RELAX AND LET OFF STEAM WITH ONE OF PARKDEAN'S ACTIVE HOLIDAYS THIS EASTER

AWARD-WINNING Holiday Park operator Parkdean is inviting parents to renew their sense of adventure by trying an exciting new outdoor activity with their children on a Parkdean Holiday this April.

Parkdean has a huge variety of outdoor activities available at its holiday parks and in surrounding areas, with something for all tastes, ages and abilities. Families will be spoilt for choice with the option of walking, cycling, skiing, canoeing, fishing, surfing, taking up archery or walking on water.

All of Parkdean's Holiday Parks are open for Easter, and they are found in areas of stunning woodland, coastline and countryside in Scotland, Devon, Norfolk, Hampshire, Cornwall, Dorset and Wales.

Parkdean's holiday parks have activities for all types of holiday maker, from the outdoor enthusiast to the lady of leisure, and after exploring the natural surroundings visitors can relax back at base with the choice of facilities on the park.

John Waterworth, chief executive at Parkdean Holidays, said: “Outdoor activities are a great way for families to bond on holiday.  Encouraging your child to try something new in a holiday environment can be a great confidence boost, especially if you're joining them.

“One of the challenges when trying new sports is getting the correct equipment and instruction. If you want to try skiing for example, at Warmwell we have everything you need to get started so you can try it for the first time without purchasing all the gear or researching techniques - or if you're experienced, you can hone your skills without having to bring everything with you. 

“Whether you're watching the smile on your child's face when they stand up on a surf board for the first time, helping them catch their first fish, or cheering them on down to the bottom of a ski slope for the first time – these are special moments you'll remember for the rest of your life.”

With all 24 award-winning parks open across England, Scotland and Wales for Easter, Parkdean will be hosting egg hunts and bonnet making so children will get their much needed chocolate fix before hitting the waves, pool or woodland tracks.

Cornwall, England:

St. Minver Holiday Park, Near Rock, Cornwall

Set in the grounds of an old manor house and near three beautiful Cornish beaches - Rock, Polzeath and Daymer Bay, St Minver is the perfect place to relax near the coast. It's close to quaint fishing ports, Padstow and Port Isaac, and a woodland path takes you to St Minver village so you can stroll along for a drink after chilling in the heated indoor pool. Meanwhile children are kept entertained by Sid and Lizzie's kid's club or in the toddlers' pool.  In the evening the whole family can refuel at St Minver's Pizza and Steakhouse restaurant before an evening of Showtime entertainment.

Prices start from: £229 based on a 4 night break arriving 6th April 2015 staying in a 2 bedroom chalet sleeping up to 4.

Suggested activities:

The Camel Trail

The Camel Trail is a beautiful 18 mile largely traffic free multi-use trail which you can walk, cycle, or horse ride down. It follows a disused railway line between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow and provides access to the stunning Cornish countryside.  The route is divided in to three main sections so you can choose a distance that suits your level of activity:

• Padstow to Wadebridge - 5.5 Miles (8.8Km)
• Wadebridge to Bodmin (Boscarne) - 5.75 Miles (9.25Km)
• Bodmin to Wenfordbridge - 6.25 Miles (10.1 Km)

There is free parking in nearby areas, bike hire is available at Padstow, Wadebridge or Bodmin and toilets are located at Wadebridge alongside the trail and you can stop for an ice-cream in Padstow town centre, The old Quarry (between Padstow and Wadebridge) Wadebridge, Nanstallon or Bodmin.

Newquay Holiday Park, Cornwall

Newquay is the UK's surf capital and home of extreme sports, it boasts 11 fantastic beaches - many of them with Blue Flag awards - a brilliant zoo, great cafes, shops and bars and the lovely holiday park in a country setting just three miles out of town.  If you've got teenagers surfing, the little ones won't feel left out with a kids' club and an adventure play area on park.  There's a Costa Coffee on park if you need a caffeine or sugar boost through the day and when the sun sets the family can get together in the Tregenna Bar & Grill.

Prices start from: £169 (save £20 was £189) based on a 3 night break arriving 10th April 2015 staying in a 2 bedroom caravan sleeping up to 6.

Suggested activities:

Coasteering:

For anyone looking for something a bit different, give Coasteering a try. You'll scale the Cornish coastline, find caves and jumping platforms and seek out natural wildlife from grey seals to dolphins.  Coasteering is suitable for everyone who can swim and has a good sense adventure.

 Dorset, England:

Warmwell Holiday Park, near Weymouth, Dorset

Lodges, lakes, trees and skis, Warmwell Holiday Park is set in a tranquil woodland with three  fishing lakes and a few surprises, including a ski slope for hours of family fun, the park also has regular visits from wandering roe deer.

Families will be spoilt for choice on the park which has a swimming pool featuring a wave machine and flume, the Jurassic coastline on their doorstep, and fantastic Showtime Entertainment on park.

Prices start from: £299 (save £30 was £329) based on a 3 night break arriving 10th April 2015 staying in a 1 bedroom lodge sleeping up to 4.

