This February Half-term (2011) I have been staying at Potters Leisure Resort for their all-inclusive Sports Coaching Break!
Potters Leisure Resort is a 5 star resort that provides a major variety of weekend, mid-week and weekly breaks.
They provided top-notch sporting facilities, hotel and cabin/chalet lodging and 5* meals that combine waited on and buffet style.
Details here: http://www.pottersholidays.com
The break I attended: http://www.pottersholidays.com/Break-Information/Family-Breaks-Information
I describe Potters as a Butlins/Haven Park but more adults designed and sports specific that is cheaper.
Although I say it is adult designed the half-term week is designed for the whole family from little-uns to teenagers, parents and grandparents.
I went with my boyfriend’s family and we ranged in age from 13 to 17 to 20 to mid 30s, mid 50s and grandparents age.
Everyone joined in with at least one activity and there was never anytime spent bored; even if you were just sat with a coffee watching the kids play.
Facilities include the use of courts, tables, floors and outdoor areas.
The best way I can give you an idea is by providing a list of the sports I participated in during my week:
- Badminton
- Tennis
- Table Tennis
- Indoor Bowls
- Snooker
- Pool
- Curling
- Wave Boarding (similar to skateboarding)
- Swimming (also use of sauna & steam room)
- Archery
- Rifle Shooting
- Laser Quest
- Assault Course
There was also Dirt quad bikes, clay pigeon shooting, football coaching, dancing classes, zumba, darts, and many more!
Please do not assume that the list above is the only activities available as I could not possibly name them all and that’s pretty much all I had time to do, let alone wanted to do.
The badminton, tennis, table tennis, indoor bowls, snooker and pool was all done by booking a court/table and simply borrowing equipment in exchange for your room key or taking your own and turning up to play like at a leisure centre.
Archery and rifle shooting were held in groups at a set time where an instructor took a group to instruct and supervise.
And the swimming pool facilities were simply go in during opening hours and use. As with a leisure centre but without the cost.
As it is ALL INCLUSIVE.
Quizes, shows, dancing classes and other activities were scheduled for a time either with booking systems or simply turn up and join in. There are a number of casual seating areas overlooking various activity areas which provide bars with a range of drink and food which you pay for.
There is also little things activities dotted around such as an assault course, bouncy castles, little indoor go karts, waveboards, laser quest and all sorts at different times which you just go along to and give it a go. Some are age restricted.
All food during breakfast, lunch and dinner is inclusive with juice and water provided. All alcoholic and soft drinks require purchase.
There is evening entertainment every night for both children and adults. There is also bingo with cash prices. While the entertainment is taking place there are group activities run for children such as casual five a side football matches. The entertainment consists of dance and singing performances from guest performers and the Potters Entertainment Team. There are also comedy shows with the in-house entertainers which can include gags on the crowd, volunteers being taken up onto stage and sketch shows.
Overall I found the week remarkable and was the best holiday I have been on! It was easy to keep to yourself and enjoy your chosen sports in privacy or join in and have a go in group sports with no embarrassment. Everyone was welcoming and I found myself talking and laughing with people I had simply met through activities. I have not attended a Butlins or similar holiday, but I hear that these type of holidays which only have inclusive accomondation result in a much higher price due to the payments of activities and food, despite cheaper overall price.
The accommodation was nice and clean with spacious rooms. I particularly liked the feature of joining rooms with two-way connecting, lockable doors that can cater for families that want their own rooms but access each other.
At Potters you can participate in something as much as possible with booking and time restrains and have as many course a meal as you can possibly manage.
My boyfriend said:
If you come away from dinner not full then somethings wrong as it’s just impossible!
If you have any further questions about my experience please contact me through my blog or twitter: theruthturner
For videos of Potters visit my youtube channel: middnight
My favourite video is of me and my boyfriend on the inflatable assault course.
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