Many Thanks for reply Pam.Feel a bit more reassured now.I agree, such hols are mainly with the children in mind,but think I might use the vouchers for a break for my wife & myself, having discovered a short break a center parcs is less than Haven. I think our 14yr. old daughter + friend, & the wife, would prefer it.
Thanks again,
Dave.

we went to Perran Sands at half term and stayed in their eurotents - great fun !!. if you book last minute you get these at real cheap prices - we paid £114 for May half term !

Tina

hi you say you have just been to perran sands, can you give me your honest opinion of the park. we are thinking of going , but have read several reviews slating it ! we have been told that the clubs are rubbish and the pool is tiny and dirty and nothing else for the kids to do if you stay on site in the day. accomodation is dirty etc.
i am sure it can't be that bad really ! so can you please just give me your views on it . many thanks

We have stayed at a couple of Haven sites in the last 18 months or so. We booked through Haven itself both times. The first time we went to Seashore in Great Yarmouth. We booked a silver caravan for 1 week as we had a young baby and didnt wan't to take her abroad. When we got there the first caravan they gave had also been allocated to someone else so we went back to reception. They then gave us another caravan which after packing the food away we realised that the fridge was broken but by this time the reception was closed so we asked the security man for another fridge as we had a 6 wk old baby and we had to keep her milk fresh but he was unable to do anything. Then as soon as it got dark/cold the whole caravan was full of condensation and when we got into bed the matress was all damp. After one night all our clothes were damp so we went to reception explained that our caravan was damp and that we had a young baby. The manager offered to dry our clothes and give us a heater for the kids room. By this point my husband was furious as we payed alot of money for the caravan and we were not prepared to have our kids sleep in a damp caravan. The manager eventually relented and said we could move caravans they gave us the keys to another caravan. When we got there I went in to have a look around and check it was alright and there were a pair of shoes in the living area I looked in the fridge and there was food in the fridge. I went into the bedroom and there were clothes on the bed and floor, it then dawned on me that this caravan must be occupied. I couldn't have got out of there quicker if I tried lol! What if the occupants had of been in. So back to reception we went hubby really was mad now and wanted to go home there and then however they gave us the keys to another caravan and I must admit that this caravan was much nicer but all the messing around we had spoilt the holiday and we went home 2 days early. The park itself was a little dated and scruffy, but Great Yarmouth was nice.

After that I swore I would never go to a Haven site again however we fancied a short break so we decided to give Haven another try. We booked up through Havens website to go to Rivierra Sands in Cornwall. We booked a silver caravan again and it was lovely. We also really liked the site it was much cleaner than the one we visited before. This site is classed as a small site and maybe thats why its nicer. We enjoyed ourselves so much we wanted to extend our stay but the site was fully booked. It just goes to show that no 2 sites are the same. We are trying Haven again this Easter at a medium sized park so I am hoping that our weekend won't be a dissapointment.

Hi Sarah

I've been to a few Haven sites and have to agree that they do vary immensely and so does the accomodation. Where are you off to at Easter?

Hi nicjw,

We are off to Burnham on Sea on the 28th for 3 days. We booked with Haven direct in a Superior Plus which I think is the equivelent to a silver as they have changed the grading system.

Have you ever been to the Burnham site? Or as anyone else been recently?

Sarah

Hi Sarah. No sorry haven't been to Burnham but I'm sure they'll be someone on here who has. I've been to Devon Cliffs which was OK, but too vast - don't think I'd go back. Went to Hopton near Great Yarmouth which I wasn't keen on and definately wouldn't go back. My favourite Haven site is Rockley Park which used to be owned by British Holidays but now comes under the Haven umbrella, this is a big site but I like it for it's proximity to the fabulous beaches at Sandbanks and good facilities for the children.
Anyway, hope you have a great time, hope the weather is kind! Don't forget to come back on and let us know what you think of it.
Regards, Nic.

We own a caravan at Burnham on Sea. We like the site because it is not too big and is close to the beach and town. You do need to be careful when booking with haven because you will not until you get there if you have been allocated one of their fleet vans or be lucky to have a privately owned one. If you interested in my web site please let me know.
Sharon

hey, im new here so thought i would add my views on haven

myself and my family have been going to haven holidays for 10 years now - since 1997 - im now 22 and still love the camps.

i live near combe haven, hastings, so we have been there at leave once a year for the last 10 years, then we discovered their late deals on their website and started booking through them last minute and at one point went nearly every month in one year

i have literally grown up through them as i was "tiger club" age then, and i couldnt and still cant fault them now

been also to rivera sands, devon cliffs, nodes point (now park resorts), weymouth bay - with our touring caravan.

after becoming disabled 3 years ago, we were looking for a bit more when it came to booking holidays and as haven is geared for access for kids weve never had much of a probelm. combe haven have been absolutly brilliant, theyve also up unitl this season have had the same enteratiment team who really take the time to get toi know their guests.

unfortunaly we had 1 worst stay which was devon cliffs, will never ever go back there. we actually considered leaving after 2 days, we were given a caravan on top of a hill despite asking for easy access, access round the park wasnt as easy as they said...then as i use the clubs in the ebvning, we found we couldnt after they decided to close 1 of the clubs leaving only one which has no level access, as its all tiered, steps to disabled toilet - not much use in a wheelchair it was horrendous,

i had to be carryed though a fire escape via their security staff - i refused to go back again . managedment was called in but it had already ruinedf my holiday

but i cant fault no other camp, combe haven also saved my life after having a seizure while in the swmiing pool, and they dealt with it brillaintly.

as i say, never to old for rory lol :-)

