It's time to put aside your prejudices of caravan holidays

What’s your idea of a caravan holiday?

When you think caravan holidays, do childhood memories of trying to play cricket on a three-foot-square of grass outside your caravan spring to mind? Or does the idea of communal showers, cooking on a two ring hob and eating off plastic crockery fill you with dread?

Gone are the days of fetching your own water for a shower every morning. Caravan holidays are no longer a faux pas. They are now the perfect way to spend your summer holiday.

Our arrival at Havens Seton Sands Holiday Park in East Lothian was great from the beginning.

We were shown to our Gold Olympic two-bedroom Caravan and were astonished when we got through our French doors.

On entering the caravan you go straight into the kitchen dining area which boasts a full range cooker with separate oven, grill, plate warmer and four ring hob, full size fridge-freezer, dishwasher, microwave and wooden flooring.

There is also a large extendable dining table and four chairs. In the lounge area, some of the features include large bay window, two three-seat sofas, modern gas fire with mantelpiece, TV and DVD player and a ceiling fan (although while in Scotland, you will probably find that you won’t use the fan very often).

As you go through the glass panelled door, you will find a reasonably-sized bedroom with twin beds, one of which can be folded away.

On the opposite side is the “family bathroom” with all new fixtures and fittings including power shower and contemporary radiators.

At the bottom end of the caravan is the master bedroom with a good-sized double bed, ample fitted wardrobes, bed side tables with spotlights and a dressing table.

There is also an en-suite shower room with toilet and basin and similarly up-to-the-minute fixtures and accessories.

Haven is a family-orientated holiday resort and it is shown with all the activities and things to do for the little ones.

The onsite children’s club caters for 1–4 year olds with the ‘Paws’ club which gives toddlers a range of things to do like sticking and gluing, colouring, playing with the many toys or making loud music. The 5–11 year olds club ‘Rory and Bradleys Funtime’ is ideal for energetic youngsters with lots of fun sports, team games and competitions.

For the older ones (12 to16+) the T-Co club is described as a place for teenagers to chill out and make new friends.

Other entertainment on offer is the Amusements and Games Room, Multi-Sports Centre and Indoor Pool. There is also a great deal of fun to be had in the’ Showbar’ from early morning to late at night.

Most mornings start with Character Breakfasts – a chance for the youngsters to have breakfast in the company of their favourite characters then throughout the day, such things as story times, music making sessions and “Make & Do” workshops.

The indoor pool offers a whole host of things to do for young and old alike. For the little ones there is ‘Water Tots’ which help pre-school children gain confidence and ability in the water.

For kids, both big ones and little ones there is ‘Aqua Jets’, Body Boarding, Snorkelling and even ‘Aquacise’.

Character Showtime begins at 7pm and from then on its all go for the rest of the night with talent shows, Discos, Cabarets and even bingo (well, it wouldn’t be a caravan holiday without an obligatory game of bingo!) There is also the Terrace Bar for over 18s.

Onsite facilities include a Minimarket where all the essentials you could every require can be bought and Gift Shop open from 8.30am daily, Hire Shop, Sports Hire Shop, Launderette, Restaurant and a Fun Shop for children.

There is even a fish a chip shop for a quick snack after a night out! Staff are more than happy to serve you fresh fish and chips even at ridiculous hours of the night.

Experience the breathtaking views for the nearby Gullane Beach for where the Firth of Forth can be viewed on a clear afternoon.

Also situated near this beach is a golf course which is open to all, on a pay-to-play basis or travel a little further along the coast and find the Musselburgh golf course – the oldest golf course in the UK.

Seton Sands also offers access to the world famous Roslyn Chapel, which featured in The Da Vinci Code. The Haven site has a small bus interchange which has a bus running all through the night.

Every ten minutes there is a bus to Edinburgh which runs all through the night.

For fun family days out there are many places to visit – all just a bus ride away. Take a look at the local puffins and gannets at the award winning Scottish Seabird centre in North Berwick, if history is your thing then there are many castles and churches.

So put aside your prejudice of caravanning and don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.