Start with layers. A coastal breeze can turn a warm afternoon cool within the hour, so pack at least one lightweight waterproof, a jumper or fleece for evenings, and swimwear for the days that do turn properly warm. Even in July and August, an evening walk along the front is usually cooler than you'd expect, so don't leave the extra layer at home on the assumption you won't need it.
Packing for a coastal caravan holiday is really about planning for a British summer rather than a guaranteed one, so flexibility matters more than any single item on the list.
Start with location. Decide whether you want to fall out of your door and onto a beach, or whether you'd rather have a quieter, greener setting with the coast a short drive away. Both suit a staycation well; it's really about what kind of days you want to have. If you like the idea of an early walk before breakfast and a paddle before lunch, a coastal park earns its keep. If you'd rather cycle quiet lanes or potter around a market town, a park a little further inland can work just as well, especially if the coast is only twenty or thirty minutes off.
Confirm exactly what's included in your stay versus what costs extra. Bedding, towels, a welcome pack, use of the pool or clubhouse, these vary considerably from park to park and even between different unit types on the same park, so it's worth getting a straight answer before you book rather than after you've paid.
Pace is worth planning around too. A multi-generational trip works best when the itinerary has some flexibility built in, a gentle morning walk that suits everyone, followed by an afternoon where younger children can do something more energetic while grandparents have a quieter few hours back at the caravan. Trying to keep every generation doing exactly the same thing for a full week tends to wear thin by day three.
Families with younger children often lean coastal, since a beach gives you a ready-made activity that needs very little planning: buckets, spades and a few hours, and everyone's entertained. Couples or those wanting a slower pace, or a base for cycling and walking rather than swimming, often prefer the countryside or Broads setting, www.tingdeneholidayparks.com where the pace of the holiday matches the pace of the surroundings.