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Original poster

Haven holidays parks ???

34 replies

lovecamping · 07/02/2012 14:34

Hello,
we can't afford centreparcs so trying Haven. However wanted to ask mumsnet for advice before we book, just in case. We've never done a holiday park but I'm sure kids will love it (10, 6 and 5 yr olds) as it has a swimming pool. The one I'm looking at is Allhallows in Rochester Kent.
Has anyone been and would they recommend it? Any advice/suggestions on alternatives would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

OP posts:
mummymeister · 07/02/2012 23:30

Haven is a bit like marmite you either love it or hate it. best advice is to go through other haven threads as everything is on them. Not really a comparison to centre parcs tbh. when are you looking to go?

Letchladee · 08/02/2012 00:49

I've been and tbh didn't like it. Its nothing like Centreparcs - but really is a bit of a poorman's butlins. Its got all the worst features of Butlins but few of the good ones.

It has all the bad sides: Commercialism, yards of coke, the awful arcades and so on...

Plus, more often than not you have to stay in a caravan. I also found the evening entertainment (Rory and friends) to be quite dire.

I personally found no more tack at Butlins (it is, afterall owned by the same people so much of a muchness) but Butlins had the better swimming pool, funfair rides and much better evening entertainment. The main downsides to Butlins is the very large sites and awful locations (bognor, minehead, skegness).

If you want something more centre parcsy have you thought about Bluestone (Wales)?

finsophmum · 11/02/2012 17:57

have used Havens before...doesn't compare to center parcs I'm afraid, but if you are using it for a base then it is ideal. The ones i've stayed at are all a little tired with quite basic swimming pools..not like the one at center parcs.
BUT the kids just love it!

Whatevertheweather · 11/02/2012 18:04

I went for the first time in October half term. The caravan itself (superior I think it was called) was really quite nice and spacious and the park was clean, well laid out and the staff were friendly. But the entertainment was dire, onsite restaurants were horrid, swimming pool very basic just a pool with one flume type slide.

Luckily we were in Pagham Harbour near Chichester so the location was beautiful and we could go rock pooling on the beach. Not sure I'd go back to Haven for more than a cheap and cheerful long weekend although it was much much much cheaper than centre parcs there is no comparison. Needless to say dd loved it though even she got bored in the pool

MissBerta · 11/02/2012 18:04

Rockley Park is nice! Near Sandbanks, if you like amazing beaches, Poole, Brownsea Island, Used to go there as a child so holds fond memories. The entertainment was a huge hit with my dcs.

usualsuspect · 11/02/2012 18:06

I've been to loads of Haven sites and had good holidays in all of them , but then I'm not a holiday snob

MissBerta · 11/02/2012 18:09

To us, holidays are about making amazing memories for your children, I have wonderful, amazing memories at Rockley Sands (as was!) My boys still talk about that Haven holiday even now and it was a few years ago now.

Kayzr · 12/02/2012 09:59

We went to a Haven in North Wales last year and loved it. But we didn't spend much time there as we were out everyday doing stuff.

belgo · 12/02/2012 10:02

I really like the one in Somerset, although the evening entertainment is awful!

OracleInaCoracle · 12/02/2012 10:08

I love Holiday parks. I love Haven, I love Pontins, I love Butlins. it is what you make it and I am always grateful atht we can afford a holiday at all, and we go with the thought, "if you want a 5 star hotel, stay in a five star hotel" provided the caravan is clean, the pool is clean and safe, and the entertainment is based in a pub (ds just runs around anyway) then you have all the makings of a good holiday. its up to you to add the rest!

belgo · 12/02/2012 10:11

Very true Lissielou. I love Butlins in Minehead as well, even though people are very snobby about it! I ignore the bits I don't like, and concentrate on the bits I do like.

VickityBoo · 12/02/2012 10:18

Canister haven is fab. We've been 3 times now and prior to that (as a couple without children) were used to exotic all inclusive holidays. I don't miss the posher holidays at all and wonder why we didn't go to haven parks ourselves before.

