UK's 'best holiday park' is all-inclusive from the meals to over 50 activities

11 May 2023 , 15:13
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Potters Resorts have been ranked the best holiday parks in the UK (Image: Potters Resorts)
Potters Resorts have been ranked the best holiday parks in the UK (Image: Potters Resorts)

A holiday park with "West End quality shows" and a boating lake has been named the best in the country.

For most people, a trip to Bognor Regis to visit the iconic Butlins, to the Sherwood Forest for a week exploring Centerparcs or to Brean Sands to give Pontins a go would likely come to mind first when it comes to UK holiday parks.

Potters in Norfolk and Essex may not be as well known as its rivals, but in a recent has ranking it came out on top of a crowded field, and it has a long history.

Operating for more than 100 years, Potters claims it was the first-ever holiday park, opened by Herbert Potter after he won £500 in a competition.

It’s also the best, according to members of the British public, who gave it an overall score 88% in a Which? rundown of the best and worst parks around.

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UK's 'best holiday park' is all-inclusive from the meals to over 50 activitiesPotters has been open for more than 100 years (Potters Resorts)

This compares with Waterside Holiday Group in second, which is based in Cornwall and Devon and scored 87%, and third placed Bluestone Wales on 81%.

According to Which?, Potters is "more a resort than a park" as guests are housed in "hotel rooms and suites" and treated to an all-inclusive experience "with everything including alcoholic drinks thrown in."

One of the biggest draws of the holiday park is its entertainment offering which is led by the Potters Live Band, features shows the park claims are "West End quality" in the Atlas Theatre and live music out on the South Terrace when the sun is shining.

UK's 'best holiday park' is all-inclusive from the meals to over 50 activitiesThe park offers all-inclusive stays (Potters Resorts)

In terms of activities there is buckets to get stuck into for kids and teenagers, including archery, welly wanging, climbing, a giant swing, an inflatable obstacle course and laser tag. For adults, clay pigeon shooting, bowls and boules may tempt.

Food wise, the all inclusive offering includes a delicious breakfast to start your day, with guests able to chose from a traditional and hearty full English, to a choice of cereal, yoghurts and pastries.

For lunch there is a three course spread of hot dishes, salads and desserts, before another three course outing in the evening leaves little room for the daily late night snack selection.

As you might expect, a stay at the holiday park is not cheap. Currently a family of two adults and two children can stay at the park for four nights during July, midweek, for £2,476.

As steep as this may be, the majority of the visitors to Potters have left it glowing reviews on Tripadvisor, where it has an 'excellent' 4.5/5 score.

UK's 'best holiday park' is all-inclusive from the meals to over 50 activitiesThrill-seekers can have a go on the giant swing at the park (Potters Resorts)

"First time for us and we didn't know what to expect - what we didn't expect was a packed daily programme of things to join in with," one guests recently wrote.

"In addition there was much to do - plenty of sports activities plus a lovely pool with sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. The coastal path and beach are only a five minutes walk away. Plenty of good food and friendly staff made this perfect. We can't wait to go again!"

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Another gushed: "Overall we enjoyed every minute we were there and were sad when Friday morning came and we had to leave. We have booked again in October and cannot wait to go again.

"A big thank you to all at Potters for making our stay so enjoyable."

If you do fancy taking your loved ones away but are hoping for something a little cheaper, then Bluestone National Park Resort in Wales may be a good bet.

The Pembrokeshire holiday park has won plaudits from official reviewers and those who have stayed there on holidays, due to the extensive range of activities on offer and the competitive price.

The park stretches across 500 acres that are filled full of opportunities to get your heart pumping and immerse yourself in nature.

UK's 'best holiday park' is all-inclusive from the meals to over 50 activitiesThe park prides itself on its shows (Potters Resorts)

Guests can head down to the Steep Ravine and soar through the trees on sky wires and high ropes. At the Serendome, take on the Sky Walk and whizz round the Wacky Racer’s Racetrack and take in one of Bluestone's spectacular shows at the Cloud Theatre.

The children's playful paradise, The HIVE, is Bluestone's newest attraction, with soft play, climbing towers and slides, and even the blood-pumping Adrenaline, a zip-line that lets you soar over the fun of the park going on below.

A seven-night stay in a lodge in Bluestone can be yours for £1,108 for a family of four, which comes out at £36 per person, per night, thanks to a current 10% discount.

The same kind of stay at Center Parks Woburn Forest currently costs £1,408 for dates in July and £1,598 at Longleat Forest.

If you are able to and happy to go a little later in the season, then four nights at Bluestone can be bagged for just over £300.

Milo Boyd

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