Last weekend we were invited to Park Resorts in Nodes Point on the Isle of Wight to have a little break. Mr Hubby and I have been to the Isle of Wight for a weekend before, so we knew it was a good place for children.
Travel
We travelled by Red Funnel Ferry from Southampton to Cowes, which takes an hour and for a medium-sized car, 2 adults and Baby is was around £90. Baby loved the ferry and couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw people jet skiing beside us. The staff were very friendly and it wasn’t long before Baby was given a colouring book and some crayons by one lovely lady.
Accommodation
We stayed in a gold caravan, which would cost around £500 for three nights over the weekend. Our check in was 1.30pm, however if you book the silver or bronze caravans they have a later check in, which is worth bearing in mind, especially if you have children.
I have never stayed in a caravan/mobile home, so it was going to be a new experience for me. There was a real mix of caravans on the park, some owned and others for holiday makers. Our caravan was quite basic, but had everything you needed. A small but functional kitchen, a combined living room and dining room (with a table to seat 6) and lots of seating in the living room. There was a television and a good number of power sockets. Our caravan had 3 bedrooms, which were compact, but each had a small wardrobe for storage. There was a shower room with a loo and a separate toilet as well.
Food
Although we didn’t try it out, there was a bar/restaurant on site offering meals as reasonable prices. There was also an onsite shop if you preferred to buy supplies and head back to your caravan.
Facilities
Nodes Point has its own swimming pool, playground, launderette, amusements and there is also on site horse riding and sports courts. There is a programme of activities for children and an evening entertainment programme, which we didn’t try as it is not really our thing.
Activities
There is a timetable of various activities in the pool, as well as, outdoor sports; and a kid’s and ‘tots’ programme
Location
Nodes Point is a short walk from St. Helen’s Beach and the stunning Priory Bay. We enjoyed a stroll down the hill from the park on our first day to take in the beautiful scenery (see pictures above).
Our experience
For me, I love aesthetically pleasing accommodation, so it was always going to be a stretch for me to think a caravan was attractive, but that is my own issue and preference. Our caravan was in Trafalgar Heights, the second last from the end, so we were out-of-the-way a little, which suited us with having a 2-year-old, who would be going to bed early. Some of the caravans were right next to the bar or the shop, so in that respect I think we were well situated.
Our first impression was that the interior was quite dated, but it was spacious enough for us. The caravan has a cooker, Microwave and fridge (with freezer compartment). The carpets could have been cleaner as we found some balled up hair.
We hit an issue when we couldn’t turn the heating on, so the bedrooms were quite chilly. We were woken at 4.45am by Baby crying and her monitor was telling us it was 11 degrees. Baby eventually went back to sleep, but for Mr Hubby and I, we were a little too cold to return to slumber. We called the security number and waited for the maintenance man to come round. Unfortunately he couldn’t fix it and so he sent some other people (about an hour later), who couldn’t fix it either. The person that would be able to fix it, we were informed, wouldn’t be in until 12.30pm. At this point we didn’t want to waste anymore of the day and then we were offered an alternative caravan across the park to shower in. So we made our way there and got ready for the day. The safety certificate on the front of the boiler said the last service was November 2013, so what should have been an annual service was long overdue. When I queried this, I was told that it will have been serviced, the paperwork just wasn’t up to date.
We were assured that the boiler had been fixed and the water from the taps was hot. Unfortunately, although now not freezing, the water in the shower was still really cold and unpleasant. This also meant we couldn’t shower Baby for the rest of the stay.
The rest of our stay
Amazon World Wildlife Park
We love zoos and wildlife parks, so decided to go to Amazon World. This is a great day out and your tickets allows you a free 7 day return, which could be useful if you are staying for longer than a weekend. We were so happy to see an awake Red Panda! Mr Hubby loves them and they are literally always asleep and stuck up a tree, but this little fellow was happily wandering around.
The park is not huge, but they do have a great array of animals and their own adventure playground. I would avoid the cafe though, as although it is quite cheap, it is also very basic.
Sandown Pier
The following day we stopped in Sandown and spent some time on the beach and took Baby on the pier. I really hate amusements, but it was worth struggling through the throngs in the amusement arcade to get out onto the pier and take in the incredible view. Baby also loved playing on all the rides.
Shanklin Beach
On Sunday we headed for Shankin beach, which is next to Sandown, where we had spent some time the previous day. Baby is a little obsessed with building sandcastles, so she entertained herself very happily, with a little help from Mr Hubby.
We then headed towards the Needles, stopping in Shanklin at this gorgeous pub for lunch. They had a really talented guy singing and playing guitar in the garden. It was really lovely to eat in the sun, listening to such a talented person. Baby adored dancing to the tunes and playing in the cute little playhouse in the pub garden.
It was then off the see the Needles, ride the great children’s rides and for Baby to insist on walking for 150 steps down and then straight back up again! She is VERY determined.
As a family we would definitely visit the Isle of Wight again, as it is really child friendly. If we were to stay at Park Resorts, I think we would want a little more luxury, and would probably book platinum caravan.
I made a little video of our holiday, I hope you enjoy.
Have you ever stayed in a caravan? Do you like the Isle of Wight?
Disclosure: We were guests of Park Resorts. All words and opinions are my own and are as always honest. 
