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Holiday parks - Is there anything nicer than Butlins but naffer than Center Parcs?

56 replies

SindyTellsMe · 04/07/2011 19:08

I'm looking for somewhere family-friendly with lots of activities on-site that isn't as chaotic/unhealthy as Butlins, but not quite as pleased with itself (and its prices) as Center Parcs.

Any ideas?

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roundandroundincircles · 04/07/2011 19:10

Haven?
Never been to one but used to work next to one and it seemed to fit your criteria!! Or possible a PGL active family break? They're quite good - food included in price and loads of activities.

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chibi · 04/07/2011 19:11

Siblu in france? You can pay with tesco vouchers, we went for 4 nights in half term, ferry included and it was less than 400£. With the vouchers it was free

Otherwise haven maybe? It's the same people i think

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fuckmepinkandCALLmegoran · 04/07/2011 19:15

Haven was shite. We went once and never ever ever again. It was Craig Tara in Ayr and was quite the worst holiday we ever had. The chalet was filthy, there was someone else's boxers in the fold out bed, the kitchen didn't have enough cups and glasses for all of us, the facilities were tatty, the entertainment was shite.

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hocuspontas · 04/07/2011 19:15

Look in the Hoseasons' brochure. They have loads of places like that, small chains and one-offs.

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chibi · 04/07/2011 19:17

Ok forget haven, seriously, siblu

I secretly want to live in a caravan now, it was that nice

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SindyTellsMe · 04/07/2011 19:37

Thanks for the suggestions, Siblu looks lovely but since we don't all have current passports will have a look at Hoseasons.

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SindyTellsMe · 04/07/2011 19:40

Ooh yes Hoseasons is looking good. I want wooden lodges but I don't really care whether the interiors have been painted with Farrow & Ball (as one holiday park wanted to tell me in the first paragraph Hmm )

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Coca · 04/07/2011 19:41

Haven't been to a Hoseasons park but they do look like the happy medium that you are looking for. Have done Haven (gross, during the days before the smoking ban) and Siblu (great but obviously not without a passport!)
Where in the country are you thinking of? It doesn't have to be a chain I assume? I've heard good things about Sandy Balls in the New Forest for instance.

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katz · 04/07/2011 19:44

We've been to a Park Resorts and are planning to go again, was good, could drop into the kids club, had a pool, evening entertainment was cheesey but good fun. Can also use clubcard vouchers with them too.

Have been to a caravan park through hoseasons too, that was great aswell.

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chibi · 04/07/2011 19:46

Arf at sandy balls

Hoseasons (hate the name) looks v good, and not too expensive; could be a winner

Wtf is center parcs so expensive?

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SindyTellsMe · 04/07/2011 19:50

I might have to go to Sandy Balls

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usualsuspect · 04/07/2011 19:52

I've had loads of nice holidays on haven sites

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Coca · 04/07/2011 19:53
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chibi · 04/07/2011 19:53

I like the caravans at park resort

I think i may be devloping some kind of caravan syndrome

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Coca · 04/07/2011 19:55

chibi, everytime we are at a siblu/eurocamp park DH and I swear we could and would live in a caravan!

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chibi · 04/07/2011 19:56

I am all over that sister

definitely am developing a syndrome

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Coca · 04/07/2011 19:58

Yet as soon as we get back to the "dump" we both acknowledge that we can't live without an extension!

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BrawToken · 04/07/2011 20:00

We stayed in one of these lodges in April www.hoseasons.co.uk/holiday-parks/oakdene-forest-park-lp2701

It was really good. Loads to do in the surrounding area and reasonable facilities. And a hot tub!

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BrawToken · 04/07/2011 20:00
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chibi · 04/07/2011 20:01

Omfg i am in a caravan trance

Hot tub you say?

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SindyTellsMe · 04/07/2011 20:02

Right check this place out and then tell me why Center Parcs charges £1,000+ more for a similar place in the middle of the summer holidays. I know they have that big pool, but really, it's not worth a grand...

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spout · 04/07/2011 20:03

HAven Devon Cliffs was unexpectedly nice. Hire off a private caravan owner rather than haven themselves.

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flipthefrog · 04/07/2011 20:07

we stayed with hoseasons on the isle of wight but was an independent holiday park, with nice if small pool but massive fishing lake and nice evening entertainment/food

i think if you stay somewhere like the iow you spend more time out of the park and it's worth it

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supersalstrawberry · 04/07/2011 20:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mollymole · 04/07/2011 20:14

stayed once only at hoseasons in devon and for a number of very good reasons - main one being - the other people there (OK i am a snob) but it made asda look like waitrose - pissed, loaud people pushing prams/carrying babies and staggering & swearing - started around lunchtime and got worse as the day progressed

have stayed at St Minver in Cornwall and that was a fair bit better ( generally find the close you are to the sea then the more rough the site is)

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