Center Parcs, Butlin, Haven

[PixieAndProsecco]

I know similar threads have been done before but I wanted more up to date responses.

This summer I am considering taking my 2DS on holiday myself (DH does not have any leave or rest days over summer and I am tied to summer as I teach).

Previously we have went abroad, both with DH and with my family, however with this being the first year that I am summer holidaying solo with them I don't feel comfortable enough doing that. I could go with my parents again but I am finding my DM more difficult to deal with over a prolonged period of time and would rather avoid that (and some sunny coast as a result).

I will have a 12, almost 13, year old and 6 year old DS by the time summer comes (the age gap does make it harder).

We do go for small mid-week breaks to Haven Haggerston Castle (proximity to home and Northumberland is beautiful), so I am fully aware of what to expect at a Haven but this is also an easier amount of time to fill with activities and not somewhere I'd want to go again (we're going at Easter).

I would be looking for a week/ten days at the beginning of July and have considered doing X amount of days in one place and Y in the other. We are travelling from the central belt of Scotland and I am looking further in to England and Wales, due to prices being cheaper with it still being term time there.

I have searched high and low using mumsnet, independent blogs, Instagram, YouTube etc to try and get a better sense of what is out there but I want some honest opinions.

So far I've looked at Sherwood Forest and Whinfell Center Parcs (Sherwood is £200-£300 cheaper due to being further from Scotland and Scottish school holidays), Bluestone in Wales, Haven Primrose Valley, Haven Hafan y Mor and Butlins Skegness.

Has anyone been? Any of those that stand out above the rest? Any to avoid? Any others to consider?

In general the quality of the accommodation at Bluestone is better for less money.
On the other hand, there are more activities on offer at Center Parcs, the pool complexes are more impressive and there’s more choice of places to eat. Bluestone is better for more adventurous off-site activities.
Hafan Y Mor probably has the best location as it’s got the beach and Snowdonia on its doorstep.

We've been to haven hafan y mor a few times and would go back again, our dc's are now 10&12. The site itself has a lot to do for all ages and a fantastic pool. We love walking out of the back of the site onto the Wales costal path. It's a huge site but it's laid out in sections so doesn't feel as big. The location is also great, close to snowdonia, you can travel to Caernarfon/Anglesey pretty easily (about half an hour or so) and also a few places nearby that are lovely for a day out such as Criccieth traditional beach town for sandcastles and rock pooling (plus the castle) and Abersoch which is a lovely sandy beach and good for body boards for the older ones.

Thank yoy both!

Ive been to Hafan Y Mor, Whinfell and Bluestone and out of the three we much prefer Hafan Y Mor.
We are very independent, like to do things like fishing, sailing, mountain biking, birdwatching and hiking and Hafan Y Mor has all that going on nearby. It is also very laid back and not choreographed in the way that Centre Parcs can feel.
I havent stayed in their accommodation though as we have a touring caravan, so we take our own.

I know it's not what you've asked but why not go abroad? All inclusive, warm, jet2 so no faffing about with cases/airport check in etc.

@FleasNavidad she specifically said she didn't want to.

I know. She said she wasn't comfortable with it. But the pps suggestions include an 8 hour drive, a 6 hour drive etc.

The OP lives near 2 airports. She's travelled abroad before, there's nothing to suggest she's gone on a big road trip in the past 🤣. Makes more sense to just do the simplest thing, which is go on a package holiday with everything done for her

I’ve been to sherwood years ago and the accommodation was terrible, really old and worn out. I don’t rate centre parts at all, it’s an absolute rip off.
have you looked at white cross bay site on Windermere?

Hafan Y Mor is a fantastic location, some fantastic beaches near by and nice places, Criccieth, llanbedrog, Abersoch, Porth Dinellan Barmouth, Harlech etc.
Oh and Snowdonia is a short drive away

I do live near two airports. However being abroad, on my own, with my two children is not something I am comfortable with.

My youngest is full on from the minute he wakes to the minute he sleeps. He needs to be doing something 24/7. If we were abroad he would want to be in the pool all day. He is at swimming lessons but would very much still need constant supervision. I would need to be at a toddler/splash pool all of the time or in the water with him which then leaves me eldest as he doesn't enjoy that at the minute.

