A new breed of holiday park is working hard to rid the caravan experience of its downmarket connotations. This is our second visit to Wooda Farm Park, in the village of Poughill (pronounced “Puffle”) near Bude, Cornwall.

For a combined family group of four adults and six children aged eight to 12, the layout of the site, its diversity and child-friendliness provide a stress-busting country break, while the location, a mile and a half from the west-facing coastline, allows access to some of the most enjoyable beaches England has to offer.

There’s plenty of space to pitch tents but we’re here for the caravans: permanently parked, with full plumbing and electricity. We’ve installed ourselves in two adjacent six-berth caravans, making it easy for the adults to indulge in some after-hours chinwagging – and the odd bottle of wine – while keeping a close eye on our sleeping broods.

The bedrooms are little bigger than the narrow beds themselves, and washroom space is minimal, but this is actually a smart decision, as the bulk of the interior is given over to a living/dining space that can accommodate the whole group at meal times.

The kitchen facilities are basic but up to the task – for our group, errand-runners were on hand to shuttle between the two caravans carrying plates and cutlery. Satellite television and a DVD player are provided, against the spirit of “getting away from it all” but useful when it comes to lie-ins for the grown-ups.

It’s that simple act of throwing open the door that is the core pleasure of the caravan park experience. For urban children reliant on cars and parents to ferry them from place to place, this freedom is intoxicating. Shoes on, breakfast shovelled, they’re off and out, quickly connecting with others on the site.

The designated play area connects by a back lane to a cluster of converted farm buildings that houses bar, restaurant, sports facilities and games rooms with ping pong and pool tables.

For Wooda’s owner and manager, Gary Colwill, and his wife, Helen, the provision of indoor badminton facilities represents the latest stage in a process of development that began in 1975, when his father decided to allow campers on to a working farm that had been in the family for generations.

While rising demand for organic produce and the potential market for biofuels might offer a lifeline to Britain’s beleaguered farmers, tourism has been the economic saviour of the countryside.

Proud of their agricultural heritage, many sites aspire to maintain their farms as going concerns alongside their tourism activities – as did Wooda, until the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2001. The herd was sold off, a decision not taken lightly, with the agreement that it would continue to graze in fields adjacent to the park.

The Colwills maintain a small complement of chickens and goats. For city kids more used to being nuzzled by house cats, being butted by a boss-eyed ungulate in search of a snack was a source of great hilarity.

Off-site, Gooseham Barton Farm, a rambling establishment that was once a pig farm, buried in deep countryside about half-an-hour’s drive from Wooda, has more than 30 horses and a pack of pony girls on duty. Debbie Hamilton and her team were more than able to accommodate our party, while a well-stocked tack room had hats and boots in all sizes.

With nine novices out of 10 riders, the route was necessarily gentle and took us through the beautiful Welcombe and Marsland nature reserve, crossing into Devon at one point. Also on the cards was a day trip to Tintagel, whose cliff-hugging ruins are spectacular. Despite the crowds, the power of the Arthurian legend was undimmed and a great talking point; an out-of-season visit would be something very special.

Wooda Farm Park, one week in a caravan holiday home for up to six people, £200-£735, 01288 352 069, www.wooda.co.uk; Gooseham Barton’s riding rates start at £10 for 30 minutes or £18 an hour for guests, 01288 331 204, www.gooseham-barton.com; Orca Sea Safaris boat trips, Falmouth, 01326 214 928, www.orcaseasafaris.co.uk

Animal magic

FARM-BASED holiday parks include:

Wilksworth Farm Caravan Park at Wimborne, Dorset, with a farmhouse once owned by Henry VIII. Facilities include a short tennis court. Nightly pitch fees £12-£22, 01202 885 467, www.wilksworthfarmcaravan park.co.uk

Studfold Farm near Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire. Well-situated for bird-watching and fishing. Nightly pitch fees from £12, holiday home hire £260-£360 per week, 01423 755 399, www.studfoldfarm.co.uk

Tanner Farm at Marden, Kent. Lots of animals and play areas for children. Nightly pitch fees £4.30-£8.10, plus separate £1.30-£5.50 charge per head, 01622 832 399, www.tannerfarmpark.co.uk

Highclere Farm at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. Free-range chickens supply eggs for the farm shop. Nightly pitch fees £10-£17, 01494 874 505, www.highclerefarmpark.co.uk

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