Haven Holidays

The current Haven chain is formed from a number of acquisitions by its former brands, including Warner Holiday Camps (now trading as Warner Leisure Hotels). After wanting to focus more on its gaming operations such as Mecca Bingo, the Rank Group decided to sell its holiday arm. In October 2000, Bourne Leisure purchased the Rank Group's UK leisure arm, Rank Leisure, for £700 million, which included the Haven, Butlins and Warner Leisure Hotels chains.[3]

Bourne Leisure would later begin integrating the Haven and British Holiday brands in 2002, trading entertainment and facilities between the two, until the two companies merged in 2004 under the name 'Haven and British Holidays'. The British Holidays identity would eventually be dropped completely by the end of the 2007 season.

In April 2015, Bourne Leisure purchased the Thornwick & Sea Farm Holiday Centre and Greenacre West caravan parks from Flamborough Holidays Ltd;[4] Thornwick & Sea Farm holiday centre's complex was redeveloped for the 2016 season and was rebranded 'Thornwick Bay'.

In 2019, Haven ventured into a new type of resort with the purchase of Celtic Haven Spa Holiday Cottage Resort in Tenby, Pembrokeshire. The resort is sister park to Lydstep Beach Village, which is mainly an owners parks situated in the village of Lydstep. The resort is well known for its spa, and will allow guests who are staying in their cottage accommodation the use of the entertainment facilities at Lydstep Beach Village. The Celtic Haven resort is the first in the Haven brand to operate 365 days a year. [5]

In March 2018, Haven partnered with the charity Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).[6] This partnership aims to fully integrate the RNLI with the Haven offering and raise vital funds for their lifesaving work.

In February 2019, Haven became an official sponsor of Team GB, supporting the team in the build up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.[7]

The first mascot of the Haven brand was Rory the Tiger, first introduced in 1988. Bradley Bear was the mascot of British Holidays, Haven Holidays' former sister brand. As the two brands merged when acquired by Bourne Leisure, the two mascots began to appear alongside each other, despite Bradley Bear not being a part of the 'Tiger Club' brand.

Other mascots introduced in Haven's early days were Anxious the Elephant, Greedy the Gorilla, Manic the Parrot, and Sylvester the Snake. These mascots, along with Rory the Tiger, appeared under the brand of the 'Tiger Club'.

Sometime between 2005-2006, three new mascots joined the 'Tiger Club', namely: Naughty Ned, Polly, and Merlin the Wizard.

In 2007, the Tiger Club and Bradley Bear merged as the 'Zoo Troop'.

In 2009, Merlin the Wizard, Manic the Parrot and Sylvester the Snake were all dropped and were frequently said to have retired by the Funstars.

In 2013, the 'Zoo Troop' became the 'Seaside Squad'.

There are 38 Haven parks and resorts all around the United Kingdom. The number of parks peaked at 56 by 1999, but many of these were sold off to improve the standards of their larger and more profitable resorts.

• Haven Holidays Official Website