We usually upgrade to a higher standard caravan but last year were skint so got a basic one for an amazing deal and I was so shocked! Grin Clean, tidy, tv and microwave etc. The entertainment isn't always brilliant but on all our holidays we tend to get friendly with other people similar to us which makes things more fun!

We walked around Searles park at Hunstanton last summer as we wanted a nosy! It's lovely, not as pricy as Centre Parcs but a bit dearer than Haven I think. Really nice though.

VickityBoo · 12/02/2012 10:19

Not canister! I mean Caister

OracleInaCoracle · 12/02/2012 10:21

one of my favourite holidays was at pontins prestatyn. the apartment was dire and outdated, the weather was rubbish and we were pretty skint.

but DS still remembers it as one of his favourite holidays (better than lanzarote) and we had such a lovely time in the swimming pool, on the beach, in the clubhouse... DS won the talent show almost every night (telling his frog jokes) it was ace!

benbecca · 20/02/2012 16:20

Haven is what you make it - we have had our kids all over the place - Disney - Legoland you name it, but anytime we ask where they want to go the say "Haggerston Castle" Yep a Haven site. Kids love it and if they are enjoying their holiday usually the grown ups do too.

T

MamaMaiasaura · 20/02/2012 16:22

I went to haven a few times and so dire we left early. Filthy

Voidka · 22/02/2012 17:18

We really like Seashore (Great Yarmouth) and Thorpe Park (Cleethorpes). We are off to Blue Dolphin in June and The Orchards in August.

I agree they are what you make them. We always pay a bit more to stay in a prestige or Deluxe caravan but the kids have a great time whihc is one of the main reasons we go away.

MamaMaiasaura · 22/02/2012 17:19

We had platinum (one above gold) it was shit

MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 22/02/2012 17:25

we go every year to the one in Cornwall - love it and just booked again for August - but we use it as a base - I have never been to the evening entertainment - caravans are immaculate and clean and site is quiet at night

elliepac · 22/02/2012 17:38

My mum owns a caravan at Primrose Valley which is near Filey. Haven parks are what you make of them. We don't go to the evening entertainment because it is dire and everything is overpriced. But the park is clean, lots of space for the dc's to run around and right next to the beach. Dc's love going and are at their happiest pottering around, making friends and building sandcastles. Avoid all the tat and you have a relatively cheap base for a holiday. I would pay for more than just a basic caravan though as the cheap ones tend to be crammed together and variable in quality. Pay a bit more and you should find yourself in a quieter area of the park with more space.

usualsuspect · 22/02/2012 17:39

Why did you go a few times if you thought it was dire?

Voidka · 22/02/2012 17:42

I thought that usual

suburbandream · 22/02/2012 17:48

Ok, it's not centreparcs - you get what you pay for, but the kids will love it! I don't know the Rochester one but we had a great time at the Weymouth resort - there are two resorts right next to each other so you can use the facilities at both. We were at the quieter one which was great. Weymouth has a lovely sandy beach, water park and loads to do. Plus the carnival was on when we were there which we didn't even know when we booked. Weymouth Bay/Sea View were the resorts. With Centreparcs, I always feel a bit "trapped" on the resort and there's so much going on you don't really leave, whereas with Haven and others you can use it as a good base as well as enjoying the facilities.

MissBerta · 22/02/2012 17:57

Look at hiring a private caravan too, you'll have to buy your entertainment passes independently but when I was looking at Littlesea there were some lovely ones up for hire, better prices than Haven and the owners can tell you exactly where they're situated on site. I've booked Centre Parcs now but would definitely do a private deal next time.

3rdnparty · 22/02/2012 17:57

have used haven as a base - devon cliffs last time - luckily got caravan overlooking sea, did entertainment for about 15mins on last night, awful, didn't use soft play as in middle of arcade, didn't use restaurants seemed expensive and not very interesting - but pool complex good, ds did archery one day/ fencing another and beach great for rockpooling lots of great cafes and places to go nearby - so would recommend it ....

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