None of these questions take long to ask, and any decent Tingdene Holiday Parks Limited park will have straightforward answers ready. If a question gets dodged or fudged, that's often more useful information than the answer itself.

When you do search, look directly at park availability rather than only general search results, since some late deals or short breaks don't always surface through a general web search. Being flexible on which park you book, rather than fixed on one location, also widens what's on offer considerably. If your priority is getting away this weekend rather than a specific spot, checking two or three parks in the same general area rather than just one tends to turn something up.

If you're bringing a dog, check the pet policy before you book rather than after. Parks vary on which units accept dogs, whether there's a charge, and whether there are walking areas on site. It's a five-minute check that saves a difficult phone call later.

Space is often the deciding factor for families. A static caravan holiday gives everyone a bit of breathing room, somewhere for the kids to watch television while the adults have a cup of tea in a separate area, which a single hotel room rarely manages without someone being under everyone else's feet.

Day to day, you'll be doing your own cooking and washing up, much as you would in a self-catering cottage, so it helps to bring a few kitchen basics like tea towels and washing-up liquid rather than assuming everything will be there. Bedding is usually provided, but it's worth checking your specific booking, since this varies park to park.

On-site facilities are worth checking properly rather than assuming. Look at what's actually included in your stay versus what costs extra, whether the pool, if there is one, is heated and what hours it runs, and whether there's anywhere on site to eat if you don't fancy cooking every night.