Caravans aren't what they used to be. When I was little, my mum and dad had one. It was green, small, had a stretcher for a top bunk and no matter how much my mum cleaned it, it always smelled like there were rabbits nesting in it.

It was as far removed as possible from the one my family and I stayed in at Haven's holiday park, in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset.

A verandah overlooking a lake, three bedrooms, a living flame fireplace, and sofas - yes, sofas! Not an inch of banquette anywhere.

Not surprisingly, this is what is known as the Platinum Exclusive holiday home.

Upwards of £30,000 to buy new, it comes with a flatscreen TV and heating, and it was our home for a three-day break.

I've been to quite a few holiday parks over the years, but it has only been since I became a mum that I have really appreciated how important their facilities are - and I have become quite difficult to please.

Top of the list for my little one at the moment is a good, toddler-friendly pool, and Burnham really pushed the boat out.

As well as a lovely indoor pool, with slides and a waterfall, there is an outdoor pool with steps into a very shallow end and, best of all, a large paddling pool with a dinky slide in the middle.

Another big thumbs-up comes thanks to the barrier, which stretches all the way around both outdoor pools, meaning there's only one small access to and from the water.

Away from the pools there is plenty for the children (and adults) of all ages to do.

Our little one loved the play park and trampolines, but there are also all-weather pitches and tennis courts, mini-golf, football and archery.

And away from sport, there are also plenty of kids' clubs, ranging from swimming and splash sessions, to toddler craft classes and Rory and Bradley's Fun Time for four- to 11-year-olds.

That's Rory The Tiger and Bradley Bear, of course - every holiday park has at least one mascot.

And we particularly liked the fact that the park also has lots of lovely places to walk, thanks to its lakes and grassy open spaces, plus a nature reserve.

New for 2008, we learned, was the Mash and Barrel lounge, which has been updated and remodelled.

It was certainly much more stylish and contemporary than other park clubhouses I had been to, and looked popular, although the day we had lunch there, they only had a limited choice from the full menu available.

One of the best things about the Haven at Burnham, though, is its beachfront position.

A short stroll through the park takes you direct to the sea, seven miles of sand, a pretty little town, plenty of places to buy groceries and even donkey rides.

Burnham also boasts the country's shortest pier, if you've got, literally, a minute to check it out.

From our caravan's lakeside position, it wasn't difficult to realise that this Haven was very popular with coarse fishing enthusiasts and our little one saw fish being caught and maggots being put on hooks, as well as getting to feed the legion of hungry ducks and geese every morning, from the verandah. And when you are 22 months old, that's just about perfect.

The upshot was we had a fab break and even my caravan-phobic husband had to admit our accommodation was pretty darned good - with not a single nesting rabbit in sight!

Burnham is one of the Haven Holiday Parks in the UK. Prices include entertainment and use of the facilities at the park. Touring facilities are also available.

For more details and the latest special offers, see www.haven.com or call 0871 230 231 0868.

After 20 minutes queuing for the Master Blaster, 11-year-old Olivia and I were finally in our two-seater dinghy being launched into oblivion.

It was August Bank Holiday weekend and we were at Butlins Minehead, in Somerset, high above the pool, shooting through a huge flume - and loving it.

Until, that is, we turned a corner and stopped.

Stopped dead in fact.

The water had been turned off and there we were, about 40ft above the pool, in a boat and going nowhere.

We reacted as only we could - we laughed until we cried.

And we were still laughing as a hot and sweaty pool attendant reached us, clutching two hard hats, 10 minutes later to 'rescue' us.

It was to be the start of a truly fab and fun weekend.

The last time I went to Butlins was about 20 years ago, with a friend and her family.

I remember it being a little tacky and the accommodation leaving a lot to be desired.

Thankfully, things have changed.

My extended family and I were in a Silver Plus, self-catering apartment - three bedrooms, one bathroom and a tidy lounge and kitchen, with leather sofas and all mod cons.

It was cosy but roomy and just right for what we needed.

Our only tip - get a trolley fast when you arrive. They are like gold dust and it's a bit of schlepp from the car park to the apartments with all your luggage.

As soon as you reach the resort, all your senses are assaulted.

There is so much going on and thankfully (due to the terrible summer we're having), much of it happens beneath the huge, all-weather circus-tent-like pavilion.

Within this monolith of entertain- ment is a show stage, cafes, restaurants and amusements - and even a mini-arcade of shops, featuring a supermarket, photo shop and toy and gift store.

The first place we headed was the pool complex. There are two pools - one inside and one outdoors.

We visited the indoor pool every day and loved its family changing rooms, large toddler pool, lazy river and wave machine. And of course those wonderful flumes, which include the Space Bowl, which rolls you round and round a giant bowl, before dumping you through a hole into the pool.

Our second favourite part of the park was Bob the Builder Land, a covered collection of slides, rides and shows dedicated to very little people, which our two-year-old (and the six- and seven-year-old) absolutely adored.

We stayed in Minehead for four days but hardly made a dent on the entertainment on offer at Butlins.

As well as a crazy golf course, there are mini-karts, bikes to hire and inflatable castles galore.

Food-wise there is plenty of choice, although most of it is of the fast variety, with fish and chips, Burger King, Pizza Hut, etc.

The supermarket stocks a wide range of food, although it is slightly more expensive than the average you would pay in a big supermarket.

There is also the Sun & Moon pub, which we liked a lot - especially its carvery roast - and everywhere you look there are delicious ice-creams, hot dogs, candy floss and even a chocolate fountain.

Butlins Minehead is on the seafront, so the children had a few happy hours pottering by the shore.

We were also lucky to catch an RNLI raft race and all the celebrations that accompanied it, before returning to the resort for more fun and games at the free funfair.

In the evening, Butlins offers plenty to do and see, although you have to get to the two main show areas early to get a seat.

We saw wrestling shows and cartoon characters and there is also a cinema on site.

The children's entertainment was great and in the main pavilion there are sofas at the front for the little ones to catch all the action and catch it they did.

Our little ones were crushed to leave Butlins - there was still so much to see and do!

We left promising to take them again soon.

For more details of Butlins Minehead, see butlins.com or call 0845 070 4734.