We last went abroad in 2019. The youngest was 2, had a buggy and still napped during the day (more so in the heat). I was also with my sister, her fiance and my parents. It meant that there were enough people to ensure that both children had attention and someone with them.

My youngest also cant sit still for too long and would find an airport, flight, airport and transfers incredibly difficult to deal with. At least in the car we can stop for 10/15 minutes to stretch our legs when needed, can have a longer stop for lunch, he can connect his switch or tablet to my mobile data and watch some YouTube etc.

Practically, a UK break is the best for us.

Thank you @emmathedilemma and @Funf for your help too.
Away to look at the park at Windermere now!

Some general North wales ideas here
www.donthibernate.co.uk

The Lakes is good but we always feel North Wales has a bit more to offer and better weather

Fair enough. Your youngest doesn't sound like he'd manage the 16 hour round trip to Snowdonia either. I'd probably stick with something like Crieff Hydro where you can get a break yourself too then.

I'm not entirely sure where you're pulling 16 hours round trip from, to the Haven mentioned it is 5.5 hours in the car which would be 11 at the most (considerably less than 16).
That trip can also be broken up with a stop and he can also be entertained in ways which wouldn't be possible on a plane. He also won't disrupt other people.

Thank you for your suggestion though.

Edinburgh to Bluestone is 8 hours without stopping and without any traffic incidents. A 16 hour round trip. Seems daft to me if your youngest struggles to sit still etc.

You've said you don't want to go abroad and elaborated as to why, I was simply suggesting that Bluestone might be even more of a nightmare for you.

Seems an odd suggestion to me with so many closer and similar options, that's all.

Bluestone is one of many suggestions and I am not in Edinburgh, but again, thank you.

I know. It's only 30 minutes less from Glasgow/Stirling whatever. I did also put 6 hours for the other main suggestion made.

Just explaining where I got a 16 hour round trip from, or 12 if you go with my other point. If that's the type of thing you're looking for then great, just pointing out the long distances down the shitty M6!

Personally if you’re saying on site Centre Parcs for me is better than Haven as you have the space and lots of activities

but for me and my kids to stay at Haven is never happening (same with butlins) - spent too much time visiting various ones for work.

Bluestone looks lovely never been.

another one to look at is Ribby Hall village near Preston.

Stayed at both CP would choose Whinfell over Sherwood but both excellent

I have a big age gap between my oldest and middle DD. 12 and 3. We went to Whinfell last year and loved it. There was loads to do for our older girl too aswell as the little one and they both loved the pool. I’m central belt too and have been to Haggerston and Craig Tara haven sites. Although we like them given the choice of pick Centre parcs as I felt it had more to offer overall. And a lodge is more spacious than a caravan. Also like to no car rule at centre parcs. Not been to Butlins so can’t comment on that. Worth looking at how much fuel would cost to go to the centre parcs further afield than Whinfell though. It might not work out tnag much different price wise overall even if the actual cost of Whinfell is slightly more.

Bluestone in Wales is amazing imo. I go on holiday with my children on my own (although have also been there with friends or a family member) and it’s fantastic. First time I went there youngest was 2, and most recently time eldest was 13, and they loved it at all ages.

Great activities, beautiful surroundings, really helpful and friendly staff. Lots to do in surrounding area.

I’ve also been to CP, Butlins and Haven. They all have their place. I liked CP but my eldest doesn’t. Its pros are that there are animals wandering around, no cars or golf buggies driving about, log burners in lodges and built in BBQ. Good pool. Cons are feels very commercial (esp compared to Bluestone), everything v expensive, little encouragement to go off park, activities less exciting for more money.

Butlins and Haven more rough and ready (obvs loads of different Havens to choose from). Butlin’s at Bognor has an amazing pool and is right on the sea front.

Disclaimer - have only done Elveden CP and one abroad.

Thank you everyone.

In the end we've booked a lodge in the Lake District- I'll go for a little while with just the kids and do various activities. DH will then come down for a long weekend at the end of our stay.
Best of both worlds and not somewhere we had previously thought about.