A week away with the kids: Tattershall Lakes, Lincolnshire
It’s a caravan, but not as you know it. We checked out the state-of-the-art accommodation and stunning scenery at the lakes.
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We’ve stayed in many caravans – or static homes – over the years. My kids (aged five and eight) love them, and they’re perfectly fine as a base, although when you’re trying to cook when the kids are squeezing past you all the time, the space limitations do wear quite thin.
So I was keen to find out about a new breed of caravan. Called the TriBeCa, it’s been designed by Away Resorts to resemble a New York loft apartment. It sleeps from four to six people, and it looked HUGE in the pictures!
We headed to Tattershall Lakes, set in the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside, to see whether the TriBeCa lived up to expectations.
Plus we were excited to stay at a caravan park that has more to offer than the usual arcade machines.
Tattershall Lakes boasts three vast lakes (and several smaller ones), which play host to a range of activities, including waterskiing, jet-skiing, fishing, wakeboarding and – much to my kids' excitement – an aqua park, with giant inflatables on the lake.
How to get there
By Car: Whether you’re heading from the north or south, take the A1 to Grantham, then turn on to the A52 and follow signs for Sleaford, until you reach the A17 to Boston. Then take the A153 exit towards Sleaford/Horncastle/Skegness. Parking is available onsite by your accommodation.
By public transport: The nearest train station is Metheringham. The no 5 bus to Boston stops at Tattershall town, about 10 minutes walk from the park.
Where to stay
You can’t help but say 'wow' when you see the TriBeCa: in fact, my son asked whether this was all ours.
Modern, stylish, and with plenty of space (a vast open-plan kitchen-living room and a bedroom bigger than my own at home!), we certainly wouldn’t feel cramped here.
Open the (panoramic!) doors on to the green outside, and you feel like you’re king of the castle. And just outside the door is your very own hot tub – bliss!
A welcome pack, including cereals, biscuits, crisps and – on opening the large American-style fridge - milk, bacon and wine (certainly an essential) was a thoughtful gesture.
There were dishwasher tabs too (yes, there is even a dishwasher, thank the holiday gods).
The icing on the cake for me was the standalone bath in our bedroom – complete with TV made to look like a mirror. Amazing. I don’t normally sleep well on holiday, but looking at the kingsize bed, I knew I’d have no problem.
A large wardrobe and plenty of shelves and drawers (and hangers!) meant no need to keep half your clothes in the case to save space. Result.
An ensuite loo and second bathroom with shower was another bonus.
The kids were overjoyed with their room, which was more of a den: two bunkbeds overhead, with one bed underneath, and each with their own TV. And windows to poke their heads through.
So when it poured with rain on the night we arrived, nobody complained that we were stuck inside. We just ordered a Chinese takeaway that delivered straight to our door and enjoyed home-from-home comforts.
What to see and do with the kids
The next morning and, in fact the rest of the week, brought sunshine so we could enjoy the many activities Tattershall Lakes Country Park had to offer.
But there are plenty of indoor options, too, making this a great break whatever the weather. Here are our top picks:
- Making a splash at the aquapark – an hour of fun sliding, climbing and bouncing on an inflatable a course on the lake. We
all donned our wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aids. Although my five-year-old daughter was nervous at first, she was soon climbing and jumping in. My son was in his element running around a giant inflatable hamster wheel and we adults had a laugh playing volleyball on a floating court. - Enjoying the evening entertainment – from singers to shows put on by the entertainment staff to eating toasted marshmallows while watching a family film at the outdoor cinema.
- Getting some exercise at the indoor swimming pool, where my son also got to try aquajets and snorkelling. There is no outdoor pool, although there is a beach area and also a water fountain play zone, where the kids can cool off and have fun.
- Laser tag – where better to hold a laser tag event than in a forest? My son loved dodging behind trees and jumping over logs with his laser tag gun.
- Crafts from making T-rex non-bake cakes to sand art – perfect for my five-year-old who loves getting creative and messy –hats off to the entertainment staff who were always enthusiastic, now matter how early in the morning it was.
- Enjoying breakfast in the sunshine by the lake.
- Visiting the local areas – from Lincoln with its medieval cathedral and lively shopping and eating areas, to the quaint village of Tattershall and its famous redbrick castle, dating back to the 15th century.
- Relaxing in our very own hot tub watching spitfires soar – The Battle of Brotain Memorial FlightVisitors Centre is based at RAF Coningsby nearby, so we often saw these magnificent historic planes flying overhead.
Where to eat
There's a shop on the site, for all your self-catering needs – plus delicious bread and croissants in the morning.
When you want a break from cooking, the Spitfire Bar and Diner caters for all meals and all tastes, including favourites
like pizza, burgers and steak sandwiches, as well as fish and salad options, and freshly made juices.
You can also eat or enjoy a drink on the balcony overlooking the lake at the Propeller Bar.
The Tattershall Park Country Pub is not far to walk to and offers a good choice of menu, and it’s also worth checking out nearby
pubs like the Penny Farthing in Timberland, a must for real ale fans.
Perfect for …
Relaxing – there’s nothing quite like being by a lake and watching the wildlife, from ducks to rabbits, to give you a real sense of calm. And family bonding – I’ve never seen my kids get on so well. Plus they loved the freedom they had to run around the local area, and get around on their skateboards/scooters/bikes.
When to go
We went during the May half term, and enjoyed beautiful weather and lots of activities for the kids. Here are some special events taking place over the coming months:
Rock the Lakes – 7-8th July
Colour festival – 22nd and 29th July
Primo Music Festival weekend – 18-21 August
Cream Pie Fight– 27th August
Vintage and Retro Festival – 8-11 September
Special offer
You can save up to 30% off TriBeCa accommodation in June and July at Tattershall Lakes. Click here for more details.
For more about Tattershall Lakes and other destinations, and a range of accommodation from caravans to glamping, touring and camping, visit Away Resorts website, here.
