Pre-arrival information
Hooray, you’ve made the choice to stay at Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks by Britain’s best beach and we’re so looking forward to welcoming you for your seaside stay. You’ll find lots of information here about how things work getting ready for your break with us, and we’ll start sending you little email reminders a few weeks before you arrive.
- Booking swimming sessions >
- Booking other activities >
- Packing checklist >
- Arriving on Park >
- During your holiday >
- Useful holiday guides >
Swimming pool sessions
You have access to our heated swimming pools included in your holiday, if you are staying between mid-May and mid-September this also includes access to the outdoor pools. There are pools on each Park and you can read more about them in the swimming pools and water sports guide to Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks.
Indoor pools
You can book indoor pools from 24 hours before your chosen swim time up to 15 minutes before the session starts, this makes sure everyone gets a chance to swim. Your first pool booking can be from one hour after your designated holiday check-in time, so if you have a 2pm check-in then the first pool session you can book is at 3pm subject to availability. Each swim slot lasts for 60 minutes.
You can book one of each of these sessions per day at Woolacombe Bay and Twitchen House, so you can swim twice a day if you want!
- Family fun pool session - at your choice of Park including the toddler water play areas, bubble pools and water flumes (indoor pool flumes at Twitchen House only) from 9am to 6pm daily.
- Family swimming session - at the Park you are staying on this quieter session without any water features running is every morning from 8am to 9am, also there's extra evening sessions 6pm to 8pm in school holidays as well as Fridays and Saturdays in term time.
Bookings are not required for the indoor pool at Easewell Farm, you’ll simply be given the door code when you check-in or call into the Park’s reception.
You can book indoor swimming sessions in My Account, and for more information on pool booking and how to cancel a booking you have made please view our FAQs.
Outdoor pools
You do not need to book to use the outdoor pools, simply arrive wearing the Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks wristbands you are given at check-in. Outdoor heated pools are open from 10am to 6pm daily from 18 May to 8 September 2024, weather permitting.
Pre-bookable activities
Activities shown on the website with the “Pre-bookable activity” icon can be booked in advance to make sure you don’t miss out on the things you want to do on holiday. It's many of the best things from adrenaline sports activities, water sports tutition, spa experience and bush craft classes plus exciting additional pool activities and character breakfast with Billy & Betty Beachballs for the kids. You’ll also have a secure booking so you can get straight on and enjoy the fun. If you need to cancel or change a booking you can also do this online.
- Pre-book activities up to 14 days before the session, so that means if you’d like to book an activity for 2pm on a Wednesday then you’ll be able to book exactly two weeks before it's start time. Some activities can only be booked closer to the time such as the indoor pools from 24 hours before (see above) or tennis courts from 12 hours before.
- You can book online in My Account before your holiday, you can also book online during your holiday or go to your Park’s reception but we’re sorry we can’t make activity bookings by phone and we can’t accept cheques for any activity payments.
- Payment for activities with an extra charge must be made when booking the slots to secure them, you can amend or cancel according to the times shown for each activity.
- Free of charge activities can also be booked online, you’ll get the chance to pre-book one session per family of each activity like EXplorers nature activities and additional sessions may be available on Park at reception just before the activity starts if all slots have not already been booked by other guests who have not yet had their first go.
- The first pre-bookable slots available are from an hour after your designated holiday check-in time to give you time to collect your welcome pack, find where you are staying and make your way to the activity meeting point ahead of the start time.
Please ensure you check any restrictions on each activity listing before you book, should you book and not be able to take party in an activity due to any restrictions like height, age or appropriate clothing then you may not be able to take part and won’t get a refund.
We advise you to try to make activity bookings prior to your holiday to save disappointment. Plus to ensure you get the best opportunity to book onto popular activities we recommend booking your holiday as early as possible to get your preferred dates and times, but extra activity slots may become available during your stay so please do keep checking your account.
You can book pre-bookable activities in My Account, and for more information on activity bookings and how to cancel a booking you have made please view our FAQs.
Other activities and facilities
You don’t need to book to use these activities and facilities, simply wear your Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks wristband and you’ll breeze in to:
- Bars, restaurants, takeaways and supermarkets.
- Amusement arcades.
- Indoor and outdoor play areas.
- Other free sports activities that are not pre-bookable like adventure golf and table tennis.
