Anyone done a Haven holiday and care to recommend a park?

[TitsalinaBumSquash]

We're looking at a Haven holiday for the first week of Sept, anywhere in the UK is fine. We have 2 DS (5&7) to entertain.
Have you been on a Haven holiday? Would you recommend or warn us off the park you were in?
We would like somewhere with near by places to visit and preferably a play park for the children. :)

We're off to Blue Dolphin near Scarborough next week, I remember it as being great the last time I went but will happily report back after my hols :)

Thanks! I'll tick that one of my list then.

We went to Hafan Y Mor in North Wales in May and it was great. We've already booked again for next year.

We have been to Perran sands at PerranPorth 4 times in the last 5 years. Was brill (except for the last time as we had to complaint about the caravan we stayed in but after DH stood in reception and refused to be moved they suddently found a new upgraded caravan for us to go in) but can be a walk if you are placed at the far end as it is a big site. Just up the hill from perranporth though and a great beach (But really busy)

We've been to Thorpe Park as well which was ok park of the park is lovely and we have been in that part mostly but half of the park is really tired and we weren't too impressed.

We are going to Wild Duck near Great Yarmouth in a few weeks but never been there before so not sure what to expect.

We're going to Hafan Y Mor in North Wales in September - booked via Sun Holidays. Never been although nice to see it recommended on here.

:)

faceforradio Hafan Y Mor is lovely. Beautiful part fo the world. Near Abersoch which is a nice day out for a posh lunch. Lots of beaches in the area and we did a train ride which DS loved. Take the time to get in the car and find some of the hidden away beaches with lovely pubs.
The park is big and all the amenities were excellent. The staff were friendly and the shows/children's characters kep them entertained while we got as many wines in as possible relaxed at the table round the stage area.

If we like it again next year, we're considering buying a caravan there.

another vote for Greenacres, North Wales. We go every year and it's fantastic - the caravans are right on the beach front and it's the most amazing huge sandy beach (blackrock sands) with rock pooling at one end and beautiful sandy beach which goes on for miles. Ds's love it and it's the one place they ask to go back to every year.

We usually book the cheapest caravans via Haven (or Break Free holidays) and they've always been OK. The facilities are good - outside splash zone which ds's love. The 'entertainment' is as you'd expect but ds's love the bingo nights - we usually go a couple of times and it's relatively cheap.

Quiet in the evenings and the site itself is just down the road from Porthmadog which has got enough there to keep you entertained if the weather's not so good.

We're off there again for the last week in August and I can't wait

I think church Farm is good, near Bognor Regis in Sussex. Just been to rockley park and though it was nice, supposed to be 5 star I didn't like the pool. It wasn't very big and there is a huge slide in the centre which you have to keep away from.

Green acres in north Wales was great, perran sands in Cornwall is brilliant and we are off to the one in Ayr, Scotland very soon.

Has anyone been to Quay West near Tenby - we are thinking of booking there next year.

Vagaceratops - we are going to Quay West in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping it will be nice. I've never been to a Haven site before. I'll let you know what it was like after we've been if you want?

I'd avoid Haven and book a cottage with Hoseasons tbh, you will pay less and can use the money saved for outings and meals out. Most have enclosed gardens, lots have toys, games,dvds and garden equipment/furniture and barbecues. Full sized beds and clean kitchens as well and none of the noise from the entertainment complex or being woken at the crack of dawn by bloody seagulls stomping on the roof.

Another vote for Caister - we were really pleasantly surprised. The caravan was lovely, modern and clean, the play areas were OK, we didn't use the entertainment but there's also a pub bit which was fine. However we found a nice carvery near by and there are pubs in walking distance.

@ken0eddie0kennedy: I remember Ruth Lloyd at Rockley Sands (now Rockley Park) My parents took me there in 1980, I was 8, we went back in 1982. It was fantastic. I was a proud member of 'The Penguin Club'. On cabaret nights in the 'Paladium' - which was Ruth's club on the site, she refused to allow the show to start until everyone was sat down! There were some top names of the era there, Bernie Winters, The Grumbleweeds, The Nolans. I had a great time. 20 years on in 2002 I took my wife and two young sons there and they loved it too. Next week we'll be going back for the 8th time in 11 years with our 5 year old daughter who loves it too.
I have a programme from 1980 with a pic of Ruth in it (looking very glam as you say) I'll try and dig it out and scan it and put it online.

Our first 'Sun' holiday was to rockley park and I was very 'why do people complain about Haven holidays this is lovely' really lovely place, we had a great time.

So, booked two more, Weymouth bay, quite busy but location great, just used caravan as a base. Then Devon Cliffs, never, ever, ever again. Awful, massive place, roughest people I have ever met, left early as could not stay longer than the first day!!

Perrin sands was ok, big site and almost had a heart array k trying to get down the 'path' on the cliff to the beach so I would drive down the coast to the beach instead!!

Loved riveriere sands at Hayle, right on the beach, a small quiet site, have been three times now, loved it. My dc are 2 and 5 so suited us, plenty to do in the area and beach just exceptional.

Just back from Devon cliffs and we loved it. Caravan was clean, pools were clean, pretty decent food choices ( pub grub, pizza place, chip shop, Millies cookies, star bucks and burger king) sandy bay was nice but packed.
Don't even consider it if anyone in your group had mobility issues tho.

We're currently in park resorts at Crimdon Dene. It has been one of the worst weeks of my life! we are in a basic caravan as we have dogs....but it is filthy, tiny, badly equipped etc... Mould on curtains, cushions etc. Really,really rough people. Caravan next to us had an all night party the first night we arrived...blaring music, taxis arriving, people shouting and swearing all night. Horrendous. I'm counting the hours till I can go home.
On the plus side the younger kids are enjoying it, the pool is basic but not bad and you can walk down to a decent beach.
Stayed at haven hopton site last year and it was much nicer.
Definitely not doing caravan again.will be doing a cottage next year I think.

Any tips on how to survive 4 nights at Haggerston? We got a Sun holiday and have paid for an upgrade to luxury plus! Have now read reviews and I'm getting more nervous. We have not purchased the entertainment passes as we plan to use the caravan as a base! However, should we get the passes, what do they include? Do you need these to access the restaurants?

Thanks in advance.

The entertainment passes will get you into the pool and the 'entertainment' facilities.

We went to Haven Lakeside and it was great. Berwick Haven is ok but still full of clients from work and haggerston is a no no as every client from work goes there and I don't want to spend the week avoiding them.

If you want a nice cottage see if Broadgate Farm Cottages have availability.

We have just returned from Littlesea (the Chesil Beach one). I was quite apprehensive as I'd read negative things about Haven, but it was lovely. Caravan was the best one we've had - we've been to a fair few, including Eurocamp in France. Very clean and, although we'd booked 2 bedrooms, we were given a 3 bedroomed one. Pool was lovely too. The only thing I didn't like was the arcade type things and you did have to pass them to get to everything else.

Surrounding area was good - lots of places to visit. Park had 2 play areas and a small soft play. Clientele was quite varied. We enjoyed it!

We are off to St Minver next week, booked through Parkdean. Will report back.

We recently went to the Orchards in Clacton Essex.

I didn't think. Did caravans or holiday parks but it was great for the children and we had a really good time, booked again for next year at a reduced rate and paying over the year as well.

Lovely park and facilities at Caister in sea; very close to gt Yarmouth, Norwich, Cromer etc.