Best holiday parks UK: Haven, Parkdean, Center Parcs and more, tried and recommended by families

Looking for some adventure? At Parkdean Warmwell, families can zoom down the all-weather 100m ski slope on skis, snowboards or giant rings – and that's just the tip of the family-friendly iceberg. The indoor pool has a wave machine and flume, and any possible wails of "I’m bored" will be banished by the promise of a roller rink, a high-ropes course, and a fun climbing wall and crafting den.

The lodges range from great-value one-beds to spacious four-beds, some with private hot tubs and all featuring fully equipped kitchens. Not that you always have to cook. Instead, dine out at the Boathouse Bar & Restaurant or treat everyone to a takeaway from the on-site fish and chip shop.

Mumsnet users love Warmwell's lush woodland setting with its lakes, wildlife and walking trails.

Beautiful Black Rock Sands runs right along Haven Greenacres in this scenic area of northwest Wales. And if you want memorable days spent in the glorious countryside, Snowdonia National Park is only a 45-minute drive away. Dywfor Ranch Rabbit Farm is just along the coast too.

Not that there’s any shortage of activities within the resort. Sunny days can be spent dashing through the outdoor splash pad, practicing adventure golf shots, or zipping on pedal karts between the play areas. Head inside for the indoor heated pool, games arcade and mini bowling alley.

The location is "stunning" and the site "lovely" according to Mumsnet users.

Reviewed by Mumsnet Travel Editor, Rachel Erdos: read our in-depth Tattershall Lakes review

Set around eight lakes in rural Lincolnshire, Tattershall Lakes is a good-looking holiday park with a range of wow-factor caravans.

The TriBeCa caravans have fancy features like roll-top baths in the master bedroom as well as private hot tubs and quirky bunk beds for kids.

The activities schedule makes the most of the lakeside setting and there's an impressive range of water sports on offer including canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, jet skiing and fishing.

We loved the stylish details at this site, from the retro caravans serving coffees and cocktails to the sleek rooftop bars.

Our bugbears? The activities are pricey and it can be hard to nab availability for pool sessions and events at peak times including weekends. But overall, it's smarter than your average holiday park and offers loads of fun facilities for families.

Reviewed by Mumsnet Travel Editor, Rachel Erdos: read our in-depth Combe Haven review

Located on the Sussex coast between St Leonards-on-Sea and Bexhill, Combe Haven makes a great base for an easy escape from London. It's around a two-hour drive from the capital, and trains from Charing Cross to West St Leonards take about 90 minutes.

It's a smallish holiday park which makes is easy to navigate for a short break but there's plenty of fun to be had on site. There's an indoor pool for daily swimming sessions (bear in mind that it can get busy and the water is a little on the warm side), and the small outdoor pool is great for sunny days. Don't miss the epic slide.

Combe Haven offers the usual roll call of Haven activities, from bingo sessions and mini discos to activity sessions like footgolf and make a bear workshops.

It's a great value holiday park if you're looking for an affordable family holiday close to London.

Reviewed by Mumsnet tester, Lizzie Fuller: Read our in-depth Whitemead Forest Park review

Set in woodland in the Forest of Dean and home to glamping pods and hot tub lodges, Whitemead is a lush holiday park in Gloucestershire.

If you're looking for more of a country escape rather than a beachy setting, Whitemead is a great choice, particularly if you have young kids.

We stayed with two-year-old twins and loved the swimming sessions at the pool (open 8am to 8pm daily) as well as the kid-friendly activities like teddy bear making and pottery making. There's a mini golf course, a playground and an infant play area. We found the food options fairly basic but it was all good quality and the cafe - with its excellent hot chocolates - was a particular highlight.

There's lots to do in the area, including nearby nature walks and a fun Gruffalo trail, just a 10-minute drive away.

Reviewed by Mumsnet Editor, Poppy O'Neill: Read our in-depth Butlin's Bognor Regis holiday park review

From the amazing (and iconic) entertainment to the fun and engaging PlayXperience and the traditional on-site fairground, Butlin's Bognor Regis holiday park is a hit for the whole family. I visited with teenagers and found plenty for them to do - laser tag was a particular highlight and we loved the Splash Waterworld pool and slides. It felt safe and secure enough to give my teens some independence and explore on their own, and we appreciated that most of the activities and entertainment were included in the price.

Unlike at Skegness and Minehead, there aren't caravans at the Bognor Regis resort. But there’s still a good mix of accommodation to suit needs and budgets including hotel rooms with sea views and larger apartments.

Despite the bunk beds being on the small side, my 13- and 15-year-old thoroughly enjoyed themselves and Butlin’s Bognor Regis really exceeded our expectations.

In the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Devon Cliffs is Haven’s largest holiday park and one of its best according to Mumsnet users on our UK holiday forum.

Families love the site's fun activities, including its heated outdoor pool, indoor waterpark, playgrounds and climbing walls. There’s even a nature trail around the park and a mini aerial adventure course for young thrill-seekers.

Some caravans and lodges come with stunning sea views, and there are dog-friendly options if you’re keen to bring waggy-tailed family members along. Come early evening, head out for dinner in nearby Exmouth or Sidmouth, or gather together at one of the four on-site restaurants.

