We wish all our customers, new and old, a happy and prosperous New Year. 

We are looking forward the up and coming season here at Vale Holiday Parks. In particular, we’re looking forward to seeing some returning friends and families and hopefully make some new friends along the way. I have no doubt that together we can make 2012 one of our most memorable seasons ever! 

You can now order our new 2012 brochure or download it from the main holiday site at Vale Holiday Parks. 

Best Wishes 

Vale Holiday Parks

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We are coming to the end of a busy season here at Vale Holiday Parks and as winter approaches its perhaps time to think about those maintenance jobs to help with the general upkeep of your holiday home.

Most modern static caravans these days are built using modern materials and are designed and constructed to minimize the exterior maintenance throughout the year. However, the elements can certainly take the toll on our holiday homes so here are a few tips to help your static home to remain in a great condition for next season and beyond.

Exterior

The build up of grime and dirt on the outside of your caravan encourages damp and moisture to cling which can increase deterioration. We recommend a thorough wash down either by hand or pressure wash.

Roof & Guttering 

Moss can build up on the roofs of caravans which can encourage damp and deterioration, and along with leaves can block guttering. A clear gutter is essential to ensure water is taken directly away from the caravan as quickly as possible. It is therefore important to check guttering regularly and remove leaves, moss and debris.

Check the Anchorage

Secure the caravan so that it is safe during a harsh winter. Check for a build up of rust and report any major faults to our park owners. Make sure debris and vegetation is removed from under and around the caravan helping air to circulate and prevent damp.

Water tank

Make sure that the water tank is cleaned and add anti-freeze the the whole system to prevent the pipes from breaking in the depths of winter.

Windows

Before the caravan is locked for the winter it is good practice to check all the windows to ensure that they are in good working order. Damaged rubber seals or loose windows will only worsen in the winter months so now maybe a good time to change those faulty ones. Check the locks and any window alarms are in working order.

Gas/Electrical

All gas and electrical systems should be isolated when the holiday home is left empty for the winter. Please check our park office for further guidelines.

Condensation

To help prevent the build up of condensation and damp within the holiday home some owners leave out dehumidifier crystals, moisture traps or salt bowls to absorb the damp. The build up of condensation is inevitable throughout the winter and these measures are a way of keeping condensation to a controllable level.

Best Wishes

Vale Holiday Parks

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Following on from our Walking Holidays in Pembrokeshire blogpost earlier on in the 2011 holiday season we are now going to continue the theme and look at some great autumnal walks close to holiday parks in Wales. The changes that the autumn months bring are spectacular in Wales. The walks along the woodland and river paths on crisp mornings and cool afternoons amidst an array of colours as the the leaves turn from green to reds and golds are simply stunning. A perfect way to spend a holiday in Wales.

Pont Felin Gat at The National Botanic Garden Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire

The first of our walks is only a short drive from The Old Vicarage Holiday Park and is at the National Botanic Garden in Wales. The wooded valley of Pont Felin Gat displays some fantastic autumn scenery, ancient woodland flowers and a thundering waterfall built 200 years ago. At a leisurely stroll the walk can take about 90 mins or less, however this can be extended by exploring the 568-acre historic Middleton Hall estate.

 For more information visit http://www.gardenofwales.org.uk.  

Cardigan to St.Dogmaels, Cardigan Bay

The walk from Cardigan to St Dogmaels is a only a short drive from Penlon Holiday Park, The Village and Ocean Heights Holiday Parks. A Circular route of varying length through rich agricultural land, pretty woods and the fringes of the village of St. Dogmaels offering a variety of views of the town and the Teifi estuary. A good walk for experiencing all the beauty that autumn has to offer and at a leisurely pace can take as long as 3 hours. For more information and directions of the walk please visit http://www.cardiganshirecoastandcountry.com/short-walk-st_dogmaels-cardigan.php

Brecon Canal, Brecon

This autumn walk is a 35 mile canal towpath which begins in Brecon and works its way along the Usk Valley through villages, under quaint bridges and across an aqueduct until it rambles into Five Locks in Cwmbran. Red, brown and gold trees line the path, colourful boats and with beautiful wild flowers making it a haven for birds and butterflies. It’s a mild and easy walk, so take it in small sections depending upon how much time you have. Make sure you stop along the way to sample a local pub. For more information on the towpath, visit http://www.breconbeacons.org

Bird watching along the Teifi River Trail, Cardigan

The Teifi River Trail is a holiday walk for seeing a variety of wildlife and this is especially noticeable in the autumn months. Along the trail there are huge numbers of wintering wading birds and ducks, such as wigeons, teals and pochards, as well as cormorants, herons and snipe.  Keep a close eye on the reeds for warblers including the striking reed bunting with it’s black head and white collar. Stop at the three hides you pass, which overlook the estuary. The path winds through woodland, so keep an eye out for the tiny and brightly crested goldcrest and the red-breasted bullfinch. 

