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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:
Floatingprism · 18/04/2023 20:57

@Bk1000 that truly sounds awful. Out of interest, which site was that?

Mrschristmasqueen · 18/04/2023 21:00

We took our son to Center Parcs when he was 1 and, realistically, the only good thing for kids of that age is the swimming. We went again when he was 4 and he enjoyed it as he could do the activities. We go to a Haven site every year, we just do a cheapy weekend at the start or end of season. Last year we went to Blue Dolphin and it was lovely. The only negative I heard is that the toilets in the camping area aren't great but if you're in a caravan then you don't need to worry about that. Primrose is bigger and has more to do but is slightly more expensive than Blue Dolphin. We also went to Thornwick Bay last year, which is nice but tiny. We did tots week at Butlins when our son was 3 and it was brilliant but I don't think they do them in school holidays. Neither of my kids like the entertainment at Haven so we don't bother with that but we do use the arcades and the pools when we go.

That was a very long winded way of saying Haven is better than Center Parcs for a 2 year old 😂

RoseThornside · 18/04/2023 21:03

I've been to Havens at Devon Cliffs, Mablethorpe, and somewhere in Norfolk. All great and although didn't use the pool at Devon Cliffs (therefore can't comment), other pools were fine with our children under 10. Have also done CP at Whinfell. Came down with norovirus on our last night. 🤢 It's put me off to be honest, although not everyone in our party caught it. Having said that, the pool was fabulous, but it doesn't need to be that fabulous for a 2 year old.

I'd go with Haven for now. Always in great locations. Filey and Scarborough have such great beaches - perfect for a 2 year old with a bucket and spade.

CottonSock · 18/04/2023 21:05

Bluestone does do some entertainment which is a very high standard, plus a pub quiz and an evening shindig (payable). No disco though. Its expensive in school holidays, perhaps more than centre parcs. It used to be cheap, but sadly no longer is.

Lovelyring · 18/04/2023 21:05

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.

This. The Just for Tots break was fabulous for a two year old. Swimming pool was ideal for them and really inexpensive.

I like centre parcs but it wasn't that great for a child that age tbh.

I like Haven but haven't been for years. Used to love a caravan as a kid!

Dymaxion · 18/04/2023 21:09

Why don't you stay in Scarborough ? There is loads to do with a little child, whats your budget ?

carly2803 · 18/04/2023 21:10

haven - book private though through ukcaravansfor hire! much cheaper and choose your van too that way

butlins is fab but IMO sticky!!

centre parks is great - been but defo for older kids really who want to bike outdoors!

Thereisnoname · 18/04/2023 21:11

Not done Haven but Butlins is so much better than CP..

Been numerous time since kids were toddlers and love it every time (their now 8 and 10) so much to do and nearly all free (especially when younger we pay for a few activities now their older). Only been to Bognor Regis but like that we can easily walk along seafront and into town too. We get a dining plan and while not amazing food it means no planning, kids can eat what they want etc.
Tried CP and it was awful, all activities and food had to be booked months in advance (butlins do pre booking but only about 14 days before the trip) nothing to do for free other than swimming, activities cancelled as not enough equipment, had to walk so far to get to the car, kids hated it and were actually bored tbh. Wojld never go again.

h3ll0o · 18/04/2023 21:12

We’ve stayed at ‘The Bay’, which are the holiday cottages next to the haven site. We went in the middle of Covid and could use the Haven facilities (apart from their pool). We had a great time and would happily holiday there again.

We’ve taken our LO to CP twice, she’s now 3.5. As the newness has worn off she found the second visit really boring as it is very samey. I find CP charges a premium yet it’s chavtastic, which puts me off.

Were staying in at a Landal site in the lakes next month. I think it’s north lakes?

somewhereovertherain · 18/04/2023 21:13

Had one weekend at a haven site. Hell on earth awful site awful entertainment awful bar. Caravans so close together. Have a rule on camping we only go to sites without a club or entertainment. They seem to attract a certain type of people

Give me center parcs any day - as a least you don’t need to live everyone else’s holiday.

Treeeeeeee · 18/04/2023 21:15

Didn't go to blue dolphin but a different Haven site last summer (Wales). Honestly it was eye opening and not for a single good reason. It was a nightmare that will never be repeated, although the area was lovely. I would pick no holiday over Haven

AbreathofFrenchair · 18/04/2023 21:15

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!

We went to Filey last year, a week at Haven in a caravan.

Came home after 4 nights, it was awful. Caravan was damp, whole park untidy, huge gangs of teens roaming round and being a general nuisance.

Haven couldn't give us another caravan and were not too bothered about helping, caravan next to us left early too

BringItOnxxx · 18/04/2023 21:19

I had an amazing holiday at Haven Berwick last year. Outdoor pool and beautiful beach on doorstep.

