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Best Parkdean Resorts holiday parks in the UK, as tried and tested by families

Thinking of a Parkdean escape but not sure where to pitch up? We’ve gathered intel from Mumsnetters to compile a list of holiday parks that are ideal for affordable family holidays in the UK.

By Rachel Erdos | Last updated Apr 12, 2024

With on-site access to all the things that kids love - pools, playgrounds, soft play areas, arcades - as well as facilities to keep parents happy too - bars, restaurants, Costa cafes and entertainers with enviable amounts of energy, Parkdean holiday parks are fully geared up for fun family holidays. And as 3-night off-peak breaks start from £89, it’s a great option if you’re looking for a bargain break.

Sites are located in popular UK holiday spots within easy reach of beaches , lakes and woodland, and Mumsnetters particularly rate Parkdean Resorts in family-favourite destinations like Cornwall, the Lake District and Dorset.

If you like the idea of camping but prefer a sturdier set up with access to a private bathroom and cooking facilities, a holiday park break can offer the novelty of an outdoorsy escape and the camaraderie of a campsite but with added creature comforts like TVs, comfy beds and even hot tubs in some of the luxury lodges .

We’ve scoured the holiday forums for tips and advice from families that have stayed, returned and recommended the following holiday parks as being particularly good for kid-friendly weekend breaks as well as week-long escapes in the school holidays .

If you’ve yet to book a summer holiday, read on for reviews and recommendations from fellow parents.

What’s included in the price of a Parkdean Resort break?

Whether you’re booking a caravan, a lodge or a chalet break, the price of a Parkdean holiday includes gas and electricity for the duration of your stay, bed linen in all rooms, parking and hub passes. A hub pass includes access to swimming pools, kids’ clubs and on-site entertainment. You’ll need to pay extra for some activities like kayaking, tennis and crazy golf. Activities can be booked online up to six weeks in advance.

We've also got handy guides to the best UK holiday parks , the best Haven holiday parks , the best holiday parks in Wales , the best holiday parks in Scotland , the best holiday parks in Devon and the best holiday parks in Cornwall .

Best Parkdean Resorts holiday parks at a glance

Near Weymouth, Dorset

Berwickshire, Scotland

Porthcawl, south Wales

Near Newquay

Best overall: Warmwell Holiday Park, Dorset

Kids won’t be short of things to do at Warmwell Holiday Park in Dorset. Thrill-seeking families can whoosh down the all-weather 100m ski slope or splash around in the heated indoor pool with its wave machine and flume, and there’s a roller rink, a challenging high-ropes course and a climbing wall on site, phew! If you’re after gentler pursuits, there are woodland trails to follow, an arts and crafts den and a self-serve ice cream station. The lodges range from great-value one-beds to spacious four-beds and some come with private hot tubs.

The Jurassic Coastline is well worth exploring nearby and Weymouth, with its Blue Flag beach and colourful beach huts, is a 25-minute drive away.

Eyemouth Holiday Park, Berwickshire

There are caravans to suit families of all sizes at this Parkdean resort in beautiful Berwickshire. The gorgeous location is one of the main draws of this great-value holiday park in southeast Scotland .

Three sandy beaches are easily accessible, and you're a short stroll from pretty Eyemouth harbour with its indie cafes and shops. Treat the kids to a boat trip to see seals or chug along to St Abbs, which doubles as New Asgard in the recent Avengers film.

The park doesn't come with all the bells and whistles of some of the others on our list, but there's still a playground, a small arcade, a multi-sports court, live family shows and children's activities. Guests also get free swim passes for the local indoor pool.

Sunnydale Holiday Park, Lincolnshire

In the village of Saltfleet on the Lincolnshire coast, Sunnydale Holiday Park is a great base for coastal fun. If you've got keen anglers in the family, there's an on-site fishing lake and kids will love the adventure playground with its giant climbing frame; the indoor pool; and the soft play area. Mablethorpe's award-winning beach is a 15-minute drive away, and you can reach Cleethorpes in around half an hour for traditional seaside fun.

Trecco Bay Holiday Park, Porthcawl

Trecco Bay is one of the UK’s largest holiday parks, so it’s a great choice if you like big, busy resorts with lots going on and opportunities to kickstart holiday friendships. There’s an award-winning beach on the doorstep, a high ropes course and a Bear Grylls Survival Academy to keep kids busy. And there’s an arts and crafts and a gaming arena for downtime. Under-5s can join in with fencing and archery activities especially adapted for youngsters, and there are learn to ride a bike sessions to pick up some important life skills while you’re there. There’s a huge range of caravans to choose from, including pet-friendly and wheelchair accessible options, so you’ll be able to find just the right spot for your family.

Fallbarrow Holiday Park, Windermere

Smarter than your average Parkdean Resort, Fallbarrow Holiday Park sits at the edge of Lake Windermere and offers stunning views of England's largest lake. There are caravans and cottages on site as well as a range of luxury lodges (some with hot tubs). There's a games area, an outdoor playground and an arcade but it lacks some of the action-packed activities other parks have to offer. The main attraction here though is the beautiful setting that puts you right in the heart of the Lake District. The park is a two-minute walk from The World of Beatrix Potter.

