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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Haven seton sands!

25 replies

ginderella85 · 10/09/2023 16:55

We can't go aboard until 2025 so booked to go haven seton sands next August! We did craig tara this year and absolutely loved it. Although scotland is a very long drive for us. Anyway I've looked at the reviews for seton sands and it seems its hardly got anything there! Has anyone been before and actually enjoyed it after going to other haven sites (we have done loads of sites)

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WaitTheNoo · 10/09/2023 17:13

I've been a few years ago (only live 15 mins away but it was going free). I don't remember it that much but I think it's one of the quieter ones (I don't remember it being much like craigtara or haggerston). The beaches are nice, right across the road, and you're not far on the bus into Edinburgh. Always felt like one you'd use it as more of a base to explore that part of the country, rather than a destination in and of itself if that makes sense? Like if you want Haven you go to Haggerston site, if you want a place to stay while you explore Northumberland you go to Berwick site. Seton Sands is more like the Berwick site iirc.

August is usually the shittest of weather in this part of the country. We usually get a nice spring, a nice September, and a shit grey rainy July / Aug so I probably wouldn't depend on the beach and would plan stuff around the on site offerings / activities and the city. You might get lucky if it's after the Scottish schools go back as that's usually when the weather starts getting nice Grin. If it was me I'd plan stuff around the Edinburgh Festival, do the beaches if it's nice (either across the road or 10 min drive up the coast is Longniddry Bents which are nice). There's the Museum of Flight if your kids are into that, East Links Farm right beside it which both my kids have loved, there's some nice castles dotted around (my absolute favourite is Craigmillar which is a 15min drive up the A1 and next to a big retail park where you could do some shopping and grab lunch or catch a movie).

Sorry, I know myself when you book a haven holiday you kinda expect there to be enough to do onsite to keep the kids entertained so maybe not the response you're looking for, but I think after a couple days mine would be going stir crazy. Then again maybe I was just there during the really off-season, I honestly can't remember it much despite having really vivid memories of HC and CT.

Hope you enjoy it when it comes Smile

Foggyfoggyfoggy · 10/09/2023 17:15

We have been to Craig Tara 6 times. Research told me not as many activities at Seton and the pool def has less about it in terms of slides etc... We also go to Heads Of Ayr farm at CT every time too! Def going back next year as opposed to SS

rumbypumby · 10/09/2023 17:19

Seton sands isn't great.
But then again i think the same of Craig tara.

I would recommend Auchenlairie instead. Or Tummel Valley.

Original poster
ginderella85 · 10/09/2023 18:06

WaitTheNoo · 10/09/2023 17:13

I've been a few years ago (only live 15 mins away but it was going free). I don't remember it that much but I think it's one of the quieter ones (I don't remember it being much like craigtara or haggerston). The beaches are nice, right across the road, and you're not far on the bus into Edinburgh. Always felt like one you'd use it as more of a base to explore that part of the country, rather than a destination in and of itself if that makes sense? Like if you want Haven you go to Haggerston site, if you want a place to stay while you explore Northumberland you go to Berwick site. Seton Sands is more like the Berwick site iirc.

August is usually the shittest of weather in this part of the country. We usually get a nice spring, a nice September, and a shit grey rainy July / Aug so I probably wouldn't depend on the beach and would plan stuff around the on site offerings / activities and the city. You might get lucky if it's after the Scottish schools go back as that's usually when the weather starts getting nice Grin. If it was me I'd plan stuff around the Edinburgh Festival, do the beaches if it's nice (either across the road or 10 min drive up the coast is Longniddry Bents which are nice). There's the Museum of Flight if your kids are into that, East Links Farm right beside it which both my kids have loved, there's some nice castles dotted around (my absolute favourite is Craigmillar which is a 15min drive up the A1 and next to a big retail park where you could do some shopping and grab lunch or catch a movie).

Sorry, I know myself when you book a haven holiday you kinda expect there to be enough to do onsite to keep the kids entertained so maybe not the response you're looking for, but I think after a couple days mine would be going stir crazy. Then again maybe I was just there during the really off-season, I honestly can't remember it much despite having really vivid memories of HC and CT.

