Budget Break: 3 Nights at Parkdean Torquay £69
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We’ve just arrived home from a stay at Parkdean resorts in Torquay and I wanted to share a little bit more about our trip. This was a super budget break costing just £69 for three nights in an apartment that could sleep up to six people.
I’ve previously written about one of our budget breaks from last year – a trip to Dawlish over the May bank holiday which cost around £170 which was booked through The Sun’s 9.50 holidays scheme.
Lots of parks are no longer partnering on those Sun Holidays, possibly due to an increase in people staying in the U.K for their holidays due to Covid so they no longer need to fill the parks by offering cheap breaks.
Now it pays to go to direct to some of the U.K’s best known holiday parks to see if you can grab a great deal direct. Out of season and mid-week are always going to be the cheapest options but there are still bargain breaks to be had in school holidays and on weekends too.
3 Nights at Parkdean Torquay £69
After the excitement (and then disappointment – sadly a close family member tested positive for Covid on Christmas Morning!) of Christmas and New Year, I was itching to have something to look forward to so decided to see if I could find any budget getaways that we wouldn’t have to wait too long for.
In the Parkdean January sale, I was able to book three nights at their Torquay site for just £69. We booked a ‘Totnes’ Apartment as it was the cheapest option although booking a caravan would only have been around £20 more. I did dither over upgrading to a caravan but decided against spending any more money.
Torquay is only an hour from where we live so I liked the idea of not having to travel too far but still feeling like we were having a mini-break.
After doing a bit more research I found that the apartments we’d booked had some terrible reviews both online and in some of the budget holiday groups I’m in on Facebook.
So, by the time our break rolled around I was feeling pretty apprehensive about what we would be walking into.
However, we were actually very pleasantly surprised. For reference, we stayed in apartment 102.
The ‘Totnes’ apartment was really lovely. Spacious, clean and more modern than I was expecting thanks to lots of reviews which stated that the apartments are very dated.
I think for six adults it would be a bit of a squeeze, but for a party or family of four, it’s a great size.
The Bathroom was probably the room that most needed an update, but it was functional and how long do we really spend in there anyway?
While the Totnes Apartments do overlook the car park (rather than ‘Willow’ apartments which overlook the play area and the rest of the site) past that there is a road and then a view of lush green fields and rolling hills.
The cost of the break also included bed linen and entertainment/swimming passes. These are often an added extra with the Sun 9.50 holidays so it’s nice to know the price you get when booking is the price you’ll pay!
Here are some things I loved about the Totnes apartment at Parkdean Torquay:
- Bright and clean with plenty of light.
- Nice and warm – the electric heaters worked well.
- A good size freezer (not just a tiny drawer in a fridge) – perfect when you’re on a budget and want to cook.
- Nice views.
- Balcony area – my husband vapes so he was delighted with this.
- Loads of wardrobe and storage space. If you were staying for a week there would be more than enough room to hang clothes and store suitcases.
- Enough space in the double room for a travel cot.
A few things to be aware of: Parkdean Torquay
These aren’t necessarily negatives, just a few things to be aware of when booking a stay at Parkdean Torquay.
Lots of Hills – This site is extremely hilly, so might not be suitable for those with mobility issues.
No Lifts – The apartments don’t have any lifts, so you’ll be going up several flights of stairs if you’re on floor one or two. If you need good access for a buggy or wheelchair request a ground floor room.
Swimming is Limited- Swimming was limited to two pre-booked 45-minute sessions over our three-night stay. As far as I can see this measure was in place pre-covid. I understand that it ensures everyone gets a turn in the pool but may be disappointing if you’re used to holidays with unlimited swimming.
Torquay is 10 Minutes Drive Away – This site is around a 10-minute drive from Torquay and the beach so may not be suitable if you don’t have your own transport.
Quiet Site – Compared to other caravan sites we’ve visited, this is very small and doesn’t have much in the way of extra activities or things to do onsite beyond the pool, arcade and children’s play areas.
Would We Return To Parkdean Torquay?
Yes, absolutely! We loved our budget break and thought it offered really good value. The weather could have been better but that’s what we get for booking a break in March!
We loved the huge play area for our daughter and there is plenty to do nearby.
Tips For Finding
A Budget Break
Are you looking to book a budget break? There are lots of ways to find a cheap getaway in the U.K.
First of all, be sure to check out the following U.K holiday parks. As I mentioned before, midweek is likely to be the cheapest along with going out of season.
Haven offer Hideaway breaks which are cheaper deals that don’t include entertainment or access to swimming pools. If this isn’t something you’ll use then it can be a great way to reduce the cost of your holiday.
Sign to emails from your preferred parks so you know when there is a sale on. There are also plenty of Facebook groups that have info on the best times to book.
Before going away, see if you can order a shopping delivery to the site. This will stop you from having to take food with you while travelling and is usually cheaper than the onsite shop.
Looking to save money on travel? Head over to my Budget Travel & Days Out Hub
