We really enjoyed taking our touring caravan to Searles Leisure in Hunstanton, Norfolk. We visited in the height of summer which we had to book way in advance. This was mostly to benefit from a cheaper rate but also so that they weren’t sold out. The price I paid included entertainment passes. You can also stay on-site by renting one of their static caravans.
The holiday park is situated near the beach at Hunstanton in Norfolk. The site has a huge amount of touring pitches and also camping pitches. Accommodation options are lodges, pods, cabins and static caravans.
They also have different price ranges both for pitches and their onsite accommodation. Their onsite accommodation is mostly bookable for 3-night stays or more but you can book for two nights during some of their special event weekends.
Searles Leisure offers both daytime and nighttime entertainment which I will talk about more below. They also have plenty of facilities that are mostly included with your entertainment pass. The site itself has won awards and has been in operation for 83 years. It does not look 83 years old!
The touring site at Searles Leisure – Review of the Caravan Park
I liked the idea of a pitch with a hedge so although it wasn’t one of their biggest pitches this is what I booked. It turns out they actually have a very large variety of hedge-lined pitches and in all honesty, I think it would be in your best interest to ring up to book and request a large pitch with a hedge.
Because although they don’t state it a lot of the larger pitches also have a hedge. It’s really hard to get a feel for their site using the online map. The tourers came first to the site and the site shows that they are given priority.
Our pitch with a hedge
The touring site is also right by the access out of the park to the beach. It is also the only area with an outdoor playground. This was ideal for some caravans as some of the pitches had views of the playground.
There is also a land train stop next to the playground and 3 shower and toilet blocks. We did not use these much but they were adequate when we needed them. Next to the playground, there is a really nice BBQ area. Quite a lot of people used this area while their kids played.
The touring site is just a short walk from the main facilities of Searles and also a sports area with golf etc.
Our pitch had electricity, a waste drain and also a water point. There was a paved area for the caravan and awning and a grass area for our car. Dogs are allowed on site.
Jamie loved that there was a small duck pond in the touring area and made quite a few visits to feed them.
Feeding the ducks at the touring site pond
The Facilities – Outdoor
As mentioned above there is an outdoor playground for children of all ages.
Sidney’s outdoor play area
At the end of the touring site, there is a bar. Plus tennis courts, playing and sports field, bowling green/petanque, fishing lake and a golf course with a golf driving range.
Near the main entertainment building, you will find crazy golf. This is also near to where the first land train stop is.
Crazy golf
Watch out on the train if you go on the first round trip of the day. We hadn’t realised that the first trip was not a full round trip and although we went into Hunstanton itself it did not go any further. The lady who took our money understood our mistake and let us stay on the train for the full round trip at no further cost.
Land train
If you don’t want to go round the touring site etc. you can get on the train on the opposite side of the road from the mini supermarket. Be warned that it might be rather busy by then though. The train then stops 5 times around Hunstanton. Twice in the town and at the seafront green and once at the lighthouse. It’s a nice way to see Hunstanton and decide on what you would like to see or do.
Searles Leisure now also has an outdoor swimming pool. It is a large and heated pool with a water slide.
Hunstanton amusements – they had some WWII vehicles on the green that weekendThe furthest stop for the train is the lighthouse
Searles Leisure is also just a short walk to the beach. We didn’t have time to access the beach from the site.
The Facilities – Indoor
There is an indoor heated pool, indoor heated splash pool and outdoor heated pool with an unheated splash area. Please check the timetable for opening times. The indoor splash area, for example, is not open all day long. Photos are not allowed so I have included a photo from Searle’s website.
Photo courtesy of www.searles.co.uk
As well as the pools in the main entertainment area there is an indoor soft play with an area to colour and do crafts. It is open daily at different times and is free to all guests. Children over 4’9″ are not permitted to use the play area. Although it has had a recent revamp there was a section roped off but there was plenty in there to keep Jamie entertained for an hour.
