Five Lakes

A Which? survey has unveiled some of the top and bottom holiday parks across the UK for 2025, and one of the top ranking spots might be right on your doorstep.

The rankings saw household names like Haven and Center Parcs being outshone by smaller, lesser-known park operators. Surveying 1,700 people, Which? asked members to evaluate their stays at UK holiday parks and resorts based on everything from park cleanliness to accommodation standards, the range of free activities available, and overall holiday value.

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Its Essex location, Potters Resorts Five Lakes, sits between Colchester and Chelmsford with a picturesque rural location. Golf fans may know it for its recently refurbished Five Lakes Golf Club, which hosted a English PGA Championship Regional Qualifier.

Five Lakes Golf and Country Club

Though primarily an adults-only destination throughout most of the year, the Norfolk site welcomes children during the summer holidays.

One Which? reader said about Potters Resorts: "Facilities are excellen[t]. Activities varied and well organised. Entertainment outstanding. All inclusive deal was very good value. Food superb and plentiful".

Overall, Potters achieved a remarkable 87% rating, earning five stars for facility and accommodation quality, plus full marks for its range of free activities.

Despite being the priciest option in the Which? survey, Potters includes all meals and beverages, plus activities spanning from pickleball to archery and evening shows described as 'West End' standard, securing a four-star value rating.

Forest Holidays

Forest Holidays secured second place, boasting an overall customer score of 80%.

The brand operates eight parks in England, three in Scotland, and two in Wales, offering rural retreats with unique accommodation options like log cabins and treehouses. Customers praised the quality of the accommodation and cleanliness, although it only received a three-star rating for value for money.

Bluestone Wales also emerged as a top choice, nestled in the scenic Pembrokeshire countryside. Bluestone provides luxury lodges and cottages, earning high marks for the quality of accommodation.

Despite scoring well for the range of children's activities and entertainment, they too received a three-star rating for value for money, resulting in an overall score of 77%.

Pontins found itself at the bottom of the chart once again, having also ranked last in 2024. Currently, the brand only has one holiday park open to guests, the adults-only Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-Super-Mare.

Aerial views of Pontins Camber Sands in East Sussex which is now closed to the public

Their other two parks in Burnham on Sea, Somerset and Pakefield, Suffolk are temporarily closed to accommodate construction workers.

With a mere 56% customer satisfaction score, Pontins earned just two stars in most areas. Even though it was the cheapest option, customers still felt they were not getting good value for money.

One disgruntled Tripadvisor user didn't mince words about their Pakefield park stay, stating: "Worst place I have ever visited, chalet was old unkempt and dirty, holes in sheets, beds pushed together with terrible matress and pillows, to shower you had to keep pushing a button in, it leaked all over the floor".

Another visitor voiced their dissatisfaction, remarking: "Rooms are shabby and quite dirty. Dirt on the baseboards, cobwebs in the corners and behind doors, our shower curtain had pink mold growing along the bottom seam, clearly not laundered between guests."

Yet, not all feedback was negative, as some holidaymakers had a delightful time at Pontins. A satisfied guest shared: "We went beginning of October had a brilliant week! Food was great, swimming pool was really good and for the price you really can't get any better!".

The entertainment provided also received its fair share of compliments, with one reviewer enthusing: "The Bluecoats show Vegas was amazing! They are all so talented and are always doing some activity or joining in on the dance floor and having a laugh or chatting with people."

Largo Leisure Parks, which operates six parks in Scotland, found itself at the lower end of the satisfaction scale with a 64% rating, though it's important to note this was based on a relatively small sample size of just 30 respondents. Away Resorts, with 25 locations including hotspots in the south-west of England and the Isle of Wight, also scored 64%.

Beach huts at Mersea Island

Away Resorts managed just two stars for value for money, despite providing a broad spectrum of accommodation options ranging from caravans and glamping to premium lodges.

They have one Essex location, Mersea Island Holiday Park, which has a decent 4.3 star score on Google reviews, with one person saying: "Had a comfy beak with my mum and sister. Lovely quite very clean holiday park. Great value for money accomodation was comfy and had everything we needed for our 4 day break. Staff friendly and helpful."

However, the company performed poorly regarding customer service, though they did achieve three stars for both cleanliness and accommodation quality.

Center Parcs emerged as the most popular holiday park provider in the survey, achieving a 69% rating that placed it level with Haven.

Whilst it performed well for facility and accommodation quality, it received disappointing scores for the range of complimentary activities available and overall value for money.

It ranked as the third most costly option on the list, trailing behind Potters and Warner Leisure Villages, which caters exclusively to adult holidaymakers.

One Which? member commented: "Very expensive for what it is. Accomodation excellent, apart from the oasis pool, everything was extra. Staff were very helpful and the children enjoyed their stay. I will not be going back."

Haven, operating 38 parks including the Orchards Holiday Village in Clacton-on-Sea, matched Center Parcs' percentage score, though they did secure three stars for value for money.

Which? readers awarded them two-star ratings for both food and beverage offerings and the selection of free activities available at their parks.