Reviewed by Mumsnet tester, Gemma Britton: Read our in-depth Haven Lakeland Leisure Park review

Located right by the coast near Grange-over-Sands, Haven Lakeland Leisure Park is perfectly placed for a family holiday in the Lake District. It's within easy reach of Lake Windermere and Kendal but there's plenty to keep families busy on site including an indoor and outdoor pool, and a fun-packed water sports centre for kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding.

We think it's better suited to older kids - on our visit, there was a limited choice of indoor activities, especially for kids under three, but if your kids are into swimming, water sports, cycling, high ropes and karting then there's loads to do. It's a good option if you're looking for on-site activities near the coast and within a short drive of the Lake District's best bits.

Lovat Parks wins Mumsnet Rated - 100% of families would recommend Padstow Holiday Village to friends and families

Set in the Cornish countryside just a mile from Padstow harbour, Padstow Holiday Village offers a relaxed base for exploring the north Cornwall coast. Accommodation ranges from stylish lodges to well-equipped caravans, with family-friendly facilities including a wooden adventure playground, nature trails and the park’s wildlife-spotting “Big 5” trail. Guests can borrow beach toys, bodyboards, board games and even dog balls from communal libraries, while dogs are catered for with a large exercise field and dedicated wash station. The park is run by Lovat Parks — the first UK holiday park group to achieve B Corp certification — and has earned a coveted Mumsnet Rated accreditation, reflecting its strong family appeal and thoughtful facilities.

Reviewed by Mumsnet tester, Jasmin Chahal: read our in-depth Glentress Forest review

One of the best Forest Holidays sites, Glentress Forest is set in scenic woodland on the Scottish borders. Each of the chic-rustic lodges comes with a hot tub so families can soak up the views as well as the bubbles.

The surrounding forest provides a stunning setting for wholesome activities like guided woodland walks, mountain biking and bug hunts. We loved the outdoor archery session during our stay. We also loved the well equipped lodges which feature mod cons including underfloor heating and spacious wooden decks.

This isn't the kind of holiday park that centres around an amusement park with daily bingo games on the schedule (although there is a Forest Retreat Hub for food, fire pits and games), it's a tranquil woodland escape with lots to do on the doorstep and at just an hour's drive from Edinburgh, it makes a brilliant base for exploring southern Scotland.

It’s little wonder that active families flock to Haven Craig Tara and Mumsnetters are quick to point out that it's home to one of Haven's best pools. Its multi-level indoor water complex has waterfalls, a lazy river, a three-lane racing slide and flumes. And in the Adventure Village, families can test their skills on the climbing walls and rope courses. Plus, there's the inflatable obstacle course and large soft play area.

Should you need some tranquillity, that's also on offer; the park is well-positioned for a stroll along the rugged Ayrshire coast with its time-toppled castle ruins and sandy beaches.

If you want a small, low-key site, this isn't the park to choose. However, the size means there's a wide choice of accommodation, including excellent-value two-bed caravans and three-bed apartments with private verandas.

No list of holiday parks would be complete without a shout-out to Centre Parcs and its woodland resorts. Out of its five UK locations, it’s Elveden Forest that’s particularly popular with Mumsnetters due to its flat and easy-to-cycle site.

The self-catering woodland and waterside lodges combine contemporary style with family-friendly practicality (with bonus points for the dishwashers). There are even some good deals to be found by booking well in advance (think 18 months rather than two). If you’re feeling extravagant, consider splashing out on a spectacular four-bedroom treehouse with private hot tub.

It’s the fabulous facilities that make this park such a hit with the kids, though. The Subtropical Swimming Paradise is inclusive and contains hot whirlpools, a lazy river, rapids and slides. Then there are the adventure playgrounds; sports, cooking and craft activities; and for parents, the all-important spa.

Read next: The best family-friendly campsites in the UK, according to families

The award-winning Searles Leisure Resort sits a short stroll from Hunstanton’s long sweep of beach on the Norfolk coast.

The location means both sandcastle builders and water sports fans are well catered for, and the town’s promenade has tempting ice-cream kiosks and traditional fairground rides. That’s if you can tear the kids away from the park’s outdoor and indoor swimming pools and splash pads, playgrounds, crazy golf course, fishing lakes and tennis courts.

You can often find great deals here by booking ahead, and accommodation options range from 4-berth cabins to luxurious 8-berth lodges. Pick one with a private hot tub for some well-earned R ’n’ R once the kids have gone to bed.

Mumsnet users rate Searles holiday park as a top pick for young kids with its warm pools and soft play area.

During spring and summer, pack binoculars and let the kids have a go at spotting the adorable puffins that nest close to Haven Thornwick Bay Holiday Village on the magnificent Flamborough Cliffs. Alongside nature walks, you’re also well located for secluded beaches and the traditional seaside attractions of Bridlington and Scarborough.

The park itself has a relaxed feel and shouldn’t be too overwhelming for younger children. That said, there’s no shortage of entertainment.

The indoor pool is bound to bring squeals of delight with its racing slides and cute paddling pool. Then there's the activity barn with mini Segways, archery and crafts. Little ones with boundless energy can finish the day with a sing and dance at one of the live family shows – hopefully resulting in a very good night's sleep.

Of Haven's popular Yorkshire holiday parks, Mumsnetters particularly like Thornwick Bay for its stunning coastal location.