 For more information please visit http://www.visitcardigan.com/teifi-river-trail.php

Best Wishes

Vale Holiday Parks

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With regard to Vale Holiday Parks in Wales and Cornwall, when we say holidays for all the family we mean it. From mum and dad, to grandparents, kids and even the family dog – a holiday in Wales is the perfect way for everyone to recharge their batteries. 

But not everyone is familiar with ‘pet friendly’ holidays. Like it or not, there are more considerations to taking your pooch away than there are for other members of the family.  

In this post we’re going to offer some advice for taking your pet away on holiday to one of our caravan parks. Along with the basics, that you may be familiar with, there should be a few new suggestions to make your caravan holiday as stress-free as possible. And if you have any suggestions of your own to help your fellow holidaymakers, then please leave a comment below. 

Pet carrier.

If your dog is familiar enough with your pet carrier then they may get uneasy at its appearance! Bring it out a week or two before you set off to allow Rover to get used to it. If possible fill it with your dog’s blankets – the familiar scent will help it to relax. You might even find your pet takes to sleeping in it, which should alleviate any stress on journey day!   

Comforts.

Taking your pooch away from its usual stomping ground can often be a cause of stress – at least initially. Once they get used to their new location they’ll be right as rain. But to help ease them into ‘holiday mode’, bring a few of their favourite comforters. Blankets, toys, even their favourite bowl should help them start their caravan holiday on the right paw.

Routine.

Try to maintain an established routine when you go away on your caravan holiday , to help your dog relax into its new surroundings. Make sure you give it food and take it for walks at a similar time to when you would at home. Dogs, like most of us, are creatures of habit so whatever you can do to help them settle into their holiday will also help your caravan holiday too.  

Walks. 

Vale Holiday Parks UK are pet friendly holidays in Wales for more reasons than just allowing pets. Our caravan parks are located in some of South Wales’ most beautiful locations and exploring them is half the fun. Getting familiar with their surroundings will also help your pooch adjust to the holiday, so get those boots laced up! We also have holiday parks in Cornwall

And on that note… 

A Lead. 

Once you’re out and about on your pet friendly holiday you’ll no doubt be delighted to see your pooch running around and having fun. Always make sure that you keep a lead handy and look out for any signs instructing you on its use. The last thing you want is for Rover to go walkabout in an unfamiliar area. 

Vets. 

As you probably don’t know the surrounding area on your pet friendly holiday in Wales, it’s advisable to find out where the nearest vets are located. You can either look on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ ‘Find-a-Vet’ service or ask a member of staff at your holiday park. Make sure you take your pet’s insurance details with you in the unlikely event that they require medical attention. We’re sure you’ll agree that your peace of mind is worth it!

Best Wishes

Vale Holiday Parks

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One thing that we can not guarantee on your caravan holidays in Wales is the British weather! So if you’re confined to the caravan here are our top 3 card games to keep you and the whole family entertained while it pours. 

Holiday Rummy

Rummy is a traditional card game with many variations (also known as Regular Rummy, Straight Rummy or Standard Rummy etc) and remains one of the most popular card games and a great one to play with all the family on your caravan sites in wales.

Players & Deck - Rummy can be played by 2 - 6 players and uses a standard deck of 52 cards. 2 players get 10 cards each, 3/4 players get 7 cards each and 5/6 players get 6 cards each. The game can be played for a any number of rounds or to a target score. 

The Rules
The object of the game is to get rid of all the cards in your hand. There are three ways to get rid of cards: combinations, laying off, and discarding.

•  There are two kinds of combinations, sequences (also known as runs) and groups (also known as sets or books).
• A sequence or run consists of three or more cards of the same suit in consecutive order, such as 4, 5, 6 or 8, 9, 10, J.
• A group, set or book is three or four cards of the same rank, such as 7, 7, 7.
• Laying off is adding a card or cards from your hand to sequences or groups already on the table. The cards added to a sequence or group must make another valid member. For example to the 4, 5, 6 you could add the 3 or the 7. 
• Discarding is playing a card from your hand on top of the discard pile. You get rid of one card this way at the end of each turn.

Play
Each turn consists of the following parts:

• Taking one card from either the top of the Stock pile or the top card on the discard pile, and adding it to your hand. The discard pile is face up, so you can see in advance what you are getting. The stock is face down, so if you choose to draw from the stock you do not see the card until after you have committed yourself to take it. If you draw from the stock, you add the card to your hand without showing it to the other players.
• If you have a valid group or sequence in your hand, you may put it down face up in front of you. Although this is not compulsory
• Laying off. This is also optional. If you wish, you may add cards to groups or sequences previously melded by yourself or others. There is no limit to the number of cards a player may lay off in one turn.
• At the end of your turn, one card must be discarded from your hand and placed on top of the discard pile face up. 
• If the stock pile has run out and the next player does not want to take the discard, the discard pile is turned over, without shuffling, to form a new stock, and play continues. 

A player wins an individual hand by getting rid all of his or her cards and there is nothing in the stock pile and all play stops. 

