By Seren Charrington Hollins
With the uncertainty of air travel and rising costs everywhere is daily life, it is perhaps not a surprise that British seaside resorts are enjoying a new wave of popularity and that caravan holidays are making a comeback in the UK.
As a child I have fond memories of my parents little touring caravan that was hitched up to their Volvo estate for adventures around the British coast. Caravan holidays were popular with Brits, being a cheap and cheerful way to get a break, but the interest in owning a caravan and caravan park holidays did undoubtedly dwindle as cheap package holidays abroad seemed more appealing.
Owning a touring caravan for me is not practicable, especially with the size of my family and the need to store it in between breaks, but I have recently discovered the delights of reasonably priced short breaks in static caravans.
What we now term as a static caravan was a structure that was developed after World War II. The introduction of paid holidays led to a surge in demand for affordable holiday accommodation that was suitable for family breaks by the seaside. More spacious caravans that were designed to be left on a permanent pitch were developed and this led to the birth of holiday parks across the UK. By the 1950s and 1960s, static caravans became popular with family holiday goers, particularly in seaside towns like Blackpool.
Whilst early static caravans were undeniably basic, by the 1960’s they were well equipped and offered away from home comforts, today they are often referred to as park homes and offer compact though comfortable living spaces.
My recent stay at Romney Sands Holiday Park did not disappoint. The caravan itself was spacious and was of a good standard of furnishing and in excellent condition. Three bedrooms, comprising of a double with en-suite shower room and two twin rooms, gave me ample room, whilst the lounge area provided plenty of room. Visiting parks during the off-peak season can mean that entertainment is space, but I must say that this Park Dean resort offered evening entertainment and plenty of activities for children. I booked pottery painting with my three-year-old and we went to the children’s morning sessions, where Pip and Posy fun was to be enjoyed by a very enthusiastic team of staff. The arcade was popular with my little boy as well the clubhouse for evening entertainment, which had plenty on offer for children and families. The site was staffed by very helpful and accommodating staff which makes all the difference.
Romney Sands Holiday Park is in a superb location for exploring the local area. A five-minute walk took us to the beach, where we enjoyed a good few hour’s walking, beachcombing and making sandcastles, well you cannot have a break by the sea without making a sandcastle or two, now, can you? A few minutes’ drive led me to the fascinating area of Dungeness, which is quite unlike any other area I have ever visited. The area of Dungeness has been referred to as Britain’s only desert. Rich in maritime history, it boasts vast shingle beaches, nature reserves, lighthouses and quirky architecture. Whilst a short drive in the opposite direction took me to New Romney and Old Romney, charming towns that are again well worth a visit. There are plenty of National Trust properties in the surrounding towns and villages and the only problem I found was fitting in all the things I wanted to see and do.
A three-day break flew by and I came back with a list of places I want to visit on my next trip. Overall, the Park Dean Resort at Romney Sands is well worth visiting for a family break and a breath of sea air.
