U.K. holiday park - where’s the best? Not CP

[Fran92]

Any recommendations for a holiday park in the U.K.? Ideally with a good pool, maybe some sprinklers in the children’s part and some animals on site. After reading recent reviews on trip advisor for all centre parcs we’ve dismissed that based on reviews saying the lodges are dirty.

Tempted by bluestone but doesn’t have the animals I believe. Would be going in term time with a 2YO & 2/3MO.

Thanks

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MNHQ update: If you’re short on time, here’s a summary of the best holiday parks Mumsnetters are recommending on this thread:

😎Hafan y Môr Holiday Park, North Wales

😎Craig Tara, Ayr, Scotland

😎Ladram Bay, Devon

😎Away Resorts, Isle of Wight

😎Woolacombe Bay, Devon

😎Clydey Cottages, Pembrokeshire

😎Haven Primrose Valley, Yorkshire

😎Waterside, Weymouth

😎Flear Farm, Devon

Mumsnet users can save 5% on holiday park bookings made via Hoseasons as part of a special deal we've negotiated (note you'll need to be logged in to access this deal).

For more inspo, check out our guides to the best UK holiday parks, the best Haven sites, and the best Parkdean resorts, all featuring recommendations from Mumsnetters.

How much time do you want to spend with animals? Folly Farm isn’t far from Bluestone.

Thank you, not long but that could work. We went a French campsite last gear which has a small petting zoo which was ideal so each day we did the zoo, pool and park and filled our time nicely so was hoping for something similar in the UK but with some added activities - hence CP would be great but it’s been dismissed.

Have you looked at Haven?
https://www.haven.com/parks/north-wales/hafan-y-mor?utm_source=GOOGLE&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Location_UK_Brand_Park_North+Wales_Hafan+y+Mor_Exact&utm_term=hafan+y+mor+haven&utm_content=UK_Brand_Core_Exact&utm_id=p49358383329&ds_rl=1295895&gad=1&ds_rl=1295895&gclid=CjwKCAjwtuOlBhBREiwA7agf1te559SJClrK9tJYwOV4sp0UNMjBWVCXI95KdzUd3XRdcYZLdCpFEhoC2_oQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
This one is in North Wales
We know the area well loads to see and do, friends stay on the site with a 6 year old and love it

Thank you @Funf will probably book to go here, we’re not too far away (2/2.5hrs) so perfect timing really for a short break as some are just too far for 4 nights.

Ive not been to haven since I was a child but I’ll go with an open mind and just enjoy watching my LO having a whale of a time (hopefully!)

I've been to that haven site, it's not posh but it's fun for little ones. The reality is all holiday parks are based on people cleaning themselves, they allow very little time between clients to sent their cleaners in so they dont do more than a quick vacuum and clean the toilet.

Havens Craig Tara in Ayr has a fantastic pool and next door there is a kids outdoor animal park place that's really good

Heads of Ayr farm park is what the place next door is called

@telli Heres a trip staying at Craig Tara
http://www.donthibernate.co.uk/summer-trip-to-the-west-coast-of-scotland/

Ladram Bay in Devon is fantastic, lots of touristy animal attractions nearby

If you go to Hafan Y More some local places
Harlech Castle and beach, Plenty of parking in the Leisure centre but a very steep hill to the castle, Excellent Ice cream
Ty coch inn ( Red House in English) 20 minute walk across Nefyn golf course, £5 to park no vehicle access ( Only for people who live there) Public clean toilets, pubs expensive but lovely location. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2359957/Remote-pub-Wales-named-best-beach-bar-WORLD-beating-destinations-like-Australia-Caribbean.html

Llanbedrog beach
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g2139010-d13951732-Reviews-Llanbedrog_Beach-Llanbedrog_Pwllheli_Gwynedd_North_Wales_Wales.html

Criccieth its like stepping back in time in a good way, Castle, Ice Cream shop, Two Chip shops, what more would you need? No arcades etc
https://www.visitwales.com/destinations/north-wales/things-do-and-around-criccieth

Barmouth is another small seaside place very nice beach but can be difficult to park, but Just up the road, is a nice beach with a church on it and a nice basic cafe
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g2089971-d4754776-Reviews-Y_Maes_Cafe-Llandanwg_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g2089971-d15774746-Reviews-Llandanwg_Beach-Llandanwg_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html

Don't forget to report back.

Where are you travelling from?

Fab thank you. @gogomoto I wasn’t expecting it to be posh but a good level of cleanliness, concerning they expect the previous users to clean though

@telli that one also came up when I looked at the one in wales, it’s doable but would be a 4/4.5 hour journey without breaks so may have to do a week time we add stops in etc - oh how travelling with children’s changed we use to be a drive and don’t stop until we get there!

@Justmemyselfandi999 will take a look thank you but that would also need to be a week due to distance.

@Funf thank you for all that info, weve been to Harlech before and has always been one to revisit - we also have access to CADW sites through our EH membership. We’ll be coming from the Cheshire / Shropshire boarder so ideal travel time for a short break.

Another vote for Ladram bay in Devon. It's fab.

The reason for asking your location is you may be passing Llandegla fishery, its a very nice camp site / fishing venue, has a great cafe so nice to brake the journey up. When the kids are bigger they do fishing lessons
http://www.llandeglafishery.com/
Most people just stop in Llangollen but this is a nice alternative

Hafan Y Mor have an ant problem.

Woolacombe bay parks are really nice, there are animal farms in north Devon

Bainland Lodge Retreats, we’ve had a few lovely breaks there.

I can't recommend this place enough www.clydeycottages.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb-listing
Malcolm the farmer was absolutely awesome with all the children, making sure they each got a turn to feed each animal. Always wanted to go back...

The Ty Coach is nowhere near as lovely now as it was when I was a kid and it was literally just a pub on the beach! I'd recommend walking past the turning for Ty Coach to where the lifeboat station is (another 5 mins or so) - the beach there is heaven, and you can walk round to the pub for lunch if you like.

Aberdaron and Abersoch also lovely places to visit round there. Porth Niegwl is a very dramatic beach, and I hear Whistling Sands is nice, but never been. A bit further afield Portmeirion and Bedgelert are both lovely. It's a beautiful part of the country.

@Fran92 can't help, but can I ask where you stayed in France??

We love butlins!

I agree with PP about Haven Hafan Y Mor being good (can do a trip to the Welsh mountain zoo or the Dwyfor rabbit ranch and animal park) and also Haven Primrose Valley, near Filey where you could do a trip to Flamingoland theme park and zoo or Sewerby Hall, which has a small zoo too.

Also at Primrose Valley you could do trips to Scarborough, Bridlington, Whitby or York.

Love Ladram Bay! I live in Dorset and the Haven parks here are fantastic. Also Waterside in Weymouth.

Will take a look at the other recommendations shortly, that sounds amazing though @bedtimestories

@newrubylane @Funf thank you for the recommendations, completely forgot about Portmerion etc

@Nik2015 - Ant problem? Where? Everywhere? Recently? Argh that would be a nightmare