Crantock Holiday Park, near Newquay

Looking for coastal walks, beach views and a healthy dose of fresh sea air? Crantock Beach Holiday Park puts in you in a prime position near Newquay without having to battle the summer crowds that can pack out the popular Cornish hotspot in the summer months. On site, there's a colourful adventure playground with stunning sea views, a crazy golf course and a nature trail as well as an arcade and a lending library for indoor fun. You can pick up fish and chips from the takeaway restaurant and there are picnic and BBQ areas for laidback dining too. This small and relaxed holiday park is perfect if you're looking for a peaceful retreat with easy access to all the action that the area has to offer.

Cayton Bay Holiday Park, Scarborough

Between Scarborough and Filey, Cayton Bay Holiday Park is a fun-packed resort for kids of all ages. The park puts you within strolling distance of Cayton Bay's golden sands but children might not actually want to leave the site considering all there is to offer. The heated indoor splash pool features slides, and energetic youngsters can test their survival skills at the Bear Grylls Survival Academy. There's also an adventure playground, bungee trampolines and a high ropes course. For more sedate activities, the arts and crafts den offers a range of creative pursuits. Choose from a range of caravans and luxury lodges - some are pet-friendly and wheelchair accessible.

Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park, Nairn, Inverness

Praised for its cleanliness, evening entertainment and stunning surroundings, Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park is located right on the beach and set beside a busy marina, surrounded by picturesque castles, country parks and forests.

Accommodation ranges from budget-friendly touring and camping pitches to caravans and luxury lodges, with family-friendly facilities that offer something for everyone.

Whether you prefer to relax in the indoor pool, challenge your family at the 9-hole crazy golf course, spot a variety of wildlife on the nature trail or simply race around the adventure playground, there are plenty of activities to keep little ones entertained.

In the evenings, Spelding’s Lounge Bar offers a range of dining options (even for fussy eaters), before high-energy shows, cabarets and acts begin - sure to impress and entertain guests of all ages.

How many Parkdean Resorts are there?

There are 66 Parkdean Resorts scattered across the UK in England, Wales and Scotland. The holiday parks are mainly located in coastal areas including Devon, Cornwall and Kent, but there are also lakeside holiday parks in the Lake District and woodland spots in North Yorkshire and Dorset.

When do Parkdean Resorts close for autumn and winter?

All parks stay open throughout autumn so it’s a good option for October half-term holidays. Some holiday parks close between November and February. You’ll need to check individual parks for further information. You can book Winter Wonderland breaks in December at the following parks: Warmwell (Dorset), Trecco Bay (Wales) and Cayton Bay (Yorkshire).

Who owns Parkdean Resorts?

Parkdean Holidays and Park Resorts merged in 2015 to form Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s largest holiday park operator. It’s owned by the Onex Corporation, an investment management company based in Canada.

What’s the best Parkdean Resorts holiday park for families?

For its beautiful woodland setting, easy access to the stunning Jurassic Coast, variety of on-site activities and lovely lodges, we rate Warmwell Holiday Park in Dorset. Kids of all ages are catered for here and parents are sure to have fun joining in or escaping for a peaceful walk in the woods.

How we chose our recommendations

Because we know that there's nothing like a real recommendation, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which Parkdean Resorts holiday parks were being recommended.

We then did some research across travel publications and review sites, looking at which Parkdean Resorts had won accolades or been featured in 'best choice' lists across a range of websites, and what customer reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we then narrowed our list down to the best Parkdean Resorts for families at the moment.

About the author

Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel, product reviews and homeware roundups.

She has written hotel reviews, features and destination guides for top publications including the Guardian, Four Seasons Magazine, Travelzoo, Visit Britain and Visit London and loves nothing more than researching and writing about fun things for families to do in destinations near and far. She is often found trawling the Mumsnet holiday forums to find inspiration for her next trip.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.

Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here ).

Parkdean Resorts California Cliffs Holiday Park

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Reviews we perform checks on reviews. tripadvisor’s approach to reviews before posting, each tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. if the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. when the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . learn more about our review moderation..

• Excellent 964
• Very Good 415
• Average 226
• Terrible 124
• All languages ( 1,845 )
• English ( 1,843 )
• Spanish ( 1 )
• Portuguese ( 1 )

" Gets quite busy in holidays. "

" The pool is rather small and the outside pool isn’t accessible yet so we haven’t used it. "

" Booking activities is essential "

" Great place to have a base to visit places in Norfolk "

" None all nice and clean and tidy staff were very polite and Nicole in the bar was very nice 👍 "

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PARKDEAN RESORTS CALIFORNIA CLIFFS HOLIDAY PARK (AU$142): 2024 Prices & Reviews (Great Yarmouth, Norfolk) - Photos of Campground - Tripadvisor

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Don't take a travel cot! - Review of Parkdean Resorts Lizard Point Holiday Park

• Europe    
• United Kingdom (UK)    
• England    
• Cornwall    
• Mullion    
• Mullion Speciality Lodging    
• Camping in Mullion    
• Parkdean Resorts Lizard Point Holiday Park

Don't take a travel cot!

