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North Wales Live
6 days ago
- North Wales Live
Best UK holiday park named - with Welsh parks topping the list
A survey carried out by Which? to identify the best and worst UK holiday parks has seen three Welsh parks leading the pack. The survey was completed by 1,700 Which? members who were asked to assess their experiences at UK holiday parks and resorts. Participants were asked to rate aspects from park cleanliness to accommodation quality, the range of free activities on offer, and the overall value for money of their holiday. Forest Holidays, which runs 13 locations in total including two in Wales, bagged second place with an 80% score, beating major brands like Haven and Butlins. Known for its countryside lodges and unique accommodations such as treehouses, Forest Holidays has parks in Beddgelert, tucked away in Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri, and Garwnant in Bannau Brycheiniog. Customers praised the quality of the accommodation and cleanliness, although it only received a three-star rating for value for money. Another Welsh winner was Bluestone Wales, situated in picturesque Pembrokeshire. Bluestone, known for its luxury lodges and cottages, also scored highly for the quality of accommodation provided. While Bluestone earned high marks for the variety of children's activities and entertainment available, it also managed to secure a three-star rating for value for money, resulting in an overall score of 77%. Potters Resorts, providing all-inclusive holidays at sites in Essex and Norfolk, claimed the top spot in the UK rankings overall. While it's an adults-only resort for most of the year, children are welcomed during the summer holidays in Norfolk. Potters achieved an impressive 87% score, gaining five-stars for the quality of facilities and accommodation, and a perfect score for the range of complimentary activities on offer. Despite being the most expensive among the parks surveyed by Which?, the cost at Potters includes all food and drink, a variety of activities from pickleball to archery, and evening entertainment billed as 'West End' quality. This earned the resorts a four-star rating for value for money. Pontins, however, finds itself languishing at the bottom of the chart once again, having also ranked last in 2024. The brand currently operates only one holiday park open to guests, the adults-only Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-Super-Mare. Their other two parks in Burnham on Sea, Somerset and Pakefield, Suffolk are temporarily closed to house construction workers. With a mere 56% customer satisfaction score, Pontins managed just two-stars in most categories. Despite being the least expensive option, customers still felt they received poor value for money. A disgruntled Tripadvisor user didn't hold back when describing their stay at Pakefield park, saying: "Worst place I have ever visited, chalet was old unkempt and dirty, holes in sheets beds pushed together with terrible matress and pillows, to shower you had to keep pushing a button in, it leaked all over the floor". Another holidaymaker expressed their displeasure, noting: "Rooms are shabby and quite dirty. Dirt on the baseboards, cobwebs in the corners and behind doors, our shower curtain had pink mold growing along the bottom seam, clearly not laundered between guests." However, amidst the criticism, some visitors had favourable reviews of Pontins, with one pleased guest sharing: "We went beginning of October had a brilliant week! Food was great swimming pool was really good and for the price you really can't get any better!". The entertainment on offer received praise too, as one reviewer highlighted: "The Bluecoats show Vegas was amazing! They are all so talented and are always doing some activity or joining in on the dance floor and having a laugh or chatting with people." Away Resorts, which received a 64% rating, manages 25 parks throughout the UK, featuring locations in the South West and the Isle of Wight. They operate two parks in North Wales; Golden Sands and Barmouth Bay. Away Resorts, despite offering a wide range of accommodation from caravans and glamping to luxury lodges, only received two stars for value for money. Their customer service also left much to be desired, although they did manage three stars for cleanliness and quality of accommodation. Center Parcs was the most popular holiday park provider in the survey, achieving a score of 69%, which puts it on par with Haven. While it scored highly for its facilities and quality of accommodation, it fell short in terms of the variety of free activities and overall value for money. It was ranked as the third most expensive option, behind Potters and Warner Leisure Villages, which caters solely to adults. One Which? member said it was:"Very expensive for what it is. Accomodation excellent, apart from the oasis pool, everything was extra. Staff were very helpful and the children enjoyed their stay. I will not be going back." Haven, which operates 38 parks across the UK, matched Center Parcs' percentage score, but managed to secure three stars for value for money. However, Which? readers gave them a mere two-star rating for their food and drink offerings and the range of free activities available. Haven currently has three parks in North Wales; Greenacres, Hafan Y Mor, and Presthaven. Best and worst holiday parks in the UK - ranked Provider Customer Score Potters Resorts 87% Forest Holidays 80% Bluestone Wales 77% John Fowler Holiday Parks 77% Hoburne Holidays 75% Hoseasons 74% Waterside Holiday Group 74% Warner Leisure Villages 71% Centerparcs 69% Haven Holiday Parks 69% Parkdean Resorts 68% Butlins 67% Park Holidays UK 66% Away Resorts 64% Largo Leisure Parks 64% Pontins 56%
