Gap in the market? Looking for somewhere between Centre Parcs and Haven....

[Thunderpants]

Having searched around for a UK holiday, all I seem to find is the ridiculously, ludicrously overpriced CentreParcs, or Haven (or similar) caravan parks with lots of drinking/entertainment etc. Surely there must be some middle ground? I've done Haven several times and really don't want to do it again. Any suggestions?

you can go to haven and not do the entertainment you know

really, what do you want fro ma holiday? organised activitis, kids clubs, entertainment, out door sports, horse riding? let us know and will see what we can find

would be interested if you find somewhere!

Somebody mentioned about "bodenistic camp sites" in another thread I have been intrigued about their existance ever since.

Well, basically a nice chalet/lodge, swimming pool, woodland, play area. Maybe a bar/restaurant, but not endless fruit machines and things. Not keen on organised entertainment. Like Centre Parcs only cheaper and more interesting

featherdown farm

we stayed on a small camp site once when i was younger, they had chalets/statics as well on site. all it had was a shop selling basics and an outdoor freezing pool. and a wood nearby to explore. was great fun

you could go for a haven holiday and just it as a base, and do loads off site.

Hoseasons have a variety and you could also tick which boxes you want the site to have in the search facility. They also do log cabins and cottages.

Another vote for Hoseasons, we were looking for the very same middle ground you talk about.

We have stayed here www.hoseasons.co.uk/productSite.aspx?ClassCode=LP2220&HolidayTypeName=UKParks very small, very quiet but still has a pool and a restaurant. Didn't have a 'rowdy element' iykwim.

This year we're staying here www.hoseasons.co.uk/productSite.aspx?ClassCode=LP1470&HolidayTypeName=UKParks looks a bit bigger, haven't tried it yet though

I thought the same thing - and then booked a narrow boat instead.

thanks for that link prof. are hoseasons not as tacky as haven then? I like the haven prices but hate the tackiness.

The one in Ashbourne was definately not tacky. The restaurant on site is basically a Brewer's Fayre style pub which is open to the public as well as those on site, no 'entertainment' . There are only about 15 cabins on site and when we went it was all families, swingball was as rowdy as it got.

I think you have to pick your parks carefully though, some of them do look tacky (especially the ones around Great Yarmouth) and some look too small. There's one in Eye in the grounds of a Stately home type place, dh and I went to a wedding fayre there and the cabins were basically sited around the edge of the car park (!) and there was literally nothing there, just a handful of cabins in a field. I guess some people might like the solitude but a bit too much for us I think.

Actually, the Ashbourne site fits Thunderpant's description perfectly.

Thanks - will definitely have another look at Hoseasons then.