Journey Time: From Preston approx 3 ½ hours

Who Travelled? 3 adults and a 2 year old.

We had a Willow Silver 3 birth caravan, which was fully central heated, bedding included, full kitchen with everything you could need, lovely and comfortable, and very well maintained. Our location was excellent as we were near the entertainment centre, and right next to a children’s play park. 

Overview of the Park. 

Was very well maintained and a HUGE site, spread over 3 different areas. As you approached the site, you went past many other parks, in fact from what I could see Chapel St Leonards / Ingoldmells, was basically a town built around caravan parks!

As you approached Golden Sands, the main Tropicana Bar was on the left, this is where all entertainment takes place. Across from this you had an amusement arcade which was very reasonable with rides from as little as 30p and like most arcades for the games you won tickets that you could then exchange for prizes in the Prize Shop, located in the arcade. You also had bingo, and a lovely small café adjacent. A full breakfast would cost as little as £2.99.

You found the reception to your left for check in as you drove in the entrance by Tropicana plus also the Fun Pool and a Launderette was this side.  The launderette was £4 for a 30 minute wash. 

Driving in looking to the right, you had a row of takeaway outlets in a shopping centre type layout including, chicken, pizza and fish and chips. You also had a gift outlet which again was very reasonable, gifts could be picked up from as little as £1.50, they had everything from fridge magnets to toys and much more!

Next to this was the Spar type shop, now this would go for ANY park, really, get your basics from here but DON’T do a full shop as it will cost. There is an Aldi 20 -25 minutes by car to do a full shop for your stay and as its on a retail type park there is also a B&M. 

Also on this side you had the on site crazy golf course which was a good layout, and not badly priced at all. 

Finally, next to the shopping centre to the right there was a pub, JW’s Bar and Grill, though we never went in, we could see it did do Sunday Carvery as well and looked very good. 

If you did want a change of scenery, if you went out of the park and took a left, about 2 minutes over the road you had the Smugglers Inn, this was a pub with small family area, where there was a pool table, and a small amusement arcade.

Fun Pool – You are asked to book in for a slot which is generally 2 hours. Once inside, there is a lot for all ages, you have a small kiddies pool, and indoor small splash pool area. Plus there are two water slides and the main pool. Lifeguards and first aid also present. Also indoor you have a café which is very reasonable, as well as food and drink, it also sells things like armbands for the little ones and other things they can enjoy. We bought a rubber ring which our 2 year old could sit in for £8. A cup of coffee was just £1.50, with food from £3 for a meal. What was good about this is if you did not want to swim but your younger guests did, they could go off and enjoy, but if you wanted to keep an eye on them you could sit in the café poolside.

Entertainment – The entertainment team are called “Superstars” and do a fantastic job. During the day there may be things going on in the Tropicana, however we visited in the evening, from 7pm, its all for the little ones, with story time with the mascots, party dances with the Superstars, family bingo where you can win merchandise, and games. Then at 9pm, its Cash bingo (you must be over 18), 3 game book is £5, 6 game book is £10, dabbers are £1. Line prize when we were there was around £33, and full house £100. After this, its adult’s entertainment time with some fantastic shows and artists booked in for the rest of the season (see pic)

In Club Tropicana, there is also an indoor soft play area for under 4’s which our little one loved, you do need to wear socks and if you don’t have any, you can purchase from the club’s reception for £1. Then at the rear there is a larger area for 5 years plus. There is also a small Casino in the club too. Though there is plenty of seating and a huge bar, I would envisage in main summer season it would be very busy, so would always recommend getting in early doors to get your seats. Though it was not open during our visit there was an indoor snack bar as well serving bar snacks. However directly outside of the entrance of Tropicana, there is another takeaway (Hungry Hippo) serving burgers and other items, again well priced. 

Getting Around

We did have our car, but if you don’t drive, there is a bus service, with a stop directly outside the park, and the service was very regular, straight into Skegness. They also have the open top bus for the upstairs section which the kids would love. We never did the journey so I am unable to give you the price. If you wanted to go though to say Aldi as mentioned above, it would probably have to be a taxi, and as its around 20-25 mins away.

Skegness itself is around 30 mins in a car, and in the immediate area, there is not really a lot except other caravan parks. However as already mentioned there is plenty to do on site.

Skegness

Well there was so much to do here! Here’s just a few!

• Gibraltar Pont Nature Reserve
• Natureland Seal Sanctuary
• Skegness Aquarium
• Skegness Pier
• Fantasy island Theme Park
• Pleasure Beach

Plus when you arrive in Skegness, if driving there is plenty of parking. We parked in the shopping centre car park Hildreds, its a short stay and max time is 4 hours but its just £3. Parking here, walking through the shopping centre, you will come out in the centre of Skegness. Right in the heart of the shopping. You have all your normal shops here plus some really good gift shops. Take a right to walk down the front. You will see a Skegness clock tower on a roundabout, this is the start of the promenade area and where you will find all the attractions. This has been very well thought out and the whole centre is really clean and welcoming. One of the first things you will see is the Jolly Roger Golf Course on the right as you cross the road, and directly next to this is the Skegness Aquarium. On the left you have the Compass Gardens, walk down towards the front and you come to the Atlantis Adventure golf. my daughter and her partner went on the Atlantis golf course, adults £5.50, Child £4.50, Family ticket £17 (2 adults and 2 children). They really enjoyed it and its also very well thought out.

Right next to it you have a go-kart track (Big Kidz Karting) which is excellent, as well as a Little Kidz area which is an interactive driving school for children.

Collect points and win prizes, find it above Biz Kidz karting. Prices for this are Single cart £9 per session or £10 per session for double. Little Kidz price is £6 per drive time.

Running around the whole thing is a river type activity where you can hire small motorised boat and go around.

On the opposite side you have a boating lake and traditional funfair.

Walking past these towards the beach, there is plenty of bars/restaurants/cafes all good prices including the Golden Fry Chippy, public toilets are also down here but make sure you have 40p as you are charged (except disabled and baby change). We got chips and cheese for £3.50, and drinks such as coffee were under £2.

Once at the front and looking at beach, there is more ice cream parlours, and take outs, as well as plenty of seating area, and the start of the long promenade area, lovely for a stroll, walking down and looking to the left you will see the go-kart, golf and to the right the stunning beach! Once at the other end there is pier, and more things to do including Pleasure Beach, which is a fair with all types of rides big and small, you buy tokens, myself and my daughter went on one ride and it was 6 tokens but that's only £6 as its £1 a token so not too bad, plus there are plenty of kiddies rides such as the toy train and more.

Directly opposite the Pleasure beach you have a huge indoor play area called Captain Kid’s for the little ones, plus more amusements including Ticket World where you play games and win prizes, bingo, Ten Pin Bowling and a casino. There is also a MacDonald directly next to the funfair on the corner as you walk around.

You are then on the main front area of the resort, walk down and you will come to the Pleasure Beach pier, which has some cafes and bars, as well as gift shops, next to this is the famous Log flume which both myself and my daughter when on and got soaked but good fun!!

The last drop is high though!, you then walk and you are back at the main clock tower where you started and all the shops.

I would give Skegness 10 out of 10 for families as there really is something for everyone. As far as Golden Palms we have already said we can’t wait to go back!
 

Typical Price - 24th October – 7 nights – 2 adults and 2 children – Staying in an Ash Standard Caravan 2 bedroom sleeps 6 - £499 – Includes your Entertainment Passes.