Last minute trip to haven

Love a little Haven holiday. Never had an issue with cleanliness and certainly never seen bed bugs. Been on some really big holidays the last few years but still like a little trip to Lakeland or Hafyn y Mor.

Thank you - so helpful!

I’ve not stayed at that one in 16 years so don’t feel I can comment on its overall cleanliness and stuff.

I do remember the sea was a bloody long way away. There was a land train that took you actually into Yarmouth if that still exists. If you want to go to the pleasure beach book online for it to be cheaper.

I hate to be the negative one. We went to Blue Dolphin in North Yorkshire. It was the worst holiday I have been on and it wasn't cheap. We love a caravan holiday so it wasn't that. The van was awful. Toilet roll plugging up gaps in the window--just felt really badly kept. The vibe of the park was horrible. Some teenagers were chucking stones at our dog when we left him outside the shop. I couldn't believe how much we had paid to be there. I have friends who absolutely love Primrose Valley and Thornwick Bay and go back year after year so I think we might have been unlucky. I've never been back to Haven. We booked a last minute week just last Friday for the last week of the holidays and I manahed to find a gorgeous cottage in the heart of the Lakes for less than Haven

We have been on many a haven holiday over the years and only once did we have a dirty caravan. Every other one has been spotless. Our last trip was booked last minute and there was no swimming available. However, when we got there we kept checking the app as people were cancelling and were able to book swimming each day.

I've never seen a private one even close to £49 for four nights and I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable staying in someone else's caravan.

We go on multiple trips to Haven's every year. We'll have done 15 by the end of the year.

Not had any great issues with the cleanliness and any small issues were sorted immediately.

Reviews are meaningless. If someone has a problem they'll tell everyone, but the thousands who don't have a problem keep it to themselves.

As someone who works with the public, a bad review doesn't even tell you they had a bad experience. They very well might have, but they could also be an entitled cunt who thinks the water should be 22° not 21° and plasters complaints all over the internet.

Duh! Misread the OP as a 'last minute trip to heaven'.

Now that would be fab!

My mum owns a caravan on a Haven site. There are a lot of people that complain to get some compo off their holiday, look at the reviews carefully. Some will say that the caravan was filthy but never actually addressed it with reception but went straight to social media for example.

We went last week and yes had previously booked most of the activities. However we did manage to book another swim session in under 24 hours in addition so it can be done. Site also didn't seem rammed, I was expecting it to be worse that it was. There was no issues getting a table for evening entertainment or the restuarant and no queues for food.

Every site is going to be hit or miss and won't please everybody.

Ah see that's the one where we had a rubbish time based on the surrounding guests plus also having visited 3 years in a row that time was the worse and it was really run down. The area we were put in was a right dump! That was 2 years ago so maybe they have invested since then.

If its perran sands ignore the reviews. Its fine. The location is fantastic too.

We spent a lot of time at Blue Dolphin, Primrose Valley and Haggerston Castle as kids. My sister still takes her family.

We’ve done Hafan Y Mor with our autistic son, and are going to Craig Tara at the end of this month.

Couldn’t fault it, for what it is.

We’re not expecting 5* or we wouldn’t be on a Haven holiday site, but for what we need (swimming, playground, activities and a beach) it’s perfect.

I have mixed views on haven. I have never had a dirty caravan but there are times when i feel as though i have ended up with a lower grade caravan than the grade i actually booked. The last time i went i paid for a gold caravan and it felt more like a silver. Okay i could have been unlucky. However the holiday wasn't cheap.

We have stayed at Lydstep beach (last year) it's a nice site one of the smaller ones. The pool is small though, fine for younger kids or those who just like to swim. It has the best beach access of any of the sites I have stayed in though. We could walk back to our caravan in about 5mins. The beach is huge and doesn't get many other people as it's not got easy access unless you are coming from the caravan site. Great for paddle boarding/kayaking or body boarding as it's in a closed bay.

@bubbabubwell you did ask for opinions after reading negative reviews? So it’s not just my opinion, just telling you our experience at haven! You might be lucky as it seems they can be abit hit and miss!

I keep reading this as “Last minute trip to heaven”!!!!

Stayed in Haven for a football tournament a couple of years ago. First time and everywhere was spotless.

Also swimming can depend on each site.

So Hafan although you book a slot they don’t kick you out after a set time. Hopton you get given a wrist band and after an hour your colour is called and you are asked to leave the pool.

Agree last minute not good as swimming will be booked. If you are in the south go to shorefield / oakdene you just turn up and are near the sea . Haven accommodation is quite cheap and tacky always go for high end if you go there. Parkdene is better but also need to pre book. Hoburne is also good and better accommodation standards.

I'd look for an independent site unless you desperately want the facilities offered at a Haven park.

Parkdean seems to be similar but a bit cheaper, no idea whether they are any good, though.

My friend has a Haven caravan. I’ve stayed in hers, and also booked separately on the same site as her partner was with her, and my husband and the dog. The on site restaurants are quite pricey and the entertainment a little naff but we don’t have kids and they’re aimed at families. However no issues with the vans at all….clean well equipped.

Butlins does have the best pools and the free fairgrounds. But like you say more expensive a basic apartment for this weekend was £400 when I looked but then again the cheapest haven caravan was £219 for the same weekend without a great pool and free fairground. Depends how much money the pool and fairgrounds would save you.