haven holiday or not

cheepskate_2

hi all

Been looking to go a week away with our 11 year old.

Looked at centreparcs but they are very pricy £800+ for week and then all your activities to pay for on top.

Anyway haven is decent price and seems like they have activities for this age group.

Anyone been to the haven in kent and what is it like for a 11 y old. Hes quite a mature 11 so doesn't do the clowns/ people dressing up etc but likes more teenage things.

thanks

escortg3

I take it you definately want to stay in this country.

I have always found that going abroad all inclusive to be a better deal.

cheepskate_2

Yeah, really need to stay in country and down London way . Not really my choice of holiday as we would usually go abroad.

deedee71

Just back from a week in Haven's Craig Tara park. My 11 year old boy and 9 year old girl had a fabulous time. You have the option of paying for the activities online at the time of booking and it makes them £4 each instead of ?£6?. The kids did water walkers (hamster balls), aquajets, fencing, archery, wall climbing and laser quest.

The pool is free and there was a big playpark that my kids loved too. They made wee pals and I think your son is just the right age to enjoy the freedom within a safe environment.

If you go through www.topcashback.co.uk you get 4% cash back too.

ETA: forgot to mention we went to Tunisia All Inclusive at Easter and the kids enjoyed Haven so much more.

freddie_2

deedee71 wrote: »

Just back from a week in Haven's Craig Tara park. My 11 year old boy and 9 year old girl had a fabulous time. You have the option of paying for the activities online at the time of booking and it makes them £4 each instead of ?£6?. The kids did water walkers (hamster balls), aquajets, fencing, archery, wall climbing and laser quest.

The pool is free and there was a big playpark that my kids loved too. They made wee pals and I think your son is just the right age to enjoy the freedom within a safe environment.

If you go through www.topcashback.co.uk you get 4% cash back too.

ETA: forgot to mention we went to Tunisia All Inclusive at Easter and the kids enjoyed Haven so much more.

I went to this site about 3 years ago and it was the worst experience ever. Went to Centre parcs (in term time) about 2 years ago and loved it.

Would never consider this particular haven site again but would do Centre parcs. Although I dont know what other haven sites are like, they might be better than the dump that is Craig tara.

brokeinyorkshire

Have you considered Butlins?

It has far more for kids than Haven although they are both owned by Bourne Lesiure.

Its really expensive on haven sites for food and drink and when you have kids that has to be considered.

J

pinkmami

I'm scared of trying Haven cos I haven't found any good reviews on Trip Advisor for them. I also go to Center Parcs. We did try Woolacombe Bay in 2007 & OMG if was awful. That (for me) was the blueprint for all Haven-like parcs. Chavvy, dirty, smelly, in need of renovations, etc.

I'd rather pay for what I know will be a great holiday at CP - kids love it, place is safe, clean, family friendly & relaxing & no bingo hall in sight:rotfl:

Have you tried other companies who have holidays similar to CP's?

arbroath_lass

We used to go to Haven parks on the Sun holidays but stopped a couple of years ago as the caravans were getting dirtier and dirtier. I certainly wouldn't pay even the £9.50pp now - too expensive, lol.

Pinky15

Can only echo what others have said. We went on Haven holiday once and never again we save up and go to center parcs now and we absolutely love it. A safe and clean place to go with children. I know it is expensive but def worth the money. Have you thought about camping maybe there are some lovely sites about. HTH

anderson8

freddie wrote: »

I went to this site about 3 years ago and it was the worst experience ever. Went to Centre parcs (in term time) about 2 years ago and loved it.

Would never consider this particular haven site again but would do Centre parcs. Although I dont know what other haven sites are like, they might be better than the dump that is Craig tara.

i agree, we hated this site. we still call it hell instead of haven.

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi,

We go to Haven for a weekend camping once a year just because the kids love it so much. We go in June or early July when you can pick up a real bargain. I wouldnt want to stay there for a week, we have been to 3 different Havens and in my experience they are all the same. A lot of the people who go there are couples who just want to get rid of the kids so they can get drunk and party. Sorry, I know thats not everyone, just a lot of the people we see.

I spoke to one of the wardens when we were last there and he said he hates the school holidays. He said a lot of the people behave like animals. His words not mine!

If you search about there are sites with similar facilities to Haven which cost less and are a lot nicer. Hoseasons is a good place to look and you can search on UKCampsite for reviews, they cover static caravans too.

I love Centre Parcs, but I think it is ridiculously expensive for what it is, unless you can go when the kids are in school.