Picture the scene. You are at a beautiful cottage overlooking the stunning Jurassic Coast, the sun is out, and the sausages are laid next to the barbecue ready to be grilled. You nip inside to grab the BBQ tongs, and as your back is turned, a seagull swoops in and snaffles almost an entire packet of raw bangers. Some of the food drops to the floor during the mayhem, and the bird continues to peck away at the meat scraps undeterred.
This was my unlucky fate during a trip to Ladram Bay, a holiday park perched on a cliff edge overlooking the spectacular Devon coast. Such a mistake, dropping litter on the floor that is hastily ravished by birds, could have cost me a £150 fine in Piccadilly Gardens. But thankfully I was on private land in picturesque Devon, not Manchester city centre, and got away from the drama unscathed.
Luxurious Accommodation at Ladram Cottage
We stayed at Ladram Cottage, a luxury bolthole built in the 1800s. The cottage, overlooking the sea, has been recently renovated and features a hot tub, private garden, and sun terrace. Imagine the cottage from The Holiday but with a thatched roof and surrounded by seagulls. It is an absolutely beautiful place to stay, and the three spacious bedrooms were perfect and comfortable for our young family of four.
Activities for Young Children
After a comfortable night's sleep following the long drive down from Manchester, we explored the site on the first day. To our relief, there is absolutely loads on offer for young children. Our two-year-old loved the adventure playground. There is a fun pirate ship, a huge climbing frame for older kids, and a smaller one for toddlers. But the outdoor play area pales in comparison to the star attraction for our daughter - the children's indoor swimming pool. There is a slide that she insisted on going down multiple times, interactive boards, and fountains. The pool feels modern and clean, a step up from your standard Greater Manchester leisure centre.
Dining and Local Exploration
In need of a quick bite to eat for lunch before going out for the afternoon, we went to the on-site shop and bought some Cornish pasties. The small convenience store has lots of fresh local produce and store cupboard staples, and is not too expensive considering the captive market. In the afternoon we visited Sidmouth, a quaint tourist town nearby. We pottered around Connaught Gardens, a sheltered and part-walled garden next to the spectacular red sandstone cliffs, before picking up some cakes at Upper Crust Bakery.
Creative Workshops and Soft Play
After a dip in the pool the next day, I took my daughter to a teddy bear making workshop at the art studio. The staff there were incredibly friendly and helpful, giving my daughter clear instructions to create a huge cake-shaped toy that she chose to name 'Kate'. There are loads of other crafty activities on offer there, including pottery painting for older kids. We then stopped off at the soft play centre so she could let off some steam, while her younger brother rolled around.
Beach Shack and Water Activities
As the sun was shining, we treated our daughter to an ice cream at Beach Shack. It is a really lovely small cafe and shop serving up Marshfield Farm ice cream and other snacks and treats. The shack is at the top of a short slipway to the private beach, and from there the views are absolutely breathtaking. From the Beach Shack you can hire kayaks, paddleboards, and motorboats. This really is the heart of the Jurassic Coast, and there are stunning views of giant rock pools set amongst the jagged cliffs everywhere you look.
Exploring Exmouth and Local Attractions
In the afternoon, our family visited another nearby town - Exmouth. After getting a flat white at beachfront coffee shop Hangtime Cafe, we had a stroll along the beach and watched the kite surfers, then our daughter had another play in a nearby playground. On the way back we visited a National Trust property, A La Ronde, a really cool and quirky 16-sided house built in the 1700s by two female cousins. Before returning to the campsite, we went for a pint at the Masons Arms, a traditional Devon pub in Branscombe. The fourteenth-century pub, with a typical thatched roof, is incredibly cosy and is part of the St Austell brewery chain.
Evening Dining and Entertainment
For our last evening at the resort, we ate our tea at Pebbles Restaurant. The restaurant serves up a variety of hearty classics, such as fish and chips, lasagne, and pies. I opted for the fish and chips, which was fairly standard pub fare, and my daughter ordered the chicken off the children's menu. My partner ordered the fajita board, which was enormous but went down a treat. After that, we went down to the disco to enjoy the onsite family entertainment. The staff are brilliant, and got the kids dancing and laughing away during their show.
Our stay at Ladram Bay was comfortable, fun, and packed with activities - an absolutely perfect way to spend a few days with a young family. It is well worth a visit if you can brave the journey.
Pricing and Accommodation Options
Prices for a stay at Ladram Bay start from £149 for a four-night stay. There is a range of accommodation on offer, from luxury lodges with hot tubs to holiday homes and seaview apartments. There are also fully serviced grass pitches for camping. For families, there are children’s play areas, an arts and crafts studio and arcade, plus adventure playground, outdoor splash zone, Jurassic Adventure Golf, and soft play. There is a large, heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and gym, as well as a range of water activities available such as kayaking and paddleboarding from the private beach. Leisure activities, such as sea scooters, off-road Crazi Bugz, Water Walkerz, and scuba diving, can be booked in advance of a stay.
