As most of you reading this will no doubt have found your way here from my other blog - 'A Tent, A Caravan, 4 Wheels & Me' - it seems pointless writing another introduction, especially as a link to my profile is at the top of the page. Suffice to say that it was camping alone with my two little dogs which prompted me to start the original blog in the first place, and I was writing a page of it a while ago when I realised that although I've written a lot about the places I've been to I've never written much about the sites I've stayed on. Prompted by someone asking me for details of one such site I decided to start this completely new blog - a 'camper's eye view' of all the sites I've been to, and any useful information about the surrounding areas.
Site pages are displayed in reverse chronological order with new sites being added as I stay on them - just click on any of the links in the A to Z list on the right and you'll find the page for that site. Also clicking on the thumbnail photos at the bottom of each page will bring up larger versions for more detail.
This was initially very much a work in progress so the style of the blog and the content of each post could very well have changed a few times before I decided it looked right, however I'm completely happy with everything so far so it will stay as it is for now - what you see is what you get. The only changes made will be to any site fees listed, these will be updated where possible - and when I remember! - each season.
I hope these site reviews are helpful to anyone reading them, but please bear in mind that these are only written from my own personal experiences and opinions; other campers' views may differ. However, if this blog encourages just one person to stay at one of these sites - or not, as the case may be - then my writing won't have been in vain. And if anyone wants to ask me anything about any of the sites then please feel free to post a question on the relevant page and I'll answer as best I can.
26/05/2014
20/06/2013
Invercaimbe Croft
Invercaimbe Caravan & Camp Site
Invercaimbe Croft
Arisaig
Inverness-shire
PH39 4NT
01687 450375
Open - March 15th to October 15th
Current fees - Contact site for details
Set on the coast in the west of the Highlands, close to the A830 Road To the Isles and part of a working croft, this quiet and peaceful site is in a really stunningly beautiful location. Access is down a farm track off the B8008, with the site itself being situated on the estuary of the Caimbe burn and with beaches along the side and at the end of the site. The owner, Joyce, lives on site and can often be seen mowing the grass or attending to any other jobs which need doing. She's very friendly and welcoming and quite happy to give any help and advice if needed and to impart any information about places to go and things to do while you're there.
Most of the caravan and motorhome pitches have hook-up and on one side of the site are level and mainly hardstanding - on the other side they are on grass and could be a tad uneven so levelling blocks may be needed. There aren't many set pitches for tents because of the uneven and sloping ground so once Joyce has given you a general idea of where to go it's very much a case of 'pick your spot and pitch your tent', which can actually be to an advantage as small tents can pitch almost on the beach. There are limited hook-ups available though for those tent campers who prefer them - my tent was pitched only 10ft from the beach along the burn, with the hook-up post just a few feet behind.
The facilities, although basic, are spotlessly clean and are housed in a row of small individual 'bathrooms', two with shower and loo and two with basin and loo, and there's one of each for ladies and the same for men. Housed in a separate small building are the pot washing and laundry facilities with washing machine and dryer, and also a chest freezer which the owner doesn't mind campers using if they ask. The cdp is near the toilet block and housed in a separate small fenced and gated compound.
Dogs are welcome and as with any site must be kept on a lead while on the site itself, though once on the beach they can run free as much as they want. Camp fires are allowed on the beach though should be put out at night time before going to bed, and sea kayaking and fishing is possible straight from the site. The views from the site across to the small isles are breathtaking, the sunsets are fabulous, and when you wake in the mornings you'll hear nothing but birdsong and the occasional bleat from a nearby sheep.
Arisaig village is about a mile away over the hill and has a Spar shop, post office, cafe/bistro, information centre, a couple of B & Bs and a hotel/bar/restaurant. A sea kayaking centre is based at the hotel and cruises on the SS Shearwater go from the small harbour to the islands of Eigg, Muck and Rum. For anyone who likes golf Traigh nine-hole golf course is just over a mile north of Invercaimbe, and about three miles further on are the beautiful silver sands of Morar which are definitely a 'must see' for anyone with a camera. Just a bit inland is Loch Morar, the deepest body of fresh water in the British Isles.
