Haven Holiday Marton Mere Review
Haven Holiday
Marton Mere, Blackpool
Reviewed by Debbie Talbot
Haven break with my family
My family and I were looking for a reasonably priced holiday we could all go on together. We were so excited to book a Monday to Friday break at Haven’s Marton Mere, Blackpool site. My mum booked it quickly and easily on the internet as Haven’s website is very user friendly. We opted for an 8 berth caravan to sleep my parents, myself, my sister and our 4 children. I have baby twins who are a year old and an 8 year old daughter. My sister has a 10 year old daughter. I would recommend pre-booking prepaid activity passes which cost £30 as opposed to the £36 which it costs during your holiday. Do bear in mind that there are a limited number available for pre-booking. I phoned Marton Mere directly before our stay and the helpful manager resolved my query quickly and efficiently. The onsite Spa supermarket was open at convenient times and was well stocked.
After a lot of anticipation our holiday dates arrived. I arrived with my kids after the other members of our party who had checked in earlier that afternoon. On the first evening we opted to have fish and chips from the hot counter within the entertainment complex. These were reasonably priced. The caravan itself was modern and well equipped. We did have an issue with a missing bedroom curtain and some rubbish left behind the caravan seating, but this was quickly rectified by friendly onsite staff. The park guide we were given upon arrival was really useful as we could plan our week. I was pleased to see that all ages of children were catered for activities wise. The older children thoroughly enjoyed the Character Sports Day, mini golf, swimming and the space bowl, water walkers and aqua gliders, whilst the babies loved the outdoor play area, especially the baby swing. They also enjoyed the entertainment aimed at 0-4 year olds. My daughter can be very shy and is not yet a confident swimmer, but she was totally at ease in the swimming pool and taking part in other onsite activities. There was a good selection of reasonably priced food and drink available in the onsite café bar. If you prefer to cook your own meals the caravan has a 4 hob cooker with grill and oven and a microwave. We did a mix of eating onsite and bringing takeaways onsite from local restaurants.
The entertainers were fantastic and so good with children of all ages. My twins, mum and I had our picture taken with one of the characters. Keepsake photos were priced from £5 which is very reasonable. My family spent a day at the Pleasure Beach in Blackpool and got a taxi there, but there is a bus which goes from the Haven park to the Pleasure Beach. I stayed for just one night for a combination of reasons including feeling poorly, but I did go back and spend the last full day/evening onsite with my family and my 8 year old daughter stayed onsite with my parents, sister and niece. We went over to the showbar on the last evening and my twin boys loved the evening session for tots. We then stayed to watch the game show which had 3 generations of my family howling with laughter.
Overall, it was a fun family holiday in good quality accommodation at a reasonable cost. As a multiple parent I did struggle to fit 2 travel cots in the living area once the bed was down, but I recognise that there is only so much space in a caravan. The fold out bed had not been used before and was not that comfortable, but staff did have suggestions as to how to make it more comfortable which I would have tried had I stayed more nights.
Haven Break with my friend
I went back to Haven Marton Mere the following week for a Monday to Friday break and we had a lovely time. My friend came up from down south with her children and 7 of us shared a caravan. Staff were happy to move bed bases out of one of the bedrooms so that my twins could sleep on mattresses on the floor. We also paid a £5 deposit to have a 2nd caravan key. This was useful having 2 families sharing a caravan. I went off site with my friend on one of the days to Blackpool Tower and it was a short drive from the caravan park. As during the first stay, the children thoroughly enjoyed the onsite entertainment, as did we. We would return again and hope to again soon.
Marton Mere Haven is the ideal place for a standalone holiday or one where you use the park as a base with trips in to Blackpool. The park is easily accessible from major motorway routes. Plenty of security staff were on hand during our stay and the whole park is clean and well maintained.
Rating: 5/5 
For more information or to book your holiday at Marton Mere or one of the other Haven holiday parks visit www.haven.com
