Our recent weekend break at Haven Lakeland was a memorable and enjoyable getaway with friends and family. We went as a large group, with 30 of us in total, spread across five caravans—ten adults and ten kids, ranging in ages from babies to 4 year olds. Yes… it was absolutely crazy! We had a mix of bronze and silver caravans, and despite the differences in grade, each van was modern, clean, and well-equipped, offering everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
The silver vans had a few more perks like additional kitchen gadgets, slightly better furnishings, and more space, but the bronze vans were far from basic. They were warm, cozy, and more than enough for our needs, especially for the amount of time we actually spent indoors. The beds were comfy, and the kitchen was well-stocked for basic cooking. If you’re debating between the two, I’d say the silver caravans are worth it if you’re after a little extra space or going in summer then you can benefit from the patio and patio furniture which we loved! The gold looked even nicer but they just weren’t necessary for what we needed!
However, one tip I’d highly recommend is to take a good look at the site map before booking. The site is quite large, and while we were all relatively close to each other, there were some areas with better views and locations or more convenient access to the amenities than others. Some vans were closer to the entertainment centre and pools, while others were nearer the quieter parts of the site. It’s worth checking the map when booking to make sure you’re in a location that suits your needs- this is chargable extra to book but one I’d recommend!
One of the biggest reasons we chose Haven Lakeland over our usual choice of Center Parcs was the price. We’ve been regulars at Center Parcs for years, but with prices skyrocketing during school holidays, we simply couldn’t justify the cost anymore especially when we were with such a big group of people and thought we’d be spending limited time in the accommodation anyway. At Haven, we paid £450 for the entire weekend in August, which was incredibly reasonable. We thought of arriving Friday afternoon and checking out of the caravan on Monday morning but staying onsite for the day.
Entertainment wise we loved the swimming pool as this is included as an activity- there were no slides or additional entertainment in the pool but even so it was a great space to burn off some energy and the timed slots which you pre book on the app were perfect to make sure it wasn’t overcrowded. We also paid extra to do the bug hunt (£2 per child) and hired a pedalo which was great fun- the lake at Lakeland is beautiful! The childrens disco was a big win at night, it was everything I expected from Haven and it definitely delivered on the expectations, expect loud music, flashing lights and lots of dancing, not my choice of an ideal night out however loved by all the children!
We found the food options quite limited, there is a supermarket on site which is a little more expensive than normal supermarkets. There is also Pappa Johns and fish and chips takeaway which were a big win for us- you can also order these to your table on the app! Be aware though there is n0 internet signal across the site and in the caravans, the wifi on site is limited and doesn’t stretch very far past the entertainment center and even then it’s patchy, but it was a great sign and excuse to switch off.