Another three miles or so further north is the small town and fishing port of Mallaig, which is literally the end of the road unless you get the CalMac ferry over to Skye. A couple of private operators run boat trips across to the small isles or round the coast to Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula - the village's only pub, the Old Forge Inn, is the remotest pub on mainland Britain. Trains, including the Jacobite steam locomotive which doubles as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films, run from Mallaig station down to Fort William, passing through some lovely scenery on the way. With a small Co-op supermarket, Spar shop, gift shops and several cafes and take-aways Mallaig is a pleasant little place to spend a couple of hours. Fort William is a 35-mile drive east from Invercaimbe along the A830 with plenty of places to stop for photos, including Glenfinnan with its famous monument and the 21-arch viaduct which features in the Harry Potter films.
I can only think of a couple of niggles about Invercaimbe - firstly the lane from the road into the site is only a single track and at one point has quite a sharp bend which you can't see round, so care needs to be taken when driving along as you could meet something coming the other way and there's not a lot of room to manoeuvre, especially if you're towing a caravan. Secondly the sloping and uneven ground in various places could make pitching a tent a bit of a challenge and you may find yourself sleeping uphill/downhill; because of the nature of the ground and the space allocated for tent pitches it means that tent size is restricted to 4-berth or smaller.
If you can accept the uneven ground and basic facilities this site is a little gem set in a little piece of heaven, and well worth any long journey you may make to get there. Would I personally go back? Yes, yes, and YES!!
Invercaimbe Croft
Arisaig
Inverness-shire
PH39 4NT
01687 450375
Open - March 15th to October 15th
Current fees - Contact site for details
Set on the coast in the west of the Highlands, close to the A830 Road To the Isles and part of a working croft, this quiet and peaceful site is in a really stunningly beautiful location. Access is down a farm track off the B8008, with the site itself being situated on the estuary of the Caimbe burn and with beaches along the side and at the end of the site. The owner, Joyce, lives on site and can often be seen mowing the grass or attending to any other jobs which need doing. She's very friendly and welcoming and quite happy to give any help and advice if needed and to impart any information about places to go and things to do while you're there.
Most of the caravan and motorhome pitches have hook-up and on one side of the site are level and mainly hardstanding - on the other side they are on grass and could be a tad uneven so levelling blocks may be needed. There aren't many set pitches for tents because of the uneven and sloping ground so once Joyce has given you a general idea of where to go it's very much a case of 'pick your spot and pitch your tent', which can actually be to an advantage as small tents can pitch almost on the beach. There are limited hook-ups available though for those tent campers who prefer them - my tent was pitched only 10ft from the beach along the burn, with the hook-up post just a few feet behind.
The facilities, although basic, are spotlessly clean and are housed in a row of small individual 'bathrooms', two with shower and loo and two with basin and loo, and there's one of each for ladies and the same for men. Housed in a separate small building are the pot washing and laundry facilities with washing machine and dryer, and also a chest freezer which the owner doesn't mind campers using if they ask. The cdp is near the toilet block and housed in a separate small fenced and gated compound.
Dogs are welcome and as with any site must be kept on a lead while on the site itself, though once on the beach they can run free as much as they want. Camp fires are allowed on the beach though should be put out at night time before going to bed, and sea kayaking and fishing is possible straight from the site. The views from the site across to the small isles are breathtaking, the sunsets are fabulous, and when you wake in the mornings you'll hear nothing but birdsong and the occasional bleat from a nearby sheep.
Arisaig village is about a mile away over the hill and has a Spar shop, post office, cafe/bistro, information centre, a couple of B & Bs and a hotel/bar/restaurant. A sea kayaking centre is based at the hotel and cruises on the SS Shearwater go from the small harbour to the islands of Eigg, Muck and Rum. For anyone who likes golf Traigh nine-hole golf course is just over a mile north of Invercaimbe, and about three miles further on are the beautiful silver sands of Morar which are definitely a 'must see' for anyone with a camera. Just a bit inland is Loch Morar, the deepest body of fresh water in the British Isles.
