travel writer

By Tim Saunders

Overcoming fear is a massive achievement. We do this while at Cofton Holidays, the five-star fifth generation family run holiday park at Dawlish Warren, Devon.

There’s a high ropes course at eight metres above the ground in 16 sections and it’s a bit scary to the uninitiated.

“Will we all make it?” I question quietly to myself so’s not to frighten anyone, double and triple checking my safety harness.

My wife Caroline is scared out of her wits and I’m not convinced she’s going to actually complete this arduous course. She needs a lot of coaxing which falls to instructor Chris who miraculously is able to get her to focus and tackle the entire 16 sections.

Heidi (13) is at the head of our group as she is a bit of a fearless climber. Then Henry (10) follows, followed by me, trying not to think too much or look down too much and praying at every possible moment that we’ll all survive to tell the tale. Harriett (15) is behind me and Caroline takes up the rear, being the least confident.

At the start we’re given a briefing and fitted with our climbing ropes and helmets. That focuses the mind. It’s interesting to see that the younger you are the more fearless you seem to be; that used to be me. Now as I approach my half a decade on this earth everything becomes more precious and as a result I’m more of a Mr Scaredy Pants. But I can’t let the side down, don’t want Henry thinking his old man’s a nincompoop, well anymore than he already does. Stiff upper lip and all that. The first couple of sections are manageable but it’s when we’re confronted by a single wire rope to walk across with nothing to hold on to that life suddenly gets rather difficult.

Added to which the trolley that moves across the steel wire rope that our harnesses are attached to gets stuck and needs carefully adjusting to move along smoothly. I quickly realise that I cannot leave Henry behind and need to be nearby to help him as I have to go back over the section I’ve just conquered.

Putting your faith in the rope that connects you with the steel wire rope above is something a professional rock climber is used to, but not me and so as I edge out bit by bit, thinking God help me, I suddenly lose my footing and have to control myself and not panic.

“You look like Gru, Dad,” laughs Henry. “You know off the Incredibles, the way your body is going one way and your legs are going in the opposite direction.”

“Thanks son.”

Somehow, I make it to the other side. Meanwhile Caroline and Harriett are moving forward, which is very encouraging to see. They’re not giving up. As a group it takes us the best part of an hour and a half to complete the course but we all do and we all really feel a great achievement. The children get certificates and we all receive a newfound confidence that’s worth its weight in gold.

Oh it does feel great to be back on the ground.

That certainly gives us an appetite. A three course meal in Amelia’s is a very welcome treat. Friendly service and good quality food in an unhurried environment. We all enjoy locally sourced fish and chips, apart from Henry who is not so adventurous and goes for a toasted cheese sandwich with chips. My pint of stout is a good accompaniment. Henry has a Fanta and the girls all go for healthy fruit shakes, which they tell me are very tasty. For desserts, chocolate brownie sundaes are the order of the day. Delicious.

“Can we go to the arcade, Dad, please, now?” urges Henry who has been waiting patiently to visit this gaming haven. The children have been issued with cards that can be charged up with money so that they can simply tap and play. Henry is in paradise. There are so many games to play including basketball and bowling, which Harriett likes, a lollipop machine that issues up to four lollies at a time if you’re lucky and it seems Heidi is. There’s motorcycling and a money game as well as the chance of winning prizes, which Henry does.

A lot of thought has clearly gone into entertaining visitors. The heated indoor pool complete with Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room is excellent. From the moment you walk into the changing rooms with their heated floors and keyless lockers (you just need to remember your code and no need to pay extra), it’s a lovely experience. The large pool is the same 1.2m depth all the way, making it user-friendly for all swimming abilities. A granddad I talk to in the sauna is a repeat visitor and is enjoying a couple of days rest before his son and grandchildren meet him here for more fun and games. There’s also a gym.

The six bed static caravan we stay in is well appointed with its own kitchen, shower room and en-suite. We have a breakfast pack featuring local produce: sausages, bacon and eggs for a delicious full English breakfast. This isn’t any old produce though it’s really good quality, local butcher made sausages that are definitely the best we’ve eaten and luxurious thick cuts of back bacon. Very tasty.

We discover that every Sunday there’s a carvery at the park which has the top five food hygiene food rating. There’s a selection of good quality local meat: beef, pork, gammon with all the trimmings. Caroline and I really enjoy relaxing and not worrying about cooking. It’s such a weight off our minds. Tasty desserts include chocolate brownies, cheesecake and ice cream.

After this big meal we go for a walk and head out of the park to the estuary where we see some wildlife and the train. It’s not a very long route - just over a mile - and it’s pleasing that Henry copes without complaining.

There is evening entertainment but we’re so exhausted at the end of each day we just head back to our van and watch the tele and enjoy doing this as a family.

We have a really memorable time at Cofton and heartily recommend it.

About Cofton

This award winning holiday park was established by George and Alf Jeffery in 1975 and is nestled in 80 acres of South Devon countryside. The park's history began when the brothers purchased Cofton Farm, near Dawlish, Devon, and opened it with just a handful of caravans and camping pitches. In its early years, George and his wife, Valerie, managed the site as a seasonal business, welcoming guests during the summer while continuing to farm through the winter. In 2025 it was named Green SME of the Yearat the Green Awards UK. It also clinched Gold for the Sustainability Pioneer Award and Gold for the Hospitality Award for its on-site eatery, Amelia’s Café, at the Food Drink Devon Awards.

For more information visit: www.coftonholidays.co.uk