This is a review of the Blue Dolphin Park on the Yorkshire Coast, around 2 ½ miles from Filey, and I should point out that we stayed in a static caravan on the site, which also has a touring field with electric and basic pitches.

Located at the top of the cliffs of Gristhorpe bay around 2 ½ miles from Filey, and in easy reach, if you have a car, of the North York Moors (45 minutes), Whitby (45 minutes), Scarborough (20 minutes), York (1 hour) and the Eden Camp (25 minutes). Without a car the site is quite remote, and the bus fares are quite expensive (65p for a 10 minute ride from Filey to Blue Dolphin)

East enough just make sure that you take your confirmation and key collect slip with you. Check-in times vary depending on the accommodation booked, and start at 1.30 pm for Gold, 2.30 pm for Silver and 4 pm for Bronze, Four star and Three Star accommodation. As well as the key for the caravan we were handed a map of the site, a sheet with information about sports and swimming activities, and a menu for the restaurant which appeared to be reasonably priced, although we never actually ate out!

We booked a 4 star, but were upgraded by Haven to a Silver, which boasted an additional Microwave, which was the only difference on this site between the 4 star and Silver, apart from the Silver being 2 ft wider.

The master bedroom was a reasonable size, but I couldn’t work out where they would have put the cot had we required one as it states in the handbook that cots are placed in the main bedroom. There were two full length wardrobes, two smaller cupboards, a dressing table, two bedside tables, and an over head storage unit, so again plenty of space to hide away the things you don’t want to see (or don’t want others to see). Then the kid’s room, which had been ordered as a twin room, but actually turned out to be a twin room with an additional bunk. Great, no-one will have to use that nasty sofa bed after all!! (Three bedroom units are available and we have booked one for next year, these have an additional twin room.)

All entertainment on site took place in the aptly named Entertainment complex right in the middle of the park.

Also available on site were, a sports centre with Gym, Solarium and Fun palace (ball ponds and climbing etc for the little ones) Playgrounds, all weather multi sports courts, go-karts (for over 14’s), Convenience store (not badly priced on some things), a doctors surgery, which was not used as there was no onsite doctor at the time we went and hire shop where pushchairs, bed-guards and irons could be hired (again not used so can’t comment on the cost etc), Gift shop selling a variety of Rory (the Tiger), Bradley (the Bear) Greedy (the Scottish Gorilla) and Anxious (the Elephant) merchandise as well as postcards and other goods to take back for friends and family, and a Launderette which took tokens and cost £3 for a normal size launderette machine, £1 for a tumble dryer and £1 for ironing.

In Galaxy the evenings always took the same format, Fun and Games with the “Fun Stars” (children’s leaders) which invariably included trying to get as many parent’s onto the dance floor as possible to join in the actions to the songs, Games and competitions with one of the cuddly characters (Rory, Bradley, Anxious or Greedy), then Character parade, where the aforementioned cuddly character walks round the venue collecting children to have their photos taken (which are then sold at the photo shop at reasonable prices). This is then followed by “Centre Stage” which is different each night and included a Live Show band, 70’s disco night, Circus and Star is born (tonight Rory I’m going to be …..), all capped of with Music Madness, basically a disco/nightclub type of thing, which we never went to but could hear only too well in the caravan.

Even though it rained for 4 of the 7 days that we were there, we were never bored and the kids really enjoyed themselves at the clubs and the other events which were available free of charge. We didn’t really get a chance to do any of the “paying” activities as many were outside, but charges were included in the leaflet received at check in and ranged from £2 per half and hour session (or £8 for 5 sessions) of Learn to swim, £2.50 for Roller Disco and Roller Hockey, £3 for Snorkelling, £3.50 for Under 13’s soccer academy, £4 for Archery, Aqua Jet Racing, Fencing and Wave Rider (Basic Lifesaving, Snorkelling and Body Boarding).All prices per person, which I think are quite reasonable. Other activities are available but on limited dates including Discover Scuba (£8 per person with family discounts available), Professional Soccer Academy (£5 per person per day or £8.50 for two days, if you are there for two days when the academy is there!) and Professional Basketball academy (£4 per person).