Haggerston Castle Caravans

We’re including Haggerston Castle caravan park as an option for those who couldn’t find accommodation on Holy Island itself, or who would like to stay nearby on the mainland (about 10 minutes drive to the start of the causeway and a further 5 minutes to the island itself). We include pictures we took in September 2023, to give you a sense of the place.

Haggy castle, as it is known to its fans, is a sprawling traditional holiday park with amenities, restaurants, activities etc. Some of the caravans/lodges are marketed by companies and others are privately owned. When you book a specific privately-owned caravan, you know its exact location and state, whereas if you book through a company, it can be a bit of a lottery. We’ve collated a list of some privately owned caravans here, or you can do your own research. In addition to the caravans, the park has lakeside wooden lodges that tend to be bigger and more luxurious and pitches for camper vans.

The amenities at the centre of the park are open from around the second week of March to the first week of November (this varies slightly from year to year).

Caravan location

Pay careful attention to the location of the caravan or lodge you book.The park is very big and some locations will be far from the amenities near the Castle Pavilion. Some will prefer the peace and quiet of a distant location (and driving to the centre when needed, or using the little train that does the rounds every 30 minutes), but if you plan on walking to activities and restaurants, especially with kids, then make sure you know where your selected accommodation is in relation to the pavilion. Ideally, you should know the exact caravan you’ll be staying in, something you can achieve if you book directly with a private owner.

Touring park (Motorhome pitches)

If you plan to ‘bring your own home’ with you, Haggerston has 140 pitches for camper vans, motorhomes and trailer tents. Pitches are bookable in advance. What you get depends on what you pay, and there are different options within the two levels below:

Electric: pitch with electric point.

Super Electric: larger pitch with an electric hook-up, drinking water connection and wastewater disposal.

For all pitches there are showers, toilets and a dish washing station, and, of course, access to the park’s other facilities such as the launderette. More details about the Touring Park can be found on the Haven website.

Food

The restaurants and bars in the park include Burger King, Papa Jones Pizza, Mash & Barrel (pub grub), Tower Sports Bar, Fish & Chips and a Chopstix Chinese takeaway (new in 2023). During busy times, they can get crowded, but there are also options in nearby Berwick and, of course, here on Holy Island (book well in advance for dinner, as the three dinner options on the island tend to sell out, and don’t forget to check tide times for the day you book).

Groceries: opposite the Castle Pavilion there’s a small mini-market. You can also take the short drive to Berwick-upon-Tweed where you’ll find a Tesco, Asda, M&S Food, Morrisons, Aldi and Food Warehouse (a glorified Iceland).

Activities and Entertainment

If you’d like to use the pool and enjoy the park’s shows and many of its activities, you’ll have to buy a package before you arrive (recommended) or at reception when you’re there (apparently they sometimes sell out). If you book with a private owner, your host will provide details of how to book those. There are also paid activities outside of the packages.

Activity highlights: golf courses (and crazy golf), pony riding, archery, bike hire, arcades, arts & crafts, canoeing, lake pedal boat hire, fairground rides, play gym, soft play, bug hunts, pottery painting, birds of prey, adventure trail and more. You can hire bikes at the Activity Booking office.

Swimming pool: there are two heated indoor pools in the main Pavilion.

Evening Entertainment: there is a programme of evening performances during the season, as well as bingo nights. Sometimes there are daytime events as well, such as pantomime. Play passes are required for entertainment events.

Laundry

There is a launderette onsite (open 8am to 10pm). Laundry tokens are available from the mini-market.

Wifi and mobile reception

Some lodges and caravans will have wifi, but most will not. Check when booking.

There is wifi in the communal areas (though speeds may vary).

Mobile reception varies by network, but for many (including us) it was limited.

Dogs

The park itself is dog-friendly, with some of the indoor communal dining and activity places having designated dog-friendly areas. Note that not all caravans are dog-friendly. Check before you book.

EV Charging Points

There are EV charging points in front of the Pavilion.

Useful tips

– Not all caravans are to the same standard (and cleanliness), so we’d recommend you do your research. That’s also the reason we suggest a few private owner caravans which seem to get good reviews (list here).

– Print or download a map of the park prior to your arrival. Even with directions from security at the gate, the park is huge, and it’s easy to get lost.

– Download the MyHaven app as soon as you get the welcome email from Haven. This will allow you to check-in and book activities.

– Not all caravans include bedding and towels. Some require you to also bring essentials such as toilet paper, washing up liquid, etc. Check when you book what’s included.

– Book activities as far in advance as you can, as they tend to sell out.

– Arrive early for entertainment events and meals, as spaces are limited.

Visiting Holy Island safely

If you are staying at Haggerston Castle and wish to visit Holy Island, remember to ALWAYS the safe crossing times for the causeway to the island. You can only cross in the times marked green. Failing to do so puts you and your vehicle at risk.