LUXE Serendipity magazine

A Father’s Day to Remember

By Donna Richardson

There’s something quietly magical about the British seaside—the kind of magic that lives in windblown hair, the scent of salt and vinegar, and the soft hum of arcade machines in the background. For many of us, caravan holidays weren’t just trips; they were traditions, stitched into childhood with sandy toes and sticky fingers. Lately, thanks in part to familiar faces like Danny Dyer, that nostalgic charm has been finding its way back into the spotlight. And for our little family, it felt like the perfect moment to rediscover it—not just as a memory, but as something new to share together.

It was our first family holiday in a year. We were excited to spend time together as I have been away a lot for work lately, and my fiancé John has been doing a great job of looking after our daughter Amelia, while juggling a busy career and amateur theatre hobby. To show our appreciation to him, we wanted to make it official that he is a number-one dad, so, as an early Father’s Day treat, we decided to book a family break to Cornwall and chose Perran Sands in Perranporth. Even though it is over five and a half hours’ drive away, this Haven Holiday’s caravan was the perfect choice for some well-deserved dad pampering. If it’s good enough for Stacey Solomon and Jo Swash its good enough for us.

We planned a seaside escape to Cornwall. The journey was a long one, but as the roads narrowed and the sea air crept in through the windows, we began to feel the excitement build. By the time we arrived, we were more than ready to slow down and simply be together.

We arrived with a warm welcome from the friendly staff and a special mascot. We followed the single track into the site and in no time, pulled up to our gold standard caravan. Our daughter was so excited she leapt out of the car and couldn’t wait to explore. We were stunned by its size, and it even had a little balcony overlooking the sea. Park life was going to be very sweet. Inside, we found a modern, fresh, and clean accommodation with a lovely living area and two bedrooms. Our daughter Amelia headed straight to her bedroom and squealed in delight as she unpacked her belongings, creating her very own space for the next four days. There was even an extra bed for her cuddly toys. Our room was great, and John flopped onto the comfy bed, en-suite, exhausted from the drive. I went into the kitchen, which was well stocked with all mod cons and unloaded the groceries into the fridge. I popped the kettle on and smiled; this was to be our lovely home away from home. This was the family break we desperately needed.

Our caravan was waiting for us, perched with a view towards the sea. Amelia dashed inside, delighted to discover her own little room, already imagining it as her space for the next few days. John, tired from the drive, stretched out on the bed with a contented sigh, and I did what felt only right – I put the kettle on.

Soon we were sitting together with cups of tea, looking out across the water. It was such a small moment, but one that felt quietly precious.

We also made some scones and jam and clotted cream- after all, we were in Cornwall, and our balcony was the perfect place to enjoy it.

This, along with some ham sandwiches, would tide us until the evening. We had already spotted a great fish-and-chip shop. John flicked on the rest of the football results as Amelia and I relaxed.

It was such a cosy caravan, and we had everything we needed right there. But after a while of relaxing, we were keen to get ready to go out and explore. Our first stop was the pool, where we had an aqua jet session, which was immense fun. John and Amelia chased each other around the pool, zooming around with their new toys. It was joyful and uplifting, and once we got dressed, we hit the arcades. We spent a good hour on the 2p machines and had a couple of goes at Space Invaders and a new ski video game.

That evening, we wandered down towards the beach. The sky was clear, and the setting sun turned the sand to gold. Amelia busied herself building sandcastles while John and I stood side by side, listening to the steady rhythm of the waves. After the rush of everyday life, the calm felt almost unfamiliar—and very welcome.

We drank in the beauty and peacefulness of the beach. We stopped for a quick pint at the Watering Hole before going back to enjoy the mid-evening entertainment, and our daughter hit the dance floor. We stayed to watch a band and then got an early night. It was a very comfortable night, and in the morning I had a shower in a shower that, for a caravan, was pretty spacious. Then, I made some bacon cobs, and we sat out on the balcony.

The next morning was Father’s Day, so we rustled up some bacon butties. We had booked an archery session, something a little different for us all. John showed Amelia how to hold the bow, guiding her patiently. Each time her arrow found its mark, she turned to him with a proud smile, and I could see just how much the moment meant to them both. Crazy golf too was special father and daughter bonding time.

Later, Amelia and I slipped away to prepare a surprise. At a small build-your-own bear craft session, she carefully made a cuddly bear for her dad, gently placing a soft fabric heart inside before stitching it up.

“So he knows I love him,” she said quietly.

When she gave it to him, his face said everything.

We spent the rest of the day simply enjoying each other’s company – sharing a leisurely meal, laughing over a game of crazy golf, and making the most of the sunshine. There was plenty to do, but it was the time together that mattered most.

Over the following days, we settled into an easy rhythm. Mornings began slowly, often with breakfast and sea views, and the days were filled with small pleasures—swimming, games, and evening walks along the beach. Amelia threw herself into every activity with enthusiasm, while John finally had the chance to relax.

We booked a Father’s Day meal at Surf Bay and sat in a refurbished camper van and enjoyed a traditional roast dinner. It is the perfect location for treating dads, and he even had a nice pint of Atlantic Pale ale to wash it down. We rounded off the meal with an ice cream and then headed out to play some crazy golf. This was a fun experience for the whole family. The sun shone as we completed the nine hole course. We were glad to find that half of it has recently been refurbished, and more work is underway to make it a fantastic course.

We ended the day on a high with a ride on one of the family go-karts around the resort and then Amelia and I headed back to our caravan to get ready for the early evening entertainment, as John got some well-deserved rest.

Our daughter loved the pop quiz and superhero showdown, hit the beat, which included a dancing competition and the disco and then Amelia’s dad arrived and we ordered a Pappa John’s pizza before hitting the arcades.

Later, we found John in the sports bar where he was watching the Grand Prix. This is a great place to take the father of your children for a break – or even your own dad. They can join in activities like quick cricket and football. There’s also a sports bar where they can relax and spend quality time with the family.

During the holiday, we got involved in all the activities on offer,  all available to book on the Haven app. We loved the swimming pool and flume. You can also hire a segway and book into the epic NERF Training camp, which combines basketball and paintballing. There is an outdoor park and plenty of space to let off some steam for little ones, and if you want some time to yourself, there is always the kids’ club to keep your little ones entertained. They can also sign up for arts and crafts, slime workshops and ranger activities. Cornwall is synonymous with surfing too, and you can have some surf sessions at Perranporth surf school and enjoy scenic coastal walks in one of the most stunning places in the UK.

All too soon, it was time to pack up and head home.

As we closed the door behind us, I realised that the trip had given us something more than just a holiday. It had reminded us how important it is to pause, to reconnect, and to make space for one another.

This Father’s Day spent by the sea, with simple moments and shared laughter, is one I know we’ll remember for a long time.