Has anyone been to Craig Tara? I've booked a chalet here with half board during the school holidays in April. It was ridiculously cheap and I now think maybe I've made a mistake. It does look action packed and as I have a 10 year old I thought it would be ideal.

just come back from last minute weekend break been going to combe haven for 10 years now, so ive seen many changes, but these new ones are so much better.

theyve just had a munlti lillion pound revamp and the place is so much differnt, the old family club is now "mash & barrel" which is a huge resterunt, burger king is still there, fish & chip bar has gone and now have papa johns pizza

the old club now the live lounge is so much more nicer with funky lights and warm atomosphere, certinaly a lot better since the revamp, as i used to hate the old venue

access is so much easier, myself being disbaled ive always battles with this venue but now theres no worry at all
apart from the fact they really do need automatic or push botton doors for live lounge and mash & barrel

ents staff was great, was very unsure how it go after the loss of the past seasons team, but seem to be fitting in well

the new enterance with no railings around the outdoor pool is so much nicer gives a better feel to the place.

glad to see burger king still there, and papa johns gives more choice,
didnt eat at mash & barrel but went in and what a difference, something that was certinaly needed there, but it was so strange it turned into a resteraunt from the club,

im disapointed to see the ten pin bowling go tho...accrding to the park map its still there but its not

had a really nice weekend. cant wait to come back

Joyce, as someone who has a caravan on another west of Scotland park, i've heard mixed reports about Craig Tara, i'd be interested to read your report when you come back

Hi there, been to several of the haven/british holiday sites and some are far better than others depending what you are wanting from youre holiday.
our favourates are primrose valley (filey), seton sands(nr edinburgh) and doniford bay (nr minehead) but you do need a car for this one.
Hafan-y-mor was good but we went early season and only half was open, may be better when busier like primrose valley.
Hate blue dolphin and reighton sands both nr filey - both small, dirty abnd a rip off as they are trying to get in as much revenue as the bigger sites.
also like Cala-gran nr blackpool, an ideal base near to blackpool away from all the hussle and bussle of blackpool and they stay fully open right to the end of the illuminations period also.
none of the sites are that cheap really and its always better to find a local supermarket but the entertainment is what makes it a great kids holiday..
any more questions ill be glad to answer. ttfn

hi deb we have been going to the southbay site in brixham which we think is great.
they have a indoor+outdoor pool and good entertainment for the kids.
ok the beer in the clubhouse is expensive but the town is only a 15 min walk down the hill and you can go in the local sea anglers club(no children) for £3 week membership where a pint will only cost £1.70 and they have a singer some nights/snooker table+bingo.

Hi to everyone, We are going to seashore in Great yarmouth in July in a Prestige 8 berth, we haven't been to this site for quite a number of years and wondered if anyone can give me any info or recommendations that maybe i could request from Haven maybe. Any info would be welcome. thanks

just wanderering which haven site people think is best. we want to go end of september, but the site cant be hilly. we can travel anywhere, there will be six of us, myself my hubby 44, my mum and dad 70 and my daughter and her boyfriend 18.

Devon Cliffs is out. There are no flat bits.
The Haven park at Burnham on Sea (Marina Drive) is completely flat.
It is easy to get to being 5 minutes off the M5. There are places like Cheddar and Wookey Hole to visit, although both require a bit of walking. The Clarks Village at Street is only a short distance and has many "factory outlets" in a close location, they even have electric buggies available.

The indoor pool was not impressive, but hopefully they have picked up a bit. The pool itself is a round type shape with a water slide, which we did not see turned on in November. The pool is the normal UK Health and Safetied Pool. Knee high to a grasshopper, I am surprised we don't have to wear full immersion suits and breathing apparatus nowadays. The real gripe was the changing room. It has been converted to Unisex with cubicles but there were no seats or surfaces in the cubicles, so nowhere to put your dry clothes or sit while getting dressed etc. The shoes have to be left outside and the floor is sopping wet so you then have to go out into the cafe to put in your shoes and socks.

Hi
We are onsite at Golden Sands (Mablethorpe) Lincs, all flat !! Good access to promenade etc.
Give us a call if you want to enquire further as at present we have week 27th Sept to 4th Oct 08 available.

Hi
We have been to a few Haven sites over the years, Riviera sands and Perran sands in Cornwall, very nice only because its Cornwall though and the beaches are fantastic, we found the parks average. We have been to Cala Gran, that was ok, very security conscious, I guess thats the area. Hafanymor in Wales, rained every day! lots of changing venues for the show and lots of foreign staff who found it hard to fill up the coffee machine!The beach was awful. Seashore in Great Yarmouth was ok, but the caravan didnt have heating and it was freezing at night!(April 07) The beach wasnt great, all you can see is the Wind Turbines. I love Haven holidays as a whole and have been looking to buy a caravan in the norfolk area on a Haven site, went to Caister years ago, cant remember much about it. So thought we would try Hopton near Great Yarmouth. Booked the weekend of Halloween 08, arranged an appointment with the owners exclusive team. We found the site was everything we wanted lovely beach, friendly people, great shows, great funstars, clean and tidy. We looked round a few caravans within our price range, bought one with central heating and double glazing with ensuite shower room 2002 model. We will have to sublet it to help pay for the running costs, but the sublet grade is only standard plus due to the age of it! I have finally realised all the years we have booked a prestige/gold caravan just to get the heating when I could have saved money booked an older van but have more of the comforts of home like proper central heating! Anyway we are really excited and go to our caravan next weekend, it will have all new inventory, new fridge freezer, new microwave, new tv, we will put extras in it like a dvd, playstation 2, hoover extra tv in bedroom ready to be let next March. Anyone looking Norfolk area to holiday next year, Hopton is fab!

The Miles family