Scoring
When a player goes out, the other players add up the value of all the cards still remaining in their hands, as follows:

• Face cards (K,Q,J) are worth 10 points each
• Aces are worth 1 point each
• Number Cards are worth their face value - for example a six is worth 6 points, a four is 4 points, and so on.

The game continues with further deals until a player reaches the points target that was decided before the game began, or until the agreed number of deals has been played.

Holiday Cheat

Cheat is one of those games to get everyone in the holiday mood. Fun, quick and very,very loud. 

Players & Deck
The Cheat card game is a game for 2-10 players and uses a standard deck of 52 cards

The Rules
The object of the game is rid get rid of all your cards

• All the cards are dealt out -some players may have more cards than others
• On the table is a discard pile which starts empty

Play
Each turn consists of

• Discarding one or more cards face down on the pile, and calling out their rank and the number of cards they are placing down. 
• The first player must discard Aces, the second must discard Two’s, next player three’s, and so on up to kings, then back to Aces.
• As  the cards are discarded face down means that you may actually discard any card or a mixture of cards

Any player can challenge what another player puts down by calling "Cheat!". Then the cards played by the challenged player are turned over and one of two things happens:

• if the player was telling the truth - the challenger must pick up the whole discard pile;
• if the player was cheating and the challenge is correct, the cheater must pick up the whole discard pile.

Play continues in normal rotation after the challenge has been resolved: the player to the left of the one who was challenged plays and calls the next rank in sequence. 

The first player to get rid of all their cards and survive any challenge resulting from their final play wins the game. If you play your last remaining card(s), but someone challenges you and the cards you played are not what you called, you pick up the pile and play continues.

Holiday Spoons

Spoons is a clever card game and is perfect for a family holiday parks in cornwall or wales as it can be played by children and adults together. Other names for this game are Pig and Tongue and have slight variations.

Players & Deck
3 to 13 players. Best with 6 to 13 players and uses a standard deck of 52 cards. To play the Spoons version, you also need one spoon for each player except one. E.g. If there are 6 players then you need 5 spoons For Pig and Tongue, no extra equipment is needed.

The Rules

• The object of the game is to be the first to collect four cards of the same rank. If an opponent beats you to that goal, to not be the last to realize it.
• For each player in the game, you need four cards of the same rank from the deck. For example, with 5 players you could use the Aces, 2s, 3s, 4s and 5s.
• The cards are shuffled and each player is dealt four cards.
• The spoons are placed in the middle of the table so that every player can reach them.

Paly
Each turn consists of

• Players simultaneously choose one card from their hands, pass that card to the opponent on their left, and pick up the card they've received from the opponent on their right.
• Each player can never have more than four cards in his hand, so it's illegal for a player to pick up a new card before passing one to the left.
• When a player collects four of a kind, they do one of the following actions, depending on which version of the game is being played:
  • Spoons: As Quietly as possible, take a spoon and place it in front of yourself.
  • Pig: Quietly place a finger on the tip of your nose.
  • Tongue: Quietly, but visibly, stick out your tongue. 
• When one player does this, everyone else  must do likewise as quickly as possible (the game can continue while this is happening). The last player to grab a spoon, touch their nose, or stick out a tongue is the loser.
• The last player to grab a spoon, touch his nose, or stick out his tongue is the loser and is eliminated from the game. Remove a set of four cards from the deck and play another round.

The final two players in the game are co-winners.

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All British Open Golf Championships have a number of things in common and this year’s event is no exception.  Firstly, it has attracted the world’s finest players (minus an injured Tiger) to compete for the famous Claret Jug and secondly, once again, the Open is held in sunny surroundings at a golf club rich in tradition, prestige, awards and accreditations; Royal St George’s Golf Club hosts this year’s 140th British Open.

Another British Open Golf Championship takes place this year courtesy of  Vale Holiday Parks at the famous Cardigan Golf Club. The Vale Open Golf Championship may not attract the world’s finest players (in fact, I suspect most of the competitors will have a double digit handicap), but it can rival any competition in terms of scenery, boasting views high above the shores of Cardigan Bay and the Teifi Estuar. 

Cardigan Golf club is also steeped in history and tradition stretching back over a hundred years. Founded in 1895 the club has grown in stature and is now one of the most prestigious golf courses in Wales and winner of the inaugural Welsh Golf Club of the Year Award. Clwb Golff Aberteifi, to give it it’s Welsh name, is a mixture of links and parkland measuring over 6500 yards. Undulating greens combine with often breezy conditions make this course both enjoyable and a challenge for golfers of all abilities.

The event details 

The Vale Open Golf Championship takes place on Saturday 17th of September at Cardigan Golf Club. Players will compete as a team (4 ball) and Stableford rules apply with 3/4 handicap allowance.

Participants are asked to arrive at 11:30am and after 18 holes of competitive golf there will be a 2 course meal followed by an awards ceremony. The Vale Open Golf Championship promises to be a great social event and also very competitive with many caravan owners, local residents and caravan park owners taking part. A trophy may be at stake but the idea of bragging rights for the year will surely outweigh any thoughts of silverware!

