Primrose Valley Review. Now, as a child I had many happy holidays at Haven Primrose Valley, near Filey in Yorkshire. Last weekend I visited with my mum, two children and niece in tow. It’s so different now, but in a good way! There really is so much to do, we were jam packed with activities (note to self, build in more coffee drinking time next time!). I want to tell you all about the accommodation, the restaurants, the swimming pools and the activities. It’s right on the beach too – but we were so busy we didn’t make it there on this trip but have written about Filey Brigg in the past. We made a video of our trip – with a caravan tour of the Accessible Prestige Caravan.
The Facilities and Activities at Haven Primrose Valley
The site is modern and well looked after, with lots of play parks dotted about. There are two main public complexes. The largest one houses everything from Reception and Check in to the mini market. (Actually, the mini market is actually quite large!). There is also an absolutely enormous amusement arcade, sandwiched between the two entertainment bars. We didn’t visit these as we were all tired in the evenings after our busy days but the entertainment schedule of bingo, music and comedy looked brilliant, with lots going on until very late in both bars.
The main complex also houses The Mash and Barrel, a traditional looking and very large pub. They served fairly good value food in large portions, and the staff were very friendly. I’ve reviewed this in full further down this article.
There are several fast food places, including Burger King, Cook’s Fish and Chips and Papa John’s Pizza. There is also a Starbucks for your coffee fix.
There are two swimming pool complexes on site. The Adventure Pool is also in the main complex. It’s large with modern amenities. There are plenty of changing cubicles including some large family ones. Lockers are a refundable 20p piece. There are two large pools, one with seating jets at one end, then at the other end there are inflatable stepping stones with a hand rail above. My children spent most of their time on here. There are slides too (also popular), and a toddlers’ area.
We did our Water Walkerz activity in here. It didn’t last long, but I think it was a highlight of the trip for them. Plus the photos I got were great! It’s done when the swimming pool is closed so you can take a camera in.
At the Lakehouse complex there is another swimming pool with a medium sized tube slide. The kids did Aqua Jets here, which are small water engines that pull them through the water, either on top or underneath the water.
They also did the inflatable obstacle course here, and it looked great fun!
There is also a beautiful looking outdoor pool here too which must be amazing in the summer!
The restaurant in this section is the Lakehouse restaurant. It looks very new and a more upmarket looking venue to the Mash and Barrel. When we visited they served meals from noon till nine, though I think this changes on the time of year.
We had lunch here and I’ll review that below.
There are lots of activities running every day for all ages. Most of these are payable but you can buy activity packs that will save money. You can then login to the website and choose what sessions you’d like to book. We started off with an archery session. The instructor was lovely and explained what they should and shouldn’t be doing. Then they took it in turns in pairs to shoot.
After archery we headed over to the fairground where Master T went on the bungee trampolines and Miss H and her cousin went on the Twister.
Tokens were 50p each but again you could buy packs. I’ve a photo for you to see how many tokens each ride needs:
Next, the kids tried their next activity, Junior Segways. My two have tried (and loved) segways but it was Miss A’s first time and she got the hang of it straight away. The only problem being that they all came off demanding one for Christmas (but at £400 each, I think not!).
Restaurant Review: Mash and Barrel
We had dinner one evening in the Mash and Barrel, and I have menu and food photos for you as this is something I always like to see! I ordered this sharer platter as a main course. It was more than I could eat!
Mum ordered the 10oz Gammon:
Master T went for a burger:
And the girls chose Mac and Cheese:
Here are the Mash and Barrel Menus:
Restaurant Review: Lakehouse Restaurant
We had lunch one day in the Lakehouse Restaurant and I have menu and food photos for you for there too. I had this excellent pepperoni pizza.
While Mum chose the Pork Chop:
Master T southern fried chicken burger.
And yet again the girls chose Mac and Cheese!
And here are the Lakehouse Restaurant menus:
Prestige Accessible Caravan Review at Primrose Valley
My mum is in a wheelchair so we stayed in a Prestige accessible caravan. It has a large wheelchair friendly ramp to get you up to the door, and then all the doorways in the caravan are wider pocket doors.
The main bedroom was the full width of the caravan with twin beds and lots of space in the middle for manoeuvring. There was also an overhead hoist. A small wardrobe for clothes, dressing table and chest of drawers completed the furniture, oh and there was small flat screen TV too!
The bathroom is a wet-room with shower, including a shower seat and grab bars. The toilet was higher too.
The second bedroom housed twin beds and the girls’ quickly claimed this as theirs!
In the main living area, there is a kitchen and small dining table.
The kitchen is well equipped with a large fridge freezer, oven and hob, sink, microwave and dishwasher. If you are a newbie like me, don’t forget to bring tea towels, dishwasher tablets and washing up liquid like I did! The sink has a space underneath for wheelchair accessibility – not that my mother went anywhere near it with me to do everything! “Nikki, make me another cuppa!”
In the same area there is a large corner sofa that folds down into a double bed, meaning that the caravan will sleep six. There is also a good sized flatscreen TV with Freeview.
Accessibility
I just wanted to say a little about the accessibility in the park. Most places were accessible with a wheelchair. This is essential for those with mobility issues, whether they are in a wheelchair or feeling the effects of ageing. Just like installing stairlifts at home, accommodations and restaurants need to put accessibility and access at the forefront so everyone can enjoy a family outing together.
The Mash and Barrel does not have a ramp but does have a lift for wheelchairs, while the Lakehouse Restaurant is on ground level on one side and accessible via a ramp on the other. There are not lots and lots of disabled parking bays, but having said that, I usually found one. My mum did not go in the swimming pools and I am afraid I did not notice how accessible they were.
Overall I was very impressed with everything at Primrose Valley and would certainly return again, either there or to another Haven site to see what else is available. It’s a great place for kids of all ages with plenty to keep them amused.
Book Primrose Valley here.
We were invited to stay and review Haven Primrose Valley, but as always, all opinions expressed are my own.
If you are interested in holiday parks, have a look at our reviews of the Fairground Apartments and Seaside Apartments at Butlin’s in Skegness. Or more caravan parks on the Yorkshire Coast.