Cornwall to wall fun for everyone in the family
Going on a British seaside holiday has never been better value, writes PAUL SMITH – and the south west is the place for one
TAKE one huge swimming pool, add a crazy-golf course, an adventure playground and tons of activities for the kids. Leave to settle, then stir in a generous helping of karaoke, two fat ladies, a retro disco and a bar for dad. Give it a good mix, enjoy for several fun-filled days and nights, and you’ve got the recipe for a holiday that ticks boxes for everyone, from the tiny tots to nana.
Even better, there’s no hanging about at airports, everything’s within a short walk and it’s all in a beautiful part of the world.
Welcome to Parkdean’s Looe Bay Holiday Park on the south coast of Cornwall – a leisurely six-hour Haribo-fuelled car journey from Manchester.
With fabulous scenery, breath-taking beaches, quaint villages and fantastic food and drink, Cornwall is a county that is easy to fall for – but accommodation can be hard on the pocket in the school holidays.
Staying in a static caravan is an option that offers incredible value but promises to leave you with priceless memories. I adored it as a child and 30 years on it still holds an irresistible time-warped charm in a modern setting.
The pitter-patter of rain on the roof... gazing up at a blanket of stars in the night sky... tucking into fish and chips and tins of pop. Big and little kids love it.
Our family of five are in a ‘Kingsand’ caravan on the friendly, safe site and includes dog and wheelchair-accessible accommodation.
The double-glazed van is bright, spacious, clean and equipped with pretty much everything you could think of for a comfortable stay (after making your booking, you’re emailed a list of stuff you’ll need to bring).
It has three bedrooms – a double and two twins (very exciting for the kids) – with the beds ready made-up for your arrival.
There are two shower rooms (so no trips to a distant shower block in your wellies), a kitchen with all mod cons – and a large, central living/ dining room, which doubles up as an extra bedroom to take the potential capacity to eight.
The huge comfy seating area with a big flat-screen TV and DVD player is ideal for nights in with a pizza from the on-site ‘Big Munch’ takeaway, and there’s plenty of storage space for all the toys, buckets and spades and picnic gear you’ll need when you have a day out.
Hidden away inside one of the cupboards is a washer-drier for keeping on top of the inevitable washing and there’s also an on-site laundrette for bigger jobs.
Outside there’s a raised deck with table and chairs if you fancy dining al fresco, and a driveway for one car – but there’s plenty of other parking space dotted about if you’re in a big group and need a second vehicle.
Daily activities are laid on for the younger members of your party – from learning circus skills and new sports, to dancing and even history lessons.
Under-10s can join the fun with Sid the Seagull and Lizzie the Lizard (see sidandlizzie.co.uk), and there’s a club for teenagers if they can be persuaded to be parted from their iPads.
With a large, heated indoor swimming pool, tennis courts and table tennis, an outdoor sports pitch, a grass football pitch and an amusement arcade featuring a range of classic machines, as well as a mini ten-pin bowling alley and pool tables, there’s never a dull moment at Parkdean.
The staff are friendly and helpful (we found nothing was too much trouble) and keep the entertainment going well into the evening.
The Sundowner Lounge and bar sees nightly shows from the Parkdean Troupers and other acts, while you can also take part in quizzes, bingo and other games, all showcased on a handy timetable.
All this action will build up your appetite, but you probably won’t want to be cooking in all the time though if you need to stock up the on-site convenience store sells everything from baked beans and ice creams to booze.
Meals and drinks are served from breakfast to tea at the Polperro Bar and Grill, where you can also get Costa coffee and a great range of alcoholic and soft drinks.
We enjoyed everything from hearty fry-ups to steaks, salads and scampi from the menus which are great value and cater for all tastes (breakfast and half board options are available).
The two-level site is slightly inland, but you can see the sea from a barbecue area tucked away in a quiet corner of the park.
Don’t worry, though, because a beach is rarely far away in Cornwall.
The nearest one is in the delightful little town of Looe, which is a short drive or bus ride from the site – there’s a stop right outside the entrance or you could even walk it in under an hour, though it’s a bit hilly.
This seaside settlement has a massive, reasonablypriced car park, lots of shops for souvenirs and plenty of places to eat and drink (fish and chips and the county’s fab four foodstuffs – pasties, ice cream, cream teas and ale – are a must).
If you fancy heading a bit further afield, there’s an enormous amount to explore – from the quaint streets of the historic fishing village of Polperro, an ideal place to join the South West Coastal Walk, to the spectacular, must-see Eden Project, a 45-minute drive away from the site.
Cornwall is a haven for garden-lovers – we spent a relaxing afternoon at the Lost Gardens of Heligan – while surfers are encouraged to head to the west coast towns of St Ives and Newquay for the best waves.
But if you just fancy staying put, Parkdean Looe Bay – one of their 24 awarding-winning holiday parks around the country – has all the ingredients you’ll need for a feast of fun for all the family.