If the park has a clubhouse, pool or entertainment programme, these are usually optional rather than something you're expected to take part in every evening. Plenty of guests use a park purely as a comfortable, well-equipped base and spend most of their time out and about along the coast or countryside nearby, coming back only to sleep, cook and relax.

The key decision is how you split everyone across accommodation. Larger static caravans, often three-bedroom units, can comfortably sleep a wider family group under one roof, which suits families who want everyone together for meals and evenings but still want separate bedrooms for a good night's sleep. If the group is bigger still, booking two adjoining or nearby units, one for grandparents and one for the rest of the family, gives everyone their own space to retreat to while keeping you close enough to wander over for a cup of tea or to hand over the children for an hour.

Choosing between a static caravan break and a hotel stay usually comes down to one question: do you want your holiday to feel like your own space, or do you want everything done for you?

Confirm exactly what's included in your stay versus what costs extra. Bedding, towels, a welcome pack, use of the pool or clubhouse, these vary considerably from park to park and even between different unit types on the same park, so it's worth getting a straight answer before you book rather than after you've paid.

Learn more at tingdeneholidayparks.com.

For the caravan itself, most static units come with a cooker, fridge and basic kitchen equipment, but tea towels, washing-up liquid and bin bags are worth throwing in your bag rather than assuming they'll be there. A torch is genuinely useful for evening walks back from the clubhouse, and a few games or a pack of cards cover the odd wet afternoon without anyone reaching for a screen.