Nearly on red. Please keep reading. Off on holiday on Saturday to Thorpe Park Holiday Park at Cle...
Nearly on red. Please keep reading. Off on holiday on Saturday to Thorpe Park Holiday Park at Cleethorpes.
Member since:10.09.2002
Reviews:49
Members who trust:1
Having spent time visiting Turkey, Rhodes, Thailand and Jamaica before children my husband and I decided that for a child friendly holiday nothing could compare to the good old English holiday park.
When our eldest daughter was only 2 we took her to Butlins but have to be honest due to premature arrival of twin daughters the holiday was a bit of a wash out. We also found Butlins to be very regimental. They organised the same entertainment on Saturday as maybe Tuesday to ensure that Monday arrivals saw the same as Friday arrivals - as Butlins does cater for shorter breaks.
When looking for a holiday earlier this year, we discussed the possibility of going abroad as the holidays are so much cheaper but then thought about all the downsides. None of the children has a passport - we would have to take a double buggy, as not many resorts cater for twins, the suitcases (of which we could only have had 2 for 5 people) would have been full of nappies, changes of clothing, suncream, sun hats, colouring books, books, crayons etc. There are also no guarantees that the children would have been able to cope with the temperatures as they are all blonde
and fair skinned, and would they have liked the food - they do not have a problem with food they eat everything - that is the problem.
Therefore after much debate we decided to settle for a holiday in the UK.
Looking through the brochures for Pontins, Butlins, Haven we finally found British Holidays ( a partner of Haven). My husband would admit that he has not been a great fan of caravan parks but then this holiday was for the children and not for us. So after much deliberating we decided on the holiday park at Burnham on Sea, Somerset as it is an area of the country we have not visited and there was plenty to do nearby.
SETTING This holiday park is set around a lovely fishing lake in beautiful landscaped gardens, close to a wide sandy beach.
CHECK - IN It’s essential to carry your confirmation with you, as you will not be able to get into the park without showing the documentation at the gate. The check-in times vary depending on the accommodation you have booked ranging from 1.30pm - 4.00pm. Having a large family does have its advantages as we had to have larger accommodation which meant we were 1.30pm arrivals and the queues were not too bad. Once checked - in you receive a map of the park, key to your caravan and are directed to linen where you collect the pre-ordered cot sides, and linen needed.
ACCOMODATION At British Holidays, the caravans are divided into 3 different categories:3 Star Older model 10ft wide caravans, basic mod-cons but in some parks you can take you pet with you if you book these caravans.
4 Star Top of the range 10ft wide newer caravans - no pets, but with these you get your linen included.
Bronze 20% bigger than the star range and includes a microwave oven and is furnished to a higher standard.
Silver 20% bigger than the star range and includes a microwave oven and is furnished to a superior standard
Gold/Rory 20% bigger than the star range and includes a microwave oven and television and is furnished with top of the range fixtures and fittings, these caravans are no more than 3 years old they all have heating in the bedrooms and bathrooms.
WHAT IS INCLUDED: All caravans have a colour TV and gas cooker and fire, fridge, cutlery, utensils and glasses, which were all reasonably new and clean. There’s also a small shower room with toilet. Our carvan had three bedrooms each with a wardrobe and the main bedroom also had a dressing table.
Then second and third bedroom had twin beds. There’s also a sofa bed in the lounge, so a 2-bed caravan can actually sleep 8 people! There are also two entrances, so if you have someone sleeping in the living room, you can come in through the back entrance without disturbing them.
AMENITIES: Convenience store and Gift Shop – This sells groceries (canned goods, bread, frozen foods, newspapers, toiletries, alcohol, cigarettes) It wasn’t expensive, very handy for essentials but would suggest you visit a larger supermarket for your larger shop. The Gift Shop was full of Haven ornaments, cuddly toys, confectionery etc. The shop opened early enough in the morning to be able to get milk for cereal and a newspaper.
ON SITE DAY TIME ENTERTAINMENT: Paws Club for 1 - 4 year olds. Musical instruments, wet play, painting, messy time, games all aimed at children aged 1 - 4.
Rory and Bradley's Funtime for 5 -11 year olds. Competitions, arts and crafts, sports, musical fun time, arts and crafts.
T-Co for 12 - 16+. American Pro sports, air hockey, amusements, discos, water sports etc.
If you don't want to join in the clubs you could go swimming in either of the two pools - one is outside. The heated indoor pool has a waterslide.
Take up the Pro Football challenge, rent a bike or pedal go kart around the park., play tennis, go to the childrens play area, take a football and play on the all weather sports court, walk through the nature reserve or go bowling.
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT All the entertainment took place in the Entertainment complex right in the middle of the park. There’s something going on all the time, so it is useful to keep your ‘what’s on when’ pack with you. Whether it was wrestling, circus acts, childrens pantomimes or comedians their was something for all age groups. There are gaps however between the daytime events and evening events to give you time to return to you caravan for meals. Remember to get back early if you want to ensure that you get a good seat as the complex soon gets full. Bingo is played most nights and is quite reasonably priced. There’s also cabaret, discos and various acts. One night was an outside stage group who performed Aladdin for the children in the afternoon and then a different show in the evening. The entertainment overall was very good. Each evening starts with the bingo followed by the kids party with cheesy dance tunes before Bradley bedtime although children do not have to retire themselves. It is not unsual for children to be wandering around at 10pm in the evening.
PLACES TO EAT: There is a restaurant which serves all meals from roasts to snacks but we catered for ourselves each day to keep the costs down. We did however visit the fish and chip shop a couple of times after leaving the entertainment complex at 11.00pm.
Although we had an all inclusive fee for our holiday some caravans have to pay an optional fee for their entertainent passes. WIthout these you can not use the pool, bars, restaurant etc. there is also an extra fee for lauderette, ten pin bowling, amusement arcades etc.
All in all, we had a great time. The children had a memorable holiday which they still talk about today and yes we have booked for 2005. This time we are going to Thorpe Park, Lincolnshire as it is nearer to our home. We never left the site all holiday so the need for outside entertainment is not necessary. We may however venture into the theme park next door if the weather is OK.
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Advantages: A family run camp with it's own private beach and excellent facilities . Disadvantages: Maybe price . I think it's reasonable , but thay's my opinion.
pippoodle 17.08.2001 (06.10.2002)
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Review of British Holidays
Advantages: Less fuss than holidays abroad, plenty to do, suitable for all ages, you can take your pet Disadvantages: British weather may spoil your fun, but not the kids fun.
Elffriend 08.05.2005 (08.05.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of British Holidays
Dec 28th, 2004
(Mar 6th, 2005)
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