I’ve been to dozens of holiday parks – the important rule I always follow before booking
A HOLIDAY park expert has revealed some of his top tips - and the key feature he always checks before booking.
Robbie Lane has visited dozens of holiday parks across the UK, with an ambition to one day visit them all.
But there is one feature he always makes sure they have before he books a trip there.
The former BBC journalist told Sun Online Travel: "I look for a holiday park that is walking distance to a beach, ideally with a sea view.
He added it makes it "much less hassle" especially when travelling as a family if you can avoid having to pack everything into a car.
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He continued: "And it makes it much easier to fit in a quick seaside stroll after tea."
He also said he tries to make sure the beaches that are at the holiday parks are both clean and safe for children, and gave some trips on where to find his favourites.
Robbie added: "If you want to try surfing and bodyboarding, then Devon and Cornwall are particularly good, as are parts of Wales.
"Haven, Parkdean Resorts and Away Resorts all have holiday parks next to outstanding beaches in the West Country.
"The east coast of England and Scotland has lots of very wide open beaches with big open skies and space for walking the dog."
One holiday park Robbie previously raved about was Ladram Bay in Devon - an award-winning site 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.
Likewise, Darwin Escapes Woodside Coastal Retreat on the Isle of Wight, is one of the Holiday Park Guru's favourite UK sites.
He previously told Sun Online Travel: "The holiday park is practically on the beach looking towards Portsmouth, it's brilliant."
If a holiday park isn't next to a beach, Robbie recommends looking for an indoor swimming pool.
The Holiday Park Guru previously recommended Searles in Norfolk and Hendra Holiday Park in Cornwall as two sites with indoor pools.
Searles holiday park in Norfolk is located next to the Victorian seaside town of Hunstanton and has been welcoming families for 83 years.
There are plenty of indoor facilities, 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.
Meanwhile, Hendra Holiday Park near Newquay has one of the largest indoor pools in the South West.
The Oasis Fun Pools feature an indoor pool with a river-rapid, a water cannon, tipping buckets, water fountains and three water flume rides.
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Here are the seven items Robbie always takes on a holiday park break
HOLIDAY Park expert Robbie Lane recently revealed the seven items he always packs before heading on a holiday park break with his family.
Here's what he takes...
- Swimming trunks - an essential for days at the beach.
- A bottle of wine because on-site shops often have inflated prices, meaning the cost of food and drink will be higher.
- Bikes/scooters, which come in particularly useful when staying at larger sites.
- Blackout blinds for kids' rooms to keep out any unwanted sunlight ensuring a good night's kip.
- A multi-socket extension because some caravans or lodges simply don't have enough sockets.
- A fan to help keep places cool, especially in the hot weather.
- And a can of WD40 to get rid of any annoying squeaks in door frames.
Earlier this year, Robbie revealed England’s top three underrated holiday parks – with private beaches, indoor water parks and jet skis for kids.
And here are the other lesser-known holiday parks named among the best in the UK.