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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I've messed up BIG time regarding our holiday....

177 replies

GhostPrincess · 27/07/2025 20:32

Family are going away on a UK break. Our caravan on a park. (Vardent leisure...never used them before)

I've majorly fucked up. I was sure we had booked to go on Monday (tomorrow!!!) DH asked me to check what time we can arrive on site and I've noticed we were meant to arrive today!!

I have tried calling... reception closed at 5pm.
I've emailed and said we would be arriving tomorrow and asked them to call me.
I plan on calling them when phone lines open at 8:30am.

The terms and conditions state: that if they don't hear from you then any accommodation or pitches not claimed by 8am the day after holiday was due to start will be given away.

I am hoping that the email will count as me claiming the pitch and informing them.
The only other thing we can do is try get there for 8am...but that would mean leaving at 3am!!!

I can't call them before 8am as the phone lines don't open until 8:30.

I am ready to cry that I've ruined everyone's holiday.

OP posts:
Gcsunnyside23 · 27/07/2025 20:57

You've emailed so that should absolutely count as you claiming it, try not to worry. Get straight on the phone for 8.30. how far a drive is it?

Dangermoo · 27/07/2025 20:58

Why don't you also call again, and leave a voicemail, for extra cover. You could say that you emailed them at such and such a time.

Laiste · 27/07/2025 21:00

Honestly if this were me i'd be leaping into bed now getting 5 hours kip and getting on the road at 3.

Id be standing at the reception door with my bags and a big smile at 8.

They can't give the pitch to anyone else until they answer the phone/read the email/ring the number of someone waiting for a cancellation. And they can't do that until they physically get in the office. And i would want to be there as they arrive !

Keepingittogetherstepbystep · 27/07/2025 21:09

Have you searched to see if the site security number is available online.

Last time I stayed in a caravan someone turned up security gave them the key. Only problem was security gave them the key to my caravan, it got sorted but late arrivals keys are sometimes left with security.

Vaxtable · 27/07/2025 21:10

I would get up at 3am and go roads will be quiet for a start

Sugargliderwombat · 27/07/2025 21:12

I'd get up at 3am, too. But only because I wouldn't be getting any sleep anyway!

FiveBarGate · 27/07/2025 21:13

As above. Sometimes if you can find a pdf of the site map online it includes the security number.

We've stayed at two Verdant sites and both have been lovely.

If you can't get a number get there early. As PP said there's less chance of it email being missed or anyone else claiming it. Plus it rescues a day for full enjoyment. You probably won't sleep well anyway so just get going early.

notsurewherenotsurewhy · 27/07/2025 21:14

Honestly I think it will be absolutely fine and I would not be getting up in the middle of the night to try to arrive at 8am! I think the T&Cs language is just giving them the clear right to relet it in the event of no-shows who don't get in touch with exactly the sort of reasonable error you've made. There's not going to be some returns queue at the caravan park at 8.30am!

I would try to ring them as soon as they're open. I wouldn't necessarily assume you can arrive earlier than usual arrivals time, even being a day late - depends on their setup - so I wouldn't set off until you've spoken with them.

I really can't see that you'll lose your booking overnight, and I would not be stressing about contacting their emergency phone about this!

Enjoy your holiday when you get there OP.

Thejackrussellsrule · 27/07/2025 21:14

To make you feel better, I once forgot the kids passports and didn't realise until check in, we were 3.5 hours from home and we were going on a cruise, so getting there the following day was no good. We did manage to pull it out of the bag and get there, but it's become one of those family tales. This is what yours will be, honestly, you'll laugh one day!

popcornpower2025 · 27/07/2025 21:14

They can't give the pitch to anyone else until they answer the phone/read the email/ring the number of someone waiting for a cancellation. And they can't do that until they physically get in the office. And i would want to be there as they arrive !

Yes this exactly. In order for them to give the pitch away someone has to be in the office to organise that so they'll have checked emails

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 27/07/2025 21:20

i get it’s a 5 hour drive but are you packed? If so, could you just set off now and arrive middle of the night.

WonderingWanda · 27/07/2025 21:22

Try not to panic, I doubt there will be a queue of caravans rocking up without booking at 8.30 in the morning ready to nab an unclaimed pitch. Is it Verdant? The staff at the one in Woolacombe have always been really lovely.

SitOnHisFaceIfHeDiesHeDies · 27/07/2025 21:22

I would be making sure I was there by 8am

Newyeargymwanker · 27/07/2025 21:28

Some women on this thread a verging on the hysterical-
if they are shut and not answering emails they can hardly put your pitch back on the website to be resold?
You’ve let them know prior to the 0830 deadline, you’ll call first thing to ensure you speak to someone.

