Haven Lakeland Leisure Park review: a fun and affordable base for exploring the Lake District

Our verdict

Haven Lakeland Leisure Park offers a great family getaway in a beautiful setting at the edge of the Lake District. The park is well maintained with plenty of activities for both kids and adults, making it an ideal spot for a short break or a longer stay. Popular towns like Windermere and Kendal are about a 40-minute drive away, and the holiday park is right on the Cumbrian coast with Morecambe Bay’s seaside towns within easy reach. 

We visited with our two-year-old daughter and she loved the outdoor playgrounds (the one with a huge sandpit was a massive hit), the arcade, the pedalo boats and teddy bear making. Our three-bedroom Gold Caravan was clean and fully equipped for families and we had a lovely plot overlooking the lake where the ducks visited us in the morning. It was also nice and quiet which helped with bedtimes and naptimes. 

Unfortunately we didn’t visit the indoor pool because all of the time slots were fully booked and it was hard to judge when my toddler would be ready in advance! However it looked extremely busy every time we had a look. We would have loved an indoor soft play area for wet-weather play.

There are plenty of food outlets but healthy options were hard to come by. We found the main restaurant a little underwhelming but it was nice and clean and did the job. The supermarket was very well stocked and nowhere near as expensive as somewhere like Center Parcs. We also enjoyed fish and chips on the first night which was really tasty and good value. 

The staff were excellent and couldn't do enough, especially the water sports team. They were really lovely and helpful and made my daughter’s pedalo experience very enjoyable.

Overall it’s a fun holiday park with lots of activities to choose from and you can get around easily. If you don't want to walk you can drive and park in the main area which was super handy for us with a toddler. It’s set in a beautiful location and offers great value for money. I’d definitely return for another family holiday in the Lake District. 

How we tested

I stayed at Haven Lakeland Leisure Park with my husband and our two-year-old daughter for two nights at the end of April. We drove up from Liverpool which took around an hour and 30 minutes. We stayed in a three-bedroom Gold caravan and booked activities using the app. We took food with us as well as making use of the on-site shop, the Lakeside Bay restaurant, Cook’s Fish & Chips and Burger King. 

What are the caravans like?

The site offers a range of caravan options that sleep between four and eight guests. We stayed in a three-bedroom Gold caravan (with one double bedroom and two twin bedrooms). It was absolutely immaculate and felt very spacious indeed. It’s well equipped for a short break and my toddler really enjoyed running around, especially on the safe enclosed balcony.

I was impressed with the cleanliness and it had lots of storage options and excellent water pressure (I'd go as far to say that the shower was better than ours at home!)

I loved the dressing area, which I wasn’t expecting in a caravan. It was perfect for a busy mum to sit and get ready in peace. 

The caravans range from Saver to Signature Gold with size, site location and amenities differentiating them. The Saver caravan is the cheapest option but bear in mind that there’s typically only heating in the main living area and locations set further away from the main site hub. Our Gold caravan was spacious, in a great lakeside location and featured a large wraparound decked balcony. 

There are also lodges available, which are bigger and wider still, with the Diamond and Signature Diamond categories featuring dishwashers and spacious balconies. 

What activities/facilities are on offer?

Before our stay, we used the app to book several activities in advance - definitely worth doing early, as sessions can fill up quickly, particularly during peak times. You’re entitled to one free 60-minute swimming slot per day, which you can pre-book for the indoor pool (no booking needed for the outdoor pool, though it wasn’t open when we visited in April). There’s also a great mix of other activities available, including Football Factory and Aerial Adventure sessions, archery, bungee trampolining, den building, and bike and kart hire.

Our holiday highlights included a pedalo ride, crazy golf and the make a bear workshop (which included a soft toy and a bag to take away). 

There’s a nice range of activities to choose from but because the weather wasn't that great and they seemed to be better suited for older children, we ended up driving to nearby locations for the day which we really enjoyed. 

What’s the entertainment like?

We were very impressed with the modern feel of this park. The whole place was immaculate and clean, especially the main entertainment stage. 

During our stay, the entertainment line up included tribute singers, comedy acts and discos. As we have a two-year-old we couldn't stay out too late but there was plenty to do during the day including bingo and arcade trips which my little one LOVED.

The Lakeside Bay Restaurant features plenty of tables and bench seating and you can use the app to order drinks and food to be delivered directly to where you’re sitting. It was also right beside a playground which meant that my little one could run around and play on while we sat and had a coffee.

What are the food options?

Most of the food outlets are located in the main holiday park hub. The Lakeside Bay restaurant features an outdoor terrace overlooking a fun playground and mini golf course, and offers a menu of pub classics. We found the food was a little basic but my daughter really enjoyed her chicken and chips from the children’s menu, and her portion was a bargain thanks to Haven’s kids eat for £1 deal. 

There are lots of takeaway options at Haven resorts and the Lakeside site features a Burger King, a Papa Johns and a Cook’s Fish & Chips. We made use of Cook’s for an easy dinner option which we enjoyed in our caravan once my toddler was in bed.

The second night we bought some pizzas from the on-site shop. We were very impressed with the amount of choice and it wasn't over priced. 

What is there to do nearby?

Now this is the main reason we wanted to visit this particular park and why we’ll definitely consider returning - the location is fantastic. 

Within 40 minutes you can get to Lake Windermere and the gorgeous town of Kendal. We had a lovely little breakfast and a walk down to the lake where we did a 45-minute boat trip costing £16 for all of us and my daughter really enjoyed it.

We also loved the World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness which brings to life the beloved characters from Beatrix Potter's stories. It’s a hit with younger visitors including my daughter who wanted everything from the gift shop.

And Fell Foot Park which is at the southern tip of Lake Windermere near Newby Bridge. It’s a picturesque lakeside retreat offering a variety of activities suitable for all ages and is managed by the National Trust. We had some tea and cake followed by a trip to the children's playground where we all had fun!

Other family-friendly attractions in the area include:

The Lakes Aquarium: this aquarium in Newby Bridge offers fascinating displays of aquatic life, including otters and tropical fish.

Grange-over-Sands promenade: this Edwardian promenade is perfect for leisurely strolls to take in the coastal scenery and the town's unique microclimate. It’s accessible so it’s geared up for prams and wheelchairs. 

Bardsea Beach: a sandy and shingle beach perfect for a relaxed day out, offering views across Morecambe Bay.

About the author

Gemma works in Mumsnet’s sales team and manages some of the UK’s biggest brands, helping them to showcase advertising campaigns to help make parents’ lives easier. 

She loves visiting new places in the UK with her daughter. She is from Liverpool and the Lake District is a nostalgic destination for her as she spent family holidays there when she was younger. Her husband Sam has never visited the Lake District or stayed in a caravan before and he was pleasantly surprised.