Miles-long deserted beach you often have to yourself is one of UK's best
The great British weather can really test the meaning of 'static caravan'. Our weekend on the Norfolk coast started calmly enough, but a howling hooley came off the North Sea as we bedded down for the night.
We rocked and rolled as the storm roared, making our mobile home a little more mobile than we'd expected. But all held firm and, in truth, it was exciting and dramatic to take little peeks at the tempest outside. Do your worst, thunderbolts and lightning, we're safe and sound in our cosy temporary home.
It blew itself out by the morning and we woke to find ourselves – mum, dad, two eight-year-olds and the dog – in one of the finest spots in all of England.
A five-minute walk that way, over the dunes, takes you to Horsey beach: a huge, almost deserted stretch of sand that goes on and on for miles in either direction. It makes you understand why the citizens of this island nation are magnetically pulled towards the seaside. Our coast is awe-inspiring in its variety and quirkiness and here is one of the better examples.
Unknown EU region tempts tourists with beauty and very unusual dishes
Bobbing up and down in the surf are grey seals, staring with curiosity back at you, and looking like moustachio'd gents in blubbery wetsuits. We could watch them – and the birds and the waves and the girls digging in the sand and dodging the tide – for hours.
We were at Waxham Sands holiday park, a few clicks north of Great Yarmouth, and at the eastern extreme of the fabulous Norfolk Broads, rubbing up along the briny. Lovat Parks has recently taken over a very well-established and well-regarded business here and taken things up a notch, it seems.
Our holiday home was a new, luxurious caravan that wanted for nothing, with three bedrooms, a decent kitchen, two shower rooms and very efficient heating. And a telly and wifi. No wonder some people live on site all year round. They pride themselves on making dogs welcome. There are treats and water bowls here and there and even a doggy shower. Your four-legged pal – sometimes made to feel an inconvenience in lesser establishments – is fussed over and loved. Humans get fewer rubs under the chin, but are looked after nonetheless.
There's a sort of village green, with a firepit, play area, chairs and tables outside and a covered area in case the weather turns foul (never!).
Food vans arrive nearly every night for takeaway grub if you want to escape the caravan facilities. Escape north, south or west and you'll stumble across classy pubs and caffs very soon. We had a great meal five minutes away at the characterful Nelson Head pub, surrounded by Horatio memorabilia (the Royal Navy admiral was from these parts). I reckon the fish had been swimming in the North Sea earlier that morning.
We can also recommend Poppylands on Waxham Road with its Second World War theme. In the other direction is the Dunes cafe at Waxham Barn, a magnificent building with an incredible thatched roof. Their food is just as impressive. A little further afield into the Broads, there are classic country pubs and fine dining. And the earthy delights of Great Yarmouth down the road.
After the scoff it's time to feed the soul again: paddle in the sea, give the dog a run (seal-restrictions allowing) and do some stopping and staring.
And very soon you forget this life
full of care...
Book the holiday
Lovat Holiday Parks offers a three-night self-catering break in a two-bedroom holiday home (sleeps six) at Waxham Sands Holiday Park in North Norfolk from £330 for dates in September. lovatparks.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Pooch lovers can enjoy 'dog-friendly' dining with 3 courses for £30