Film showings and tickets for cinemas are available at the Park's reception either at self-service kiosk or from a team member. Typically you'll find the latest blockbuster releases with family-focused films in school holidays and term time weekends, on midweeks in term time it is usually films suitable for pre-school children and adults.
Our Parks are exclusively for the use of our guests during their holiday resident on Park, so we’re sorry but there are no day visitors permitted and we don’t sell passes for our pools, activities or entertainment.
Outside of the English school holidays, the activities and facilities opening times may be reduced which is why these holidays cost less.
What's to eat & drink
Browse the menus, place your order online and pay securely from the comfort of your seat or poolside sun lounger... we'll bring it to you with easy table service. Of course you can go to the bar to place your order to eat in or takeaway too. At Woolacombe Bay and Twitchen House you can also order online from your Holiday Home, as well as electric and super pitches at Twitchen House, for free delivery to where you're staying, just a £10 minimum order applies. Perfect if you fancy breakfast in bed without all the cooking and washing up!
Entertainment
You will receive a guide to the daytime and evening entertainment during your holiday at Woolacombe Bay and Twitchen House in your welcome pack when you check-in. You can also catch live sports from Sky and BT shown in The Easewell Arms sports bar at Easewell Farm.
Outside of the English school holidays, entertainment including the range of acts may be reduced which is why these holidays cost less.
Getting ready for your holiday
You’ll be sent a handy reminder email at 5pm the day before your holiday starts, but you might want to start planning your arrival sooner.
Planning your packing
Before you set off, you’ll want to do some packing so here’s a handy checklist of things to bring:
- Washing-up utensils like cloths, washing-up liquid and tea towels.
- Oven gloves, kitchen roll, kitchen foil or cling film to wrap food or for beach picnics!
- Bathroom towels (included in Platinum, Sapphire, Diamond, all lodges and apartments).
- Pool and beach towels - they are not provided with any holiday.
- Toilet rolls, toiletries, bath mat and hairdryer.
- DVDs - a player is included in all accommodation except Bronze & Silver caravans.
You’re self-catering so you may also want to bring tea, coffee, drinks and condiments with you. There’s also a convenience store with off-licence on each Park open from 8am to 8pm daily (times at Easewell Farm will vary).
If you have little ones, you may wish to bring bed guards, travel cots and highchairs with you or save space in the car by adding these extras in My Account up to the day before you arrive. It’s where you can also add towels if you are staying in Bronze, Silver or Gold caravans, they’re £15 per bale of 4 towels before your arrival day and £20 per bale on Park (subject to availability).
And if you're bringing your own tent, tourer or motorhome to our Parks, then check out our camping checklist and what to take on your family camping holiday in Devon.
However you’re holidaying you’ll probably want to make the most of your time at the coast so read how to prepare for the perfect beach day.
Planning your journey
You already know where we are so probably have a pretty good idea how to get here, but when it comes to the details then take a look at our how to travel to Woolacombe guide plus:
- We will send you a reminder email the evening before your booked arrival date and it’ll have any last minute details about checking-in and anything happening on your stay - please ensure you keep an eye out in your inbox. If we don’t have an email address for you then we won’t be able to send you this information.
- It really helps us keep in touch with you if we have your mobile number, you can check we have the right one in My Account.
- You can enter your car registration from the moment you’ve booked, and you can bring up to 2 cars per accommodation booked and 1 car for Camping & Touring which must fit on your pitch space. Entering your vehicle registration in advance of your arrival day makes check-in faster and smoother for you and all our other guests.
Bringing your pet
As dog owners ourselves, we understand dog owners and part of the reason we live here is that it's great for dogs (or is it part of the reason we have dogs is that Woolacombe is great for them?). Either way you’ll find lots of information about where your dog can go on and off Park including local beaches, pubs, vets and groomers in our comprehensive Woof Guide.
In our dog friendly caravans you’ll find a healthy treat & toy and feeding & water bowls for each dog booked into your accommodation. There’s also a wipe clean dog bed and blanket to go in it. We’ll also provide you with unlimited poo bags and you’re within easy access to footpaths or exercise areas.
You must book in advance pet friendly accommodation if you’re bringing your dog, and if you are staying on Camping & Touring you need to add dogs to your booking. If you arrive with pets and have not booked pet friendly accommodation then we won't be able to let you in and you won't get a refund. It goes without saying to never leave your dog unattended in your accommodation.
