Parkdean holiday - for someone who's never been to a place like this before

[JoshandJamie]

Call me a snob (actually call my husband a snob) but he's had a thing about going to holiday park type places. I can see why - some of them, like Butlins, look vile (and again, happy to be disproved here if I'm woefully ill informed).

But I stumbled upon the Parkdean website in a desperate search for somewhere to go over Easter weekend. And I actually think it looks quite nice. Certainly not what I'd classify as a holiday for me (which would involve hot and cold running daiquiris on a sunlounger somewhere tropical....) but something my 2 and 4 year old will love and a great way for us to spend time together as a family.

I am ready to take the plunge and do it, but I have to convince DH. And what's more, I really don't want to sit in easter weekend traffic, only to get there and find that it is dire with a capital D. I'd rather stay at home and play with the boys in the garden.

So please fill me in. What can I expect? SHould I do it?

Well, Parkdean have a lot of sites around the UK so I am sure they vary a bit.
We had never done a caravan site holiday until last year when we did a long weekend at the Ruda Bay site in Croyde, North Devon.
The caravan was spacious and comfortable although the dcs' bedroom was miniscule.
The site was really well kept and nicely landscaped, but inevitably it is rows and rows of caravans. Croyde is quite a small site though.
The staff were very pleasant.
Most people driving off and on to the site kept to the 10mph speed limit.
Ruda has a pocket-sized fun pool, Cascades, which is a bit if you have Centerparcs standards but we loved it, huge hit with the kids, and like everywhere else on site, spotlessly clean.
Big factor for us is that it was low season and the site was 75% empty. Tbh I would not enjoy a holiday there in high season as we don't like crowds or too much noise (as city dwellers we like a hubbub-free holiday).
The other thing is that inevitably you are paying for the provision of facilities you may not want to use. We did not fancy the bar, restaurant, entertainments programme etc.
I think you need to tell us which sites you have in mind and maybe someone has direct experience. The Croyde one is in a stunning location and we had lovely weather.

Thanks Marina. I was thinking of the sites in Cornwall. Particularly likes the look of Sea Acres on the Lizard peninsula (although am thinking the drive is going to put me off!)