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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I am BU. Holiday parks and 'chavs'!

426 replies

Waltermittythesequel · 23/05/2016 19:47

My dsis has informed me that I would be mad to book a Haven holiday in the UK since it will be full of rough people and chavs.

I have never been so I have no idea of the type of clientele.

I'm honest enough to admit that the thought of being surrounded by Jezza Kyle types is a little daunting.

There'll be dh and I along with our 3 dc and I just don't want to fork out a lot of money and feel uncomfortable and unable to use the facilities.

I hate judging people based on how they look/sound etc but she's been before and has really worried me!

OP posts:
CodyKing · 25/05/2016 12:40

We went one year and a kid peed through the letter box - the sheets were filthy and the kids were kicking footballs at the Windows - we stayed about an hour -

Pool was filthy and cold - ball park was shut - only food was pizza or chips

It really was the pits

Google Watchdog for similar tails

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 25/05/2016 12:41

I'm a big fan of Haven Holidays.
My kids (aged 3 and 1) love the routine of swimming, beach and evening "entertainment". I find it pretty good value out of season, particularly for larger groups (we usually ask the grandparents and an Auntie as well as our 4).
Obviously working class people go to Haven. Having read some of OP's subsequent posts, I think she was actually talking about anti social behaviour. I echo other posters in saying it depends on the time of year and the site.
We live in Glasgow and I have certainly heard some stories about Ayr that would put me off! We go to Berwick Upon Tweed which would qualify as naice at a stretch. Its a relatively small site, lots of the clientele seem to be retired folks with their grandkids and it has the best beach ever- a great combination of sandy bits and interesting rockpools.
Berwick town is a gentle walk away and has a nice park, loads of old fortifications, art galleries etc.
There is also an extremely good Lebanese Restaurant
I just came home and immediately booked for next year. It cost me £330 which I will pay off in 10 £30 instalments. For what you get, its fantastic value.

SirChenjin · 25/05/2016 13:03

Hoseasons parks are good - look for the quieter ones. The caravans we've had have all been great and the parks very well kept. Made the mistake of going to Haggerston Castle once - never again.

Sunnsoo · 25/05/2016 13:32

Op, watch the uk darts when the championship is on. The crowds there will give you a good idea of what to expect!

Jellybean83 · 25/05/2016 13:36

We're going to the Thorpe park haven in Lincolnshire in June, this will be our first caravan holiday. Looking forward to it even more now reading this thread and all your great experiences. To be fair I didn't have any reservations about it being a 'chavvy' holiday, I just presumed it will be a fair mix of people.... Like anywhere really.

mrsfuzzy · 25/05/2016 13:36

welcome to havoc holiday parks, loving this thread, haven't laughed so much in ages, pass the tena lady pads !

mrsfuzzy · 25/05/2016 13:41

we used to go to hastings but have stopped due to the rumours, of search lights and barbed wire being installed to keep the 'inmates' er.. holiday makers under control, there is talk of helicopter patrols and desenters will be shot, or forced to sit through caterwauling of karoke.

TheGrandHighWitch · 25/05/2016 14:31

It isn't that bad. My ex SIL is a snobby bitch and even she has no issue with going there. I would say it is definitely more kid friendly than an adult holiday but it was perfectly enjoyable when I went and I am going again next year. I suppose it is subjective though depending on location etc.

betsyderek · 25/05/2016 14:38

My family were worried when I booked a caravan. As someone who refuses to fly economy they were sceptical but it was absolutely lovely. Less poncy than a Cornish cottage which costs a million quid a week and has endless middle class fusspot neighbours. Clean, spacious and great facilities in a beautiful location. I loved it and was seriously considering buying a caravan until I found out that the ground rent in a park is more than marina fees at Sandbanks!

Kimononono · 25/05/2016 16:26

Op, watch the uk darts when the championship is on. The crowds there will give you a good idea of what to expect

Brilliant !! So true!

StuffandBother · 25/05/2016 16:39

We went all inclusive to the Caribbean 10 years ago, now THAT was rough!! full of skanky, swingy types!! I've stayed at a few Haven, none as vulgar as that awful place in Jamaica!

DanyellasDonkey · 25/05/2016 17:28

Op, watch the uk darts when the championship is on. The crowds there will give you a good idea of what to expect

Well, we've reached a new area of judgeypant-ness on MN dartists Wink

I went to a local darts exhibition with exactly that preconceived attitude. It was one of the best night's out I've ever been to. Great atmosphere with 2 of the top 5 players. One was brilliant and the other was a complete and utter knob.

