We discover if Cofton Holidays is as good as it sounds for a break with children
Name
Cofton Holiday Park/Cofton Holidays
Where is it?
Cofton is at Starcross near Dawlish in south east Devon, 20 minutes from the M5 and Exeter.
What is it?
It’s a five-star holiday park. The 80-acre site is family-run and has won multiple awards and we are very impressed, it’s one of the nicest holiday parks we’ve stayed at.
Is it family friendly?
Yes, very much so, there are lots of facilities for children – indoor and outdoor pools, an arcade and a woodland adventure area.
There are indoor and outdoor play areas for younger children and bookable activities.
It’s a great holiday park for children – our two love it as do we.
Accommodation
There are various options – from camping through to more luxurious options.
Luxury lodges at Coftons
You can take your own tent, caravan or motorhome.
There are static caravans, luxury holiday lodges with hot tubs and holiday cottages and apartments to choose from.
We stay in a static caravan in a great location, next to the centre where reception, the pools and restaurants are based.
Our static caravan
It is warm and cosy with two bedrooms and very comfy beds. The main bedroom has an en-suite, and there’s a separate bathroom with shower.
The double bedroom
The kitchen/diner/lounge is open plan.
The lounge area
It feels modern and clean, very comfortable with everything we need, except maybe a dishwasher!
The kitchen area
Food and drink
Two of the restaurants on site serve from the same good menu.
The Swan pub is on the ground floor and includes an outside patio.
Swan Inn
Amelia’s upstairs is bigger and also includes outdoor seating overlooking the pool. There is a soft play area off this restaurant for under-eights.
Evening meals and Sunday carveries are also served in the Warren Retreat – an area which hosts children’s discos, live cabaret and other entertainment. This area is closed when we visit due to Covid restrictions.
Warren Retreat
There’s also a fish and chip takeaway and a small shop selling essentials including bread and milk.
Facilities
*Swimming pools
There’s a lovely heated indoor swimming pool, which we use nearly every day. It is perfectly warm and a real hit with us all.
It is all one depth, there are splash taps and large, clean changing rooms.
Indoor pool
There’s also a heated outdoor pool, open over the summer, great for warmer days.
Outdoor pool
*Arcade
There is an arcade with lots of games. It also has American pool tables and a mini tenpin bowling alley with four lanes.
*Gym
*Woodland adventure area
At the top of the site and at the base of a forest Is a wooden adventure area complete with zip wire, assault course and climbing nets.
Woodland adventure play area
*Playground
There is an outdoor play area with swings and climbing frames.
*Soft play
There’s a soft play area for younger children (closed when we were there due to Covid restrictions).
*Coarse fishing
Anglers are well catered for here – there are well-stocked fishing lakes and fishing competitons. Assisted fishing is available for adults and children. All fish caught are put back into the water.
Entertainment
There are activities for children in the day – when we stay, youngsters can learn to fish or try pond dipping. At other times there are children’s discos in the evening and other entertainment.
Learning to fish
Nearby
*Beaches
The nearest beach is the Blue Flag beach at Dawlish Warren. It’s a 35-minute walk or a seven-minute drive. There’s a big car park next to it which can get busy and a fun fair. Life guards are on duty during the summer months.
Dawlish Warren
*Dawlish
The town has a river, sea walk, crazy golf and places to eat plus Dawlish Town Beach.
Dawlish
*Haldon Forest Park
This is 3,500 acres of woodland with three walking trails and four cycling rails (bikes can be hired).
We also see a few groups on Segway tours.
*Exeter
Exeter is twenty minutes away, read our review and guide for visiting Exeter with children.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome at Cofton – and are even allowed in the Swan Inn. Plus there are loads of dog walks in the area.
Covid restrictions at Cofton 2020
Coronavirus restrictions were in place for our visit – we find the site to be very clean and the staff are fantastic.
Precautions have been taken – activities and entertainment adapted, pool sessions are an hour and need to be booked and there is an app you can use to order food in the restaurants.
Masks have to be worn by adults in the shop, reception and arcade.
There is hand sanitizer in key places such as at the playgrounds.
All in all, we feel very happy with the arrangements.
Try to book pool sessions, activities and restaurants before you go if possible as they are popular.
*For Cofton’s latest Covid-19 policy, visit here.
For more information on the area surrounding the park and a full review of our holiday read: Delight in Devon on a family holiday to Dawlish with our children.
Cofton Holidays information
Holiday homes start from £165 for a three-night weekend stay, £148 for a four-night mid-week break or £224 for a week.
Wheelchair accessible, dog-friendly and hot tub holiday homes are available.
Cofton also has luxury lodges (new for 2020), dog-friendly cottages and Georgian-style apartments available.
To book: visit coftonholidays.co.uk or call 01626 890111
Address: Cofton Holidays, Starcross, Near Dawlish, South Devon, EX6 8RP
Email: info@coftonholidays.co.uk
Phone: 01626 890111
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(We received a complimentary stay for the purpose of this review, all views are our own).