Ruda, Croyde – a Parkdean caravan holiday in North Devon | REVIEW

Holidays, Life with a toddler, Reviews
Ruda Croyde - Parkdean Holidays - Caravan holiday on the beach REVIEW
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In September we went for a Monday to Friday break at a Parkdean caravan site called Ruda, located in Croyde, North Devon. Neither hubby nor I had been on a static caravan holiday for a long time. Twenty years or so, in fact. We ummed and ahhhhed about what do do, and as this option meant we could be self catering, have a pool and be on the beach, we decided to go for it. We chose the site, Ruda, as it had been mentioned by a friend, and when we looked it up online it sounded the perfect place to try:

  • located right on the beach
  • a huge range of facilities,
  • has new caravans with double glazing & central heating, and
  • really had a lot for us to do.

We found a caravan that was new in 2015, that looks lovely (a Doulton), and thought it would be perfect,  however it was fully booked, so we booked a Marwood instead. The Marwood was a two bedroom, with central heating and double glazing and new in 2014, which sounded quite recent, and it couldn’t have become too run down in that time. It’s worth noting Ruda also has lodges, apartments, cottages and camping/caravan pitches too.

Off we trekked, excited and slightly nervous as to how it would all go staying in a caravan with a toddler (it was fine by the way)!

Well, actually it was fantastic, and I must say, we enjoyed it so much we were very close to extending our stay. We didn’t because we decided it would be brilliant to look forward to going back next year. It was a brilliant holiday, fun, and had AMAZING pool for kids (especially toddlers) and a huge beach right there.

 

Our caravan?

Lovely, clean and modern with double glazed and central heating. It was very modern, we were shocked at how caravans had changed, however, within minutes Toddler H promptly unlocked and opened the outside door. This wasn’t ideal as we didn’t have a veranda, of any kind in this caravan, just steps (without a handrail) straight down. So, we went back to reception and upgraded to a model that did have a veranda, and would mean H might not open the door and fall out of it.

Our new caravan was a Trimstone, a 2016 model, again with double glazing and central heating, but it also had an ensuite! It was a 3 bedroom, which did make all bedrooms a bit smaller. We didn’t really mind though as there was enough room for us, and H was in a separate room in the travel cot. The travel cot wouldn’t have fitted in our room, but probably would have in the 2 bed model we originally booked.

Obviously we had to take a lot of essential with us as we’d be cooking and didn’t pay for a travel cot for Toddler H and this first time we left a couple of things at home, but nothing Tescos didn’t have!

Update: my full packing list for a caravan holiday with a toddler has been tried and tested twice now as we’ve since been to West Bay in Dorset too!

 

Facilities:

Swimming pool 

perfect for kids

So onto the facilities, yes, the park is a bit 80’s-ish in places, but it’s clean and isn’t rundown. The swimming pool was perfect for H, and we spend 1.5 hours in it each day. They even provide arm bands and rubber rings, as well as baby ring seats. There are slides of all sizes, a wave river and bubbly jacuzzi seats. The changing rooms have a couple of changing tables, a few toilets, big open showers and a few changing cubicles. It did cost us £1.50 to use the pool, but if we hadn’t been staying at the park it would have been £3.95. However, that would have been worth it for all the time we spent there and the fun Toddler H had. Oh, and the naps that she had every day afterwards!! Yes, she napped!!!

(photos weren’t allowed, sorry. But check out the website!)

 

Swing parks

Toddler H also loved all the swing parks around the site, one large one (which hubby and I loved too) is situated near the lodges, and had a climbing wall and obstacle course. H cheered us every time we complete a section! She also shouted count downs before we were allowed to start. There was another play park with swings, a slide and more at the top of the hill past the caravans, along with another obstacle course.

 

Soft play

The soft play was quite large and located just off the restaurant. It was a great addition.


Shop

There is s shop on site, but it’s on the expensive side, so we bought everything at Tesco in Braunton 5 miles away.

 

Entertainment

We only tried the children’s entertainment which started at 6.30/7. It’s was good, though on the few nights we went it did vary. It’s definitely good for letting the little ones run off steam. Be warned its very 80s!!

Restaurants and Takeaway 

We also tried the take away and restaurant. Both were good, and had 5* hygiene ratings. I definitely preferred the restaurant to the take away, as it also had soft play for the little ones and a Costa Coffee too. H loved the soft play, and it was much bigger than I expected it to be, especially as none of these things existed when we last went on a caravan holiday 20 odd years ago. Actually, we wouldn’t have been interested then!

 

 

Located on the beach

Now, the big draw for Croyde, is the beach. We loved it, it was huge, and really great for afternoon fun. I mean every afternoon, H loved her bucket and spade and carried it from the shop in Croyde to the beach herself, refusing to be carried, or go in the pushchair. She was getting so slow, but was SO determined. What is it with these little ones? They just know these things! I should mention that Croyde beach is a haven for surfers, with surf schools, a beach shop and a Costa Coffee.

