Last minute trip to haven

Choose an independent campsite with good reviews, I can recommend some if you want! Some are very expensive but some really good value and are pristine, much nicer than haven in my opinion!

Why haven op? I wouldn’t go to a haven again I’ve only been once so I appreciate it might have been a bad campsite! Over flowing rubbish bins outside! Joint found on the floor of the room my dd was sleeping in! The public loos weren’t kept clean! There was all water in the floor in the toilets! Hair in the bed of the caravan. and grubby bathroom! Hair in loo and shower! Plus the venue was just completely rammed and we caught a sickness bug, I know I don’t know where from but it was grim, so I always put it down to that place! Appreciate this isn’t everyone’s experience but it is mine!

Recently stayed at Haven Weymouth Bay a few weeks ago. Our caravan was infested with ants. We were all bitten and had to throw out half the food, they didn’t even do anything but put some powder down outside but was a little late by then!

We've been every year since having children. We've done Primrose Valley, Seashore and Hafan y Mor, all very safe, very clean and close to beaches. The kids look forward to it every year, and plan their activities weeks in advance (we let them choose six each); they've learnt things like kayaking, canoeing, den building, etc. We book swimming four weeks in advance on the app; three sessions for the week, but if you turn up on the day and pay they will usually squeeze you in for another. The pools are lovely, and your time isn't monitored, so you can stay as long as you like. We don't tend to do the evening entertainment, just the odd magic show/panto when they're on.

It's not really my idea of a relaxing holiday but the children love it, and look forward to it every year. We're leaving on Friday for Hafan y Mor and they're currently counting down the hours.

You make it seem as if the only options available to anyone ever are Haven or "Abroad". Broaden your horizons!

We have been using Haven for 30+ years we started when Dc1 was a toddler and we continue to use sites as a base for short breaks, the caravans are fine some better than others the holiday makers are also fine some better than others, you can engage as much as you want in the activities /entertainment, we have been to 1 site that was terrible and that was lesson learned,

Anyone been to the Lydstep beach site? I was about to book because it’s the only place in the area with a pool, but now not sure as it for the week after next and it sounds like we will have problems booking a slot! It’s for a cottage as there are no vans left. Thanks in advance!

@DeathMetalMum 100% agree on quay west and Hafan as good places.

We don’t tend to use much of the facilities apart from the pool so enjoy both. We have stayed at Hopton but again we did front row sea, used the pool but nothing else on site.

Wild Duck was the worst we ever stayed at, followed by Skegness then Mablethorpe. But still those issues were not ants or bedbugs.

Worst parkdean was warmwell 🤢

If you want a caravan lodge place @bubbabub you could try somewhere like kelling heath, it’s woodland pool, pub / restaurant without the kids holiday hype stuff.

We have been to various Haven sites over the years and only once was the caravan not that clean and they did come back again (even then it wasn't the scale you see some people say there van is in).
We haven't had ants or bedbugs. Think about how many people stay, most have a fine time and it's only those who don't who are likely to complain.
The worse break we had was when the van opposite us played loud music in the day and then the van next to us at night had a party and had around 20 people all crowded round the outside space and we had to call security. While they say they attended and dealt with it, they did not as I feel they were too intimidated as when I spoke to reception about it they knew which guests we meant so had obviously had them on their radar. There wasn't really much Haven could do (apart from potentially be better at dealing with situations) and their only solution would have been for us to move (but we only had one night left) so it wasn't really viable. So ultimately it could depend who your neighbours are for how your break goes, but I guess this could happen at other sites like park dean and isn't just a haven problem.

In terms of activities, swimming is booked 4 weeks in advance, not 12. Yes it can get booked up but people often cancel. For example I will book our slots (you only get 14 anyway in advance so for us that is 3 swims) but if we then plan that we will be out that day or the kids don't fancy it then I cancel them. Some people also say based on people just not turning up if you walk up and ask then often there are spaces. If you go now outdoor pools are open and most do not require booking (unless it involves going via the indoor pool).

The activities are booked 12 weeks in advance but due to the cost of them you will often find you can still book. Also depending on where you go and what you do you might not want to book them anyway (we tend to favour trips out in the local area to staying on site).
Personally I don't think the Haven sites are a stay all day on site kind of place. Perhaps if you had little ones then you could make it last watching the kids show in the daytime as well as the evening, but to me the locations are usually based in tourist hot spots so you go out for the day to attractions.

We stayed at Seton Sands at the end of June/start of July (high season for Scotland as schools are out).
It was immaculate. Yes, you do have to book the pool but only 24 hours in advance, and it dies mean that it's not totally packed onr minute and empty the next.
We used it as a base for sightseeing and we ate off site a lot (the world cup was on so the bar was full- and I'm English!).

Some sites are much better than others. We have stayed at about six different sites. The only one we didn't love was Hopton in Norfolk. The site was huge, caravans were too close together liked over by lots of residential houses and the pool was overcrowded.