The stunning natural coastline and rolling green fields make Wales the perfect place to play golf and the ideal destination for a golfing holiday. To find out more about where to play please read our blog  Six of the Best golf courses in Wales and for accommodation please see one of our nearest caravan parks.

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Wales has long had a love affair with the cinema. Whether filmmakers are looking for somewhere beautiful and otherworldly, or a location that perfectly captures the natural beauty of the British Isles, they have often visited the “Land of Song”.

In this post we’re going to look at some of the region’s most prominent filming locations and tell you where you can visit them, during your holiday in wales. There’s everything from the mountains of China, hills of India and Tibet , to the playgrounds of some of the most famous characters from myth and legend.  And with so much variety in the landscape, there’s bound to be something for you to enjoy too! 

So grab the popcorn, sit back, relax and enjoy this guide to Wales on film.    

Pembrokeshire is not only one of the greatest attractions for those on a caravan holiday in South West Wales; it’s also been a massive boon to cinema. As one of the most stunning coastal locations in the UK, it’s been featured in several film and TV programs. 

For example, when producers of the Robin Hood film were looking for a naturally beautiful location that would leap off the screen, they chose the sandy beach of Freshwater West near Castlemartin. This location provided the setting for the battle scene at the end of the film and easily demonstrated that the land was worth fighting for – even if it was supposed to be the beach at Dover!

But Freshwater West has also leant itself to more otherworldly productions. The beach provided the setting for Shell Cottage in the forthcoming film adaptation of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'. Described as "...a lonely and beautiful place", you can expect the same when you visit on your holiday in Wales. Although, there are slightly less wizards!  

No less legendary, John Huston’s 1956 adaptation of Melville’s classic 'Moby Dick' took advantage of the Pembrokeshire coast, to craft a thrilling tale of man versus nature. Thankfully, your own tale in the region should be far less dramatic. Visit the delightful coastal town of Fishguard to experience the setting for some of the more gentle scenes in the film. 

The town also featured as the setting for the 1972 filmic adaptation of Dylan Thomas’ 'Under Milk Wood'. Doubling for Llareggub, which makes more sense when you read it backwards (though we didn’t tell you that!) the film saw Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Peter O’Toole descend on the town for their own holiday in Wales!  

When it comes to truly unique landscapes, Snowdonia takes some beating. Not only does it contain the highest mountain in Wales, it’s also the reason that many people choose to holiday in the region in the first place. But if you’re a movie buff on a caravan holiday in Wales, then a visit to Snowdonia is almost essential. 

The wild and varied landscape of Snowdonia has an equally diverse cinematic history. The land doubled as China for Angelina Jolie’s adventures as Lara Croft in 'Tomb Raider 2', provided the backdrop for the Carry On team to journey up the Khyber and appeared as Turkey in a 007 adventure: 'From Russia with Love'. Even more far-fetched adventures in Snowdonia include the recent remake of 'Clash of the Titans'. 

Other notable filming locations in Wales include 'Lawrence of Arabia', which used the sand dunes of Merthyr Mawr, and of course 'The Prisoner', which used Portmeirion’s striking looks to great effect. Though if you’re looking for accommodation in Wales that doesn’t feel quite so oppressive, we’d recommend you search one of our holiday parks uk!  

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All the stunning natural coastline and rolling green fields makes Wales the perfect place to tee off. And even though your skills may not quite match the worlds current number 1 and 2 best golfers, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood on the fairway – there are still plenty of fantastic opportunities to practice your swing and compete with friends on a golfing holiday in Wales. 

In this post we’re going to take a look at six of the best golf courses that Wales has to offer. You’ll find a great selection of courses that are perfect for enjoying a Welsh golfing holiday. And while we can’t guarantee you’ll be smashing your handicaps, we’re fairly sure that you’ll enjoy some fantastic rounds on a variety of stunning fairways.

If you’re looking for fantastic holiday accommodation in South Wales for your golfing break then we have plenty of accommodation available. Please search from the great selection of holiday parks in Wales on our website. 

The Cardigan Golf Club is perhaps the most visually spectacular golf course in South West Wales. A round at the club offers a combination of incredible sea views and testing conditions that can affect even the most competent player’s game. 

There are older courses, but the combination of beautiful scenery, natural greens and overall variety makes it a great course for players of all abilities and a must on a golfing holiday in South West Wales. A temperate climate and excellent course drainage make this course playable all year round too. See one of our nearest Caravan Parks for accommodation.

Tenby Golf Club perfectly combines a classic links experience with Pembrokeshire’s fantastic heritage. Laying claim to being the oldest golf course in Wales, Tenby offers a wealth of natural beauty to admire – so even if you don’t conquer the course’s snaking fairways and contours you’re guaranteed an unrivalled golfing experience! 

Look out over the sea from Tenby Golf Club and you’ll see the beautiful, monastic island of Caldey. There are ferries to the island that depart from Tenby harbour for those that fancy getting a better appreciation of this beautiful location. Once there you’ll discover a tranquil oasis that is occupied by Cistercian monks. You may also find a few stray balls on Caldey, no doubt chipped over by happily distracted golfers! See one of our nearest Caravan Parks for accommodation.

