I've found an incredible cheap UK holiday park that brings the best bits of Center Parcs, Butlin's and Haven to ONE site
When one child loves spending hours in the pool, another enjoys a boogie on the dance floor and the third wants to swing through the trees on the high ropes, it's hard to know which holiday park is best for your family break - but I've got you covered.
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My family and I recently took a trip to Haven's Hafan y Mor park near Pwllheli in North Wales.
We loved it so much I had booked to return next summer before we'd even made it home.
The park is set on a little slice of the British coastline that's like stepping back in time to the holidays of your childhood.
The site's staycation secret is that it used to be a Butlin's before being turned into a Haven 25 years ago.
So it's still got all the best bits of Butlin's - from the flumes and slides of the Splashaway Bay adventure pool to the top-notch venue full of shows.
I even did a double take when I saw the stripy blue tops of the entertainment crew, instead of the Redcoats of Butlin's from days gone by.
Now one of the largest Haven parks, there's a stunning choice of outdoor activities you'd usually see at an upscale Center Parc resort.
It's the first Haven I've been to where the high ropes take you through the trees, just like at Center Parcs.
The Dragon Lakes Adventure Park even sees thrill-seekers zipping over the waters where fellow guests can take to pedalos.
The adrenaline-charged activities also include The Jump - a terrifying free-fall leap onto a huge inflatable cushion - as well as climbing wall, mini 4x4 off-roaders and even Segways.
There's all sorts of accommodation at Hafan y Mor, including Center-Parcs-style pine lodges surrounded by trees.
The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park
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There are even old-fashioned chalet blocks from back in the Butlin's days and mod-con caravans you'll see at all Haven resorts, so you can pick whatever works for you and your budget.
It's not often that my three boys all get their own bedroom when we go away on holiday, but our recently refurbished four-bed chalet was huge.
I loved the village vibe of everyone hanging out on their decking or balcony, so reminiscent of childhood holidays when the kids played together on the grass by your block.
I even spotted one family stringing up a badminton net.
The chalet accommodation is also one of the cheapest options - we paid less than £300 for our June weekend away and it's only £275 for four nights in the summer holidays next year, which is incredible value for money if you're bringing eight people.
We were just a stone's throw from Dragon Lakes Activity Village, which also offers up sports courts, a sandpit playground and even a bark park for furry family members.
Like Center Parcs, most of the activities aren't included in the price of your break, and you'll need to factor that in, but the cost is far less at Haven.
We paid £12 for Aquajets in the pool, £8 for the mini 4x4 off roaders and £7 for a go on the bungee trampoline.
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Aquajets at Center Parcs would set you back £18.50 to £22.50, while children's 4x4 off-road explorers are £24, so there's a hefty saving to be made here.
And you could easily just stick to the freebie fun if you prefer.
The pool was enough to keep everyone busy for hours and although you pre-book an entry time, there wasn't anyone asking us to leave at the end of our hour time slot on the weekend we were there.
The free shows and entertainment were great - my littlest loved the Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime and won a prize for his enthusiastic dancing at the kids' disco.
And no seaside staycation would be complete without a stroll to see the sandy shore, although you might need to venture a bit further afield if you want to find a beach to play on.
This is quite a spread-out site with a railway track splitting it in two, but there's a land train that takes you on a turn around the park if your little ones are worn out with all the activities and don't fancy walking.
This tucked-away spot is surrounded by dramatic mountains, picturesque beaches and unassuming tourist towns that only add to the magic of a trip here.
It's like going back in time to the heyday of the great British staycation.
Catching sight of Criccieth Castle overlooking the beach was a welcome signal that we had almost arrived after our long drive.
It's a bit of a trek to get there, but the direct train from Birmingham takes less than five hours, around the same time as travelling by train from London to Cornwall.
And Penychain station is on the edge of the park within walking distance of its entrance.
This haven by the sea could well become our new holiday hotspot as it ticks all the boxes for my boys.
Here's more about the Haven holiday from someone who visits every year - and has discovered secret areas that guests don't know about.
Plus, the beachfront Haven holiday park reveals plans for huge new adventure attraction and Wetherspoons pub.
