Haven

[McNoodle]

Anyone had any experience of a Haven family holiday?

[hol5]

They are good value for money, the caravans even on the cheapest level are clean just a bit old fasioned. Same goes for some of the sight facilities, the pools are good but small, the play areas are excellent. Some of the sites on first impression seem a bit 'tacky' but all in all, value for money really good.

[mrs_overall]

A couple of years ago my sis was due to go to Primrose Valley but fell ill so she gave the holiday to us. It was all a bit tatty and rundown, which I could live with. At the risk of sounding snobbish, most of the people there were from Teesside, wore shell suits or football tops, drank from the minute they got up and drove us insane at night by being rowdy in their caravans.
I needed a holiday to get over that holiday!

[ethanryan]

hi mcnoodle, we went to haven about 3 years ago and we are going again in june. we are going to thorpe park this year, never been before but if it was anything like the last one it should be brill!

[pug100]

Went to Filey and was full of yobbish Geordies.
Similar exp. to Mrs O. wouldn't go there again and would only consider another holiday with Haven if the place was recommended by someone I knew.

Very basic tired caravan, even though it was a 'silver' one. Needed to get the maintenance guys out as there was a gas leak, faulty sink taps and shower didn't work. Linen was provided but was very threadbare, thankfully took own towels.

Had just enough crockery for one plate each and one cup each, no can opener though. Saturday night was really noisy and the folks leaving the entertainment hall at 11:30pm kindly banged on the sides of the cavavans just to make sure we heard them. Couple of lads also thought it a good idea to race around the park in their Corsas.

On the plus side the holiday was quite cheap, booked in late July for August (should have known then...) there were lots of things for kids to do but required a lot of determination not to be pushed to the back of the queue by tough nut kids. Swimming pool was good but always packed as was the ball pit play area.

[leelapops]

Hi Mc,

I have been to a few Haven parks when I was younger, my last will have been about 10 years ago. At the time they were quiet and peaceful, with good facilities and nice accommodation. We tended to stay in chalets rather than caravans, as my mum doesn't like caravans! But I do recall one or two caravan hols.

It just sounds a little like it hasn't changed or modernised since the last time I was there, which is a shame, because they are a great alternative to going abroad, especially if you have kids, and provide good value for money.

[CathH]

Well Mrs Overall - you definitely ARE snobbish!!
I am from Teesside and have never worn, or owned a shell suit, neither do I know anyone else who has one.

Scarborough is easily accessible from the North East area and probably does get a lot of people from Teesside.
I have been to holiday camps in other areas, where people are just as rowdy (and not from Teesside) - and if the noise was too bad you should have complained to the site manager.

However, i think the question was about Haven, not what you think of Teessiders!!

For the record McNoodle - I stayed at a Haven camp in Blackpool last year and the facilities were very good!!

[asteroid99]

We used to go when I was young - 15-20 years ago (jeez that makes me sound old!), and me and my sister loved it. Not sure my mum was too keen though! So one for the kids I'd say.

[ELVIS68]

I`ve been on a few of them, mainly on the south coast, excellent entertainment for the kids and for the adults if you like Keith Harris and Orville!

It`s quite expensive though if you go in peak season, �500 for a week in a caravan and then whatever you spend at night, plus the kids spending money on flashing necklaces,wristbands and anything else Haven can fit brightly coloured lights to!

I think most of the yobbos who go there and get p!ssed 24/7 are probably on a �9.50 holiday from The Sun

[weeal]

I've only seen the one in Ayr (Scotland) and its terrible and is a bit run down. Its also not a 'cheap' holiday.

[mrs_overall]

CathH - I was NOT making a generalisation about people from Teesside, just about the lowlifes from that area I encountered at Filey.
For your information, Mr O is Teesside born and bred, all his family still live there and they are lovely people.
If you've never encountered anyone from Teesside wearing shell suits I suggest you stand on ANY street in Middlesbrough/Stockton/Thornaby any day of the week and look around you and you'll soon eat your words.
Now stick that in your pipe and smoke it!

[JulieB123]

Hi McNoodle, I have stayed at a few Haven and other caravan parks and find in general wherever you stay with "club" facilities there are going to be people who have too much to drink and get a bit loud, but in general I havn't had any bad experiences.

Just for the record as there seems to be a debate I also come from Teesside and don't wear a shell suit my son & nephew sometime wear football tops but neither are old enough to drink so not "yobs".

[alijangra]

I didnt know you could still buy shell suits. Where do I get one? ;)

[tufty7]

I have been on a few of them Sun �9.50 holidays at varius places, they have always been enjoyed by the kids but I would say you need to upgrade to a gold/ platinum caravan , The kids have always enjoyed the entertainment at night , so yes on the whole I would say go for it but don't get ripped off by them , there are plenty of private caravans on there, check out e bay and the likes..........

[BOBSMITH101]

Haven holidays are brilliant!! They are really good value for money and the staff there are really helpful and friendly-go if you can!

[dave thefish]

hello mr mcnoodle.i have stayed at many haven sites both as a child and as a father.they can be great value for money as long as you are prepared to search through the offers.otherwise peak times can be very expensive and my own opinion not worth the money.i have had many a sun holiday at haven sites and yes you are given the basic caravan but you are usually given the option to upgrade which i would.haven sites in dorset and devon are great.plenty to do but you dont have to stay on site.if you want quiet request a quiet position away from the entertainment i have and have always got it.what i do when imaway on holidays is spend a few minutes loooking at other holiday parks in the area and make a note of what they are like as to wether i would book to go there.its better to see it with your own eyes than the glossy internet pics.also do all your shopping for food beffore you go or find the local supermarket as the site shops though great for emergency buys are on the whole very expensive.if you are on a budget try and book two sun holidays together at sites that are close to each other.i have done this and stayed at one site for the weekend then moved 20 miles to another site for midweek.i upgraded on both occasions and its well worth it.hpoe this helps.

[astonsmummy]

we've tried a few haven holidays and theyve been great with good entertainment for the kids but we're trying keycamp this year in holland 640 quid for 2 weeks including ferry for top accom and loads to do