{"id":127413,"date":"2025-05-24T07:33:21","date_gmt":"2025-05-24T07:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/127413\/"},"modified":"2025-05-24T07:33:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T07:33:21","slug":"we-went-on-holiday-to-a-gloriously-unfancy-seaside-resort-and-it-was-perfect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/127413\/","title":{"rendered":"We went on holiday to a ‘gloriously unfancy’ seaside resort and it was perfect"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three days, three chaotic parks and two sugar-high toddlersBrean Leisure Park<\/p>\n

There\u2019s something about arriving at a holiday park that takes me straight back to childhood. That mix of excitement, the smell of the sea somewhere in the distance, and the hopeful jangle of keys as you check in\u2014it all sets the tone.<\/p>\n

For our three-night stay in Brean, Somerset, we had booked into a Platinum Exclusive caravan at Sandy Glade Holiday Park, part of the John Fowler Holidays group. And honestly? From the moment we stepped through the door, we knew we were onto a winner.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re a family of four\u2014myself, my partner, and our two boys, aged one and three. Anyone travelling with toddlers will know that \u201choliday\u201d can be a bit of a misnomer. It\u2019s not so much a break as a change of scenery where you still spend most of the time chasing small people.<\/p>\n

But in our caravan\u2014minimum 12 feet wide, tastefully modern and wonderfully spacious\u2014we had that rarest of luxuries: room to breathe.<\/p>\n

David and Charlie entertain the crowds at John Fowler Holidays<\/p>\n

The boys had space to tumble about, to play with toy cars across the living room floor and then disappear into their beds with wide eyes and chocolate-smeared cheeks. Meanwhile, we had a generous sofa, a large TV for the quiet moments (or let\u2019s be honest\u2014CBeebies marathons), and decking out front complete with patio furniture.<\/p>\n

That outside space turned out to be an unexpected blessing\u2014somewhere for the little ones to blow off steam while we sipped tea and planned the day.<\/p>\n

We\u2019d pre-ordered the breakfast pack too, which might just have been the most unintentionally genius move we made. Milk, sausages, bread, cereal, juice\u2014all there waiting for us, saving us from a first-morning dash to the shop. It\u2019s one of those things you don\u2019t think you need until it\u2019s 6.30am, your toddler is demanding Shreddies, and you\u2019re still half in travel mode.<\/p>\n

Sandy Glade isn\u2019t just a place to sleep, though. The site itself is brimming with family-friendly amenities, and after unloading the bags and letting the kids run laps around the caravan (just because they could), we took a stroll to see what was on offer.<\/p>\n

David Harper, the general and sales manager here, described his role as \u201call-encompassing,\u201d and it shows.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the morning I might be picking litter with the team, then I\u2019ll go into a sales meeting trying to sell caravans, and later I\u2019ll be in the bar or shop,\u201d he told me. \u201cThere\u2019s always something different. It\u2019s a really good challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

The heart of the site is undoubtedly the entertainment venue\u2014an indoor hub with morning and evening shows, kids\u2019 discos, and live acts that keep the holiday buzz going from dawn until well past bedtime. Our boys were hooked. The mini-disco might be designed for little legs, but it had parents on their feet too, pulled into the familiar chaos of Baby Shark and the Hokey Cokey.<\/p>\n

One of the entertainers, Charlie Viret\u2014known affectionately as one of the \u201cStripeys\u201d\u2014explained the magic behind it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a crazy, busy life, but you’re always meeting a whole load of new people. We\u2019re always coming up with new concepts. I do a lot of musical songs, Motown, 80s\u2026 even a rock and soul show. There\u2019s always loads going on,\u201d she said, with a grin that told me she meant it.<\/p>\n

And that energy shows. The team are constantly refreshing routines, tweaking performances to suit the mood of the room. It didn\u2019t matter that our youngest was more about flailing arms than fancy footwork\u2014the joy was infectious.<\/p>\n