North Wales Live
7 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Best holiday park in Wales named — it scores higher than Bluestone and Haven
A survey conducted by Which? to determine the best and worst UK holiday parks has seen three Welsh parks topping the charts. The survey was filled out by 1,700 Which? members who were asked to evaluate their experiences at UK holiday parks and resorts. Participants were asked to rate aspects ranging from park cleanliness to accommodation quality, the range of complimentary activities available, and the overall value for money of their holiday. Forest Holidays, which operates 13 locations in total including two in Wales, secured second place with an 80% score, outperforming major brands like Haven and Butlins. Known for its countryside lodges and unique accommodations such as treehouses, Forest Holidays has parks in Beddgelert, nestled in Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri, and Garwnant in Bannau Brycheiniog. Customers praised the quality of the accommodation and cleanliness, although it only received a three-star rating for value for money. Another Welsh winner was Bluestone Wales, located in scenic Pembrokeshire. Bluestone, known for its luxury lodges and cottages, also scored highly for the quality of accommodation provided. While Bluestone earned high marks for the variety of children's activities and entertainment on offer, it also managed to secure a three-star rating for value for money, resulting in an overall score of 77%. Potters Resorts, offering all-inclusive holidays with locations in Essex and Norfolk, has topped the UK chart. Although it's an adults-only resort for most of the year, children are welcomed during the summer holidays in Norfolk. Potters achieved a remarkable 87% score, earning five-stars for the quality of facilities and accommodation, and a perfect score for the range of complimentary activities available. Despite being the priciest among the parks surveyed by Which?, the cost at Potters includes all food and drink, a variety of activities from pickleball to archery, and evening entertainment touted as 'West End' quality. This earned the resorts a four-star rating for value for money. Pontins, on the other hand, finds itself at the bottom of the chart once again, having also ranked last in 2024. The brand currently operates only one holiday park open to guests, the adults-only Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-Super-Mare. Their other two parks in Burnham on Sea, Somerset and Pakefield, Suffolk are temporarily shut to accommodate construction workers. With a mere 56% customer satisfaction score, Pontins managed just two-stars in most categories. Despite being the least expensive option, customers still felt they received poor value for money. One disgruntled Tripadvisor user didn't mince words about their Pakefield park experience, stating: "Worst place I have ever visited, chalet was old unkempt and dirty, holes in sheets beds pushed together with terrible matress and pillows, to shower you had to keep pushing a button in, it leaked all over the floor". Another visitor voiced their dissatisfaction, remarking: "Rooms are shabby and quite dirty. Dirt on the baseboards, cobwebs in the corners and behind doors, our shower curtain had pink mold growing along the bottom seam, clearly not laundered between guests." Yet, amid the negative feedback, some holidaymakers shared positive sentiments about Pontins. A satisfied guest commented: "We went beginning of October had a brilliant week! Food was great swimming pool was really good and for the price you really can't get any better!" Entertainment at the parks was also praised, with one reviewer enthusing: "The Bluecoats show Vegas was amazing! They are all so talented and are always doing some activity or joining in on the dance floor and having a laugh or chatting with people." Away Resorts, sharing the same score, operates 25 parks across the UK, including sought-after destinations in the South West and the Isle of Wight. Away Resorts received just two stars for value for money, despite providing a broad spectrum of accommodation options from caravans and glamping to luxury lodges. They also performed poorly for customer service, though managed three stars for cleanliness and accommodation quality. They have two parks in North Wales; Golden Sands and Barmouth Bay. Center Parcs emerged as the most popular holiday park provider in the survey, managing to score 69% meaning it was tied with Haven. While it performed well for its facilitoes and accommodation quality, it received disappointing marks for the range of complimentary activities available and overall