Whatafool123 · 18/04/2023 21:21

If you can afford CP in the school holidays, they are lovely. We can't so do holiday parks instead. Haven Golden Sands in Lincolnshire and Seashire near Gt Yarmouth in Norfolk were both great, but I would agree with the suggestion to book the best caravan you can. Some are lovely and in summer a veranda would be nice.

I have never been to a sticky Haven, but maybe that's because we have always booked a silver caravan or better.

Neededanewuserhandle · 18/04/2023 21:24

Pippa12 · 18/04/2023 20:05

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

^this. Been 3 times and have finally managed to prise DD away from it. They are robbing bastards.

Original poster
IndiaRose22 · 18/04/2023 21:25

Thanks everyone.. lots to think about and not sure I fancy Haven now either 🤣 Butlins is a bit further away for us but I will have a nosey, and opened a page to look at Cayton Bay (tomorrow, it's my bed time now haha!)

@Dymaxion we don't really have one.. we put away £50 a month each for holidays so have quite a bit so far, and have our wages and savings if needed. Open to looking at a nice cottage in Scarborough but my mum went to one somewhere and said it wasn't clean, she cleaned it all herself when she got there, so that puts me off a little.

OP posts:
Swingoutsistersledge2 · 18/04/2023 21:35

Have you looked at Skipsea Sands . It was a lovely site when we stayed when the kids were little, good clubhouse for toddler disco's including a pool. Brilliant for getting around Yorkshire Filey , Scarborough, Whitby and my favourite place Robin Hood's bay. I know it has had a landslide and the beach was cordoned off but has a good park and Duck pond .

Mummikub · 18/04/2023 21:47

We did Presthaven last Easter and loved it. Had the cheapest caravan and it was fine, only three mins over the dunes to the beach.

StaunchMomma · 18/04/2023 21:53

I can't say much about Haven as only ever been to one, years ago (it was shite, in fairness) but I just wanted to say that there are loads of lovely activities for little ones at Center Parcs. When my son was little he particularly liked the themed parties.

Goonergirl14 · 18/04/2023 21:55

I love Haven Berwick, definitely my favourite. Not a big park but has a good size entertainment complex and the staff are lovely. Not a lot to do in the local area but ideal for a couple of days away. Have also been to a few of the Havens in Yorkshire, Primrose Valley is probably the best though I wasn't keen on the pool. As people have already mentioned book the best accommodation you can afford and I always pay to pick my caravan so I know exactly where I will be staying!

ktitten · 18/04/2023 22:00

I'm just back from a weekend at Haven and mixed feelings tbh. I have great memories of going when I was younger, my gran even bought one so we were there all the time, and I've taken my girls when they were younger and had a blast.

I don't know if this is every Haven but it feels like they've expanded the number of vans massively to meet the post-covid demand but not any of the facilities (think no seats at the entertainment until about 11pm and having to drive miles offsite to get something to eat cause the waits are 1+ hours). They've kept up the booking system and I cannot express just how much I HATED it. Went on a week in advance to book stuff and loads was already sold out, didn't book too much because for all we knew the caravan could have been a 25 min walk away so didn't want to pay for things that we'd miss. Then there's like... sometimes you just want to see how the kids are feeling and be a bit spontaneous on holiday. Bored? Lets go and hire a bike. Raining? Lets go for a swim. We ended up not doing 3 of the activities we had booked because someone inevitably didn't feel like it. Just so annoying.

I know what your DH means and I've always liked it despite that but I can honestly say I won't be back any time soon.

justanotherdrama · 18/04/2023 22:01

We went to centre parcs and my kids aged 3 and 6 at the time were bored ridgid but my brother booked it for his 40th and treated us so we went but I wouldn't go back until they were older
But even then it was dull as dishwater

AssignedNorthern · 18/04/2023 22:06

We went to primrose valley at Filey last Easter. It was really good for kids with lots of stuff to do and right on the beach. The only problem was the caravan (a silver one I think) was pretty uncomfortable in terms of the beds and sofas which put us off returning. Centre parcs is really much more expensive and I would say the activities cost a lot more too than haven, but I find the lodges at CP more comfortable.

soupmaker · 18/04/2023 22:11

We've done Haven at Reighton Sands, Haggerston Castle and Hafen Y Mor. I think the trick is to use them as a base and book the platinum caravans! Our kids are a bit bigger so we body swerved the evening entertainment but used the pools - the outside pool at Reighton Sands is lovely - and they all had lovely walks and good play parks for the kids.

Bk1000 · 18/04/2023 22:12

@Floatingprism it was Craig Tara in Ayr. The park has quite a bad reputation anyway but the fighting etc was worse than I was expecting! Maybe we were just unlucky.
The kids keep asking if we can go back this year but I’ve said no!