Planning a UK holiday park break

Bob Atkinson
( Travel Expert)

Haven - Book now for fantastic savings on UK holidays with 35 coastal parks and activities for the whole family.

Hoseasons - Hoseasons offer an unbeatable range of self-catering holidays, with more than 360 holiday parks and lodge locations throughout the UK.

• Set a budget - This sounds simple enough, but it's easy to overspend.  Taking a break in a holiday park is often thought of as a cheaper option but with an increasing number of parks offering a wider choice of accommodation from budget to luxury, you could get carried away.  Don't forget the hidden extras and always check what is included in your price.

• Transport - Think about how long the journey is going to take and be prepared for traffic jams if you're travelling peak season.  If you're driving, you may want to take a break during the journey so plan where this might be and if you need to stay somewhere overnight.  Ensure you plan for meals along the way as well as entertaining the smaller members of the family. And for your car don't forget your breakdown cover!

• Think about where you want to go - One of the best ways of looking for the perfect holiday park destination is to look at the company's website and see where they have locations - think about journey times and what the advantages and disadvantages are for each location - What attractions are close by to visit and entertain you and is the destination set near to the beach or in the countryside - what suits you best?  

• What sort of holiday do you want? - Check out what each holiday park has to offer.  If you're looking for some rest and relaxation, a holiday park with fairgrounds, endless entertainment and 'It's a Knockout' style competitions may not be for you. Also, think about the ages of the people in your party - is there something that will keep everyone happy?  The smaller beach or countryside based holiday parks are great for value for money accommodation with a limited range of entertainment.  The larger well known companies tend to have similar facilities across all of their sites, complete with a huge range of activities, entertainment and children's clubs as well as a choice of accommodation types. Many also have swimming pools, although not all are heated and not all are indoor!

• Duration - Some holiday parks have specific days of the week to check in and out on, so ensure this fits on with your plans - if you're looking for a 10 day break at a park that only allows 7 or 14 day bookings, you won't be able to do this.  The same goes for weekend breaks - during peak holiday periods these may not be permitted unless it's a last minute booking.

• Date - Finally, think about the date of your holiday.  The school holidays obviously book up the quickest so be prepared to book in advance to get the accommodation and holiday you want - alternatively, be prepared to be flexible.

With so many companies to choose from, we have researched the market to find those with a wide range of choice as well as some that are more specialist.  Browse our list below to find the right company for you then click through to their web site for more information and how to book.  It couldn't be easier!

Further guides on holiday parks