Brits looking for their next staycation have been urged to ‘look past heavyweights’ like Butlin’s and Pontins after both were snubbed in the league tables for the UK’s best holiday park
The UK’s best holiday park has been revealed – and it’s bad news for the Red Coats. With the cost of living crisis still grappling cash-strapped Brits, many of us are ditching their fortnight abroad for a much more affordable staycation.
In fact, data from last year showed a whopping 52 per cent of Brits were opting to holiday in the UK instead of jetting off to the likes of Spain and Greece, with 34 per cent planning for at least two staycations during 2024. Now that the school summer holidays are just around the corner, swathes of households will be searching for a last-minute break to escape the city and relax.
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As a result, consumer brand Which? has ranked all of the UK’s holiday parks – arguing you might want to ‘look past heavyweights’ like Center Parcs, Butlin’s and Pontins.
Despite attracting around 1.5 million visitors a year, Butlin’s was dealt a huge blow in the league tables – ranking fifth to last. The resort, which has three sites across the UK, scored an overall customer score of 67 per cent.
Travellers gave Butlin’s a meagre two stars for its value for money, food and drink offerings, and overall customer service, and three stars for its dog friendliness and variety of free facilities. When it came to the ‘quality and variety of children’s activities’, Butlin’s received a much more respectable four stars.
However, it was Pontins that came scraping in at the bottom – with a 56 per cent overall customer score. “The furnishings were extremely tired, the chairs and beds were incredibly uncomfortable, and the grounds within the complex were mostly overgrown,” one visitor scathed.
Another agreed, fuming: “It is cheap to book and entertain children. However, the facilities available and prices were below par when actually at the resort.”
Taking home gold, with an impressive 87 per cent customer score, is Potters Resorts. The adult-only, all-inclusive park has just two locations (one in Norfolk and one in Essex) and prides itself on its ‘award-winning hospitality’ and ‘West End-quality evening entertainment’.
Operating for more than 100 years, visitors spent around £110 per person per night – and was hailed for its good value for money (remember this price covers your food and drinks too). “The facilities are excellent,” praised one recent traveller. “Activities varied and well organised. Entertainment was outstanding. The all inclusive deal was very good value. Food superb and plentiful.”
UK’s best holiday parks and resorts rated
- Potters Resorts
- Forest Holidays
- Bluestone Wales
- John Fowler Holiday Parks
- Hoburne Holidays
- Hoseasons
- Waterside Holiday Group
- Warner Leisure Villages
- Centerparcs
- Haven Holiday Parks
- Parkdean Resorts
- Butlin’s
- Park Holidays UK
- Away Resorts
- Largo Leisure Parks
- Pontins
*Which?’s league tables are based on 2,255 responses from 1,717 Which? members and the general public. The survey was carried out in February and March 2024.
The Mirror has approached Butlin’s and Pontins for comment.
What’s your favourite UK holiday park? Let us know in the comments section below