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Insider tip: If you want to pop from one side of the lake to the other, take the ferry between Portaferry and Strangford to save driving all the way around. Best free things to do The Causeway Coast Embark on a road trip of epic proportions The Republic of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way may get more attention, but the Causeway Coast, stretching 120 miles from Belfast over to Derry-Londonderry, is every bit as impressive. There are wild, wind-battered cliffs, sweeping white sand beaches and pretty harbours, and you don't need to drive the whole thing to get the full effect – just pick a section and follow the coastal road. Insider tip: If you want to see the coastline from a different perspective, book in for a kayaking tour with Causeway Coast Kayaking Tours, which runs trips from Ballintoy and under the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Belfast's street art Walk between impressive murals There are incredible pieces of street art around Belfast, with some of the best-known works found in and around the Cathedral Quarter. These range from giant, lifelike portraits that look like large-scale sketches, to multi-colour three-dimensional pieces reminiscent of the old Magic Eye books. There's even an annual street art festival, Hit the North, held each May. Insider tip: If you want a little more insight, take a guided street art walking tour with Seedhead Arts, whose artist guides know the stories behind each piece. Mourne Mountains Hike the peaks that inspired CS Lewis Whether you want to take a scenic road trip or lace up your hiking boots, the Mournes are home to some of the best views in Northern Ireland. The roads around the foothills are winding and narrow, and the gentle curve of the peaks is romantic, whatever the weather. 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Best for culture Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne Overlook the sea from a clifftop landmark It's one of the most photographed sights in Northern Ireland, despite the fact you can't even go inside. Modelled on the Temple of Vesta in Italy, this domed temple is right on the edge of the cliffs, built as a library for the Earl Bishop – or his niece, if you believe the scandalous rumours. It's occasionally open to the public for events, and is just as striking on the inside. Insider tip: There are plenty of walking trails on site and a great coffee shack in the car park, where you can pick up a flat white and a slice of Guinness cake. Game of Thrones Discover all the filming locations from the hit show You can't swing a dire wolf in Northern Ireland without hitting a Game of Thrones filming location. From tiny harbours and forests to coastal caves and the tree-lined Dark Hedges, numerous places doubled up as Westeros, particularly in the early seasons of the show. Take a self-guided drive using the free Game of Thrones Locations app, or go on a guided bus tour that departs from Belfast. Insider tip: Real fans will want to pay a visit to the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Banbridge, where you can see the sets, costumes and props up close. Traditional Music Trail Drift between pubs on a musical pub crawl There's loads of live music around Northern Ireland, but if you want a guided experience, then the Traditional Music Trail is a great option. You'll be led between traditional pubs in the pretty village of Ballycastle, catching various musicians playing the fiddle, tin whistle and Uilleann pipe in each cosy, fire-warmed space. Insider tip: Wherever you are, remember that an Irish trad session is something of a sacred space, so resist the urge to join in, unless asked, and avoid loudly chatting near a musicians' circle. Dunluce Castle Visit a striking clifftop ruin Sitting precariously on the edge of the cliffs, Dunluce Castle is a skeletal ruin but impressive nonetheless. Walk around what remains of this medieval structure and you can see remnants of its former life, like giant fireplaces and tall arched windows, as the waves batter below. Insider tip: Keep an eye out for the tiny wildflowers that grow in the grasses and around the old stone – there are several rare varieties, including the 'blue flower of Dunluce', which only grows between Dunluce and Ballintoy. Black Cab Tour Hear the stories of Belfast from the people who know it best The best way to get a handle on Belfast's history is to take a tour led by a chatty cabbie who knows the stories inside and out – because they lived through them. These casual tours take you around the city sights, the geographic tales peppered with snippets of gossip and historical tidbits, before ending up at the Peace Wall. Insider tip: You can fit up to six people in a cab, but most tours are based on a per person rate, so it's not that much more to go as a twosome. Return to index Best for food and drink experiences Old Bushmills Distillery Go behind the scenes at a historic distillery The oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, this riverside spot is home to one of the best-known whiskeys on the planet. On a guided tour, you'll learn about how the whiskey is made, but the best part comes in the cosy old tasting room, where you'll get a taste of three of their single malts – book the premium tour for a taste of the good stuff. Insider tip: Head for a drink (or stay the night) at the nearby, but not affiliated, Bushmills Inn – the bar is lit by gas lamps and, unsurprisingly, there's a great selection of Bushmills on offer. St George's Market Wander around a historic marketplace This redbrick building is a cornerstone of Belfast life, and one of the last Victorian covered markets left in the country. There are stalls selling classic local fare like 'fifteens' (dense, sweet tray bakes made with 15 of each ingredient) and baps filled with all the components of an Ulster Fry. You can pick up fantastic regional produce, too. Insider tip: You can take a guided tour of the market every weekend to learn more about the history of the building, including its use as a morgue during the Second World War. Bear in mind the market is only open Friday to Sunday. Taste and Tour Delve into the Belfast food (and drink) scene Food tours can be hit or miss, but when you get good guides then you're onto a winner. The folks leading these Belfast and Holywood tours know every inch of the city and its food scene, with general tours leading you to all the best places to eat, with a few pubs thrown in the mix too. Insider tip: If you're more about drink than food, they also run specialised gin, craft beer and whiskey tours (not all at once), where you'll sample the best Irish artisanal tipples in different bars. Return to index How we choose Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Nicola Brady I'm originally from Sussex, and I went on holiday to Ireland 16 years ago and never came back. While I'm now based in Dublin, I spent a decade living on the Northern Irish border and still visit regularly.