Had this break booked for months. Was a sun break which I then upgraded. Offered a wide birth 3 bedroom with balcony,pet friendly. 6 adults ,an 11 month and 1 dog. On arrival van looked great! 2 toilets one shower. Sycamores 68 We knew they're would be single beds however didn't expect literally no room for the travel cot! When to reception for advice ,see if they could offer a different van. NO.they have no bigger vans and the travel.cot has to go in lounge! So child goes to bed at 7....where we all suppose to go? Anyway eventually squeezed cot in one room.making bedroom access unusable. Pullout lounge bed tiny. No bedding. Uncomfortable Carpet was full of dog hair. Our dog is hypoallergenic doesn't shed. Carpet grippers exposed. Missing few essential in kitchen but ok. Outdoor pool open. Indoor pool was told prebook and soft play didn't need to once there.soft play only open til 2 pm. Outdoor food closed Icecream closed. Bar staff no clue even in day. Very slow. Used restaurant one evening to arrive and be told reduced menu. Food was typical pub grub but tasty and came quickly. Camp clean and tidy Dog agility tiny but good fun. Complained on getting home was told manager would call me.had no call just an email saying sorry and a voucher towards next break up.to £60!! All in all we made our own fun but disappointed. Area is... Had this break booked for months. Was a sun break which I then upgraded. Offered a wide birth 3 bedroom with balcony,pet friendly. 6 adults ,an 11 month and 1 dog. On arrival van looked great! 2 toilets one shower. Sycamores 68 We knew they're would be single beds however didn't expect literally no room for the travel cot! When to reception for advice ,see if they could offer a different van. NO.they have no bigger vans and the travel.cot has to go in lounge! So child goes to bed at 7....where we all suppose to go? Anyway eventually squeezed cot in one room.making bedroom access unusable. Pullout lounge bed tiny. No bedding. Uncomfortable Carpet was full of dog hair. Our dog is hypoallergenic doesn't shed. Carpet grippers exposed. Missing few essential in kitchen but ok. Outdoor pool open. Indoor pool was told prebook and soft play didn't need to once there.soft play only open til 2 pm. Outdoor food closed Icecream closed. Bar staff no clue even in day. Very slow. Used restaurant one evening to arrive and be told reduced menu. Food was typical pub grub but tasty and came quickly. Camp clean and tidy Dog agility tiny but good fun. Complained on getting home was told manager would call me.had no call just an email saying sorry and a voucher towards next break up.to £60!! All in all we made our own fun but disappointed. Area is beautiful go visit the natural beauty out there. Kynance cove ,lizard , Coverack etc.. More

Hi there, thank you for taking some time to leave us this review regarding your stay at Lizard Point. It's disheartening to hear about your experience whilst holidaying with us. Our guests’ feedback is invaluable to us, and we rely heavily on our guest's feedback and recommendations. This helps us to continually improve and refine the park as well as the service that we provide. Please contact us further to share your specific concerns with us, so we can address these for you. We do hope to have a chance to welcome you back to one of our 67-holiday parks again in the not-too-distant future, to restore your faith in Parkdean Resorts.

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Just returned from a short break at parkdean lizard . Firstly on arrival at our allocated caravan we were greeted by very loud music also speeding cars up and down just outside. On entering the van which had supposedly been cleaned found nothing had been cleaned. Fridge filthey oven still had food in even cheesegrater still had cheese in it. Fingerprints everywhere then no heating or hot water called emergency number didn't answer left message but couldn't bother to call us back . We could of asked to change van but after 6 hours of driving too knackered. We've used parkdean for over 25 years mostly are excellent but on our experience this place needs staff that actually do there job .

This review doesn't cover everything, as we didn't experience everything. But it does cover the main things. We stayed in a Marazion caravan for 4 nights, 3 people. It's very small and only really suited to a couple. The beds are small with hardly any room either side. This is NOT suited to kids, ita just too small.The bathroom is also small, and overall this type of van is small. It's made by ABI and actually called and ABI Oakley which they stopped making back in 2017. So this model is old not new! We stayed in Beacon Hill 14 right near the pool which was great, as we didn't have to walk far, but there was a recycling point right outside the van, and people we constantly leaving rubbish on the floor which blows across to your van area. The entertainment was good for kids and the staff do a sterling job. Nothing really for adults as the later evening entertainment was quite poor. The bars are very slow with service and you have to queue. On average you wait about 15 to 20 mins just to get a drink which is really poor! Using the app is no quicker either as that takes the same amount of time. The shop onsite is actually very good, and some prices are elevated but not all, so ignore reviews about it being very overpriced. The pool is a big let down to be honest, as it's just too small. They let way too many people in and it's gets overcrowded very quickly. The outdoor poor was never open and we were given numerous different excuses by different staff as to why. They basically lied to us, and the bungee trampoline was also broken. The outdoor catering is pretty awful, with the food one being quite unclean. The staff who operate them just sit there looking miserable. Tips: Don't book a Marazion van if you like a bit of space. The images on the website make it look bigger than it actually is! The highline is small and only suited to kids. Take cleaning products with you, as the cleaning standards of the vans isn't great at all. Visit the local villages of Mullion and Lizard to eat, there are also some useful shops. You need a car here to get around, don't rely on the bus services. Advice to Management: Sort your prices out, they are overpriced. Stop telling people that kids can't have a mocktail because theyare only for over 18s! This is not the law and a mocktail is a soft drink with NO alcohol. This is ridiculous site rule. Invest in a better swimming pool. Clean the entertainment and bar areas properly, as you have a clear issue with beer flies! Get proper cleaning teams who will do the job properly. Stop letting people have dogs in vans. Get more staff on the bars. Don't put recyling points right outside people's vans. Put them in an area where they are away from accommodation. The Lizard is a great base to explore Cornwall, but based on our experience would don't recommend Parkdean Lizard. There are way better holidays parks and ones that are cheaper with better services.

