Steve's parents have been holiday home owners at Cresswell Towers Holiday Park on the Northumberland Coast for almost 10 years now. We are super lucky that we have been able to share owner benefits (with none of the associated hassle and cost) and as the kids have grown up we have enjoyed many lovely holidays at Cresswell and have created lots of memories. I would estimate the kids have visited and stayed there over 30 times.
I cannot believe that despite us visiting so often, I have never written a review of Cresswell Towers. I think this is because I kind of see visiting Cresswell as a true holiday for us which is reflected in the quality of the photos in this post - you can see I am definitely not in work mode!
Obviously, not all facilities may be available on the day of your visit depending on restrictions etc.... so please use this post as a guide and then check with Parkdean direct when booking / making plans to see what will be open / expected activities available on the date of your trip.
Cresswell Towers is managed by Parkdean Resorts and is one of the smaller sites we have stayed at. It has a quieter feel than some of the bigger parks and has less facilities. Saying that though, it does have everything you need and the big advantage is that you are just a 2 minute walk from the beach.
I would not recommend Cresswell Towers as a holiday park for those wanting to pack their days with activities (I would probably recommend somewhere like Haggerston Castle for that) but I would say it is perfect for a relaxing family break, particularly for those with under 10s who are looking for a mix of beach days, a nice selection of things to do on site and a good location for exploring Northumberland.
Because Cresswell Towers is fairly small, it has been a brilliant site for giving the kids their first tastes of freedom too. There first time swimming and first time visiting a shop without an adult have both been at Cresswell and now they are older, they can visit the playgrounds and amusements themselves too which they love.
Compared with other holiday parks, I have always found holidays to be fairly cheap in comparison to other locations too. One of the benefits of being up North I guess!
You can check current deals, availability and prices here.
Cresswell Towers Location
Cresswell Towers is located on the Northumberland Coast near Druridge Bay, Amble and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. It is 21 miles North of Newcastle Upon Tyne and 21 miles South of Alnwick.
Most of the beaches in Northumberland allow dogs with no restrictions and Cresswell is one of them. Cresswell Towers does offer dog-friendly accommodation and many of the nearby attractions welcome dogs on leads too (Woodhorn and Warkworth Castle for example) meaning that Cresswell Towers is a brilliant option for dog-friendly holiday. Steve's sister often brings her Collie and he loves it.
Cresswell Towers Facilities
As mentioned, Cresswell Towers is one of the smaller holiday parks we have stayed at. Don't expect loads of facilities. However there is more than enough to keep families entertained for a short break or holiday. Facilities include:
- An Entertainment Complex with Bar, Entertainment Stage, Amusement Arcades and Restaurant
- A Small Convenience Store (I recommend visiting a nearby Supermarket for a bigger shop - there is an Asda, Lidl, Aldi and Iceland in nearby Ashington or a Morrisons in Amble)
- An Indoor Swimming Pool
- Costa Coffee
- Entertainment and Kids Clubs
- Adventure Playground
- Multi Sports Courts
- A Launderette
- Access to Super Fast WiFi in the main complex
Cresswell Towers Swimming Pool
The swimming pool at Cresswell Towers is fairly small and there is no slide but my three still enjoy visiting. There is a small bubble pool and a lifeguard on duty but they could do with more changing rooms. From memory, children who can swim and are over the age of 8 are able to swim without an adult which is brilliant for parents like me who aren't keen on swimming and can watch with a Costa from the bar.
Again from memory, I think the pool is 1.2m deep and it isn't *too* cold. I remember taking the kids swimming with Steve when they were little so I assume their policy is one adult can supervise two under 8s/non-swimmers. They also offer a range of activities in the pool - check the sports and entertainment timetable on arrival.
Cresswell Towers Pub / Restaurant
There is one bar/restaurant in the complex which doubles up as an entertainment venue. The venue has recently been refurbished and as far as caravan entertainment complexes go, it's actually pretty nice.
Prices are en par with a standard chain pub as is the quality of the food. Nothing outstanding but it serves a purpose. Prices aren't cheap but I don't find them to be too extravagant for what they offer, especially as they have a captive audience. We often enjoy breakfast before heading out for the day or a quick lunch after swimming here but it's not really the kind of place I would book for a nice evening meal - I would rather travel into Amble or Warkworth for that.
There is also a small outdoor terrace. It overlooks a car park so not the best views but it can be a sun trap and is a nice spot for an al fresco holiday drink.
You have to walk through the amusement arcade to get to the bar which can be annoying if your kids are easily distracted and constantly ask to play on the machines, but the plus side is, the kids can go off and play in the same building (if old enough of course) and leave you to enjoy your glass of wine in peace.
The menus / prices below are based on our last visit in Summer 2020. Click on the images to zoom in.
Cresswell Towers Entertainment
When H, H and J were under 8, we used to love holiday park entertainment and always really loved what was on offer at Cresswell Towers. In peak season, they have a variety of kids activities and visiting acts including an animal show which my three loved so much we once watched it three times in the space of one summer.
