To caravan or not to caravan that is the question!

Being one of seven children I would say that I am an accomplished camper or at least should be as our annual holiday when I was growing up involved putting up an orange triangular looking tent, digging a hole for the campfire and digging a hole for the toilet!  I look back at those Anglessey holidays with great fondness but after 20 years of camping I think I’ve got used to my home comforts and luxuries.

My parents in law are planning to come over in March for three months and have suggested that we all get a caravan together and when they’re not using we could take it on mini trips of our own.  I’m actually really looking forward to having a caravan as I think as a family we’ll have some wonderful memories and at least being in a caravan I won’t experience the rain pouring through the tent in the middle of the night.  My brother Sam saying good night chucks in a funny voice to us all in our Scout tent is a memory that always makes me smile and I can still picture us all lay in age order in our sleeping bags like giant socks on a washing line!

After giving the green light for the caravan we decided to visit a caravan showroom the other week and Freya and Rory absolutely loved jumping in and out of all the caravans to decide which one we like best – I think we agreed we like the ones with two double beds and a shower and toilet so still retaining some of our comforts.

I recently was contacted by Parkdean holidays to see if I would like to talk about the great half term deals they’re offering at the moment and as I’m looking into venturing on this type of holiday in the future I thought I’d give them a little plug.  I’ve never actually been to a Parkdean holiday before but I’ve heard they’re nice for young families so may have to book myself in at some point and possibly do a review if they’d like so please see below more information about the different parks and also some walks that they recommend.

Parkdean parks will open in Scotland, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Wales for February half-term and Parkdean has found a walk that takes in areas of natural beauty in each of the different regions.

With a choice of woodland, coastline, or rolling countryside, and walks for every age and ability, Parkdean is encouraging visitors to wrap up and keep their healthy new year’s resolutions alive by following one of the recommended routes to view the vistas they love, or haven’t seen before.

With six award-winning parks across England, Scotland and Wales and a host of fun activities on offer for adults and children in and around each park, visitors looking to cosy up after a blast of February fresh air will be spoilt for choice.  Individual parks offer a variety of facilities, relax by the pool or warm up in the coffee shop, there is something to keep everyone happy.

Holidays start from as little as £99 for four people at Looe Bay Holiday Park commencing 20th February 2015. So dig out those walking boots, look at the choices below, and get ready to make memories in some of the UK’s most picturesque settings this February half-term.

Scotland:  Tummel Valley Holiday Park, Near Pitlochry, Perthshire

Prices start from £249 for a three-night break in a two-bedroom lodge (sleeping up to four), starting 20th February 2015, and seven night holidays are also available.

Best walk: Allean Forest, Loch Tummel

Description: Walk up through a forest of larch, Scots pines, spruce and grand firs to find breath taking views over Loch Tummel – a spot called Queen’s View – named after Queen Victoria’s visit to the viewing point in 1866.  Allean Forest is also the home of red squirrels, pine martens, goldcrests, siskins and Scottish crossbills, so keep your eyes peeled!

Distance:  2 miles

Start & Finish:  Pitlochry (20 minutes driving from Tummel Holiday Park)

England: Ruda Holiday Park, Croyde Bay, Devon

Prices start from £339 (saving £50) for a seven-night break in a three-bedroom caravan (sleeping up to eight), starting 13th February 2015, short breaks are also available.

Best walk: Coast In Conflict, North Devon Walk

Description:  An invigorating coastal walk that takes in cliff views and sandy beaches of the North Devon coastline, with glimpses of marine conservation and Beacon Point. Don’t miss out on the views that brought Victorian vacationers and smugglers to this part of the world and keep an eye out for surfers and seals down below, as well as rock climbers up above!

Distance: 1.5 miles

Start & Finish:  Hillsborough car park (15 minutes driving from Ruda Holiday Park)

England: Looe Bay Holiday Park, Looe, Cornwall

Best walk: Looe to Polperro

Description:  The South West Coast Path is 630 miles of superb coastal walking around the South West peninsular from Minehead in the North to Poole Harbour in Dorset in the East.  This coastal walk follows the SWCP and passes a sixth century monastery, rock pools, beaches, pretty seaside towns and villages, shipwrecks, Looe Island and lots of wildlife – birdwatchers should look out for finches, warblers, skua and terns.

Distance: 5 ½ miles

Start & Finish:  Looe Station (3 minutes driving from Looe Holiday Park)

England: Warmwell Holiday Park, near Weymouth, Dorset

Best walk: Nothe Gardens and Rodwell Trail

Description: Follow this walk for sea, forts, castles and old railway lines and a wide range of wildlife too. One of the joys of Weymouth and Portland is its diverse range of habitats, pop into the Discovery Centre to check out what wildlife is around the area or has been seen recently.

Distance: 4.7 miles

Start & Finish:  Jubilee Clock tower, Weymouth

England: Sandford Holiday Park, Near Poole, Dorset

Prices start from £269 for a seven-night break in a two-bedroom caravan (sleeping up to four) starting 13th February 2015, and short breaks are also available.

Best walk: Old Harry Rocks

Description:  This chalky headland offers spectacular views across Poole harbour to Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight. The easy walk takes you along the clifftop and through the chalk grassland of the surrounding area.

Distance: 3.5 miles

Start & Finish:  South Beach car park

Wales: Trecco Bay Holiday Park, Porthcawl, Wales

Prices start from £149 for a three-night break in a two-bedroom caravan (sleeping up to six), starting 13th February 2015, and seven night holidays are also available.

Best walk:  All Wales Coastal Path, Porthcawl

Description:  The All Wales Coastal Path is the world’s first uninterrupted route along a national coast, with 870 miles of coastal path to explore. The path shows off beaches, estuaries, cliffs, woodlands and hills, there are also city waterfronts, writers’ retreats, fun-parks and historic castles – follow this stunning stretch that is popular with walkers and watersport buffs for amazing sea views.

Distance: 5.5 miles

Start & Finish:  Rest Bay Car Park