Center Parcs, Butlins and Haven

[PixieAndProsecco]

I know similar threads have been done before but I wanted more up to date responses.

This summer I am considering taking my 2DS on holiday myself (DH does not have any leave or rest days over summer and I am tied to summer as I teach).

Previously we have went abroad, both with DH and with my family, however with this being the first year that I am summer holidaying solo with them I don't feel comfortable enough doing that. I could go with my parents again but I am finding my DM more difficult to deal with over a prolonged period of time and would rather avoid that (and some sunny coast as a result).

I will have a 12, almost 13, year old and 6 year old DS by the time summer comes (the age gap does make it harder).

We do go for small mid-week breaks to Haven Haggerston Castle (proximity to home and Northumberland is beautiful), so I am fully aware of what to expect at a Haven but this is also an easier amount of time to fill with activities and not somewhere I'd want to go again (we're going at Easter).

I would be looking for a week/ten days at the beginning of July and have considered doing X amount of days in one place and Y in the other. We are travelling from the central belt of Scotland and I am looking further in to England and Wales, due to prices being cheaper with it still being term time there.

I have searched high and low using mumsnet, independent blogs, Instagram, YouTube etc to try and get a better sense of what is out there but I want some honest opinions.

So far I've looked at Sherwood Forest and Whinfell Center Parcs (Sherwood is £200-£300 cheaper due to being further from Scotland and Scottish school holidays), Bluestone in Wales, Haven Primrose Valley, Haven Hafan y Mor and Butlins Skegness.

Has anyone been? Any of those that stand out above the rest? Any to avoid? Any others to consider?

Another potential split that might work is part CP and part White Cross Bay at the Lake District.
White Cross Bay has a pool and either caravans or lodges and is close to Bowness with lake steamers for days out or Brockhole adventure park which has activities particularly in the Summer.

Im just going to throw Away Resorts out there! and my reason is because you can start/end whenever you want. Might be good if you want to split a stay and dont want Mon-Fri or Fri to Mon etc. I cant comment on entertainment, we dont have kids but have a dog so beaches and walking are important to us...but they have swimming pools, restaurants etc. Lots of different typrs of accommodation, some with hot tubs. Sites are all over Uk, 2 in Wales if you are still looking there.

If you're open to a two centre holiday, what about 5 days at CP Sherwood Forest and 2-3 nights in Derbyshire self catering.

CP you have all the activities, swimming pool, playgrounds, bowling, amusements, the lake etc and plenty of walks, then staying somewhere like Matlock with a big centre on the doorstep but near to things like heights of Abraham, Alton towers, lots of walking etc then home to chill in a lovely cottage?

I wouldn't do CP. There really won't be enough for them to do. The activities are expensive, at stupid times and very short!

We had one day where our booked activity was all down and dusted by 9.30! WORST holiday ever! I couldn't wait to go home.

Best holiday I had with DC was North Wales. Beaches, trains, zip wires, mountains, castles... could have stayed another week!

My DC loved all the Center Parcs (we haven’t been to the Irish one), many Haven holidays and the hotel at Bognor Butlins. The more spending money you have the better.
I think you can’t go wrong with a Monday to Friday Center Parks break, every time I go I think this is so nice. I’ve been since my youngest was 9 months and he’s 22 now.
For a week Haven works well as you can do some days out.

Completely unnecessary to post this. It's just nasty and says a lot more about who you are. Do you feel better about yourself now that you have come onto a thread just to make a nasty, smug comment rather than offer any helpful advice. Probably not.

Thank you.

And thank you to everyone who has commented.
I am no further forward but have discovered Away Resorts, Forest Holidays, the other Landal resorts and everything else mentioned.

I just want to book something as that way I know when it's happening, how much etc.

Another vote for Away Resorts. They sit somewhere between Center Parcs and Haven but I personally prefer them over both. Less expensive than CP for sure and some of their new accommodation is amazing. We have stayed in a Rock Star and TriBeCa with a hot tub - bliss!!!

I’ve been to a few CP and also Bluestone - Bluestone was lovely but there is much less on site than CP so it’s better a base to explore the area -which is stunning. So If choosing that bear in mind. CP may be easier especially if the weather does not play ball. There are amazing beaches near Bluestone.

We've been to CP for a full week many times. A midweek or weekend is very enough. And we never go offsite

We have days when we book no additional activities and just go swimming, walk the dogs and use the playgrounds

There's loads to do and if you wise up some of the activities can be very good value

Hey sure there's a huge pool with flumes, wave pool, rapids etc and I think and outdoor one too. Mini golf, pedalos, abseiling and a high ropes course, segways, pedal karts, arts and crafts, ranger activities, pool activities (not sure what as my wee one was too young for them), football, archery and some other sports. There's also the arcade and entertainment all day. Off the site we went to a beautiful beach 15 mins drive away that was so quiet and just stunning, we did the steam train into the mountains and a castle (lots of castles nearby) there's also a zoo nearby and different activity centres and pretty villages. There's no fairground or there wasn't last summer. We stayed in a.silver van which was lovely and had decking to sit out on. This year we're going for a gold van for bigger decking but that mainly cause we'll have a big pram with us so wanted more outdoor space. I'd say a silver is all you need - it had the Bluetooth speakers, en suite toilet, two TVs, dishwasher, full sized fridge freezer etc

Have a look at PGL holidays too.

I work at Elveden CP and we get loads of people who have traveled from Scotland in June and early July.

Have you looked at European center parcs/equivalents? I am looking at duinrell near Amsterdam and the cost looks reasonable with loads to do that isn't just swimming, it has a theme park on the site.
Otherwise I agree CP sounds like it gives you what you need in terms of catering to all their needs. I have heard good things about bluestone Wales so would look into that as it would probably feel more special?

Center parcs Sherwood forest is fantastic. Have you also thought about Alton Towers? They have hotels and lodges - loads to do - waterpark theme park, high wire walk, golf, spa etc.

Also Retallick in Cornwall is brilliant especially for your older dc.

Thanks all, definitely going to look at these suggestions.

@Zipps I am taking the eldest DC to Alton Towers for their birthday this year - glamoing pod nearby and two days in the park.
I'd take the kids if I had another adult with me, meaning everyone could do what they want without the eldest being forced on to a child's ride or having to ride a thrill ride himself.

Retallack is part of Away Resorts.