Haggerston Castle Holiday Park, Northumberland, England
Hotel Information
Hotel Description:
Our outstanding facilities include a golf course, large boating lake and children's favourites including bouncy castle and trampolines. Haggerston Castle also has a play area for children with special needs. Your dining choices at this superb caravan Park include a Chinese restaurant, Burger King and the Castle Cafe.Nearby Hotels Viewed by Other Travellers
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Haggerston Castle Holiday Park Reviews
" DON'T BOOK UNLESS ... "
Submitted By: TheMackWe had a 4 day break in a Prestige van with entertainment passes for my wife, me and our son. The van was very good, number 74 TL and as it was an accessible caravan it had tonnes of extra space and a larger toilet/shower room. This was an unexpected benefit but to be honest my wife and I are very tall so the lowered sink and wash basin only caused us backache but our 5 year old son loved it.
Bedding: The beds had been made up (roughly) when we arrived but the quilts and pillows were so thin in both bedrooms we decided all 3 of us would sleep in the double bed and throw all the quilts on top to keep warm. There were heaters in the rooms but these were pretty much useless and had no affect. The DVD facility we paid for didn't work as a remote had not been provided but the staff brought one up for us when we called. Unfortunately the DVD player still didn't work so my son didn't get to watch any of the films he had brought with him. We didn't ask for a replacement but am sure they'd have brought us one.
Carpets and flooring were clean although upholstery had some grafitti on it.
The swimming pool was a bit of a joke as they allowed only 100 at a time for safety which is fair enough and they give you a pager to call you for the next session. When we got in we found only 15 or so changing rooms for what we found was way over 100 swimmers. Only 2 showers to do the lot of us and not a single person apart from my son and I washed before entering the pool.
The showbar was so smelly and dirty. The smell of stale alcohol was overpowering and only subsided when the facility filled up. Entertainment (not sure of thats the right description) was almost non existent. Bingo first then a DJ playted music for the kids to run around to making a trip to the bar very dangerous. One night there was a game show where a chap had to go around and get 100 kisses in 2 minutes and another to get a 100 people in a congo. Now with hundreds and I do mean hundreds of kids running about these 2 stunts were very dangerous. So we left.
The amusements are unavoidable and even though our son is just 5 he was taken in by it all and wanted to collect tickets for prizes just like the other kids. At one point I worked out it was costing about £20/hour to keep him suitably amused. We try only to spend a little time there but probably spent about £120 in the 4 days and collected 2111 tickets that gave my son 2 plastic motorbikes that felt and looked like they were worth about £5 for the 2. What a con!!! The only thing included in the package was the swimming pool already mentioned, everything else cost money and the value was very low.
Finally, the look of the place for a 5 star location was very poor indeed. Pathways were often covered in horse dirt and we found dog muck on footpaths around the funworks building lay there for the whole time we were there. Very dimmly lit, dirty and smelly. There only saving grace was that the staff were very pleasant throughout.
Advice: Northumberland is very pretty, you must visit Lindesfarne
Activities: Lindesfarne, Berwick (but only for the one day0
" grubby "
Submitted By: toponymicloulou" Best Caravan Park in the UK "
Submitted By: andalanThere is everything for all ages. You can have a quiet holiday if you want to or lots of activities and hustle and bustle if thats your thing.
Only issues to be aware of is the onsite supermarket is excellent but it is very pricey its okay for a bottle of milk or loaf of bread but wouldnt suggest you do a weekly shop there- so if you are self catering suggest you drive up to Berwick (about 8 miles) and shop at the Morrisons or Aldi there.
All in all its a lovely family site with something for everyone
Advice: Beautiful Scenic part of the country
Activities: Bamburgh Castle, Holy Island are a must
" amazing "
Submitted By: amyloothe only down fall is you only get 45mins in the pool.
i have been there so many time i bought a caravan there 2 years ago and still go down as often as i can and stuff love it as much
Good for: City Breaks
" Best Holiday I've ever been on :) "
Submitted By: HavenLoverAdvice: Brilliant Beaches nearby at Bamburgh and Seahouses. Also short car drive to Newcastle and Edinburgh
Activities: Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle, alnwick Castle, Edinburgh, eyemouth
Good for: Beach City Breaks
" Terrific Touring @ Haggerston Castle "
Submitted By: kerr'sTo our surprise we had the best five days we could have had anywhere in the uk, as stated in many reviews 'Chav City' I can assure you we are far from chavs and i could honestly say the normal families far out weigh the 'chavs'. People have to remember that it is all about the children, my children, 12, 9 and 3 loved Bradley Bear and friends.
