To take my kids on a Haven Holiday?

[LadyEatsCrispsALot]

Recently separated and just planning what type of weeks holiday I can take my dCs on? They are 4 and 6.
Previous family holidays have been camping, but I don't fancy that on my own with them.
Are these holiday parks good value or plain exhausting for a single mum?
I am struggling to decide so any ideas gratefully received. Xx

We went to Haven. We made the mistake of trying to eat one of their breakfasts and it was vile, served slightly cold and well over priced. Our caravan however was lovely but we had splashed out on one of the more expensive ones which was lucky as we chose to forgo all food on site and cook for ourselves and even ordered pizza one night.

The kids club was pointless as adults had to stay, DD was disinterested in the activities which were presented by even more disinterested staff and it was held in the hall which had been used for entertainment the night before and not been cleaned in between so the floor was sticky and disgusting

In short don't think I'd use them again

We used to go to butlins a lot when I was young and it's awesome I have very happy memories of butlins.

Can I come?

We love Haven here! With two small children (they were 3 and 7 last year when we went) we find there's always loads for them to do. Whoever it was who said that the Fun Stars are lazy obviously just had a one off bad experience, or just didn't like them in general as we've been to Haven's all around the country and they've always been brilliant.
Lots on the park for the kids to do, and the bigger the park the more things there are to do.
We've always had brilliant accommodation too. I can't comment on what the cheaper options are like, but we always go for the deluxe caravans and they've always been great.
Go for it, you'll have a great time!

We went camping at Haven in Weymouth last summer and it was brilliant - but obv can't comment on caravans

If you can manage the drive we are going here
duinrell it's about £250 for a week in may and £54 for the Dunkirk ferry.
The reviews are all great.

I went to Haven a few years back with the Sun offer.

We got a free upgrade to a top range caravan which was lovely!

Not really interested in the 'entertainment' as we went out and did our own thing.

Id go again.

Hate Butlins. awful places.

Hate haven for a multitude of reasons. Mainly the shit quality of everything.

Never been to butlins but my friend loves them.

Centreparcs and keycamp are both fab IMO.

I suppose I did opt for a cheaper option as I took the dog with me and they're only allowed to stay in the "bronze" caravans.

I don't care if the it was a one off for the fun stars to be lazy They were bloody lazy so busy having their own conversations with each other to talk to any of the children!!!!

I paid over £600 for my caravan then my food and spending money was on top of that!!!

At Butlins I paid £360 half board one year and £390 another. Only really needed lunch which we hardly ate due to being full from breakfast. After that it was just spend for fun rather than essentials and mostly that was beer because most things are free!!! Oh I had to pay £5 for DS to do the base jump!!

I do not understand how Haven and Butlins can vary so much if they're owned by the same company. Xx

We took the kids to Lakeland last year and they loved it. We saved over £200 doing the daily mail deal and the caravan was fine. We were cold the first night, so we went to the local town to sainsbury's and bought some fan heaters. One in the hall at the bedrooms and one for the kitchen first thing in the morning. It went fine for us and I'm a snob. Butlins was ok when we went but 8 hours journey to skegness was a long drive

I've been to loads of Haven sites and had great caravans and holidays at all off them

We did a short break to Butlins Bognor in the autumn and when I told people we were going you would have thought I'd said we were selling one of the DC for crack. One of my colleagues said "well I suppose it's the working class equivalent of CentreParcs" in a very patronising way.

Anyway, it was FAB - I have spent ages ever since singing its praises. The children loved it, the swimming pool was excellent - and the staff were brilliant. Not just the Red Coats - every staff member we met from managers who just happened to be riding in the lift with us and went into a full child-entertaining routine to those who operate the fairground rides.

No help on Haven though but having read everyone else's comments I don't think we'll be trying them soon!