Haven With a Baby
Haven caravan breaks are popular with babies and toddlers, especially in term time, when the parks are quieter. The big thing to know is that cots and highchairs aren't in the caravan as standard: you hire them, and the travel cot comes without a mattress. Here's what's provided, what to book and what to pack.
Everything below comes from Haven's own website and booking terms, checked October 2026. Facilities vary by park, so check your own park's details too.
Cots, highchairs and other baby hire
| Item | Provided? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Travel cot | Hire | At most parks, subject to availability. Ask when you book. No mattress or bedding: you must bring your own (Haven: terms and conditions, 3.3) |
| Highchair | Hire | Ask when you book; a hire charge applies |
| Pushchair | Hire | At most parks, subject to availability (Haven: pre-arrival information) |
| Bed guard | Hire | At most parks, subject to availability |
| Deposit | £10 | Refunded to your payment card after the holiday |
| Bed linen | Yes | Included as standard (Haven: packing checklist) |
| Towels | Gold and Signature caravans only | Saver, Bronze and Silver: bring your own or hire |
Haven says you can hire up to two infant items per booking at most parks, and that travel cot sizes vary by park, so call your park if you want the measurements. It also warns that most caravans can't fit a standard-sized travel cot in the bedroom, and most guests put the cot in the living room. If you'd rather have your baby in with you, a compact travel cot of your own may fit better; see best travel cots.
Swimming with a baby
Pool access comes with the Play Pass in a Haven holiday package. A Haven Hideaway booking doesn't include a Play Pass (Haven: swimming).
- Every swimmer needs a slot, including infants. Each holiday booking gets 14 swim slots, bookable 28 days (4 weeks) before your break. More may be available on park.
- Supervision: children under 8 must always be in the water with a responsible adult, and one adult can look after up to two children under 8 (Haven: terms and conditions).
- Swim nappies: Haven's pool rules say children who aren't potty trained must wear swim nappies covered by suitable swimwear (Haven: pool rules in its day pass terms). The on-park swim shops sell reusable swim nappies.
- There are family changing rooms with changing tables for babies and toddlers (Haven: baby and toddler breaks).
Parks with tots' pools and toddler slides
Every Haven park has a heated indoor pool. Haven lists indoor paddling pools for babies and tots at Burnham-on-Sea and Doniford Bay (Somerset), Church Farm and Combe Haven (Sussex), Craig Tara and Seton Sands (Scotland), Hafan y Môr (North Wales) and Riviere Sands (Cornwall) (Haven: our pools).
Haven says these parks have slides made especially for toddlers: Craig Tara, Devon Cliffs, Primrose Valley, Seashore and Thornwick Bay (Haven: baby and toddler breaks).
Activities for babies and toddlers
The Haven package includes free and paid activities for under-5s, plus shows with the Seaside Squad characters. Haven lists things like the Tots' Disco, Dinosaur Explorers and Make a Bear parties, and character breakfasts (pre-booking required). Activities fill up fast, so Haven says to book them before you go or as soon as you arrive. Its kids' activities aren't childcare: children aged 8 and under must always be supervised by an adult.
What to pack
- A travel cot mattress (or your own travel cot), cot sheets and a baby sleeping bag. The Lullaby Trust recommends a firm, flat, waterproof mattress that fits the cot with no gaps, and a room temperature of 16 to 20°C (Lullaby Trust: safer sleep on holiday).
- Swim nappies (reusable ones save money over a week) and towels if your caravan grade doesn't include them.
- Kid-friendly plates, cups and cutlery, which Haven suggests bringing for young children.
- Toiletries, washing-up liquid and bin bags. The on-park supermarket also stocks wipes and nappies.
- A pushchair or sling, or hire a pushchair on park.
Not sure what else to bring? See packing light with kids.
A greener Haven break
- Hiring the cot, highchair and pushchair on park means fewer bulky things to buy or carry.
- Haven has 38 coastal parks, so there's usually one within a shorter drive or a train and taxi. Under-5s travel free on most National Rail journeys (National Rail).
- Self-catering in the caravan makes reusable nappies and simple home cooking easier. See sustainable baby travel essentials.
More on staying away with a baby
- Center Parcs with a baby: a free cot and highchair in every lodge, baby swims and getting there by train.
- Butlin's with a baby: £10 cot hire for under-2s, pool rules and term-time breaks for tots.
- Hotel cot policies compared: Premier Inn, Travelodge, Holiday Inn and Hilton.
- Camping with a baby, for a lower-cost, lower-carbon break.