I was lucky enough to win a weekend at Mill Rythe Holiday Park on Hayling Island. It was an adult only festive break. more or less the first of their Christmas celebrations so we were greeted with mulled wine, hot chestnuts and mulled wine.
The reception area was pleasantly welcoming and check in was easy.Our accommodation was a chalet with a main room with a double bed and a smaller twin bedroom plus an en suite . It was very clean and we were provided with wine, beer, crisps and a packet of biscuits which was a nice surprise. The heating was full on and the room was much too hot but a passing handyman rectified the problem immediately. ( Something had stuck!).
There was an ample supply of tea and coffee including a cafetiere.
We both found the duvets to be much too thick but appreciated the light polyester throws. I suggested that a sheet should be provided for those of us who dislike sleeping under heavy duvets.
I have not been on a holiday camp type of break since my children were young (and we all hated it) so was a bit apprehensive but there was a lot to enjoy .Meals were served in a large dining room and we were impressed with the range of salads available as a starter. The fresh sardines and mackerel were excellent . I also enjoyed the Mexican dishes which were served from the buffet. As Saturday was “Christmas Day” we had a tasty festive dinner served direct from the kitchen. My friend is gluten intolerant and I myself avoid dairy products so we were both impressed by the help given to us both by the chef. I must say that their sticky toffee pudding with dairy free ice cream was delicious!
I was not really keen on the evening entertainment as it was a bit too loud for me! However the comedian, Lloyd Hollet was extremely entertaining and lived up to his billing as a wordsmith! I also enjoyed Aladdin ,the hour long pantomime which was produced by the Away Resorts Theatre Company. It was lively and well produced. Neither of us took part in the daytime activities offered – we did not really fancy making balloon wreathes or Christmas sweet bouquets but maybe we should have tried archery or indoor kurling.
Although it was a really wet and windy weekend we took the opportunity to visit Chichester and Bosham Harbour. It was really too wet to walk very far but I am glad we went as I revisited a few places I knew as a child. Apparently it is possible to take a ferry from Hayling Island to Portsmouth and I would try that if I revisited.
On Sunday we had a swim in the indoor pool, relaxed in the jaccuzi and dried off in the sauna This was followed by a walk all round Hayling Island with a stop off on the beach to watch some children paddling – in November!!
The wi-fi was awful even when in the reception area . I logged in every day but don’t think it worked at all!
Obviously the park is best enjoyed in the summer months – there seems to be plenty of activities for all the family But I did appreciate my stay.
