Park-resort caravan parks - any good points???

[helsbels4]

I came across Park-resort holiday parks on the internet and thought it would be good to go away for a long weekend with dh and the dc's.

I noticed you could use your Tesco clubcard vouchers for their holidays and thought things were getting better and better.

I now have my vouchers here ready to spend but I've been searching the net this afternoon reading reviews of their parks in Kent and Essex and they all sound DIRE!!!!

From what I can gather, lots of people say the brochure is misleading to say the least and it's pot-luck whether you get a decent mobile home or not because they just hire out homes that people used to own but have sold on to them . It's also said that some of the parks are really noisy with foul-mouthed yobs roaming til the early hours!

I just wondered if anyone has ever tried out Park-resorts, or heard anything about them and whether I should take the chance or quit while I'm ahead?

We spent last weekend at Camber Sands. Paid by Tesco vouchers. The caravan was lovely, gold standard, ensuite, full heating, proper size cooker, dishwasher. The beach is lovely.

I have been on a lot of Haven/Butlins type holidays and I would NEVER go back to Park Resorts at Camber Sands. One particular incident in the playground, 2 eight year olds mouthing off at each other, "your Mum's a f fat c", "well you're a fat little f s" and on it went for about 5 minutes with one of the Mother's sitting on the next table to us who said not a word. Horrible.

Security guards everywhere, even outside the NISA shop near Pontins and the general area is really run down.

Thanks Phoenix! Really not sure if we want to chance it though!

Twinklenips, what lovely children? If I could see the caravan first and see what the other inmates campers are like, I might be able to make a decision!

It's so hit and miss by the sounds of it though.

If you've got a tent, why not just go camping for the weekend instead? That way you can pick a nice quiet site and not have to worry about the riff-raff!

When are you looking to go, for quiet site would say weeley Bridge pretty site and central if want to go anywhere else, not a lot there for children even in middle of summer familes tend to go for the other sites, or you got the waterside at maldon ,

i never had ,problems at any of the park resort sites have been to but it does depend what you are looking for out of a holiday.

when have had a gold found them fine clean/tidy everything can need , though if you are going at end of season they do start to look a bit tired , bit like my house after summer holidays.

How old are your dc ?

That's what dh suggested but the trouble is, this all started out as dh and me going away for a night for our anniversary but that started to look expensive and my db and sil who usually babysit when we need someone, can't do it, so we progressed to looking at renting a caravan for a weekend....... so to then settle for a potentially cold, wet, muddy camping trip, isn't quite what I'd had in mind

We go camping with the dc's at other times too and just wanted to do something different but we might just have to settle for our first camping expedition of the year!

That's interesting about Weeley Bridge cos think I might have looked at that one. Is it quiet there? Not really bothered about too much for the kids as we'd only be going for the weekend and would probably go out and about anyway.

Have all the gold caravans that you've stayed in been clean?

My dc's are nine and four.

yes the Gold have all been clean and tidy .Weeley it self is very quiet not a lot there either the site or village ,

But your pretty close for plenty to do , you got colchester zoo which is fun also Colchester castle lots of hand son stuff for the kids , nice park in the garden lots of green space .And for smewhere to eat you got sloppy joes in Colchester which my kids love .

That's interesting Phoenix because I've since looked at reviews for Weeley and they haven't been great.

Tbh, I just want a quiet site at night with a lovely clean caravan. If I definitely knew I'd get that then the rest wouldn't really matter that much.

I really do appreciate you taking the time to tell me your experiences though - thanks!

Do you know anything about Valley Farm?

How about trying Sandy Balls in the New Forest, they have caravans and lodges. They don't accept Tesco vouchers but do have some special offers on. I have been many times and love it.

Its ok you do get various amount of local kids sneaking use stuff on site my best tip if you want quiet spot is to ask for one away from the clubhouse

I've heard of Sandy Balls in the New Forest but haven't been, so will have a look thanks!

That's a good idea to ask for a quiet spot - I wouldn't have thought of that . I must admit, I'm leaning towards giving it a go and seeing what comes of it!

PMSL at Sandy Balls. Sorry for bringing the tone down.

I know! It's so not a good name is it
They either don't realise, or they want people to book to see what it's like Either way, it's hilarious

Hi there been looking for reviews on the Park resort Barmston Beach Nr Bridlington and cant find any anywhere! Lol Has anyone been there, would you recomend it? I have a 6, 3 and 18 month old and basicaly just want a nice beach holiday with the usual kids softplay,discos/entertainment, anyone??? Thanks

just come back from kessingland near lowestoft only lasted 2 days it was awful.had a silver caravan which was freezing,damp and dirty.had to wait 4 hours for bed linen in the end dh had to fetch it himself as dd wanted to go to bed.play area had litter strewn everywhere and some equipment was broken.dd ended up in hospital after suffering asthma attack so that topped it off and we decided to come home.