Travel: Devon

But are they?

We had the opportunity to test this out in Devon, my home for a decade when I first cut my teeth in journalism and it marked a long overdue return.

There were, however, two fierce critics to judge the experience, rather than the financials, my two children, aged six and two. Believe me, they let you know if it's not fun.

My previous concerns about breaks at home were that, especially in my job, that I may not switch off and just relax, as far as you are able with two demanding children. Disappear abroad and I found I had little thought for what was going on in Scotland and can concentrate on just exploring and chilling.

But then there is the dreaded British weather which can go from sublime to ridiculous in less than an hour, even in July.

Travelling is another major consideration with children and a seven-and-a-half hour car drive from Glasgow without taking into account the inevitable M6 roadworks, was clearly problematic with an energetic toddler. We overcame that by dividing the journey up, stopping off overnight on the way down and on the way back and threw in a couple of trips to the regal majesty of Windsor, Legoland and Peppa Pig World in Hampshire.

The ultimate location was Ladram Bay Holiday Park a community of hundred seaside holiday homes and tents which appears from nowhere at the top of a tree-strewn narrow country road in the quaint village of Otterton.

Yes, that's holiday homes, not caravans.

It's a far cry from the days in the 1940s when the occasional camper was allowed to pitch a tent in the summer on what was a farm run by Bill Carter, a farmer's son who would go on to become one of East Devon's most successful entrepreneurs. He died 70 years after the beginning of the development of the park, but his children continue his legacy.

My own experience of Devon caravan parks was not a happy one. It was many years ago at another seaside complex near Plymouth and it was to be home to my family who were down to visit. It had bugs and was grubby and we had to move.

Ladram Bay, one of the largest, privately owned holiday parks in Devon is a world away from that squalor, and so it should be.

Our home, the two-bedroomed Ladram Lodge had a decked balcony, a private hot tub, double glazing, central heating, en-suite shower and a bath. It was open-plan, modern, spacious and very, very clean.

It's not cheap though. Just one week's rental in July would set you back nearly £1200, a sum that might not dissuade us from continuing to holiday abroad.

This, however works on many other levels. It is an idyllic base for exploring the splendour of Devon and if adventurous, Cornwall, and even if you wanted just to stay put, there are plenty of activities on site.

We brought bikes, but never used them as our itinerary was packed with must-dos.

Where Devon and Cornwall scores over many parts of Britain is the array of free family-friendly summer carnivals, fetes and fairs throughout the English school holidays.

But even outside that Devon serves up a treat for holidaymakers with a host of theme parks, breathtaking coastline, and pretty villages and towns.

Ensure you are prepared and leave extra time for driving carefully through the West Country's often narrow roads, sometimes windy but always full of character.

Sidmouth, the town that captivated the Poet Laureate, John Betjeman, with its beautiful beach, stunning gardens, friendly shops and majestic walks is a ten minute drive away from Ladram Bay. Alternatively you can take the magnificent coastal walk to the town.

Our two-year-old Ben is obsessed with trains and buses, so a trip from Torquay to the winding Elizabethan streets of Dartmouth via open top bus, river boat from Totnes and steam train, was a winner.

A further exploration along the coast will uncover the seaside jewel of Salcombe, surrounded by lush green hills, with a cove, the regulation narrow streets, welcoming hostelries and friendly shops with a feeling of exclusivity. There was barely time to further venture into the surrounding picturesque villages, magnificent coastal scenery and stunning beaches.

The site itself had a busy seaside town feel with its own heated indoor pool and impressive entertainment complex.

The Pebbles Restaurant provides functional dishes for lunch or dinner while the Coast Takeaway was handy rather than handsome. The free nightly entertainment at the Three Rocks complex, complete with mascot Ozzie the Otter, may not be Vegas nightlife but is unadulterated fun, and hit the right note with the kids, as did the adventure playground and pirate ship play area.

The beach, set in a secluded sheltered bay, may be pebbly but is an impressive sight featuring the striking sandstone of what is the Jurassic Coast. The Otter Sandstone that forms the cliffs and the eye-catching sea stacks were deposited in a hot dry climates in the Triassic Period about 220 million years ago.

Martin Williams was a guest of Ladram Bay Holiday Park. Otterton, Budleigh Salterton. Easter breaks start from £179. Phone 01395 568398 for prices or visit www.ladrambay.co.uk