Hi there, thank you for your review. It's dissatisfying to hear that you did not enjoy your holiday here at Lizard Point. Please contact us further to share your specific concerns, so that we can address these for you. We do hope to have a chance to welcome you back to one of our 67 holiday parks again when the time is right.

Lovely ice cream from scoops yesterday very yummy! Great service from Laura had a good chat and I was recommended some lovely beaches in the area. Definitely come for an ice cream on my next visit. Happy children!

Hello Hang223, thank you for taking some time to leave us this terrific feedback. It's thrilling to hear that you had such a good trip to Lizard Point. We can't wait to welcome you back to one of our parks soon to create some more amazing memories.

Good holiday park with lots to do, though shame the outdoor was too cold to use! Caravan was generally quite clean, and everything worked. Restaurant was ok and good choice of food and drinks. Staff were all nice. Fantastic location - very close to Lizard Point and all other coastal points. Would come again.

Hi there, thanks for the brilliant review! We're glad you had an amazing stay with us and hope to welcome you back again soon.

The park is clean and tidy caravan lovely but very cramped for our party there were three adults four children weather lovely so nice enough to be on the balcony but only three chairs . Entertainment was great swimming b on the Sunday someone had been sick in the pool so they cleared the pool . I personally it shouldn’t have been closed down they went on to let people back in there to the person being sick again they should have been asked to leave not at all impressed with that on the whole a good weekend except for that

Hello Geraldinebh2349ym, thank you for taking some time to leave us this terrific feedback. It's thrilling to hear that you had such a good trip to Lizard Point. We can't wait to welcome you back to one of our parks soon to create some more amazing memories.

Parkdean Resorts Trecco Bay Holiday Park

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• Excellent 1,380
• Very Good 905
• Average 498
• Terrible 479
• All languages ( 3,613 )
• English ( 3,608 )
• Italian ( 2 )
• Dutch ( 2 )
• German ( 1 )

" If you want to sit and watch evening entertainment get to the show dome before 5. "

" Book a hostel or sleep on the street for a healthier nights sleep. "

" To book in advance for the activities as they book up very quick "

" Don’t go ! "

" Don’t trust the photos you see on the website for the caravan you may receive! "

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PARKDEAN RESORTS TRECCO BAY HOLIDAY PARK - Campground Reviews & Price Comparison (Porthcawl, Wales) - Tripadvisor

Best travel cot 2023: lightweight cots for travel

Attempting travel with a baby? The best travel cot will make sure you’re suitably armed, and they’re suitably snuggly

The best travel cot? Be honest, it’s something you didn’t even know existed until you became a parent and had to take a trip. Do you have to travel with a bed for your baby? Well, yes, you do, they're just as essential as the best car seats and best suitcases , and luckily there are so many incredible new designs that hitting the road with your littlest is that little bit easier.

We give you the travel cot, the portable crib, and the basket bed … here are all the latest and the best products on the market which allow you to travel light even though you’re now packing an extra person.

How to buy the best travel cot

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

First off, you might be surprised to find out that travel cots aren’t just for travel. If you’re stuck for space at home, regularly splitting time between two places, want a safe place to keep them corralled while you pop off for a second (see above), or like to have a spare for friends’ babies when they pop round for a coffee (the friend, that is, not the baby), a travel cot is a sensible solution.

But when it does come to travel, having your own portable cot means that you needn’t worry about whether that Airbnb has all the necessaries or that hotel webpage is up to date, and it also gives baby a familiar place to sleep, eliminating one more reason for them to get lairy while you’re on the road.

And it’s what you’ll be using it for that’ll mostly dictate the type of travel crib you want. 

Compact foldable cots or bassinets are best for chucking in a suitcase or luggage locker on the plane, while trips by car simply call for something that can fit in the boot. The more lightweight they are, the more you might question the fact that they’re deemed suitably sturdy for a human child, but between rigorous manufacturer testing and great reviews across the board, you can rest assured each of our picks will keep them safe as houses, even if you’re a long way away from yours. 

You might be wondering if travel cots are safe to sleep in? The answer is yes, as long as you buy the right one and your child doesn't sleep in it all the time. Read our guide linked above for more information on travel cot safety.

Finally, for maximum mileage when it comes to the initial spend, look for a model that comes with an included mattress, adjustable levels for rapidly growing babes, and more.

The best travel cots you can buy today:

1. Micralite Sleep&Go Travel Cot

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Sleep&Go Travel Cot is a well-designed piece of kit that hopes to make travelling with little ones a breeze. It sets itself apart from rivals by being adaptable: it's a travel cot one minute, playpen the next, and can even transform into a newborn co-sleeper. Perhaps best of all, it's able to transform between these functions in seconds thanks to its innovative all-in-one frame.