It is testament to Asburnham Golf Course that it was chosen as the site of the Ryder Cup Wales 2010 PGA Welsh Open. Then again, it has had over 100 years to perfect its scenic links course. 

Asburnham now stands as one of Wales’ finest golfing experiences and holiday destinations. As you explore the ‘straight out and straight back’ course you may find the beautiful sea views affect your game. You may also find the sea breeze hindering you on some holes, but at least it should assist you on the way back! If that’s a small consolation then you can always cheer yourself up at the course’s fantastic clubhouse. Inside you’ll find one of the most welcoming receptions you could ever wish to receive on a South West Wales golfing holiday. See here for our nearest caravan park.

As well as being the very first 18-hole golf course in South Wales, Royal Porthcawl Golf Club also bears the distinction of being one of only a handful of courses permitted to use the “Royal” prefix. 

You’ll find plenty of variety at Royal Porthcawl, with a mixture of links and raised ground combined with a welcome constant of beautiful scenery. No matter which hole you’re on, stunning locales are never too far away. The course’s remote location plays a large part in this. Because it lies so far off the beaten track you should also find that there aren’t too many distractions on the green. Unfortunately this also means you have to accept responsibility if you’re performing below par! 

The best golf courses offer just the right challenge to golfers of all abilities. The very best, however, offer them a reason to return and refine their game. Borth &Ynyslas Golf Club has perfected its challenge over 100 years and now offers one of the most compelling games of golf in South West Wales. 

Framed by a stunning stretch of Cardigan Bay, the course offers a mixture of level terrain with hills, hollows and strategically placed dunes. Players who can avoid distraction often do well at Borth & Ynyslas. Though with stunning views of Snowdonia National Park from the course, we’re fairly sure they’re in short supply!  

Not all Welsh golf courses have earned their stripes over nearly a century of play. Celtic Manor, for example, is a fairly recent addition to the list of Welsh golfing holiday locations. What it lacks in heritage, however, it more than makes up for with a range of premium courses. 

As well as the custom built ‘Twenty Ten’ course for this year’s Ryder Cup you’ll find Colin Montgomerie’s traditionalist stamp even runs to the naming of his self-designed course (try and guess what it’s called). The Roman Road is the third course at Celtic Manor and a firm favourite with celebrity tournaments, offering just the right balance of challenge and entertainment. 

If you’re new to golf, or fancy brushing up before teeing off, you will also find a driving range, golfing academy, indoor putting studio, teaching bays and a bar and restaurant at Celtic Manor. You should also find more than enough to justify its label as a Welsh golfing paradise.    

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Vale Holiday Parks in Cornwall and Wales are all about escaping the day-to-day routine, kicking back and relaxing in some of the UK’s most stunning locations. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to escape all the routines from home.  At some point on your break you’re going to need to eat!

As with most aspects of your Vale holiday we like to offer as much choice as possible; so you will find hot food to eat in or take away in most of our parks. But don’t let that put you off; there are plenty of opportunities for you to display your culinary skills in the kitchen!  

In this post we’re going to offer some tips for self-catering and caravan cooking. Some of them will probably be familiar to holiday park veterans, but even if you’re a master (or mistress) of 'caravan cuisine', you may still pick up a few helpful tips. And if you have any advice to share with other holidaymakers, then please leave a comment below. Now, onto the main course…Bon appétit!

Pre-cooking. 

Some items, such as joints of meat, can take hours to prepare. If you cook them before you set off, however, and then pop them in the fridge, until such time you need to create a delicious meal but don’t have the hours or inclination, to spend hours in the kitchen. It’s a great way of increasing dining options that won’t affect your leisure time. 

Pack the plastic. 

Bringing your food in plastic containers means you can keep it dry regardless of weather conditions. And while this may seem more of a tip for those with touring caravans, it’s also easier to pack square containers, allowing you extra space for some of those luxuries! 

Seasoning. 

Without salt, pepper and essential herbs you may find yourself as a cook preparing food to fill the family. With them, however, you can become a master chef, carefully crafting cuisine to get the family’s taste buds tingling. In short, seasoning and herbs take up little space and are often the unsung heroes of self-catering holidays! 

Choose wisely. 

Bulky items, such as vegetables, take up a lot of space, which is a precious commodity when you’re on holiday. Space in the car and your fridge is at a premium, so try to bring versatile food that can be kept out of the fridge. Eggs, potatoes and carrots will allow you a number of healthy options and won’t take up too much precious space!

Safe standbys. 

Even when you’ve got cooking delicious meals down to a fine art, you’re probably not going to want to spend every night in the kitchen. We recommend bringing some standbys that only need heating up. Tinned soup and ready meals all fit the bill and don’t take up too much room.   

Got your own tips on caravan cooking? Please share them in the comments section below. 