Hope you enjoy it when it comes Smile

We went to craig tara and was lucky we had decent weather the last week of August but I never expected nice weather anywhere in the UK lol we did use the site at craig tara a bit but we mostly went off site exploring and seeing the views! And luckily we always go when Scots schools are back lol

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Original poster
ginderella85 · 10/09/2023 18:09

Foggyfoggyfoggy · 10/09/2023 17:15

We have been to Craig Tara 6 times. Research told me not as many activities at Seton and the pool def has less about it in terms of slides etc... We also go to Heads Of Ayr farm at CT every time too! Def going back next year as opposed to SS

We loved craig tara and did go to ayr farm but was a little babyish for our kids! We loved the area away from Ayrshire town centre and all.the exploring and a little trip to ailsa craig island was amazing, although my husband did get cut to pieces in the slides at craig tara and I cut my ankle open on the slides going down to the lazy river 🤣

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Invisimamma · 10/09/2023 18:36

It's nothing like the facilities at Craig Tara but there's loads to do in the surrounding area.

The beaches are beautiful, North Berwick isn't far which is a lovely town to explore and get fish and chips etc.

There's a great watersports assault course nearby called Foxlake.

Theres a regular bus service into Edinburgh, it goes straight out to the zoo, or there's plenty to do in the city.

If you're planning to spend all your time on the haven site it might be a bit boring.

Original poster
ginderella85 · 10/09/2023 19:09

We don't spend all our time on site but reviews have said surrounding areas aren't very good!

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WaitTheNoo · 10/09/2023 21:00

ginderella85 · 10/09/2023 19:09

We don't spend all our time on site but reviews have said surrounding areas aren't very good!

I assume they mean within walking distance aka Port Seton / Cockenzie which is just a wee ex-mining turned commuter town now. So that rings true. I think there's a corner shop a chippy and a chinese and that's your lot.

But if you have a car or jump on the bus / train then there is loads to do - it's 15 mins outside the capital city of Scotland during the month of the festival where the population literally doubles in size and locals move back in with their parents to rent their rooms out for a grand a week Grin. If they can't find anything to do in one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe I really have no words lmao.

And like pp said there's lots of things to do and places to visit in East Lothian if you have a car. It all depends on what your family is into really.

Alba82 · 10/09/2023 21:20

We've been to SS a few times. We actually only live just over the forth bridge in Fife. It's okay as a base, & there is plenty to do & see in the area, accessible by car. Edinburgh Zoo, The Dungeons, The Butterfly & insect farm, Five Sisters Zoo, East links family park, Scottish seabird centre & museum of flight are places we've been to just where I can think of off the top of my head. It depends what your family members like really. I can honestly say when the kids were little & we were there it was enough to keep them entertained between the beach, swimming & entertainment activities but now they're older (teens) it'd definitely have to be day trips out

Oldermumofone · 10/09/2023 21:29

We’ve just done long weekends with 3-5 year old but perfect for her. Two pools and a slide which she enjoyed but obviously less than Craig Tara. Fort Douglas in Dalkeith Country Park was a real highlight and Yellowcraig beach is lovely with a good play area.

Original poster
ginderella85 · 11/09/2023 07:00

Wr have done berwick, didn't realise it wasn't far from there! I have a teen and 10 year old so hopefully she will be satisfied with a few on site activities (normally loves the bug hunt lol) and a few days exploring sounds whuch we do anyway! We always go for 7 days if the drive is over 3 hours so we can have some chill days! I saw the beach has rock pools so they will be in their element crabbing 🤣

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EVHead · 11/09/2023 07:05

Berwick and North Berwick are different towns. In different countries. 😄

Heatherbell1978 · 11/09/2023 07:09

I live not too far away and know that area well. It's not a place I'd have driven over 3 hours to get to but I'm sure it'll be a decent base for activities. I think it has a pool. North Berwick (not to be confused with Berwick which is a completely different place) is a lovely picturesque seaside town and you also have lovely beaches in the likes of Gullane and Dunbar. Seton Sands itself is not a nice sandy beach.

