We are standing at the top of what looks like a ship. We are surrounded by wood, ropes and nets.
The platform we are on is quite high up, and there are beams sticking out with nets between them.
There are people below playing miniature golf. We can see the tops of their heads.
For a moment we stand and take a deep breath, it’s going to take some encouragement to take those first steps.
“Come on in, it’s safe don’t worry,” calls the friendly attendant.
And with a slight leap of faith, hearts in our mouths and placing all our trust into Seal Bay’s staff and engineering skills, my two kids and I step out onto the nets.
Boing! The nets hold, and we are soon bouncing and leaping around over the top of people playing below.
Everyone has huge smiles, it’s excellent exercise and nobody wants to stop when the session is up. We immediately book in for the next day – and the day after that.
The huge nets are part of Seal Bay’s new Dockyard attraction - an indoor play centre that caters for all ages.
The nets are certainly the highlight, as once you are over your fear of heights, they make for great fun, but inside the Dockyard there’s also a huge galleon play ship with lots of nooks and crannies to clamber up and explore, as well as lots of different types of climbing walls, and of course the miniature golf.
Seal Bay in Selsey, West Seussex is run by Cove. It was formally known as Bunn Leisure until Cove changed its name in January 2022 to reflect the local area’s connections to seals.
Since then, the company has ploughed in millions of pounds – and now Seal Bay is fast becoming known as one of the best and most family-friendly holiday parks in the country.
There are literally hundreds of places to stay on the site – ranging from pitching a tent all the way up to luxury seafront private houses, with everything in between.
We have been invited to check out the new activity centre, and have been booked in to stay in one of the site's Platinum Select holiday homes on the new-this-year Hollyhocks site.
These homes are a step up from your standard mobile home, very stylish, and come with all the mod cons a modern family needs to make their stay great. There are two bedrooms, and two bathrooms, with an open-plan kitchen and living room leading out to a terrace.
It's a home away from home.
And there are lots of nice little touches, a welcome pack, top-quality linen and towels, a top-of-the-range TV and most importantly for any family with kids – Wi-Fi that is just for our home.
The Seal Bay site is massive, and one part is next to the pebble beach, which stretches for miles. There’s also a windmill and funfair.
A free bus runs every 20 minutes to take visitors to any part of the site. It’s a slick operation – and incredibly welcome at the end of the day with tired little legs, especially after all our net bouncing.
The Dockyard is inside the White Horse, an entertainment complex which is also home to a bowling alley, soft play, pottery studio, restaurant, theatre and show bar, as well as a great outdoor pool, lido and splash park with slides.
If that’s not enough to keep you occupied, then the Waterfront complex also has a selection of places to eat, soft play, arcades, show bar, crafts studio and a huge indoor swimming centre that has three pools, two flumes and rapids.
The great thing about Seal Bay is that everywhere you go the staff are friendly and attentive. The site is well-maintained, and everything is spotlessly clean.
All the little details have been thought of – and there's so much to do.
My son takes part in a Superhero class put on at the activity centre and loves hanging out with all three Spidermen. My daughter paints some pottery – and it’s sent off to be fired and comes back looking like something we might keep.
No corners are cut at Seal Bay.
There’s an app which shows you what’s going on and when, with daily shows and activities, and even a panto at the weekend. It’s hard to fit everything in, and there’s certainly no need to go anywhere else. Seal Bay has the lot.
We’ve stayed at numerous holiday parks around the country and have to say that Seal Bay is one of our favourites. It’s so well-organised, friendly and clean that it really does put some of the bigger names to shame.
Visit
The Dockyard and Waterfront Complex are also open to day visitors.
Bounce play on the nets costs £8 for holidaymakers or £10 for day visitors. Climbing is £15 for holidaymakers, £18 for day visitors. Swimming for day visitors is only allowed Monday to Friday and costs £8 for adults or £4 child, or is free to holidaymakers.
Three-night breaks start from £199.
Go to cove.co.uk/sealbayresort/seal-bay-resort-experience/the-dockyard/
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