Timing affects cost as much as accommodation type. Travelling outside school holidays and bank holiday weekends, even by a few days either side, tends to bring costs down considerably, simply because you're avoiding the weeks everyone else is trying to book. If your circumstances allow any flexibility on dates, this is worth more than almost any other single budgeting decision.

Start with layers. A coastal caravan holidays breeze can turn a warm afternoon cool within the hour, so pack at least one lightweight waterproof, a jumper or fleece for evenings, and swimwear for the days that do turn properly warm. Even in July and August, an evening walk along the front is usually cooler than you'd expect, so don't leave the extra layer at home on the assumption you won't need it.

Finally, build in some low-key entertainment for the evenings, cards, a board game, or simply making the most of a park's clubhouse if it has one, so the whole group has something easy to do together without anyone having to organise much. Get the accommodation split and the pace right, and a multi-generational break becomes one of the easier family holidays to plan, not one of the harder ones.

If you're bringing a dog, check the pet policy before you book rather than after. Parks vary on which units accept dogs, whether there's a charge, and whether there are walking areas on site. It's a five-minute check that saves a difficult phone call later.

More information is available at Yorkshire coast staycations.

You can find out more via static caravan holiday lets.