Sidney’s Indoor Play zone
In the Piazza, there is a bar, a takeaway serving fast food and Chinese meals. Plus table tennis, pool tables, table football and an amusement arcade. There is also a fitness studio and beauty salon.
Amusement arcades at Searles
The Sundowners family bar is the place to be for evening entertainment. More on that below.
Entertainment – Daytime
You just have to visit the Searles Leisure website to be amazed at the choice of daytime entertainment. It is listed by date and time on their website. You will also find posters advertising what’s on soon around the resort. There’s tots messy play, line dancing, Daytime Hartbeeps sessions, wacky science, magic workshop, Cherry’s bake-off and more.
Jamie chose to join in with Cherry’s pizza magic. He created his own pizza with Chef Luigi and was entertained by Magic Craig. His pizza was then cooked and presented to him by Cherry Bear. He loved taking part and especially loved the ice cream that he could decorate with sweets at the end.
Cherry’s Pizza Magic daytime activity
Cherry Bear bringing the kids pizzas
Entertainment – Evening
Family fun time takes place in the family lounge every night. Doors open slightly earlier in the week. If you want a table near the dancefloor make sure you get there early. We queued about 15-20 minutes each night before the doors opened, and just about managed to get a front-line table. We have experienced a LOT of evening entertainment at caravan parks and Searles rates amongst the best.
Sundowners family bar
The evenings started with a disco and then a Hartbeeps session. Jamie used to go to these sessions when he was younger so it was nice to have something familiar for him as he can be shy about joining in. He loved it, especially when they were allowed to twirl ribbons and hold plastic plates and pretend to be a driver. We have never seen Jamie join in with so much before.
Hartbeeps
There was a photo opportunity with one of the characters and then either a show or dance games. Again these are both things Jamie would shy away from but he really got involved with everything.
Meet the characters’ photo opportunities
Evening show by the Searles superstars
They also had family bingo every night. You may remember I won this on our last caravan holiday. I played all three nights and on the last night, I won….yet again! I swear Jamie will think Mummy is always destined to win now. I’m still not completely sure how I managed it yet again.
After the family activities, they have bingo for the serious players and then adult entertainment.
Food options at Searles Leisure Resort
As well as the takeaway in the Piazza there is the lounge bar also in the main entertainment building. This serves lunch and is open all day for drinks. They also provide entertainment here during the high season.
Next to this, you will find Smokey Jo’s Bar and grill. We were in there when Jamie joined in with the lunchtime activity (which I mentioned above). The food was really good and not overpriced. We wished we’d eaten there earlier on as it was so good. If the resort is busy it is a good idea to book in advance. The bar and grill offer meal plans for breakfast and evening meals.
There is also the Fountain sports bar where you can also get meals. Please see their website for opening times.
Opposite the entertainment area, there is a mini supermarket, launderette and a takeaway fish and chip shop. We picked up some food from here on the last night and it was very tasty.
What else did we do during our stay in Hunstanton?
Hunstanton Beach
We drove down to the far end of Hunstanton, parked near the lighthouse, and accessed the beach from there.
There are many places to park and access the beach in HunstantonThe part down by the lighthouse is on a cliff but the access isn’t too steep
It’s an English heritage-owned site approx. 15 minutes drive from Hunstanton. We spent about an hour there and it was a fun castle to explore.
Castle Rising Castle
Playground at Sandringham
We drove to Sandringham (approx. 10 minutes drive from Hunstanton). We were hoping to see a sneak peek of the house but it could not be seen from the car park. There is a free-to-use adventure playground near the main car park. There’s plenty to explore for the kids. Jamie had a great time and even braved the zip wire. There is a charge to park.
Free playground at Sandringham
Rainbow Park Fairground Hunstanton Seafront
This is just a short walk from Searles Leisure, although we did take the car and pay to park opposite. There are plenty of rides to choose from for young and old.