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Ask enough people what the most important factor for any good holiday is and, along with “a good book”, ”nice weather” and “being left alone by my family for as long as possible” you will inevitably find “relaxation” among the most common responses.  

Now you may think that relaxation and walking go together like bad weather and good holidays, but explore Wales’ most beautiful regions and you will discover a new and previously unknown sense of fulfilment – not to mention an equally satisfying tour of one of the UK’s most beautiful regions. 

The Pembrokeshire Coast is arguably the crown jewel in South West Wales’ already glittering array of walking locations. As the UK’s only truly coastal national park you’ll find a stunning range of limestone cliffs, castles, soft golden sands and cool blue waters on your travels. And with over 1000km of trails to explore, there really is something for all abilities on a Pembrokeshire walking holiday. 

In this post we’re going to look at four of the best walks in Pembrokeshire. Hopefully you’ll find something that inspires you to get your walking boots on! Don’t forget you can also search our holiday parks if you’re looking for somewhere to relax afterwards.

The Amroth Walk is a gentle 3-mile ramble in the southern part of the Pembrokeshire National Park. On the walk you’ll explore wooded valleys, sandy beaches, rolling fields and the beautiful village of Amroth – a delightful coastal hamlet with pubs, cafes and shops to recharge your batteries in!  

Make sure you stop and admire the lovely village church on this gentle walk. At low tide you can also see the Petrified Forest, submerged for thousands of years by rising tides. It’s just one of many unique sights you can enjoy on a walking holiday in Pembrokeshire. 

Print/Download a map from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park website.

The Benton Wood Walk takes things up a notch, offering a stunning 4 mile showcase of beautiful woodland, local heritage and sea views. Although the walk includes a trek up the imposing sounding ‘Burton Mountain’, it doesn’t rise any higher than 55 metres. Still, who needs to know?

Though you will see the refurbished Benton Castle on this walk, it is now a private residence and closed to the public. We’re sure that the fantastic encounters with local nature will more than make up for it. 

Print/Download a map from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park website. 

The Bedd Morris / Aberfforest walk showcases the best of Pembrokeshire: namely, the region’s stunning wild landscape and incredible heritage. From the unique vantage point of the Preseli Hills – the highest in Pembrokeshire – you’ll see rolling moorland leading to waves crashing on the wild coastline. Continue your journey and you’ll also discover the mysterious Bedd Morris stone. Bonus points if you can guess what it was used for! 

Although at just over 6 miles this walk is more demanding than most, you’ll find that the breathtaking views and unrivalled access to some of the region’s most beautiful locations makes it worthwhile. And while this may not be enough to make you take a walking holiday in Pembrokeshire, it is definitely a highlight for many local ramblers.  

Print/Download a map from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park website.

The Angle Peninsula Walk takes in a long stretch of a fantastic part of the Pembrokeshire coast. You might find the 9 miles daunting but the views on offer more than make up for it. Along with breathtaking views of windswept coastline you’ll be able to admire some of the region’s most impressive historical relics, such as the Victorian fort on Thorn Island, testament to a time when visitors from over the channel weren’t quite so welcome!

West Angle Bay itself is popular due to its sheltered beach and rock pools – home to a rare type of starfish. In the village of Angle you’ll find a warm welcome, a large amount of unspoiled heritage and two pubs that are perfect for recharging your batteries.     

Print/Download a map from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park website.

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Grondre Vale Holiday Park hosted its very own Grondre’s Got Talent on the 4^th September 2010.  We had two categories adults and children with adults prize being £20.00 cash and children’s being two tickets to Oakwood Theme Park. 

We had our very own judging area and the panel consisted of our reception team Leanne Taylor & Louise Lambert ably assisted by Doreen Evans. Our presenter for the night was Vale Holiday Park’s very own Mrs Victoria Scarrott.

The club was decked out it red, white and blue with a real feeling of glitz and glamour!  There was a great crowd who really got behind the contestants and the atmosphere was amazing, the contestants we’re given their own special area to await their performance and for that all important last minute practise! 

We hosted the children’s section first, in which our youngest contestant was only 3 years old. They were very good confident performers and we had some great singers and dancers (they put some of the adults to shame).  It was too close to call in the end so we picked two singers were equally amazing and both got a pair of Oakwood Theme Park tickets, all the other contestants we’re given certificates

The adults section was great, there was a little more variety, singing, mime act and a couple of comedy acts, they certainly kept the crowd and the judges laughing through their performances!  In the end talent won out and the prize went to another singer who stole the show!  He also very kindly donated his winnings to Cancer Research UK, Vale’s chosen charity for 2010.

All in all it was a fantastic night, everyone who attended said how much they enjoyed it. We look forward to making this an annual event and if you didn’t make this one, make sure to be there for the next one!

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We played a range of games including one where Lou was the ‘sniper’ and the gun was nearly as tall as she was!  We played some fast paced action games as well as some slower games where strategy and tactics we’re the important elements. The afternoon flew by and by the time the final game started there we’re only 20 points between the two teams, it was a tense time as we played ‘flight box’ where we had to defend our own box AND capture that of the other teams, we knew if we could just hold on to our box we’d be victorious so we mounted a formidable defence and took the win. We thanked Battlefield for their generosity and left the kids to enjoy their birthday cake whilst us oldies recovered from all the running round.

