Haven Devon Cliffs vs Haven Craig Tara

[Cantwaitforsummer2020]

Hi sorry to post in chat but I couldn't find appropriate topic.

I am looking to book a UK break for 7 nights in the spring/summer for myself and my one 5yr old DC.
Currently it stands at Haven Devon Cliffs vs Haven Craig Tara in Scotland. This is due to facilities, location etc.
Anyone been to both? Or had a particularly good/bad experience at either one?
Opinions very welcome!

I'm getting a headache!

Thanks

[Cantwaitforsummer2020]

Anyone?? 🙏🏻

[EstherLittle]

I know Craig Tara a bit as my cousin used to work there. It is right beside a farm park which is really good for kids but pricey ( take your own food). Lots round about to do/visit in Ayrshire. Culzean castle has a swan pond, adventure playground. Beaches are nice and there’s a lovely playground at Ayr beach (Low Green).

You could also get to glasgow by train for a day out.

I don’t know Devon at all but you might get slightly better weather.

[Clangus00]

Craig Tara is great. Ayr itself is very run down now sadly, but as @esther said, plenty to do locally.

[MiaNG]

I have been to Devon Cliffs. Only haven I have been to so nothing to compare. However, we loved it. I think its Havens flagship site so it's got lots going on. Set on a lovely beach. Also lots of nice places nearby (Exmouth/Sidmouth).

Would reccomend 😊

[RoxytheRexy]

We had a lovely holiday at Devon Cliffs last August. The pool was spotless and my daughter loved the slides. Exmouth is lovely

[Cantwaitforsummer2020]

Thanks everyone!

Devon Cliffs for school hols is £944+ and 5h Drive
Craig Tara is £464+ and 4hr Drive

My mum says 4/5 hours drive is far too much for a 5yr old

Also, Sun holidays have some bargain breaks at both parks, however they're 4 nights only. Is it too far to drive for 4 nights?????

[Cantwaitforsummer2020]

Ps I have to plan this a little more meticulously than most, as my DD has ASD and can have gigantic meltdowns if I attempt to take us off the park! So ideally I need a park with loads on it, incase I can't really take us off anywhere.

Have already visited:
Marton Mere
Thornwick Bay
Reighton Sands
Primrose Valley (before refurb)
Lakeland
Golden Sands (Lincs)

Any other suggestions welcome! Thanks

[Clangus00]

No way is that too long a drive. We regularly take our four year old double that distance or time.

[EstherLittle]

@clangus00 agree about Ayr town centre. It’s such a shame and I wish the council would get a grip and do something radical to regenerate.

@Cantwaitforsummer2020 forgot to say the Robert Burns museum is brilliant for kids. My youngest DD has ASD and she has always loved going here.

I can’t wait for half term now too to get back to Scotland.

[x2boys]

Never been to Devon cliffs,and I'm going to Craig Tara in August they are both a long drive of a about 5 hrs , and good for you Clangus but not all kids can tolerate long journeys my nine year old is severely autistic and the longest we have driven is about three hours , so five hrs is stretching it a lot

[Thislittlepiggywentto]

Devon Cliffs is great. There is a farm on site (well just off but you cant tell) which is ideal for a 5 year old. Lots of facilities and the beach is lovely if you get good weather.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I took DD to Craig Tara a few times when she was 13/14 with a friend and her similarly aged DD's, and we all had a great time, there's plenty to do and the pool is fabulous.

[Popsicle27]

Just an idea, but I've booked back to back sun holidays, like if mon-fri is available, then book the following fri-mon book both (you are allowed through sun website) then they give you the same caravan making a week break, only helpful if they are both available but its a lot cheaper than 400 and Devon Cliffs is fab for a 5 year old xx

[ineedto]

Having lived near both Ayr is quieter with more to do in the immediate vicinity.

Beach is great, Culzean castle, Burns cottage and museum, Belleisle play park and deer, quiet Cinema (far from high tech but ideal as never too busy), ten pin bowling, the Balgarth does decent food with the bonus of enclosed outdoor play area, farm park, turnberry lighthouse... plus Glasgow a train ride away.

[Swinesinsleepingbags]

Id think weather is the biggest factor if going in the spring. Devon statistically will be warmer and drier.

[Trooperslaneagain]

Haven't stayed in either but Craig Tara looks brutal - the bus from the boat goes through and it looks very run down and caravans are on top of each other.

It is close to Glasgow - less than an hour - but the actual spot would be my idea of hell. (Sorry!)

[Whynosnowyet]

We are booked for Craig Tara at the end of May. 4th time going...
Great week end!! We do Fri til Monday, 4 x dc, deluxe caravan cost £245!!

[Em308]

Having lived in Ayr, and travelled many years to Devon to holiday, I would definitely go to Devon. Ayr really isn't a holiday destination in my opinion. Plus you're more likely to get decent weather in Devon rather than Ayrshire.

[BlazeM]

Devon cliffs is a lot bigger than Marton Mere or Reighton sands, you could definitely get away without leaving the park. There is also a farm/adventure park within walking distance.
The beach is great but down a very steep hill.
We have been many times and will return as we love it there. I've never been to Craig Tara but I believe that size wise it's on a par with Devon cliffs.

[Cantwaitforsummer2020]

Great idea @Popsicle27 Thanks!

Sorry for late reply, had a meeting at school then school run :)

[Cantwaitforsummer2020]

@BlazeM Great info there, thanks so much!

May I ask, is there an alternative way to get to the beach to avoid the steep hill? A way I can possibly drive there? Or like Reighton Sands, is there a tractor trailer going up & down?

Actually could be a deal breaker for us, believe it or not!

Thanks

[BlazeM]

There is no other access to the beach on park, it's too steep for any sort of vehicle but only a short distance so we've never found it to be a major problem. I wouldn't let it put you off unless you have mobility issues.
You could drive to nearby Exmouth beach which is less than 10 minutes in the car.

One thing to consider is that because the park is so large, your accommodation could potentially be quite far from the facilities, requiring a lot of walking so if this would be a problem then try to request a caravan that's is close by.

[Cantwaitforsummer2020]

@BlazeM I do have mobility issues, yeah How short roughly?!
I'm not fussed about caravan distance as I'll just drive to the facilities. Unless we're very close. Standing in the amusements is bad enough for me, without walking to & from caravan :)
Thanks again

[TheOnlyMrsW]

@Cantwaitforsummer2020 not sure if this is relevant with your DD's ASD but Scotland have different school holidays to England so if you're looking at the end of August Craig Tara will likely be quieter, and may explain the price difference. We haven't been to either of these sites but have family in Ayrshire and there are lots of lovely places to visit. Largs is on the coast and you can watch the ferries come in, play on the beach and go for ice-cream. If you're a bit more adventurous you could go over to either Arran or Millport by ferry as well.

[BlazeM]

That's a pic of the beach path. It's just in two parts, short but fairly steep.