I stayed at the English seaside caravan park with private lido, Vegas-like cabanas and cosy pub
HAVE TO SEA IT I stayed at the English seaside caravan park with private lido, Vegas-like cabanas and cosy pub
THE West Sussex town of Selsey famously has just one road in and out of it – but the seaside spot is so fun-packed, the exit lane should be scrapped.
My family and I had just spent a long weekend at the Cove's Seal Bay resort, where every lodge, caravan and holiday home sits just a short stroll from the ocean.
Advertisement
5
Selsey is a coastal gem and perfect for the whole family
Credit: Supplied
5
Some of the lodges at Seal Bay are just steps from the shore
Credit: Supplied
We were staying in Green Lawns, the most rural of the site's four themed sections, which lives up to its name with a pond and trees that my sons were constantly scaling.
Our classic lodge was filled with mod cons, including a deep bath, huge shower, washing machine, dishwasher and classy electric fire.
For nearby food, this zone is also home to the giant Viking Bar which, despite looking like an imposing cowboy saloon from outside, is like a warm and welcoming local pub.
A little farther away, the burgers, beers and ice creams at Cafe Lido are of bafflingly good quality — yet the 'double burger' is just £9.99 and the classic hotdog not even a fiver.
Advertisement
We have holidayed on caravan sites for almost 40 years and having affordable restaurants and action-packed activites within walking distance of your home is a huge perk.
But only now, after all those years, do I recognise how vital holiday parks might be for little ones with special educational needs, or even younger kids who tire more easily.
When long flights, unfamiliar surroundings or sensory overloads might be too much for someone, places like Seal Bay are so important.
You can choose to have the most secluded and private break or throw yourself into eight hours of non-stop activities and entertainment.
Advertisement
A short stroll from our lodge was the White Horse area, offering lots of sporting action.
Then there's the Dockyard, which has a stunning lido, with a splash area and swimming pools surrounded by bright-orange cabanas that wouldn't look amiss in Vegas — these come at an extra charge.
Martin Lewis gives travel advice about checking your passport
Indoors there is a nine-hole crazy- golf course, state-of-the-art climbing wall and a death-defying bounce- playground above your heads.
And around the corner is the vast and lush sports field where the Seal Bay Soccer Academy is run by brilliant staff with grade-A equipment — Mitre balls, goals, bibs, cones, hurdles and slalom poles.
Advertisement
We had a family match against new friends Taylor, Sarah, Mick and Archie, who made the hour fly by.
The largest zone in the holiday complex is West Sands, which sits right on the beach. It even has a wave simulator, Wave Rider, open May to September.
We had blistering weather so spent as much time as possible on the beach or in the ocean, but the indoor Oasis Bay pool is ideal for wetter weather.
We ventured down to this area on Saturday and found a giant TV screen, on the beach rocks, showing the FA Cup Final.
Advertisement
5
Surf's up at the wave simulator at the resort
Credit: Supplied
5
Have fun ten-pin bowling
Credit: Supplied
My boys split their time between watching Crystal Palace spring a brilliant upset over Man City and diving into the waves.
Then we headed for a BBQ dinner at Smokey's Ocean Bar.
Advertisement
There, the lads demolished the Pitmaster's Feast of brisket, pulled pork, ribs, buffalo wings, sausage, chilli and sides and somehow had room for ice-cream sundaes.
A family of three were stuffed for just over £50.
We used our stroll back to base camp to walk off the meat sweats but there is a courtesy bus — that loops around the park, stopping at all the key areas — plus electric bikes and pedal go-karts to hire.
On Sunday we finished off with the brilliant Zorbing experience — you strap your child into a giant bubble and let them play crash-test dummies — then another swim and an archery session, before my kids slept the whole way home.
Advertisement
And I would love to tell you we partied all weekend into the early hours but we were shattered and asleep by 8pm every day, dreaming of the next day's adventure.
