When I was growing up we didn’t do exotic holidays abroad. In fact my parents have only just this year been abroad for the first time. My dad didn’t like the idea of flying and also there was just no way we could afford that type of holiday.

Sometimes when a school friend would talk about going to Spain or Eurodisney I may have been a little jealous but looking back I’m so glad we had the kind of holidays we did as they were so much fun.

The first holidays I can remember were in caravan parks near the seaside in South Wales. Lots of us crammed into one small caravan – they weren’t quite as posh back then ..hours spent in the swimming pool and making best friends with all the other holiday makers.

My mum would also make her famous corned beef pie to take with us and doesn’t food always taste a million times better in the sea air. Hot chocolate before bed and cereal variety packs for breakfast.

Caravans have improved just a little since when I was a little girl. Some are more like sprawling holiday villas than caravans with two bathrooms and three bedrooms as well as fully equipped kitchens.

We have since taken Izzy to holiday parks in Wales and Cornwall as well as to France and Portugal and we have enjoyed the caravan breaks as much if not more sometimes than our trips abroad because it’s easier and so much less stressful than having to go to an airport and book car hire etc etc.

With school holiday time bookings abroad getting so pricey it’s definitely worth looking at UK holidays when thinking of things to do during half term. Spend time exploring castles and beaches or just chilling out playing board games in a beautiful caravan.

Now sing together…

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside…

* Collaborated post.