

Culture

60 h. ago Freewheeling family fun in the Netherlands: a cycling and camping trip along the Maas river

The Maasroute is the ideal entry-level, multiday bike trip for young children – flat with plenty of riverside cafes, family-friendly campsites and ice-cream stops en routeAs early as I can remember, I’ve always got a thrill out of poring over a map, tracing wavy river lines with my fingers, roads that connect and borders that divide – all the routes I could take. The freedom of heading out on my bike and not knowing where I’m going to pitch my tent that night. Now that my children are aged seven and nine, I wanted to introduce them to the liberation of this kind of adventure. They adore a day out on their bikes, but this was to be our first multiday bike trip as a family of four, so it was crucial to find a route easy and fun enough to captivate them.The Maasroute follows the course of the Maas River as it meanders for 300 miles (484km) through the Netherlands, from the inland city of Maastricht to the Hook of Holland, then loops back to Rotterdam. It forms part of the much longer M...

Politics

3 d. ago Family fun zone confirmed for North Lanarkshire Half Marathon

While participants are pounding the pavement, families can enjoy a wide array of free activities designed to entertain and engage. From soft play areas and bouncy castles to lively games and interactive activities.

Politics

4 d. ago Arsenal to accelerate transfer plans after Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera join

The Gunners still have plenty of business to do in another summer of heavy spending

Sport

5 d. ago Expert shares best footwear for keeping your feet comfortable at festivals this summer

Even though Glastonbury has been and gone, there are plenty of festivals and outdoor concerts coming up this summer - and this expert has picked the best footwear for dancing all night long

Politics

5 d. ago Renfrewshire twins scoop top prize at prestigious engineering competition

Lucy and Abbie Davis, of Howwood Primary School, were crowned winners of the West of Scotland champions in the Young Engineer Competition

Sport

5 d. ago Man Utd transfer news: Marcus Rashford to hold key talks as Alejandro Garnacho rejects move

Manchester United have made just one major signing so far this summer, but plenty of incomings and outgoings are expected before the transfer window slams shut

Politics

5 d. ago Arsenal transfer news: Viktor Gyokeres breakthrough as Gunners take 'final steps' to deal

Arsenal have been busy in the transfer market this summer but there is still plenty of work to be done for Mikel Arteta as he closes in on the signing of Noni Madueke and a Viktor Gyokeres breakthrough

Sport

6 d. ago Bryan Mbeumo drops major Man Utd transfer hint as Ruben Amorim settles on fee

Manchester United have been quiet in the summer transfer window with Matheus Cunha still their only major signing of the summer, and it appears they still have plenty of work to do

Politics

7 d. ago Red Arrows flightpath mapped: Exact times you could see display from your house

The Red Arrows have will be painting the skies at several events this summer including one today - with plenty of spots to catch the world-famous aerobatic display team in action across the UK and Europe

Politics

7 d. ago Arsenal transfer news: Noni Madueke closes in on move as Viktor Gyokeres takes action

Arsenal have signed three new players this summer and plenty more incomings are expected before the transfer window slams shut, with Noni Madueke close to joining from Chelsea

Sport

9 d. ago Man Utd announce FOUR more squad number changes as defender transfer becomes official

Manchester United have so far only signed two new faces this summer but there has been plenty of change behind the scenes with a host of stars selecting new squad numbers

Politics

9 d. ago Liverpool transfer news: Reds' star striker price tag revealed as release clause emerges

Liverpool have been busy in the transfer market this summer but there could still be plenty of movement in and out of Anfield before the window closes at the end of August

Economics

9 d. ago 'My son, 11, was left paralysed at school and now friends have stopped inviting him out'

Oliver Sausins was nine when he complained about a sore back after having fun in the playground and hours later his family learned that his 'spontaneous' injury had left him paralysed

Politics

1 week ago 'Stunning' UK beach is a hidden gem surrounded by lush greenery and sand dunes

Highcliffe Beach is a stunning Blue Flag beach which is the perfect spot for a day out or a summer break away from the crowds, with plenty of greenery and sand dunes

Politics

1 week ago Man Utd transfer news: Marcus Rashford handed boost as Andre Onana price named

Manchester United have made just two signings so far this summer, but plenty more business is expected to be done before the transfer window slams shut on September 1

Politics

1 week ago Neolithic farming halls older than Stonehenge discovered beneath school

Archaeologists say the discovery of what they believe is the largest hall found in Scotland is ‘exceptional’

Politics