There is always a silver lining: How a wet week at a holiday park in Cornwall turned from dire to delightful with a cosy caravan and plenty to do...once the clouds parted

• Despite taking a seaside break in August you can't guarantee a sunny week
• Thankfully there is plenty to enjoy and do in Cornwall once the clouds clear
• Sea Acres run by Parkdean offers cosy caravans and a beach a walk away 

By Chris Greenwood for MailOnline

Published: 03:41 EST, 19 October 2015 | Updated: 09:14 EST, 19 October 2015

Everyone knows the weather in Cornwall can be, well, shall we just say unreliable. But this was ridiculous.

It seemed like an age since we merrily decamped from a sunny South London for the long drive west, only to be met by increasingly inclement weather.

The rain had started with a gentle drizzle and a few nervous jokes, and ended coming at us horizontally with the only noise in the car a sobbing eldest child.

On arrival at Sea Acres run by Parkdean, the clouds were at ground level and visibility was about 50 metres. 

Frankly we could have been anywhere. Oh, and did I mention it was August? 

Hilariously, although my wife may disagree, we were met on arrival by park manager Ray, our very own beam of sunshine. 

He enthused about our new home for the week and was clearly an evangelist for this undeniably beautiful corner of our country and the whole Parkdean experience.

We were staying in a top-of-the-range Poltesco caravan, which thankfully came complete with double glazing, central heating and an electric fire. 

Needless to say all of these things were flung straight into action and the extra-wide three-bedroom property really makes for a cosy stay.

It is a really modern home, complete with everything you could possibly need from a DVD and TV, to heated towel rails and beds made up for your first night.

So what do you get on a Parkdean site that would make you choose it above an ordinary camping destination or a bricks and mortar holiday let?

Well quite a lot at Sea Acres. With tempers frayed it was a godsend to be able to book a table straight away at the onsite restaurant for dinner that night. 

There is a small shop selling essentials, an indoor swimming pool, which is pretty rough and ready, but does the job, mini-golf and even a laundrette.

For children of all ages there are activities every day, led by the ubiquitous Sid the seagull and Lizzie the lizard. Those guys work hard. 

And then in the evening they take the stage in the bar for kids’ shows, followed by bingo and entertainment for the grown-ups.

I was a bit cautious at first, but as every parent knows if the children are happy then everyone is happy. 

And my two lapped up the magic shows, competitions and daily discos. Of course you don’t have to attend any of it. 

But there is little not to like about someone else wearing out the youngsters while you have a drink and a natter.

The Sea Acres park is in an enviable location, literally at the end of the road as Ray gleefully pointed out, on the south east corner of the Lizard Peninsula. 

When the clouds finally lifted and they did intermittently for some glorious weather, we could see this is pirate country, with a rugged and rocky coastline stretching away from you into the distance.

The park is a short walk from Kennack Sands beach, which has everything you could hope for in a Cornish cove - sand, surf, rock pools teaming with life and a handy ice cream shop. 

On our last night, with the warm evening sun shining down and horse riders wandering through to paddle in the shallows, it really made for an idyllic spot.

There is plenty to do a short drive away from Sea Acres and we took full advantage of an unexpectedly sunny morning with a trip to the Seal Sanctuary at Gweek. 

It hosts a band of dedicated and knowledgeable staff who tend to sick and injured seals picked up from around the South West coast. 

We were lucky enough to get a chance to toss a few mackerel to the seals and it is a decent spot to spend a few hours. Do book online to get the best value entry tickets.

For those looking for something with a few more thrills there is the Flambards theme park, which packs a lot of attractions into a relatively small site. 

If rollercoasters, flume rides and stomach-churning indoor slides are your thing, it is probably best to go at the start of your stay so you can take advantage of the free seven day return.

But looking back we enjoyed the simple activities the most. Rock pooling, a walk along the coastal path and a trip to the most southerly café on the British mainland.

Even our sceptical seven-year-old and suspicious toddler were charmed by an adventurous two-mile walk along the coast from Sea Acres to Cadgwith. 

The route is varied and full of interest and rewarded with a fantastic view of the pretty fishing hamlet as you come around into the cove. It is home to the nearest pub too.

And the Polpeor Café on the tip of the Lizard one wet and blustery evening was a treat. 

It serves gigantic portions of good food and you might even spot a seal from your table.

A week on the Lizard places all this on your doorstep and that is the real attraction, because even in Cornwall it can’t rain 24 hours a day in August.