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Share your favourite holiday memories with Haven: you could win £100. NOW CLOSED

136 replies

AnnMumsnet · 17/03/2014 16:02

We've been asked by the team at Haven Holidays to find out MNers favourite memories of holidays!

Please share on this thread your memories of the first time you took your own children away (if you have been lucky enough to have been on holiday with your LOs): where was it, what was it like for you and for them?!

And what was the equivalent one with your parents? How do you think they compare?

What did you do on your holiday when you were a child compared to what your children do on holiday these days?

What's the strangest holiday souvenir you've ever seen or treated yourself too? Maybe a model donkey from Spain? Or some weird drink that tasted good when you were away!? Grin

Add your thoughts and memories on this thread and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 voucher Love2Shop voucher (an excellent chance to stock up on the pre-holiday essentials as the vouchers are accepted at 20,000 stores including Boots, W H Smith, Debenhams, Halfords and Matalan). Prize draw: Monday 31st March 9am.

Please note comments made on this thread may be used by Haven on their pages on Mumsnet, in social media or possibly elsewhere.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

PS for everything you need to know to make the most of your Haven holiday. From outdoor experiences for the whole family to on-site restaurants for the fussiest of eaters do check out the NEW Haven pages on Mumsnet

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Debbie009 · 18/03/2014 13:24

Our first holiday was to Disney Land Paris. I have a 2 and a 3 year old. It was quite a hard decision to make as part of me was thinking would they remember it? Am I taking them to early? Will it be a waste of money? It was absolutely the right decision, seeing the enjoyment on their faces made it worth every penny. I didn't really imagine them enjoying it as much as they did. Even 4 months after we've been they regularly take about it and reenact scenes of when they were on the plain and the parades. My daughter has turned into a princess fanatic and my son thinks he's buzz light year. The first time I went abroad I was 16 with the school, family holidays consisted every 4/5 years in golden sands caravan park in Great Yarmouth. Holidays were spent roaming up and down the beach, this was nothing like that. Every day we were out and actively do something. In terms of souvenirs the only thing I can recall is collecting moonless from Cornwall, they were a collection of animated cows either in chefs hate,school uniform or gardener...very strange. I still have them now!

dodge1988 · 18/03/2014 13:27

my best holiday was the 1st holiday we took are daughter on in 2009 to lanzarote we had a lovley time and thats were my partner proposed on the beach

chrin · 18/03/2014 13:30

my best holiday memory was in 2003 when the whole family went away to Devin. We had 2 caravans (2 bedrooms) with my daughter, son in law and their 2 children in one and my son, daughter in law and their 2 children in the other. I shared my time between the 2. The caravans were great the clubhouse had everything needed for a good entertaining evening for both children and adults.

The indoor pool was fabulous and there was an outside play area for the children. We spent our time on the local beach a short walking distance away and took the children to various towns for ice-cream, amusement arcades and even a walk to a harbour to see the boats and to do a spot of shopping.

We all had a great time and came home relaxed and happy

brocher · 18/03/2014 13:35

First main holiday with my own children was towing our caravan from Scotland to Lot in the south of France - a mega journey but they had lots of activities in their goody bag to keep them happy. When we finally arrived there were horrendous thunderstorms all round the valley, when the kids woke up in the morning they asked if we were in St Andrews! We didn't have many holidays when I was young, but the ones I remember were campsites and having a fantastic time on rollercoasters and playing tennis at Butlins.

NicNak71 · 18/03/2014 13:43

Our first trip with the children was to France, we sailed from the south of Ireland to Brittany overnight. They were 3 and 2 and the excitement of having their own beds in a cabin was fantastic to watch.

We spent our time eating great food, playing on the beach and rock pooling in the sun.

My holidays as a child were similar, except they tended to be in caravans somewhere in the UK, as there were 5 of us plus my parents, back then they could never have afforded to pay for 7 people to go abroad. They were very happy times, full of outdoor fun and adventures.

My strangest souvenir was a weird looking purple doll that I forced my mum to buy, when I brought her home we realised that she wasn't actually a doll and was in fact a toilet roll holder!

DurhamDurham · 18/03/2014 13:53

When my girls were 8 and 4 we took them to a caravan site on the Isle of Wight. There was loads of brilliant family entertainment. We went swimming every day and the girls thought sharing bunkbeds in their tiny bedroom was just the most exciting thing ever.

One afternoon they mentioned that they wanted to enter the fancy dress competition, this was at 4pm, the competition was at 6.30pm. Not a lot of time to come up with original costumes for the pair of them. I sent my girls and husband around the tables in the funtion room and park to gather up the rubbish people had left behind. Crisp packets, popcorn boxes, straws and drink cartons (I refused anything too wet/dirty!)

