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AIBU?

To book a caravan holiday

36 replies

DoTheDuckFace · 28/07/2015 13:49

Am I being Unreasonable to drag my poor kids on a caravan holiday...

in Scotland in April? Are they going to freeze to death?

I am thinking of Haven in April Half term so mid April. It is my '0' birthday and I want to be somewhere doing something nice. But am I crazy to be considering this?

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Coconutty · 28/07/2015 13:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RachelRagged · 28/07/2015 13:53

No I don't think YABU

We stayed in a caravan in May (though not in Scotland, was Coombe Haven, Hastings) a few years ago , it was a weekend of mainly wind and rain but caravan was fine as had heating . Check it has some kind of heating OP included in price (ours was) and wrap up warm for outings ..

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Gaslightshining · 28/07/2015 13:56

Did Scotland the one year at Easter. It was fine - not sitting on the beach weather but there is no guarantee about the weather. The kids (older now) loved it and still talk about it now more than any other caravan holiday we had. We stayed at the Craig Tara Haven site

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DoTheDuckFace · 28/07/2015 14:05

That's where I am thinking if going GasLight glad you enjoyed it.

Good tip about checking the heating Rachel

I quite like them too Coconutty

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asmallandnoisymonkey · 28/07/2015 14:07

I'm in Scotland and it's ruddy freezing.

I would say go for it because there's no guarantee what the weather will be like in April or July or August and Scotland is beautiful no matter the weather. You quickly learn to prepare your wearables for all potential weather (I'm English and have had to acclimatise). Just bring wellies and waterproofs!

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IHaveBrilloHair · 28/07/2015 14:09

We did that site in April, just make sure you have heating, we enjoyed it so much we are going again in October

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Gottagetmoving · 28/07/2015 14:21

My daughter took her children to a Caravan park near Ayr last April and they loved it. They made sure they booked a Caravan which had central heating. You can get bad weather in the UK in July so it is worth risking it because it can be good in April. They are going again in August.

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sadwidow28 · 28/07/2015 14:29

I have a 12 x 37 static caravan - central heating and double glazed. I have done Christmases, New Year and every other season in it. The Holiday Park (not Scotland) has now been taken over by Haven but there are many private owners still on it. The Haven rental caravans are of an excellent standard.

I prefer living here than in my 4-bed detached house. Grin

Just make sure you have wellies, waterproofs and thick jumpers. I walk the dog through farmland for hours come hail, rain or shine and I luuuuurve getting back my caravan which is so cosy.

Also, we have a launderette on site so it is easy to wash and dry wet, muddy clothes rather than have them drying on the little radiators. Take a stash of £1 and 50p coins with you and pack some washing tablets (you won't need a full box).

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Shockers · 28/07/2015 14:33

I would, but then my children were paddling in Loch Morlich last Feb half term Grin.

We've just bought a touring caravan (with heating!) and I've booked Northumberland in October. I'm really looking forward to it.

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lardyscouse · 28/07/2015 15:02

My best ever memories of childhood holidays are in caravans in the rain. Wonderful things. hmmmm, I think I also got a 'big tick' from a teacher about a story I wrote about my holidays describing the sound of the rain on the roof [luckily I left out me dad teaching us how to play Gin Rummy].

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glenthebattleostrich · 28/07/2015 15:05

We were in Northumberland last year and it was freezing in summer! We had a xaravan with hearing ( delux plus) and it was great. Loads o do on site and a warm van to come back to

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CherryBonBon · 28/07/2015 15:06

YANBU.

We went to a caravan a few weeks ago. I hated every minute with a passion but DD had a ball.

Children are weird.

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Groovee · 28/07/2015 15:10

Just ensure you have heaters if no heating otherwise it's fine. We've done 2 at Easter. Woke up the 2nd year to a foot of snow in Perthsire Wink

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fourtothedozen · 28/07/2015 15:14

It's freezing cold here in SCotland today in July.

April in SCotland can be harsh. I have horrible memories of caravan holidays as a child. Cramped, cold and wet.
You have to assume that the weather will be awful in April. Once you have had your day trip (and there are only so many indoor venues you can visit) then you will be stuck inside a metal box for hours watching rainwater lash against the windows.

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LaLyra · 28/07/2015 15:51

YANBU.

April can be weird with the weather - you'll either be splashing in puddles or sunbathing, but there's plenty on the Craig Tara site. Plus it's in a good location for other places to go (Heads of Ayr farmpark, Burns Cottage, you could even get the train to Glasgow if you wished) if you want off the site for a day. I spent many a childhood hour in the pool there back when it was Butlins.

Just make sure you have heating and you'll be set.

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Gaslightshining · 28/07/2015 16:51

I have taken my fan heater from work with us in the past to get some instant heat

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DoTheDuckFace · 28/07/2015 17:09

Wow I am looking forward to it now after all these positive comments. Will get it booked once my holidays are approved in work.

I love the sound of rain in a caravan and playing cards together.

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TheoriginalLEM · 28/07/2015 17:15

I went to scotland in july - it was cold :) But i loved it and so did DD1. I want to go back so i am Envy. There is soooo much to do in Scotland if you like walking

Do make sure you have heating throughout the caravan if you absolutely can, we had one with bedroom heaters only and we froze, also it was damp in the mornings.

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IHaveBrilloHair · 28/07/2015 17:22

There's loads to do at Craig Tara even if the weather is a bit pants.

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DoTheDuckFace · 28/07/2015 17:25

I thought it looked like there is plenty of indoor stuff there and Scotland is beautiful so we will take our walking boots. A bit of rain won't kill us. I just have to convince the kids that too.

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OllyBJolly · 28/07/2015 17:30

Wimps! We used to go camping in April in the West and North Highlands! Central heating? Pah!

I find kids love caravans. My two certainly did. As someone said, April weather can be glorious in Scotland or it can be miserable. Kids don't really care.

I'm off to a campsite in Ayr next week. I'll report back on indoor activities if the weather is inclement as expected

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IHaveBrilloHair · 28/07/2015 17:46

DoThe
We have four teen girls 12-15 between us, they did teen club, Go Karting, couple of rides at the fair, wandered down the beach, roller disco twice, laser quest, arcades on the last night with our change, evening entertainment dancing etc, character breakfast.

We didn't leave the site as no car.
The swimming pool looks amazing, but our girls didn't want to go.

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tilliebob · 28/07/2015 17:55

We do caravan holidays in Scotland every Oct/April holidays cheers Sun cheap holidays and we survive! Sometimes we upgrade to heated caravans, sometimes we take our own heaters along. This April we didn't need any heating apart from the gas fire unlike this summer Go for it!

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MsJuniper · 28/07/2015 18:17

Do it! Spring is the new Summer dontcha know. Grin

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Limer · 28/07/2015 19:28

Definitely go for it. As a previous poster said, take a fan heater for immediate heat, and an electric blanket's wonderful as well if it's chilly at night.

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