Haven Holidays33 reviews
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I booked it because my lower back was playing up and we were in the middle of moving, so needed somewhere low-key to rest. At first it felt a bit of a mess — pitches uneven, mud in places and the loo block was grim and often lacked loo roll. Tried to book the indoor pool and never got in, the outdoor pool was freezing and then shut for an hour while we were already wet. Food was a bit disappointing and pricey. Then a bloke at reception helped manoeuvre our van onto a flatter pitch and showed me a decent hot shower — that’s when I finally relaxed. Still needs work, but it served its purpose.
A bit of a rollercoaster
don’t expect a smooth ride, but it wasn’t a complete disaster either. Bought a caravan for £33k and a year later tried to trade up — same model still listed at £33k while they offered me about £13k. Felt like I’d lost £20k overnight (which, well, I basically did). On top of that the snagging took ages — over a year to sort things like wallboards and the levelling. We had to chase constantly, and only after a formal complaint and getting legal advice did things move. It wasn’t ready to move into and we ended up cleaning it ourselves (not ideal). Owners seem to get little priority; place feels aimed at holidaymakers. Bank holidays can be noisy, police on site sometimes, and there’s a weedy smell around. My advice: take comprehensive insurance if you’re renting it out. In the end some issues were fixed and it settled down, so I’m reluctantly satisfied.
Damp welcome, short stay
It hit us as soon as the door opened — a damp, wet-dog smell. We booked a dog-friendly unit after a friend pointed it out on the park website, but dog-friendly obviously doesn't mean they've actually cleaned between guests. The floor was grim, I had to remove cushions and brush out the seating; not pleasant with kids around. Found a razor on the bathroom floor, which was worrying. Plates and pans in the cupboard were filthy, there was water and muck in the fridge area, and a rusty shelf to top it off. We told reception but they were uninterested — didn't come and sort it, which was the worst part. We packed up and spent most of the holiday out and about instead of in the caravan. This was meant to be our last break before the baby arrives, so it felt rubbish and a bit stressful. Small things like that matter when you're paying for a holiday. I told the mate who recommended it to think twice and to ring ahead next time.
Left with a sour taste
I booked a short caravan break and was genuinely excited — used it during the school holidays and we arrived keen. First impressions were fine, tidy van, all seemed in order. It wasn't until we left, in the rush to be gone by the 10am checkout, that I realised we'd left a few bits on the bed. Within an hour I phoned and explained, they said they'd look but came back saying nothing found. That was the point it turned sour. Staff seemed uninterested, even a bit dismissive, and the reply that they weren’t responsible felt like being fobbed off. I can see mistakes happen, okay, but the way they handled it was poor. We were trying it for the first time that weekend, so it felt worse. Delivery/collection and customer service need proper sorting. Bit annoyed, a bit disappointed, would hesitate to go back though there were some nice bits about the site.
Coffee, keys and a long walk
Woke up picturing morning coffee by the sea, only to remember we found out our pitch the night before. Bit daft. The van itself was spotless — honestly, gleamed. It felt nice and clean, beds made, all that. But the rest? Not great. We're in our seventies and asked if we could be nearer the loos and bin, because walking that far is... tiring. They said no. They didn't even look, and the site was pretty empty. One morning, mid-breakfast, someone opened the door with a key. He said he was checking the electrics. I told him to go to reception. How on earth did he have a key? Small things kept piling up — little staff mistakes, odd replies, stuff that could be fixed with a smidge more care. We ended up leaving a day early. Shame, because Rockley Park, another Haven, has always been cracking. If they sorted the organisation and staff training I'd consider going back, but for now we'll pick elsewhere. A pity, really.
Muddy boots and a climbing wall moment
dog hair in the carpet, dusty surfaces, dirty dishes and an oven with burned bits still in it. I spent most of the first day trying to get it to a decent state (not ideal). And the shower was grim, so we used a nearby facility which, thankfully, was much cleaner. That said, the point when I actually felt satisfied wasn’t the place itself but watching the kids with Becky at the climbing wall and the little football session for the 3–5s — they were proper happy, and the staff were friendly and relaxed, which mattered a lot. I’ve had better-kept places from other companies, sure, but the team running activities really saved the week. So annoyed about the hygiene, but relieved the kids had fun — mixed feelings, really.