Another three miles or so further north is the small town and fishing port of Mallaig, which is literally the end of the road unless you get the CalMac ferry over to Skye. A couple of private operators run boat trips across to the small isles or round the coast to Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula - the village's only pub, the Old Forge Inn, is the remotest pub on mainland Britain. Trains, including the Jacobite steam locomotive which doubles as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films, run from Mallaig station down to Fort William, passing through some lovely scenery on the way. With a small Co-op supermarket, Spar shop, gift shops and several cafes and take-aways Mallaig is a pleasant little place to spend a couple of hours. Fort William is a 35-mile drive east from Invercaimbe along the A830 with plenty of places to stop for photos, including Glenfinnan with its famous monument and the 21-arch viaduct which features in the Harry Potter films.
I can only think of a couple of niggles about Invercaimbe - firstly the lane from the road into the site is only a single track and at one point has quite a sharp bend which you can't see round, so care needs to be taken when driving along as you could meet something coming the other way and there's not a lot of room to manoeuvre, especially if you're towing a caravan. Secondly the sloping and uneven ground in various places could make pitching a tent a bit of a challenge and you may find yourself sleeping uphill/downhill; because of the nature of the ground and the space allocated for tent pitches it means that tent size is restricted to 4-berth or smaller.
If you can accept the uneven ground and basic facilities this site is a little gem set in a little piece of heaven, and well worth any long journey you may make to get there. Would I personally go back? Yes, yes, and YES!!
18/06/2013
Luss C & CC Site
Luss Camping & Caravanning Club Site
Luss
Loch Lomond
Argyll
G83 8NT
01436 860658
Website - www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Open - April 1st to late October
Current fees - See website for details
Situated on the western shore of Loch Lomond at the southern end of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, this attractive and well laid out site makes a great stop-off point for anyone wanting to break a long journey to or from the Highlands. Backed by a pleasant tree-covered hill, and with stunning views across the loch itself it has to be in one of the nicest locations in the UK.
The pitches are well spaced out and level and most have ehu, with many of them being underneath or close to tall trees, though there are a couple of non-ehu tent areas which are quite open. Some of the pitches are right by the loch itself and only separated from the water by either a line of well-spaced trees or a grass bank. Wooden steps set at intervals along the edge of the site lead down to the shingle beaches at the water's edge and there are great views across to the far side of the loch.
The reception area is very pleasant and has a wealth of information leaflets and magazines etc; the toilets and showers are, as you would expect, kept to the usual C & CC standards and were always spotlessly clean whenever I went in there. Along one side of the site is a designated dog walk through the trees and a small enclosed childrens play area where dogs aren't allowed.
Luss village is only a brief 5-minute walk from the site entrance; there's a large pay-and-display car and coach park which incorporates an information centre, a mobile burger bar and a small village shop/general store which sells provisions, sandwiches and cakes, various small items of camping equipment and gifts. Just along the road from the car park is the only pub and in the village itself are a couple of tea rooms, a bistro, and a couple of craft/gift shops.
A short walk through the pretty village takes you to the lochside where there's a couple of very pleasant sand and shingle beaches and a pier from where you can take boat trips across the loch and/or around the islands. About a mile south along the road from the car park is the tiny village of Aldlochlay, which is little more than a row of cottages and a couple of detatched houses, but it's set on a really picturesque corner of the loch and is well worth the walk or short drive to get some good photos. About eight miles from Luss, at the south end of the loch, is the small town of Balloch with it's shops, cafes, information centre, petrol station, supermarket and castle, and the large Loch Lomond Shores shopping and leisure complex which, as the name suggests, is set right on the loch shore.
I can really only think of three niggles to this lovely site; firstly, the A82 runs right alongside, and as it's a main arterial road from Glasgow up to the Highlands it's therefore very busy and there's a lot of traffic noise, though it does quieten down a bit at night. This could be a problem for some people but personally I managed to shut my ears to it and ignore it most of the time. Secondly, with so many trees in and around the site it's a haven for midges so plenty of bug repellant is a must, though I can honestly say that on the first weekend in June the were hardly any and I didn't get bitten once. The third niggle is the entrance/exit barriers - these have a rope which loops over a nearby post and they must be kept closed at all times. This means you have to stop, get out of your car, open the barrier, get back in the car and drive through, then get out and go back to close the barrier before finally driving away. Personally I think it would be much better if the barriers could be operated by a push button or swipe card then you could drive straight through, but I suppose the powers-that-be at the C & CC have their reasons for the current system.
