Holiday parks in the South West of England

Bob Atkinson
( Travel Expert)

Haven - Enjoy fantastic scenery, beautiful beaches, the stunning landscapes of Exmoor and Dartmoor and so much more.  For holidays in Cornwall, short breaks in Somerset, and Devon holidays that the whole family will love.

Hoseasons - Hoseasons offer the widest choice of fun-filled holiday parks and peaceful lodges throughout the South West of England. Whether it's a week-long holiday or a short break, look no further than Hoseasons for the perfect holiday choice for any season.

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Newquay

Newquay in Cornwall is the surf capital of the UK and an excellent place for a family holiday.  There are plenty of caravan parks, holiday parks and holiday hotels in the area, some close to the beaches and some inland.

With excellent sandy beaches around Fistral Bay and Watergate Bay, surfing is the must do for those of you with a sense of adventure and with a great range of accommodation and local attractions there is lots to occupy you for a holiday come rain or shine.  The surfing takes place pretty much all year round and the resort never really closes, although the summer season is when things get into full swing.  Choose from the Blue Reef Aquarium, Waterworld or Newquay Zoo.  There is also a big nightlife scene in the town with many bars and clubs, much linked to the surfing culture of the town.

The town has a range of dining options from takeaways through to top-end restaurants with locally caught seafood  being the speciality of the area, as well as the obligatory cream tea!

Cornwall

From surfing holidays to chic restaurants, Cornwall has something to offer everyone with its 300 mile coastline of dunes, cliffs and fishing harbours.  Many of the beaches are great for bathing, surfing and sand castles. Surfing and body boarding have become so popular that the main resorts on the North Coast - Bude, Polzeath, Newquay, Perranporth, Portreath, St Ives and Sennen - have vastly improved their facilities and cater for all levels of surfer. The shacks and campervans that first sprung up have been replaced by modern facilities housing a wide range of board and wetsuit hire and surf-schools.  There are plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants where you can sit and watch the surfing while enjoying a drink or meal.   On the south coast the surf is more tranquil and many of the beaches are safe for bathing for all ages. 

There are many locations for caravan parks and holiday parks along the coast, many of them very close to the many varied beaches.  The holiday hotels tend to be located in the main resort towns.

In high summer, the beaches are the main attraction for tourists but there are still things to do on dull days including a visit to the giant domes of the Eden Project where you can soak up some tropical warmth and view plants from all over the world.  Visit Lands End or try one of the trips to an old tin mine.  You can even take a day trip to the Scilly Isles via boat or plane.

You won't be stuck for somewhere to eat with the numerous cafes (you have to have afternoon tea with scones and clotted cream at least once).  Celebrity chefs including Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver have opened restaurants in the county and locally caught sea food is one of the main specialities.  However whatever your fancy, you will find food to match your palate, from a Cornish Pasty to haute cuisine.

Devon

Devon is an incredibly varied county with lots to see and do, ranging from natural attractions such as the stunning coastline and rugged moorland of Exmoor, to exploring the local towns, relaxing on beaches or enjoying  the many museums.  Rain or shine, there is something for everyone thanks to the wide range of indoor and outdoor attractions, including zoos, the National Marine Aquarium, museums and adventure farms.

The main cities are Plymouth; with its maritime history and amazing harbour and Exeter the county town.  The largest resort areas are Torbay, from Torquay through Paignton and the north coast areas of Sidmouth and Woolacombe, Ilfracombe, Saunton, Westward Ho! and Clovelly. The beaches around Exmouth are famous too as well as areas to the east of the county famous for fossils.  In fact the county has more Blue Flag beaches than any other county in England.  There are holiday parks and caravan parks located close to many of the beaches and holiday hotels tend to be located in the main resort towns.

If you prefer an active holiday, there are plenty of opportunities for walking, golfing, sailing, riding or just about any pastime you can think of.  You can even try a number of rail trips such as the line to Dartmouth in the South, as well as many boat trips along the coast and river inlets.  Shopping is also well catered for in the major centres and also the many speciality shops throughout the county including Dartington Crystal amongst others.

A Devon cream tea should not be avoided on your holiday in this area along with sampling the locally caught seafood and cider. 

Somerset

Somerset offers a mix of classic English countryside, pretty English villages, and the unique cities of Bath and Bristol along with the long sweeping beaches and coastal resorts at Minehead, Burnham-on-Sea, Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon that are perfect for families looking for sand, sea and surf.  The holiday parks and caravan parks tend to be located along the coastal areas in the west.

Somerset's principal town is Taunton lying in the Vale of Taunton Deane, a region famed for its production of cider and scrumpy. Tourists can see the production process in some of the cider mills in the autumn - and get a free sample too.

Bath is a must see city with its elegant Georgian terraces and Roman baths, Bristol is also worth a visit to see the famous suspension bridge and the SS Great Britain, the world's first iron ship.  South of the cities, you can visit the amazing Cheddar Gorge and nearby Wookey Hole the cathedral at Wells and Glastonbury Tor.  You can even have a trip to the famous Glastonbury festival which takes place in the county in June each year although tickets must be bought in advance.  In the Yeovil area to the south you can visit the Fleet Air Museum which has one of the prototype Concordes on display.

To escape the beaches and cities, try a trip to Exmoor, rugged inland moors in the South of the county linking through to Devon.  This is a National Park and a place of outstanding natural beauty.

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