With country pubs dotted across the UK, four-legged friends and their families can enjoy more deals on the Vintage Inns app For dog lovers, pets are more than just companions, they're an important part of the family. That's why at Vintage Inns, everyone is welcome, including four-legged friends. Each pub provides a cosy retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The chain offers 170 dog-friendly pubs across the UK and the modern country interiors create the perfect setting to relax and enjoy time with a four-legged loyal companion. Stretching from the Scottish Highlands to the Devon coast, from the Welsh capital to the shores of Norfolk, the pubs aim to provide a genuine taste of British countryside hospitality. Whether visitors are stopping in for a quick pint, enjoying a laid-back lunch after a countryside stroll, or settling down for an evening meal, people and their pups can expect to be met with a warm welcome. For those who enjoy dining with their dogs, Gaucho restaurants also claim to be extremely dog-friendly, going so far as to offer activities for dogs and their owners at certain venues. Specialising in Argentinian steaks and cuisine, Gaucho provides an upscale atmosphere that's a bit more formal than the cosy country interiors of a Vintage Inn. Vintage Inns offers a carefully curated traditional menu that caters to modern palates. Think perfectly prepared pub classics such as freshly battered fish and chips, decadent sticky toffee pudding, and hearty Sunday roasts. Alongside these favourites, each location serves a variety of seasonal specials and an extensive drinks menu. The Weekend Treat Menu features three courses for £30. Available on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6pm, dishes include a honey-baked whole camembert to share and tender slow-cooked pork belly with all the trimmings. Weekend diners can also add to the experience by sharing select bottles of wine for just £20. For those visiting during the day, there's a Lunch Set Menu that starts from £17.50 for two courses. Pub classics like the beef and red wine lasagne are up for grabs, as well as more unique offerings such as the chicken katsu rice bowl. Regular diners, or those who are planning to be, can enjoy savings through the Vintage Inn Rewards scheme. Members receive a complimentary drink, 20% off main meals, a free starter or dessert and can enjoy a £30 off a £60 spend - all through the app loyalty card. By signing up for My Vintage Inns Rewards, new members can enjoy a welcome offer of £10 off a £40 spend. Diners can collect digital stamps with each visit, quickly reorder favourite dishes. The app also makes it easy to book tables and browse menus before visiting. For even more savings, the app offers a "Refer a Friend" program, where both guests and their friend can enjoy 33% off a main course meal. Simply download the app, click "Refer a Friend," and share the link - your friend gets 33% off their first meal, and once they redeem it, you get 33% off your next visit. If Vintage Inns' selection doesn't hit the spot, Harvester restaurants are ready with their famous unlimited salad bar and a variety of value meals across 164 UK locations. Visitors have praised the chain as "good value for money" with friendly staff on Trustpilot. Diners who have already experienced the comfort of a Vintage Inn have also left reviews for various locations on TripAdvisor. One customer said: "We visited The Golden Retriever pub in Bracknell yesterday with our two rescue German Shepherd dogs. The place is amazing inside and out and the staff were really friendly." Another review gushed: "The Barge Inn, Woolstone. Extremely attentive and friendly bar staff. Lovely cosy interior - beams! Very dog friendly. Nice and clean. Made to feel so welcome - will definitely be back. Had my favourite pink gin. The creme brulee was delicious!". A satisfied customer raved about their recent visit to The Priory in Portbury, stating: "Had a fabulous steak meal at the Priory at Portbury highly recommend it. Steak cooked to perfection and well presented. Staff were extremely friendly and nothing was too much trouble." However, not everyone left with the same high spirits. Another diner only left a three-star review after an evening at the Three Legged Cross Inn, saying: "My husband and I went to the Three Legged Cross Inn. It was 7 p.m. We were told that there were no steak meals left." They did concede, however: "The meals we had were of good quality, the atmosphere was pleasant, and our waitress was pleasant and attentive." The reviews mostly highlight positive experiences. Emphasising this point, a glowing five-star review for The Globe in Bath read: "Absolutely wonderful evening meal for our son's birthday. Even the dog enjoyed it!" and praised further by saying: "The staff were so friendly and attentive and the service was prompt even though the restaurant was completely full. The food was presented beautifully and so tasty and fresh!"
