The “Sun Holiday” is a British institution. We’ve all seen the headlines in the newspaper promising a family getaway for less than a tenner per person. But in an age where a coffee and a sandwich can cost you nearly £10, it’s natural to be skeptical. Is it actually possible to have a decent holiday for that price, or is it a “get what you pay for” nightmare?
I took my family including my daughter, my two-year-old grandson, and my mom to Sunny Dale, a Parkdean Resort near Mablethorpe, to find out if these budget breaks are a dream or a disaster. Here is my honest review of the Sun £9.50 holiday experience.
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The Reality of the “£9.50” Price Tag
Let’s address the elephant in the room first: the price. While the marketing shouts about £9.50, the reality is a bit different once you get to the checkout.
When you book a Sun Holiday, you have to pay for a minimum of four people, even if only two are going. There are also sometimes entertainment passes or utilities and, depending on the time of year or the specific park you choose, the “per person” price can fluctuate. For our Monday-to-Friday stay in May, we ended up paying around £97 total for the booking.
Additionally, you have to consider the “extras”:
- Entertainment Passes: If you want access to the swimming pool and the evening shows, you’ll need to buy passes. These were about £6 per person (under-threes were free).
- Self-Catering: These are self-catering units, so you need to factor in your food budget.
- Upgrades: You can pay more for higher-spec caravans or specific locations.
Even with these additions, you’re looking at a four-night holiday for a family for well under £150. In terms of pure value, it’s hard to beat.
Accommodation: What Does a “Cheap” Caravan Look Like?
There is often a stigma that Sun Holiday caravans are “dingy” or poorly maintained. In my experience over the years normally we have had good accommodation, though one or two weren’t that great, but this trip was a pleasant surprise.
We stayed in a three-bedroom caravan that slept up to eight people. Despite the “budget” label, it was well-equipped:
- The Living Space: A large L-shaped seating area, a dining table, and plenty of storage.
- The Kitchen: Fully stocked with a cooker, fridge, microwave, and oven & all utensils, even an iron & ironing board.
- The Bedrooms: While the rooms are undeniably tight (standard for any caravan), they were functional. We even managed to fit a cot in one of the twin rooms by flipping the bed frame & moving the mattress up to make space.
- The Perks: Our unit had central heating, which is a massive bonus if the British weather decides not to cooperate (which it didn’t for us!).
While I’ve stayed in “molder” units in the past at other budget parks (looking at you, old-school Pontins), the Parkdean unit at Sunny Dale was clean, modern, and perfectly comfortable for a family base.
Life on the Park: Entertainment and Amenities
Sunny Dale is a relatively small park, which has its pros and cons. The “complex” consists of a small entertainment area with bar & small arcade, indoor swimming pool, soft play area & outdoor play park.
The Kids’ Perspective
If you have young children, these holidays are brilliant. My two-year-old grandson absolutely loved the entertainment. Even though the complex was small, the staff got the kids involved on the dance floor with lights and music. For them, it’s a magical experience regardless of the price of the ticket.
The “Hidden” Hurdles
One thing to watch out for is the organization. We found that you had to book 45-minute slots for the swimming pool, but this wasn’t clearly communicated when we arrived. My advice? Check the timetable immediately. Don’t wait for someone to hand it to you; go to reception and ask for the schedule for the pool and the evening bingo.
Exploring Mablethorpe and Beyond
One mistake I made this trip was not scouting the immediate area beforehand. Sunny Dale is a lovely park, but it isn’t right on a sandy beach it’s more of a marshy area. However, the beauty of these holidays is that the park is just your “home base.”
We took short drives to:
- Skegness: A classic seaside town with plenty to do.
- Mablethorpe Beach: Only a few miles away and great for the kids to run around on.
- Local Farm: Perfect for a family afternoon out when the weather is hit-or-miss.
As a landscape photographer, I also found some hidden gems nearby, including an old tank on a beach just a few miles away that made for some incredible sunrise shots.
Our Previous Sun Holidays
As now my daughter is grown up, we hadn’t done a family sun newspaper holiday in years, other than with just me and my partner in the beginning of 2020 & you can imagine how that ended up 😂 , but over the years when the kids were younger we have done must be over 15 & other than the pontins one I have mentioned they have been great.
My Top Tips for a Successful Sun Holiday
If you’re thinking about booking one of these deals, here is how to make sure you get the best experience:
- Do Your Homework: Don’t just pick the first park on the list. Look at the map, check the distance to the nearest beach, looks for attractions within a 30-minute drive.
- The Code Hunt: You usually need to collect codes from the newspaper, but if you don’t want to buy the paper every day, a quick Google search or signing up for the Sun Holiday newsletter can often get you the codes you need.
- Grocery Shop Locally: Don’t rely on the park’s mini-market, as prices can be high. Find a local supermarket on your way in and stock up for the week.
- Expectation Management: This isn’t a 5-star all-inclusive resort in the Maldives. It’s a British caravan holiday. Go for the memories, the fresh air, and the family time.
The Verdict: Budget Dream or Total Disaster?
So, are they worth it? Absolutely. Despite the stigma, the Sun £9.50 holidays offer an accessible way for families to get away and create memories. Whether the weather is grey or the shower is a bit small, the joy of seeing a toddler on a dance floor or enjoying fish and chips by the sea is worth every penny of that booking fee.
It’s not about the luxury of the accommodation; it’s about the memories you make. If you’ve never tried one, give it a go. For the price of a couple of pizzas, you could be taking your family on a four-day adventure.
