Parkdean Resorts Highfield Grange Holiday Park, Essex

Went for a little weekend away with family. We had so much fun. We went for breakfast one morning and it was good. We only had 4 adults and 1 kid in a 8 birth caravan and it didn't feel cramped. If we had the extra 3 it would have been too small. Beds where comfortable. Others used the swimming pool which they said was okay.

Booked a weekend trip here and wouldn't recommend staying any longer. The place is smaller than most sites and has lots of potential with decent and modern facilities but they're all poorly kept. The playground was covered in litter, gob, used nappys and broken glass. In the restaurant, we were fortunate to have decent food and service but the tables and floor were stained with food and drink. The table next to us complained a number of times as they had to wait over 50 minutes for jam on toast but had numerous large orders for other tables coming out ahead of them. Swimming pool was filthy with plasters, thick clumps of hair and dirt and when under water, there was no visibility. The staff/lifeguards said it never gets cleaned. And to top it off, there was a "code brown" moment. The floaters were scooped out while people were still in the pool and the lifeguards happily kept the pool open and carried on.
Such a shame as it looks like they've spent a lot of money keeping it up to date but not a care in maintaining it.

Would not come back, the whole place needs a good clean and tidy up.
The caravans are nice enough apart from missing things like a mop and and grill pan which was requested but never arrived, cigarette buts everywhere outside the van.
The food was ok but a bit hit and miss, the
The pool was absolute filth, the water was so bad they had to close it for a day to try and get it clean (you could not see the bottom!). The only saving grace is all the staff who are fantastic, very polite and accommodating, I hope they are paid well because they don't spend the money on much else.

On the arrival at the caravan we was pleasantly surprised with the initial appearance of the caravan much to our dismay things to a turn for the worst.
The interior was not as big as suggested on the pictures, the cutlery was insufficient for 2 people and also refinanced of food that had not been washed of cutlery and plates. Which I then had to go and purchase more cutlery in order to eat my meal.
As advised a huge double shower room which I couldn't really fit in as mine 6ft tall and 18 Stone. The bedroom only had a foot space around the bed if I need to get up in the middle of the night for the toilet, I had the climb over my partner to go.
As far as having an infant as advised on your website there was no room for them to sleep.

Swimming pool was disgusting and tiles falling off. Hair,dirt in Pool and it was very cloudy. I tired to book activities for my grandchildren on the app it wasn't working so I went to the desk were the swimming pool wad and spoke to the staff and I was told to come back in an hour as the system was down.
So tried to book for the push bikes and we was told first come first served. We tried twice and wasnt available and the children couldn't do any activities or ride bikes.
Issues in the arcades change machines wasn't working, reported to staff and they told us we would had to wait 50mins for someone to give us money back and we never got it. My daughter inlaw went to the machine to change for £1 and 10ps, put her money in and never got change. Reported it to staff, the staff was very rude to her and told her she had to wait 50mins for her change.

Left caravan before our holiday was up and my son left the next day and had to pick up my son as he lives in London.

Visited this part before and didn't have any problems before. I can't believe this place has run down.
As far as I'm concerned as i feel should be reimbursement because my holiday was only 2 days short and wasnt comfortable and wasnt advised on the website.

Had an amazing time here with my man, the caravan was lovely and very clean, got an upgrade at no extra cost which I found lovely. No issues with the caravan. Very spacious park but very quiet and has a very tranquil feel to it. Close to local amenities such as a big tesco and close bus routes into town. Complex wasn't great the entertainment was poor and I feel they could do with adult entertainment as well as children which didn't see any so we made our own and went into town. Swimming pool was small and could have done with a clean. Outdoor pool was closed and slide. Apart from that food in complex was nice. I give 5 stars due to the accommodation and condition of caravan itself. I highly recommend this park and I will be returning. Thank you!

We came for a 4 day break, park and caravan really clean, staff very polite and helpful, any problems were sorted out within an hour. Food in boathouse very good, plenty of it and very reasonable priced.
Would definitely come again.
Thank you to everyone involved

Lovely,grandchildren loved it . Only one complaint swimming pool even tho it had steps ,there was no where to hold onto. Could do with a hand rail as I find it hard to get in and out of pool. I love swimming but put me off .

I wish to make a formal complaint regarding an incident at your site this evening. I attempted to complain directly at reception but it was closed way before 7pm.
My son was swimming in the pool shortly after 6pm (4 other guests were in the pool) which we had booked in advance.
There was a lifeguard on duty however whilst swimming my son started to drown and shouted for help. The lifeguard has looked over but not moved or made any reaction at all. I find this unacceptable.
Another staff member, a lady in a red shirt, came poolside (lifeguard still hadn't moved) but when I've asked her to help she snapped
And shouted "who do you think we are? Babysitters!" I have no idea what prompted that reaction or why the lifeguard had still done nothing.
Luckily another guest (not a staff member) quickly swam to my son and assisted. At this point the staff member began trying to instruct me (not actually help or instructing the lifeguard to help)
The actions of the lifeguard have left me questioning the safety of the pool and the safety of guests on the site in general. This also leads me to believe that they are actually not a fully qualified lifeguard as nobody who had undertaken a lifeguarding qualification would idly sit by as somebody was in difficulty on their watch.
The other staff members actions have left myself and my son in shock, intimidated and embarrassed. There was no need for such an unacceptable reaction at any time let alone in an emergency.
I fully expect a thorough investigation to be conducted and expect a detailed response. Please also be aware I will be raising this with the necessary safety authorities due to the severity of misconduct.
I would not of booked a trip to your site had I know that your staff would act in such a manner and won't be returning.
Neither staff member checked how my son was doing after the incident and as far as im aware no accident log was filed.