 

 

Croyde Village &  surroundings

Croyde is a tiny village with a post office, a pastie/ice cream shop, and a couple of pubs. So, not much, and not really a corner shop either. We bought our supplies from nearby Braunton (about 5 miles away), at the Tesco. We had pasties for lunch one day, which were delicious, and meant to go back again as it was only a 10-15 minute walk, but we were rather side tracked by the pool and beach.

We also went for a few walks around Croyde as well as exploring the local trails. Baggy Point was a lovely walk with good views and a nice length, not too long. If you have a little one, or a toddler, it’s definitely more suited to a carrier than a pushchair, even our Phil and Teds.

 

 

In conclusion…

As you can gather we had a brilliant time and will be going back. It was brilliant with a toddler out of season.

We 100% recommend Ruda at Croyde!

 

We’ve since had a second staycation staying at West Bay Holiday Park in Dorset and visiting Peppa Pig World, Weymouth SeaLife Adventure Park and Caribbean Cove play park.

Lynne x

 

 

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12 Comments

  • Reply
    Fiona Cambouropoulos
    January 31, 2017 at 9:40 am

    A great looking break and with the beach and soft play you have all weather covered. #TriedTested
    Fiona Cambouropoulos recently posted…Foot to Floor And Off We ZoomMy Profile

  • Reply
    Kim Carberry
    January 31, 2017 at 1:54 pm

    What a fab place to stay! It sounds like you had a wonderful time!
    #TriedTested
    Kim Carberry recently posted…Soreen Lunchbox Loaves – Review!My Profile

  • Reply
    Anne
    January 31, 2017 at 3:50 pm

    It looks like you had a great time. I can actually remember visiting Ruda in the 80s (hehe!) and we loved it. If I remember correctly there is also a pub right next to the beach? I’ve always said I’d go back some day, but haven’t yet.

    #TriedTested

  • Reply
    Briony
    February 1, 2017 at 12:47 pm

    I’m glad you had a lovely break. You really deserved it! I’m a big fan of a static caravan holiday, cheap, always will located and easy to keep the cold entertained! I think I need to book a break actually

  • Reply
    Colette B
    February 1, 2017 at 1:16 pm

    Devon looks like such a beautiful place. We’ve never had a caravan holiday in the UK
    Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested this week x
    Colette B recently posted…ergoPouch sleep suit – GiveawayMy Profile

  • Reply
    Kate Fever
    February 2, 2017 at 10:21 am

    We absolutely love Ruda, and Croyde. It’s not too far from us, and we always make a couple of trips there in the summer, for that glorious beach. Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested
    Kate Fever recently posted…Tried & Tested 2017 | #4My Profile

  • Reply
    Tracey Bowden
    February 2, 2017 at 9:09 pm

    I don’t think I’ve stayed at a Parkdean resort before. We like caravan holidays in our family and usually take one every year. This looks like a lovely place and I will definitely keep it in mind when we are looking for our next one #treidtested
    Tracey Bowden recently posted…Win With Caketoppers! The Big Birthday Giveaway #2My Profile

  • Reply
    Jo from Organised Jo
    February 3, 2017 at 8:37 am

    Oh we love Croyde, my sister lives in Woolacombe so we are always popping up for visits. I have never visited this caravan park though, it looks perfect for a family holiday. #thelistlinky

  • Reply
    My happy list 5 - daffodils, creme eggs and toddler laughs - New Mummy Blog
    February 4, 2017 at 10:57 am

    […] did finally publish a post on our holiday last September, staying in a caravan Croyde, North Devon – we had a lovely time, so I was so pleased to finally finish writing it and […]

  • Reply
    Helen Gandy
    February 6, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    Ohhh what a lovely place to visit, sometimes a caravan holiday can be lots of fun and such a lovely place to visit too. Thanks for linking up to the #bestandworst

  • Reply
    Becky, Cuddle Fairy
    February 7, 2017 at 4:13 pm

    I’m quite impressed with the caravan! It’s so modern. And there are so many fun things for the kiddies to do on site! Thank you for sharing with us at #BloggerClubUK x
    Becky, Cuddle Fairy recently posted…Posterlounge Review & GiveawayMy Profile

  • Reply
    Caravan holiday packing list | What to take to a static caravan with a toddler - New Mummy Blog
    April 21, 2017 at 8:35 am

    […] up our sleeves! Both caravan holidays were to Parkdean sites staying in a static caravan, the first Ruda Holiday Park in Croyde, North Devon, which we thoroughly recommend, and the second to West Bay, Dorset – […]

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