Forget glamping, how about glamavanning?
CHRIS OSTICK’S memories of traumatic caravan holidays are erased by a trip to Silverdale Holiday Park
I REMEMBER caravan holidays from my youth – and they were nothing like this.
Midnight trips to the outside toilets, freezing cold showers in an open-air corrugated metal cubical, rock-hard beds, no electricity, gas bottles and barely enough room to swing a cat.
Those are my memories of our summer week-long breaks in Anglesey during my pre-teen years.
And just the suggestion of a caravanning holiday used to send shivers down the old spine. But not now. Caravans are no longer just boxes on wheels, modern-day caravans are a thing of beauty, packed full of mod-cons, clever gadgets and the luxury you would expect at a decent four-star hotel.
Forget glamping – this is glamavanning!
Over the past few years, myself, my wife and our daughter Sophie, 11, have sampled several of the country’s many holiday parks – and fallen in love with caravans.
Our latest was at Silverdale Holiday Park, which is just yards over the Lancashire border into beautiful Cumbria.
This picturesque setting stretches over 100 acres of perfectly manicured grounds and includes everything you need – swimming pool, sauna, restaurant, shop, gym, bowling alley, several playgrounds for the kids and wide open spaces for impromptu games of football, cricket or Frisbee throwing.
And there was even a pitch and putt course on which I could show my daughter how only skill and accuracy have stopped me winning the Open.
Silverdale is a familyrun business celebrating more than 60 years and it certainly has a safe, family feel to it.
Wherever you looked there were kids either running around or out on bikes, scooters or ‘hover boards’.
But, because the park is so large, it never felt crowded.
Silverdale – which was this year presented with the David Bellamy Conservation Award – is surrounded by woodland perfect for walks, wildlife spotting, bug hunting and tree climbing.
It harks back to the good old days of holiday parks – so much so that my wife’s initial reaction as we pulled into the car park was that she had been transported to the set of Dirty Dancing!
But, when it comes to accommodation, then you are right back into the 21st Century.
Our static two-bedroom caravan had everything you need for a great family holiday.
Central heating, fitted kitchen, two bathrooms – one en suite - decking, patio, two digital TVs, iPod charger, wine chiller, state-of-the-art audio system and plenty of storage space.
When the sun shone – which luckily for us was every day – a barbecue, a few beers and a relaxing evening sat on the decking reading and playing games was the perfect antidote to the busy lives we all lead.
The homes are available for rent, or you can even buy one, with prices ranging from £30,000 to an eye-watering £80,000.
It’s caravanning, but not as I knew it.
Living in a big city like we do, it is very easy to forget that the beautiful British countryside is right on our doorstep.
And Silverdale, which was named Cumbria Park of the year in 2015, is surrounded by it.
The narrow lanes and tiny hamlets reminded us of Cornwall – another favourite caravanning destination – while the view of Morecambe Bay from the park is breathtaking.
And it is no surprise that the villages of Silverdale and Arnside – both within walking distance of the park – are in an official ‘area of outstanding natural beauty.’ Nearby Leighton Moss, which is run by the RSPB, is home to special birds such as breeding bitterns and bearded tits, as well as deer and butterflies.
And the location in south Cumbria is a perfect base to explore the delights of the Lake District.
Historic Kendal – the ‘Gateway to the Lakes’ – is just 15 miles away.
And while Morecambe Bay’s notorious tides and currents mean you’re best staying on the beach, the town’s traditional seaside charms are a part of childhood holidays I was happy to revisit.