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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider a £9.50 Sun holiday?

151 replies

Passthepigs · 04/01/2019 18:31

On maternity leave from March so on a tight budget and will have new baby plus a 2.5 year old.

I’ve never read The Sun and don’t like large caravan parks with lots of other other families. Am I crazy to consider it as a cheap something to do for a few days next year or will I hate it?

OP posts:
Wimbledonwomble · 04/01/2019 19:38

Done more than a dozen! For us, it's been an excellent way of getting in a cheap break or 2 in addition to our main holiday. We've never had a bad one but do recommend you research your parks well by reading reviews and have a list of ones you'd be happy with in case you don't get your first choice. It goes without saying to steer clear of Pontins! We don't spend much time on the park and only use it as a base to explore the area so pick areas with loads to do (such as Devon or Cornwall). We also usually upgrade so can be assured of decent accommodation.

Go for it!

Equimum · 04/01/2019 19:43

We did two. One would have been 20015 and the other 2016. Both times we chose small parks and were under the impression we would have a caravan. The first was in North Devon and was okay, although not amazing. We had a very small renovated terrace ‘challet’. The pool I. Site was okay and the area was lovely.

The second time one, we did a Park Resorts sure and got a horrific ‘challet’, that was more like a hut. The full-length mirror fell down as we shut the door, and it quickly became apparent that we were surrounded by park residents rather than other. Holiday-makers. The play-park was a health hazard, with rings of the ladders missing and raised walk-ways closed off with just a bit a gaffer tape. The pool was over-crowded and we witnessed a fight within minutes of getting in. We spent the whole holiday off site after that, which was okay, but we dreaded heading back.

EvaHarknessRose · 04/01/2019 19:44

We did a few - the sites are the same places you would end up on a cheap break anyhow - its a roof and access to the beach nearby, sometimes half decent facilities. Good budget buster, once or twice.

Equimum · 04/01/2019 19:45

Just to add to my previous comments, we have since bought a gent and started camping. We find it far easier to one nice sites, and spent a week in Cornwall last August for just £8/night.

Willow1992 · 04/01/2019 19:46

I am now considering this as my mat leave starts next week, we will be on a bit of a shoe string budget and had assumed no holiday this year.

Does anyone have any reccomendations or warnings about sites in Devon or Cornwall? We will have DS4, DDbaby, possibly a DSS12 depending on what he's doing.

EggysMom · 04/01/2019 19:48

We used to do them, we'd book through the £9.50 offer and then - money depending - we'd call the park a week or two beforehand to see how much an upgrade would be.

Now we tend to book direct with Haven when they are doing the 50% offer very early in the season, it works out to about the same cost for us.

I laughed at all the comments saying "Don't do Pontins XYZ" - I could add, don't do Pontins at Prestatyn - simply put, don't pick a Pontins AT ALL Grin

MaMisled · 04/01/2019 19:48

I've been on 7 over the years. No complaints from me!

GhostSauce · 04/01/2019 19:48

Ah, you might be ok in Cornwall. We went on about 8 in Norfolk in the 90s and it was all prison camp/crack den style accommodation, rusty climbing frames, and scary grown ups drinking lager and fighting.

Bibijayne · 04/01/2019 19:49

We used to do them as kids. They're a decent enough base to explore the area.

airedailleurs · 04/01/2019 19:49

We have had several lovely Sun holidays in France (none in UK) where there is absolutely no catch and would highly recommend it. Standards at French campsites are very high and you wouldn't even need to upgrade to have a decent holiday.

redannie118 · 04/01/2019 19:52

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns, and so we've agreed to take this down now.

lunchboxloony · 04/01/2019 19:55

We've done several - with Haven and Park Resorts. (A PP mentioned Pontins -I've heard that's grim!!). Ours were all fine, especially the Haven ones, though the clubhouse/entertainment is usually really busy and pretty dire, but you won't be doing that with such little ones. We've had chalets and caravans and they're basic but do the job. It's always been a great way to have a base and see a different part of the country for a few days. Enjoy!

sickmumma · 04/01/2019 19:57

We went on one a couple of years back in the Isle of Wight. We went for a long weekend so not term time and had a great time! Cost us £50 for the ferry and £50 for 3 nights accommodation. The caravan was quite dated but clean and had all you needed. The campsite was lovely and have since discovered has worn awards (you can also camp there). I tried to book again last year but couldn't find the same site. I think it's. Bit of pot luck tbh!

myhamsteratefreddiestarr · 04/01/2019 20:01

I’ve done them for over 10 years. There are good parks and bad parks, just do some research before picking them.