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
American is amazed over beautiful 16th century village but one thing 'jars' him
A beautiful Cotswolds village has left one American amazed by its historic charm - but his attention was quickly snatched away by one small dose of reality An American has shared his frustration over one specific thing about an old British village - and it's left people stunned. One thing about Britain is that we're spoilt with quaint and beautiful countryside - which is why it makes it so appealing for tourists to visit. Rich in history, as well as picturesque views, it's no wonder people want to come and visit the charming villages in real life. But one man has revealed his gripe with a beautiful 16th century village in the Cotswold s. YouTuber Tyler Rumple was watching a video on some of the most beautiful places to visit in the Cotswolds. The village, which Tyler says looks like it's from "back in time" is Castle Combe nestled in the South Cotswolds in Wiltshire, which left him in awe. Castle Combe has been named as one of the most beautiful villages in the UK and the American native said the village looks as if it's come out of a "child's fairy tale book" with the quintessentially British roads and houses. Clearly blown away, Tyler said: "This doesn't look real to me, it looks like a movie set. I would see this kind of thing in a movie and it doesn't exist in real life. This is one of the incredible things about the UK in general is that you guys even have this old historical preserved buildings and architecture." However as impressed he was by the ancient "fairy tale" village, he couldn't get over the lack of parking available for visitors. The video he was watching touched on the parking situation when visiting the village. The footage stated visitors would need to park in the car park at the top of the village, or they could try their luck with a few roadside spaces closer towards the centre. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you! Tyler said: "This really jars you out of the fairy tale a little bit. It's this beautiful village from the 1600's which is another cool thing about the UK as the history is old. You have been around a long time whereas the United States we haven't existed all that long as a country so we tend to not have old cool stuff like this. "But talking about the parking lot, that honestly jarred me out of this experience in the moment." However he wasn't unimpressed for too long as he later claimed: "I wasn't aware places like this existed, like houses with grass on top and houses with vines up the walls and scenic villages with big wooden doors with metal handles, that's awesome." One YouTube viewer commented on Tyler's video defending the roads and said: "About our roads - we still use roads that were built before cars, transport was wagons or horses." While another added: "'How do you navigate these thin, narrow roads' - with skill and attention to driving. That's how. Our narrow roads were built when horses and carts were the main form of transport not gas guzzling monsters."
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Key passport checks Brits need to make before Spain, France and Greece holidays
Brits heading on holidays to hotspots in Spain, France, Greece, Portugal, Italy and other European hotspots need to make 4 key checks now ahead of summer Brits planning their summer holidays abroad will want to check their passports now - or risk being turned away at the airport. In recent years there have been plenty of changes to travel rules, most notably regarding what is considered a valid UK passport when flying to hotspots such as France, Greece, Spain, Portugal and more EU destinations. If a passport is deemed invalid, you won't be able to fly - not to mention that in most cases this can invalidate your travel insurance, meaning you could be left significantly out of pocket. While most people will check the expiry date on their travel document, since leaving Brexit the issue date also plays a part - and it's left plenty of UK travellers getting caught out at the airport. Now the insurance experts at have shared seven of the key passport checks you'll want to make now ahead of summer, to give yourself time to apply for a new passport if you need to. Check out the four top checks below... 1. Blank pages READ MORE: Boarding pass 4 letter codes explained including one all travellers want to get This little-known passport rule could easily be missed, but it's an important one. The insiders explain: "With Brits now getting stamped every time they travel through the EU, travel enthusiasts and those who travel for work may potentially run out of blank pages in their passports. All passport holders must have at least two blank passport pages when they travel, otherwise the document could be seen as invalid. Those travelling more frequently can opt for a jumbo passport that has 54 pages instead of a normal one with 34 pages." 2. The expiry date - and issue date Since Brexit, passport rules have changed for Brits heading to EU countries. Airlines including easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and British Airways have been issuing reminders for their passengers, but ultimately it's on the traveller to make sure their document is up to date. Now, passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of departure and must have been issued less than 10 years ago. The insurance experts add: "This is an important detail to remember as previously, British passports could be valid for 10 years and nine months, however with the new EU rules, they're only valid for 10 years from the issue date." The rules also apply if you're travelling to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican City or Switzerland. 3. Damage There are various ways a passport could be seen as damaged, so make sure to check your document thoroughly. Some of the common issues include water damage. The Tiger team added: "While minor exposure to water such as slightly crinkled page edges shouldn't be an issue, further damage like smudged ink or discolouration can lead to delays or refusals at the border." Meanwhile, tears or rips on any of the pages could mean your document is deemed invalid. Missing pages will also mean it's not accepted at border control, especially if it affects personal details pages or any visa stamps. Keep an eye out on laminate peeling or lifting too, as this could render your passport invalid because it could be flagged as at risk of tampering. The experts advised: "If the laminate over the personal details page is lifting or peeling, it could raise suspicions of tampering. This is a common reason for passports being flagged or rejected so even if all the information is readable, it's best to get your passport replaced to prevent any issues." 4. Check your child's passport As well as checking all of the above on your own passport, check children's passports too. Oh, and don't forget that a child's passport is only valid for five years. It's easy to forget this detail, but you'll want to make sure to check the expiry date and leave plenty of time to avoid delays!
