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Family holidays are brilliant. But sometimes you need a moment to yourself.
Haven recognised this years ago and invested heavily in adding wellness facilities to selected parks across the UK. While the family enjoys everything from climbing walls to kids' clubs, you could slip away for some proper relaxation time.
Back in the early 2000s, Haven made a major commitment to upgrading facilities across its parks. As part of a large investment programme covering many locations, the company introduced luxury spa complexes at three flagship sites.
The thinking was simple. Mums and dads needed downtime too. While children were happily occupied with activities, parents could enjoy professional treatments without leaving the park.
The spa included a steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. After your treatment, you could relax on the sun deck taking in views across Sandy Bay. The combination of professional treatments and that clifftop location made it something special.
The fitness suite gave park visitors access to modern gym equipment. So whether you wanted a massage or a workout, the facilities were right there on park.
With views over Poole Harbour and the natural beauty of Ham Common nearby, Rockley Park blended indoor treatments with outdoor tranquillity.
Up in Northumberland, Haggerston Castle received the spa treatment next. This park sits near the Scottish border surrounded by seven lakes and beautiful Italian gardens.
The spa at Haggerston Castle offered a full menu of treatments for body, face and hands. Whether you needed to detox, rejuvenate or simply unwind after a day of activities, the treatment rooms provided that escape.
The setting helped. After your treatment, you could take a stroll around the grounds or hire a boat for a gentle ride on one of the lakes.
Haven's spa facilities offered an extensive range of massages tailored to individual needs. The therapists used quality products and customised each treatment.
Options included:
The professional massage therapists would discuss your needs and recommend the right treatment. If you'd spent the day climbing, swimming or chasing children around, they knew exactly which muscles needed attention.
Facial treatments used products customised to your skin type. The range included anti-ageing seaweed, Dead Sea mud and chocolate treatments alongside beneficial oils and minerals.
After a facial your skin would feel thoroughly cleansed, hydrated and refreshed. These weren't quick procedures but proper treatments giving your face the attention it deserved.
The therapists took time to understand your skin and any concerns. Then they'd select products and techniques to leave you looking and feeling revitalised.
Beyond massage and facials, Haven spas offered manicures and pedicures plus relaxing hand and foot treatments.
You could choose a sophisticated French polish or try modern coloured varnishes. The nail technicians were experienced and thorough, ensuring every detail was perfect.
Some guests combined treatments - perhaps a massage followed by a manicure. Others just popped in for quick nail care before evening entertainment.
Having spa facilities right on the park made perfect sense. While your partner took the children to kids' club or swimming, you could book a treatment. No driving to find a local spa or fitting appointments around busy schedules.
The convenience meant you could actually relax. Treatments were typically available throughout the day, fitting around the rhythm of a family holiday.
And because everything was on site, you weren't rushing. Finish your massage, have a sauna, then wander back to your accommodation feeling properly rested.
Even parks without full spa complexes often featured wellness facilities. Saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs appeared across the Haven portfolio. Some locations offered:
Parks like Perran Sands and Golden Sands incorporated wellness elements into their leisure facilities. The emphasis was always on giving parents that chance to unwind properly.
If spa treatments are important to you, it's worth checking what's currently available at your chosen Haven park. Facilities and services do change over time as parks evolve and update their offerings.
Some tips for planning:
Book ahead if possible - Popular treatment times fill up quickly, especially during school holidays
Ask about package deals - Some treatments worked well together at a better combined rate
Check opening times - Spa facilities typically operated specific hours
Consider off-peak visits - Quieter periods meant more availability and a more peaceful experience
Even without visiting a spa, Haven parks offered plenty of ways to relax and recharge:
Most Haven parks feature indoor and outdoor pools. Swimming itself is relaxing and many pools had quieter sessions away from peak activity times.
The pool complexes at parks like Devon Cliffs, Rockley Park and others included areas where adults could swim peacefully or relax poolside.
Haven's coastal locations provided natural stress relief. A walk along the beach at Perran Sands in Cornwall or Weymouth Bay in Dorset offers its own form of therapy.
Many parks backed onto nature reserves or coastal paths. These spaces gave you somewhere to walk, think and breathe properly.
Sometimes relaxation means sitting back with a drink whilst someone else provides the entertainment. Haven's showbars and venues took care of that. You weren't organising anything - just enjoying.
A Haven holiday doesn't have to be non-stop activity. Yes, the children will want to try everything. But building in some proper rest time makes the whole experience better for everyone.
Perhaps one parent takes morning duty whilst the other enjoys facilities or a treatment. Then swap in the afternoon. Or grandparents join the holiday specifically to give parents that break.
The key is that everything's in one place. You're not leaving the park or organising complex arrangements. It's simply there when you want it.
Family holidays can be exhausting. All that activity, entertainment and keeping everyone happy takes energy! Taking an hour for a massage or facial isn't selfish - it's sensible.
You'll enjoy the holiday more when you're rested. The children get a better version of you. And you'll have memories beyond just being tired.
Haven understood this. Their investment in wellness facilities across parks showed they recognised the complete family holiday experience.
Browse our full range of Haven parks across the UK. From Yorkshire to Cornwall, Wales to Scotland, each location offers something different.
Check individual park pages for their current facilities and what's available during your preferred dates. The range of accommodation from standard caravans to luxury lodges means there's something for every budget.
And remember to look at what's nearby. Parks in Devon, Dorset and Somerset put you close to some of England's most beautiful coastline. Further north, locations in Northumberland and The Lakes offer spectacular countryside.
Ready to start planning? Take a look at our Haven Family Holidays guide or visit the About page to learn more about what makes Haven special.
Looking for more Haven inspiration? Check out our guides to Haven Entertainment, Swimming Pools and Food & Drink at Haven parks.