In its purest form a holiday park is a camp site where leisure and accommodation facilities are situated and in the 1950’s pioneers such as Billy Butlin understood that in post war Britain, working class families deserved and needed a holiday. One that involved much more than just a knotted hanky and a deckchair on the beach. As a result he set about creating a safe place where the whole family were catered for with accommodation, food and entertainment.
In many ways holiday parks continue to do this except now in the 21st century, they have adapted and modernised. Many now include indoor pools and modern facilities where the kids and adults can have fun, whatever the British weather brings. So what can you expect?
The Accommodation
Accommodation can vary from park to park but many offer static caravans that sleep up to eight people in relative comfort. If you still have trouble sleeping, you can bring a weighted loveblanket with you to feel warm. One does not really need to book a fancy hotel. These can be rented, or can also be purchased as a holiday home. This means that people have the luxury of getting away for the weekend or for a week whenever they feel like it. In some instances lodges are also available. These are relatively new to the UK and are generally built in a Scandinavian wood style and come equipped with all mod cons. Others offer bungalows, apartments, chalets and even villas.
The Entertainment
It’s fair to say that usually the entertainment on holiday camps is plentiful and continuous. This is often centred round a club house or main gathering place where singers, cabaret acts and comedians perform nightly for the guests. On many occasions they’ll have a designated nightclub where adults can party well into the small hours. Some have a variety of restaurants and fast food places ranging from posh nosh to cheap and cheerful. In addition many will have pool complexes and sports facilities to keep the active busy. For the younger family members, many holiday parks will have kids clubs where they can be entertained and looked after whilst the adults relax or pursue other activities.
The Verdict
Nowadays, holiday parks don’t just cater for families, instead they also cater for weekend or romantic breaks. Some parks are in idyllic locations such as areas of outstanding natural beauty or National Parks. Whatever the clientele, holiday parks seem to have continued to thrive despite the recession and as a result, continue to provide affordable holidays that many people simply love, whatever age they may be. So whether you are planning your first holiday together or you are looking for a place to spend a romantic weekend, a holiday park could be the perfect destination.
