Traditional UK seaside caravan holidays still popular
Haven Holidays recognise that more and more families want to embrace all the simple pleasures of a seaside break just like the ones we all loved as kids.
Our guests are leaving the TV and computer games behind them and re-discovering all that’s great about the great British holiday’ says Britain’s favourite seaside holiday operator. ‘With so many families opting to stay in the UK in preference to overseas travel we’ve noticed a real nostalgia for seaside breaks. Building sandcastles on the beach, skimming stones in the sea, fish and chips, crab-fishing, games of beach cricket and jumping over waves with your trousers rolled up. Timeless family fun within easy reach on Haven’s 35 UK holiday parks.’
The holiday company, who have parks in some of Britain’s favourite locations around the British coast added ‘Feedback from our customers suggests that top priority for Mums and Dads is a holiday where the family can spend time together away from the stresses of everyday life. This means more family activities, plenty of new experiences for kids, lots to do whatever the weather and most of all, easy access to the beach.’
Haven caravan holidays offer the freedom for families to choose how to spend this precious time together. If exploring rock pools is top of your agenda there’s no compulsion to join in with the action-packed agenda of entertainment and activities – but if your kids are looking to try something new, want to make new friends in the kids’ clubs, love the buzz of the entertainment or can’t resist the lure of the swimming pool then it’s all available. And better still, there’s loads included in the cost.
Plans for Haven family holidays 2012 include an action packed indoor Sports Complex at Craig Tara complete with a climbing wall, indoor multi-sports, golf simulator, a jungle themed soft play area and a café where parents can relax and kids can refuel. There’s a new golf course opening at Primrose Valley and several parks have responded to the increased popularity of camping and caravanning by making their touring facilities even more attractive and user-friendly.
Splashing in the water always keeps the kids happy, in fact it’s hard to get them out of the pool. Every Haven park has indoor heated leisure pools and next season there will be new and super-enhanced water-based attractions at several parks, including a lazy river at Reighton Sands, a lovely new outdoor pool at Wild Duck and plenty of family splash-fun at Kiln Park with slides and an outdoor dancing water play area.
Eating, drinking and evenings out are always a big part of the holiday experience and a number of parks are enhancing their restaurants, bars and cafes. Caister (Britain’s first ever holiday park) will have a brand new contemporary ShowBar whilst customers at Devon Cliffs and Riviere Sands can enjoy a yummy cream tea in their new beach cafés and at Devon Cliffs have the added joy of breathtaking views over Sandy Bay. But what about the weather?
‘Whilst we like to think the sun always shines on a Haven Holiday, the truth is, from time to time we do get some rain!’ said Haven. ‘Our advice is to pack your favourite wellies and waterproofs as well as buckets and spades and let the kids enjoy a bit of puddle jumping!”
Kids Clubs are free of charge and cover all ages with Haven’s perpetually cheerful FunStars encouraging youngsters to have a go with messy mornings, arts and crafts, music and movement sessions, B Fit with Rory the Tiger, Circus School, Wildlife Detectives and of course beach activities including volleyball, rounders, shoreline treasure hunts and rockpool scrambles. Older kids can find their way with Orienteering and learn how to spin plates and juggle – whilst old-fashioned fun, with skipping and twirling hoops is back on the agenda.
Hard to please teenagers will learn graffiti arts and urban skipping to the pulsing beat of hip hop as well as being set challenges using mobile phones and digital cameras.
Other activities include Coke FC football (free of charge); archery; fencing and tennis (with mini versions for tinies at no cost); golf; fishing; Learn2Bike; Learn2Swim (it’s free!); climbing walls and roller-blading. Facilities vary from park to park so visit the Haven website for further details. Some activities can be pre-booked and paid for with an Activity Pass.
Many Haven customers own up that the sea air and comfy holiday homes tempt them to spend cosy evenings in their caravans prepare a meal together and sit down as a family with a nice bottle of wine followed by a game of cards or a bit of star gazing… a great way to wrap up the day! But the entertainment venues are great fun! Families can look forward to early evening shows that will have the kids spell-bound – or up and dancing; there are family discos and party time; stageshows and the Ultimate Star Performer; Rock ‘n Roll Bingo (bingo with attitude!); star names (including several X Factor contestants); stand up comedy and the ever popular pantos, circus and wrestling.
And in recognition of the economic climate, prices have been kept at a level that people will love too. Next year thousands of prices have been reduce to encourage early booking with Spring breaks available from as little as £149 for three or four nights – and seven night summer holiday breaks from under £500 for a family of up to six.
For more information, visit haven.com.