The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
RECHARGE IN CUMBRIA
Danny Law gets in tow with the resurgence of caravan holidaying, taking his family off on a stay to Holgates Holiday Park in Silverdale, overlooking Morecombe Bay – and even enjoying a touch of luxury
Is it possible to have a relaxing break with a toddler? That was what I was wondering as we set off on the drive from Aberdeen to Cumbria in full knowledge there was an unpredictable 20-month-old passenger in the car with the capacity to make it the mother of all road trips. Following the stress of moving house, my wife and I were in dire need of a short break to recharge the batteries. But the terrible twos had arrived a few months earlier than promised in our household, making even a trip to the supermarket a potentially perilous task, let alone a jaunt to northern England.
Our destination was the award-winning Holgates Holiday Park in Silverdale, a popular site overlooking Morecombe Bay on the border between Lancashire and Cumbria.
Caravan holidays are in the midst of a major renaissance with an increasing number of us opting to vacation closer to home. This has been the busiest year on record for the Silverdale park, which was founded by Billy Holgate in 1956 and is now owned by his grandson, Michael.
I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, but we had to get there first.
There was one mini meltdown and the impromptu and unnecessary service station purchase of an overpriced cuddly toy that my daughter inevitably lost interest in as soon as the transaction was completed.
But, mercifully, the drive went far smoother than we could have hoped with all three of us enjoying the picturesque coastal views on the final leg of our journey to Silverdale.
When we arrived, the views of the calming Irish Sea from our home for the next few days didn’t disappoint either.
It was easy to see why demand is so high at the Holgates park.
The luxurious and spacious holiday home was nothing like the crammed and compact caravans I remember from holidays of my youth.
The living room was beautifully finished with plenty of space for my daughter to play with her toys. The stylish kitchen-diner meant we didn’t have to venture out for something to eat if we didn’t want to, while the wellpresented master bedroom and two immaculate bathrooms ensured the most relaxing of stays.
But it was the second bedroom that proved to be the true godsend. It was more than big