I’m a mum – here is the perfect Cornwall family holiday destination which is ideal for overpackers like me
THERE are families who pack well for their self-catering holidays.
They remember to take teabags, they decant washing-up liquid into a travel-size bottle and they own one of those mini salt and pepper shakers.
We are not one of those families.
We are the ones who spend the getaway mentally compiling a list of items we should have remembered, only to find ourselves in the same situation the next time.
The Parbola holiday park in Cornwall caters for people like us.
So while, on arrival, my two young sons were ecstatic to see the swimming pool and the husband made a beeline for the smart TV, I was delighted to find a care package of tea bags, milk and tasty Cornish biscuits — just what every tired traveller needs after journeying to the far reaches of Cornwall.
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Heated outdoor pool
A bottle of washing-up liquid, a dishcloth and tea towel nestled by the sink shouldn’t be such a cause for celebration, but, hey, that’s middle age for you.
It’s little touches like these that make this tranquil spot, not far from Hayle, a relaxing home from home.
There’s also the box of bats and balls children can borrow to use in the play area or take to the beach.
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And, in the relaxing Safari Tent, families can help themselves to board games and books.
(“We really should get a roof box,” was another sentence uttered pretty much daily, whenever we realised there was something else we had failed to bring.)
Parbola, part of the Lovat group of eight parks, is set in 16 acres of glorious grounds and woodland and devotes itself to protecting nature.
There’s a water refill station in the shop, which sells products from other eco-friendly brands and there are food waste caddies in each caravan.
Opened in January, Parabola has 30 static caravans and 117 pitches for tents and tourers, all grouped in small, secluded areas.
The heated outdoor pool is the gem at the heart of the park, supervised by a lifeguard. When the little ones tire of splashing around, they can dry off playing giant snakes and ladders or Connect 4.
There’s also a charming Alice In Wonderland-themed crazy golf near reception. A wood-fired pizza van visits on Mondays, while the Kalula bar serves meat-free burgers and breakfast.
It’s also very dog-friendly, with its own fenced-off agility course.
Millions of tourists flock to the coastal county every summer, turning its small towns into bustling throngs.
Parbola offers the best of both worlds. Away from the usual hotspots, five miles inland from the north coast, it provides a haven that, despite its obvious popularity, was always peaceful.
Even the children flocking to the playground every evening seemed to be on a lower volume setting than you might expect.
Yet the golden jewels of Cornwall’s coastline are within easy reach.
Perranporth, a great spot for bodyboarding, with excellent fish and chips, is just a half-hour drive away. Gorgeous St Ives, where hip surf shops rub shoulders with arty boutiques and chic cafes, is best reached by way of the coastal train from St Erth, about 15 minutes away.
Just down the road, there’s Paradise Park, home to hundreds of exotic and rare birds.
Catch the Free Flying Bird Show and you can feel the beat of parrots’ wings as they soar over your head and get an up-close glimpse of a barn owl as it swoops low above the crowd.
Land’s End is less than an hour away and well worth a look.
As well as stunning scenery, there are cliff-top trails, a shopping centre, Cornish pasties and ice creams and attractions like the Aardman animation interactive experience, where visitors can help Shaun the Sheep entertain his flock and wander around Wallace and Gromit’s lounge.
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Of course there’s also the famous signpost. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, you can have a personal message put on the sign for a souvenir photo.
For us, it could have read: “Perfect family holiday 2022.”
GO: CORNWALL
GETTING THERE: Newquay is the nearest airport. The nearest train station is Camborne.
STAYING THERE: Four nights, Monday to Friday, in a two-bed holiday home sleeping six is from £219 in total in September and October. See lovatparks.com.