Campervan and Motorhome Half Term Holidays
The Easter holidays are upon us and with it can bring various tantrums, tears and boredom (and that’s just the adults!). Those of us who are in the fortunate situation of owning our own motorhome or campervan can indeed use this time to take advantage of the many parks and holiday camps dotted around the UK to escape everyday life…even if it’s just for a few days.
Packing the kids cases, sorting the dogs and remembering to bring the swing ball, will appear as old stresses once you’re on the road and you can look forward to the next few days – which may not be as peaceful and as quiet as one would hope, however, with plenty of activities for the children at the various parks available, you may be able to finally read the next chapter of the book you began last year. Maybe.
Let us take a look at what’s on offer this Easter:
Tregurrian Camping and Caravanning Club Site, Cornwall
Here you will be spoilt for choice of beaches to visit. There are fourteen close to the campsite in North Cornwall, located just north of the popular seaside town of Newquay.
Watergate Bay is the closest and is a short walk from the campsite along the South West Coastal Path. This two-mile stretch of golden sand is popular with families. The Atlantic swell here also makes it equally appealing to water-sport lovers. The beach hosts annual surfing events too so this is a fantastic spot to visit throughout the year – especially in the summer if you get the chance!
Other attractions of the town include Newquay Zoo, and the Lappa Valley Steam Railway. There’s also the chance that you could spot seals and dolphins in the harbour.
Tregurrian campsite offers 90 level pitches, with the well thought out site offering immaculate facilities including a handy wetsuit shower for the surfers amongst us.
A few miles up the coast you will find Padstow. Here you will be greeted by some excellent restaurants, including one owned by celebrity chef Rick Stein, while Watergate Bay is home to Jamie Oliver’s 15 Cornwall Restaurant.
Red Shoot Camping Park, New Forest, Hampshire
Red Shoot is steeped in family life: the present owner, Jaqui Oldfield, is the third generation of her family to run the business. She also has children of her own, so she understands the needs of families. It’s a big site – 100 pitches, 46 with electric hook-up – but the joy of this north-western part of the New Forest is that, even in mid-summer, you can walk five minutes from the site and find yourself in a secluded spot that could be miles from anyone.
The Childrens play area is great; a fireman’s pole, rope and swing bridges and a well stocked shop are enough to keep everyone on top form to enjoy their half term motorhome holiday.
The local restaurant, the Red Shoot Inn, specialises in serving families and sees returning customers every year! Other nearby attractions include Marwell Zoo, Monkey World and the New Forest Water Park all within close proximity of the site, meaning less hassle for everyone.
Burnbake, Corfe Castle, Dorset
A fantastic appeal of Burnbake is the devotion to good, old-fashioned fun. With amazing woods surrounding the site, this is a great opportunity for kids and adults a-like to become explorers for the day, disappearing for hours on end, enjoying the wild and building dens.
Take time out to enjoy a slice from a yurt pizza outlet, relish in the tranquillity of the beautiful three mile long beach at Studland Bay or visit local Swanage where you can indulge in vintage seaside activites and small fish and chip shops.
Beddgelert Campsite, Beddgelert, Gwynedd
If you decide to bring your dog along for the holidays, Beddgelert is the place to go! One major benefit this summer is the no charge. The location for this site is near perfect, most definitely enjoying the best of both worlds of rural and village. Beddgelert Village is a mere 5 minute walk, perfect for a short dog walk with the family, where you can stop off at a local homemade ice cream shop.
Back at base, the site offers a children’s playground as well as lots of information on local attractions including Mount Snowdon, Welsh Highland Railway and the nearby Go Ape centre.
Finally, most visitors make a point of exploring the nearby monument to Gelert, the faithful hound of medieval Welsh Prince Llewwelyn the Great. The monument marks the spot where Gelert is buried and the legend is that the prince killed his poor dog in error, fearing the animal had killed his infant son. The hound had in fact fought off a wolf to save the child, however, Llewellyn didn’t discover this until it was too late.
Kelling Heath, Weybourne, Norfolk
If a fun, family park is what you are after then look no further. “Kelling Heath is Center Parcs at a fraction of the price; a safe, sprawling space surrounded by miles of woodland and heathland trails, with outdoor and indoor swimming pools and bars and restaurants onsite”.
The children are extremely well catered for with an array of events, workshops, storytelling walks, bike hire, tennis, fishing, the lot – more than enough to tire the most energetic of souls! And, if that wasn’t enough, mum and dad don’t miss out either. Adult classes are also available in the shape of pottery classes, photography workshops, dance lessons and much more. If relaxation is more your cup of tea, there is also a health and fitness club onsite. Wow – get us there now!
Ardgartan, Arrochar, Dunbartonshire
This is the suggested location for those with slightly older children. Adrenaline highs are in abundance at Ardgartan with watersports, mountain biking and several munros.
Fear not though, whilst the teens are off exploring, smaller ones can spend the day crab fishing, investigating the edges of Loch Long or in the children’s play park.
Wherever you may end up on your Easter half term holiday one thing that is a must is securing the correct level of motorhome or campervan insurance. Let it’s Motorhome Insurance find you the best deal, saving you time, effort and money.