The very idea of getting yourself and your family up at 3am to drive down, or worse, driving down and sleeping in the car? That’s not a holiday. That is anxiety inducing madness.

It’s an easy mistake to have made.

LillyPJ · 27/07/2025 21:30

I think your email counts as you having previously notified them, as per their terms and conditions. Whether they've read the email or not yet isn't your fault. Also, if you can't contact them any other way until 8.30, that perhaps means other people can't book your spot before then either? I'm sure you'll be fine.

Ihatemondays1962 · 27/07/2025 21:37

Gcsunnyside23 · 27/07/2025 20:57

You've emailed so that should absolutely count as you claiming it, try not to worry. Get straight on the phone for 8.30. how far a drive is it?

In the OP it says its a 5 hour drive.

TonTonMacoute · 27/07/2025 21:47

There isn't going to be another caravan at the site at 8am tomorrow, on the off chance that there will be a spare pitch.

You have not ruined the holiday OP, have a great time!

Ukholidaysaregreat · 27/07/2025 21:48

You have paid for it and you have emailed them. I would probably email again and try and ring them in the morning before 8am. I thing if you have paid they should hold it for you. Hope you go and have a great holiday. Xxx

TaupeLemur · 27/07/2025 21:48

This kind of thing happens all the time ( worked in hospitality for years) - contact in the morning, you’ll be fine I’m sure!

Justletmemoveon · 27/07/2025 21:51

Op if it makes you feel any better we’ve got a road trip in the US coming up mid-August and I realised 3 weeks ago that my driving licence expired months ago, and I realised 1 week ago that I need a credit card for the car hire (haven’t had one for 20 years). Just didn’t read the small print properly. Have obvs applied for both now, but it’s cutting it fine… my kids’ first long haul holiday and my first big trip post-divorce, and I’ve mucked up 😩. So I feel your pain and hopefully all fine for you (and me) 🙏

RubyFlax · 27/07/2025 21:55

Newyeargymwanker · 27/07/2025 21:28

Some women on this thread a verging on the hysterical-
if they are shut and not answering emails they can hardly put your pitch back on the website to be resold?
You’ve let them know prior to the 0830 deadline, you’ll call first thing to ensure you speak to someone.

The very idea of getting yourself and your family up at 3am to drive down, or worse, driving down and sleeping in the car? That’s not a holiday. That is anxiety inducing madness.

It’s an easy mistake to have made.

Yes - this !! I’m a massive worrier and over thinker, but I really can’t see what the panic is from everyone here ?
According to their T&C they would need to wait until 8am to release your booking, their lines open half an hour later at 8:30am so you can call them then.
Even if the pitch is released automatically at 8am and available for online booking I think the chances of someone being online to book a caravan pitch bang on 8am that they want to arrive at that very same day, in that 30 minute window between 8-8:30 are slim to none!?
If you’re still worried when you wake up then go online at 8am and see if it’s become available… my guess is it won’t have, which means no one else can book it anyway!

Diydanny · 27/07/2025 21:59

GhostPrincess · 27/07/2025 20:32

Family are going away on a UK break. Our caravan on a park. (Vardent leisure...never used them before)

I've majorly fucked up. I was sure we had booked to go on Monday (tomorrow!!!) DH asked me to check what time we can arrive on site and I've noticed we were meant to arrive today!!

I have tried calling... reception closed at 5pm.
I've emailed and said we would be arriving tomorrow and asked them to call me.
I plan on calling them when phone lines open at 8:30am.

The terms and conditions state: that if they don't hear from you then any accommodation or pitches not claimed by 8am the day after holiday was due to start will be given away.

I am hoping that the email will count as me claiming the pitch and informing them.
The only other thing we can do is try get there for 8am...but that would mean leaving at 3am!!!

I can't call them before 8am as the phone lines don't open until 8:30.

I am ready to cry that I've ruined everyone's holiday.

You are taking your own touring caravan? We used to do that when kids were little. We would drive down at night stopping in a (safe) lay-by for a few hours kip then driving on.

fruitbrewhaha · 27/07/2025 22:01

You’ll be ok. No one else can book the pitch before 8:30 because reception is closed. Get to bed and get in the road first light.

MickGeorge22 · 27/07/2025 22:04

AnotherNameChange1234567 · 27/07/2025 20:38

I’d just go now to be honest, get there early hours and get some sleep before the morning.

Surely it would be very unlikely that anyone would still be on reception to give them the key to the caravan in the middle of the night though? These places rarely have someone on reception all night.

ChompandaGrazia · 27/07/2025 22:06

I’m a huge worrier and I see why you are panicked op.
You’ve emailed, no one can take it before they open tomorrow. Get on the road at the normal time and phone them as soon as they open.