Delve into my thorough review of our recent staycation experience at Haven Kent Coast Holiday Park, previously known as Allhallows Leisure Park. As always, I maintain transparency in my reviews, whether it’s a sponsored post or not. We were invited to spend a weekend at Haven Kent Coast Holiday Park, and I’m going to share our experience with you.
I personally drove to the holiday park, but it’s worth noting that it’s easily accessible by public transport from London. You can catch a train from London Victoria to Rochester, which is only two stops away. From the station, you have the option of taking a taxi or the 191 bus.
The travel time may vary depending on your departure time. For us, driving from southwest London took approximately one hour. The Haven app is a helpful tool that will inform you when you can check in. You’re allowed to arrive up to 2 hours before your chosen or designated accommodation check-in time, with the earliest check-in time being 11 am. If you happen to arrive early, you’re free to enjoy the park’s open facilities, just like we did.
We kicked off our adventure at the brand-new Adventure Village, where you can discover karts, bungee trampolines, Aerial Adventure, Mini Aerial Adventure, a playground, a massive sandpit with a water play feature, an outdoor cinema, The Jump, and a climbing wall. The kids were thrilled with this part of our day!
Afterward, we stopped for a meal at Huffkin of Hoo. Unfortunately, the tables were quite dirty, which was rather off-putting. When we asked to be relocated, our request was denied. With hungry kids in tow, we reluctantly stayed and ordered some food, which turned out to be just okay, nothing special.
Soon, it was time to check out our caravan. Our gold-grade caravan initially looked beautiful, but upon closer inspection, we discovered a dirty dishwasher, fridge, cutlery, dining chairs, and even a dirty floor. To be honest, it was quite disappointing. I’m used to a clean home and didn’t expect less when away.
While the bedrooms and bathrooms were clean, I did stumble upon a bloodstained spare duvet in the wardrobe in my room, which stayed right where it was. I lodged a formal complaint at the reception, and someone came in while we were out, but they only cleaned the dining chairs. It did bother me, but I tried not to let it spoil our vacation. It’s a shame because we had a fantastic staycation at Haven The Orchards Holiday Park a few years ago.
I Googled the nearest supermarket, which happened to be Asda, just a 20-minute drive away. Interestingly, it’s close to The Strand Lido, a place we visited and loved a few weeks ago. We grabbed some essentials and returned to our caravan.
We arrived on a Friday with just one activity pre-booked for the kids, a convenience provided by the Haven app. They enthusiastically took part in the Aqua inflatable activity and had a blast. It was reassuring to see a lifeguard in the water with them, and they were equipped with life jackets, making it a safe and enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, the outdoor pool had to remain unused due to the typical British weather – it rained the following day, of course!
Despite the rain, the kids engaged in Nerf training in the morning, which they surprisingly enjoyed despite a less-than-ideal referee. The Segway activity was next on the agenda but got canceled due to the rain. So, we spent the rest of the day having a great time at the arcade, where the kids had a blast with the 2p machines. I was pleasantly surprised that we could withdraw cash without any extra charges.
After the Segway activity fell through, we managed to book the kids for laser tag, another activity they both relished.
The sun returned the next day, and our first activity was den building, which would have been miserable in the rain. Our activity instructor was excellent, and even I picked up a few wilderness skills. We followed this with pottery painting, a relaxing and enjoyable activity for both kids and adults. I highly recommend it. We also spent some hours in the arcade before trying our hand at archery, which the kids loved. It might be worth considering smaller session sizes to give each child more opportunities to participate.
As for dining options, there’s a variety to choose from, including Burger King, Cooks’ Fish and Chips, Seaside Treats, Huffkin of Hoo, Papa Johns, Box Bar, and a Mini Market for shopping.
Would I recommend Haven Kent Coast Holiday Park? Absolutely. I’m inclined to believe that the cleanliness issues we encountered were an isolated incident, and I hope this review reaches the appropriate individuals to spark necessary improvements. Another reason for my recommendation is its convenient proximity to London; it’s an excellent choice for those who prefer shorter travel times. Although we didn’t explore the evening entertainment during our stay, I can vouch for the daytime activities being fantastic. Seeing the kids thoroughly enjoying themselves was what truly mattered to me.
Regrettably, I’m unable to provide specific pricing details as they vary depending on factors like your group size and the time of year you plan to visit. Your best course of action would be to visit the Haven website and experiment with different dates. Remember to subscribe to their marketing emails, ensuring you’re among the first to receive updates on potential discounts and future deals.
