Haven holidays - ever been on one? What are they like?

[Miaou]

We are thinking of booking to go to Haven Holidays (Craig Tara in Ayrshire) for the October holidays. Has anyone been on one? Are they any good? We went to a Center Parcs place a few years ago and were quite impressed.

Tried to find a review on MN but there doesn't appear to be one ...

[Skribble]

The nursery used to do a nappy washing service, but sadly as the nursery has gone so has the nappy service. I think the only time we ever had any nappies to wash were at the Spring Harvest week (christian meet up).

[misdee]

yes you can leave the washing there and come back once its finioshed, most will give you an apporximate time for the cycle to run.

[saltire]

We went to Haven at Primrose Valley two years ago. We did upgrade, and then due to a complete c*ck up at booking in time we were given a gold caravan. Brilliant. Can I just say though the one thing i noticed at Primrose Valley, and it may be the same elsewhere, the bronze caravans seemed to be very close together - i.e 4 feet apart, so if you value your privacy then upgrade if you can. Have to agree with everyone else though, for young kids they are great fun. Our entertainment passes included swimming and evening entertainment.
My mate went to carig Tara and she loved it.
I didn't do any clothes washing when i was there, but i did notice people seemed to leave their washing and go off!

[LadyOfTheFlowers]

i asked this a while ago and was directed to holidaywatchdog.com.
it didnt look good tbh.
i was about to book.

[Miaou]

Thanks cerys, think I'll pass on the Bradley Bear recitation though ...

OK another question - probably for misdee - we will have two in washable nappies when we go. How feasible will it be to wash and dry nappies for the little ones whilst there? I see there is launderette open for 12 hours - do they tend to be ok? Can you leave a wash there and collect later, do you know?

(Might as well ask, someone might know the answer!)

[cerys]

Miaou, sending you both lots of positive, good luck vibes (with no cigarette smoke in sight). Would you like me to sing you the Bradley Bear song? I can still remember most of it and we didn't go there last year...

[Fauve]

Haven fab, don't do Clacton,though. Do Caister, if that part of the world.

[Miaou]

Oooh had forgotten about that bit cerys

We also have to pay the balance by the end of April (gulp) - so please all cross your fingers for my job interview tomorrow and dh's on Friday!!

[cerys]

Glad it's booked. Obviously it's a while off yet, and you have the small matter of giving birth to do in the meantime, but hope you have a great time

[Miaou]

Dh has booked! We had to go for the bronze in the end because we need to take the dog with us. Hats, sweaters and blankets on the list

[misdee]

noo the smoke haze means we can hide from bradley the f-ing bear

[cerys]

Cool! We went to Ireland last summer and thoroughly appreciated the no smoking laws. We have something coming in on 2nd April which I am hoping will be the same as you have. Imagine seeing Bradley Bear and his friends without the smoke haze

[Skribble]

Why not just park down Croy shore and sleep in the minibus? .

[Miaou]

No smoking in Scotland cerys so we won't have that problem

[cerys]

We have had a few holidays with Haven/British Holidays, all in Wales. My children loved the entertainment, though I did feel inclined to stab Bradley Bear by the end of the week. Agree about people smoking over babies in buggies .
We have had a week in September when the weather was fabulous, and a wet cold and muddy long weekend in Tenby in October which was...different! Go for silver if you can as you will need heaters at that time of year. We had a gold caravan for Tenby and I had all the heaters on all the time and the bedrooms still felt damp.
Saying all that, they were some of our best holidays and I have some really good memories from them. BTW DD2 was 12 weeks when we went on our first one, so a similar age to your new baby.

[Skribble]

och well it will seem positively tropical for you then.

[colditz]

I went in a silver caravan in Caister and it was warm and spotless! I think you get heating automatically in silver ones though - I know you get the bed linen automatically.

[misdee]

i know, but i always foget to take enough and end up having to buy one

[Skribble]

Oh go on get the cheap caravan and fill the minibus with duvets, blankets and sleepng bags, fantastic .

[Miaou]

LOL at take jumpers!! We live in North Scotland anyway so are well prepared for the cold!

[Miaou]

Extra blankets may be the way to go then - the extra cost would be too much to upgrade I think. Neither of us are working atm (though hopefully that is about to change!) so we can't rely on being able to afford much.

Taking lots of stuff won't be a problem - we have a minibus

[SparklyGothKat]

the chalets in Caister are very nice, we went in one the first year we went to Haven and it was warm and clean.

[SparklyGothKat]

the one we were in had a gap at the bottom of the door, drafts whipping through the window, mould growing up the nets and curtains. It was nasty. Went in a gold the following time (last minute booking, very cheap) and it was defo. worth it.

[misdee]

take jumpers.

[Skribble]

Its true the caravans don't retain the heat as well as a house, but the chalets rows are dire. Take big duvets or extra blankets, it will be chilly in October, site is open to the sea and will be breezy.