Haggerston Castle is a really well laid out site with loads to do within the park and in the surrounding areas.
I'll start with location. The site is only 10 minute drive from Berwick town center where you can find loads of shops. If you go and you like pies or haggis, you must got to J T Fairbairn & Son butchers (see seperate review) The address is 1 Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD151AT.
There is also an oldy worldy chippy down one of the side streets. (again, see seperate review).
Also before you get into Berwick, there is an Asda supermarket for all your groceries. Cheaper to go there than buy at the on site Spar.
Also, local to the site are some beautiful beaches within a short driving distance. In the main reception there are loads of brochure etc of stuff thats around the area. You should never run short of things to do.
Now onto the camp site itself. The site as a whole is really well maintained with nice grassy areas and some beautiful lakes with all sorts of wildlife on them. The kids will love feeding the ducks and swans, but beware, the swans can be a bit defensive especially if the have their young with them. If they don't feel threatened you should be ok. but dont let your child get to close though unattended. Common sense really.
For the kids there is the Funworks area of the main building which is conveniently situated as you walk in. This is like walking into a large amusement arcade and will drain you of all your money if not careful. A lot of the machines give vouchers which the kids collect to swap for prizes. The prizes themselves are worth very little and would be cheaper to buy them than what it cost to win the vouchers. Obviously the kids don't see that they just love winning the vouchers and going to the shop to get a toy.
At the side of the arcade area is the chip shop, KFC and Papa Johns Pizza. At first I thought the chip shop was expensive, but its not actually too bad. Bit more than a normal chip shop but could be worse. 2.00 pound gets you a box of chips. The chips themselves are nicely cooked and tasty. They also sell Pukka Pies which are yummy.
Papa Johns Pizza. Where do I start. Ok basically, unless you win a 10.00 pound voucher like we did in the evening show, I wouldnt go there. They are very very expensive and the pizza are not the best. Lots of people dont like them apparently. I enjoyed mine but it was a bit sloppy. The garlic bread is tiny. The only good thing about this place is that the deliver to you caravan door. Free delivery if the order is over 10.00 pound I think.
Round the corner thought Carnabys show room is the Aqua Bar. Ive heard good and bad reports about the food here but have never tried it myself. One thing I will say is that I really enjoyed the filter coffee here and to sit outside on the huge decking overlooking the main lake. In the hot weather, if your child has a slush drink, it tends to attract a few wasps. Its funny seeing parents waving their arms around like some deranged mental patient that's escaped from somewhere.
The swimming pool is nice. You have to take your shoes and socks off at reception to stop transferring outside dirt into the changing area. There are 2 pools next to each other but they only open both at the weekend. The water can sometimes feel a bit brisk when you first get in. When I was there a child slid down the slide and had to be helped by the lifeguard as she came off the slide in basically a standing position when she went in the water and hurt her legs. Make your kids aware to go it bum fist as the water there is not very deep.
The changing room are a good size but a lot don't have locks on. When I was in, a child pushed the door open when they were walking past with their mum, and there was me standing there getting dried with everything on show. So be warned. Mind you, the woman didn't complain, she just looked a bit shocked lol.
Now for the show bars. Carnabys is the showroom for the little kids where they have shows and competitions and activities on.
Show Bar is the main showroom for the adults and older kids. Now in here, there are some really good live bands during the week as well as shows performed by the reps. During the night, every night, they sell raffle tickets for prizes and the money goes to charity. Ok at first but by the end of the week it can leave you wondering how much money you have given away. The bar sells a nice pint of Guinness, if that's your tipple. and also a wide variety of real ales and spirits. They also do the kids equivalent of a yard of ale. This is a big plastic container which holds a pint of juice or coke. They cost 3.99 with the refill at 2.99 (I think it is) but it keeps the kids going all night I find, You will see kids walking around everywhere with these containers.
Be prepared to pay for virtually everything on site, including the bikes and boats so budget each day and stick to it.. I will go back as I enjoyed it dispite the forking out loads of money read more