Dunes and a mug
I was sat on the pitch, mug in hand, watching the kids race to the dunes, and that’s the weird moment I realised I was actually okay with the stay. The grass by our pitch looked a bit neglected and the bins could do with a proper clean, yeah, but after a quick word the staff moved us to a quieter spot — that change made all the difference. Showers were only luke-warm sometimes and facilities weren’t spotless, true, but mornings walking the dog on the beach and cooking simple meals felt like a proper break. I did grumble, and I mean, I still do, but it worked out in the end. Bit rough around the edges, but it served its purpose for a short weekend.
Rough stay at Primrose
Halfway through the first morning I knew this wouldn’t be the gentle break I needed after a hectic move and my sore back. The caravan arrived with grubby surfaces and a couple of fittings missing, which was irritating when all I wanted was somewhere to rest. Booking activities was another faff — the app kept timing out (no decent Wi‑Fi and poor mobile signal) so you miss things and there are loads of no‑shows clogging up slots. Staff at first seemed unconcerned, which made me more wound up, but to be fair one receptionist later came across as genuinely helpful and arranged a cleaner and a partial refund — that was a surprise and appreciated. Onsite spots were overcrowded, prices felt steep for what you get, and the entertainment areas weren’t maintained well. There are good bits for kids if you get lucky with bookings, but overall delivery of the unit and the initial customer service let the place down for us. Won’t be returning.
Not what we imagined
marks in the bathroom, a wardrobe with a broken door, tiny holes in the wall, the patio handle nearly came off in my hand. Paid for a ranger activity but it was rushed and the person seemed more glued to their phone than to the kids. Kids' play area was pretty poor, and dogs wandering near the restaurant felt odd — I get bringing dogs, I have two, but maybe keep them tucked away. On the plus side, we did get some laughs, managed a decent walk nearby and the kids actually had fun — so not a total disaster, just not what we paid for and I expected better.
A bit of a faff, but we survived
I rolled up expecting a quiet weekend and instead got a bit of a palaver. Paid £50 to check in early and arrived with minutes to spare — felt a bit daft when we were basically handed the keys to a van that needed a proper once-over. Mrs and I spent a good hour or two wiping down surfaces and sorting bedding; not the best start but, to be fair, it meant we knew exactly what was clean. Tried to order a pizza for a lazy evening and found out they’d stopped deliveries. You can't even pre-order to collect, so we ended up hanging about like muppets while the kids moaned. To add to the comedy, there was no baking tray so our plan to roast a traybake went out the window. Reception didn’t pick up when we rang just before closing, which was annoying. Still — location was handy, the kids loved the beach, and by day two we were settled and actually laughing about it. Not perfect, but oddly glad we went; made for a proper holiday story.
No water, poor follow-up
I woke up one morning (it was baking hot) to find there was no running water in our caravan. We were a week away with my two granddaughters and normally I stick to Center Parcs, but my daughter said try this place. Someone did bring three tiny bottles at about 9am, which was something, but after that it was mainly silence. Reception shut early and there was no one to ask for more, and security basically said we were "in the same boat" so sort it out ourselves — not helpful. By the time we left, more than a day had gone by with no way to shower, flush properly or wash dishes. I appreciate that a burst main can happen (bad luck) and I’m glad the kids took it in their stride, but the handling was underwhelming. I got an email saying some guests might receive refunds; nothing has arrived for us yet. So yes, grateful it wasn't worse — the girls were good, neighbours were okay, and at least the small bottles arrived — but overall the customer care and follow-up need work. If you’re planning a short break with young children I’d be cautious; it’s fine until something breaks and then you find out how much they really care.
Nearly turned into a beach picnic
scratched worktops, a dented fridge, stained carpets, and a cupboard hanging off its hinges. I won’t lie, I was close to tears — it’s not just about the stuff, it’s the holiday time wasted. Reception were quick to say they’d move us but the next one wouldn’t be ready until 5pm; we saw it and honestly it was worse. Back to reception, and at that point I felt proper deflated. They offered another with no sea view and, funnily enough, told us if we didn’t like that there was nothing else. The new caravan itself was fine for the grade — what you’d expect — but there were no towels. Rang twice, towels turned up at 6.45pm. So day one was a shambles, grandchildren upset, lots of pacing, and no real apology or any sort of goodwill gesture to make up for lost time. On the plus side, things settled after the evening and the kids had a decent time on the beach, so not a total disaster. If I had to give a tip: be firmer at check-in, and maybe ask for confirmation that the unit has been checked over before you travel.
