The best Haven parks for scenery, activity and entertainment

Families playing in the pool at one of the best Haven Parks, Craig Tara Haven Holiday Park

by Emily Gilbert |
Updated on

With 38 holiday parks across 16 regions to choose from, it's no wonder that Haven continues to be as popular as it was over 50 years ago when it was first founded. While the sunshine might not be a guarantee, UK staycations are a fantastic way of getting away on a last minute holiday, or escaping for a week without flying and Haven makes a fantastic choice for families of all sizes, whether you're looking for low-key and relaxing or activity-filled to keep the kids moving.

To give you some inspiration on where to head this summer, we've picked eight of the best Haven parks for your much-deserved break this year. From activities to entertainment centres, long stretches of golden sands to woodland glades, there's bound to be a Haven Holiday Park to suit your family.

Riviere Sands Holiday Park, Cornwall

Children running down sand dunes towards the beach
Riviere Sands Holiday Park ©Haven

Perched high on the cliffs overlooking the beautiful white sands of St Ives bay, Riviere Sands Holiday Park offers a breathtaking vantage point looking out across the surrounding coastline. The beach, Lovely Towans, was named the best beach in the UK by The Times in 2024 so you're in for a treat. Water babies will enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools while older family members can get to grips with surfing and paddleboarding on the beach before working their way up to the waves. For little ones, bug hunting, Mini Aerial Adventure and crafts offer a wide variety of fun but you can also head out of the park and explore the quaint town of St Ives with its working harbour, winding streets, old pubs, cafés and galleries.

Location: Hayle, Cornwall

Facilities: Three food and drink venues, a fish&chip van and a mini-market, Adventure playground, Crazy Golf course, direct beach access, FunWorks amusements arcade, outdoor play area, paddling pool

Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, Devon

Families playing on the beach at Devon Cliffs
Devon Cliffs Holiday Park ©Haven

Haven's biggest park, Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, is situated in the gorgeous East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty famous for its intimate wooded combes and fertile river valleys. Head to the beach and play in the sea or stick to dry land and score a hole in one with Adventure Golf. Whatever you choose to do, finish your day with sea views and local seafood at the South Beach Café.

Location: Exmouth, Devon

Features: 2 entertainment venues, 3 outdoor play areas, 11 food and drink venues, Adventure Golf course, Bowling alley, Nature trail, Direct beach access

Rockley Park Holiday Park, Dorset

A family in the pool at Rocky Park
Rockley Park ©Haven

If you're a nature fan or outdoor enthusiast, you'll be spoilt for choice at Rockley Park which is situated on the lovely heathland of Ham Common nature reserve. With its adjoining beach, lake, and woodland, Ham Common is a wonderful place to visit and you may even spot some of the rare wildlife that calls it home. Or why not visit Poole Quay with the family and take in all its wonderful views of Poole Harbour as well as the many restaurants and shops where you might be able to find a quirky souvenir.

Location: Poole, Dorset

Features: 4 food & drink venues, 4 outdoor play areas, Nature trail, Outdoor flume, Pic 'n' Paint Pottery, Studio, Entertainment venue, Heated indoor pool with water slide and mini SplashZone

Lakeland Holiday Park, Lake District

A building at Lakeland Holiday park seen across the lake and lit up at night
Lakeland Holiday Park ©Haven

Situated near the gorgeous Lake District in Cumbria, one of the country's quintessential holiday getaway locations, Lakeland Holiday Park has all the usual favourites in its indoor and outdoor swimming pools, plus a lake for kayaking, canoeing, pedalos and paddle boarding with their own water sports centre. From Nerf training areas to bungee trampolining, den building to pottery, all tastes and ages are catered for. There's a large entertainment centre that which is an innovative flexible space for either magical, cosy corners one evening and a huge events space the next. If you can drag yourself away from the endless activities of the site, the beautiful landscapes and outdoor adventures of the Lake District are on your doorstep.