I then dressed the girls in black sacks and stuck all the rubbish on to them. They were covered by the time I had finsihed. They were 'A Load of Rubbish'. Once on Stage they looked hilarious. Together they answered the questions very seriously, my 4 yr old was at great pains to explain that they were sisters. My 8 year old even managed to impart that they were dressed as rubbish to highlight the benefits of recycling and being Green. (This had not occured to me)

There were children dressed as beautiful ballerinas, scary monsters etc and one family must have spent hours creating a tree, there were hundreds of hand painted leaves stuck to their little boy.

When my two came off the stage I got them changed as I thought, well they have had fun but they won't have won. But they had!! They had to rush up on the stage and collect their awards and have their photo taken. When asked why they had got changed they explained that mummy had told them they definitely would not have won because their costumes were a load of rusbbish! Cue much laughter from the audience.

We still have the photos, I will have to hunt them out. That holiday was just like family holidays are supposed to be. Fun, busy, noisy, and so much fun.

Pickofthepops · 18/03/2014 14:19

We took ds age 3 to a friends house for a long weekend, down near the new forest. It was amazing to recreate a photo of me paddling at Balmer Lawn, him with his fishing net just like mummy. The new forest was great for a break, wish we'd had longer.

My favourite childhood holidays were at naish farm near Christchurch. The caravans were such fun for me and my sister, three years younger. The mini-disco, crazy golf, those chalky lollipops. And all day on a beach just a stroll from the caravan.

Hoping to recreate this with ds and bump. Can't wait to find our own holiday place to revisit and create those memories.

Pickofthepops · 18/03/2014 14:21

Souvenirs, a guide book from tucktonia a model village down near Poole in the 70's. I used to love looking at the mini townscape sand buildings.

aless02 · 18/03/2014 14:25

I have such fond memories of our last holiday, which was coincidentally in a Haven caravan! My little boy, now 4, talks it about all the time even now 6 months later. He went swimming every day and did lots of kids activities like sword-fighting, soft play, crafts and so much more.

shouldnthavesaid · 18/03/2014 14:46

The first holiday I remember with my parents was six or seven weeks long.

We started off at the top of Scotland, travelled to Ach Melvich, Poolewe, Gairloch, etc. Stayed in a tent in Ach Melvich - just a stone's throw from the beach. Beautiful clear water and white sand. I remember my father was given a small boat from relatives and we took it out across the water - think we got a mile off shore and my mum dived in and swam back.

We then went to Aviemore, to my father's cousin's holiday cottage. It was a very old house but lovely - we had a proper coal shed, a huge garden etc. We would spend all day in the garden using the boat as a paddling pool. At night my mum and her friend swam in the nearby river. We went to Santa-land (long since gone!!) - a bizarre little theme park, was so warm that I burnt my legs on the slide. I still associate hot metal, sticky face paint and mini milk lollies with Aviemore.

We visited a farm up there too - my sister was bitten by a goat.

From there we travelled to the far south. We went to Plymouth, and had ice cream from a street seller. We went somewhere on the south coast that offered short ferry rides, and threw sweets into the sea. Plymouth will always be associated with cherry juice and raspberry ripple ice cream!

I think we went to Devon, and Trecco Mills (sp?) next. We stayed in a touring caravan, next to a place with a theme park and a huge shop (somewhat like Lidyls or something). The theme park had a train, I remember that much, and the shop sold lots of Barbie dolls. Visited other parts of Cornwall including Truro, Hayle and Helston etc.

From there we went to Cambridge, and stayed at friends. We went to Legoland with them. It was a very, very hot day and I can remember my sister wearing shorts and cap only (she was 2) whilst in the park. Had a medal from Legoland for years.

Other holidays were never quite as long - we stayed a lot in Nairn/Lossie where family lived (Lossie was especially wonderful) and went north to Strathpeffer once.

We did go to the highlands for a week when I was about 7, stayed in Cannich village and visited family. Only things I really remember of that holiday is going to my gt-gt aunt's and seeing deer heads mounted everywhere (stalkers/gamekeepers), and going to family churchyard (where my gt gt gt gt grandparents are buried) to put flowers down. We did go to my cousins who lived up a mountain, can remember feeding their sheep and seeing puppies. They had I think 6 working collies and 2 that were kept as pets.

