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5 holiday park myths
From hot tub lodges to luxury spas, there’s a UK holiday resort for everyone
Some of the top-rated holiday parks in our recent survey secured excellent ratings for accommodation quality, cleanliness, and how good the facilities are - but there are some misconceptions about them.
If holiday parks conjure images of toddlers loudly stomping the grounds with the resident kids' club or evening entertainment consisting solely of amusement arcades, think again.
Some of the best-rated resorts offer top-notch entertainment, peaceful scenic settings and relaxing spas to unwind in. Two of the brands from our best and worst UK holiday parks survey are adults-only, all, or at least most of the time.
Below, we bust holiday park myths to help you decide whether to book one for your next staycation - and where might be suitable.
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1. Holiday park accommodation is basic
Half of the 16 holiday parks in our survey gained four out of five stars for accommodation quality. One of those was Which? Recommended Provider (WRP) Forest Holidays. All of its log cabins and treehouse accommodations come with a hot tub. Meanwhile, with WRP Hoburne Holidays, there are thatched cottages with open fires and lodges with all the mod-cons, such as wine fridges and bi-folds leading onto private patios. And WRP Waterside Holiday Group’s caravans are comfortably wide, with central heating, double glazing, fully equipped kitchens and widescreen TVs. You can even splash out on a safari lodge with a private hot tub.
Book with WRP Hoburne Holidays
Book with WRP Waterside Holiday Group
2. The evening entertainment is just for kids
If you’re a couple or group of friends hoping to enjoy your evenings without having to endure a kids club taking to the stage, don’t fret. Potters Resorts provides West End-inspired entertainment as part of the package, rated five stars by visitors. And since children aren’t permitted at its Five Lakes resort, nothing is aimed at youngsters. It was the only holiday park brand to score full marks for entertainment. Further down the holiday park results table with a 71% customer score, Warner Leisure Hotels is always an adults-only affair; it offers everything from theatre productions to comedy nights. Meanwhile, Butlin’s may have only scored 67%, but some of its breaks - Butlin’s Weekenders - are reserved purely for those 18 and over looking to party. Both Warner Leisure and Butlin’s garnered four out of five stars for the quality of their entertainment.
Discover how Butlin’s, Warner Leisure and Potters Resorts compared with other holiday parks in our survey results.
Find out more about Potters Resorts
Find out more about Warner Leisure
3. You can’t get away from it all
WRP Forest Holidays has 13 UK resorts tucked away in secluded forests and scenic national parks. At its Strathyre location, for instance, you can choose a cabin overlooking Loch Lubnaig, one occupying a grassy forest clearing, or sitting in the shadow of Ben Ledi peak. And while Bluestone Wales’ park is aimed predominantly at families, its cottages sit within 500 acres of rolling countryside, with forests, meadows and beaches on your doorstep.
4. The pools are busy
A holiday park stay often includes access to a pool, but that doesn’t mean they are just focused on slides and splashing. Center Parcs’ Woburn location, for instance, has a spa (costing extra) with various relaxation rooms, including an aqua meditation room, a herbal sauna and a salt steam room. The minimum age to enter is 14. And at adults-only Warner Leisure, you’ll find pools, saunas and jacuzzis (location-dependent).
Find out where popular Center Parcs and Warner Leisure came in our UK holiday parks survey results.
Find out more about Center Parcs
5. The activities are childish
Most parks have activities for adults as well as kids. Bring out your competitive spirit with a game of badminton or Par 3 golf at Potters Resorts or head to the rifle shooting range to get your adrenaline pumping. At Hoburne Holidays, you can hit the gym or get a spa treatment. Making the most of the location itself is key, one guest at Forest Holidays told us: '...if you like long walks with your dog through forests and quiet paths, hill walking, cycling or just a bit of peace and quiet, it's ideal.’