5
There's entertainment galore on site
Credit: Supplied
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
The English hotel resort with private beach, outdoor swimming pool and cinema – and new Spanish-themed experience
Plus, the English hotel with one of the UK's poshest spas… but it's only for dogs RURAL RETREAT The English hotel resort with private beach, outdoor swimming pool and cinema – and new Spanish-themed experience Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HUGE hotel resort set in the English countryside is home to wealth of things to do and explore and is also getting an exciting new Spanish experience. The Grove located in the Hertfordshire countryside, just 18 miles from central London is a private resort with five restaurants, three bars, an award-winning spa, a golf course and events spaces. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 The Grove located in the Hertfordshire countryside, just 18 miles from central London Credit: The Grove 9 It is a private resort with five restaurants, three bars, an award-winning spa, a golf course and events spaces Credit: The Grove Stretching over 300 acres, the resort boasts something for everyone. Whist the first house at the site dates back to the 1500s, the hotel didn't open until 2003. And inside it features sophisticated interiors with sculptures, chandeliers and airy large windows. There are a number of different rooms available, including 12 newly refurbished suites in the 18th century mansion. Depending on your mood, visitors can also eat a number of different locations including The Glasshouse, which according to The Grove's website is "one of the world's finest buffets". And during the summer months, the hotel hosts the 'Feast on Cloud 9'. Guests can experience a food from the hotel whilst immersed in a fairground-theme outdoor area. Throughout the experience, visitors will have immersive moments all whilst enjoying a five-course meal or afternoon tea. It costs £75 per adult and £49.50 per child for the five-course tasting menu. Alternatively, you could have afternoon tea for £65 per adult and £39.50 per child. This Hotel is Home to the UK's Only Swim-Up Bar The hotel is also hosting a new experience called 'Fuego in the Woods', which shares with guests the flavours of Spain. Across three courses, visitors will have a sharing-style Spanish feast all cooked over wood-fired parrillas with dishes including Barcelona-style flatbread with black garlic aioli, Tomahawk of Hertfordshire beef and a Basque chocolate cheesecake with cherry compote. There will be live music and drinks across the participating evenings too. The experience costs £175 per adult or £100 per child. Back at the hotel, there is also a spa onsite which offers a range of facilities including a 22-metre-long UV-filtered pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. One of the real hidden gems of the site is the walled garden - home to a heated outdoor pool, private beach and kitchen garden. 9 Inside, the hotel features sophisticated interiors with sculptures, chandeliers and airy large windows Credit: The Grove 9 The hotel is also hosting a new experience called 'Fuego in the Woods', which shares with guests the flavours of Spain Credit: The Grove Whilst at the 'beach', guests can relax, enjoy a new bar, stretch out on daybeds and get competitive in a family gaming area. This year, the beach has a fresh new look and a dedicated treatment space. The day beds include premium, classic and family options that cost from £60 to £190, depending on whether you book them for a day or half-day. Each booking also comes with still and sparking water, fruit skewers, coconut water, face spray and cocktails. 9 Whilst at the 'beach', guests can relax, enjoy a new bar, stretch out on daybeds and get competitive in a family gaming area Credit: The Grove 9 Whilst at the 'beach', guests can relax, enjoy a new bar, stretch out on daybeds and get competitive in a family gaming area Credit: The Grove Whilst there, guests can also indulge themselves with a 'Sequoia on the Beach Massage' - which focuses on the décolletage, neck, shoulders, face, scalp and arms. For those who like golf, The Grove is home to one of the UK's most prestigious golf courses, with 18 holes. In fact, in 2006, the resort hosted The World Golf Championships, which were won by Tiger Woods. Previous guests have included cast members of Harry Potter - as 'The Making of Harry Potter' is nearby at Leavesden Studios - and Barack Obama during a presidential visit with Prime Minister David Cameron. It isn't only prestigious guests the resort is used to - there have also been a number of notable events at The Grove. 