They say that there’s no rest for the wicked, and with October nearly open us, there’s plenty to keep us occupied this Halloween. Which is perfect for our family, given the little ‘terrors’ were off this half-term. The start of the summer looked a little bleak, so we decided to splurge and take the kids on an all-inclusive 5-star break – but with new school clothes and stationery get for September, even the adults were on strict pocket money rules.
So with big ideas but small budgets, we decided that for this year’s Halloween, we fancied a change of scenery – and we wanted to go somewhere where we could recharge our batteries, enjoy luxury accommodation that wouldn’t break the bank, at a location that was a million miles away from home.
OK, so two out of three ain’t bad – and after realising we’d get more for our money by keeping it local, we drew up a list of UK hotspots. Though we were unsure where to go, we all agreed that Haven would be our best bet – after all, it’s practically public knowledge that Haven tops the table for best British seaside resort. So with huge excitement building at the thought of glamming it up this Halloween, I’m pleased to share how exactly we planned the perfect glamping experience for our Haven holiday.
Pick a place
Trying to choose a destination on your own is difficult enough, but imagine trying to find a location that an entire family would be happy with! Given this was the first time any of us had embarked on a glamping getaway, we weren’t entirely sure what to expect – but after a bit of research, we came across a really helpful Haven article detailing the difference between camping and glamping.
Highlighting the south west of England as a popular hotspot, we agreed that glamping at Perran Sands in Cornwall would be the ideal escape – providing a coastal hideout whilst still offering the nearby buzz of Newquay. Seeing as Haven had just launched their new tent range there, we wanted to take advantage of the latest accommodation and its features.
While the idea of staying in a supertent or even a Geo Dome sounded hugely appealing, we quickly agreed that we wanted to book one of their impressive Yurts. We had heard of this glamping phenomenon a couple of years ago, and since then had only heard good things about Yurt holidays – and as there was a total of six of us all going, we needed somewhere that could accommodate for such a large family.
For those unfamiliar with Yurts, they’re large circular wooden tents covered in canvas – originally used in Mongolia, Siberia and Turkey. And as they’re big enough to stock items such as beds and cookers, the idea of glamorous camping came together – giving birth to the concept of ‘glamping’.
Plus we really liked the idea of the Yurts providing a fridge freezer, a cooker as well as crockery and cutlery – meaning we could save money to treat the kids (as well as ourselves).
Frighteningly fun
Despite being parents, we’re still massive kids at heart – which is why the idea of going to a Haven holiday park really appealed to us. Reading the numerous positive reviews posted online by families and friends alike, it sounded like there was a lot to look forward to – from activities such as the character pumpkin parade and spooky sand art, I had a good feeling we’d settle in pretty easily!
It’s great that Haven puts on such fantastic entertainment all for free, with the various online feedback all highlighting just how helpful the staff are. In addition to the seasonal spook of Halloween, we’ve also got the choice to take part in Rock ‘n’ Roll Bingo and try out some sports; plus the boys can have a go at the on-park surfing school while the girls relax in its beach-themed café bar and terrace.
However, what we’re most excited about is seeing Cornwall’s landmarks – especially in the scary light of Halloween! Apparently there’s some special spooky tours that includes the Bodmin Moor stone circles and The Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle – though it depends on how much time we have as we’re also keen on exploring Land’s End and St I’ves (not that we’re ‘scared’ or anything).
Last but not least…
So we’ve booked our time off work and now it’s just a countdown until we can visit our Halloween hideout! We’re really hopeful about doing as much as we can while we’re there, but to be honest, going for the experience of glamping in one of Haven’s amazing Yurts will be exciting enough. We’ve already got a checklist of what we’re going to do while we’re there, but given that it’ll be our first time visiting a Haven holiday park, a quick look at the FAQs soon put our minds at ease. With no idea what to expect, the guide was really helpful and advised us on what basics to bring – but with an on-site Spar store, we’ll never be too far away from the essentials. Thanks to the simple navigation of the Haven site, planning our trip was quick, easy and hassle-free – and with some helpful tricks, we’re pretty certain our Halloween holiday will be an absolute ‘treat’!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by a Haven Mum.