**UK’s Worst Holiday Park Branded ‘Dirty and Unkept’ in Damning Guest Reviews, While Small Operators Shine**
A sweeping survey by consumer group Which? has cast new light on the state of holiday parks around the UK, revealing both stellar successes and shocking shortcomings among the country’s most popular destinations. The results, drawn from the opinions of 1,700 members, have sent ripples through the industry by dethroning household names such as Center Parcs and Haven, in favour of smaller, lesser-known operators.
The comprehensive study challenged contributors to rate their holiday experiences across a range of categories including hygiene, accommodation standards, entertainment variety, and overall value for money. Potters Resorts emerged as the resounding favourite, with an extraordinary 87% customer score. This Essex and Norfolk-based operator, best known for all-inclusive stays, thrilled guests with its five-star-rated lodging and abundant entertainment, including activities from pickleball to archery and notably high-quality evening shows. Although Potters charges premium prices, with everything from meals to drinks included, the resort’s four-star value rating suggests guests felt it was worth the extra outlay.
Forest Holidays clinched second place, scoring an impressive 80% overall. With a presence in England, Scotland, and Wales and a reputation for unique rural retreats in log cabins and treehouses, the company picked up particular praise for cleanliness and accommodation quality. However, its three-star rating for value highlights the challenge premium getaways face in justifying their cost to cost-conscious travellers.
Wales’ own Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire flew the flag for Wales, landing a commendable 77% overall customer rating. Guests lauded its upmarket lodges and the breadth of family activities, though, like several rivals, it received only middling marks for value.
In stark contrast to these glowing reviews, Pontins languished at the bottom of the table with a disappointing 56% customer satisfaction score. The once-famous brand now has just one holiday park currently open for leisure visitors—Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-Super-Mare—with two other locations temporarily closed to host construction workers. Despite offering some of the lowest prices in the market, Pontins failed to convince guests that budget stays were good value, collecting no more than two stars in most categories.
The negative feedback for Pontins was particularly striking. In one scathing Tripadvisor post, a visitor called their accommodation “old unkempt and dirty”, describing holes in sheets, sub-par mattresses, malfunctioning showers leaking over the floor, and a general state of disrepair. Another disgruntled guest cited “shabby” rooms, dirt, mouldy shower curtains, and persistent cobwebs as evidence of a lack of basic maintenance.
Nevertheless, the criticism was not universal. A number of customers reported enjoyable stays, pointing out positives such as good food, enjoyable swimming facilities, and lively entertainment delivered by enthusiastic “Bluecoat” staff. One guest praised a particular show, while another said their visit, though at a bargain rate, was “brilliant”. This divergence points to significant inconsistency, even within the same park.
Elsewhere, Largo Leisure Parks, operating six locations across Scotland, found itself near the bottom of the rankings with a 64% customer score. The park’s representative highlighted that their tally came from a much smaller subset of reviews, urging potential guests to consult broader review platforms where their ratings are consistently higher.
Similar mixed fortunes faced the expansive Away Resorts chain, which, despite running 25 sites across the UK—including popular coastal locations and the Isle of Wight—struggled to impress on value and customer service. The company nonetheless received moderate acclaim for the quality and cleanliness of its diverse lodging options.
Among the heavyweights, Center Parcs and Haven both scored a middling 69%. Center Parcs was commended for accommodation and facilities but came under fire for additional charges on top of already high prices, with one respondent calling it “very expensive for what it is”. Haven, boasting 38 parks nationwide, also received criticism for its food, drink, and lack of free activities, although many guests still considered it a reliable family choice.
The survey results highlight the tough balancing act holiday park operators face, with cost, cleanliness, entertainment, and customer experience all playing crucial roles in shaping perceptions. For potential holidaymakers, the Which? rankings offer a valuable reference point—yet, as ever, individual experiences may vary widely within the same brand. As the UK holiday sector gears up for another busy year, these findings may prompt renewed scrutiny and calls for improvement at some parks, while others reap the rewards of delivering consistent quality and memorable breaks.