9 The day beds include premium, classic and family options that cost from £60 to £190 Credit: The Grove The Grove Hotel went viral for one of it's restaurants THE Sun's assistant travel editor Sophie Swietochowski experienced the buffet last year - here's what she thought. As The Sun travel desk's resident foodie, I could hardly resist trying the UK's fanciest buffet, also one of the world's most expensive. The Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire went viral earlier last year when TikTok foodies discovered its Glasshouse restaurant where everyone dines en masse, but in five-star luxury. It even featured in Netflix's 'Million Dollar Buffet' documentary with Grace Dent. Costing a whopping £82 per person at the weekend, there is certainly enough to choose from. After several, overly-generous spoonfuls of caviar, a few servings of beetroot-cured salmon and seven superbly crafted sushi rolls, decorated with dainty herbs, I felt I'd made a good dent in 'getting my money's worth' – a statement that had been thrown back and forth between my buffet partner, Mum, and I. So the real question is: is it really worth the cash? It's a thought that's difficult to get out of my head, even though, as a self-proclaimed foodie, I'd normally spend at least this amount on a boozy dinner with friends. But £82 does feel like a lot for what I'd previously have defined as 'just a buffet'. Although, if you visit for dinner mid-week, as opposed to the weekend, you can knock £17 off this price. I'd planned what I thought was an adequate two and a half hours to properly tackle that evening's dinner, but an extra hour would have been more appropriate if I wanted to take it at a more relaxed pace – and squeeze in an extra few hundred calories. Isn't that what buffet dining is all about? Still, despite the steep price, I think I'll be booking a table for my birthday next year – and this time I'm aiming for five plates instead of four. 9 In 2023, the resort celebrated 20 years since it opened and also received a plethora of awards Credit: The Grove These include NATO's 70th annual meeting. And for the final of the UEFA Euros, the England National Football Team stayed at the hotel. In 2023, the resort celebrated 20 years since it opened and also received a plethora of awards. The Grove also revealed its newly renovated Sequoia spa after a £1.6million refurbishment. There is a posh UK spa hotel praised by mums as perfect for kids – thanks to an Ofsted creche, huge playbarn and early teatime. Plus, the English hotel with one of the UK's poshest spas… but it's only for dogs.
Glasgow Times
8 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Why The Rhubarb Cafe in Watford is loved by locals
The Rhubarb Cafe on Cassiobury Drive describes itself as a "lovely independent coffee shop" that serves up lots of cakes and treats, with a "cosy and welcoming environment" where they like to treat all customers as friends. On the online review website Tripadvisor, The Rhubarb Cafe has a 4.1 out of 5 rating from more than 200 reviews. Out of those reviews, more than 115 are rated excellent, making the cafe a very popular and loved spot among locals. The Rhubarb Cafe, the Watford spot praised by locals On its website, The Rhubarb Cafe shares that they offer a "huge variety of tasty dishes" including vegan and vegetarian options. Its menu includes items like omelettes, jacket potatoes, sandwiches and ciabatta. Guests can also enjoy pancakes, homemade soup and breakfast options like a full English, eggs, bacon and chips and the egg royale. One happy guest at The Rhubarb Cafe gave it a five-star rating on Tripadvisor, sharing: "This charming independent café in Watford is a wonderful spot for a peaceful coffee and brunch. "The atmosphere is consistently warm and inviting, and the food is delicious every time." Recommended Reading Another happy local said: "Amazing food, great service and a very friendly feel to the cafe." A third added the cafe was "fabulous" and had something for the whole family, adding: "The food never disappoints! Whether we choose waffles, omelettes or the full rhubarb breakfast "It's always beautifully presented and devoured in seconds (a very high recommendation from my teenagers!)."
