Shropshire doesn’t readily spring to mind when looking for a family-friendly beach holiday with watersport options.
But that perception is changing thanks to Love2Stay, a glamping and touring resort on the edge of the old market town of Shrewsbury. 
The man-made beach is as golden as any in Cornwall, and is just as good for castle building. It comes with a landscaped paddling pool, too, that has sprinklers and a waterfall and is heated from April to November.
Holidaymakers can also make a splash in Love2Stay’s chemical-free swimming pool, created within a natural pond. 
As someone who spends about 20 minutes slowly getting into a heated indoor pool, there was no chance of me taking the plunge, especially in March.
But there were plenty of others who were brave enough. And they could warm up in the communal hottubs afterwards.

The pool is surrounded by a decking area with lots of space to lounge about in comfort, whether cold-water swimming or just enjoying a cake and drink from the nearby coffee shop.
There’s also a fire pit (which we used to toast marshmallows – available from reception). The area has the feel of a high-end spa and is a lovely spot to relax.
As for the watersports I mentioned, guests can book kayaking and paddleboarding lessons on Love2Stay’s lake.
My two kids, aged 11 and 15, tried paddleboarding for the first time and loved it. Selfishly, they refused to fall off, even though I was primed and ready to capture the moment for the full 45 minutes. 
There are plenty of other year-round on-site activities for the family, including archery, movies in a cinema tent, a magnificent natural adventure playground with sensory walk, and pot planting, clay modelling and stone painting at the forest school. 
Bigger kids and adults alike can put themselves to the test on the ‘bootcamp’ assault course.

There are also spa treatments, a gym (with classes) and a trim trail for those aiming to look and feel good, and an agility course for dogs, complete with seesaws, weaving poles and jumping hoops.
One evening my lad and I joined a kickabout on the football field, where paid-for sessions with coaches are also organised.
Our family spent three nights in one of the new Severn View lodges, located at the resort’s highest point. We’ve stayed in dozens of similar resorts over the decades but this was possibly the nicest accommodation of them all.
It was super spacious, with an en suite and walk-in dressing room in the double bedroom, and enough space between the beds in the twin room to prevent the kids annoying each other.
Although the River Severn wasn’t far away we couldn’t see it (perhaps when it floods?). Instead, we were treated to 180-degree views of the lush Severn Valley.

The lodge really made the most of these views, whether through the large windows or from its lovely patio, which featured a dining table, a waterproof sofa and a hottub.
The staff we met, whether in reception or the restaurant (where we enjoyed wood-fired pizzas and delicious cooked breakfasts) or at the activities were all incredibly friendly.
On the subject of food, close to the beach, located around another fire pit / seating area, are several huts equipped with sinks and either barbecues or pizza ovens which are available for hire.
We’d planned to see some local attractions during our three-night stay but decided to spend all our time on-site (bar a couple of drives to the shop, chippie and Greggs which were five minutes away).
And that’s credit to a surprising find that, in truth, I’d like to have been able to keep secret!

Travel facts

Love2Stay offers touring pitches for caravaners and a selection of five-star options, including safari-style lodges, and many with hottubs and wood burners. The Severn View lodges sleep six (including sofa bed) and prices start from £175 per night. Prices start from £125 per night for other lodges. Touring prices start from £30 per night. For further details, including prices for activities, visit www.love2stay.co.uk

Days out

• Shrewsbury (10 mins from Love2Stay): Combine a walk along the horseshoe of the River Severn with a visit to the preserved Shrewsbury Prison, built in 1868 and decommissioned in 2013.
• Hawkstone Park (25 mins from Love2Stay): A 100-acre fantasy landscape full of woodland trails, bridges, towers, follies, caves and stunning views that has been inspiring visitors for over 250 years.
• British Ironwork Centre (25 mins from Love2Stay): Britain’s largest collection of decorative metalwork, set in 70 acres, including a gorilla made entirely of spoons and an angel created from surrendered knives.
• Ironbridge Gorge (20 mins from Love2Stay): Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, you can walk over the world’s first iron bridge and visit 10 museums, including Blists Hill Victorian Town.
• Wroxeter Roman City (10 mins from Love2Stay): Remains of the fourth largest Roman town in Britain, including a gigantic a public bathing complex, plus a recreation of a Roman house.

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