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We’re guilty of driving though East Devon many more times than stopping, either on our way to visit family in Hampshire or returning home to South Devon. Thankfully we had a chance to remedy this when we were invited to review the award-winning Andrewshayes Holiday Park, Devon. It’s a family-run and very family-focussed camping and holiday site. Plus it comes with beautiful views across the Blackdown Hills area of outstanding natural beauty.

So, we hitched up Tin Box, roped in Tin Box Nana and Grandad, and set off for a caravan break at Andrewshayes Holiday Park.

Here’s what we loved about our stay at this East Devon holiday park:

7 reasons to stay at Andrewshayes Holiday Park

The location

I’ve already mentioned that Andrewshayes Holiday Park is set in stunning Devon countryside. But it’s also just 15 minutes from England’s wondrous Jurassic Coast. Here you’ll find the beautiful seaside towns of Lyme Regis, Seaton, Beer and Sidmouth.

During our stay we made a trip to Seaton for a walk along the seafront, a pub lunch and a delicious Devon ice cream. There was also a bit of toe dipping action on the sloping shingle shoreline. It would be rude not to on such a glorious day!

Apart from being in a prime location, Andrewhayes Holiday Park is also super easy to find, just off the A35 between Honiton and Axminster.

Read about more things to do in East Devon.

Accommodation options to suit campers to glampers

We brought along our own caravan and used one of this East Devon holiday park’s super pitches. These benefit from their own water supply and waste water disposal right by the pitch.

The Rally Field where we stayed has 25 pitches including super pitches like ours, all-weather hard standing pitches and grass ones. It is a sloping field but the pitches are cut into the hill making them level. We did need to use a block to make our van completely level but our elevated position gave us some great views of the countryside.

It’s worth noting that the Park prefers to tow you onto your pitch, so be ready to help the staff unhook your van when you arrive at reception.

As well as welcoming touring caravan pitches, Andrewshayes Holiday Park has spots for people who leave their caravan all season, nearly 80 mobile holiday homes, a tent field with electrics, and glamping pods.

The two pods are the newest addition to the Park’s accommodation options and I was given a quick peek. They sleep up to four people and come with electricity, a veranda overlooking the Blackdown Hills with picnic bench, a kettle and heater, and a charcoal barbecue. Just add your own camping equipment!

Family-friendly facilities at Andrewshayes Holiday Park

Andrewshayes is most definitely family-friendly with plenty of facilities on site to keep kids entertained.

The covered heated swimming pool is the centre-piece. Our girls loved it so much that we squeezed in two visits during our two night stay. There’s a small, shallow toddler pool and plenty of sun loungers around the edge.

You’ll find only one changing cubicle and shower, so it’s advisable to arrive in your cozzy.

As well as the toasty warm pool, there’s a games room with soft play for kids under six, a large playground and playing field where children can let off steam.

Andrewshayes has two clean, modern shower and toilet blocks with family washrooms and disabled facilities. The block closest to the Rally Field also has a launderette with coin operated washing machines and dryers.

Dining out on site

On the Saturday night we decided to give the barbecue a break and wandered down to Greg’s Bar near reception. This opens Friday and Saturday nights for drinks, take away and eating in during term time. There’s extended hours in the school holidays.

The bar and dining area have recently been renovated and look very trendy. The food is just as good. The menu consists of pub classics and pizza. Between us we ordered three plates of small fish and chips, and a chicken and chorizo pizza from the main menu, and two portions of fish cakes and chips for the girls.

There were sighs of relief that we’d gone for the small portion of fish and chips and Mr Tin Box was delighted with his choice of pizza. The girls’ meals were also good sized portions. We couldn’t fit in dessert!

Dogs are welcome too

We love dog-friendly holidays and Andrewshayes does too.

If you bring your own caravan your dog is welcome to accompany you. They are also allowed in some of the Park’s holiday homes – even a luxury static caravan, which is a new accommodation offer in 2017.

This is a hit with us as having a dog shouldn’t mean you can’t also enjoy the best accommodation available. Particularly when they are as well behaved as Tin Box Dog. PS. We know not everyone’s dog is.

Four-legged friends can be exercised in a dog-walking area next to the Rally Field. There’s also a woodland walk just across the road from the Park entrance.

Lots to do close by

We were spoilt for choice with places to visit in East Devon. In the end we decided something we had to do was ride Seaton Tramway – a heritage tram that runs along the Axe Valley from Colyton to Seaton. During the three mile journey you pass through two nature reserves. The landscape is wonderful.  

Read all about our day on Seaton Tramway.

On the Sunday we popped to the Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth. This charity is a real gem and a free day out! We spent a few hours meeting the long-eared residents and wandering around a car show that coincided with our visit. 

Read about our visit to The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth.

As well as these two great family days out close to Andrewshayes Holiday Park, I can recommend the World of Country Life and Wildwood Escot.

If you’d like to look further afield then here’s 55 Devon days out to choose from. The Park also has plenty of information on things to do in the area in its information room by reception.

Local events

Devon hosts some brilliant events throughout the year and there were a few during our stay at Andrewshayes . I’ve already mentioned the car show at the Donkey Sanctuary, which was a real hit with Mr TB and TB Grandad, but we also saw the Seaton heritage cycle ride during Seaton Cycle Fest.

Andrewshayes has some holiday discounts on offer to coincide with events and open days. Check out the website for the latest events and deals.

Our Andrewshayes Holiday Park review

We had a lovely stay at Andrewshayes and felt it was a great holiday park for families. The onsite facilities and multitude of things to do in the area make it a perfect spot for a holiday with children. The views, fab food in the swish bar and warm welcome for dogs are the icing on the cake.

What makes a holiday park family friendly for you? And have you got any recommendations for places we should see on the Devon-Dorset border next time we’re in the area?

More Devon holiday parks

If you’re looking for more Devon caravan and camping sites check out these reviews:

• Crealy Meadows near Exeter in East Devon
• Manor Farm Caravan Site in Seaton, East Devon
• Ross Park Caravan Park near Newton Abbot in South Devon
• Woodovis Park campsite near Tavistock on Dartmoor in Devon
• Welcombe X near Hartland in North Devon
• Glamping at Oakdown Holiday Park near Sidmouth in East Devon

Disclosure: we were invited guests of Andrewshayes Holiday Park, Devon. All views are my own and those of my family.

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