Parkdean holidays or Haven Devon Cliffs? What do people think?

[Holymoly321]

We need a two week hol next year. Our Ds's will be 3 and 1. We did a Siblu campsite holiday in France last year and enjoyed it, but need to save money this year. The prices for the same two weeks in June in the UK are coming in at almost half of what we spent in France so it's worth the saving. however, we are seriously worried about the 'chav' factor - sorry to sound snobby but we will only get one holiday next year and don't want to spend it with our kids avoiding fights in the pool etc. We would like to be near small cove like beaches - not a big fan of those huge wide expanses. Where should we go? It needs to have an indoor pool incase the weather is horrible - which lets face it is likely!

[Millimat]

Hiya we went to Devon Cliffs last year. Like you, it was to save money, but holiday parks are not my sort of thing!!! I do sound very snobbish, but at the risk of being insulting, it was a bit 'chavvish'.
We stayed in the entry level caravan (is it bronze?)which I can't say was dirty, but there was a definite dog smell about it. I struggled to get to sleep in the living room area for the smell because i was very conscious of it. If you need a travel cot there is very limited space. We got a bedguard instead.
The beach is down a slope where there is a cafe at the top. Its very seaweedy so DD (4) did not like it! We went to other ones instead mainly. The pool was fab and even ds(1) could sit in it as its sloping edges. They loved it. We ate on site a couple of times but did not take advantage of any entertainment so can't comment on that.
There were lovely places in the area, but nothing really within walking distance - the park is at the end of a big housing estate.
Overall the children enjoyed it but for me and DH, 4 nights was enough!! Would not go back but each to their own. HTH x

[mumto2andnomore]

We enjoyed Devon Cliffs but booked a caravan privately, I think you get a better standard then as the owners looked after them better.

[pinkkoala]

hi

i stopped at devon cliffs apr and june 07 with my husband and then 2yr old daughter.

i would not reccomend it as has v steep slope down to the beach and the campsite is set at the top of the cliffs with no fencing around it, must be 100ft drop down cliff face.

the caravan was ok but cud of been beta and we paid for the top caravan.

certainly wudn't reccomend going with small children.

[mummatoone]

I also stayed at Devon Cliffes, but booked a private cravan which was fabulous. The swimming pool was great. I must admit we did spend alot of time out of the place -

Went to Bigby on Sea twice as the beach at DC was horrible - massive trek, full of sickly smelling seaweed i t made me heave!!! Bigby beach is fantastic, excellent cafe/deli selling lovely pannini's for beach and fresh coffee etc...

Went to a brilliant pub in the next village, had bouncy castle in garden, fantastic Gastro food, cant remember what it was called

I must admit I would stay at DC again as the location was good, but it was a typical holiday camp with a spa, may stay in a cottage with a pool next year - near the camp site is a place called the World of Country - brilliant def worth a visit

[retiredgoth1]

....went to Devon Cliffs at half term.

I was moved to start this thread

[retiredgoth1]

..try html this instead.

You can book with eurocamp or camping life, but if you travel independently it is much cheaper, and very safe for kids. The Plymouth-Roscoff ferry is best, at least if you live in the southern half of England.

[retiredgoth1]

Buggered up the link.

try again, eh?

[deanychip]

We just got back from Parkdene in Torquay.
wasnt realy chavy at all.
The place was quiet, indoor pool, entertainment in the evening, very child orientated and child friendly.
We realy enjoyed it.
Thing to remember that its just a place to comfortably get your head down isnt it, if like us, we went out every day and only came back at tea time after a visit to the local Asda to buy something nice to cook for tea.
We stayed in a static which was ok, warm, clean and comfortable.

We do this every year though so we are seasoned holiday makers in England.