When we weren\u2019t inside being dazzled by the disco lights, we were outside soaking in the simple pleasures. Two large play areas let the boys climb and slide to their hearts\u2019 content, and once we\u2019d burned enough energy (read: they were one tantrum away from nap time), we rewarded ourselves with chips from the on-site caf\u00e9. They were piping hot, generously portioned, and best eaten while trying to stop toddlers from stealing each other\u2019s ketchup sachets.<\/p>\n

John Fowler Holidays accommodation<\/p>\n

Back at the caravan, with salty fingers and tired legs, we ended our first day feeling utterly at ease. The blend of comfort, convenience and community is hard to put into words, but David Harper gave it a good go: \u201cWe cater for probably all budgets\u2026 from value chalets all the way up to platinum hot tub lodges. There\u2019s not anybody that couldn\u2019t afford to come and stay here. Everybody can do the same thing, enjoy their holidays, have the entertainment, and really just cut loose a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

For us, that rang completely true. It didn\u2019t feel exclusive or overly polished\u2014it felt inclusive, unpretentious, and wonderfully British in the best way. You could be in a luxury lodge or a basic chalet and still be watching the same show, clapping along to the same music, enjoying the same sticky-fingered kids\u2019 laughter.<\/p>\n

As we tucked in the boys and poured a quiet cuppa in the lounge, we knew we\u2019d landed somewhere special. Day one was in the books\u2014and we hadn\u2019t even hit the beach yet.<\/p>\n

Breakfast essentials at John Fowler Holidays<\/p>\n

Day Two: Dodgems, Doughnuts and Dizzy Spells \u2013 Family Fun at Brean Leisure Park<\/strong><\/p>\n

On our second morning in Brean, we did what hundreds of families do every summer holiday \u2014 we packed the changing bag, bribed the kids into their shoes, and strolled up the road to Brean Leisure Park. It\u2019s an easy twenty-minute walk from Sandy Glade, which made it all the more satisfying to leave the cars behind and set off on foot. Less faff, more fresh air.<\/p>\n

Now, if you\u2019ve never been, Brean Leisure Park is a bit of a Somerset institution. It\u2019s sprawling, slightly chaotic in the best way, and gloriously old-school. The first thing that struck me was the fact it\u2019s free to enter \u2014 a rarity in the world of amusement parks. You\u2019re not committing to anything the second you walk through the gate. You can pay as you go or, like we did, opt for a full-day wristband. We went all-in with the passes, and I can say without hesitation \u2014 worth every penny.<\/p>\n

Making a splash at Brean Leisure Park<\/p>\n

Phil Booth, who owns the park, told me: \u201cWe\u2019re a free entry park, but there\u2019s a happy marriage between all of the accommodation providers in Brean and the surrounding areas and then we supply the attraction\u2026 it gives a full package for families.\u201d<\/p>\n

And that package is impressive: over 40 rides and attractions, with everything from white-knuckle roller coasters to gentler options for tots. For our little ones, the star of the show was Fantasia \u2014 a sweet little ride with a circuit of colourful vehicles to choose from. Fire engines, police cars, diggers, you name it. Our two refused to get off. Honestly, if we\u2019d let them, they\u2019d still be there now, trading places and waving madly every lap like they were starring in a Pixar sequel.<\/p>\n

Edward and Jacob who wouldn’t get off Fantasia<\/p>\n

While the boys rode in circles, my wife and I did what any self-respecting parents would do \u2014 we made a beeline for the waltzers. It’s hard to explain the joy of this particular ride unless you’ve been on it with someone who really hates spinning. Enter: my mum.<\/p>\n

There she was, gripping the bar like it might actually fly off into space, shrieking with mild terror, while I laughed so hard I nearly missed the start of Bounce, another favourite that left my dad clutching his stomach and muttering something about his back not being what it used to be.<\/p>\n

Then came the Orbiter, and my sister \u2014 bless her \u2014 was convinced she could handle it. Spoiler: she could not. Ten seconds in, her face had gone pale, her stomach had gone rogue, and she needed a lie down for the rest of the day. Naturally, we were very sympathetic\u2026 after we stopped laughing.<\/p>\n

