Centre parc or Haven

moneysaver12

Thankyou all for your help. We have decided for this year to go to primrose valley park.

apesxx

primrose valley is a lovely site. been twice, once when dd was nearly 3 and i was 7 months pregnant and 2nd time when dd was 4.5 and DS 18 months and they both had a fab time. theres plenty of the smaller rides in the arcade (that we ended up putting a fortune in), the park is really nice. theres some lovely farms near it for days out and the pool is fab x
If your planning to book through the sun and going in term time check that its not cheaper to book direct as sometimes it can be once you have added on service charges, entertainment passes and linen.

debbie_debt

I've spent many a holiday in both Whinfell forest Centre Parcs and in various Haven sites across the country. I'd have to say that I'd go for Centre parcs every time given the choice - the quality of the facilities and activities beat Haven hands down, it is an absolutely gorgeous place to stay and there's enough to keep any family busy all week. If you get chance to go in the spa it's well worth a trip but we tend to spend at least a couple of hours each day in the pool area - the toddler area would be great for your little ones - it's all toasty warm as the swimming is indoors and there are mini slides etc. There's a poolside bar which you can get (rather expensive) snacks and drinks from or take your own. The lodges all have BBQs outside which are great for sitting round in the evening as a family and enjoying the woodland scenary. As I'm sure you can tell - I love it there!! We've gone once a year since my son was 1 (he's now 12 and still loves it).

ENjoy!

mabinogion_2

Ive been to all the center parcs on numerous occasions and a handful of haven parks. I'd say center parcs in a heartbeat. They are fabulous places for a low stress holiday with kids. My kids still adore center parcs even though they are no longer kids. Have fun whichever you choose!

thepinkladez_2

i am also a cp fan! i went to haven last year and i wasn't swayed!
haven is great if you want a cheapish accomodation and want to go out and about. we stayed at rockley park and it was a great location for going to all dorsets beautiful beaches. The site itself was ok. The caravan was spotless. The pool seriously needs upgrading!bit grubby! we also didnt like that it seems to close really early? cp stays open til late so we often would go for an evening swim once its quieter.
Cp seems more expensive but by the time you have paid for the swimming pool pass etc at haven ( i am not entirely sure if that generally comes in the price) as i believe we booked ours without it and then paid for it when we got there?! i dont think it really is much more, not for what you get. my girls could literally spend all day in the swimming complex and then another day cycling, playing in the play parks and building dens in the woods at cp so we dont really spend anymore than the original booking fee.

clairec79

I had a pop up cot when mine were little (it said up to 6 months I think I used it a bit longer) and that fitted in the main bedroom in a haven caravan

The passes etc for the swimming pool at Haven are included in the price - if you book direct with them and it's 50% off till end of the month - depends on which site you go to as to what you get free the kids activities are all included and swimming etc (though some you can pay for for extra but the vast majority are free) when we went to Quay West they also had free trampolines for the kids - and something else which I've forgotten, the kids were happy with the free stuff anyway

Tigsteroonie

I stay at Havens courtesy of the Sun offers ... I'm not saying that Haven are better, just that I can't afford CP so can't offer an opinion!

SUESMITH_2

ive done both, you can't really compare the two as they are so different.

we never got to swim at haven, queued a few times but because of the numbers allowed in and the size of the queue we got turned away, went to the local leisure centre in the end. food was expensive and rubbish and you stuck to the carpet in the entertainment bit.

however it was much cheaper then cp, horses for courses

moneysaver12

Thankyou all for your help.

YORKSHIRELASS

I just wanted to say what a fantastic post Artichoke, I agree with everything you say.

A lot of people knock Haven but when our kids were little they just loved the place. I still go misty eyed when I think about how much my boy adored Bradley Bear - he is 13 now and would kill me for saying that!

When you have got pre-school age kids, or slightly older, holidays in the UK can be such hard work. Trying to do tourist stuff while pushing a buggy around in the rain with a whining toddler in tow is no fun - been there done that. At Haven they are geared up for small children. Everyone else has small kids so if yours start screaming the place down there is no way anyone will look at you funny!

If you go to Haven with an open mind and ignore the negative things you hear you will have a great time. Primrose Valley is also on one of the best bits of coastline in my opinion (well I do live near there!) and there is loads to do in the area so thats a bonus as well. If you go to CPs you will end up staying on site for the whole time but at Primrose Valley you can get out and about if the weather is nice.

I do love Center Parcs but as someone else said you cant really compare the two. Centre Parcs sets out to be upmarket and Haven is definitely not classy - but if your kids are happy then you can relax and enjoy yourselves and thats what its all about.