Caravaning has become a cherished British tradition, and more and more people are discovering what a great getaway a caravan in a beautiful part of the world can be. Nearly half of all British adults report that they have been on a camping or caravaning holiday within the past three years. With this trend showing no sign of changing, it’s time to look at ideas to put that extra special something into your time away.
This isn’t to say there isn’t plenty to do; it’s all about finding something that everyone will enjoy. Whether you are embarking on a fun-filled family holiday to the beautiful Sunbeach or you fancy a romantic trip for two to Bredon View, there is a lot to experience. While you may not want to make a holiday feel too much like work by compiling a ‘to-do’ list, getting some ideas before you go will let you make the most of your time and ensure you don’t leave feeling that you’ve missed out.
Whether it’s visiting a fancy restaurant in the local town, hiking to the summit of a spectacular hill, or just curling up around a board game in your caravan, there’s so much to do to make the most of your trip – and much of it doesn’t have to add anything to the cost of your holiday. So here we have compiled some fun ideas on how you can make your next caravaning holiday more memorable for all the family.
This doesn’t have to mean finding the steepest hill or mountain you can and clambering to get to the top. It can mean finding a fun, easy walk to go on during your time away from home – if only to make that big dinner even more deserved! As most people don’t live in the countryside, it can often be difficult to find the time or even a place to go on a lovely, scenic walk, so why not incorporate it into your family holiday? A bit of fresh air, green surroundings, and a wide view do everyone some good. All our caravan holiday parks have great countryside with a variety of walking routes right on the doorstep. For more information on our range of luxury caravan sites, be sure to book yourself a getaway!
We all know that the British weather doesn’t always cooperate, even at the height of summer. If the skies refuse to be clear and sunny, be prepared with some indoor activities to help pass the time! From Uno to Jenga, there are plenty of games you can take along on your trip to help battle the rainy blues. You could even plan it so that every evening, you and your family sit down and have a game, with a championship prize for the overall winner, just to make it a little more interesting!
Although you won’t be able to build a true campfire at our parks, this still doesn’t stop you from making the most of your caravanning trip with a friendly BBQ! Not only can you roast marshmallows and dine on delicious food, but you can also snuggle in a blanket, tell scary stories, and play traditional campfire games (in the absence of a campfire). Many of our parks have BBQ-specific areas where you can cook up some tasty grub and get cosy!
Not everyone is into writing a paper diary, so why not consider creating a family video diary instead? Each day, designate a family videographer to record your best and funniest moments, which can then be compiled into something to watch as a family when you get back home. It’s a video that you’ll treasure forever. Also, don’t forget to take a few snaps to show your friends and family when you get back home! When we all have digital phone cameras in our pockets, maybe buy some disposable film cameras for everyone to use as they want – then you can compare results when you get the photos back once you’re home. Don’t forget to tag us in your memories on socials, too!
Our seaside parks on the Welsh coast at Sunbeach and Aber Bay both have superb beaches right on their doorsteps. After a high tide or a good storm, there will always be plenty of interesting things to look for on the beach. You can search rock pools for creatures such as crabs, shrimp, and fish. Look out for mermaid’s purses (actually egg sacs of sharks), shells, washed-up timber, and pretty pieces of sea glass. You might even find ambergris – although it looks and smells unpleasant because it’s actually solidified whale vomit, even a small lump can be worth tens of thousands of pounds because it’s used in the perfume industry – what a boost to any holiday that would be!
Geocaching is one of the UK’s best-kept secrets and the perfect activity for adventurers of any age group on a caravanning holiday. Geocaching involves hunting for small containers – caches – which contain a piece of paper to act as a logbook. Classic geocaching requires a dedicated GPS receiver to navigate to the coordinates of a particular cache from a printed list. These days, you can download a geocaching app to your phone that displays the location of caches on a map. Just set your current location and see what’s out there – there will be more than you’d expect.
Each cache on the app has a description of its location, plus a clue for further help if you get stuck. Some caches require solving riddles (or using information found at other caches) to track them down.
Once you find your target geocache, record your name and date in the included logbook and depending on the size, you can exchange available trinkets. Make sure to put the geocache back where you found it, so the next adventurer isn’t baffled, or the geocache gets accidentally removed as rubbish.
Geocaches come in a variety of sizes and a range of finding difficulties, from tiny magnets with only room for your initials to wooden chests and even hollowed-out tree branches. A number of geocaches are only available by solving riddles to get the GPS coordinates, which can be great fun for those looking for more of a challenge.
