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10 Best Beachside Caravan Holiday Parks - 2022
For us, the most important thing about a caravan holiday park is whether it's near a beach.
So, we've picked out 10 holiday parks near the coast which don't require you to bundle your circus of children and relatives into a car every day on holiday.
We've chosen beachside holiday parks from a range of popular seaside resorts and counties including Cornwall, Devon, Isle of Wight, Dorset, East Yorkshire, Blackpool, Norfolk and Skegness. Some are run by big names like Butlins, Haven or Parkdean whilst others are family-run independent parks with more basic facilities.
We made our choices by comparing location, facilities, price, distance from the beach and customer reviews.
So, slap on the suncream and prepare for a week of removing sand from your bedsheets...
So, we've picked out 10 holiday parks near the coast which don't require you to bundle your circus of children and relatives into a car every day on holiday.
We've chosen beachside holiday parks from a range of popular seaside resorts and counties including Cornwall, Devon, Isle of Wight, Dorset, East Yorkshire, Blackpool, Norfolk and Skegness. Some are run by big names like Butlins, Haven or Parkdean whilst others are family-run independent parks with more basic facilities.
We made our choices by comparing location, facilities, price, distance from the beach and customer reviews.
So, slap on the suncream and prepare for a week of removing sand from your bedsheets...
1. Hopton Holiday Village Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (sandy beach, indoor pool, great facilities)
**Winner: best value beachside holiday park**
**Haven Offers: Summer Holidays 2022 from £629 + Easter 2022 from £149**
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We reckon Hopton Holiday Village in Norfolk is one of Haven's best caravan holiday parks. It gets very strong reviews (4.5/5 on Google Reviews, 4/5 on TripAdvisor) and is right by a sandy beach.
Facilities at Hopton Holiday Village include indoor and outdoor swimming pools as well as minigolf, a bowling green and sports (some cost a bit extra). Fans of such things can take up the kids' clubs and evening entertainment and there are also places to eat. It's a big site and there's a wide range of different grades of caravan. The cheapest Haven caravans are called 'Saver' caravans and then you can upgrade to 'Bronze', 'Silver', 'Gold' and 'Signature'. Upgrades get you things like wider caravans, towels included, sea views and better kitchen facilities. Hopton is half way between Lowestoft or Great Yarmouth so you'll need a car if you want some classic English seaside tat. Price comparison: £1023 for a ‘Saver caravan’ for a family of four in August 2022 (this price was for arrival on a Monday, you'll often pay a bit more for a holiday starting on a Saturday with Haven). Also consider... Park Resorts/Parkdean Resorts' California Cliffs (indoor pool, north of Great Yarmouth). |
Haven's Hopton Village near Great Yarmouth is next to a beach...
...and it gets very strong reviews
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2. Butlins Skegness, Lincolnshire (huge resort with water park, celebrity shows, funfair)
**Butlins Sale: Family holidays from £69 – lower prices end on February 1st 2022**
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If you live in the East Midlands and want a beachside holiday park then Butlins Skegness should be on your shortlist.
The resort has got direct access onto the sandy beach at Skegness and it has a massive range of attractions and facilities. The beach is sandier than Butlins Bognor Regis, which gets very similar reviews to Butlins Skegness (4.3/5 on Google Reviews). You will probably spend a few hours at the swimming pool, which is called Splash Waterworld. It re-opened in 2013 after a lot of money was spent on it, so it's still looking modern. There's a selection of flumes and river rapids which are great fun. As with other Butlins resorts, you get access to a funfair included in the cost of your holiday. At Butlins Skegness there are eight different rides. If you don't mind spending a bit of money then you can also do things like bowling, minigolf and laser tag. One of the big appeals of Butlins Skegness is that they attract big name celebrity performers rather than some guy in a shiny jacket who usually plays the local pub. You'll often see children's TV stars or acts from Britain's Got Talent. You can either go for an apartment at Butlins Skegness, or just get a room which provides a bed and a bathroom. You can then decide whether to self cater or pay for the various dining packages available. Price: £931 for a week in August 2022 for a family of four people. That option doesn't include food or a kitchen, so you'd need to pay about £300 extra for breakfast and evening meals. |
The Skyline is a busy venue at Butlins Skegness...
...and the resort leads straight onto the beach
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3. Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park Isle of Wight (sandy beach, indoor pool)
**Whitecliff Bay Discount Code: Save up to 10% with promo code HPG10. Valid until 31/12/22**
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Whitecliff Bay is one of my favourite Isle of Wight beaches. If you squint a bit on a warm day you can convince yourself you're in a foreign country with its sandy beach and (you guessed it...) white cliffs.
Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park is run by Away Resorts, which has a dozen family holiday parks in the UK. It's got direct access to the beach down a very steep slope. It is just about manageable with a pushchair with a lot of puffing and panting. Onsite there are indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Other sports and activities include table tennis, crazy golf, soft play and entertainment. During the summer they sometimes do outdoor cinema. The site is on the east of the Isle of Wight, half way between the seaside towns of Ryde and Shanklin. We like the quieter West Wight but nowhere is very far away on the Isle of Wight if you fancy exploring. Reviews average about 4/5 on most sites and some parts of the park have been upgraded recently. Away Resorts will also book the Isle of Wight ferry for you, which can work out as considerably cheaper than going direct to Red Funnel or Wightlink. Price: £1377 for a 'value' chalet for a family of four in August 2022. Bell tents were available for a bit less and they also do posh lodges. Also consider: Parkdean Resorts/Park Resorts' Nodes Point Holiday Park is right by St Helen's beach on the Isle of Wight. It also scores about 4/5 from reviewers. |
This secluded sandy beach is adjacent to Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park on the Isle of Wight...
...and it's got a big range of different grades of accommodation
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4. Sandhills Holiday Park Dorset (beachside, quiet park, outdoor pool only)
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Sandhills Holiday Park is in a prime spot between Friars Cliff Beach and Christchurch Harbour.
It doesn't have loads to do onsite, but it's walking distance to the beach and reviews are very good (4.5/5 generally). The park has an outdoor swimming pool during the warmer months, a bar, gym and a playground. For days out, you can easily get to Bournemouth or the New Forest, which is nice for a bit of a cycle. Sandhills has caravans, lodges and apartments depending on your budget. Price: £1560 for a family of four for a week in August 2022 in a Lyndhurst apartment. Also consider: Haven Rockley Park which is close to Dorset's coastline. |
Sandhills Holiday Park in Dorset has a couple of outdoor swimming pools...
...and some accommodation is metres from the beach
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5. Greenacres North Wales (between beach and mountains, indoor pool, busy family park, beachside)
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Greenacres Holiday Park sits alongside a wide open beach in North Wales - the sort of place that is good for kite flying or allowing excited children to burn off energy.
It's another one operated by Haven and it's one of the company's best in North Wales. The location is also good if you want to explore Snowdonia whilst you are in the area. I'm not sure my children would get far up a mountain without lifting their arms hopefully and saying "I'm tired". Greenacres is big and well equipped with indoor and outdoor swimming pools. There are various sporty activities too including archery, fencing and minigolf. There's also a bar and restaurant, pool tables and lots of water-based activities in the swimming pool for children. Reviews are positive, averaging 4/5 on most sites. Price: £1012 for a family of two adults and two children for a week in August 2022 in a 'Saver' caravan Also consider: Barmouth Bay Holiday Park is next to a beach near Snowdonia whilst Lydstep Beach Holiday Park in South Wales is a quieter Haven resort. |
There are sand dunes at the wide open beach near Greenacres Holiday Park...
...as well as a large indoor swimming pool
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6. St Ives Bay Holiday Park, Cornwall (swimming pool, sea views, surf school)
**St Ives Bay Discount Code: Save up to 10% with promo code HPG10. Valid until 31/12/22** (Some dates excluded)
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There are lots of holiday parks alongside beaches in Cornwall but we've picked out St Ives Bay Holiday Park. It's on a prime hilly location, meaning that there are views across the site.
The park leads directly on to a three mile stretch of sandy beach, which isn't as crowded as some. Lots of guests take advantage of the holiday park's onsite surf school. Besides the beach, St Ives Holiday Park also has an indoor swimming pool for those who don't fancy the colder waters. There's a bistro and a bar which overlooks the beach. In the summer, there are activities for children. Other onsite facilities include a playground, minigolf and an arcade. The cheaper accommodation at St Ives Bay Holiday Park is chalets and caravans but they've also got some upgrade options if want to splash out. These include lodges called Thalassa and others called Stargazer, which have hot tubs. Reviews are currently an outstanding 4.6/5 on Google Reviews or 4/5 on TripAdvisor. We reckon it is one of the better value Cornish holiday parks. Price: £972 for a week in a value caravan for a family of four in August 2022. St Ives Bay Holiday Park is another one which is a lot cheaper if you arrive on a Friday or Monday rather than a Saturday. |
There are excellent sea views at St Ives Bay Holiday Park...
...and there is a surf school at the sandy beach next to the park.
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7. Silver Sands Holiday Park, Scotland (indoor swimming pool, lighthouse and dolphins)
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Silver Sands Holiday Park near the Cairngorms is overlooked by a rather attractive lighthouse. It's run by a company called Park Holidays UK who have more than 40 resorts, most of which are in Southern England.
