Off to Haven for the first time - what do I need?

[weimaranermerlin]

We’re off on our first ever break at Haven Caister (Sun holiday booking from last time – I wasn’t very organise in reading the reviews before I booked!!!) this Friday. We have never been to a “holiday park” and apart from reading about it and having seen pictures I have no idea what to expect. I am just trying to get organised in terms of what to take for us, our 6 year old and 2 dogs.

Will there be cooking utensils? Cups?
I’ll be bringing all of our food (obviously) plus washing up liquid, towels, toilet paper, etc….

Has anyone been to Haven Caister who can tell me if there are any supermarkets, etc close by?

Thanks a lot for your help.

[nixx]

if you're cooking, take a sharp chopping knife, because there wont be a decent one there. Other than that, yes, there's utensils and crockery. I take a mug from home cos I'm fussy like that (I like a big one!). Take washing up liquid and scrubbing stuff, foil, clingfilm, sandwich bags and some teatowels. I've not been there, so can't advise you on shopping, other than to go to a big supermarket rather than an onsite one because they are ridiculously expensive.

[Our*holiday*fund]

there is a tesco :D, dont want to put you off, but would rather warn you just in case, we went to caister on our first sun holiday 5 years ago and they had some chalets that didnt look like they been done up since the 50's were not overly picky and find bronze caravans acceptable, but these chalets were not and we paid £60 when there to upgrade to a chalet that was more like a bronze chalet

[weimaranermerlin]

Thanks guyes...

Yes, I have read some of the reviews and I must confessI am a bit scared... :eek:

If nothing else it'll be an experience... It was my 6 yera old who bullied us into going and I wasn’t really prepared when I booked. I am sure he and the dogs will have a good time…..

BTW, I have done my research for this lot of sun holidays tho! :)

[karl0116]

we went haven in caister last year it was the best haven we have been to so far there is a tesco in great yarmouth about 2 miles away and the shows are good at night have a great holiday

[Khufu]

don't forget linen, toilet paper and proper cups (they have tiny teacups which are no good!)

[weimaranermerlin]

we went haven in caister last year it was the best haven we have been to so far there is a tesco in great yarmouth about 2 miles away and the shows are good at night have a great holiday

Karl I love you! I was starting to feel a bit sick but what you just said perked me up no end! :)

[MrsTom]

The beach is lovely at Caister, for me the only downside is the windfarm out in the distance, it spoilt the view.

If you make your way in to Great Yarmouth, go to the pier, lots to do on there especially if the weather is a bit pants. We played game after game of Bowlingo!

[Highland_Lass]

omg just glanced at the heading and thought it said "Off to Heaven for the first time - what do I need?

[weimaranermerlin]

omg just glanced at the heading and thought it said "Off to Heaven for the first time - what do I need?

LOL

I hope I'll make it there eventually but not this weekend! :eek:

[suesmith]

the pan handles fell off all the time when we went to haven

sharp elbows for the queues for the swimming pool if it's anything like when we went to haggerstone castle last year and anti puke tablets if you eat at the onsite places

hope you have a better time than us

[Khufu]

the pan handles fell off all the time when we went to haven



well if you will go out panhandling Sue

[Scrungee]

the pan handles fell off all the time when we went to haven

You will need a screwdriver to tighten those, and it's also useful for fixing wobbly table tops/collapsing stools.

Your own tin opener is essential as there either won't be one, or if there is it won't work.

Extra pillows as sometimes there are only 1 per person.

Wine glasses - it just doesn't taste the same drunk out of mugs or shared tumblers.

A note pad for writing down lists of defects.


P.S. I have just returned today from a Haven holiday.