It lets itself down slightly with the lack of colour options, and the fact that it's not the smallest when folded.

With an RRP of £150, it sits firmly in the upper-mid-range price category, but it's durable materials, solid build, and innovative features mean it more than earns its place at the top of our list.

• Micralite Sleep&Go Travel Cot review

2. BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light

Praise be to Björn Jakobson, granddaddy of all things baby-related — his brainchild BabyBjorn still leads the pack when it comes to travel cots, with this one getting our second spot for its practical, paediatrician-approved design. The foldable travel cot packs down into a neat carry case with padded shoulder straps and a waist belt for easy transportation, and we love how compact it is, not to mention easy to set up, which is a real bonus when there’s unpacking to be done. 

The mattress has been designed in conjunction with paediatric specialists to provide the best support possible, but the only problem is that it’s at floor level, so if you have shorter arms, bear in mind it might take some effort, or the help of a taller family member.  

3. Nuna SENA Aire

The thing about parenthood is that you always have your hands full, and when it comes to travelling with kids, that goes double. So welcome the SENA Aire, a thoughtfully designed travel cot from premium baby gear brand Nuna that can be set-up not only quickly, but with one hand. Its zigzag legs pop-up instantly, and come with padded edges so you cannot trap you finger in a hinge while you’re seeing it up. 

However, the SENA Aire’s main USP is what its name suggests; an advanced air design delivers maximum airflow that will give its inhabitant deeper sleeps. That’s the theory. Elsewhere, the SENA Aire gives the travelling parents everything they need, including a mattress, sheets, an insect net and even cotton sheets. Best of all, it’s all machine washable, and goes neatly into a travel bag.

4. Inovi Cocoon Folding Moses

Here’s one for youngsters taking their first flights. Suitable for the under six months crowd, this simple crib won’t be with you for long, but it’s sure to impress any parent thinking of taking a flight to show-off their new addition. A simple and nice-looking crib that could easily be used at home, the Cocoon is compact and lightweight enough for travel, even complying with international aviation standards (IATA) so it can be taken on a plane as hand luggage, and stowed in overhead locker compartments (minus junior, we hope). 

It also includes a mesh canopy that protects baby from the outside world – including insects, pets and curious passers-by – while being itself constructed atom transparent, breathable mesh panels. The Cocoon is also easy to set-up, with four locking joints on its fold-out base for maximum stability.

5. Phil & Teds Traveller Travel Cot

Like the BabyBjorn travel cot, this Phil & Teds option is suitable for use from birth to three years, making it a good option if you’re after a longer-term solution. The big difference between the two is that this little number is more suited to long-haul travel, with a weight of just 3.2 kilograms and an ultra-compact design that’s formulated to fit in a suitcase, luggage locker, or even the storage space of your buggy. 

Reviewers found it was a bit awkward to set up, but that it was light, sturdy and comfy enough to make up for it, so we reckon it sounds just fine if you’re setting up camp for a while.  

6. SpaceCot Travel Cot

If the combination of quick setup and sturdiness is the holy grail of travel cots, then call us Indiana Jones, because we seem to have found it in the SpaceCot Travel Cot. The makers say it opens and closes in just three seconds — a big boast, but reviewers vouch for its veracity. 

They found it super easy to set up, and loved the included detachable crib levels and mattress that let it work as a cot up to six months, and a playpen up to 30 months. If you frequently find yourself with your hands too full for faffing around, all signs point to this easy-up cot being a good buy.  

7. LittleLife Arc 2

OK, it’s a tent. Get over it. Kids love camping! Seriously though, the tent-style Arc 2 has a lot going for it, especially if you travel a lot because (and this is a stroke of genius) the Arc 2 packs-up into a small lightweight backpack. A pop-up tent weighing a mere 2.5kg, it uses colour-coded, lightweight aluminium poles and comes with a Velcro-attached foam mattress and washable cotton cover. 

Although it can be used indoors perfectly well, as its design suggests, the Arc 2 can also be used outdoors, and be secured with tent pegs. It works as a bed, a playpen, and just as a place to keep a child out of the sun. If you’re an outdoorsy kind of a family, the Arc 2 is a no-brainer.

8. Pop Up Bassinet Koo-Di

Designed for use in the house or out in the garden, at the beach or for trips somewhere rather sunnier, the Koo-Di Sun and Sleep Travel Bassinet looks to be a versatile option for keeping the smallest member of your group happy, cool, and out of the sun. 

The mesh sides are intended for ventilation and peace of mind, allowing you to check on them as they (hopefully) snooze, while the integrated zip-up mosquito net keeps nibbles at bay, and the blackout blind claims to block 93 percent of all harmful rays. That’s all pretty high tech for a travel cot, making it our best bet for travel abroad and hot summer days at home.  

9. Chicco Lullago Zip Crib

This expandable travel crib gives the option for different depths as they grow, giving it more lasting power than some of our smaller picks, and making it, according to happy reviewers, a great transitional cot. Users loved that it was sturdy and easy to put together, but found it a bit heavy to carry — although, while the travel bag is a bit more cumbersome than its BabyBjorn equivalent, some might appreciate that it looks more like your average minimal tote bag rather than a baby-specific behemoth. 

