Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to go to Haven instead of Centerparcs?

99 replies

IndiaRose22 · 18/04/2023 19:19

Posting here for traffic really!

Me and DH would like to get away this summer, just to somewhere in the UK. We have a 2 year old who would be coming with us.

I want to go to a Haven site and am looking at Blue Dolphin in Filey. I used to go with my parents to Haven sites, and have been to Blue Dolphin a few times! I like that they have entertainment on and arcades and stuff, although I can't remember exactly what Blue Dolphin is like. Has anyone been recently? I love Scarborough and Whitby so think I am a bit biased to that area too!

DH thinks of Haven as being 'sticky' (we had a bad experience at a soft play center at the weekend which was grim, and if DH thinks somewhere is dirty and grim then it definitely is 🤣 and i think this place has scarred him now) so he would like to go to Centerparcs, specifically the one in the Lake District. Whilst i do not doubt that Centerparcs is an amazing place to go to, I think they are more expensive and more suited to an older child. I am happy to be told I am wrong though and there is plenty to do there - bonus points for examples at the Lake District one to suit a 2 year old. Do they do evening entertainment?

Any other suggestions welcome!

OP posts:
ScoobyBooby · 18/04/2023 19:21

I am actually looking at the Blue Dolphin too !

Will be following with interest ! 😀

IchWill · 18/04/2023 19:22

I've not been to that Haven, but I've been to others. They have been lovely.

FlyingCherries · 18/04/2023 19:23

Center Parcs don’t have evening entertainment like Haven, except a mini disco. The pools, playgrounds and soft play are much better than Haven though. I like both! In the summer holidays I’d tend to go for Center Parcs because CP is pretty expensive year round but Haven gets cheap out of season.

IchWill · 18/04/2023 19:23

Pay for the best level of caravan you can afford. We had a silver caravan last month. Was really comfy, warm and had a verandah.

IrregularChoiceFan · 18/04/2023 19:24

2 year old? Butlins. Especially their tots weeks but if just a normal week your child will still love it. I wouldn't bother with CP until kids were about 9/10. I have been a fair few and just don't think the (free/fun) entertainment is there at CP.

Duckingella · 18/04/2023 19:27

Go to Cayton bay instead

Tamuchly · 18/04/2023 19:35

Centerparcs don’t do evening entertainment but there is lots for little ones to do. That said, we have enjoyed Haven and Butlins too. Only you know your little one, would they like the big, furry characters or be scared? My kids are older now and we will be going to Centerparcs in May to spend our holiday in the pool and cycling around but when they were younger they loved all the little activities there.

gogohmm · 18/04/2023 19:37

For a toddler I hear butlins is really good

Original poster
IndiaRose22 · 18/04/2023 19:42

ScoobyBooby · 18/04/2023 19:21

I am actually looking at the Blue Dolphin too !

Will be following with interest ! 😀

Hope this helps you too! I know I liked it when I was younger!

OP posts:
Mummysgonetobed · 18/04/2023 19:43

id go haven at that age but not blue dolphin, I’ve been recently and found it really dirty and grim.
Cayton Bay is lovely though and nearby - it’s a Parkdean one.

save CP for when your dc can do more.

Original poster
IndiaRose22 · 18/04/2023 19:45

Thank you all! Should maybe have mentioned that I can only go in school holidays because I work in a school, so can't take advantage of things being cheaper at different times. I hadn't thought of Butlin's but I think that's because I really want to go Scarborough way. Will have a look at Cayton Bay now @Duckingella thank you! I don't think he will mind the characters, I think he'd like them!

OP posts:
Original poster
IndiaRose22 · 18/04/2023 19:46

Mummysgonetobed · 18/04/2023 19:43

id go haven at that age but not blue dolphin, I’ve been recently and found it really dirty and grim.
Cayton Bay is lovely though and nearby - it’s a Parkdean one.

save CP for when your dc can do more.

Oh well I'm glad you have been to Blue Dolphin recently, but sorry it was grim and dirty - that definitely puts me off. Will look at Cayton Bay now!

OP posts:
OhmygodDont · 18/04/2023 19:47

I’d agree that for a toddler Butlins would be much better. Havens alright always boook the best accommodation you can. Toddlers won’t get much space on a haven dance floor to boogie or enjoy the show though unless you’re willing to be in there from the first doors opening. Butlins you can pay to prebook sky seats too so definitely get a table.

FrownedUpon · 18/04/2023 19:48

CP is much nicer & I’d definitely choose it over Haven if money isn’t a problem. ‘Sticky’ is a good word for Haven actually

Mrsjayy · 18/04/2023 19:49

We preferred primrose Valley for the facilities the pool was better but Blue Dolphin for a bit of quiet I don't know what they are like now .we've not been in 15ish years, Kids enjoy haven parents like their kids having a good time so imo that's a win/win.

Nowtbettertodo · 18/04/2023 19:51

Daughter just been to Primrose Valley Haven in Filey and said it was lovely. Plenty for her 3 year old to do.

Isitthathardtobekind · 18/04/2023 19:54

I go to haven in Cornwall and it’s great. To me, CP is overpriced. I’d rather go to Haven and visit local beaches etc than be stuck in a dome- but that may be because my experience of CP was in Wilts so not near beaches/places to eat etc unless you visit the ones in the dome.

Mrsjayy · 18/04/2023 19:56

Me and Dh have used Haven away breaks thing you just pay for the van no entertainment passes .it's cheap and cheerful and a good base .

MrsMoggy · 18/04/2023 19:58

We enjoyed Primrose Valley haven near Filey but agree that Butlins is the best for a toddler

gold22 · 18/04/2023 20:03

Another vote for Primrose! I've been to Center Parcs in the Lakes aswell although lovely, Haven is a bit more lively for a 2yr old (I'm also biased for Scarborough!)

DaydreamBongospirit · 18/04/2023 20:03

Another vote for Primrose Valley. We've had many happy holidays there. We've been to Blue Dolphin and Reighton Sands and wouldn't go back (although Reighton is the better of the two) Cayton Bay is nice enough too.

Pippa12 · 18/04/2023 20:04

My DC love Haven, we go abroad regularly but they are generally more enthusiastic about Haven. Saying that, Blue Dolphin was my least favourite site and I would not return. Primrose Valley is nice? Mablethorpe or Hayfan Y Mor (?sp) are great sites too if your willing to travel.

Only done the adults only weekends at Butlins but always thought it looked great for families!

Pippa12 · 18/04/2023 20:05

Centre parcs is ridiculously expensive to go and even more of a joke whilst you are there!

mostlysunnywithshowers · 18/04/2023 20:06

We've just come back from Haven at Exmouth. It was good, but not really our scene, we just go because it's more our budget and easy to book.

My boys (9 and 6) don't particularly get anything out of the childrens clubs and things, but they like the swimming, and the outdoor play areas and the arcades are like cocaine for them!

I think we will look at CP or Bluestone in Pembrokeshire next time because we don't really do the evening ents, not into Bingo or magic shows, and we find the bar massively overpriced so we end up with a bottle of wine ovaltine in the caravan anyway!

dawnc27 · 18/04/2023 20:12

i am a haven caravan owner and a LONG time butlins goer, for a toddler id say butlins. havens better if you want to do more things off site. my 4 have gone to butlins from newborn right upto being 24! so much more to do during the day at butlins like the fairs, more tots shows, pools and softplay. i prefer minehead tbh but its a long drive from me, although i cant knock skeggy itself as thats where my van is but i like the quietness of minehead town