And yes \u2014 I lost my hat on the Bulldog Coaster. A proud moment. It whipped right off my head and flew into the abyss like a seagull on a mission. By some small miracle, I got it back with no extra charge for the adventure.<\/p>\n

Going upside down and losing a hat on the roller coaster<\/p>\n

There\u2019s something joyfully nostalgic about the layout and atmosphere at Brean Leisure Park. There\u2019s the Wild Water Log Flume for a proper soaking on a sunny day, dodgems for everyone to crash into each other without judgement, and the UK\u2019s \u201cbest\u201d Ghost Train \u2014 Terror Castle.<\/p>\n

Phil was keen to remind me it\u2019s more than just rides: \u201cWe\u2019re always consistent with our offering\u2026 coasters, waltzers, twisters, kiddies’ market\u2026 and when the weather<\/a>\u2019s good, there\u2019s the log flume to splash and get wet,\u201d he said, adding that they cater to everyone \u2014 \u201cfrom young children to teenagers to grandma. Even the bulldog coaster is dog-friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n

And then there are the doughnuts. Oh, the doughnuts. Hot, fresh, sugar-dusted perfection. The kind of thing you promise to \u201cjust have one of\u201d and then end up queueing up again because you\u2019ve already eaten yours before the kids have finished licking their fingers. If nothing else, make the trip for those alone.<\/p>\n

We didn\u2019t even make it to the go-karts or the Congo Adventure Golf this time, which looked brilliant. With so much to pack into one day, we were spoilt for choice. But that\u2019s the beauty of it \u2014 with weekend and season passes available, it\u2019s the kind of place you can come back to again and again.<\/p>\n

Dad and sons on the merry-go-round<\/p>\n

Phil also hinted at what\u2019s ahead: \u201cWe\u2019re always looking out for new attractions and promotions,\u201d he said. \u201cKeep an eye on our events and social media for the main summer weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

So whether you\u2019re just passing through, staying nearby, or plotting your next big family holiday, Brean Leisure Park has something to offer \u2014 thrills, laughs, and yes, maybe a touch of nausea if you\u2019re not careful.<\/p>\n

As we walked back to our caravan that evening \u2014 sun-kissed, slightly sticky and still grinning \u2014 the boys asleep in the buggy and the adults nursing their pride (and possibly their backs), it struck me how places like this are the lifeblood of British seaside culture. It\u2019s loud, a bit chaotic, gloriously unfancy\u2026 and absolutely perfect.<\/p>\n

Day Three: Wallabies, Slides and Second Chances at Animal Farm Adventure Park<\/strong><\/p>\n

After the whirlwind of roller coasters and sugar highs the day before, our third day in Brean took a gentler turn. We packed up the car and headed just a few minutes down the road to Animal Farm Adventure Park, a sprawling, 23-acre site that promised animals, fresh air, and a bit of calm. Though, as any parent knows, \u201ccalm\u201d is a relative term when you\u2019ve got small children in tow.<\/p>\n

We arrived early, and for a short time, it felt like we had the place to ourselves. That quiet morning hush, broken only by the odd bleat or squawk, was ideal for our youngest. He made a beeline for the wallaby enclosure, where the sleepy-eyed marsupials lounged like they had all the time in the world.<\/p>\n

He was utterly transfixed. His mum, meanwhile, was nervously watching every movement, convinced he was about to grab a nose or tail. But the wallabies were totally unbothered. Laid-back doesn\u2019t even cover it.<\/p>\n

Jacob makes friends with a wallaby<\/p>\n

Personally, I love animal parks where you\u2019re not just a spectator. Here, you can walk through enclosures, handle reptiles, and actually engage with the creatures. It\u2019s not just a photo op \u2013 it\u2019s immersive.<\/p>\n

Tia Saunders, who works across the park in various roles, explained: \u201cWe\u2019re the only ones in Somerset that do full-on handling sessions. You\u2019re able to grab hold of the snakes and things like that\u2026 and the majority of our animals have had a second chance at life. We promote the wholesomeness of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s something genuinely heartwarming about that ethos. The park isn\u2019t just for entertainment \u2013 it\u2019s a rescue and rehoming centre. Foxes, raccoons, rare breeds \u2013 they all have a story. And in the centre of it all, there\u2019s a team of people who clearly care about every single one.<\/p>\n