[kerryo]

its a nice site and next to a nice beach, worked there for a few months last year, :)

[heatherks]

the pan handles fell off all the time when we went to haven

sharp elbows for the queues for the swimming pool if it's anything like when we went to haggerstone castle last year and anti puke tablets if you eat at the onsite places

hope you have a better time than us thought thisd was one of the bettre parks ...im just back from marton mere ..had a lovely time apart from entertainment last two nights being cancelled due to entertainment complex being flooded during thunderstorms ...

i didnt go by car & bought most of my necessities at tesco ... loo roll , can opener , dish towel , towels ...would agree with extra pillows as teh ones they have were really flat

[suesmith]

forgotten about the pillows...........yep they were flat, had to bend mine over

agree about most things, wouldnt go back again

[Freebird]

Hey Sis

will keep your happy scanner company whilst you...erm...have fun.....lol

Am sure you will - have a great time xx

[vikki]

Can I just say, I've had many a great Haven holiday, but the caravans can be a bit hit and miss. Last time we went the accommodation was totally nasty (supposedly luxury plus:eek:) so we wrote to complain when we got home. We got a very comprehensive letter in reply regretting that we hadn't said anything at the time. They said they would have liked the chance to put the issues (basically centred round a minging caravan) right at the time. So the moral is, if your caravan is more like a shed, don't bottle it up, complain at the time and if they are like the staff at Littlesea they will sort it our for you there and then.
At the end of the day you'll probably be having too much fun out and about to worry too much anyway. Have a brilliant time :D

[99redballs]

take bed linen, as caravan parks' are always minging. big matches for the fire that wont light,a cheese grater as i wouldn't put my cheese no where near theirs (we have jacket spuds most of the time)
oh and bucket and spade!!!!!!

[suzie3441]

Just returned for Haven in Doniford bay and It is not that bad at Haven sites, If things are substandard then moan there and then and they will sort it for you. You need to take toilet roll, tea towels etc and I agree about mugs. Can't get a decent cuppa out of those silly mugs!!
Now I live quite close to caister (never been to haven site) and there is a Tescos and Asda in great Yarmouth. 10 min drive away allowing for traffic. Caister castle (pub) Great for a reasonable carvery. Yarmouth seafront Arcades, Fairs rides, Swimming pool (Marina centre. V nice) and a nice beach. Lowestoft beach is even better.(20mins away)
Africa alive is a local zoo which is nice or Thrigby Hall is great for looking at tigers and I am sure you 6 year old would love it. HTH
Oh and don't forget the norfolk broads. Lovely! :D

[suziq]

take pegs, good for drying, usually provide drying rack but if windy all will blow off

take the dregs of ure washing up liquid, kitchen towel, tea towel
and bog roll
:D

[lrb76]

I always take a good frying pan as theres are never non stick. Each time i've forgotten it i've had to buy one from the local tesco. Even the value pans have been better than theres. Flash wipes - I always take them! Oh, and slippers for everyone. Have a great time. We own a tourer and we're off to highfield grange next weekend. Can't wait and just hope the weather improves again :)

[suzie3441]

I always take a good frying pan as theres are never non stick. Each time i've forgotten it i've had to buy one from the local tesco. Even the value pans have been better than theres. Flash wipes - I always take them! Oh, and slippers for everyone. Have a great time. We own a tourer and we're off to highfield grange next weekend. Can't wait and just hope the weather improves again :)

Had to chuck our one away as had disaster with bacon and eggs!!!:behindsofa:
Take scouring pads. Shops om site are usually Very expensive!

[99redballs]

Can I just say, I've had many a great Haven holiday, but the caravans can be a bit hit and miss. Last time we went the accommodation was totally nasty (supposedly luxury plus:eek:) so we wrote to complain when we got home. We got a very comprehensive letter in reply regretting that we hadn't said anything at the time. They said they would have liked the chance to put the issues (basically centred round a minging caravan) right at the time. So the moral is, if your caravan is more like a shed, don't bottle it up, complain at the time and if they are like the staff at Littlesea they will sort it our for you there and then.
At the end of the day you'll probably be having too much fun out and about to worry too much anyway. Have a brilliant time :D

I always complain at the site. i remember once in either primrose valley or dolphin in scarborough, the first caravan they gave us was so so dirty and old and worn. i really thought they had put us in a caravan which was where the staff went for their fag breaks, as there was an ashtray on the table full of cig ends:eek:. i told them i wouldn't put my dog in it and it should be condemned .the second van was miles better but still a dirty old one that also wreaked of fags. Third van was acceptable,third time lucky. so don't accept it if you are unsure, complain!!
i think i get my thick skin from all the couponing over the years.at first it's embarrassing but you get used to it!