Prepared for loads of fun

Aug 30 2009 by Angela Upex, Sunday Sun

WITH everyone feeling the pinch, families are on the lookout for affordable holidays. Angela Upex and her children tried out a caravan in East Yorkshire

The site also has a launderette, hair and beauty salon and a shop for everything you have forgotten. The shop, as well as selling groceries and wine, sells souvenirs, papers, DVDs and books.

Skipsea is also an ideal base if you want to strike out into other Yorkshire coastal delights or even get some retail therapy in York.

So the next day, we explored the fine sandy beaches of Scarborough and in the afternoon we enjoyed all the fun of the fair, had a look at the fishing boats and, of course, sampled some fish and chips.

Next on the agenda was Bridlington. Here we rediscovered childhood delights of donkey rides, beach huts and cream teas.

And any trip to North Yorkshire has to take in Flamingo Land.

It has some great white knuckle rides of its own – such as the Bullet, Wild Mouse, Top Gun, Terroriser and Magnum Force, Europe’s only triple-looping roller coaster – alongside its zoo. So there was obviously lots of things to do in the day to keep the family entertained.

So how about the evenings? In the Oasis show bar there is regular entertainment, cabaret, bands on tour, 60s shows and theme nights.

The evening begins with entertainment for the kids, the obligatory bingo and then the main act for the evening. We caught a tribute act called Boys Aloud who were excellent.

Alternatively in the height of summer, a walk along Skipsea beach is an ideal way to unwind.

And we also brought along our own DVD player to catch up with Hannah Montana and Spiderman before bedtime.

I have not been anywhere so relaxing and peaceful in a long time.

We found the site immaculate, there was little litter and lots of evidence of regular maintenance.

Visiting a caravan is a really great option for good-value family fun and ideal way to discover the English coast. I thoroughly recommend it.

Five things to do

1 - SKIPSEA’S indoor pool, with its attractive fountains, is great come rain or shine.

2 - RELAX in the Oasis show bar which offers regular entertainment, cabaret, bands on tour, 60s shows and theme nights.

3 - EXPLORE the fine sandy beaches of nearby Scarborough and enjoy all the fun of the fair.

4 - REDISCOVER childhood delights of donkey rides and cream teas with a trip to Bridlington.

5 - TAKE a trip to Flamingo Land with its great white knuckle rides – such as the Bullet, Wild Mouse, Top Gun, Terroriser and Magnum Force, Europe's only triple-looping roller coaster – alongside its fascinating zoo.

Fact file

:: PARK Resorts operates 37 award-winning holiday parks across the UK, from the Isle of Wight to Scotland, and from Wales and the South West to East Anglia. They offer a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets and sizes of family.They all include free colour TV, free bed linen and free gas and electricity.

:: SPECIAL deals in September and October: Mid-week short breaks (4 nights) start from £69, for example at Sandy Bay and Crimdon Dene. Weekend breaks (3 nights) start from £89, for example, Skipsea Sands. All prices above are for a two-bedroom bronze caravan (sleeps 6). For bookings, information or special offers visit www.park-resorts.com or call 0871- 200 2010

:: ACTIVITIES for the children include fantastickids clubs offering a wide variety of free entertainment. For 12-16-year-olds there is The Mix, where they can try new things like basketball, orienteering or fashion design. The Virtual Battle of the Bands, new for 2009, will test their musical ability, or they could find out what it’s like to direct a movie or even choreograph a live stage show. Younger children can join Sparky’s Krew for hours of fun.

:: WATER fans of all ages are catered for, with pool activities such as scuba diving and snorkelling through to the Miami Beach Search Rescue programme.

:: Special deals in September and October; Mid-week short breaks (4 nights) start from £69, e.g. Sandy Bay and Crimdon Dene. Weekend breaks (3 nights) start from £89, e.g. Skipsea Sands. All prices shown are for a 2 bedroom bronze caravan (sleeps 6)

:: Booking info; For bookings, information or special offers visit www.park-resorts.com or call 0871 200 2010