Our evening entertainment schedule ran as follows:
* 6pm - Head off to Carnaby's for Bradley and Friends, childrens disco (Tip buy one of the big kids cups, cheaper to refil or fill with juice b4 you go out for the rest of the stay)
Later on in the night would head in to the showbar for excellent entertainment the magician was amazing and more than we coulkd have expected for a holiday park. Kids loved the high School Musical show, wrestlers and game shows.
Swimming pool is great but you only get 45min slot which isnt enough to get changed too, outdoor pool water is lovely and warm. Facilities in touring section were great and unexpectedly clean, kids loved the fact that horses and ponies passed thru and swans come right up to park.
Weather wasnt good but once you are in the entertainment complex there is no need to go back out until headed back to accomodation.
One thing i was not happy with was being treated like a second class citizen in the chineese resturant seemed to be if you had young children you were put up a huge flight of stairs into what could only be described as a dark navy blue walled victorian bedroom, this resturant isnt part of haggerston even though on the grounds i would suggest heading into Berwick for something to eat to suit every budget wether it be Greggs on the town benches or the award winning eateries, and for desert head to the old fashion sweet shop the kids thought they were having a trip back in time (The olden days was mentioned the whole time)if you have the chance to escape from the husband and kids i would suggest you head to the spa on site for a shiatzu massage
Dont take any notice of the other reviews go with an open mind and you wont be disapointed,
The Kerr's
Advice: Good Family holiday, didnt feel deprived of my oversea's holiday which surprised me
Activities: Berwick town centre,
" Horrible holiday at Haggerston "
Submitted By: lindawAdvice: Stay at home, dont go
Activities: Eyemouth 15 miles from Haggerston
" Brilliant Holiday "
Submitted By: Mr. D BlackieThere was 6 of us (2 Adults, 2 Teenagers, A toddler and a baby) and we were staying in the Platinum spec caravans and we were all highly pleased with the quality of the caravan. Lots of room, nipping clean, comfortable beds and couches in the living room and a full kitchen facility for the self-catering. Couldn't find a bit of dirt anywhere! Our caravan was situated in an area called 'Milk Fields' which is further back in the park from the central complex, so its a little bit of a walk but nice and quiet all around the area. The only minor problem we had with our caravan was that on the 5th day there we had troubles with the boiler and couldn't get any hot water through, but we called up the main reception and they had somebody sent out within half an hour to take a look at it and diagnose the problem and get it sorted.
The main complex was brilliant, lots to do for the whole family! The only fault i can really point out is that its quite pricey everywhere you look, but the holiday is worth it. Only went into the Aquabar once for breakfast but the food was lovely, a nice selection to choose from and good portions. Sometimes went to eat at the on-site Burger King and Fish and Chips and all the standard of the cleaning and food there is great! They also have an on-site Papa Johns Italian which also does deliveries to your caravan for an extra £1 on the price of the food so you can call them up instead of having to walk down to the main complex if you were like me and were based in the more outskirts area of the park, and a chinese Resteraunt which is further out towards the quieter end of the park. Never got around to trying either of them but from what i heard the food was ment to be lovely. Around the main complex everywhere you look theres slot machines and arcades so plenty of stuff to do if you want to pass the time, along with lots of pool tables which is where i spent most of my time. The indoor and outdoor pools are great, always kept at a nice temperature and felt like you were in a large warm bath, and once again was kept very clean and is well supervised with lots of lifeguards. Only minor downside to the pool was that there isn't alot of changing rooms so you may have to wait a little bit to get a free changing room but you still get a good 45min in the pool. The entertainment throughout the park is great aswell. Carnabys is brilliant with the Funstars entertainment and all the characters for the kids. Although you do seem to get alot of people walking around with over-priced large balloons (Spent about £9 on 2 large balloons) but the atmosphere is great, tables kept nice and clean with plenty of staff going around making sure that there isn't any empty glasses left lying around so its kept to a good standard. The sports bar is also nice for if you want to catch the football or cricket and have a couple of drinks. My favourite bar out of them all though was the showbar, which holds host to about 3 different acts a night whether its musical, a comedy show or activities to get people from the audience involved. Plenty of tables aswell so you'll always be able to find a place to sit.
Like i say, the only minor fault i had with the park is that its quite pricey and you really need to keep check on your money otherwise you'll be wondering where it all went. But other then that, it was a brilliant weeks break and would love to go back again! So don't listen to all these reviews of like 1/10 or 2/10 as i don't have a clue where they're all getting it from, the park was lovely and clean, friendly and helpful staff and all round pleasent atmosphere!
