Caravan park holidays are a rite of passage for British children, but the traditional evening of organized fun can sometimes be a bit off-putting for parents.
There are no such concerns for families who register Love2Stay luxury glamping and caravan park in Shrewsbury. It has enough activities to keep the kids entertained, without going overboard for the adults.
The site is made up of 116 tourist sites, tents, barns and more than 20 different accommodations.
As a family of four, we spent a week at the park’s high-end Wren’s Nest property, which comes complete with a dressing room, private bathroom with shower, fully equipped kitchen, hot tub and stove.
Check-in is simple and once guests have their electronic gate pass they can come and go as they please, with security at the front door at night keeping an eye on the area.
Lisa Snell and her family spend a week at Love2Stay in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. They checked into the two-bedroom Wren’s Nest shelter (pictured)
Shown here is the hostel’s kitchen with a breakfast bar, coffee maker, dishwasher and washing machine.
Above is the Wren’s Nest living room. Lisa calls the hostel “top notch”
For those arriving with children locked in the car, the large adventure park located just behind reception is the perfect place to just let off some steam. Our little climbers were in heaven, with our three-year-old son climbing the cargo ladder at a good clip and refusing to come down.
From there there was a wonderful view of the lake where guests can paddle surf and kayak. Life jackets and helmets are provided and sessions can be easily booked each morning for a small fee. It’s all a pretty uneventful affair, unless you fall off your paddleboard or tip over your kayak.
The dedicated forestry school offers stone painting sessions and football pitches on the nearby sports field. There is even a small cinema that shows a couple of movies every day.
The photo shows the kitchen and dining room of the hostel. Lisa notes that the property has a “fully equipped kitchen, jacuzzi and fire pit.”
Here you see the family bathroom. Lisa says the hostel also has a “private shower room.”
This image shows the master bedroom with its king size bed and walk-in closet.
Shown here is the second bedroom with two single beds.
Not that guests need much entertainment when, during the sunnier days, they can opt for endless days on the “beach.” Love2Stay has created a coastal atmosphere with a huge covered sand area that sits next to a heated pool.
For those who want to swim more vigorously, there is a natural outdoor pool to explore. The fresh water left me breathless, but once you regulate your breathing it is quite pleasant. And there are hot tubs to warm up afterward.
In the evenings, pizza ovens and barbecues can be rented, providing a pleasant alternative to the kitchen at the holiday property.
To burn off any whims, there’s a state-of-the-art gym on site and an assault course, which looks like something out of a Spartan competition.
If the typically unpredictable British weather conditions make the site’s beach and other outdoor offerings less appealing, there are plenty of all-weather offerings around Shropshire.
Pizza ovens and barbecues can be rented, “which makes a nice change from the kitchen at the holiday property.”
Of the adventure lake (left), Lisa says, “It’s pretty calm unless you fall off the paddleboard or tip over the kayak.” He adds that “the forestry school offers stone painting sessions”, in which his son (right) participates.
Lisa says: ‘Park Hall The country experience is not to be missed. Kids can explore the bouncy castle and soft play, pet rabbits and guinea pigs, and meet the resident mini pony (above).’
Lisa and her family hop on the Severn Valley Railway (above) and visit the roundhouse.
The Ironbridge Valley of Invention has 10 fascinating museums with Blists Hill Victorian Town a particular highlight. Visitors can go sing at a music hall in the pub or enjoy some fresh fish and chips, cooked in the traditional way with beef (vegan options are available). Our little boy was quite enthralled with the traditional Victorian merry-go-round.
The Severn Valley Railway roundhousenext to Highley station, well worth an afternoon visit. jumping on him Severn Valley Railway in Bridgnorth, it’s just two stops away on the old steam train.
The children were delighted and compared it to being on the Polar Express. Although given the scorching heat of the day, the other passengers must have thought our rendition of Tom Hanks’ Hot Chocolate was a little out of place.
Park Hall The Countryside Experience You can’t miss it either. Kids can play with the bouncy castle and soft play, pet rabbits and guinea pigs, and meet the resident minipony. However, we skipped the pig race and opted for two rides on the tractor train. It really is a local gem.
And so is the Love2Stay caravan park – a rite of passage that I’m glad my kids go through again and again.