Craig Tara Holiday Park

i must say i didnt have a good experience with my holiday to haven in march, so i complained and was offered a free holiday.
the holiday was amazing, my 2 year old loved it as did i. the entertainment was excellent. the food was delicious. the staff were very accomodating. most of the staff recognised us. most staff were very friendly and extremely helpful as i am a single mum. the accomdation was clean and the bed was ever so comfy.
we met lots of friendly people, i have kept intouch with 3 families.
i honestly was sad to leave, as we had such an amazing time.
i would definately reccomend it to anyone, particularly families wih small children and people with special needs. there were lots of people with downs syndrome, also children with autism and cerebyl palsy there and the staff were very attentive, everyone is treated as an individual.
theres lots to see and do, there is also heads of ayr farm next door, great day out.
its also only as dear as u make it, there are toys and souvineers to buy etc, though u really dont have to spend a penny, other than soft drinks in the evening.
since march and its now oct my little one still goes on about roary and bradley.
id say 10 /10 il be going back with the little one soon.

our chalet was not even cleaned on arrival and was not what we have believed it to be when we booked also a staff member shouted at my little boy and nothing was done about it my wee boy is only 4 and was scared the rest of the holiday x

We visited this site at the end of August 3 adults and 2 children (myself,my mother, her friend, 1 teenager and 1 six yr old). Quite a difficult party to please I would say. But congratulations Craig Tara you managed to entertain us all for the 3 nights we stayed.
We arrived early and although we could not book in we were advised and encouraged to use all the facilites. The outside park area was a hit with the 6 year old and the "Mash" Bar a great hit with Mother and her friend ! After the park myself and my gilrs explored the beach which was clean only problem was a few dogs running about wild which frightened the little one. I have no objections to dogs on the beach providing the owners are responsible and clear up any "mess". Sorry to have to say that we did see a bit of "poo" on the grass beside some of the caravans. This is not Havens fault but personally I would like to see a holiday park with no animals. Obviously Craig Tara pushes for owner occupier holiday homes and banning dogs would not be in their best interest. For goodness sake dog owners clean up your pets mess!!
Turning now to the accomadation we were in comfort chalet and although it was not the best we have stayed in it was basic and clean. One gripe is we had no towels and DVD which were promised.
However we got into our glad rags and headed off to the restuarant. Food was not processed crap but tasted like good home cooking with lots of choice. Happily fed we headed off to the entertainment area. Big hit with the children !! Teenage daughter fell madly in love with "Barnaby" and little one fell in love with all the characters. All throughout the stay the funstars kept my gilrs happy all day and all night. This was the point of my holiday. We go aboard for the weather for 2 weeks and I thought this little break would just cheer us up a little. well Craig Tara certainly cheered us up so much so that the girls have persuaded me to book again for the end of September. So anyone going dont listen to all the negitive reviews. We are not Chav's, did not fight and do not have bling dropping off and yes we still had a brill time. Well done funstars for keeping my girls entertained (which makes for a very happy Mammy). Finally the Pool is brill as previously mentioned and the soft play area very clean and FREE.
Had my towels and DVD been in the Chalet I would have given this break a 10.

I don't usually leave reviews, however felt I had to after reading the mostly negative comments about this holiday site. I was really nervous about going to Craig Tara after reading the reviews on offer, but I have to say that we had a great time. This is an ideal location for a holiday if you have young children. Our two year old absolutely loved everything that was on offer, the pool and changing rooms were fab, with lovely hot showers, and soft play areas were super. We were staying in a superior plus caravan and it was really clean and in great shape, yes the carpet was a little worn in places but that did not annoy us, as the caravan was very clean. There is lots to do both on site and close by in Ayr. If you want a cheap holiday, with lots of entertainment for kids, then I would highly recommend it.