Having played both paintball and laser-quest previously I’d say Battlefield falls between the two, there’s none of the pain of paintball and no expense for further pellets, however there’s not the same limitations on space that you get with laser-quest.  It’s an ideal day out for all the family and at £20 per person it’s great value for money too, both of us said we’d definitely go back.

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We have listed a few of our ideas of what are the top 10 things to do when visiting South Wales. Do you fancy;

• Entertainment mixed with education? Visit the Big Pit which. is a real coal mine and one of Britain’s coal mines http://bit.ly/4hew9g.

• A day of fun and frolics at one of our most beautiful beaches? Take a drive to Southerntown beach.

• Exerting yourself Merthyr Mawr sand dunes? You and your family can sledge, or sand board down these infamous sand dunes, or simply roll down them, what ever way you decide, you are in for a lot of fun.

• Getting lost in history by exploring Cardiff Castle http://bit.ly/dql8gm?

• Taking the family for a relaxing work along the beautiful lanes of Vale of Glamorgen.

• Stirring your children’s imagination with fossil collecting http://bit.ly/9YseFa.

• Visiting the neolithic burial chamber at Tinkinswood http://bit.ly/b8g3yV.

• Visiting Follyfarm (http://www.folly-farm.co.uk/), the kids will love it.

• Having an exhilarating experience on one of the rides at Oakwood Theme Park http://bit.ly/9asb9h.

• VisitingTenby which has a variety of beaches, sea side shops, and attractions.

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The Rose awards are accredited by enjoyEngland.com. The award is granted to high quality caravan parks that offers their customers first class holiday homes for hire.

Liskey Hill is the ideal destination for surfing, sunbathing, yachting, walking on the beach, and relaxing, the vital ingredients for a beach lover's holiday. Liskey Hill Holiday Park has the location,the accommodation and now the awards to match.

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With rising fuel and petrol prices and the economy in a flux we thought we’d help you reduce the costs of your caravanning holiday with some thrifty fuel tips.

Escalating fuel prices are a major factor to take into account when planning your holiday budget, although you can’t do anything to change the price, you can take a few easy steps in monitoring your fuel consumption:

·      The biggest guzzler of fuel is the weight your tow car will be pulling so make your caravan lighter by removing any unnecessary items; think about the things you haven’t used for six months and aren’t essential to you or your caravan. We understand in the winter you’ll need to carry more but remember to clear this out when the summer months arrive.

·      The water tank doesn’t need to completely full (unless you’re planning a trip across the Sahara) so just leave enough water to have a quick cup of tea when you arrive at your campsite.  

·      Tyre pressure can also consume a lot of fuel so make sure your tyres are compliant with the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

·      Accelerate gently and drive smoothly; the most economical speed to drive is between 55-60 mph - anything over this amount will result in unnecessary fuel loss.

·      Do you really need the air conditioning on? This can up fuel consumption as much as 10%!

·      Fill up at night, you get slightly more fuel for your money.

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Depending on how much room you will need, there are three different types of caravan awning you can choose from:

·      The most popular type of awning is the porch awning - this provides a big enough space outside of your caravan for taking off muddy wellies (and saving your carpet) or for sitting outside and relaxing on a balmy evening.

·      The full awning, which comes in various sizes in terms of depth, will often run the full length of your caravan and can incorporate sleeping compartments and dining areas. Bear in mind that the bigger your awning, the heavier it will be to transport and the longer it will take to erect.

·      The third type is the canopy awning; this can be temporarily or permanently attached to the side of your caravan. Permanent awnings tend to unfurl like a roller blind and have poles attached to fold down and form legs for stability. Fitting a canopy permanently can be a tricky job so it’s worth a chat with your caravan dealer before attempting this yourself. 

Some nifty tips and tricks for your caravan awning can be found at caravan-advice.co.uk and for an in-depth article on the different types caravan awnings we recommend visiting camping and caravanningclub.co.uk.  Some handy tips to keep your awning clean and fresh can be found here.
Awnings are a worthwhile investment, especially if you use your caravan all year round. In the winter months they provide a little bit of extra shelter and in the summer are perfect for inviting guests round - giving them room to stay over if they wish. There are plenty of online retailers selling second-hand caravan awnings so it may be worth searching for a bargain on the Internet - try usedcaravanawnings.com to get you started. Remember, it’s important to shop around and ask experts so you can purchase the awning that suits you, your family and your caravan’s needs.

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What a great start to the season we had at Grondre on Saturday, the club house looked fantastic decked out in red white and green in honour of St David’s Day.  The evening started with kids club fun and games, the younger guests got to know each other whilst enjoying a range of games including musical bumps, go fetch and pass the parcel.  Then once they’d all won some lollypops and had burnt off some energy we moved on to the remainder of the evenings entertainment.  We started with a game of cash bingo which a great number of people took part in meaning the payouts we’re great, £13 for a line and £39 for full house! 

