Holiday parks are often thought of as places for summer escapes. You imagine long days on the beach, children playing in the sunshine and evenings spent at outdoor shows.
Yet our visit to Golden Sands Holiday Park showed that the fun doesn’t stop when the weather turns cooler.
With its 31 Days of Halloween celebration, Golden Sands proves that holiday parks can be just as exciting in autumn as they are in summer. Families can enjoy a full calendar of activities, themed entertainment and plenty of opportunities to make memories together.
A seaside setting with a spooky twist
Golden Sands sits on the beautiful coastline of Rhyl, where the beach is just a short stroll from the accommodation. It is a popular spot for families in warmer months, but during Halloween the park takes on a whole new look.
From the moment you arrive, you can feel the festive atmosphere. With pumpkins galore, cobwebs, ghosts and skeletons hung up and glowing lights leading the way to the entertainment.
Luke, Liv and the team, known during October as the Boo Crew, bring extra energy to the park with jokes, games and a touch of Halloween magic. The decorations and friendly faces created a space that feels full of excitement rather than fright, ideal for families with younger children.
Family fun for all ages
The strength of the Holiday Park experience lies in its variety. Every day brought something new to try, whether you prefer creative crafts or lively games. We joined several of the Halloween activities, each carefully planned to keep children entertained and parents smiling.
Halloween tie-dye was the perfect way to start. Using colours such as orange, black and purple, the children created spooky designs on T-shirts that they could wear for the rest of the holiday. It was a little messy but lots of fun, and they were thrilled to take home something they had made themselves.
We also joined a plushie-making session, which was a lovely and calm chance for them to create a soft toy to remember the trip by, the Boo Crew were on hand to help with any tricky bits.
The indoor heated pool offered a welcome break after the excitement of the activities. It was warm, clean and safe for little swimmers. Having a pool on site meant we could still enjoy water-fun even when the weather outside was cooler.
Evenings were reserved for the Halloween Jam-BOO-ree, a lively family party with music, dancing and pumpkin displays. It was lovely to see children proudly showing off their costumes while parents joined in the fun.
Children can even become part of the Boo Crew themselves. By taking part in activities throughout their stay, they can collect badges and graduate with a “licence to scare.” It is a brilliant idea that keeps them motivated and gives them something to work towards.
So much more to do
The full Halloween programme at Golden Sands is packed with choice. Alongside the activities we tried, there are sessions such as Potions and Smells, where children can mix their own magical brews, and Franken-SLIME Laboratories for those who love a bit of creative mess. There is also pumpkin painting, pottery, treasure trails and even a silent disco hosted by the park’s own DJ Bones.
Every part of the schedule has been designed to be fun without being too scary. It is Halloween, but in a way that suits everyone, from toddlers to teenagers.
Arrival, facilities and the app
When you check in, you are handed a pack which includes your key, passes and a handy park map. Finding our caravan (despite it being dark when we arrived) was easy as a result. There was plenty of parking outside where we were staying.
It is worth downloading the Away Resorts app before arrival. Once you add your booking reference number, it gives you access to the full schedule of events as part of your stay, allowing you to book swimming and other activities.
There is free Wi-Fi in the main buildings, but if you want Wi-Fi in your caravan you’ll need to choose and pay for a package.
Located near to The Sandpiper is the indoor arcade area, where both kids and adults can play a variety of games with chances to win prizes. There were “win-every-time” machines, plus 2p slot machines. These were nice touches that brought back memories of seaside holidays. As it is indoor, it doesn’t matter what the weather is doing outside; it provides around-the-clock fun.
Dining options
As well as there being plenty to see and do on-site, there are multiple places to dine out if you don’t feel like staying in and cooking.
Whether you fancy a quick bite from the chippy (Catch 22) which was surprisingly great value with a wide variety of food to choose from, or the fabulous Bar Carousel. Though if you prefer a more relaxed sit-down meal in The Sandpiper bar and restaurant, Golden Sands has your taste buds covered. You can order at the bar or use table service by scanning a QR code.
Your caravan (or lodge) stay
We stayed in a six-berth caravan. It had a master bedroom with ensuite toilet, a family bathroom, a room with two singles, and a generous living-room area. There was also a kitchen with oven, hob, microwave, and all the usual cutlery, plates, cups and pans.
Central heating was provided (no need for old-style fan heaters), plus a cosy electric fire in the living room for extra warmth. The caravan included a TV and, as mentioned, Wi-Fi if you pay for it.
There was a small dining area and plenty of seating. Despite the weather not being the best while we were there, the accommodation felt snug rather than gloomy, a proper home-away-from-home. You even the option to rent a highchair (£12) and travel cot (£15) if you’re staying with a baby like us.
Away Resorts offers a range of accommodation types, from classic caravans to luxury lodges (some with hot tubs), chalets and accessible units. No matter what your budget or needs, there tends to be something suitable.
A park for all seasons
Our Halloween visit made it clear that Golden Sands is not just a summer destination. The beachfront location and on-site facilities make it a great option all year round. The park’s restaurants and entertainment venues mean you don’t have to leave the site if you don’t want to, but if you do, the local area offers plenty of options. Rhyl’s promenade and seafront attractions are close by, and a short drive takes you to scenic landscapes and historic spots like Snowdonia and Conwy.
While Halloween brings its own excitement, the team at Golden Sands also run special events in other seasons, from Christmas getaways to spring breaks. There is usually something new to look forward to.
Why it works
What makes Golden Sands stand out is the way it brings together everything families want from a holiday. The park is safe, welcoming and full of entertainment, yet still offers plenty of space to relax. The mix of indoor and outdoor fun means you can enjoy your stay whatever the weather.
Children are kept happily busy, parents can unwind, and everyone returns home with stories to tell. It feels like a proper holiday, even in the middle of autumn.
Plan your visit
The 31 Days of Halloween runs at Golden Sands and other Away Resorts parks until early November each year (dates vary). Prices vary by season and accommodation type, check the Away Resorts site for the current deals here.