We booked this 3 night break online, (3 adults, 2 children aged 9 & 8) then read reviews and we were devastated with what we were reading (all the bad reviews). We decided that we would make the best of it and just try to enjoy it. On arrival to the site, it looked quite nice, beautiful seaview from the carpark. We had a little explore as we were there early, some of the people looked a bit rough and ready, but otherwise it looked ok. Went to the swimming baths before check in and had a great time, pools are nice, flumes are good and plenty enjoying water feature, room for swim or for mucking about. Plenty of room for everyone, a little bit cold in some pools but you soon got used to it, staff were all polite and friendly. Many of the showers in the family room did not work, but plenty of space to get changed.
Went to book in and got served really quick, we were in brig o doon the dumfries (comfort plus chalet). Staff were once again really polite and efficient. Drove to the carpark nearby (as there is no parking at chalet). There was staff everywhere, not in uniforms and really looking disorganised rushing to try and clean all the chalets. Ours had not been cleaned (but we were a little earlier than 4pm check in) so we got bags and patiently waited as the staff cleaned it Approx 4:15pm we got in, but staff actually helped us with our bags into the chalet. The carpet had big iron burn marks all over it, yes mattresses had seen better days windows old and handles broken and we had one big hole and few small holes in the wall (they could definately do with a huge renovation) shower bit dirty, cups mucky, walls paperthin (can hear everything) and it had a quite bad musty smell. Thought we would make the most of it, went for tea at turnberry restaurant, staff nice, plenty of tables, queues were not too bad, went down quick, plenty of choice and you could get as much as you like, food ok, breakfasts were nice (no reason at all to complain). Site itself is a little untidy (pillow laying on the grass from day we came, til day we left, still there) Nighttime entertainment was good, funstars good, seats most of the time, prices ok. First night had to intervene to prevent night, which was a bit concerning, however no more signs of trouble. Toilets in club a bit old, grubby and dirty (not as clean as other sites visited). , kids enjoyed rollercoaster and crazy golf, beach little bit dirty, sea was lovely and clear.
The site is not the cleanest haven visited, accomodation is the worst we have stayed in, but we still had a really good time and if you are willing to put up with a little rough you can still have a really nice holiday (just be prepared if you are in a chalet).

Like most of your correspondents I viewed recent reviews with a little concern.We have been to Craig Tara for the last 6 years but in the last 2 have noticed a decline in certain areas.Many of the reviews cite the untidiness of the park.Yes,litter is in evidence but surely this is down to the people who drop it in the first place...Also why do people deposit litter bags at the side of the skips for the gulls to rip apart...thats plain lazy and adds to the problem.There were planty of people going round picking it up.What did disappoint us was the entertainment on offer in The Atlantic Showbar...for the first 2 hours each evening we were mostly left to entertain ourselves with the quiz and game shows-in the past there was a good house band and cabaret at 9.00-Yes it is adult based clubroom but to start at 10.15 some evenings is a bit late.Overall the room was tidy enough,plentiful seating and good bar service-Indeed the drinks were cheaper than my local so that was a big plus !!
Our "Silver" caravan was clean and tidy although the carpets showed signs of wear and tear..but..they will get some hammer throughout the season.When we reported only one pan in the cupboards replacements were on hand within the hour...great service.
Staff were friendly and helpful throughout and security was noticeably more in evidence
All in all we enjoyed our stay and the new Mash and Barrell is a good addition to the site-A good place to sit and watch the world go by . We shall probably return but will go elsewhere next year for a change

Well what a big disappointment this place was. We paid for the passes, £25 per person and were never asked to see them by any member of security or in the swimming pool. What a waste of money! Spoke to a lot of people while we were there and not one of them had anything good to say about the park was all complaints. Swimming pool was not very well organised, we went swimming every day and out af the five only got hot showers 2 days, and one of the other days the showers were not even working in the family changing area. You have to pay for everything in this place and it is not very cheap at all. So overall would not recommend this park at all!

I don't know why people give it a bad review, I had a great time. All the staff were great & got everyone involved. Would recommend it to anybody!

I have just returned from Ayr and I cannot stress how disappointed I was with the accommodation Haven offered us. This was a once a year holiday with my Grandchildren and it was a disaster. We arrived at 6.30 and were allocated a filthy mobile home, dirty stained duvets, ash on table broken units and drawer, nails sticking out of corner where trim was missing unsafe, loose ladders to bunk beds, I could go on and on. I went to reception and could not get a Manager to speak to, we were promised a cleaner would come we waited almost 2 hours and ended up going back to reception and were offered temp accommodation for one night at 10pm. Next morning back to reception, spoke to a Customer Service Manager who promised to "sort something". By 3pm we were still waiting and ended up organising our own alternative accommodation. Never book through Haven, I won't be.

i think craig tara is good but things are far too dear.Especially the new bar grill cafe they have opened called mash and barrel.There is a lot of things to do but fro most of the facilities you need to pay money for them.But the worst thing is there is a lot of fighting at craig tara .