UK Villages

Specialist Reports Holiday by Accommodation Holiday Villages UK Villages Haven Holiday Parks 

	Haven Holiday Parks
PO Box 218, 1 Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4GL			MAP
tel: (0870) 242 2222

As the UK's largest holiday park operator offers 21 parks, given a new look following customer research.

Where

England, Scotland and Wales, most on the coast close to beaches and seaside centres.

Accommodation

Mobile homes, rated from three-star up to Gold Olympic. Top of the range holiday homes are 20% wider and no more than 3 years old - the price including FunWorks passes, bed linen, extra heaters in the bedrooms and priority check-in. Catered facilities available at Caister (Norfolk), Hafan y Mor (North Wales) and Craig Tara (Scotland).

Facilities

Vary from park to park - include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, splash areas for small children, golf, pitch 'n' putt, crazy golf, tennis, multi-sports courts, bowling and ten-pin bowling, indoor soft play areas, outdoor play areas, coarse and sea fishing (some parks have their own lakes). There is take-away food, restaurants and bar snacks available, and park shops for self-catering. Styles of park vary with different standards of pool for example.

Activities

Water-sports, Swimming pool sessions including water baby, Bradley and Rory's Learn2Swim, scuba-diving, snorkelling, life-saving and Aqua-Jets; horse riding, bike hire, basketball, football (with professional coaching), fencing, archery, trampolining, volleyball, kick aerobics, and danceation.

Entertainment

At different parks there are varying levels of activities but overall the emphasis is on more modern entertainment with shows perhaps featuring science fiction characters. Daytime entertainment includes wrestling, Inflataday, organised sports and activities. Nightly evening entertainment includes live music, dancing, shows, and comedians. Children are welcomed in the ShowBars in the evening.

For Children

Kids menus, changing facilities and for younger children the option of Rory the Tiger caravans.
Cots are available at £10, high chairs £10 or both £15, bed guards £5.

Child Entertainment

Punch and Judy, Summertime Pantos, Bradley Bear's Tea Party and Breakfasts, puppet shows, early evening shows, music and dancing for children to join in with. They can audition for a part in pantomimes in the summer (end May to end September) or enter talent contests.

Childcare

None.

Children's Activities

PAW's Club for 1-4 year olds with music, dancing, dressing up, making things, story with Rory; Bradley Bear Club for 5-7 year olds with singing, dancing, treasure hunts and competitions, kite making, face-painting, competitions etc; Rory's Tiger Club for 8-11year olds with sports, drama, crafts, treasures hunts, competitions etc; for 12-16 there is T-CO with quizzes, team games, sports, TCO Challenge, movie-making and more. David Bellamy's Family Park Rangers - environmental fun in a series of activities designed in conjunction with David Bellamy, for all ages.

Sample Price

Three night spring break in Yorkshire from £120 in 4 star accommodation for a family of six. A week in August on the South Coast in a Gold Olympic holiday home will cost around £858 for a family of six. Late availability offers are detailed on the web site.