Overall, it’s agreed that the quality is top-notch and the setup simple, but if you have to travel a long way, you might be better placed going for something like Phil & Ted’s travel cot.  

10. Joie Excursion Change & Rock Travel Cot0

Trying to get them off to sleep isn’t the only thing that can prove tricky on the road - there’s also the small matter of changing to attend to. Luckily, some clever clogs at Joie has made a travel cot that doubles up as a changing table. Actually, make that triples up, because it also packs in a soothing rocker with soft toys. And it has wheels! 

With a draught-resistant base and mesh lining for a comfortable sleep, a rocker/bassinet for soothing and naps, and a changing table for you-know-what, reviewers agree this is a great portable option for when you want to streamline your stuff. Just be aware that it’s very large and very heavy, so it’s not the best for small cars and certainly won’t fit in a suitcase, but gosh darn is it versatile.  

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As the Style and Travel Editor at T3, Spencer covers everything from clothes to cars and watches to hotels. Everything that's cool, stylish, and interesting, basically. He's been a part of T3 for over seven years, and in that time covered every industry event known to man, from CES and MWC to the Geneva Motorshow and Baselworld. When he's driving up and down the country in search of the greatest driving roads, he can be found messing around on an electric scooter, playing with luxury watches, or testing the latest fragrances.

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Parkdean Resorts Valley Farm Holiday Park

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• Excellent 602
• Very Good 241
• Average 155
• Terrible 249
• All languages ( 1,375 )
• English ( 1,374 )
• Dutch ( 1 )

" Bingo tickets are available in the showbar beach’s shack, without asking this is hard to find! "

" Have to book on to book swimming "

" Stay for park live at 9.30pm "

" Pack your wellies!!!!! "

" Try and book activities as soon as you get there so the kids have entertainment for the day this helped me a lot "

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PARKDEAN RESORTS VALLEY FARM HOLIDAY PARK - Updated 2024 (Clacton-on-Sea)

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Parkdean-resorts.co.uk, park holidays uk.

Parkdean Resorts   Reviews

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Reviews 2.3.

2,688 total

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Poor customer service and systems

Continue to be disappointed by Parkdean. My last booking was cancelled at short notice. I was sent an email saying I had canceled and a voucher. I contacted them via chat (only way) and they agreed to refund and feedback that the way they cancelled due to poor weather was poor. Unfortunately they never refunded so used voucher. I have however been contacted today to say I had not paid the balance but it is showing on my credit card. Customer service told me to try again on Monday as admin (will need to find missing payment) not in until Monday.

Date of experience : 13 April 2024

The Lizard Point Park Dean.Initially…

The Lizard Point Park Dean.Initially pleased with accomodation and park. Pool a little small and basic but fine for us. BUT after our children were attacked in the playarea by an 'out of control' XL Bully type dog and the park did not take action, we are left very upset and the children traumatised. Manager on site was rude and dismissive and higher management impossible to contact. There is also alot of dog mess around the park including the playarea. (We are dog lovers and owners btw so actually very tolerant). Would NOT recommend as no support from the park when a serious incident occurs

Date of experience : 23 March 2024

Reply from Parkdean Resorts

Hi Lucy, We are deeply concerned to hear your feedback today, firstly because XL bullys and any dogs on the Dangerous Dogs Act are banned from our resorts and secondly because we always aim to provide excellent customer care and attention. The safety of our guests is very important to us and we are sorry that you felt this was not the case on your recent stay. We will take this opportunity to share your feedback with the senior management team at the resort today for internal review. We sincerely hope this will not deter you from staying at another of our resorts in the future ^JC

Parkdean Whitley bay

First time and last time visiting a Parkdean resort the site was very run down, no places to eat on site. And very small and pointless shop. The facilities were poor it mentioned a beach but this was shingles and it smelled awful and wasn’t just up the road 3 attempts to get the hairdryer fixed. The heating was either on or off for the money paid it was the worst holiday we have been on

Date of experience : 22 July 2023

Hi Andrew, We always aim to deliver a great experience, and we are genuinely disappointed when we don’t meet expectations. We will take this opportunity to ensure your comments are shared and taken on board with the park staff so they can look to make immediate improvements where necessary. Your satisfaction is important to us and we are very sorry that we have fallen short on this occasion. We hope this will not deter you from visiting us again in the future, as we are confident you would have a better experience. ^JC

I have not even made it to Parkdean

I havnt even made it to Parkdean but after my experience I wont be going They cancelled my booking due to adverse weather which was not there fault But then I received an email reminding us to do our identity check for our up coming holiday !!!!! You try and get your money back , try to Manage your booking have a live chat but just get your call cut off !! I wanted to scream you can’t speak to a human So I had to pretend I was paying for a holiday to speak to someone So good luck to all you people dealing with this company

Date of experience : 11 April 2024

Hi Taylor, We appreciate the time you have taken to leave us this review. We have reached out for a few more details so we can take a further look into this for you. Thanks. ^SL

Assistance dogs don’t always go free!

