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Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Huge UK holiday park rivalling Butlin's unveils £10m overhaul with new pool
One of the UK's most beloved holiday park brands, Haven, has unveiled ambitious plans to transform its Kent Coast site with a hefty £10 million investment - and work has already begun A giant holiday park is ploughing a whopping £10 million to transform one of its sites, as it promises guests there will 'never be a moment to be bored'. Haven - which has 38 sites dotted along the Great British coastline - is upgrading its Kent Coast resort to create a brand new swimming complex. It will feature a splash activity zone, falling rapids slide, and see the current outdoor pool be converted into another huge indoor pool. The huge investment follows previous refurb work, including a new state-of-the-art 1,200-seater venue with big screens, an outdoor terrace, and a bar and kitchen. Kent Coast's arcade also recently had a makeover - joining the Creative Studio space where guests can unleash their creativity with activities like pottery making and Make a Bear. Alongside the swimming pool investment, Haven invested £1.35 million into opening a new J D Wetherspoon pub, The London Stone, which opened back in March. This was part of a much wider £6.7 million investment after the holiday park partnered with the pub chain to open three other JDW sites at Devon Cliffs, Cleethorpes Beach, and Haggerston Castle. The expansion of its J D Wetherspoon partnership is also part of a broader £8.3 million boost to enhance food and beverage offerings in 2025. This has already resulted in two new Burger Kings opening up at Hopton Holiday Park and Lakeland Holiday Park. Haven told the Mirror it is also working on 'modernising' its holiday home accommodation and adding more pitches across its portfolio. Work on Kent Coast Holiday Park began at the end of 2024, and is due to be completed by the end of the year. In a statement sent exclusively to the Mirror, Simon Palethrope, CEO of Haven said the £10 million investment will create a 'brilliant new experience' for holidaymakers. "Whether it's the thrill of the new Falling Rapids, enjoying a splash in the new AquaPlay centre or toddlers learning to swim in the new Confidence Water area, there's something for everyone," he added. "To add to this, grabbing a bite in our new J D Wetherspoon pub, taking part in Haven's Adventure Village, or simply relaxing in one of our stylish holiday homes, there's never going to be a moment to be bored. With pool works already underway and due for completion by the end of 2025, we look forward to welcoming guests to enjoy an even more memorable stay." The park remains open as usual, and Haven has vowed to keep disruption to a minimum. If you're wanting to book a staycation at the park, four-night breaks start from just £49.
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Top Haven holiday park gets new ‘first of its kind' £10m swimming complex – featuring ‘splash zone' and rapids slide
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW £10million swimming pool and water flume are due to open at a Kent holiday park this year. The Haven Holidays Kent Coast Holiday Park near Rochester will soon boast a new facility, due to open towards the end of the 2025 season. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The new swimming complex will feature a splash activity zone and rapids slide Credit: Haven Holidays 5 The park has also announced 50 new pitches will be added across 2025 Credit: Haven Kent Coast 5 And a JD Wetherspoon recently opened at the site Credit: Haven/J D Wetherspoon In a post on social media, the owners of the park at Kent Coast revealed that the facility will be "the first of its kind at Haven". The swimming complex will feature a splash activity zone, falling rapids slide, more space for swimmers and conversion of the current outdoor pool into another indoor pool. Following the announcement, many fans commented on social media, with one saying: "Can't wait, looks really good, it has needed doing as the pool is not big enough anymore." Construction of the new facility has already started, with minimal impact on guests staying at the site. In addition to the new facility, Haven Holidays bosses confirmed the site will also gain 50 pitches, which will be added across 2025, according to Kent Live. Many developments and upgrades have been carried out at the Kent site over the past 18 months including the addition of an outdoor adventure village, entertainment show bar and an expanded arcade. There is also a new JD Wetherspoon pub at the site. Named The London Stone, the pub opened on March 24 and follows Haven's £8.3million investment in providing better food and beverages to guests for 2025. A number of other Wetherspoon pubs have also opened at Haven's locations in Cleethorpes Beach, Devon Cliffs, and Haggerston Castle. Last year, the site also opened The Creative Studios - a hub for activities including pottery and Make a Bear. Lancashire staycation Simon Palethorpe, chief executive of Haven, said: "In recent years, Brits have been rediscovering the joy of a UK seaside holiday and everything that holiday parks have on offer, with coastal communities and the wider economy directly benefiting from the continued growth in domestic tourism. "That is why we are investing heavily to continue to bring holidaymakers more of what they love – from expanding our partnership with JD Wetherspoon to the incredible new pool at Kent Coast. "Our parks have begun welcoming their first guests of 2025 and I'm excited to see more families enjoy stunning beaches, their favourite food and drink brands, alongside fantastic activities and entertainment," reports Kent Live. There is also an award-winning holiday park in the UK, that you probably don't know about. Plus, England's top three underrated holiday parks. 5 The park has said there will be minimal disruption during construction Credit: Haven Kent Coast