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I stayed on a historic estate and fell in love with the place'
I lost my heart to this beautiful part of the country and now I can't wait to return Tucked away in the undulating hills of Suffolk, The Wilderness Reserve offers a quintessential English summer experience. I recently had the pleasure of spending a weekend there and was utterly charmed by this tranquil corner of the county, bathed in the glow of a June heatwave sun. The walled garden was a riot of colour as I watched a couple tie the knot, and while enjoying elderflower cocktails, I felt like I'd stepped into a Merchant Ivory film. But it wasn't just the stunning venue that captivated me to be honest, the entire region truly stole my heart. Suffolk, with its gently rolling hills, expansive skies, and patchwork of fields, meadows, and ancient woodlands, epitomises rural England. The 8,000-acre private estate near Saxmundham is just one of many highlights in the area, with attractions such as Framlingham Castle, Sutton Hoo, RSPB Minsmere, and Yoxford Antiques Centre and Gardens all within easy reach. Scattered with picturesque villages, timber-framed cottages, medieval churches, and quiet lanes, much of Suffolk is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Then there is the stunning Suffolk coastline with its mix of sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and pretty seaside towns. Southwold is known for its beautiful beaches, iconic lighthouse and Victorian pier, while Aldeburgh Aldeburgh offers a more artistic atmosphere with its historic high street and rich cultural heritage, including the famous Aldeburgh Festival. Nearby, there lies the 12th-century Framlingham Castle, while the town of Woodbridge is home to the impressive Tide Mill and a charming blend of Georgian buildings and independent shops. While a visit to the Wilderness Reserve was a delicious treat, there are so many other ways to explore the region, along with a multitude of places to stay. Take Winkle Cottage for instance - a fishermans cottage bathed in Aldeburgh's seaside charm. This classic fisherman's cottage offers snug living spaces and can comfortably accommodate five guests. It has been praised by visitors as "a great place to stay." The village of Campsea Ash also hosts an ideal spot for larger family reunions, offering a glorious barn conversion on a private estate. Quill Farm Barn is touted as a "delightful" holiday home, nestled away in "the perfect setting." Then there's the Sea Tower, a chic apartment boasting sea vistas that has earned accolades as "a special place" or the grand Holly Lodge - a robust five-bedroom countryside house capable of hosting group getaways for up to 10 individuals. For something completely different, the Pound Farm Mirror Houses in Framlingham offer contemporary dwellings in the heart of the countryside. An upscale alternative to traditional 'tiny homes' each house comes with its own hot tub. boasts a diverse array of accommodation options in Suffolk. The Swan Hotel in Southwold, a four-star establishment nestled within a historic building just 200 metres from the seafront, is one such gem. For those seeking a more traditional vibe, The Ship at Dunwich serves up home-cooked fare and real ales in an authentic inn setting. Adventure-seekers drawn to RSPB Minsmere will find Moonlight Lodge an ideal retreat close by. Available through it's set against the backdrop of Dunwich beach and surrounded by woodlands - a nature lover's dream. For a touch of grandeur, The Great House in Orford stands as a majestic Grade II-listed holiday home right in the village's heart. This quintessential country haven sleeps 12 and has been hailed as "a stunning house" and "absolutely perfect for larger parties" by visitors. The tranquil beauty of Suffolk has garnered thousands of glowing reviews on TripAdvisor from enamoured visitors. One tourist said: "Loved our afternoon in Southwold especially the pier! Such a pleasant surprise to have a clean characterful pier with a brilliant quirky water fuelled clock at the end! The beaches looked amazing, beautiful clean sand and so pretty with the huts behind!". Another visitor, charmed by Aldeburgh, shared: "It was a dream in July to swim in the early hours of the morning and have fish and chips looking out to sea." Of course, the accommodation is key to any memorable holiday, and Sykes Cottages are dazzling holidaymakers, boasting a 4.6 out of five-star rating. One chuffed guest remarked: "We wanted a quiet weekend getaway and we found exactly that in Suffolk. Perfect for young and cottage we booked we know it's a fabulous place and beautifully presented." Another satisfied customer shared: " Suffolk in the sunshine. This was an important family holiday following my dad being very unwell last year, our holiday with Sykes gave us the quality time we needed and the chance to make some wonderful memories." However, not all feedback was glowing. A less impressed guest posted a three-star review: "Sykes offer a vast range of holiday accommodation. From experience so far, the description and photos of accommodation are fairly accurate, however, the cleanliness of the accommodation is another matter. It is difficult to get hold of anyone from Sykes by telephone." But praise continued with another beaming five-star critique: "We were looking for pet friendly cottages in Suffolk, Sykes cottages came up with the goods. A nice cottage plenty of details about the cottage giving us all the details we needed. So many thanks looking forward to our holiday."
