.:* is getting back into the review writing spirit *:.
.:* is getting back into the review writing spirit *:.
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My overview of my time spent in Heaven ....... or Haven.
Back in the year of 1993 or around that time - we aboarded a train from bristol parkway which took us all the way to what we didnt know then a wonderful place called Haven or you might know it as Devon Cliffs
Situated in Exmouth - this was my first experience of a haven holiday. I can remember it was my first experience of sleeping in a caravan, which i thought was really cool, They had plenty of entertainment, kids clubs loadsa activities for me an my sister who at time were aged 11 and 9. So you can imagine from our view it was pretty cool. One thing we didnt like much was it was placed right at the top of a hill and the beach was miles down the bottom, so you can imagine it was okay going to the beach but on the way back was very tiring, although they did have a small train service to take you down to the bottom, if you managed to catch it at the right time. We visited Devon
Cliffs two more times between the years of 1993 and 1996. Secondly we were both alowed to bring a friend which made it even more exciting.
Thing with haven is you only pay for the caravan, so if you were to pay for an 8 birth one then you could take up to eight people all covered in the same price. Very handy for couples and friends wanting to share - As you could split the cost. Also if you had friends come down to visit for a few days, you are able to get nightime entertainment passes for them too as you are allowed as many passes for as many beds you have :O) Which is very handy indeed
Next on the list of parks we visited was LITTLESEA
This time we were situated in weymouth. A 3 hour train ride (long but very exciting :D) Completely different to Devon Cliffs (obviously - no hills ;D)
Again we took our friends with us - but this time we had the whole of weymouth as well as the littelsea park to entertain us. We visited the sealife centre (which is till there today) and went many times to the beach and in the evenings wait for it ... yes they had caberet show everynight and the local band, which im sorry to say we all danced to and sang along with everynight (photos as proof to make you cringe)
Our third park we visited was CAISTER
This time we had to take the train all the way to Great yarmouth. Which took about allday!
This was in 1996 and was our last visit to Our beloved Haven. Also this time we went for 7 nights and not 5 as we had done so for all our other holidays. Which made it even better.
I think that this was my favourite haven holiday and even though It was only 10 years ago it is the one that I can remember the most. We stayed in a Chalet this time - Made a change (bit more room to move about) And this time we went Half Board (which is only one of three parks to do this) rather than self catering.
The Best thing about Caister for me was that it was not far from The Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach - hehe. With what seemed like it had hundreds and hundreds of money arcades and the famous funfair Themepark. very Cool at the time :)
It also had plenty of activities to do on site, one memory i had was when we were bowling, well mini ten pin bowling i scored my first strike and got a bit over excited jumped up to cheer and my hand went through the celing :O) (had very low celings and were the polystyrine board things)
I expect that many of the parks have changed slightly since the years i vistited them as a child so i havent gone into that much depth. (well not that much) So as i said Caister was to be the last Haven holiday we went on as a family. (well the last holiday i ever went on)
Years passed I grew up, moved out , made a family of my own. Then back in July 2003, we came into a bit of money and decided it would be nice to go on a Family holiday, there was only one place to choose......... can you guess where it was? Thats right HAVEN!!!!
This time we decided To go to Littlesea again. This time i was visiting haven as an adult and not a child.
Like i said it is cheap if you can get a deal we paid £700 for 7 night stay in a 3 bedroom caravan mid july, it was a late deal and the only one that really suited us, compared to the other on offer We didnt really need a threebed caravan, as the kids slept in travel cots in the front room as they were only 11/2 and 6months old But we didnt care as it was our first holiday as a family.
Obviously you can look round for deals that suit you.
There was plenty for us to do and we were very near weymouth with even more to do. I would say it is better if you have a car for transport offsite as it is quite a struggle to get out and about, and you may get lost trying to get to places (well we did anyway)
One thing about littlesea was it was situated right in the middle of a industrial estate - not the best of surroundings, although doesnt reflect on the actual Haven Experience.
Since then we have also visited Seaview twice
SEAVIEW is also in weymouth, and is one of the smaller haven sites. Was bit of a strugle with us as they placed us right at the top of a hill and we had two buggies to take round with us, not too bad going down, but on the way back up, well you need to be fit. Although we requested to be on lower ground the second year we visited and they were only to happy to oblige.
We have never had any problems with haven, it has always been a magical holiday for me every time i have visited.
One thing I will say is with being self catering, do not rely too much on the food services on offer. Some parks only have One restuarant, and maybe a fast food burger bar. Maybe not the healtiest option to have everynight with young children, although we have always found small cafes and restuarants offsite not too far away. The prices can also be pretty high ,although it is what you expect of a Holiday park. But being self catering, you obviously expect to bring your own food, as you have facilities in the caravans to make your own too.
There is plenty of entertainment going on throughout the day and night, plenty of things to going on to keep the kids amused and for us adults too. General amenities and facilities that you would expect to find. The bigger parks generally have more going on than the smaller ones. Although you would find the specifics listed in the brochure or online. Also many of the parks are not situated that far away from the surrounding town, so you will always find something offsite to do. The website is extremely helpful and has a full list of all the parks on offer with facicilities and everything you need to know.
In my experience i have never had any major problems with haven, and have found it the perfect family holiday for me and my family.
................and just to prove we love it soooo much we have already booked to go this year, this time to WEYMOUTH BAY. (yes weymouth again, well we actually booked it whilst we were at seaview last year)
We couldnt resist, it was only £300 for a 7 night stay, mid july 2bedroom caravan, as long as you pay off the balance by decmber :O)
This was My Experiences of HAVEN! Hope it may help you to decide and you will share the same experiences as me :O)
Pictures of Haven Holidays
In the tiger club! with Anxious Rory & Greedy
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Advantages: Good beach, right price, decent evening entertainment, cosy caravan Disadvantages: Poor on site food, poor oven in van, facilities too small for a fully booked site
jedimasterlincoln 10.01.2008 (20.01.2008)
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Review of Haven Holidays
Jan 3rd, 2006
(Jan 10th, 2006)
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