The beach is right next to the resort and is the wide open and sandy sort, rather than a cosy cove. It is known for occasional dolphin sightings, which adds to the appeal. Silver Sands Holiday Park is fairly well equipped, but it's the location which is what makes it popular. There's a fairly small indoor swimming pool as well as a playground, minigolf, a restaurant, a gym and takeaway. The Cairngorms are about 60 minutes drive from the holiday park or Loch Ness is 90 minutes away. Customer reviews are currently averaging 4/5 for Silver Sands Holiday Park. Price: £813 for a caravan for a family of four in August 2022. That makes it one of the better value holiday parks next to a beach. |
Silver Sands Holiday Park is next door to a lighthouse and a sandy beach...
...and dolphins can sometimes be spotted from the beach
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8. Marton Mere Holiday Park Blackpool (indoor swimming pool, short drive to beach)
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Marton Mere is a bit of an exception on our list, as you can't actually walk to the beach unless you've got an hour to spare and willing children.
We've included it because it's one of the closest holiday parks to the beach in Blackpool, which remains a popular choice for a bucket-and-spade-and-a-stick-of-rock English holiday. It's a busy Haven park with an indoor swimming pool and an outdoor 'splashzone' as well as lots of things onsite, including play areas, a sports court and crazy golf. They also do more unusual things like pottery painting, archery and fencing which you pay for. Reviews aren't as glowing as some Haven parks (about 7 or 7.5/10 generally) but it's also a bit cheaper than some others. Price: £764 for a standard caravan for a week in August 2022 for a family of two adults and two children. |
It's not right by the beach, but Marton Mere is only a short drive to Blackpool...
...and it has impressive onsite facilities
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9. Ladram Bay Holiday Park Devon (private beach with watersports, indoor pool, lots to do)
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Ladram Bay Holiday Park is a highly rated family caravan park just along the coast from Sidmouth in South Devon.
It makes our guide to beachside holiday parks because it's right on the South West Coastal path and it's got its own private beach. It also scores an impressive 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor. The owners make the most of its location with kayaking and paddleboarding available at the beach. There's also a lot to do at the park including an indoor swimming pool, crazy golf, indoor soft play, adventure playground as well as entertainment for kids and grown ups (if that's your sort of thing). You have to pay extra for some things. If you want to explore a bit further it's not too far to the Jurassic coastline in Dorset. Exeter is close enough for a day out. Price: £2095 for a week in an Otterton caravan for 2 adults and 2 children in August 2022 (for our price comparison we look for the cheapest accommodation at the time of searching). Also consider: Haven's Devon Cliffs near Exmouth or Sandaway Beach Holiday Park near Ilfracombe. |
Ladram Bay Holiday Park overlooks a private beach...
...with watersports for guests, as well as a swimming pool and other entertainment
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10. Barmston Beach Holiday Park, Yorkshire (outdoor swimming pool only, beachside)
**Winner: cheapest beachside holiday park in our top 10**
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Reviews of Barmston Beach near Bridlington aren't quite as strong as some on this top 10 guide to beachside holiday parks, but it's got a lot going for it. It's also one of the cheaper coastal holiday parks we've found.
The main downside is that it only has an outdoor swimming pool, unlike lots of similar holiday parks run by Park Resorts/Parkdean Resort. However, some of the caravans are so close to the wide open beach that you might end up with wet feet in bed. Barmston also has an adventure playground, amusements, a small soft play area, bar and restaurant as well as evening entertainment. If you want a day out, Bridlington is about 15 minutes in the car. Reviews of the caravans vary quite a bit, so I would look at the individual reviews. The more expensive caravans were getting better reviews when I checked (which isn't always the case as some parks update their stock gradually). Price: £969 for a 'Goddards' caravan for a family of four in August 2022. It's actually an 8 berth so you could bring a group and get a bargain...if you don't mind getting cosy. |
Barmston Beach Holiday Park is one of the cheapest we've found...
...and it's close to East Yorkshire's coastline
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Price comparison of 10 of the best caravan holiday parks near beaches
We just looked for one week in August for a family of four (two adults, two children). We carried out searches in December 2021 and looked for holidays in August 2022. We looked for the cheapest accommodation available, excluding any optional extras or upgrades.
Images from Haven, Park Holidays, Away Resorts, Porth Beach, Butlins, Snaptrip and Parkdean Resorts.
- Marton Mere Blackpool - £764
- Silver Sands Holiday Park - Scotland - £813
- Butlins Skegness Lincolnshire - £931
- Barmston Beach Holiday Park East Yorkshire - £969
- St Ives Bay Holiday Park Cornwall - £972
- Greenacres North Wales - £1012
- Hopton Holiday Village Norfolk - £1023
- Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park Isle of Wight - £1377
- Sandhills Holiday Park Dorset - £1560
- Ladram Bay Holiday Park Devon - £2095
Images from Haven, Park Holidays, Away Resorts, Porth Beach, Butlins, Snaptrip and Parkdean Resorts.
