Haven/Parkdean or Butlins?

superhez

The last few years we have done various caravan holidays either with Parkdean or Haven, which the kids have enjoyed but this year I can decide between them or Butlins (or something else altogether).

We are on a limited budget and like the idea that you get everything free once you are at Butlins, but have also heard it can be run down, it is also a much longer drive for us.

Does anyone have any personal experience of Haven Craig Tara, Parkdean Sandrum Castle or Butlins Skegenss specifically, any recommendations?

kjmtidea

We have been to Butlins Bognor Regis for the past 2 years and we are going again this year. When we first went I was expecting it to the the chav filled, run down place that I had read about lol. It was the complete opposite, we always go Gold accomodation and it was absolutely spotless - I could not fault it one bit and I am a clean freak. There is so much to do, we go from monday to monday and we still can't fit it all in.
I haven't been to the Skegness one but have friends who always go there and have nothing but positive things to say about it.

spaceman5

yeah if you can afford it go with butlins, so much better than any of the rest, and we have done haven/pontins/parkdean etc, i used to work for butlins and used to wonder what all the fuss was about, but seeing it from the other side you can certainly see why, a little tip, try to book through the sun holidays, we managed to book a 4 day break at bognor for the run up to halloween thru the sun, then we phoned up butlins and extended for the weekend of halloween, and then because we was there for a week phoned up again and upgraded our accomodation so that we had 2 bedrooms, and it all came to under £300 and the equivalant break booking direct through butlins would have cost over £700 so we saved quite a bit doing it this way.

Plushchris

I've been to 4 different Parkdean parks and found all of them excellent, the caravans are always spotless and very well kept and the facilities are always good.

If it were me Parkdean would win over Butlins hands down.

I went to Butlins Bognor late last year and although the accomdation was good (Gold) I thought it seemed like everything was geared up to get as much money out of you as possible (Arcade/fruit machines EVERYWHERE etc.) and while I was there anything that was free was closed, certainly not somewhere I would take kids (if I had any)

Smi1er

With Butlins Skegness and Minehead they have a private Caravan park so you can rent a private mobile home. Until last year we did Minehead for the May Half Term (7 days) and always had change out of £350 for a weeks hire although some owners ask for £600+

This year I can't see as many people holidaying so there should be a few bargains about

Rolandtheroadie

superhez wrote: »

The last few years we have done various caravan holidays either with Parkdean or Haven, which the kids have enjoyed but this year I can decide between them or Butlins (or something else altogether).

We are on a limited budget and like the idea that you get everything free once you are at Butlins, but have also heard it can be run down, it is also a much longer drive for us.

Does anyone have any personal experience of Haven Craig Tara, Parkdean Sandrum Castle or Butlins Skegenss specifically, any recommendations?

We went to Wemyss bay in October (Parkdeans) and enjoyed it but it isnt the best park we've ever been at. Very hilly and a bit dated now, where it's situated makes up for it. Driving into Largs or Greenock or Gourock or even getting a ferry to Millport.
Favorite Haven was Primrose Valley near Scarborough (can never spell that right, probably wrong). Believe it had had 6 million of investment. Much preferable to Flamingo Land in the same area from what friends have said.
The only experience of Butlins was when Craig Tara was a Butlins. I think Butlins got a bad name in the past but cant comment on them now.
We've been to Craig Tara as a Haven a couple of times with a tourer, and it's still much the same. It's fine and you can go half board if required.
My personal favorite park of all time is a privately run one in Cumbria called Stanwix Park. Quite like a Haven/Parkdeans but not as intense. The only possible drawback is theres not too much locally (8 miles nearest bigger town, 16-18 to Workington for a Tesco etc).

premiertravel

Hi my neice worked uin butlins bognor until reecently and and parents went for 5 days mum is in a wheelchair and they said it was awful compared to other haven one's they have been to.

The Craig Tara one is excellant value and out of season they are offering some great deals on half board.

I sent my daughter with hubby and baby on a travel agents fam trup and they thoroughly enjoyed it

Tarry

I have stayed in Craig Tara a couple of Julys ago, but we just used it was a base to go out visiting every day. It was very busy when I was there and it was in the Scottish half term I found out (didn't realise that at the time). The caravan I stayed in was very clean with plenty of candles for some reason which I found strange, but nice in a way. There is a tiny beach (with lots of litter though) of site which I took the dogs too every day. The caravan I was in was rather near the rollercoaster which was quite noisy at times, but didn't really bother me too much. There was a small shop which was very busy most of the time, but stocked essentrials, but I did my main shop in a Tescos (typically). I can't comment on the swimming pool as didn't use it.


HTH

superhez

Thanks for the feedback, have gone with haven Craig Tara after a couple of friends recommendations but not so sure after reading this

Oh well got a good deal and things like how busy it is don't matter as we are on school hols so expect it to be busy.

Still fancy giving Butlins a shot, maybe next year.

Scotsman4th I saw the one you are talking about and really fancied it but the more affordable one's were booked out when w ewanted but may give it a shot another time, what was weather like for you, some people have said it tends to be quite mild in Cumbria (not that good weather's guaranteed in Ayr, lol)

Rolandtheroadie

superhez wrote: »

Scotsman4th I saw the one you are talking about and really fancied it but the more affordable one's were booked out when w ewanted but may give it a shot another time, what was weather like for you, some people have said it tends to be quite mild in Cumbria (not that good weather's guaranteed in Ayr, lol)

I've been there when its been hot enough to comfortably use the outdoor pool and also when its been blowing a gale. Just typical british weather really lol.

mummytofour

I live near Butlins and have a yearly pass, I can not fault the entertainment and they have a lot to offer IMHO. My kids would love to stay there, but its expensive for us and the sun holidays only do 4 person holidays to butlins.

We normally go to haven a few times a yr for weekends. Also Parkdean ( warmwell) is nice.