Can't wait for the next one - now Danyella slinks back into her chavtastic corner Blush

betsyderek · 25/05/2016 17:37

We accidently ended up at a darts championship in Dubai, it was a brilliant night.

coco1810 · 25/05/2016 18:39

We went to one at Ilfracombe...... Never again! The "social club" was more like a cattle market!

imwithspud · 25/05/2016 18:46

We stayed at John Fowler at Ilfracombe. It was horrific, the chalets were disgusting. Wouldn't expect a dog to stay there. Stayed at another John fowler which was equally as horrendous. We avoid John Fowler sites now, they clearly don't take care of their accommodation.

Since then we've stayed on many caravan sites that have been absolutely lovely though.

TSSDNCOP · 25/05/2016 22:23

Stuff I was coming to ask if you'd stayed at the Almond Beach Club in Barbados when I realised you went to Jamaica. At the ABC everyone was battered by lunch which meant the hotel could serve shite for dinner because everyone was too pissed to realise.

Everyone except me. I was pregnant and starving 😠

Philoslothy · 25/05/2016 23:19

Went on a massively expensive adult only cruise last year and some of the people on board (middle class +) were so bloody rude I would have preferred a haven site at times!

We have cruised quite a few times, some of the rudest behaviour I have ever seen has been on board a cruise.

Original poster
Waltermittythesequel · 26/05/2016 07:31

I don't think money has anything to do with being chavvy, though.

You can spend a fortune on a holiday or cruise and still be antisocial.

I'm talking about the type of behaviour that is so loud and obnoxious that you do make other people uncomfortable and that's just not ok.

You can't be so unaware that you don't know what you're doing, can you? So they know they're making people feel that way.

MC/posh people can be just as bad. But, I have to be honest, I'd be more comfortable confronting some bolly swigging, Chanel and pearl clad lady called Boffy or something than I would someone else!

BUT!!! I imagine that's because of where I grew up around IYSWIM.

So I know better than to confront those people.

OP posts:
SirChenjin · 26/05/2016 08:12

Of course there are people who behave that way everywhere you go - but there are resorts/parks where it's more likely you'll come across them.

liz70 · 26/05/2016 09:15

The worst examples of antisocial behaviour I've encountered have been in a) a posh marina development and b) a very naice hotel in a naice village. I've never had any problems at caravan parks.

Looking forward to our holiday at Hayling Island in July. Smile

cleaty · 26/05/2016 09:26

Never been to Haven. We went with some friends to a caravan park with a clubhouse and outdoor swimming pool. Not the kind of place we would normally go. But the site had lots of rules they sent you and made it clear if you did not follow them, you would be thrown off. There were lots of kids there and it was fairly cheap. And the behaviour of adults and kids was great.

Tywinlannister · 26/05/2016 11:11

I feel I must defend Pontins. We used to go to the one in Jersey and yes, it was like a concentration camp accommodation wise (was actually used as a base by Nazi soldiers during war time occupation) but the scenery was absolutely stunning and could never be affordable had we not gone via the holiday camp route. We never stayed on site in the day, we always went to the beach or walking along the cliffs etc. If you want to hang around in the holiday camp arcades all day, then of course expect to see people you may not like. We can't like everybody.

I've just booked a week in a privately owned caravan in Rye too Grin

summerdreams · 26/05/2016 11:57

I've been to a few and there really is a big mix, I think everyone has in common is parents with children all there to have an enjoyable break. Unless you have a fear of encountering working class people there's no reason not to go.

LadyLannister · 26/05/2016 13:56

We went to a Haven in North Yorkshire a few years ago and promptly turned around and drove back home again.

The caravan was filthy, I didn't dare sit down on the sofas because they were disgusting. I don't like using the word Chav but yes, there were some very rough characters hanging about - think naked toddlers wandering around out of sight of their parents, who were clearly drunk in the middle of the afternoon ( and still drinking ).

I am not a snob at all, I grew up on a council estate and would probably describe myself as slightly rough around the edges - even I was shocked at the people who were there. Will never book a Haven holiday again ( thankfully got our money back due to the state of the caravan ).

Littleballerina · 26/05/2016 14:11

I love this.
We have a Haven about an hour away. I've always thought that it was just another caravan park although I've never been in. Maybe the daily mail should take them over as theme parks.

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