Fun times to be had by all :)
Advice: Definatly worth it!
Activities: The Showbar
" Fantastic holiday "
Submitted By: TootleWe stayed in the Platinum range caravan & as soon as we stepped in we loved it. It was spotlessly clean & very very comfortable & well equipped. We were placed at the back of the park (14 Milkfield) next to the golf lodges & it was really quiet, which was perfect for us as we had our 2yr old & 11month old daughters with us.
We can't fault the staff throughout the whole park either. They were very friendly, helpful & nothing was too much trouble.
I do agree with other people's comments on the park being very expensive.......especially the convenience store & drinks at the bars.......but we just travelled to the local Morrisons a few miles away for shopping which was no fuss.
The Funstars show with Bradley Bear, Anxious, Polly etc was fully enjoyed by our 2year old (& me if I'm honest) ;)
We went horse riding twice around the park, which lasted about 30-40 mins, which cost £10 per person & U got a free photo.
We were sad to see our week come to an end & I can't wait to go back as soon as we can.
" pleased and surprised "
Submitted By: meme101Advice: it is amazing check out bamburgh castle it is amazing
Activities:
" Reasons not to go to Haggerston Castle "
Submitted By: jack161102Advice: Don
Activities: The sight of leaving Haggerston Castle ?
" touring van review "
Submitted By: turnbullAdvice: Ideal location to explore North Northumberland
Activities: Visit Chillingham Castle, we were more than surprised by its content, gardens and ghost stories
" Disgusting "
Submitted By: claireiowPeople waiting up to 6 months to get window fixed. My uncle has been waiting months to get the flag stone fixed.
He reported the problem hundred of times to the people in reception and noting was done.
This site is one of the worst you can come to to buy a caravan...
" Haggerston Castle - 5 Star Dump "
Submitted By: AstraeaUpon entering the caravan for the first time we noticed at once an unclean smell and could see how grubby and ground in the front seating area was.Instead of beige upholstery it was a dark grey except for the parts which were hidden beneath where the lift out bed was. The carpet was hoovered but did smell, particularly of old urine in places as did the seating.
Three of the windows did not close properly,( two bedroom ones and one in the living area ) and considering to our dismay, that grade of caravan is heated by a single gas fire in the front living area only and we had hail storms most of the week, it was probably the nearest we have been to living in a walk in fridge.None of the three bedroom windows had any net curtains , so we had to keep the main curtains closed the whole time making the place even dingier than it was if that was possible.
I had to clean some of the pans and utensils before we could use them as they were still crusted in the remnants of food, the bottom plastic box in the fridge was sticky with food too, which I refused to clean and just lifted out and left in a cupboard until we left. There was no cover on the freezer box in the top of the fridge and so the food on the top shelf of the fridge froze up if we weren't careful, almost as frozen as we were due to the badly fitting windows actually.
The pillows were wafer thin and four stacked up would probably still not give you the thickness of even one, the duvets were no better. Thank goodness we were required to take our own bed linen as at least we knew they at least would be more than satisfactory.
The Park itself has a nice lake in the centre with lots of geese and swans and a ittle stable so the kiddies could have pony rides aroung the park, the only good things I can think of to mention.
The complex itself where the bars are situated is a real shocker as you walk in. It's just one huge, noisy,chaotic, money grabbing amusement arcade. The bars are quite dingy and mostly packed to the hilt,so don't have any visions of having a few quiet drinks 'cos it ain't going to happen.
The onsite food is something else...and I do mean something else ! We had fish and chips from the on site chippie on the first night,most of it went in the bin as the fish didn't smell right and it was all covered in too much grease, promptly afterwards later that evening were rewarded for our custom by upset stomachs. Following that episode we didn't touch anymore of the onsite food on offer at all. We noticed the staff in the chippie and some of the other takeaway food places there employed no more than kids and didn't this didn't instill any sense of confidence in their cooking skills to be honest.
All in all, I would say to anyone thinking of booking a holiday here, don't feel you have to be put off by our sad experience, you might get a fantastic caravan and not be knee deep in mud when you step outside it and not mind all the noise and bingo and the like, but if anything, please think carefully before sampling the fish and chips if nothing else.Somehow I don't think we will be buying into the new lifestyle at Haggerston Castle anytime soon.








Advice: Northumberland is wonderful but not haggerston unless you rent privately
Activities: The Cat Inn do lovely food, and the smoke house at Seahouses is fantastic