Souvenir wise, I'm trying to think.. a lovely school friend came back with an Italian pashmina once, and another time gave me a mug/necklace from Dominican Republic. I used to get dozens of t shirts as a child from South America - my neighbor regularly worked in St Lucia etc, and always sent over t shirts. I also got an expanding top from my gran once - it shrank down to a tiny size, but expanded when you put it on due to the fabric. Very strange - but worryingly, I actually wore the bloody thing for a while!

shouldnthavesaid · 18/03/2014 14:47

We did stay on the ex Haven site in Nairn (now Parkdean) - always had fab holidays there, even if the weather's usually unforgiving. I remember going there at age 14 and swimming in neck deep sea water, loved it!

JonathanGirl · 18/03/2014 14:53

Our first holiday was a UK city break when DD was 6 months, we travelled down by train.
We did a little bit of sightseeing and visited some museums with DD in the baby carrier, took her out to restaurants and for afternoon tea (she was very well behaved.)

I know my parents took me away to Bournemouth at the same age - the weather was terrible and I screamed constantly apparently Grin

My childhood holidays were always a few days at the British seaside, and I have fond memories of fish and chips on the beach, ice creams on the sea front, amusement rides on the pier, donkey rides.
My children's holidays are quite similar, probably deliberately so, we don't really do anything different! Grin

Doubtfuldaphne · 18/03/2014 14:58

I was quite lucky as a child as my Dad worked very hard and was able to take us away to beautiful places such as Norway, Malta and Southern Spain. I loved our holidays massively and have lovely memories of them all.
We used to bring back little models of vikings with horns and daybells on. So cute! haha!
Now I have children, I have made sure they get to see the world too although we're on a lot less money than I had growing up! We have had some memorable trips, mostly short ones, but the best for me has been with Haven. I'd never been before, but wanted so much for us to get away for a few days as a family. Last year we took our new dd and ds to the south and had the most beautiful caravan right on the edge of the site. From the kitchen window I could see countryside for miles and miles. To the right was the sea. I could've stayed there forever. The entertainment in the evening was fantastic and the dc's loved getting dressed up for dinner and the show afterwards. In the day we just loved to swim, explore, do all the on site activities. The same if not more, than I did when I went abroad as a child!
The Haven holiday memories will stay with me forever. I loved seeing the dc's so happy and excited. I hope we can go back this year!

Gils · 18/03/2014 15:17

My favourite childhood memory was yearly holidays to Haven. We used to go to cayton bay on Scarborough. I remember trying to beat my sister to see who could get the the most certificates and sitting in the flats that turned into rep accommodation watching a huge lightening storm come in from coast. Best memory was winning a disco dancing comp. must have been a slow week but I manged to win family a holiday to final. Everyone took it so seriously, proper outfits, hair etc. I was so unprepared. No outfit or make up just up on stage dancing to my fav song . Think I came last!!

Now I love seeing my kids faces everytime they experience something new. They have been to haven and love it, esp characters and disco but also loved our holiday to Cyprus. Teaching oldest to swim in pool, leisurely strolls at night and playtime on the beach x

ThePortlyPinUp · 18/03/2014 16:56

First 'holiday' for dd1 was camping at Silverstone for either British or World superbikes, it rained all weekend but she was happy as Larry having all the family and family friends to dote on her. It's not much different from the holidays I enjoyed as a child with my parents, we toured in our motorbike and sidecar outfit and attended many club rallies.

museumworker · 18/03/2014 16:59

I first took DD on holiday when 3 months old to Cyprus, she slept through the night for the first time ever! But I preferred taking her away when she was older - when she was 3 I took her to a caravan park with my mum and she loved the entertainment and swimming pool, and we had some great days out. Holidays are so important as a time to relax and reconnect after the business of everyday life.

We always had caravan holidays together when young, I remember the sound of rain on the roof (which I still find comforting), the pools, and also watching crimewatch with my elder sisters and being too scared to sleep! We'd always go for walks which I would complain about at the time but secretly enjoyed, and now I love walking when away.

We tended to do more camping with DD, but once DS came along we've gone for cottages or adventure weeks away, something I never did with my family. DD loves the activity side, and it has helped us bond doing things she'll really enjoy. I think we had a lot less expectations on holidays when we were younger - a small (cold!) pool and some walks were the highlights, whereas last summer DD did quad biking, go-carting, horse riding, rock climbing...

Please share on this thread your memories of the first time you took your own children away (if you have been lucky enough to have been on holiday with your LOs): where was it, what was it like for you and for them?!

Strangest souvenir was from a solo travelling trip to mexico where I brought back some fried grasshoppers. Don't ask!