value for money. It ranked as the third most costly option, trailing behind Potters and Warner Leisure Villages, which caters exclusively to adults. One Which? member commented: "Very expensive for what it is. Accomodation excellent, apart from the oasis pool, everything was extra. Staff were very helpful and the children enjoyed their stay. I will not be going back." Haven, operating 38 parks throughout the UK, matched Center Parcs' percentage score, though they managed three stars for value for money. Which? readers awarded them two-star ratings for food and drink offerings and the selection of complimentary activities available. Best and worst holiday parks in the UK - ranked Provider Customer Score Potters Resorts 87% Forest Holidays 80% Bluestone Wales 77% John Fowler Holiday Parks 77% Hoburne Holidays 75% Hoseasons 74% Waterside Holiday Group 74% Warner Leisure Villages 71% Centerparcs 69% Haven Holiday Parks 69% Parkdean Resorts 68% Butlins 67% Park Holidays UK 66% Away Resorts 64% Largo Leisure Parks 64%
Wales Online
7 days ago
- Wales Online
Best holiday park in Wales named — it scores higher than Bluestone and Haven
Best holiday park in Wales named — it scores higher than Bluestone and Haven A survey asked respondents to rate UK holiday parks based on factors such as cleanliness, the quality of their accommodation, the variety of free activities on offer, and the overall value for money. Forest Holidays cabins in Beddgelert — their holiday parks scored highly in the survey (Image: Handout ) A survey conducted by Which? to determine the best and worst UK holiday parks has seen three Welsh parks topping the charts. The survey was filled out by 1,700 Which? members who were asked to evaluate their experiences at UK holiday parks and resorts. Participants were asked to rate aspects ranging from park cleanliness to accommodation quality, the range of complimentary activities available, and the overall value for money of their holiday. Forest Holidays, which operates 13 locations in total including two in Wales, secured second place with an 80% score, outperforming major brands like Haven and Butlins. Known for its countryside lodges and unique accommodations such as treehouses, Forest Holidays has parks in Beddgelert, nestled in Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri, and Garwnant in Bannau Brycheiniog. Customers praised the quality of the accommodation and cleanliness, although it only received a three-star rating for value for money. Bluestone visitors can enjoy the Blue Lagoon Water Park (Image: Western Mail ) Another Welsh winner was Bluestone Wales, located in scenic Pembrokeshire. Bluestone, known for its luxury lodges and cottages, also scored highly for the quality of accommodation provided. Article continues below While Bluestone earned high marks for the variety of children's activities and entertainment on offer, it also managed to secure a three-star rating for value for money, resulting in an overall score of 77%. Potters Resorts, offering all-inclusive holidays with locations in Essex and Norfolk, has topped the UK chart. Although it's an adults-only resort for most of the year, children are welcomed during the summer holidays in Norfolk. Potters achieved a remarkable 87% score, earning five-stars for the quality of facilities and accommodation, and a perfect score for the range of complimentary activities available. Despite being the priciest among the parks surveyed by Which?, the cost at Potters includes all food and drink, a variety of activities from pickleball to archery, and evening entertainment touted as 'West End' quality. This earned the resorts a four-star rating for value for money. Pontins in Prestatyn Sands closed in 2023 (Image: Daily Post Wales ) Pontins, on the other hand, finds itself at the bottom of the chart once again, having also ranked last in 2024. The brand currently operates only one holiday park open to guests, the adults-only Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-Super-Mare. Their other two parks in Burnham on Sea, Somerset and Pakefield, Suffolk are temporarily shut to accommodate construction workers. With a mere 56% customer satisfaction score, Pontins managed just two-stars in most categories. Despite being the least expensive option, customers still felt they received poor value for money. One disgruntled Tripadvisor user didn't mince words about their Pakefield park experience, stating: "Worst place I have ever visited, chalet was old unkempt and dirty, holes in sheets beds pushed together with terrible matress and pillows, to shower you had to keep pushing a button in, it leaked all over the floor". Another visitor voiced their dissatisfaction, remarking: "Rooms are shabby and quite dirty. Dirt on the baseboards, cobwebs in the corners and behind doors, our shower curtain had pink mold growing along the bottom seam, clearly not laundered between guests." Yet, amid the negative feedback, some holidaymakers shared positive sentiments about Pontins. A satisfied guest commented: "We went beginning of October had a brilliant week! Food was great swimming pool was really good and for the price you really can't get any better!" Entertainment at the parks was also praised, with one