Take a Break magazine is a weekly UK publication primarily aimed at women, featuring real-life stories, health advice, home and travel content, and a significant focus on competitions and prize draws. It is noted as one of the most popular UK magazines, with a current price of 96p. The magazine's popularity led to the creation of a monthly bumper edition and occasional special editions, all of which include competitions and prizes. The competitions are distributed throughout the magazine and vary in format, from traditional to more fun and funky designs. Readers can choose to enter some or all of the competitions via telephone call, text message, postal entry, or online entry. The total prize value for most competitions is around £500, with prizes ranging from cash sums to holidays, vouchers, board games, and other small gifts.
Entry Methods and Processes
The available entry methods for Take a Break magazine competitions are telephone, text, post, and online. Each method has specific requirements and procedures outlined in the source data.
Telephone Entry
To enter by telephone, participants must call the number provided on the entry form at the back of the magazine and provide required personal details alongside their answers. The current cost for this service is 50p per minute. This method incurs a direct cost to the participant.
Text Entry
Text entry involves sending a message to the number found at the back of the magazine. Participants must input their name, house number, postcode, and a list of answers, along with a TAB code (which indicates the issue number, e.g., TAB46 for answers to Issue 46). The source material notes that this method is considered "quite futtery" and suggests that readers may be more interested in online entry. No cost for the text message itself is specified in the provided data.
Postal Entry
For postal entry, participants must send their entry via post. It is specified that participants should ensure they put a postage stamp on the envelope and allow enough time for the entry to arrive before the closing date. The source does not specify the exact postal address or any other details for this method.
Online Entry
Online entry is described as the best method by one source, as it is completely free and very easy. To enter online, participants must visit the Take a Break competition page for the specific issue they wish to enter and submit their personal details and answers. Some third-party websites, such as TVComp.UK, may provide suggested answers and a forum for discussion and suggestion of answers. Online entry is highlighted as the most popular method and is free of charge.
Competition Formats and Examples
The competitions within Take a Break magazine come in various formats. Below are some popular examples described in the source data:
- 4-Squared: Participants provide four-letter answers to fill a 4×4 grid of letters. The highlighted squares within the grid are used to find the answer word.
- Mega Snap: A partial photo is supplied, and participants must find the complete image within the magazine. The answer is the page number where the complete image is found.
- Strike It Lucky: Participants search a letter grid to find connected words. The remaining letters form a final word, which must be submitted as the answer.
- Question Time: This competition provides a list of 21 questions and 20 answers. Participants must stroke off the correct answers and submit the remaining answer to enter.
- Clicks Win Prizes: These are simple prize draws that can be entered via takeabreak.co.uk without needing to purchase the magazine.
Prize Information and Value
The prizes for Take a Break competitions vary significantly from one competition to another. Most competitions have a total prize value of around £500. Prizes can include large sums of cash (e.g., £7,250 cash), holidays, vouchers, board games, and other small gifts. The source data mentions a specific competition offering a prize of £7,250 cash and more. The variety of prizes is part of the magazine's appeal, offering readers the chance to win both substantial and smaller items.
Closing Dates and Competition Availability
Competitions have specific closing dates. For example, one source lists competitions closing on 26th January 2026 and 19th January 2026. New competitions are added regularly, and it is recommended to check back frequently for new opportunities. Once a competition's entry deadline has passed, the relevant information or link may be removed from some platforms. For certain issues, such as issue 50 or the double issue 49/50, the closing date may be listed as "TBC" (To Be Confirmed). Participants are advised to check the specific issue for the most accurate closing dates.
Winners and Results
Winners are typically announced in the magazine. At the back of the magazine, a list of winners from an earlier issue is published. Currently, this list is from three issues prior to the current one. This allows readers to see recent winners and the prizes they have won.
Accessing Competition Answers
For readers seeking answers to the competitions, some third-party websites provide suggested answers and a platform for discussion. These sites allow users to add their own suggested answers in a comments section, and if a user provides an answer before the site does, they may be credited. This collaborative approach can help participants sanity-check their answers and improve their chances of winning.
Conclusion
Take a Break magazine offers a wide array of competitions and prize draws with varied formats and prize values. Readers have multiple entry options, with online entry being free and popular. The competitions are a key feature of the magazine, contributing to its popularity among UK consumers seeking opportunities to win prizes. Participation requires following the specific entry instructions for each competition, including providing personal details and answers as required. The magazine's structure ensures regular updates with new competitions, maintaining ongoing engagement for its readership.