Niggles aside I found this to be a nice site in a really lovely location, and even though both my stays there were only brief I was impressed enough to want to return in the near future and stay for longer.
Luss
Loch Lomond
Argyll
G83 8NT
01436 860658
Website - www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Open - April 1st to late October
Current fees - See website for details
Situated on the western shore of Loch Lomond at the southern end of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, this attractive and well laid out site makes a great stop-off point for anyone wanting to break a long journey to or from the Highlands. Backed by a pleasant tree-covered hill, and with stunning views across the loch itself it has to be in one of the nicest locations in the UK.
The pitches are well spaced out and level and most have ehu, with many of them being underneath or close to tall trees, though there are a couple of non-ehu tent areas which are quite open. Some of the pitches are right by the loch itself and only separated from the water by either a line of well-spaced trees or a grass bank. Wooden steps set at intervals along the edge of the site lead down to the shingle beaches at the water's edge and there are great views across to the far side of the loch.
The reception area is very pleasant and has a wealth of information leaflets and magazines etc; the toilets and showers are, as you would expect, kept to the usual C & CC standards and were always spotlessly clean whenever I went in there. Along one side of the site is a designated dog walk through the trees and a small enclosed childrens play area where dogs aren't allowed.
Luss village is only a brief 5-minute walk from the site entrance; there's a large pay-and-display car and coach park which incorporates an information centre, a mobile burger bar and a small village shop/general store which sells provisions, sandwiches and cakes, various small items of camping equipment and gifts. Just along the road from the car park is the only pub and in the village itself are a couple of tea rooms, a bistro, and a couple of craft/gift shops.
A short walk through the pretty village takes you to the lochside where there's a couple of very pleasant sand and shingle beaches and a pier from where you can take boat trips across the loch and/or around the islands. About a mile south along the road from the car park is the tiny village of Aldlochlay, which is little more than a row of cottages and a couple of detatched houses, but it's set on a really picturesque corner of the loch and is well worth the walk or short drive to get some good photos. About eight miles from Luss, at the south end of the loch, is the small town of Balloch with it's shops, cafes, information centre, petrol station, supermarket and castle, and the large Loch Lomond Shores shopping and leisure complex which, as the name suggests, is set right on the loch shore.
I can really only think of three niggles to this lovely site; firstly, the A82 runs right alongside, and as it's a main arterial road from Glasgow up to the Highlands it's therefore very busy and there's a lot of traffic noise, though it does quieten down a bit at night. This could be a problem for some people but personally I managed to shut my ears to it and ignore it most of the time. Secondly, with so many trees in and around the site it's a haven for midges so plenty of bug repellant is a must, though I can honestly say that on the first weekend in June the were hardly any and I didn't get bitten once. The third niggle is the entrance/exit barriers - these have a rope which loops over a nearby post and they must be kept closed at all times. This means you have to stop, get out of your car, open the barrier, get back in the car and drive through, then get out and go back to close the barrier before finally driving away. Personally I think it would be much better if the barriers could be operated by a push button or swipe card then you could drive straight through, but I suppose the powers-that-be at the C & CC have their reasons for the current system.
Niggles aside I found this to be a nice site in a really lovely location, and even though both my stays there were only brief I was impressed enough to want to return in the near future and stay for longer.
17/06/2013
Lady Heyes Caravan & Camp Site
Lady Heyes Caravan & Camp Site
Kingsley Road
Frodsham
Cheshire
WA6 6SU
01928 788557
Email - enquiries@ladyheyespark.com
Website - http://www.ladyheyespark.com/
Charges per night (2014)
Camping - Adults £8.00, children £3.00 (under 3yrs free) Ehu - £3.00 Dogs £1.00 each
Caravan/motorhome charges - contact site for details
After hearing other people sing the praises of this camping and caravan site I was recently looking forward to meeting up there with a group of camping friends - it was their choice of site and my first time there but to be honest it was also my last as I disliked the place intensely.