reviewer enthusing: "The Bluecoats show Vegas was amazing! They are all so talented and are always doing some activity or joining in on the dance floor and having a laugh or chatting with people." Away Resorts have a holiday park at Barmouth Bay (Image: Getty Images ) Away Resorts, sharing the same score, operates 25 parks across the UK, including sought-after destinations in the South West and the Isle of Wight. Away Resorts received just two stars for value for money, despite providing a broad spectrum of accommodation options from caravans and glamping to luxury lodges. They also performed poorly for customer service, though managed three stars for cleanliness and accommodation quality. They have two parks in North Wales; Golden Sands and Barmouth Bay. Center Parcs emerged as the most popular holiday park provider in the survey, managing to score 69% meaning it was tied with Haven. While it performed well for its facilitoes and accommodation quality, it received disappointing marks for the range of complimentary activities available and overall value for money. It ranked as the third most costly option, trailing behind Potters and Warner Leisure Villages, which caters exclusively to adults. One Which? member commented: "Very expensive for what it is. Accomodation excellent, apart from the oasis pool, everything was extra. Staff were very helpful and the children enjoyed their stay. I will not be going back." Article continues below Haven, operating 38 parks throughout the UK, matched Center Parcs' percentage score, though they managed three stars for value for money. Which? readers awarded them two-star ratings for food and drink offerings and the selection of complimentary activities available. Best and worst holiday parks in the UK - ranked Pontins, Largo Leisure, Away Resorts, Park Holidays, Butlins, Center Parcs, and Haven have been approached for comment.
Daily Record
12-07-2025
- Daily Record
Best and worst holiday parks in the UK revealed with Scottish locations at top and bottom of list
A new survey by Which? has revealed the best and worst holiday parks in the UK, and Scottish parks were among the winners A Which? survey has uncovered the top and bottom holiday parks in the UK for 2025, and some Scottish locations have topped the list. The research involved 1,700 Which? members who shared their feedback on various UK holiday parks and resorts. Participants rated aspects such as park cleanliness, accommodation quality, the range of free activities available, and the overall value for money of their stay. Taking second place in the rankings was Forest Holidays, with an 80% positive score. Forest Holidays have three locations in Scotland: Ardgartan Argyll on Loch Long, Glentress Forest near Edinburgh, and Strathyre, Ben Ledi. The company also have eight parks in England and two in Wales, offering rural settings and unique accommodation options like log cabins and treehouses. Forest Holidays customers praised the quality of the accommodation and cleanliness, although it only received a three-star rating for value for money. They were beaten to first place by Potters Resorts, known for its all-inclusive breaks at two locations in Essex and Norfolk. Predominantly an adults-only destination, Potters does welcome children during the summer holidays in Norfolk. It achieved a stellar 87% customer score, earning five stars for both facility and accommodation quality, and a flawless rating for the wide range of free activities. Despite being the priciest option in the Which? survey, Potters' cost covers all meals and beverages, a variety of activities from pickleball to archery, and 'West End' standard evening shows, securing the resort a four-star evaluation for value for money. Bluestone Wales also emerged as a top choice, nestled in the scenic Pembrokeshire. Bluestone provides luxury lodges and cottages, earning high marks for the quality of accommodation available. While they scored well for the range of children's activities and entertainment provided, they also received a three-star rating for value for money, resulting in an overall score of 77%. At the bottom end of the rankings was Largo Leisure Parks, with six parks in Scotland, scoring 64%. However, they had one of the lowest sample sizes in the survey of just 30 people. A spokesperson for Largo Leisure said: "Whilst this is of course disappointing, this relates to only 30 people who were surveyed about Largo Leisure over 12 months ago. On both TripAdvisor and Google Reviews, where we have thousands of reviews for each of our six Scotland holiday parks, all of them are rated 4.3 or above out of 5. "We regularly get 5 star reviews on both TripAdvisor and Google reviews and we would encourage people to take a look on both to see a true reflection of the guest experiences at our parks. "We are very proud of our track record for providing exceptional holidays for our guests but we never stop trying to improve. We are enjoying a busy year across all our parks and if people read the online reviews they will see why.", they added. Pontins found itself at the bottom of the list once again, having also ranked last in 2024. The brand currently has just one holiday park open to guests, the