Suggested activities:

Skiing: Try skiing or snowboarding on the 110 metre ski slope at Warmwell Snowsport Centre, set in acres of woodland at Warmwell Holiday Park. The ski slope includes a 'Big Kicker', table top jumps, rainbow and straight rails, as well as a quarter pipe for those who are keen to learn some tricks.

There's something for all ages and abilities on the slopes with a Nursery Slope for beginners, intermediate skiers can use the main slope or west side, while more advanced skiers and snowboarders can take the tow rope to the summit where they'll find the fun park launch platform, and those looking to show off can have a go in the jump zone.  Equipment and tuition is available from the centre, call 01305 854 216 to book.

Sandford Holiday Park, Near Poole, Dorset

This leafy Dorset holiday park has everything for a family full of energy, with an indoor pool, a tree house, adventure playground, crazy golf, tennis courts, lively kids' clubs and it even has a pirate ship.  Families looking for a day out can head to nearby Bournemouth beach, Poole Harbour, or Wareham Forest.  Sandford is also a Showtime park so visiting families can enjoy evening entertainment after relaxing in the Arena Bar and Courtyard Restaurant.

Prices start from: £339 based on a 4 night break arriving 6th April 2015 staying in a 2 bedroom caravan sleeping up to 4.

Suggested activities:

Walking

Dorset's stunning coastline recently appeared in the hit TV series Broadchurch and there are endless beaches and coves to explore, a Parkdean favourite not far from Sandford is Old Harry Rocks.  This walk across chalky headland is just over three miles and offers spectacular views across Poole harbour to Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight. The easy walk takes you along the clifftop and through the chalk grassland of the surrounding area.

Horse Riding

Sandford Park Riding Schoolwithin Parkdean's Holiday Park caters for all riding abilities whether you're looking for a gentle hack along the beach or you have an enthusiast in the family who wants to brush up on their skills in a lesson. 

Wales:

Pendine Sands Holiday Park, South Wales

Grab your picnic blanket, bucket and spade and hit one of the many stunning beaches near Pendine, or pile into the car for a day at the zoo, a castle, a theme park, or a lake. Pendine Sands is the ideal base for exploring pretty Carmarthenshire (The Garden of Wales) and the stunning Pembrokeshire coast.  With lake or sea fishing nearby as well as horse riding and the vast array of activities on offer in Pembrokeshire make sure you go for a week so you can fit a few things in.  Families can relax in Sands restaurant and bar at the end of a day, you're guaranteed to have worked up an appetite with so much on offer.

Prices start from: £229 (save £30 was £259) based on a 3 night break arriving 27th March 2015 staying in a 2 bedroom caravan sleeping up to 6.
Suggested activities:

Walking

With over 950 km of public footpaths, and bridleways, walking is an ideal way to discover the spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and fascinating history of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.  www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk has a great guide called Walks for All - which contains 16 walks, of varying length and difficulty, that have no stiles or steps. The walks are ideal for families with young children or pushchairs, less able bodied people, and anyone that just wants a leisurely stroll. You'll also find information about accessible beaches and viewpoints, as well as a list of relevant publications and organisations.  One of the walks which is 15 minutes from Pendine Sands is the beautiful coastal Coppet Hall to Stepaside which is an easy access walk of 3.2 miles (5.1 km) with wide tracks, a reasonably level hard surface along disused railway, looking over beaches, sea views and a wooded valley.

Climbing

If you're looking for something more adventurous Pembrokeshire has some of the best bouldering in the UK.  Book yourself a guided sea cliff climb through Climb Pembroke so you get the best views and stay safe on the cliffs.

-ENDS-

Images of Parkdean activities are available from the dropbox link: http://bit.ly/ParkdeanEasterActivity

For all media enquiries or more information please contact Caroline or Kayleigh by emailing Parkdean@opr.co.uk or call 0191 232 5690

Notes to editors:

• Parkdean Holidays is one of the UK's largest holiday park operators, formed in 1999
• For all media enquiries please contact Caroline Cockburn or Kayleigh Hepburn by emailing Parkdean@opr.co.uk or call 0191 232 5690

• Parkdean Holidays has 24 award winning holiday parks situated in some of the UK's best coastal, countryside and woodland locations: 8 in Cornwall, 3 in Devon, 3 in Dorset, 1 in Hampshire, 1 in Norfolk, 2 in Wales and 6 in Scotland
• Recent awards include: Best UK Holiday Park Operator at British Travels Awards for five years in a row, with Gold Awards for 2013, 2011 and 2010, Silver Award for 2012 and Bronze Award for 2014. All parks hold a David Bellamy Conservation Award for helping protect the natural environment
• Parkdean Holidays offers high quality, affordable, and luxury accommodation
• Parkdean Holidays promotes an active lifestyle by highlighting the areas of outstanding natural beauty around its parks and the outdoor pursuits on offer i.e. surfing, fishing, birdwatching, walking, cycling, and many more
• For further information visit www.parkdean.com or call 0344 335 3348