A Weekend In What Feels Like Paradise Caravanning At Crystal Lakes Leisure Review

Reviewed by DT

Crystal Lakes Leisure Campsite

I am a 40 something mum of 3 children.  In my childhood family holidays tended to be camping holidays.  At first we would stay in an already erected tent or static caravan.  Then my parents purchased a frame tent which we used for holidays for several years.  Finally when I was a teenager my parents purchased a touring caravan which we used to use for short breaks and holidays in the UK.  We would also use it for holidays further afield in Europe. When I was in my 20’s my parents sold their touring caravan to someone they knew.  Some years later when my eldest child was a toddler, I bought my parents’ former touring caravan from the people they sold it to. For a short time, we went on caravanning short breaks.  I then sadly had to sell it due to life circumstances at the time and have really missed caravanning.

I was therefore over the moon when my partner decided to purchase his own 4 berth touring caravan a week or two ago.  Whilst my partner enjoyed a short break in his new caravan last weekend, my first time away in it was this weekend. Yesterday my partner worked a full day and then after he finished work for the day we set off from the Luton/Dunstable area.  The journey to Crystal Lakes Leisure took around an hour and we arrived at around 6pm.  The campsite itself was easily found using the Waze app.  For those dog owners out there, Crystal Lakes Leisure is a dog-friendly campsite.

Whilst when enjoying caravanning life previously, we would tow the caravan and stay at different locations, my partner opted for a seasonal pitch here at Crystal Lakes Leisure after speaking to Paige, who is professional, knowledgeable and approachable, so that he did not need to tow his touring caravan.  It was lovely to arrive yesterday to an already set up caravan.  Whilst this suits us, there are also plenty of non seasonal pitches on the campsite.  We soon settled into the caravan.  We then went on a ten minute walk into Fenstanton village where we had a delicious meal whilst sat in the Duchess Pub’s beer garden.  The village itself is beautiful and has lots of amenities such as a NISA store, a fish & chip shop, post office etc.  For those dog owners out there, the pub does allow dogs in their spacious beer garden. After a short walk back to our campsite we enjoyed a relaxing evening back at the caravan.

This morning my partner popped out early to do some food shopping at Tesco Express. It was a short approximately 5 minute drive away.  He was delighted to find that TESCO Express opened at 7am today. He went through the McDonalds drive thru and bought breakfast back to the campsite.  There was also a Morrisons, ALDI and Costa Coffee closeby.  We then had a quick drive around the local area and then returned to the campsite.  We then went on an enjoyable walk about the campsite which has one large lake and 2 smaller lakes. 3 weekends ago a fishing competition was held by the largest lake.  The toilet and shower facilities are excellent, clearly regularly cleaned and well maintained.  Washing up sinks are also provided. For an extra charge you can use the launderette facilities.  The site itself is beautiful with decent sized pitches, very well maintained and looked after.  The site wardens Brenda and George are lovely people and could not be more helpful. I found the well stocked with essentials campsite shop very handy today when I realised that we had no washing up liquid.  There is even a stage on the campsite which is sometimes used for live music events and the lodges that are on site are stunning. If you are interested in buying one of their lodges please see here.

Rating: 5/5 and I would give it more if I could.  Having his touring caravan on a seasonal pitch at Crystal Lakes has given my partner a whole new lifestyle and an opportunity to make precious memories with myself, his sons and grandchildren as well as other loved ones. It is a lovely base from which to explore the local area including Cambridge and St Ives. Public transport by bus is closeby enough to walk to.

Fishing At Crystal Lakes

The 3 Lakes here at Crystal Lakes are all picturesque. My partner and I saw several large carp in the lakes during our walks around the campsite today. Prices for fishing are very reasonable and the swims are a generous size. More information can be found here.

Rating: Not yet rated as my partner has not get gone fishing here at Crystal Lakes Leisure.

The Hokey Smokey At Crystal Lakes Leisure

Ever since my first visit to stay at Crystal Lakes Leisure was planned, I have been looking forward to trying the food offering from the Hokey Smokey.  There was a good choice of items on the menu.  I opted to have a deal where you can choose 2 oak smoked meats which comes with chips, coleslaw and pickles. This cost £25 and tasted delicious.  I couldn’t choose a favourite between the beef brisket and pork belly.  Both were cooked to perfection. The chips, coleslaw and pickles tasted delicious too and portion sizes were good. Some of the other menu items which I quite fancy trying are their hamburgers (main meal), cheese burgers (main meal) and mac and cheese (side). Whilst I chose to take away my food, plenty of seating was available if someone wished to eat there. The service was excellent and all staff were friendly and approachable. My food came quickly after I ordered it.  The seating area was busy with people enjoying their meals. It’s clearly a popular location to eat out at.

Rating: 5/5

Fenstanton Playbarn

Fenstanton Playbarn is here on site at Crystal Lakes Leisure. It is a lovely building which comprises of an indoor play area with a generously sized seating area as well as an outdoor play area. The staff who run it are really nice. Whilst my partner’s grandchildren have not yet booked a 2 hour session at the playbarn, we have purchased their slushies and snacks. Service was quick and efficient and the items purchased reasonably priced. You can buy food and drink there on a takeaway basis even if you are not a customer of the playbarn play areas themselves. The facilities are well laid out and clearly well looked after. You can even book to have a child’s birthday party at the venue.

Rating: Not yet rated as we have not reviewed the playbarn yet.

For more information about Crystal Lakes Leisure please see here. You can enquire about seasonal pitch availability by phoning 01480 497728.

To book a pitch at Crystal Lakes Leisure via Pitchup.com please click here. 

For the Crystal Lakes Fishing Facebook page please click here. 

For the Crystal Lakes Leisure Facebook page please click here. 

For the Hokey Smokey Facebook page please click here. 

For the Playbarn Fenstanton Facebook Page please click here.