adults-only Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-Super-Mare. Their other two parks in Burnham on Sea, Somerset and Pakefield, Suffolk are temporarily closed to accommodate construction workers. With a mere 56% customer satisfaction score, Pontins earned just two stars in most categories and, despite being the most affordable option, customers still felt they were not getting good value for their money. In a scathing Tripadvisor critique of Pakefield, one visitor did not mince words, stating: "Worst place I have ever visited, chalet was old unkempt and dirty, holes in sheets, beds pushed together with terrible matress and pillows, to shower you had to keep pushing a button in, it leaked all over the floor". Another disgruntled guest complained about the state of their accommodation: "Rooms are shabby and quite dirty. Dirt on the baseboards, cobwebs in the corners and behind doors, our shower curtain had pink mold growing along the bottom seam, clearly not laundered between guests." On the flip side, some holidaymakers enjoyed their Pontins experience, evidenced by one review which read: "We went beginning of October had a brilliant week! Food was great, swimming pool was really good and for the price you really can't get any better!". Entertainment at the parks also received applause, as another reviewer shared: "The Bluecoats show Vegas was amazing! They are all so talented and are always doing some activity or joining in on the dance floor and having a laugh or chatting with people." Away Resorts, sharing the same percentage, runs 25 parks across the UK, including two in Scotland. Away Resorts received a modest two-star rating for value for money, despite its broad selection of lodgings ranging from caravans and glamping to high-end lodges. The company also fared poorly in customer service but managed to secure three stars for both cleanliness and the quality of their accommodation. Center Parcs emerged as the survey's most popular holiday park provider, garnering a 69% satisfaction rate, placing it on par with Haven. It was praised for the quality of its facilities and lodgings, yet it didn't fare as well when it came to the range of complimentary activities and overall value for money. Ranking as the third priciest option, the only other parks that were more expensive where Potters and Warner Leisure Villages, which caters exclusively to adults. A Which? member said: "Very expensive for what it is. Accomodation excellent, apart from the oasis pool, everything was extra. Staff were very helpful and the children enjoyed their stay. I will not be going back." Haven, boasting 38 parks throughout the UK, matched Center Parcs with a 69% score, earning three stars for value for money. However, Which? subscribers awarded them a mere two stars for both food and drink and the assortment of free activities available. Best and worst holiday parks in the UK - ranked
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Daily Record
The hidden gem loch just outside Glasgow near 'best fish and chips in Scotland'
The secluded beauty spot is more popular with fisherman than it is tourists. When the sun is shining, a trip to the coast is a great idea. While Scotland has many spectacular seaside beaches, its lochs are also a great place to spend an afternoon. The Daily Record is back with another Walk of the Week, and this time it is a hidden gem loch not far from Glasgow. Every week, we choose one hike or beauty spot from around Scotland and delve into what makes it unique, and this time it is Loch Rusky. Loch Rusky is a tiny freshwater loch situated near Callander in Stirling. It is found on the edge of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, around 40 minutes from Loch Lomond. While Loch Lomond understandably gets much of the attention, Loch Rusky is the perfect place to head if you want a bit more peace and quiet. You are unlikely to come across anyone else while admiring the views. There is a there-and-back trail that will take you to the edge of the loch, with plenty of opportunity to snap incredible photos out over the water. According to hiking experts at AllTrails, the route is 4.5 kilometres in length and should take around just over an hour to complete. Loch Rusky was also named one of the 10 "Scottish lochs you must see" by Forest Holidays. The holiday specialists praised the beauty spot for its secluded location and limited number of visitors. Forest Holidays wrote: "This one's a quiet tip from Jack Black, the Forest Ranger at Strathyre, and a man who knows the local area like the back of his hand. Hidden away on the very edge of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Loch Rusky is a beautiful and peaceful little loch which hosts more fishermen and photographers than tourists." Once you are done with your hike, there is one more stop you should consider before heading home. The Tasty Fry fish and chip shop in Callander is a great way to cap off your day, with the takeaway being described by one customer as the "best fish and chips in Scotland". Read on for a selection of photos of Loch Rusky. A few of the Daily Record's previous Walks of the Week can also be found here: More On Walking and climbing Stirling Discover Scotland Food Loch Lomond