Location: Cumbria, Lake District

Features: 3 outdoor play areas, 9-hole golf course, Adventure trail, Boating lake, 3 food and drink venues, Water sports and activity lake, Nature trail, Marina centre, mini aerial adventure, indoor and outdoor pool, Aqua jets

Wild Duck Holiday Park, Norfolk

Children running past tented lodges at Wild Duck holiday park
Wild Duck Holiday Park ©Haven

Wild Duck Holiday Park is Haven's only woodland park and is packed with things to do, such as a heated indoor and outdoor pool and all the archery, Nerf training, and Crazy Golf your youngsters can handle. Or if you'd rather explore nature, there's den building, bug hunts and nature trails. It has forests and secret wooded clearings to explore so why not hire some bikes and see what you can find? And you can make the most of this neck of the woods by opting for a spot of glamping if you fancy it. As one of the best Haven in Norfolk, Wild Duck has something for everyone.

Location: Near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

Features: 3 food and drink venues and a shop, All-weather multi-sports court, Crazy Golf course, Entertainment venue, FunWorks amusements arcade, Heated outdoor pool, Multi-lane water slide, Nature trail

Haggerston Castle Holiday Park, Northumberland

Families on the decking at Haggerston Castle holiday park
Haggerston Castle ©Haven

There really is a castle at Haggerston Castle Holiday Park which also boasts a rooftop bar for drinks with a view. This park is the perfect retreat and holiday for toddlers and babies where they can get messy and express themselves with Pic 'n' Paint, Sand Art, and Pic 'n' Bobble in the Creative Studio, making the perfect memento to take home. But there's also so much more, from beautifully landscaped walkways and peaceful lakes to a relaxing (depending on how competitive you are!) round of golf or a soaking in the heated pool – a holiday here will make memories that will last a lifetime.

Location: Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland

Features: 3 outdoor play areas, 9 food and drink venues, ShowBar (entertainment venue), Oodles family amusements centre, Bungee Trampolines, Boating lake, tank-off-roaders, Pedalos

Greenacres Holiday Park, North Wales

A stretch of beach seen over the sand dune and grass at greenacres holiday park
Greenacres Holiday Park ©Haven

There's plenty of activities for kids great and small at Greenacres Holiday Park, including Archery Coaching, Adventure Golf and the arcade, alongside a climbing wall, indoor pool, bugged trampolining and Make a Bear so you'd be forgiven for staying on-site. But step outside the park and you'll find miles upon miles of Blue Flag beach at Black Rock Sands, a nature reserve in the dunes and the jaw-dropping beauty of Snowdonia National Park just around the corner. With so much onsite and on its doorstep, this has to be one of the best Haven sites in Wales.

Location: Porthmadog, North Wales

Features: Marina Bar and Stage, FunWorks amusements arcade, Toddlers' pool, 5 food and drink venues, Nature reserve, Outdoor play area

Craig Tara Holiday Park, Scotland

A large water park with slides, flumes and two pools
Craig Tara ©Haven

One of Haven's largest parks, Craig Tara Holiday Park is rammed with family fun. The perfect retreat and holiday for toddlers, babies and adventure seekers, the Splashaway Bay multi-level water complex and all-weather Airspace sports hall will leave your whole family feeling exhilarated. There's no need to worry about the weather, come rain or shine thanks to the spectacular Lighthouse Harbour Adventure Village which will have the whole family on the go all day long. Or for days where you just feel like spending quiet time together, take a stroll along the rugged Ayrshire coast.

Location: Ayr, Scotland

Features: 6 food and drink venues, Harbour Bay (events and activities hall), heated indoor pool complex, Airspace indoor SportsDrome, Bakehouse, 5 outdoor play areas, Lighthouse Harbour Adventure Village, 2 entertainment venues

A journalist since 2015, Emily Gilbertis the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for seven years. First-time mum to Theodore, Emily writes about everything from the top baby products to pregnancy, fertility and maternal mental health. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.

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