Our favourite is Quay West in Wales, fairly basic but stunning with an amazing beach closely followed by Hafan Y Mor which is a huge site but really doesn't feel like it is. There's so many on site activities and the pool area is great.

Not once have we had any problems with cleanliness, and have always booked directly. We tend to book several pool sessions in advance and then cancel one or two of them when we arrive depending on the weather/other plans. So I would say you should be able to get time in the pool.

My dd loved haven when younger. Never had an issue there or at any other caravan holidays.

I love Haven! The last one we went to was just outside of Edinburgh. We had booked a fairly basic one (Bronze I think - definitely no higher) and when we got there they had upgraded us for free to the very best ones they have! It was LOVELY. Never had any issues with cleanliness etc at any of their sites at any grade of caravan.

I don’t recall any issues booking swimming sessions, but when we have been it tends to be weeks where the rest of the country weren’t on school holidays.

Depending on where you are in the country, could you look at Scottish sites towards the end of August? According to Google, Scottish schools start back between the 12th and 18th August, so you might find it both cheaper and quieter!

We used to stay at caravan parks fairly regularly until we stayed at a Haven place. I think I’m in a minority - lots of people I know seem to love a Haven holiday - but I thought it was dreadful. Massive, crowded park, caravans crammed together, dirty pool, antisocial guests, badly maintained public areas, horrible. Never, ever again.

There are some nice places with Hoseasons.

We stayed at a Haven in a gold caravan and it was absolutely spotless.

Been to Haven 6 times never had a dirty caravan atho seen posts regarding issues.

Swimming will be booked up but often spaces come available on the day and people wont turn up for their booked slots. Outdoor swimming also available.

Change of scenery would be good, I'd do it. Currently getting organised for our trip in a couple of weeks time.

There are other caravan hire companies if Haven is booked.

I’ve never had an issue with hygiene or booking the pool; I would phone the site in advance to check about the pool booking if you’re worried.
I have started to take my own pillows though just because

So yes swimming the online booking will likely be booked up. However once you actually arrive more slots appear on the system daily and you can book sessions at the activity hub in person.

Ants are just one of those things in the heat especially in warm weather however I’ve never had issues with them in any haven caravans I’ve stayed in.

Bedbugs I’ve seen online a few comments and I’ve also seen caravans (not just haven) being treated for them. It’s not really havens fault however someone has brought them along with them and from what I’ve seen as soon as they are alerted they treat the vans. Sadly seen someone post about beg bugs and they then went and stayed in a hotel same night, that poor hotel owner will now likely have bed bugs because people don’t realise they will
move them.

We always book the highest spec caravans they have as it does seem the lower ones are not treated with as much care by the guests using them.

How old are your kids? We love Haven, we go a couple of times a year to different parks. Assuming you're taking kids and the aim is for them to have a fun time, it'll be fine and you'll have a great time. The pools do get crowded but there's always timeslots, they release more on the day and people cancel so if you can't book in advance I wouldn't worry too much. Pick one near a beach, or with an outside pool that doesn't need booking. There's loads of other activities to do anyway. If one thing is full they'll be something else, and spaces always come up on the day. We usually take things like a kite, frisbee, badminton, although we've never run out of things to do. It's not luxury but it's nice to not worry about sand and mud and just let the kids run free and have fun.

I’m at Seashore right now (3rd time here) and there’s decent availability on activities. Plus it’s right by Great Yarmouth beach so we spent the day there yesterday going on rides and on the beach. I’ve never loved the food here but we bring plenty to eat in the caravan.

I've been to many Haven resorts over the years and always found them to be great.
My preference is to book a caravan with the owner directly as you get a higher spec caravan with nicer furniture for less money.

I've been to a number of Haven sites and similar type places in the UK. I've never had a problem with cleanliness. The dirtiest accommodation I've stayed in was actually at CP.
I think standards depend on the age of the unit and the diligence of the particular cleaner that day, so can be pot luck.
Read the recent reviews of your chosen site, paying attention to comments about the pool and shared areas, because neglect of these is a more helpful guide thsn the odd person disgusted at hair in the shower or a stain on the mattress (easily rectified with a reclean request). Try and assess from the tone of reviews if the person is balanced or complaining about a slew if things that wouldn't bother you, so may be overly negative.
Take cleaning stuff and sleeping bags if you're particularly worried about beds.

We go at least once a year, my children love it! We’ve been to mablethorpe, haffan y mor, Cala gran, blue dolphin… all clean and tidy. In reality the ‘activities’ you can book are expensive and only last 45 minutes so it’s not like they take up the entire day, mine aren’t bothered. Book one near a seaside town and you’ll be able to occupy your time no problem. Personally, I book the best caravan I can afford. We take meals to eat in the van as the restaurants are spenny.