Now I’ve been to Devon Cliffs in Sandy Bay many times and at a little over an hour from my Somerset home, it’s hugely convenient distance wise.
Previously I’ve stayed in all sorts of different grade caravans, but when I was offered the opportunity to try one of the site’s lodges for the weekend, as the mother of a five-year-old I of course jumped (no leapt!) at the chance as it's the sort of place families can have lots of fun.
On arrival at the site we had an easy, early check in thanks to the higher grade of accommodation, and we made our way to the top of the park where the best views are.
On entering our lodge, the first thing that struck me was how big the living space was – already the difference between a caravan and a ‘lodge’ was apparent. Upon investigation I (while fist punching the air) discovered a washer dryer and a dishwasher, double oven and large fridge freezer. Anyone who holidays with a small child can tell you how valuable these small luxuries are and what a difference they make to a break away.
Upon further investigation (and fist punching the air twice), I found there was a full-sized bath in the bathroom. I mean who would have thought.
The twin bedroom had a walk-in wardrobe and the master bedroom also had plenty of storage, plus an en-suite with double shower.
Now, if you have been caravanning a lot like me, you’ll know what I mean when I say sometimes you come home from those holidays, feeling ever so slightly grubby and like you need to hop under your own shower. Well this did not happen here – with a bath and a double shower to choose from, I am pleased to report I came home feeling fresh as a daisy.
The site
Now, let’s talk about the site. This is a Haven site and it does what Haven has always said on the tin. This company has never tried to be pretentious – it keeps it real when it comes to giving you the tools you need to entertain your children.
If, like us, you don’t want to go down to the evening entertainment every night, then the daytime entertainment is extensive too. We mainly just went back to our lodge for dinner and games in the evenings.
During the day there are so many activities to choose from. This park really is far and above other holiday parks we have visited when it comes to how comprehensive the daytime entertainment programme is.
There’s crazy golf, archery, bouncy bungee trampolines, an aerial course, tube slides, segways, pottery painting – the list is endless. One of our favourite activities was the Make a Bear. Our new friend, stuffed by our own fair hands, sits in pride of place back home.
There are also two entertainment venues at the park which offer everything from shows to magic lessons, by day and night and the site’s position is just perfect for beachlovers, with direct access down onto a gorgeous sandy beach. Ideal for sandy days out if the British weather allows (in our case it did not!).
Another favourite activity of ours was the fabulous pool complex with multi-lane water slides and flumes. There are also outdoor pools for when the British weather is on-side.
There are plenty of food and drink offerings at the park, from pizza, to Burger King, fish and chips to the Mash and Barrel, which is a restaurant offering pub-style food.
We opted to eat out at the South Beach Café – a restaurant overlooking the beach, which specialises in seafood.
I have to say I was a little underwhelmed, both by the menu and the food. My prawn tagliatelle was incredibly bland and the prices were pretty high, so we only opted for one course each.
I found the atmosphere quite cold and unwelcoming (décor not staff wise) and it was the only part of our break I wouldn’t repeat if we were to return.
That said, you really don’t have to eat out – there is a really good supermarket on-site with fair prices and plenty of options and after a day of activities it’s always quite nice to kick back and relax in the evening.
In conclusion
All I can say is – lodges are the way forward – how will I ever go back to a bathless, double shower-less caravan now?
Devon Cliffs really is a great place for children – it caters for all weather entertainment and this site has so much going on that you simply won’t stop for days.
haven.com