Of course, none of that mattered to our boys once they spotted the indoor soft play. Whatever calm we\u2019d been enjoying evaporated the second they saw the multi-level maze of slides, nets and obstacles.<\/p>\n

We spent a solid hour getting dragged up ramps and down tunnels, with me emerging from one section distinctly red-faced and wondering how on earth I\u2019d got wedged in a foam cube pit.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s something magical about that kind of play \u2014 a rare moment where the grown-ups are part of the fun, not just watching from the sidelines. Tia clearly knows the drill: \u201cThis is a very big play area to be in, and we do allow the adults to go on there to supervise their children. It\u2019s super fun, especially that slide!\u201d<\/p>\n

Enjoying the indoor soft play and slides at the Animal Park<\/p>\n

She wasn\u2019t wrong. I may have limped a bit afterward, but it was worth every bump and bruise.<\/p>\n

Back outside, we wandered past goats, llamas, and rabbits that seemed to be doing their best to win our attention. But it was the raccoon, poking its head out with impeccable comic timing, that really won us over. According to Tia, he\u2019s a bit of a performer: \u201cWhen there\u2019s lots of people around, he\u2019ll come out of his enclosure and start dancing. He\u2019s just so happy to see everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also Pudding, an alpaca with a devoted following. \u201cWe\u2019re not allowed to have favourites,\u201d Tia admitted, \u201cbut her name\u2019s Pudding\u2026 everything about her is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

And when you learn how many of these animals were rescued, rehabilitated, and given a second chance, it all feels a bit more special. The kids might not have understood the depth of that story, but they certainly understood the joy of petting a rabbit or walking past the skink named Pascal (who, by the way, is a blue-tongued lizard and very cool indeed).<\/p>\n

What\u2019s clear from chatting to Tia is that the park runs on passion \u2014 and a lot of laughing. \u201cEven if it\u2019s at each other. If someone\u2019s trying to move an animal and they fall over in one of the pits\u2026 we\u2019re constantly laughing. It\u2019s a great time to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tia and Pudding<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a team of just 12 staff members who keep the place running, prepping animal feed, shearing coats for the summer, and stocking up to make sure guests have everything they need. Behind the scenes, there\u2019s a whole world of moving pigs, checking play equipment, and sometimes sneaking in a go on the trampoline \u201cjust to make sure it\u2019s safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

And for those of us visiting, the value is brilliant. One ticket covers everything \u2013 animal handling, play areas, mini-golf, even the chance to walk a ferret (which is a surprisingly popular offering, apparently). As Tia put it: \u201cCome see our animals. It\u2019s fun. You can feed them, hold them, and learn about them with our handling sessions and talks\u2026 and it\u2019s all covered by the admission price.\u201d<\/p>\n

By the time we left Animal Farm Adventure Park, the boys were knackered, but happy as they slept all the way back home.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s something grounding about being around animals \u2014 especially when the animals are loved, and the people looking after them are full of heart.<\/p>\n

This wasn\u2019t the flashiest part of our trip. It didn\u2019t have neon lights or dramatic soundtrack swells. But it was real. Gentle, genuine fun, wrapped in a blanket of straw, soft play giggles, and wallaby noses.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re ever down Brean way and need a day that slows the pace but keeps the magic, Animal Farm Adventure Park is the place to go. Just bring a change of clothes \u2014 especially if your kids are anything like ours.<\/p>\n

Two of the residents at the Brean Animal ParkTop Tips for staying at Brean<\/p>\n

Brean, Somerset \u2013 A classic British seaside spot blending funfairs, wildlife parks, sandy beaches and family-friendly holiday parks.<\/p>\n

Where We Stayed<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sandy Glade Holiday Park<\/strong> Operated by John Fowler Holidays, this laid-back site offers a range of accommodation:<\/p>\n