MY family’s favourite seaside holiday park has just been named best holiday park in AA’s Caravan And Camping Awards, and it’s about to open its very own Wetherspoons to boot.
We visit Great Yarmouth several times a year and Haven Hopton is always the first place I check when I’m booking us somewhere to stay.
We love its location right by the beach and the family-friendly feel, and it turns out we’re not alone – AA inspectors were impressed by its immaculate grounds, top-tier amenities and welcoming atmosphere.
One of the best improvements in recent years has been the expansion of the indoor pool areas, by covering the old outdoor lido and linking it with the existing indoor area – to double the capacity for a year-round splashabout.
My boys loved the flume and the aqua inflatable course.
The soft play was also a winner and Hopton’s a great spot for a wander along the beach, as the caravans are set right by the sand.
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It’s a half-hour bus ride to Great Yarmouth, where you have loads of great attractions, including the hippodrome with its seasonal shows, funfair rides and arcades.
What I really love about Hopton though is its tucked-away village vibe, despite being in between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
It’s off the main road and once you’re there, there’s plenty to keep you occupied if you never venture off-site.
It’s even got its own nine-hole golf course set beside a lake, which is perfect for families introducing youngsters to the sport.
Just by the lane into the site, there’s a ruined church that’s been turned into a community garden, which is great for some peace and quiet away from the holiday park hustle and bustle.
You’ll be walking past a chip shop and an arcade to get there from your caravan, so it would be rude not to have a little go on the slot machines or grab something tasty to eat as you stroll past.
If we’re heading for a seaside resort nearby, it’ll always be Gorleston for us.
We love the wide golden sands, the splash pad and the clifftop playground, and we’ve had lovely food at the Pier Hotel and enjoyed open-air music at the bandstand overlooking the beach.
Our latest find is the beach huts at one end of the promenade, which are a perfect base for a day by the sea.
They are great all year round, a place to keep cosy by the coast in the winter and for a seat in the shade with a bit of sea breeze in the summer.
One place on our must-visit list this year is Pleasurewood Hills, which is about 15 minutes away from Hopton.
It’s come under new ownership and has four extra rides opening this season.
Locals could get into the theme park for a tenner over the Easter weekend, but if you’re quick, you can convert Tesco Clubcard points into vouchers for entry before the park leaves the Clubcard scheme later this month.
The vouchers will be valid until October 22, so you can use them over the summer if you’re heading to the coast.
I think we’ve stayed in all the big caravan parks around Great Yarmouth now and Hopton is one that we’ll return to time and again.
Although we’ve enjoyed Haven holidays at Caister, Wild Duck and Seashore and they all have their own highlights, Hopton is hands-down our favourite.
If you’re looking for somewhere for May halfterm, you can actually stay there for less than the other three sister sites at the moment, with a midweek caravan at Hopton starting at £339, compared to £355 at Caister and Wild Duck and £479 at Seashore.
My top tip would be to go at the end of the season – we stayed there for Bonfire Night one year and we got two different light displays.
Haven put on a laser show and then we could also see the excellent fireworks being set off at the renowned Potters resort next door. It felt really festive.
And if you make Hopton your holiday hotspot this year, you’ll be able to grab a bite to eat at the new Wetherspoons that’s opening this spring.
The White Clover will be the one of nine boozers from the pub chain now open on Haven sites.