Get some parklife!
A break in the Cotswolds serves up hours of family fun, KATE LALLY discovers
AS any parent will know, there is no greater sound than the laughter of your own child. And I spent a blissful week hearing the spontaneous chuckles of my little one, Billy, on his first staycation.
“Firsts” are a big thing when you’re a new parent. Our stay at Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park in Gloucestershire, proved to be a fabulous “first” holiday on home soil and we made memories that will last a lifetime.
It is set within the heart of Cotswold Water Park, comprising 180 lakes spread over 42 square miles. These amazing wetlands host tens of thousands of birds and provide an amazing array of opportunities for watersports such as windsurfing, paddle boarding and canoeing, as well as walking, cycling, angling, and horse-riding.
It is also a great jumping-off point for pottering about in the honeycoloured villages of the Cotswolds.
With Hoburne Cotswold, not only do you get a beautiful location with a huge choice of things to do, you get all the luxury of a five-star holiday park.
You can opt for a budget break in a classic caravan, go for a deluxe lodge, plump for a lakeside location, or go for a dog-friendly abode.
We loved our modern, spacious lodge with a posh kitchen full of gadgets plus an outdoor hot tub.
There was always something to do at the park – from football to archery, they have it covered. Make the most of the lakeside location with a peaceful afternoon fishing session, hire a swan pedalo or enjoy a spot of adventure golf. Have fun on four wheels with a family Dino Cart bike or take a dip in the outdoor pool.
If you want to stay indoors, there’s a soft play area, heated swimming pool with flume and children’s splash pool, as well as a steam room, sauna and fitness suite.
For snacks, coffees and casual dining on site, there is Café h, or try
Brasserie 1912, which serves pub classics such as steaks, burgers, pasta, pies and roasts on Sundays.
This location is ideal if you love a day trip, and a highlight of our holiday was visiting Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens.
Located two miles south of the village of Burford, its 160 acres of landscaped parkland, gardens and collection of mature trees were worth the journey alone.
There’s a stunning Victorian Manor House too, but for little ones, the only structure they’re interested in is the wooden play area. Once you’ve let a kid loose in this awesome playground, it’s hard to tear them away.
The promise of meeting a huddle of Humboldt penguins should grab their attention, though. The park is home to 260 species including giraffes, meerkats and Asiatic lions, and has a petting farm with all the barnyard favourites.
We spent another memorable day at nearby Bourton-on-the-Water, which is regularly voted the prettiest village in Britain. Teeming with charming pubs, cafes and shops, its most prized feature is the tranquil River Windrush.
We crammed a lot into our week at Hoburne Cotswold, a top-quality holiday park in a beautiful part of the world. And the great news is, it’s getting even better with some very exciting upgrades. The current café and soft play area will become a new indoor play zone by Easter. The pool is having a makeover too, with new children’s water play equipment, and will be ready for May half-term.
I have a funny feeling that this trip will be the “first” of many.
■ You can stay at Hoburne Cotswold park from £158 for a four-night stay, arriving on Monday, April 29.
This is based on two bedrooms which will sleep up to four people. hoburne.com
■ MORE INFO: cotswolds.com
There was always something to do at the park – from football to archery, they have it covered
Kate and her son enjoy the hot tub