DOOR to door, our house is just under 40 miles from Haven's flagship Primrose Valley Holiday Park, so it felt slightly odd planning a trip away so close to home.

However, the major advantage of holidaying 'up the road' was that we didn't have to contend with a lengthy car journey and a backseat chorus of 'are we nearly there yet?' In fact we could have abandoned the car altogether and gone by bus, had we been so inclined, making it an easy choice for parents in York who don't drive.

The popular cliff top park near Filey attracts scores of families from the York area, with many choosing to go one step further and buy their own caravan on site.

We set off early to make the most of our two-night break and had a walk and picnic at nearby Flamborough Head before arriving at Primrose Valley for an early afternoon check-in.

Our home for the weekend was in Puffin 13, a brand new caravan on the recently-launched Sea Birds development where the manager told me plots are being snapped up rapidly. It was easy to understand why when we reached the pretty, landscaped area on the edge of the park, which follows a £2million investment and is set apart from the bustling centre where many of the activities and food outlets are based.

Sea Birds offered a surprising sense of space and tranquility, which I don't usually expect from holiday parks, with the caravans separated by wide grassy verges, affording an element of privacy and an area where the children could play safely.

And we were close enough to the perimeter to be able to enjoy that much-prized sea view.

Inside, Puffin 13 had an open plan dining and living area with French doors leading out onto a decked area, with that sea view. The kitchen was well equipped and designed to maximise space, and there were three bedrooms - one double and two twin - with a bathroom and shower, and a second WC. It was attractive and comfortable, with everything we needed.

The biggest appeal of Sea Birds was its proximity to the beach - we were just a stone's throw from one of the site's two private pathways down to the sand and sea below.

Armed with buckets and spades, we agreed it was the obvious destination on our first and only full day there. The soft, expanse of sand was beautifully clean and it was remarkably quiet for such a stunning setting. My sons happily built forts, then paddled in the water as we ambled along to Filey, where we appeased our growing appetites with fish and chips before a walk along the immaculately-clean front and a potter among the shops and tearooms.

With our mind on the tide times, we caught a bus from the town centre, which delivered us right back into the centre of the park.

Buses also went from Primrose Valley to Scarborough and Bridlington, a major bonus for car-free families.

Back on site there is enough entertainment to keep you busy for hours.

There is a varied choice of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages, centred around two entertainment complexes, each offering swimming pools.

One has both indoor and outdoor heated pools, with a flume, and is by a lake where you can go fishing and boating; the other, newer pool is closer to the beach, with slides and water features. We swam here every day and it didn't lose its appeal. Parents of little ones should be aware of the giant bucket high above the shallow pool which fills up and then tips its load with a force strong enough to knock unsuspecting children over.

It's also worth noting that to reach and leave the pool you have to go through an arcade, so be prepared for your kids' heartfelt pleas. Mine got through several pounds from their pocket money on the 2pence slot machines.

There are play parks dotted around the site, which is large enough to justify hiring one of the pedal karts on offer to get around. There's a fun fair, climbing wall, crazy golf, tennis and a timetable of day and evening entertainment, including live shows and bingo, if that appeals.

Other family activities include archery, kayaking, an aerial adventure and pottery. While the pools are free, however, there is a fee for most other activities.

There was certainly plenty of choice if you didn't want to cook with food offerings including pizza and burger outlets, fish and chips, a Starbucks and a mini market for forgotten essentials.

We enjoyed a drink in the Barrel and Mash restaurant and bar which was bustling with the chatter of other families dining out but then made the most of our Sea Birds setting and opted for the quiet life with a relaxed barbecue and sea view.

Nadia Jefferson-Brown was a guest of Haven Holidays where September breaks for a family of four start from £144.

For details about a Primrose Valley break, or to book visit www.haven.com or call 0333 202 5250.