Haven Wild Duck Holiday Park in Norfolk Review

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Haven Wild Duck is one of the best Haven resorts that we've visited

As we approached Wild Duck Holiday Park in Norfolk, we did briefly wonder if we were heading in the right direction.

Surrounding the holiday park is a very ordinary looking estate with semi-detached houses and no real sign that you are near to one of Haven's most popular Holiday parks.

Once we'd arrived, it was easy to see why Wild Duck gets an average review score of 88% (we figured that out by averaging scores on TripAdvisor and Google Reviews).

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The difference between Wild Duck and every other Haven resorts

The main thing that differentiates Wild Duck from other Haven holiday parks is that you aren't particularly near to the sea. Yes, you can drive into Great Yarmouth but most Haven holiday parks are walking distance from the coast.

​The vibe we picked up when we visited Wild Duck holiday park was much more that of a woodland holiday - perhaps something closer to a country park vibe or a mini-Center Parcs, rather than the usual Haven seaside feel. 

Wild Duck is Haven's only woodland park - but we liked the scenic lakeside setting

We were impressed with the number of trees at Wild Duck

We enjoyed wandering through the woods on our visit

Another tree at Wild Duck Holiday Park, just in case you haven't got the idea

Some of the caravans at Wild Duck are under trees

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Applying the Holiday Park Guru Tarmac test to Wild Duck Holiday Park! 

If you've been reading this website for a while, then you will know that we often take the tarmac test when we visit a holiday park.

My theory is that a holiday park with nice smooth tarmac or nicely kept tracks tends to be one that has been looked after and invested in recently. You wouldn't publicise new asphalt surfaces on the website, but it makes a real difference to how a holiday park feels when you arrive.

​My experience is that a holiday park with nice new paths is one that wants to impress you rather than just getting your money with its list of facilities on the website. 

Haven Wild Duck did very well on the tarmac rating, as several of the nice little cul-de-sacs and rows of caravans had super smooth tarmac and were looking very smart. In fact, the whole site was looking clean and tidy when we visited.

Corrrr, look at that smooth tarmac at Wild Duck Holiday Park!

There was no sign of potholes at Wild Duck Holiday Park

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Exploring the facilities at Haven Wild Duck Holiday Park

As we got to know Haven Wild Duck, we spent quite a lot of time in the village area where most of the facilities can be found. If you've been to Center Parcs, you will know the sort of thing that I mean. It seems to me that they have modelled Wild Duck along those lines, albeit on a smaller scale.

The central village at Wild Duck looked a bit like a mini Center Parcs to us

The amusement arcade at Wild Duck is modestly-sized compared to some parks but it looks modern and there were also some nicely presented concessions stands that were trying to persuade me to buy fish and chips. 

Wild Duck's amusement arcade is not the biggest we've seen

Eating out options include Papa Johns and a fish and chip shop

Haven's entertainment is a big part of the holiday for many guests

There are a couple of playgrounds at Wild Duck but my favourite was the one within the woodland. There was a fabulous atmosphere on a sunny evening, with children playing on the playground and parents chilling out in the woodland.

This woodland playground was popular with fellow visitors

Wild Duck's playgrounds are modern rather than tatty old wooden things!

You get a choice of indoor and outdoor swimming pools at Wild Duck. Whilst you don't get a beach, you do get a lake populated with the ducks that give the park its name. I spent a long time sitting on the bench and enjoying the comings and goings.

The indoor swimming pool entrance at Wild Duck

The pool is housed in this building

The highlight of the indoor pool is this three lane waterslide

Wild Duck's outdoor pool on a sunny day

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Other activities and entertainment we saw at Wild Duck Holiday Park

Besides the swimming pool, we also saw guests enjoying the minigolf and archery at Wild Duck. 

The minigolf is well maintained, as was the rest of the site at Wild Duck Holiday Park

The sports range is home to paid activities at Wild Duck

I was also impressed with a lot of the accommodation at Wild Duck. Most of the larger caravans that I saw were towards the middle with some of the cheaper accommodation a little further back. 

Caravans are quite well spaced out and there is plenty of green areas around the Wild Duck site

It's hard to find fault with Wild Duck beyond the fact that it lacks a beach on the doorstep. But if you want a woodland vibe instead of a beach holiday where you end up with sand in your bed every night, then I can give Wild Duck a solid double thumbs up.

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Most of the photos on Holiday Park Guru are original photos that we’ve taken ourselves from our own visits to 100+ holiday parks around the UK. Please don’t use them without permission.