Explore this further at seaside caravan breaks.

Midweek arrival is the other thing worth trying. Weekend slots get booked up first, particularly for short breaks, so a Monday or Tuesday arrival often has availability when a Friday one doesn't. If your work pattern allows it, a midweek break also tends to mean quieter on-site facilities, since most other guests are working to the same Friday-to-Friday pattern you're avoiding.

There's also a cost angle to booking early, separate from availability. Parks often price the same week differently depending on how far out you book and how full that week already is, so an early booking for a peak week can work out better value than trying to catch a late deal that never quite materialises for the exact dates you need.

Cost works differently too. A self-catering caravan holiday means you control your food spend, cooking most meals in rather than eating out for every one, which suits a longer stay or a bigger family group where restaurant bills add up fast. A hotel bundles more into the room rate but gives you less choice over how you spend each day.

If you're not sure, think about what you did on your last few breaks that you enjoyed most. If it was a beach day, book coastal. If it was a quiet walk or a pub lunch somewhere green, tingdeneholidayparks.com the countryside or Broads setting is probably the better fit for this trip.

For the caravan itself, most static units come with a cooker, fridge and basic kitchen equipment, but tea towels, washing-up liquid and bin bags are worth throwing in your bag rather than assuming they'll be there. A torch is genuinely useful for evening walks back from the clubhouse, and a few games or a pack of cards cover the odd wet afternoon without anyone reaching for a screen.