Not the relaxing break we’d hoped for
the caravan smelled a bit musty, the bathroom was crawling with moths and the extractor fan wasn’t working, so there was zero ventilation. That felt off, especially with the baby and grandparents there. Then there was this awkward safety thing — right by the top of a small stairwell there’s a shallow pit in the path that would be easy to trip into in the dark. Basic stuff that shouldn’t be a gamble on holiday.
The check‑in was… functional, but not friendly. We were handed a handful of play passes with no explanation. When I asked what they were for, the person said “keep them in case you’re asked” and walked off. That kind of half‑information sets the tone. Booking the pool was the biggest headache: the online system only lets you reserve 14 slots, so we split ours over two days. On arrival the system apparently showed completely different names and numbers; the pool coordinator was brusque and flatly refused to help, even when we showed the confirmation. It felt dismissive, bordering on discriminatory, and reception just pointed back to the pool team. The back‑and‑forth wasted ages and really ruined the first evening.
There were a couple of pleasant surprises though — the green space around the site is actually lovely, the kids found a small play area they adored, and the caravan’s heating worked well on chilly evenings, which I didn’t expect. Small things, but they helped. Overall I’d say the place needs better upkeep and staff training. My original doubts weren’t fully put to rest; some tiny positives, but not enough to make me want to return with family.Family accommodation booking
Haven holidays are great for families on a budget who want a good place to stay. The prices can be a bit all over the place though, making it hard to plan ahead. It's frustrating when the prices change so suddenly. And trying to book online with less than 72 hours to go isn't ideal either. It would be good if Haven could make things easier for customers by sorting out their booking system.
Family holiday accommodation
Our family holiday this year was not as great as we hoped due to the poor quality of the accommodation. We thought we had booked a lodge, but it turned out to be just a caravan with a few wooden beams inside. The place was not very clean either, and I had to ask for the carpet and sofa to be cleaned before I could let my 5-month-old granddaughter near them. The lady who came to clean even said they hadn't finished cleaning properly. Considering how much we paid, we were really disappointed with the whole experience.
Family holiday in 2 caravans with 11 people
Our time at the holiday park wasn't great. We booked two 8-berth caravans for a 4-night break, but when we got there, we were given one 8-berth and one 6-berth caravan. We tried to explain that we needed two 8-berth caravans for our group of 11, but the reception staff weren't very helpful. It meant one person had to sleep on the living room floor, which wasn't ideal.
Family holiday at a coastal resort
I recently stayed at a park near a cliff and overall it was a nice place. The facilities were really clean, which was great. However, there weren't many activities for adults to do, and the on-site activities and mini market were quite pricey. If you have a few kids with you, you might be better off going abroad for a holiday instead.
Family holiday with a focus on inclusivity for all ages and abilities
Despite the promise of family-friendly holidays, I was really disappointed with my experience at this resort. Over the weekend, it felt like most of the staff ignored me and paid more attention to other guests. As a parent to a 4-year-old with autism, I was let down by the lack of activities suitable for my child. The gift shop didn't have any toys that were suitable for children with autism, making it hard for me to find something for my little one to enjoy. What's more, our caravan was in a spot where the decking never got any sunlight, so we had limited space to relax outside.
Bronze caravan booking for 600 pounds
I went ahead and booked a caravan for a weekend escape, but honestly, it wasn't great. The beds were so uncomfortable, felt like sleeping on rocks - my back is still aching. The evening entertainment was just alright, too noisy and crowded for my liking. There wasn't much food on offer either. The pub was decent, but the prices were way too high! The waterpark was fun, but the booking system was a hassle. Spent more time organising than actually swimming. Overall, everything was just average, nothing special. Now it's Bank Holiday Monday, and I'm regretting spending so much money.
Stay in a 3 bed silver caravan
We were meant to stay in a 3-bedroom silver caravan at this place but ended up being given a 2-bedroom one instead. They wouldn't refund us the difference even though we had paid for the 3-bedroom initially. It's just not fair, you know? We've been to this place a few times in the past, but now we're having doubts about returning.
About Haven Holidays
Haven Holidays is a prominent UK holiday park operator, specialising in providing family-friendly coastal holidays. Established in 1964, the company has grown to manage 40 holiday parks across Britain. Haven Holidays offers a variety of accommodation options, including static caravans, luxury lodges, and touring and camping areas. The parks feature numerous amenities such as swimming pools, entertainment venues, restaurants, and activity programmes tailored for all ages. The company is part of the Bourne Leisure Group, which also owns the Butlin's and Warner Leisure Hotels brands.
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Holidays and Trips | Sun & All-inclusive Reviews & Experiences
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Last update: January 2026
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