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If you've never stayed in a static caravan before, it's worth knowing roughly what you're walking into, because it's usually a pleasant surprise rather than anything to be cautious about.

Get the full picture at dog-friendly caravan holidays.

A coastal caravan holiday suits anyone who wants the beach to be part of daily life rather than a single day trip. Mornings can start with a walk along the front, afternoons can be built around a paddle or a spot of rockpooling, and there's usually a working harbour, a promenade or a string of small seaside towns within easy reach for lunch. Coastal parks also tend to sit near longer coastal footpaths, so if you like a proper walk with the sea in view for most of it, this setting delivers that without much planning.

Start with reviews, but read them properly rather than just checking the average score. Look for recent comments specifically, since facilities and management can change over time, and pay attention to anything mentioned more than once, whether that's cleanliness, how accurate the photos were, or how helpful staff were when something went wrong. A single bad review among dozens of good ones tells you far less than a genuine pattern.

Ask how far the park actually is from the beach or the coast, in minutes rather than vague terms like "nearby". A ten-minute drive and a forty-minute drive are both sometimes described the same way in marketing copy, www.tingdeneholidayparks.com so it's worth checking a map or asking directly if walking to the coast matters to your plans.