If you've never stayed in a static caravan before, it's worth knowing roughly what you're walking into, because it's usually a pleasant surprise rather than anything to be cautious about.

For more detail, see Tingdene Holiday Parks Limited.

A coastal caravan holiday suits anyone who wants the beach to be part of daily life rather than a single day trip. Mornings can start with a walk along the front, afternoons can be built around a paddle or a spot of rockpooling, and there's usually a working harbour, a promenade or a string of small seaside towns within easy reach for lunch. Coastal parks also tend to sit near longer coastal footpaths, so if you like a proper walk with the sea in view for most of it, this setting delivers that without much planning.

Confirm exactly what's included in your stay versus what costs extra. Bedding, towels, a welcome pack, use of the pool or clubhouse, these vary considerably from park to park and even between different unit types on the same park, so it's worth getting a straight answer before you book rather than after you've paid.

Outside school holidays and bank holidays, the picture eases considerably. A standard week in term time, particularly midweek, tends to have availability much closer to your travel date, sometimes within a few weeks rather than months. This is where flexibility on short breaks and midweek arrival really pays off, since demand simply isn't competing for the same handful of weeks.

Start with reviews, but read them properly rather than just checking the average score. Look for recent comments specifically, since facilities and management can change over time, and pay attention to anything mentioned more than once, whether that's cleanliness, how accurate the photos were, or how helpful staff were when something went wrong. A single bad review among dozens of good ones tells you far less than a genuine pattern.