We booked Sandford Holiday Park specifically so Faith and Kieran could have plenty of things to do on-site. This Sandford Holiday Park review covers our stay at this large commercial holiday park, nestled among the Dorset pines and built entirely around family entertainment.
From the pine tree surroundings to the entertainment complex, Sandford is designed for family breaks.
Surroundings
Tucked away near Poole in Dorset, the park sits among pine trees, though the warm weather left everything looking rather dry and brown during our visit.
When you want to go elsewhere, you only have a short drive to the beaches of Poole and Bournemouth, or to explore local spots like Corfe Castle and the Jurassic Coast. It is handy for getting out to see Dorset.
Whether you stay at the site or head out to the coast for the day, the location gives you easy access to everything the area has to offer.
Facilities
The facilities here are massive, designed to cope with thousands of holidaymakers.
You get indoor and outdoor pools, a huge amusement arcade, soft play, bars, and places to eat. There is an on-site supermarket that has a good stock of food and drinks although it is noticeably more expensive.
The range of amenities gives you plenty of options when you want to find something to do on-site.
Cleanliness
Cleanliness could have been better, as the toilets and showers simply weren’t clean enough during our stay. We often had to check multiple toilet cubicles just to find one that was actually clean and usable. Another thing that we found annoying was that all the toilets are designed for a child. The seat is so low you almost feel like you’re about to have a Japanese meal.
The rest of the site was well cared for and kept clean and tidy; the toilets were really the main issue.
Pitch Quality
We were pitched at the far end of the park where the plots are large, spacious, and level, with electric hook-up and water nearby.
However, our main issue was that we were placed right next to the bins; it is baffling why they don’t use a screen to hide them from view. To make matters worse, we also had a massive problem with ants crawling all over the pitch, which was a real pain during our stay.
Value for Money
Pricewise, it sits at a level you would expect for a massive commercial holiday park offering loads of included entertainment.
If you make the most of the pools and kids’ activities every single day, you can probably justify the cost. But with extra charges tacked on for various things, it felt steep for the actual quality of the stay.
It is an okay price for a packed family itinerary.
Final Verdict
Sandford is a high-energy holiday park that works well if you want nonstop family entertainment in Dorset.
The easy driving distance to the coast and the endless on-site kids’ activities are the main selling points. It keeps the children busy without needing to leave the gates.
However, the bin placement, ant infestation, and tired cleanliness standards mean we wouldn’t rush back.
We would recommend it to families chasing an activity-filled park holiday where the kids have plenty to do.
Scores
Surroundings:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 6/10
A woodland setting in Dorset, though heavily commercialised and left looking dry and brown during the warm weather.
Facilities:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 7/10
Massive family amenities like pools and arcades that kept everyone busy and offered plenty of options.
Cleanliness:
⭐⭐⭐ 3/10
The rest of the site was well looked after, but the toilets and showers fell short and proved to be the biggest issue during our stay.
Pitch Quality:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/10
Spacious and level plots with EHU, though ruined by being right next to unscreened bins and dealing with an ant infestation.
Value for Money:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 7/10
Fairly priced for a major commercial park with plenty included for families.
Overall Score: 28/50
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