England’s top three underrated holiday parks – with private beaches, indoor water parks and jet skis for kids
A HOLIDAY park guru who has visited hundreds of sites across the UK has shared three of his favourite underrated ones for a family break.
From private beaches, land trains and mini 4 x 4’s to indoor waterparks and scuba diving, there’s something for everyone.
Travel writer Robbie Lane is the face behind the specialist website, Holiday Park Guru.
On his website, the former BBC journalist writes detailed reviews of holiday parks in both the UK and Europe, from adults-only trips to ski holidays and popular chains like Centre Parcs and Butlin’s to little-known independent sites and budget-friendly breaks.
He told Sun Online Travel of his three favourite lesser-known ones: “The underrated holiday parks are the independent ones that don’t have the marketing clout of the big names.
“These take a little bit more searching out, but many of them have outstanding reviews and offer good-value holidays.
“While most independent holiday parks have fewer facilities compared to the big names, there are some that compete on scale and activities, including Ladram Bay in Devon, Searles in Norfolk and Hendra Holiday Park in Cornwall.”
Ladram Bay, Devon
Ladram Bay is an award-winning holiday park in Devon, with its own private beach.
The sand-washed pebble beach has a stretch of rockpools and watersports like kayaks, paddleboards and motorboats can be rented from the holiday park.
Holidaymakers who don’t fancy a bracing dip will be pleased to know there’s also a heated indoor swimming pool on-site, complete with slides.
There’s also a small pool with a children’s play area as well as an outdoor splash area with water features, spray guns and pirate ships.
Guests can also book themselves on to leisure activities like scuba diving, sea scooters, water walkers and aqua fit sessions.
Indoor activities include a soft play centre, a gaming arcade and a climbing wall.
Ladram has three on-site restaurants, including Pebbles Restaurant, Coast Takeaway and the Beach Shack as well as a bar with evening entertainment.
There are four accommodation options at the Devonshire holiday park, including Ladram Cottage, which was completely refurbed in 2023.
Ladram Cottage offers views over the Jurassic Coast as well as other top-notch facilities like a private hot tub, garden area and sun terrace.
Other accommodation options include Luxury Lodges, Holiday Homes, Glamping Pods and touring pitches.
We’ve found three-night breaks for two adults and two children from £249, working out as £83 per night.
Searles, Norfolk
Located next to the Victorian seaside town of Hunstanton, the award-winning holiday park has been welcoming families for 83 years.
There are plenty of indoor facilities to keep families entertained throughout the autumn, including a heated indoor pool with a jacuzzi and sauna.
For younger guests, there’s also an indoor splash pool with dual slides and interactive water features.
Other indoor facilities include a play zone that’s equipped with slides, climbing frames and ball pits.
There are plenty of outdoor activities too like a play park, a fitness park, an outdoor pool and a crazy golf course.
On-site restaurant Smokey Jo’s serves up all the pub classics, with other restaurants including, the Beach Hut, the Lounge Bar and the Sundowners Family Entertainment Lounge.
Searles has a host of overnight accommodation options, including holiday lodges, holiday cabins, and holiday homes.
There are a range of sizes available to book for each accommodation option and some have their own sun decks and hot tubs.
Motorhome and camping pitches are also available to book.
Sun Online Travel have found seven-night stays from £279 for two adults and two children.
Hendra Holiday Park, Cornwall
Located near Newquay and close to world-famous beaches and top family attractions, Hendra Holiday Park has won awards with Visit England and TripAdvisor.-
The Oasis Fun Pools, said to be the largest fun pools in the South West, are one of its best features.
Inside there’s an indoor pool with a river-rapid, a water cannon, tipping buckets, water fountains and three water flume rides.
Plus, new for 2024 is a fun-looking jet ski aqua cruise for kids, where they get to ride inflatable jet skis around a mini course, as well as sea scooters and mini 4×4’s.
Other family-friendly activities include the Hendra Land Train, which tours the holiday park, an indoor soft play area, an outdoor play park with swings and climbing frames and an adventure golf course that’s new for 2024.
There are three on-site restaurants, including the Terrace Bar and Restaurant, Mario‘s Pizzeria and ice cream shop, Always Sundae.
Like with the other holiday parks, there are a range of accommodation options available to book like budget-friendly caravans, premium caravans, holiday homes and lodges.
Sun Online Travel have found seven-night stays from £669 for a three-bedroom meadow lodge.
The best holiday parks in the UK 2024
HERE is the list of Which?'s best UK holiday parks 2024.
- Potters Resorts
- Forest Holidays
- Bluestone Wales
- John Fowler Holiday Parks
- Hoburne Holidays
- Hoseasons
- Waterside Holiday Group
- Warner Leisure Villages
- Centerparcs
- Haven Holiday Parks
- Parkdean Resorts
- Butlins
- Park Holidays UK
- Away Resorts
- Largo Leisure Parks
- Pontins
And here are the other lesser-known holiday parks named among the best in the UK.
Meanwhile, these are easy ways to save money on a family holiday – some of them are even free.