Avoid Pontins like the plague.

Any original Parkdean sites are good, original Park Resorts are mixed.

Most Haven are ok, some John Fowler’s are ok.

They are great for a cheap holiday, free entertainment every night and a play park and swimming every day. Kids love it.

I’ve holidayed several years for £100 a time.

Parkdean St Minver in Cornwall is a lovely small park, lovely park, pool, well maintained. I go there every year. Highly recommend it for young kids. Close to Rock, Polzeath, Padstow.

user1468942365 · 04/01/2019 20:01

Park Resorts were grim but Haven fine. We used as a base whilst exploring locally. Went back twice in fact! Out of season it was more happy young families and older couples and fewer huge families on tour!!

thickgit · 04/01/2019 20:03

Done a few too. Research the park, don't have high expectations and you'll be fine. Butlins is fun for little ones. . . Lots to do, inside and out

LongtimeLurker29 · 04/01/2019 20:03

We use them as somewhere to cook and sleep and a base to explore the area. Nothing I hate more than the evening entertainment but you can remove the passes if you're not going to use them x

airedailleurs · 04/01/2019 20:04

Forgot to mention that if you book a holiday in mainland Europe you also get 50% off the cost of the ferry crossing which is a big saving if you're driving!

AliciaMayEmory · 04/01/2019 20:06

OP, don't listen to the horror stories. Yes, you have to be selective in your campsite choices, but they are not all hovels. We have done many of the UK holidays when the kids were little and we now do a yearly European sun voucher holiday. The campsites have been fabulous in France, lots to do on the sites, and the accommodation is really just a base to wash and sleep for us. The sites in Europe are mainly Eurocamp so you can look them up on their website and then look at reviews on trip advisor. Our children are now of an age where they can go off and find friends and they really look forward to these holidays. We do them as an extra to holidays at other times of the year. Had we booked the campsite we went to in Brittany directly with Eurocamp it would have cost £1400 for the week. We paid just under £200 when everything was settled up. We're looking at going to a campsite in Lake Garda or northern Spain this year when the booking opens.

OP, if you are selective and careful about where you book you can have a fabulously cheap holiday.

SusanneLinder · 04/01/2019 20:07

Been on a couple. Upgraded on every one. Picked a site where there was stuff to do in local area. Avoided the clubhouse like the plague. We either cooked or ate out, never on site, as chips with everything makes me heave.

Cassimin · 04/01/2019 20:10

Love a bargain and would probably give one a go for the price BUT could not possibly buy the scum.

Owlettele · 04/01/2019 20:10

Would anyone mind explaining how they work? - you have to collect vouchers from the sun I assume and then is it luck of the draw as to where you are able to go? Are the holidays released on a certain day and everyone scrambles to book? - sorry to jump on with the daft questions and thanks for any tips.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 04/01/2019 20:20

We have been all over with them, loved all of them however would also only go on Haven sites, always upgraded also.

Best one for us Bridlington, as DS had loads, cliff jumping into the sea, rock climbing, fishing with the local fisherman, and the many haven activities (inflatable pool party, futsal, football, basketball, segways, pool, crazy golf and den making) to name a few...

Dont go in thinking luxury, its not, go in with an open mind and cater to your families enjoyments.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 04/01/2019 20:28

Avoid Hastings. Lads in bar with tags on their ankles!

Best one we went to was church farm near Chichester.

These holidays are what you make them really, little kids love them.

Wimbledonwomble · 04/01/2019 20:28

There's a fb group you can join which explains exactly how it works plus lots of chat on parks etc. Search for "The Sun Holidays £9.50/£15". Note - they are £15 in school hols.