MrsLoada · 18/03/2014 17:10

1st holiday was with dd 15 months, ds 3 months, my sister , niece 3 years nephew 5 years and my mum and dad. The 8 of us had a great week camping in York. Spent hours walking round the park and river feeding the ducks in the sunshine. Lots of fresh air and exercise and very sleepy kids each night.
My holidays as a child were also spent camping but we always went to places with kids clubs like haven, butlins . Lots of running around outside all day and dancing in the disco till late. Great times

twinklenic · 18/03/2014 17:43

the first proper holiday we took with our children was to blackpool. id saved loads of vouchers and swapped tesco club card points for zoo entry tickets and tickets to the pleasure beach. the children loved it, we only stayed in my aunty's caravan but we was lucky to have nice weather.
As a child the only holidays we went on was to hornsea because my mums sister had a caravan there. all i remember was being terribly car sick on the journeys to and from there and catching crabs in the little rock pools which was lovely

Share your favourite holiday memories with Haven: you could win £100.  NOW CLOSED
Share your favourite holiday memories with Haven: you could win £100.  NOW CLOSED
Share your favourite holiday memories with Haven: you could win £100.  NOW CLOSED
Willemdefoeismine · 18/03/2014 18:18

First one with our DC was our honeymoon :-)! Well we only had the eldest one then but it was a way (a year or so) into our marriage. It wasn't entirely satisfactory as he was not a good sleeper and everytime we used the listening service to enjoy a relaxing evening, one of us ended up cutting short the romantic dinner to comfort a restless child!

First proper family holiday with own parents and siblings was when I was about six. Start delayed by car breaking down on the motorway! Lovely self-catering (slightly musty) cottage up in the middle of nowhere in Northumberland! Can still remember going to Bamburgh Castle, having lunch in Seahouses, taking a cross-country train to Carlisle! Blustery, sandy beaches, chilly sea, sandcastles and fish and chips! Oh the nostalgia!

Gbear0382 · 18/03/2014 18:35

We used to go as kids to Northumberland to see relatives, and every night my brother and I would sneak onto the local golf club and get some practice in. Great memories!

compy99 · 18/03/2014 18:44

I have very happy memories of taking my wonderful late Mother-in-Law abroad for the very first time. She loved it, she loved the plane flight, the resort, the weather and scenery the lot. It was such a special holiday sharing her first foreign holiday experience, we all had a wonderful time.

ChaffinchOfDoom · 18/03/2014 20:17

remember clearly on a haven holiday park in Isle of Wight, approx. 1984/5 I'd be about 6
we were all walking down to dinner, it was still sunny and warm
my sister and I had our best dresses on, and our hair all done ready for the disco
I had my holiday pink slip-on shoes, and I felt so utterly happy
and then I randomly skipped to the left, and a massive seagull swept low and pooed on the exact spot where I had been walking Grin
I felt so lucky it'd missed me, will never forget those simple kid-feelings of happiness and everyone laughing as the kamikaze seagull had missed

woodchuck · 18/03/2014 20:23

As a child we didn't have regular holidays - a couple of B&B trips to Scarborough and two occasions staying on haven sites in NE England with my grandparents, which I thought were fab. We loved the entretainment and water slides, and even the novelty of staying in a caravan.

As a parent I would have to say our best family holiday was our first visit to walt Disney World, staying on site at Disney. Very expensive, long planned and totally worth it. The kids were just the right age for Mickey and Co, and we loved the weather, the luxurious hotels and the fab Amrican service. A far cry from my childhood holidays for sure, although we do enjoy breaks in the UK and caravanning in Europe too.
Regarding souvenirs, we have a running competition in my office where staff must find the tackiest fridge magnet from their holiday destination. I found a hideous map of Florida magnet last year only to return and find my colleague had a Spanish flip-flop with a broken toe. Then another colleague who had been on a cruise trumped us by bringing back a collection of 8 awful magnets from his travels!

CheeseTMouse · 18/03/2014 21:19

By all accounts I ruined a holiday when I was about 18months old by refusing to go on the beach on a beach holiday as the seaweed was too smelly. (I still can't stand the smell now...). We have not yet been on holiday with our daughter but I am hoping that she doesn't pull a similar trick when we eventually go away!

cagsd · 19/03/2014 06:44

Our first family holiday was when our eldest son (now 14!) was 18 months old, we had a week in Menorca which was to be honest not much fun. The "bungalow" we'd booked turned out to be a grotty apartment in a near-dead one horse town with nothing to do, we hadn't hired a car and the weather was dreadful. However we still have fond memories of the trip as we look back on how cute DS was at the time, difficult to believe now he's a grunty teenager. We remember him chasing cats and falling in the pool, and being obsessed with the little land-train that passed by every hour. Not the best holiday we've ever had but still nice memories to look back on!