The Norfolk holiday park that costs £1,500 less than Center Parcs

01 August 2023 , 08:01

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There is plenty of watery fun to be had at Hopton

Brits looking for a cheap UK getaway this year think they have found a low-cost alternative to Center Parcs that is "a hidden gem."

While holidaymakers flock to the forest lodges of Center Parcs every year to spend time in their iconic subtropical domes, with prices for a week costing over £2,200 for a family of four, cash-strapped 'staycationers' are looking at cheaper options.

Hopton Holiday Park in Norfolk is located close to the sandy beaches and family-friendly attractions of Great Yarmouth and with last-minute stays in August starting from £696, families are saving money without compromising on the fun this summer.

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The holiday park is just a stone's throw from the beach

Offering direct access to the beach, a pool with water slides and palm tree fountains, as well as a family amusement centre, Hopton Holiday Park has plenty for holidaymakers of all ages.

The beachfront park is also home to a fish and chip takeaway, an entertainment lounge with live performances every day, an onsite supermarket and a packed activity schedule including a brand new Nerf Training Camp.

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With over 1800 TripAdvisor reviews, holidaymakers have been keen to share their positive experiences of the Norfolk location, with many returning time and time again.

One guest named Hayley. A. wrote "This is a little gem of a Haven site it is beautifully laid out, very well kept everywhere is clean mowed and tidy, the caravan we stayed in was immaculately clean and having the bonus of its own perfect little cove beach is a bonus. The entertainment was very good and the staff are warm friendly and welcoming. I absolutely love this place and will be back again and again"

Another guest who visited with their family said: "Great location, our caravan was literally 2 mins from the beach,20 seconds from the park and 5 mins from the pool and entertainment. Caravan was a decent size and there were 5 of us. Swimming pool you have to prebook which can be busy. The entertainment at night was very good. All staff are very friendly."

The Norfolk holiday park that costs £1,500 less than Center Parcs

Watch live entertainment in the Marina Lounge at Hopton (Haven)

We compared a seven-night stay at Hopton Holiday Park starting on August, 14 - the peak of the UK summer holiday season - with the same dates at Center Parcs.

The cheapest rate for a two-bedroom new-style Woodland Lodge at Elvedon Center Parcs that we could find came to £2328 for a family of four, while a 10ft, six-berth caravan at Hopton Holiday Park came to just over a third of the price at £796 for the same number of guests.

The Saver caravans at Hopton and comfortable and well-equipped (Haven)

Center Parcs does offer plenty to see and do and the lodges can be lovely, but if fresh air, swimming pools, sandy beaches and good old-fashioned family fun are what you are looking for, holiday parks like Hopton are a great low-cost alternative.

What does the price at Hopton Holiday park include?

Caravans at Hopton sleep up to six people and the weekly price includes entry to all swimming pools, access to activities (although some may require an additional charge), entry to arcades and entertainment venues and access to restaurants and takeaways.

One of the criticisms often levelled at upscale holiday villages like Center Parcs is the additional cost of many of the activities and services available on site. On the Center Parcs website, prices appear to start from £5.50 for a game of English Pool, but a full list of activity prices at the Elevdon, Woburn Forest village can be found here.

Hopton does also charge for certain activities, but guests at the holiday park don't appear to be put off by the extra expense.