Exclusive:
Charlie Gordon heads on a four-day stay at Devon Cliffs Holiday Park with his partner Tallullah to enjoy a relaxed long weekend overlooking the sea and sampling the local delights
Haven’s holiday parks are usually associated with bargain family fun – mum, dad and the kids enjoying a break in a static caravan by the seaside.
Not, you would imagine, the place to go for a couple in their mid-20s looking for a chillout weekend. But, hey, let’s be adventurous, I said to Tallullah, who perhaps could have been forgiven for wondering whether her partner might have lost his mind.
So we left our city home behind to head off into the unknown and a four-day stay at Devon Cliffs Holiday Park. And just minutes after arriving at the gates to a warm welcome, we were taking in the sun and sea with a glass of something tasty. It was the start of a weekend of scenic walks, exciting activities and gourmet grub all on offer in and around the 183 acres of park overlooking the impressive Jurassic Coast.
We gave just about all of it a try before returning to our city home recharged, rejuvenated and wondering when we could come back. And when it came to the accommodation we were more than pleasantly surprised as we rocked up to our two-bedroom Gold caravan in the Upper Deck area of the park.
It was big, spotless and spacious with a sea view, central heating and a large deck with a table and chairs. The seamless check-in process meant we’d had time to fill our glasses and lay out the mid-afternoon snacks minutes after arriving. You turn up and everything is ready to go – find your caravan and settle into holiday mode.
It had all you would need regarding cooking, eating and sleeping. So far so good. And our early impressions were never going to be worsened by making the short walk to the gorgeous Sandy Bay to catch the last of the sunset. We passed through the arcade en route as giddy children screamed with excitement and parents scrambled to keep up.
But it was back to chirping birds and crashing waves when we came out the other side – we were there for a couples’ retreat after all. Next a slap-up meal at the on-site Seaside Cafe took the edge off the weariness of a long drive down south.
There were loads of options – including for vegetarian Tallullah who raved about her spicy cauliflower tacos – and a selection of cocktail pitchers helped make the sea view that bit more spectacular. A post-dinner recce of the park showed that we were only just scratching the surface of the food and drink choices on our doorstep.
We would later discover The Terrace is the perfect place for an evening tipple, sharing nachos at Mash and Barrel is a winner, and using the Haven Serve app to deliver a late-night takeaway is the perfect treat to end even the laziest of afternoons. Our Papa John’s pizzas were fresh and delicious, delivered right on cue after a few taps of a phone, and enjoyed in warmth and comfort while the rain poured and the wind howled outside.
The weather turned on the afternoon and evening of our second day, but evidently we were not suffering. By that point we were already worn out from a morning crammed full of activities which started with a guided Segway tour.
Led by the chirpy Morgan, the pair of us and three others were given a crash course on how to use the machines and then led all over the park; along dirt paths, up and down hills, and following narrow trails beside the water. It was an invigorating way to start the day, but that was merely the warm-up for our Aerial Adventure shortly afterwards.
My fear of heights would be put to the test during a dizzying assault course high in the trees. Once a few nervous shrieks were out of my system I was able to enjoy the fun of climbing through tunnels, clambering over obstacles and zip-lining back to safety.
We like to balance indulgence and relaxation with adrenaline and activity whenever we go away. The super-comfy mattress made the first part easy. We loved it so much we went searching for a label, hoping we might splash out on one of our own, and breakfast in bed while watching the telly became something of a routine during our short stay.
Segways and tree-swinging aside, there were also plenty of options to satisfy our second requirement. On our last full day we took the coastal path from just outside the Seaside Cafe to the quaint beach town of Budleigh Salterton.
The two-and-a-half-mile route took in parts of the park we had not yet explored, before sending us high along a red-stone cliff, over bridges, through gates and past mini waterfalls. Along the way there were benches at breathtaking viewpoints, which were perfectly placed for us to enjoy the snacks and drinks we had stocked up on at Haven’s mini market –a godsend throughout our trip.
Challenging enough to get the blood flowing but easy enough to do in trainers, it left us around an hour to enjoy the book shops, pebble beach, homely cafes, and even an old-fashioned sweet shop before trekking home. Ready to kick things back up a notch after a tranquil few hours, it was time to sample the evening entertainment. A Haven holiday would not be complete without it.
To bow out in style, we landed at Capone’s – one of two large venues on site – with high hopes of being thrilled by circus performer Steve Arnold. And we were not left disappointed.
Tribute act Rob B Williams had already given us a taste of what it was all about on our very first night.
And this was yet more feelgood fun enjoyed by adults and kids alike, with Steve’s impressive juggling and diablo skills supplemented by his knee-slapping jokes. With bellies hurting and cheeks aching, it was back to the comfort of our holiday home to gaze at the stars on a clear, crisp evening. Our city escape was over – but Haven, you were heaven.
Book the holiday
Haven offers four nights’ self-catering atDevonCliffs Holiday Park in Sandy Bay,Devon, this summer from £79, based on four adults sharing; midweek four-night breaks across its UK parks this spring start at £49. haven.com
More info at visitdevon.co.uk
