Ceri Garner-Jones discovers a holiday park on the south coast which offers excellent accommodation and facilities in a great part of the country.

There’s something about the south coast of England that makes me want to return time and again.

Whether it’s the gorgeous beaches, picturesque towns or the endless supply of things to do, the Hampshire and Dorset area has always been attractive to me.

And so it was with great excitement that my husband, two-year-old daughter and I recently travelled down to New Milton, Hampshire, for a three-night stay in a top-of-the-range Becton Lodge at Hoburne Naish – a holiday park set around an original 17th century farmhouse.

Part of the family-owned-and-run Hoburne Holiday Parks company, which celebrated its centenary last year, Naish is a beautifully landscaped park with an array of different types of accommodation available from great value chalets, apartments and holiday caravans, through to the Becton Lodges, some even with hot tubs on their decks.

The location of the park certainly didn’t disappoint.

The breathtaking Highcliffe beach, with its impressive views of the Isle of Wight and The Needles, is a short walk via a private path, while Dorset is just a stone’s throw away.

Our lodge, only available with three bedrooms (a double en suite and two twins), was described in the book as ‘sumptuous’. While I’d agree with that, I’d have to say that it’s a whole lot more too.

With hi-spec features such as a glossy, black American-style fridge, co-ordinated kitchen fittings, automated roof windows, a flatscreen television in every room, satellite television, an iPod dock and even an Xbox 360 Kinect, it was impressive to say the least.

We found the lodge incredibly comfortable, clean and spacious, with high chairs and cots available if needed. Additionally we could keep in touch with the outside world using complimentary wireless internet, available via a username and password that we were given when we checked in.

The park itself offers plenty to keep families busy.

There are indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a fitness room and sauna. There is also a soft play area inside, as well as a large adventure play area outside, with a smaller section for younger children. My daughter certainly enjoyed making good use of the swings and slides and didn’t want to leave. Additional activities include a basketball/mini football pitch, tennis court, nature trail, bowling, amusement arcade and pool table.

After all those activities, we were certainly hungry so on one day headed to The Smuggler’s Retreat, set within the main clubhouse area, for a delicious and reasonably priced lunch. The extensive kids' menu ensured that my daughter was happy, while my husband and I enjoyed tasty local sausages with chips. We were interested to learn that Naish has a colourful history and was once a favourite haunt for smugglers (hence the name of the restaurant and bar), who would lug their barrels of contraband up to the farmhouse from the sea’s edge under the cover of darkness.

Of course, it’s not always practical to eat in restaurants all the time, so we were really pleased that our own kitchen was so well equipped. We were able to purchase food and drink in the park’s well-stocked supermarket, ensuring we could eat ‘at home’ and enjoy the Becton Lodge that little bit more.

As well as all the facilities, the park offers a packed entertainments schedule. The Sammy and Tommy Children’s Club ensures there is plenty to do for youngsters, while a nightly entertainments programme – with a variety of different acts – keeps adults entertained.