Haven hideaway

[mylittlesandwich]

So we booked our UK holiday for September. When we booked everything was normal and a holiday would be a perfectly reasonable thing to do.

Since then things have obviously changed significantly. We booked with a haven site a few hours from home. Looking at things as they stand they're aiming to open next month for a "haven hideaway" experience. If this is still in place when we go it would mean that the only things open are the chip shop and the supermarket on site. It also means holiday makers in a small town where things may already be challenging.

I just can't decide if we should go or not. There's just 3 of us, me, DH and DS who will be 10 months at the time. The park is on the beach and we're going off season so I'm hoping it won't be too busy. I don't know if we'd be better just staying home and having day trips.

Is anyone booked on a haven hideaway? If so would they be willing to let me know what it was like when they come back?

I've looked at these too and have been pondering the same!
I do wonder if locals would welcome or dread the influx of tourists?

I wondered that too, for example the wee shop is always expensive so we stock up at a local supermarket. That means I'm arsing about in a shop I don't know the layout of.

Just us then op?

I think so, haven's not posh enough for MN.

We were due to go to Berwick at the end of July. I’ve asked for a refund. My kids are 3, 12 and 13 and it would be rubbish with no pool, arcades etc.

Our haven holiday was booked for the last week of August. We moved it to next year. Not worth going for us

A woman I know always gets supermarket delivery to a caravan park on the day they arrive. It's quite a good idea albeit a bit low brow . Said woman has 4 DCs, so needs lots of items in.

I was also just debating booking a Haven hideaway for end of July. I've not been before and would be going on my own with 2 kids by train so can't decide if it's a terrible idea or not. We had booked for March and the kids cried when it was cancelled, first holiday since we abandoned camping 2 years ago. We live in the city and are just so desperate to see the sea and run about on a beach!

Forgot to add, if we go in July I will let you know if it's worth booking.

Personally I would go, especially with a child that age who's not going to miss the entertainment and attractions being open. I've actually just looked at their caravans and there's some really reasonable offers on in September, I'm quite tempted! Right now i'd be happy just for a change of scenery for a few days.

When did you book? If it was before the lockdown, you may get access to facilities. Those who booked after the lockdown get Haven Hideaway. I have private lets on a large Haven site. We are being told it's definitely "Hideaway" for July, but may alter as restrictions are lifted. They are telling us that fun passes may become available from August. The season has also been extended to November 23 on certain sites. You will only know for sure if you call the site you are going to.

We have a Haven break every year and we’ve been offered to keep ours as a hideaway. We’ve decided to still go and make the best of it.

We cancelled our booked holiday. My dc would in no way enjoy a holiday there without the pool!! Your dc is too young but don't underestimate how confined spending lots of time in a caravan with a baby is
Ime..

We've got a break booked for early September. We were due to pay the balance next Monday and we decided we weren't going to go and just lose our deposit. Had an email today telling me we now don't have to pay until 4 weeks before so going to see how things are. We won't go if nothing is open, our 3 year old will be bored stiff and one is the reasons I chose the park I did is because if the facilities.

Just found all these replies! Thanks everyone. We're thinking we'll still go. We booked the middle of last year when everything was normal.

Id still go. Like another pp said you're baby won't notice that the entertainment isn't open. You can go to the beach and explore the local area.

A nice bottle of wine for the two of you in the evenings sounds blissful to me.

Which one are you going to?

I book those sorts of holidays because of the on site facilities- the pool, play areas, etc. It wouldn't be worth it for us. But as your baby is young and won't notice whether or not the pool is open it's a totally different situation so if you feel safe, then go and have a lovely peaceful time.

We're off to Berwick which is right on the beach. Deliberately booked a caravan with a balcony so once DS is down for the night we can put the monitor on and have a wine. We've been looking at these 4 walls for so long that a change of scenery would be amazing.

I think it sounds lovely OP, I love Berwick area (not tried the Haven there yet), it's beautiful and there's lots to do. Have you been there before ? I've booked Haven hideaway for end of July. We also have got to get out of this house. Can't wait for the chance to walk on the beach, let the kids play in the sand and water and hopefully local play areas should be open. I think it'll be pleasantly quiet but then I do prefer a quieter holiday.

We have booked to go to Haven first week in October; 4 nights from £73, a change of scene will be great.

We went for the first time last year to the same please actually but I had awful PGP so mostly just stayed in the caravan but it was still nice to have a break.

Do you think I've you've booked a hideaway one that theres any chance of the park opening a bit more in September to everyone or do we think the restrictions will still be the same? A group of us have booked to go in September all with kiddies around 2/3 years old not bloody realising that nothing is open! Thought the bars and restaurants and parks would have been open now that they are open everywhere else !

Hi I am going to a Haven next Monday, we had booked for October but moved forward as we needed the break.
Everything is open where we are going from the 1st Aug you need to book pool sessions and resteraunts. We got 10percent back as entertainment may be reduced. If you booked before all this then you will have the full Haven holiday if you booked during Coronavirus they offer the hideaway only .

Hi OP, we've just got back from our Haven Hideaway and had a lovely time, you've got nothing to worry about. Anyone who booked before it was a hideaway (not us) could book to use the pool, restaurants and other facilities, and there were people in the outdoor pool, and out on tables in the evenings. Plenty of people on site, still a nice atmosphere. We did have to queue and wear a mask in the on site shop, but that was the only place I really thought of covid. Caravan was super clean and really nice and we only booked a standard one. We were there for the local area and beach, but from what we saw of the site it was great.

We've just come back from a break at a Parkdene holiday park. Didn't use any of the onsite facilities ( not sure if they were even open to be be honest) We just used it as a place to stay as it was close to a beach that we like. It was the first time we had spent any time away from the house since lockdown and we really enjoyed it.