From caravans to castles in North Wales with SIMON CUTLER

THE last time the pretty seaside resort of Towyn, North Wales, featured in my holiday plans was in 1981.

They were the days of turning up in a touring caravan, then having to fetch water in the rain while mum and dad unpacked plastic plates and tins of stewing beef.

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Who knows what my kids would have made of sliding across mud-soaked fields in old flip-flops to queue for a communal toilet.

I let them think this over as we stood at the top of Rhuddlan Castle.

It may not be as famous as its neighbours Conway and Caernarfon but it was built as one of the "iron ring" of fortresses by Edward I in his 13th-Century campaigns against the Welsh.

With its twin-towered gatehouse, it is majestic but now in ruins.

The climb up a new metal stairway led to the top of the castle with fabulous views across the River Clwyd.

After our rather windy trip out, we couldn't wait to get back to the comforts of our eight-berth caravan on the Ty Mawr holiday park, the base for our weekend break.

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Our static, extra-wide, silver-rated caravan had everything you could wish for including spacious, well-decorated living quarters with a gas fire, flat-screen TV and fullyequipped kitchen. We also had a separate toilet and shower room.

The park still caters for touring vans and campers but the facilities have been upgraded beyond all recognition. Along with the shower blocks and electric hook-ups, there are hairdryers for hire, baby changing facilities, a launderette and undercover washingup areas.

You've got to hand it to modern holiday park owners - they know how to keep their customers happy.

For under fives there's Little Sparks, where little ones can play games, paint and dress up, while the five-to-11s - including our energetic daughter Sophie, seven - joined resident characters Sparky, Sparkle and Pipsqueak in creepy crawly trails, quizzes, competitions and games.

If you're a water babe, the indoor pool has a giant chute and plenty of room to practise all your strokes.

And there's a massive outdoor playground with basketball and five-a-side football pitches.

In the main cabaret room, freestyle footballer Ash Randall showed off some amazing tricks while basketball whizz Tom "The Conman" Connors taught us a few things about travelling and dribbling. The on-site Farmhouse Inn serves traditional pub food, plus there's a fish & chip shop and park shop. After a full day of activity, it's nice to relax in the park's two clubs - Coco's, with disco and dancing for the kids, and Sands, where there's cabaret later for adults.

Sophie explores There are plenty of attractions within striking distance and the beach is only a ten-minute walk away.

We had a fab time at Ty Mawr - and I hope not to leave it another 30 years before I visit again.

FactFile

A BRONZE two-bed caravan at Ty Mawr during peak season costs from £359 for a Friday-Monday, three-night break. For more details on prices for pitches and static caravans, above, visit park-resorts.com or call 0843 309 2591.

Rhuddlan Castle: A family ticket (two adults and two children) costs £9.20. See cadwevents.co.uk

For more information on the freestyle football and basketball, go to streetballextreme.co.uk