Expect the usual bingo, kids shows, party dances, disco, visiting singers and craft activities. They also offer organised sports and family fun days with visiting inflatables / fairground rides too. Sometimes they run Easter Egg Hunts around the park and of course, there are dress up mascots too. Overall, I would say the quality of entertainment for younger children is excellent and we have always thoroughly enjoyed it.
This isn't just a Cresswell thing, but now that the kids are older, holiday park entertainment just doesn't appeal. We would rather drive to a nice restaurant or just stay in the caravan with a few beers and a film or board games. Entertainment usually goes on until 11ish or sometimes even later so if you do like your live music etc...., there is plenty to keep you entertained at Cresswell.
Caravans at Cresswell Towers
Where to Visit when Staying at Cresswell Towers
Cresswell Beach
Cresswell Beach is just a 2 minute walk from the park entrance. It goes on forever, is sandy and good for dog walks and building sandcastles plus there are rock pools and it is a brilliant beach for exploring and finding wildlife. It is usually pretty quiet and often, you may find you have the beach to yourself. There is an ice cream shop (Cresswell Ices) by the beach.
The Drift Cafe
Druridge Bay Country Park
Amble
Amble is short drive from Cresswell and a lovely place to stop for fish and chips or a potter. They organise a Sunday market in the harbour and the village is home to lots of cute restaurants (I recommend the Fish Shack overlooking the harbour or the Amble Inn just on the outskirts if you are looking for a pub with an outdoor play area). I recommend trying a tour in the lobster hatchery, hiring a beach hut, booking a puffin cruise and browsing the pods in Amble Harbour Village.
Woodhorn Museum is one of my favourites and just a short drive from Cresswell. Sharing the coal mining history of Northumberland you can expect to walk through time and learn what life was like for a miner and their families, there is a play park and lovely cafe too plus an ever changing programme of events and exhibitions. Woodhorn is dog-friendly in some areas too. Find out more here.
Morwick Farm Ice Cream
Warkworth
Again, Warkworth is a short drive from Cresswell and a lovely place to spend the day with several pubs and tearooms, a fantastic castle, beach and riverside walk. Read my full guide to visiting Warkworth here.
Alnmouth Beach
Alnmouth Beach is a little further along the coast, just past Warkworth but worth the drive. It's beautiful!
Morpeth
Morpeth is not too far from Cresswell and a lovely place to spend the day. There is a large play park with outdoor paddling pool (due to open later this summer), steppy stones across the river, quaint little shops and a Chinese Van which is a real hit with locals. The pirate themed golf at Morpeth Golf Centre is fantastic too and Plessey Woods is just up the road from Morpeth and brilliant for a stream paddle / walk in the woods / play park.
- Read my guided tour of Morpeth here
- Read more about the Chinese Van here
- Read my review of Pirate Crazy Golf here
- Read my guide to Plessey Woods here
Ridley Park & Blyth Beach
Ridley Park and Blyth Beach are just down the A189 and easy to get to from Cresswell. Ridley Park features an outdoor water play area (in summer), a lovely cafe and two large playgrounds with zip wires, climbing frames, swings, slides and more.
Blyth Beach is lovely with a fab fish and chip shop, beach huts to hire, ice cream parlour, two playgrounds overlooking the sea and a short prom to walk along with plenty of seating.
Cramlington
There is LOADS to do here including:
- Shopping at Manor Walks
- Seven Oaks Playground
- Vue Cinema
- AirBox Bounce Trampoline Park
- Ten Pin Bowling / Clip n Climb / Swimming at Concordia Leisure Centre
- Visit Northumberlandia
- Find the Giant Spoon
You will probably drive past QEII Elizabeth Country Park en-route to Cresswell, just beside Woodhorn, it is a free place to visit with a lovely 30-40 minute circular walk around the lake. There is a pub with indoor and outdoor play areas next door too and it is a popular place to feed swans / geese / ducks.
Read our guide to visiting here.
Rainy Day Ideas
Rainy day ideas within a short drive include:
- AirBox Bounce Cramlington
- Maritime Centre Newbiggin
- Vue Cinema Cramlington
- Morpeth Bagpipe Museum
- Castle Mania Soft Play Amble
- Treasure Island Soft Play Morpeth
- Clip and Climb Cramlington
- Ten Pin Bowling / Soft Play at Concordia, Cramlington
- Lobster Hatchery Tour, Amble
- Bailiffgate Museum and Barter Books, Alnwick
1 - Click here to buy me a virtual coffee
2 - Join our Days Out Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas for things to do - you can post your own recommendations too.
Remember face coverings are required for indoor attractions / shops for those aged 11+ (usual exemptions apply)
Check for local lockdowns / travel restrictions before visiting anywhere.
Always check updated opening hours / protocols with venues direct before setting off as things may have changed after this post was published.
No comments
Post a Comment