After booking our holiday with park dean with our two assistance dogs I didn’t realise that assistance dogs go free so contacted them via live chat to be told they would refund me 3-5 days. I had to contact them again as I hadn’t received the refund only to be told they would not refund my assistance dogs that go free as they have changed there policy. Just so poor customer service beware!!!!

Date of experience : 27 March 2024

Hi Peter, Thank you for providing us with the relevant details. I have rectified this issue for you now and raised a refund for your assistance pets. For future reference I would advise booking through our Customer Engagement Centre to ensure we can add an assistance pet onto your booking the correct way. I am glad we could resolve this for you and hope you choose to book with us again. ^EC

dirty filthy place.

stayed at regent bay for 3 days of a 7 night holiday before having to be moved , the caravan stank, was filthy, windows would not close. absolutely disgusting. entertainment staff had no energy about them at all. my kids asked to go home. we were then moved to ocean edge to a much better caravan but my daughter found a condom in the bedroom

Date of experience : 29 March 2024

Hi Karl, thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I am sorry to hear of the issues encountered whilst staying with us. We have requested further details so we can look into this for you. ^EC

Parkdean Ocean edge experience

Parkdean Ocean edge experience: Free wifi, smart TV, cheap, comfy beds, very good arcades, soft play area, restaurants/takeaways deliver here, massive park and babys like the travel cots! There was some problems but I established them in my negative review that parkdean didn't even read. They just replied saying the to take time to write it.

Hi there, Thank you for this review. We are sorry to hear that you did have a few issues whilst staying with us. We hope you were able to raise your concerns with the on park team and that they were rectified for you. We hope overall you were able to enjoy your stay with us and we are able to welcome you back again in the future. ^SL

Not a nice place at all

The Caravan was dirty and damaged and the beds were torture to sleep in. There was litter all over the park and the prices are steep for catering pre prepared food. There was no supervision over children's play area, so my kids were surrounded by foul mouthed teenagers, who were far too old to be in a soft play. Bit of a free for all really, wouldn't go back.

Date of experience : 01 April 2024

Hi Lee, We sincerely apologise that your holiday was not as you had hoped. We always aim to deliver a great experience, and we are genuinely disappointed when we don’t meet expectations. We have asked you privately for your booking details so we can share your review the resort management team for internal review. We hope this will not deter you from visiting another of our resorts when the time feels right. ^JC

Easy Booking

Its an easy simple method - even I can do it. In addition I prefer the quality of accommodation at Park Dean I have used various well known other camps but all in all value for money its Park Dean

Hi, Thanks for the amazing review! We work hard to meet expectations like yours, and we’re happy to hear we hit the mark for you. We cant wait for you to come back and see us again soon. ^JC

I recently sent in a review of how you…

I recently sent in a review of how you treated me because I paid my holiday 3 days early then you cancelled it and kept my £75 deposit. I really hope you get investigated because if you have done this to me then how many other people have u done this to and kept their deposits also and upset other families You keep telling me I have the opportunity to use the deposit to book again with you, you are taken the ..ss Karma is only round the corner, so do the decent thing and refund my £75 u unlawfully took from myself and family.

Date of experience : 21 March 2024

Hi Mark, We have reached out to off the back of a previous review regarding this booking. Thanks, ^SL

Although the weather was good and…

Although the weather was good and everywhere was muddy we made most of our short break. Looe bay parkdean was a small site compared to other places we have gone. The staff were friendly and always smiling. I must have difficult for them with the weather being so bad. To protect the grass there was no parking at the caravan but plenty of car parking spaces which close to the our van.

Date of experience : 08 April 2024

Hi Teresa, Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us. The Great British weather has not been good to us this year! However we are thrilled to hear despite the damp conditions, you enjoyed your stay overall. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again in the near future. ^JC

Ty Mawr, Conwy Great park

We just spent 4 nights at Ty Mawr, Towyn, Conwy Wales with our two grandchildren 8 and 5. We had a wonderful time, the staff were lovely and friendly. There was lots for them to do during the day and evening. Unfortunately we only saw the Sparkle character not any of the others. We missed the bungie jump trampoline because of the weather but they rebooked it for the next day. The caravan was spotlessly clean and had everything we needed. The only thing we couldn’t get sorted out was the internet on the tv but that was fine. The weather was terrible but that’s Wales for you.

Hi there, Thank you for the lovely review. We are so pleased to hear you and your family had a great stay with us. We hope to be able to welcome you back again in the future. ^SL

I was due to go on holiday on the 1st…

I was due to go on holiday on the 1st of April till the 5th of April to parkdean resort Torquay. Unfortunately i was rushed into hospital on the 27th of March. I had a friend contact the park and explain the situation to be told somebody would get back to us. It took until i made an official complain on the 2dn od April brfore i got a response which dtated as my holiday start date had passed they would do nothing for me. Now we did contact them before the start of the holiday bit parkdean were more inyerested in getting my money for nothing in return. Myself and two of my three children are Disabled but they even ignored that, i would go as far to say they discriminated against us. Please if you have any sense avoid using this money grabbing company because the do not give a damn about you only your money.