Cosycover · 11/09/2023 07:35

I'd give SS a miss. Haggerston is way better.

Original poster
ginderella85 · 11/09/2023 09:57

EVHead · 11/09/2023 07:05

Berwick and North Berwick are different towns. In different countries. 😄

Geography has never interested me as you can tell 🤣🤣 hate that subject and history 🤣🤣

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Original poster
ginderella85 · 11/09/2023 09:58

Cosycover · 11/09/2023 07:35

I'd give SS a miss. Haggerston is way better.

Been to haggerton before! We always try somewhere different only ones we haven't done is ss and ones passed yarmouth now! It's book also so won't be changing it lol

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ismu · 11/09/2023 10:11

I wouldn't go to SS, it has a very "different clientele"from Haggerston. Have a look on Hoseasons, there are loads of nicer places, have you looked at Drymsynie?
Also, this www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/23292494.seton-sands-holiday-park-bosses-move-resolve-rat-problem/

Original poster
ginderella85 · 11/09/2023 10:40

ismu · 11/09/2023 10:11

I wouldn't go to SS, it has a very "different clientele"from Haggerston. Have a look on Hoseasons, there are loads of nicer places, have you looked at Drymsynie?
Also, this www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/23292494.seton-sands-holiday-park-bosses-move-resolve-rat-problem/

We have already booked ss, so will 100% be going and what clientele would you be referring to? We only really use hoseasons for our Xmas breaks as my 10 year old dd loves haven in the summer! We are going to the highlands through hoseseason for 10 days over Xmas!

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Original poster
ginderella85 · 11/09/2023 10:41

We heard nightmare things like the article before heading to craig tara and that was one of the best havens we've stayed at so far and we've stayed at a lot

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ismu · 11/09/2023 11:18

ginderella85 · 11/09/2023 10:41

We heard nightmare things like the article before heading to craig tara and that was one of the best havens we've stayed at so far and we've stayed at a lot

It used to be well known for fights, dangerous dogs and stuff like that, hopefully it's changed !!

Original poster
ginderella85 · 11/09/2023 11:30

Sounds like where me and dh was bought up and family still live! Arguably one of the rough estates around! council estate breed and although we aren't now, we haven't lost our roots!

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Invisimamma · 11/09/2023 12:41

ginderella85 · 11/09/2023 07:00

Wr have done berwick, didn't realise it wasn't far from there! I have a teen and 10 year old so hopefully she will be satisfied with a few on site activities (normally loves the bug hunt lol) and a few days exploring sounds whuch we do anyway! We always go for 7 days if the drive is over 3 hours so we can have some chill days! I saw the beach has rock pools so they will be in their element crabbing 🤣

North Berwick is not the same place as Berwick.

Ignore the comments about the clientele, it's fine, people are snobs.

You will need to get out and about thought, not much on site for teens.

ismu · 11/09/2023 13:35

ginderella85 · 11/09/2023 11:30

Sounds like where me and dh was bought up and family still live! Arguably one of the rough estates around! council estate breed and although we aren't now, we haven't lost our roots!

I hope you enjoy it, Haggerston is better and more family oriented. Being from a council estate doesn't mean you like fights, dangerous dogs or rats but if you think I'm being a snob for those reasons crack on !!!

Original poster
ginderella85 · 11/09/2023 13:44

Defo don't think you're being a snob, but honestly all that doesn't bother me in the slightest! And like I said we've been to haggerton and honestly didn't find it all the great compared to some! Sorry if you thought I was coming at you! But honestly I dont judge anyone and even in my old line of work I'm used to fights and verbal abuse aha

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Original poster
ginderella85 · 11/09/2023 13:45

Wr fo love exploring! I'm sure we will be fine! I was terrified to go to craig tara after the reviews bit that was amazing! But our holiday will be what we make it :) we still have the highlands in December to look forward to first

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