So for our first trip away from home for a consecutive number of days we headed to Run Cottage Touring Park in Suffolk, another in the Tranquil Parks portfolio of Adult Only caravan sites. Approximately two and half hours from our caravan storage facility it gave us a great opportunity to test the tow car properly and new axle on the caravan over a reasonable distance.
Fully Serviced vs EHU Pitches
Run Cottage offers fully serviced pitches in its second field and EHU (electrical hook up only) pitches in its first field. On this trip, we opted for an EHU pitch, which meant we had to refill our water tanks and empty our waste each day. Let me tell you, I'm really glad we made that choice, and I'll explain why a little further down.
It's worth noting that the pitches in the first field at Run Cottage (EHU only) are more spread out compared to the fully serviced pitches in the second field, so keep that in mind when making your booking.
Welcome
When we arrived we were greeted with a welcoming smile and directed to our pitch by Michelle, one of the site owners. She took the time to explain where all of the facilities are and also walked us to our pitch.
First impressions of this site, on sunny day, is that it is immaculately presented and maintained and well worthy of its Caravan Site of the Year awards proudly on display. It is a beautiful site.
EHU Pitch
Our pitch was a spacious and well-maintained hardcore pitch, providing plenty of room for our caravan, awning, and car. It was impeccably clean and tidy, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
Fresh and Grey Waste
Not only was the fresh water tap and grey waste disposal point conveniently located just a short walk from our pitch, but we deliberately chose this option over a fully serviced pitch for this trip.
Besides the cost savings and the more spacious pitches, I personally found the task of refilling our water tanks each morning and emptying our grey waste quite enjoyable. It provided ample opportunities to strike up conversations with fellow guests on the site, as someone would always come over to chat, but it also felt like real-camping.
I must admit, the amazing weather during our trip to Run Cottage definitely made a difference in my overall experience. It's possible that these tasks would have been a bit more challenging in the rain, but I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed them.
Local Wildlife
Let's not forget about the amazing wildlife at Run Cottage! The first field boasts its own natural lake, which may be small but is beautifully maintained. You'll often see a lone wild swan and some ducks enjoying their home there. And don't be surprised if the friendly swan pays a visit to your caravan each morning in search of some nearby food.
Oh, and I can't leave out Lola! She's one of the site owners' two adorable dogs. This sweet old girl loves to wander around the site, always on the lookout for some attention, cuddles, and maybe even a treat or two!
Wi-Fi / Sat TV
For a small fee, you can enjoy the convenience of a satellite hook-up and satellite TV box provided by the site. This is especially useful if you're staying for a longer period of time, as the local TV signal is not be very strong. We didn't use this service, but it's definitely worth considering due to its reasonable price.
Additionally, Run Cottage provides Wi-Fi for a small fee. However, we didn't need to use this service as we brought along our own 4G Wifi Router, which made it incredibly easy to stream TV shows and connect our devices.
Showers and WC Review
The showers and toilet block in the first field at Run Cottage is immaculate, so I can only assume the same for the second field block. I mostly used the unisex ones, during our stay, of which there are two, as these provide a toilet, shower and changing area in one cubicle, which I prefer.
Now here's a little detail which might not be important to some but was noticeable at Run Cottage, the site owners provide very high-quality, cushioned toilet rolls, which may seem like a tiny, ridiculous detail but it is indicative of the quality and attention paid to detail overall at this site. So, thank you!
Washing Up and Laundry Room
Although we didn't personally make use of these amenities during our stay at Run Cottage, it's worth mentioning that guests have access to a freezer for storing food, as well as a washing machine and tumble dryer, in addition to the washing up facilities. So, if you find yourself in need of these conveniences, you'll be well taken care of at this lovely site.
Nearby Pub, Post Office and Shop
We didn't get a chance to visit the pub as it had limited opening hours, but we noticed that it was quite popular when it was open. The pub is just a short walk up the road from the caravan site and from what we heard, they offer a great selection of food. Additionally, there is a nearby Morrisons Local and Post Office, which came in handy for us as we had arranged for an Amazon Prime parcel to be delivered and collected at the Post Office during our stay at Run Cottage Touring Park.
Aldeburgh, Sizewell and Shingle Street
We had an absolutely amazing time exploring the nearby attractions from Run Cottage. We took day trips by car to the charming seaside town of Aldeburgh, where we indulged in some delicious fish and chips and mouthwatering ice cream. The town has a traditional feel to it and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
We also had a fantastic time relaxing at Shingle Street, a local beach with a safe swimming area for adults, children, and even our furry friends. It was the perfect spot to unwind and soak up the sun.
Unfortunately, due to the unexpected delay caused by the axle failure on the caravan, we were unable to visit our friends in Felixstowe, which is just a short distance away. They had already left for Greece by the time we were able to continue our trip. We also had plans to visit Jimmy's Farm, but unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to fit it into our schedule.
Mosquitos
Anyone who knows me well know I always suffer with mosquito bites when I travel. And due to being in a grass field with a nearby lake we had fortunately packed our travel mosquito killer and Jungle Formula which I now rarely travel without.
New Equipment for this trip
For those who have recently purchased a new caravan, it's no secret that there are numerous items to consider before feeling fully prepared for your travels. As this was only our third caravan trip, we took advantage of this opportunity to acquire the additional essentials we needed, such as;
We will provide separate reviews on these items as we continue to use them, but our initial impressions are highly positive.
In Summary
We had an amazing time at Run Cottage Touring Park and it was hard to say goodbye. We would definitely love to come back in the future, but keep in mind that booking in advance is necessary due to the high demand.
Read our Review on Trip Advisor for more.