More than 300 geocaches await you across Worcestershire, surrounding our parks at Abbot’s Salford hand Bredon View. Our Northamptonshire site, Overstone Lakes, has a good number of caches in the nearby countryside, and there are many in the nearby town of Northampton if you want to use them to explore.
Tucked between Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian mountains is Sunbeach, our most popular Welsh caravan park. This stunning location offers a huge choice of walks to hunt for geocaches over the mountains or along the beautiful coastline. Down the coast near Aberystwyth is our newly improved Aber Bay site.
Not everything needs to be a big day out – there are lots of smaller things to do on a caravan holiday to keep you and your family entertained. They range from the simple things that take on a new significance when on holiday to some special experiences that you could never really do at home. Maybe you could:
One of the most appealing things about enjoying a caravan holiday with Allens Caravans is that many of our UK holiday parks are located in the heart of England, surrounded by wide-open spaces and nature. This means you have plenty of opportunities, and more than enough of an excuse, to spend hours on end exploring the great outdoors.
As well as the option to get out and about, our parks all have a number of state-of-the-art onsite amenities to make the most of. As such, you can enjoy the best of both worlds as you keep yourself thoroughly active and entertained while on holiday.
There is nothing more refreshing than popping on your walking boots and setting off to soak up the surrounding nature, both onsite and in the hills and mountains. Not only does it present an opportunity to spot your favourite birds or wild animals, but it is also a wonderful way to capture nature-inspired photographs.
Our parks are surrounded by rolling countryside and natural beauty, with plenty of footpaths and back lanes to wander down. The great thing about a countryside walk is that while you are walking, you hardly notice that you’re exercising because you are taking in the scenery.
Cycling is a superb way to get your heart rate up, discover new places and get around. As long as you know your road rules or find a cycle path, the world is your oyster. If the mood strikes, you can even go mountain biking for a bit of an off-road adventure.
Some people just enjoy running. The simplicity of popping on your running shoes and heading out on the open road with the breeze in your face offers a superb way to unwind. Whether you run around the park or go further afield into the surrounding countryside, there will be plenty to keep you entertained.
Most of our parks offer excellent leisure amenities, including a swimming pool. If you like to swim, then getting up a little bit early and clocking a few laps or lengths is a wonderful way to start the day and stay fit. If you are holidaying in the summer, it will be a good way to cool down, too.
Whether you set up on the deck of your holiday home, on a mat on the grass or in front of your TV with the windows wide open and letting in fresh air, starting your morning with a yoga or Pilates session will help the mind, body, and soul.
If you’re on a caravanning holiday for a specific occasion, you might want to tailor your caravan activities to that occasion. Caravan holidays for couples are growing in popularity, especially on Valentine’s Day. There are lots of things you can do on your caravan holiday as a couple, but if you’re struggling, we’ve put together a few ideas.
At all our sites, there are some beautiful lakes, rivers, and views to take in. Romantically strolling hand-in-hand on a long walk is great for those who love the outdoors, giving you the opportunity to spend quality time with your significant other.
You’re on holiday, so there’s no harm in having a drink. Chances are that the bar or restaurant will only be a short walk from your caravan, so you won’t need to worry about driving. Sit back and enjoy each other’s company while sipping on a beautiful glass of wine.
Everyone needs a break, especially those who are always cooking. If your partner is the cook in your relationship, or you just want to show them a good time, treat the one you love to a meal. It might be that you want to go all out with three courses or keep it simple with one dish; either way, there will be something on the menu for everyone.
Rather than staying at home in front of the television, why not get out and catch some live entertainment? There’s bound to be something for you all to enjoy, and it’s certainly better to spend the evening laughing and joking rather than sitting in silence glued to the television all night.
If it’s something a little more cultured you’re after, why not head out to soak up the heritage that our country is famous for? Our parks at Bredon View and Abbot’s Salford are conveniently situated close to historic towns, such as Stratford-upon-Avon, Cheltenham and Pershore, not to mention the cathedral cities of Worcester and Gloucester. It may even be worth taking a look at events occurring during your stay at our parks so you can truly make the most of what these wonderful towns have to offer.
These are just a few fun ideas to make your next caravan holiday more memorable. From all of us here at Allens Caravans, we wish you a happy holiday, and we hope you have a fantastic time away on your caravan holiday, whatever fun holiday ideas you choose to undertake!
Allens Caravans Estates Ltd is registered in England and Wales - Reg No. 525635
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