Craig Tara Haven

i_wanna_save_money!

Has anyone here been to Craig Tara? We are off there on Monday, have done Haven before so know what entertainment is like etc (kids LOVE it) but for the first time we have gone half board. I just wanted to know what the food is like and and what the chalets are like. I got told when I phoned Haven that all half board guests are in the same block of chalets, so do we still have kitchen area or not? Also, anything else you think I may need to know please including any local attractions. Thank you!

chergar

Hi
I have been to Craig Tara a few times on HB. The food is okay, a bit canteen style, you can eat as much as you like and the choice is okay, there is a salad bar, fruit, desserts,jacket potatoes, main meals like Curry, shepherds pie, fish and chips etc., Breakfast is fruit, cereal, yoghurt, fried food the usual things. You can help yourself to as much tea, coffee, hot chocolate, orange and apple juice as you like and if you want you can buy alcoholic drinks, or cola etc from the bar.

The chalets are okay. You do not have a lounge/kitchen area. We had a two bedroom so we had alittle hallway, double bedroom with tv and kettle, wardrobe and some drawers, twin bedroom (that was huge) with two single beds and a wardrobe and some drawers and a shower room with loo, sink and shower cubicle. I can't remember the difference but one of the chalets can be upstairs (think that might be the basic one) and the other is little bungalows in rows (silver).

There is a farm park right next door http://www.headsofayrfarmpark.co.uk/
I have never been but a few friends have and said it is great fun.

The swimming pool in craig tara is fab, it is over a few levels and has flumes and a water play area that squirts water and a bucket drops water on you every so often. There is also a playpark that is good for the children, although with it being easter week i think it might be very busy. If you are going off site there is a great play park at Ayr sea front that has loads of things and the ground is a huge sand pit.

There is probably loads more I could tell you but I can't think off the top of my head, if you do need to know anything else specific then ask and I will see if I can help you.

i_wanna_save_money!

Thanks for taking the time to reply Chergar! I'm just packing now...we're looking forward to the break I have requested a ground floor chalet as grandad is coming and he is 83 and struggles to get up stairs, but they said they can't guarantee anything bt fingers crossed Can I just ask is the beach a sandy beach or shingle as i'll take the kids bucket and spades if it is sandy (even if it looks like we will have bad weather l

p4girl

Pack the buckets and spades, there'll be sand.

The weather forecast is not great, but it's dry today at least!

Have a good holiday.

scotty1971

the heads of ayr farm park is an excellent day out for the kids,the little van that sells chinese food on site is okay aswell.inside the park can be quite expensive for the rides and machines

Hootie19

Children from 0-99 (and maybe beyond!) love this

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/dunure/electricbrae/index.html - have a look on You Tube for an idea of what happens.

The layby is "new" (bearing in mind I've not lived there for almost 40 years!) and I remember going there often as a child and there was just a long row of cars rolling UP the hill.

Dunure, I remember, is a pretty little place to pass an hour or two, but nothing exciting to do there.

The Undiscovered Scotland website has a useful page about Ayrshire http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/areaayrs/index.html

Have a great time. We used to go to that park for a day trip when I was a kid, only back then it was Butlins. Sigh - happy memories!

shortdog

We go to Craig Tara fairly regularly, as it's 15 minutes away from us. The chalets for half board are tired, but clean (they are the old Butlins posh accomodation!) They now all come with a lounge/kitchen, which is well equipped, bedrooms are a decentish size - I managed to get a travel cot in one a few years ago, and they're fairly close to the centre. Craig Tara has a brand new soft play area just been finished, meant to be fantastic.
Heads of Ayr farm park is good on a dry day, not so good when it's wet - a lot of things are outdoors, and won't run in the rain. It's best for younger kids - my 9-year-old isn't fussed about it anymore.
There are loads of attractions nearby, depending on what age the kids are. Culzean castle is just down the coast, and worth a visit - the grounds alone are fantastic, and, if you're taking the kids bikes, take them with you, my daughter learnt to ride her bike at Culzean - nice smooth wide roads, very few cars. Ayr town centre is a bit run down, but the beach park is excellent.
Kelburn Castle is just a bit further up the coast, https://www.kelburnestate.com , has an amazing Secret Forest, full of fairy tale themed little houses and things, all tucked away in the forest for the kids to discover. It's a full day out.
The new Robert Burns museum at Alloway is only 5 minutes drive from the park, http://www.burnsmuseum.org.uk/ it's not so great for the kids though (mine were both bored within an hour).
There are loads of other things to do, but it all depends on what you fancy, how old the kids are, and how much time you want to spend on (and off) the park. If there is anything in particular you want to know, let me know, and I'll help as best I can!
Have a fantastic holiday.

i_wanna_save_money!

Aww thanks everyone, really looking forward to it and thanks for all the ideas - sure we'll have a fab time! Kilburn Castle looks fab, so does Culzean...think we'll be paying one of those a vist