The crowd was then entertained by the sounds of Sweet Soul Sisters who went down a storm, singing classics such as ‘shake your tail feather’ and the blues brothers theme ‘everybody needs somebody’.  The girls also kindly helped us to judge the fancy dress competition and the biggest leek competition which was very difficult to judge as those who we’re taking part had gone to such a tremendous effort!

During the acts interval we held a raffle for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, with vouchers for days out and boxes of chocolates seeming to be the most popular prizes on offer!  In addition to the funds raised from face painting during the day we raised a total of £49.50 for helping Haiti which is great so many thanks to everyone who brought a ticket.

We then handed out the platters of baguettes, sausage rolls and parties and the with all the formalities out the way the act performed their second slot of the night and everyone got on with the serious business of dancing the night away and having fun.  The atmosphere was brilliant and everyone who attended had a great night with a few sore heads to show for it the next day!

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Cross Park welcomed in the 2010 season with our opening season party on sat 27^th February.

The day started off with a children’s craft hour in Tommy’s bar where Natasha had all the children making paper daffodils which incorporated a drinking straw so that they could proudly enjoy a St David’s Day drink from their own little craft item.

Next up was an afternoon of fantastic rugby with the 6 nations of Italy v Scotland and England v Ireland (the less said about the game on Friday evening the better (Wales v France).

We then enjoyed an hour of children’s fun, games and mayhem put on by the parks up and coming disc jockey D.J Baggy who kept all the children busy until we had our first lively bingo session of the season.

Our now fully open New Kitchen and staff supplied the ample culinary delights which kept some of the guests coming back for more(any one who asked for 3 Oggies got an oi oi oi back) these are welsh pasties and proved very popular with our guests.

Then it was on to an evening full of dancing and enjoyment with Fab Duo Impact providing live music a competition was held for the boys with the best leak and the girls with the nicest welsh doll and all the children wore the traditional welsh costumes for the evening, the evening then rounded off with a disco until late.

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Having been at Woodland for a season, I thought it would be nice to reminisce over some of the events that we have, had over the past 12 months.  I hope you’ve had as much fun as I have. For those of you who are new owners or who are Considering Purchasing a Holiday home, with in the Vale Holiday Parks Group, I hope you will participate in some of the up and coming events, either as a spectator or taking part. 

The month of May saw us having our very own Mixed Darts Tournament, which was sponsored by Vale Holiday Parks.   

We had our very Own casino Night and themed it “Marilyn meets Elvis”.  With music from the King playing all night, it certainly got us in the mood, to gamble the night away.  Play your Cards Right, got us started, with Higher & Lower being bellowed by the Audience to fellow Contestants.  Black Jack and Poker were extremely popular and you men certainly know how to gamble.  However it was all in good fun, Bottles of Bubbly and Boxes of Chocolates where given to those who had the most chips at the end of the night.

We had Themed Children’s hour throughout the summer, Back To School, Pirates of the Caribbean and Everybody’s Birthday to name but a few. 

Ladies Golf in August was hilarious, all you ladies dressed up as Old fashioned Golfers, and off to  Heatherton you went, you had your fun,(I think you drank more on the green, then you did potting the Balls) and then it was back the club for a 2 course slap up meal.  We had a lovely presentation in the evening, for everyone that took part. 

The scheduled Fun day in August was rained off the first time, but that didn’t stop us having fun in the club.  The FREE BBQ was soon underway and the kids where kept entertained indoors. 

September saw us celebrate our 10^th Anniversary, with a very glitzy and glamorous evening.  And the Fun day had been scheduled for this weekend too; it really was a fun filled weekend for all the family to enjoy.

Our Charity weekend in September went down a storm, with so many of you digging deep for Cancer Research.  Kevin and I did a Carwash over 2 days and boy did we ache.  The cars funnily enough looked like patch work quilts, after we had cleaned them, but none of you seemed to notice or complained!   Our Staff auction went down a treat, with you all bidding for us to do a good deed for the highest bidder.    

Our Annual October “Stars in there Eyes” competition saw some amazing solo and group Acts, from Adult and Children.  You really are setting the benchmark.  Hopefully 2010 will be bigger and better. 

October also sees you ladies battling it out, on the Ockey for the “Joan Vaughan Memorial Cup”.

October also saw the end of season party which was themed Halloween, and we had a scream!! Your costume’s where unbelievable. I had a frightful time with the children’s Fun and Games; we really know how to party here at Woodland Vale.

Our Christmas Party in the December saw more fun and games, and even Father Christmas popped in to hand out gifts to all the children and pose for photographs, before flying off. 
 

It really has been, a truly remarkable 2009 season here at woodland Vale, and I do believe 2010 will be bigger and better, with more and more of you getting involved and enjoying the events and entertainment.  If you are interested in any of the above then please pop in to Reception and see Kerry. 

See you there!!

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