Take these four in order, location, size, facilities, pet policy, and most first-time bookings come together quickly. Our own parks sit across a mix of coastal and quieter countryside settings, so whichever mood you're after for your break, there's usually a fit somewhere in the range.

You can find out more via self-catering holiday parks.

A static caravan is bigger inside than most people expect from the outside. Most units have a separate living area with a sofa and television, a kitchen with a cooker, fridge and the basics you'd find in a small kitchen at home, and two or three bedrooms depending on the size you've booked. It's closer to a small, self-contained holiday cottage than anything resembling camping.

Ask how far the park actually is from the beach or the coast, in minutes rather than vague terms like "nearby". A ten-minute drive and a forty-minute drive are both sometimes described the same way in marketing copy, so it's worth checking a map or asking directly if walking to the coast matters to your plans.

A spontaneous short break is entirely possible with a UK holiday park, you just need to know where the flexibility usually sits.

Space is often the deciding factor for families. A static caravan holiday gives everyone a bit of breathing room, somewhere for the kids to watch television while the adults have a cup of tea in a separate area, which a single hotel room rarely manages without someone being under everyone else's feet.