Hi Martin, thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We would like to look into this further for you, so we have requested further details from yourself. ^EC

We checked into our caravan and it…

We checked into our caravan and it hadn’t even been cleaned, there was chocolate all over the sofas, and the surfaces hadn’t even been washed. The caravan hadn’t been hoovered. We thought don’t worry about it these things happen. However, we booked into swimming on the Saturday with three children, including a 5 month old baby and the pool was not heated. It would have been warmer in the sea. My daughter lasted ten minutes and I had to take her out as her hands tuned blue. My children were so disappointed as swimming was the one thing they were looking forward to. Also, the prices for four meals in the restaurant came to £62. So if you’re going, please do a food shop before hand.

Date of experience : 06 April 2024

Hello Jade, We are so sorry to hear that your holiday was anything less than perfect, we always aim to deliver a great experience, and we are genuinely disappointed when we don’t meet expectations. We will share your feedback with the management team at the resort today for internal review. We sincerely hope that this doesn't discourage you from visiting us again in the future. We are confident that if you give us another chance, you'll have a much better experience. ^JC

Terrible customer service

We have been going to Ruda in Croyde for years as love the location. We were booked in for a trip this week which we were looking forward too, but unfortunately my son became ill last night and has tested positive for Covid this morning. I tried ringing Parkdean to explain the situation but you are unable to actually speak to someone if you have an existing booking (phone is just for new customers apparently) so had to make do with an online agent. I was hoping that given the situation I would be able to move the date of the holiday and just pay any additional amount and admin fees but was told that isn't possible. This means i either cancel the booking and lose the money paid for it or take my son to Ruda and risk exposing everyone to his illness. Whilst i appreciate it's not their fault, we have spent a lot of money with Parkdean over the years and feel that the completely inflexible approach to customer services is pretty poor for any company but particularly one that size. Regrettably we won't be using them again after this

Hello Mark. We are very sorry to hear your son is poorly and we hope he has a speedy recovery. As there are no current government travel restrictions regarding COVID-19, guests are able to travel as planned. If you did not have Cancellation Cover on your booking, I am afraid we are limited as to what we can offer at the last minute, and any cancellation would be subject to our standard terms. We do hope that you will reconsider booking with us again when the time feels right. ^JC

Highfield grange clacton on sea

Been to this holiday park in clacton in 2024. The kids stuff on site is brilliant and characters randomly appear during the day in the arcade for u to have a picture with (no charge for this) There is a tesco and 2/3 mins away and a morrisons about 5 mins away. The onsite chip shop and restaurants are very pricey but if u fancy a treat then its very nice food.

Date of experience : 25 March 2024

Hi Craig, Thank you for tasking the time to leave this review. I am so glad to hear you enjoyed your stay at Highfield Grange. We hope to welcome you back on site in the future :) ^EC

Poor website service

Booked holiday on parkdean website. As I'm going in 18 days time I paid the balance in FULL. Got immediate confirmation email saying I still owed £20. Tried to pay the alleged outstanding £20 on parkdean website but system wouldn't accept my payment. After a couple of attempts website provided a customer service phone number. Thought I was going to speak to a human but it was all automated. Tried again through the automated service to pay the alleged outstanding £20 as didn't want to arrive at site to be told my booking was cancelled or invalid. Put details into automated service to be told my balance was fully paid despite email to the contary.

Date of experience : 04 April 2024

Hi Michael, We are sincerely sorry to hear this and wish to apologise for any disappointment caused. Having reviewed this, we can see it was a simple system error, however we fully appreciate that through no fault of your own, this caused unnecessary stress and contact with ourselves, when you should have been looking forward to your holiday. We do hope that despite this rocky start, you have a wonderful time at Ty Mawr. ^JC

Review of Parkdean booking process - All good.

Not been on our holiday yet, but the booking process was good. Website is very easy to use and loads quickly. Good descriptions of the available accommodation and the customer service I found to be excellent when I needed to call.

Date of experience : 10 April 2024

Hi there, Thanks for the great review! We hope you have an amazing stay with us :) ^SL

One of the worst breaks we as a family…

One of the worst breaks we as a family have ever been on. I would not recommend this park. The team are very unhelpful and the worst part was the discrimination we received when explaining to reception that we have a disable person with us. Overall shocking

Date of experience : 05 April 2024

Hi Will, We pride ourselves on providing great customer service, so we are genuinely sorry to hear that you didn’t find all our team helpful. We recently reached out to you privately so we could urgently review this and discuss this matter with you, however we can see you have chosen not to reply. We would like the opportunity to speak to you regarding your feedback so please kindly get in touch. ^JC

ONLY ONE LEFT!!!!

Company advertise caravans on offer, with "1left", when I tried to book on line had to phone company. I was then told " The revenue team" would not release it, and was offered alternative for more money. I dealt with a very nice employee on the phone, who only administers this dodgy practice, and after a couple of days I have booked an alternative, but not happy with this practice. Still showing one available!!!!

Date of experience : 03 April 2024

Hi Michael, Although our online availability is Live, from time to time there are discrepancies in this because we share a booking system with a third party provider (Hoseasons, who sell holidays at our resorts on our behalf) If Hoseasons makes a booking, it can, on occasion still show available online when in reality it has been sold and booked. We do hope this helps to explain and we are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. ^JC