Check-in on Park
It is our top priority to make sure your accommodation is sparkly clean and well maintained so please do not arrive at the Park before your arrival time. When you do arrive at the Park we will likely have a member of the team on hand to meet you near the Park entrance for your speedy drive-through check-in, but this works slightly differently on each Park so check the email the day before you arrive for details.
Key collection and check-in times are as follows:
- from 12noon for Camping & Touring pitches
- from 2pm for all lodges and apartments
- from 2pm for Platinum, Sapphire & Diamond
- from 3pm for Gold
- from 4pm for Bronze, Silver & farmhouse
We recommend planning your journey to arrive between your check-in time and 10pm, but if you expect to arrive after 10pm then please contact your Park to make arrangements for check-in when reception is closed. And we're sorry, we really won't be able to give you your keys and welcome pack before your stated check-in time so please don't arrive early.
If you have accommodation with a 3pm or 4pm check-in time, you may be able to upgrade before your arrival day in My Account to a higher level of accommodation to take advantage of earlier key collection… plus you’ll be first in line to use the pools and activities on Park!
Upgrades
You might want to take advantage of extras features and benefits like earlier check-in or decking by upgrading your accommodation. You can do this in My Account up to midnight the day before you arrive. Unfortunately, there are no location moves or upgrades available once you have arrived on Park.
Extra nights
Depending on availability you might be able to add extra nights outside our usual arrival and departure pattern in My Account. Usually they go on sale a few weeks before arrival, are in term time only and you’ll normally be sent an email to let you know, the prices and availability are subject to change.
Extra nights may be available in Silver, Gold, Platinum and Sapphire caravans at Woolacombe Bay and Twitchen House, but not in any Bronze and Diamond caravans, all lodges, all apartments and farmhouse or accommodation at Easewell Farm.
Staying with family and friends, or other special requests
If you have family and friends staying on Park then you can link your bookings in My Account and the Park team will do their best to allocate you next to or near each other. It can’t be guaranteed for a number of operational reasons but the sooner you tell us by linking your bookings then the more likely we are to be able to help.
You might also need to tell us about a special request such as to be in a particular area of the Park or if you have mobility difficulties. If you have not added a special request when you booked then you can do it in My Account up to midnight the day before you arrive, but we would really recommend telling us as soon as you can. The Park team will do their best to fulfil your request but again it cannot be guaranteed.
On your holiday
We’ll keep you updated by email or text message of important things during your stay, so please make sure in My Account we have the correct contact details for you. You don’t need to be opted-in for marketing to receive these updates.
Health and safety
You will be sent a concise safety email once your holiday is ready for check-in, please keep an eye on your inbox. You’ll also get a printed copy of important safety information in your welcome envelope. Reception is open every day and on the outside of your welcome envelope are contact details for your Park, it is also the number to contact us in an emergency 24/7.
Report it, we'll sort it
Before you arrive your accommodation undergoes a multi-point check for cleanliness, inventory and maintenance but in the unlikely event you find anything needing your attention you can report it quickly and easily in My Account - just click on the orange button that will be there after you have checked in. You’ll get email updates on you job, as long as we have your email address, so you know that it’s sorted even if you’re out for the day.
Barbecues
Gas barbecues are provided with all Platinum, Sapphire & Diamond caravans, all lodges, all apartments and farmhouse. Please use following the instructions provided.
Disposable charcoal barbecues can be used on Park but must not be used directly on the ground or underneath caravans (nor on patio furniture/decking in Gold caravans with deck). We do not hire out gas barbecues to guests staying in Bronze, Silver & Gold caravans where they are not included or for guests staying on Camping & Touring. Fire pits and bonfires may not be lit on Park.
Hot tubs
Hot tubs are provided with Diamond caravans, all lodges and farmhouse. You will be given instructions on their use and the lead guest in each party must sign a disclaimer on behalf of the group before using the hot tub.
In order to maintain the highest levels of hygiene, any hot tubs are refilled on the day of arrival and may not be fully warm for comfortable use until the evening of your arrival. Hot tubs will be emptied from 8am on your day of departure and so you should not use them after this time.
Children under the age of 5 should not use hot tubs. If you have booked a pet friendly Diamond caravan please be aware that hot tubs are extremely dangerous for dogs and you should not allow your dog into the area of the hot tub as breathing the chemicals or drinking the water can lead to serious injury or fatality.
Useful holiday guides
You will find more information in our FAQs but you may also want to have a look through our things to do in Devon when you’re in the area or on your way, and handy holiday tips to make the most of your holiday.