The camping field is sloping with a central gravel roadway, though the 'gravel' seems to be more like ground up hardcore and builder's rubble as there were stones and small bits of brick lying in the grass. The pitches, although long, aren't very wide, and many of them are very uneven; the hook-up posts are situated at the front of the pitches rather than at the back near the hedge, so cables snaking along the ground to various tents could provide a trip hazard.
All bar two of the pitches were occupied when I arrived and there wasn't much space in between each unit - no 6m rule here so I hope no-one ever has a tent catch fire. I couldn't get onto the pitch I'd originally booked as there was a large tent on the next pitch which encroached halfway onto mine, making putting up my own tent impossible so I had to change to another pitch. This was so uneven that the front of the tent wouldn't peg down properly, I had to put wood blocks under my kitchen stand and larder unit to level them up and my bed sloped sideways, giving me a very uncomfortable night's sleep and dreadful backache. Also, because the pitches are long and narrow, cars have to be parked at the end of each pitch, and a long line of cars at each side of the roadway makes the site look rather like a car park.
There are two fresh water taps on the camping field and these are located at the back of the pitches along the hedge separating the field from the caravan section, but with tents in front of them even using the site map provided by reception they aren't easy to find, also it means walking across other occupied pitches to get to them. The only dustbins are situated at the very top end of the field so quite a walk for anyone camping at the bottom. The facilities block is situated over on the caravan section and there's a children's play area close to it; there's also a large play barn and a soft play area in the on-site cafe/clubhouse but these are all more suited to younger kids, with nothing for older ones.
Unfortunately, what most people don't tell you is that the site is right under the flight path for Liverpool airport and from 6am for over three hours the planes were coming over more or less one after the other and quite low - under normal circumstances I don't mind a few planes but this was more than just a few and the constant drone so early in the morning was very annoying. I was also wakened by plane noise a couple of times during the night, which wasn't funny.
On the plus side the toilets and showers have underfloor heating and were spotlessly clean, also there was music playing quietly whenever I went in there; I didn't use the pot washing or laundry facilities so I can't comment on those. One big minus point though is the location of the cdp, which is right next to the children's play area - not very pleasant or hygienic. There's a dog walk between the camping field and the caravan section with a small enclosed field at the end where dogs can be let off the lead, and on the wall outside the laundry room is a bike/dog shower set at a comfortable 30 degrees. The tops of the hook-up posts are all lit up at night which helps to light the way on any night time trips to the loos, and when pitching the tent the pegs all went in the ground easily.
In the site grounds there are several single storey buildings separated into different units selling antiques, collectables and gifts, crafts and shabby chic furniture, there's also a book shop, sweet shop, micro brewery, bistro and a lovely Yankee Candle shop. These shops are a popular weekend attraction for many people, and though they are separated from the camping/caravan site itself by hedges and small trees there's nothing to stop any members of the public walking through and wandering round the caravans and tents; security-wise that could be a cause for concern for some campers, although I personally didn't notice anyone there who shouldn't be.
Unfortunately, apart from the on-site shops and eateries there's very little to see or do in the immediate area - Frodsham town centre and Morrisons are just a couple of miles away and Delamere Forest and Go Ape are only a ten minute drive down the road but anywhere else, like Chester and its zoo, is quite a distance away.
When I originally made my booking I really only wanted to stay for two nights, Saturday and Sunday, but the site 'rules' for the time of year meant I had to also book the Friday - that was no use to me as with working in the evening I couldn't get away until Saturday morning, so it meant I had to pay for a night I couldn't use, and at £13 per night it worked out expensive. On checking in at reception on arrival I was given a swipe card for access to the toilets and showers, I had to pay a £10 deposit for this which was refunded at the end of my stay. Unfortunately, for some reason I was only given £5 back which I didn't realise until I got home and by then it was too late to do anything about it. With hindsight I should have checked before I left reception but I just wanted to get away.
No doubt many people, especially those with young kids, will think this is a great site but unfortunately I don't. In sixteen years of camping this is the first site that I haven't liked - to be honest I hated every minute of my stay and if I hadn't already paid for the one night I couldn't use I would have left after the first night there. Looking round it seems that the place isn't very old and is either still being developed or is being extended - I think with a few tweaks here and there it could be a really nice site but unfortunately it's not for me. Would I go back? Definitely not!
Kingsley Road
Frodsham
Cheshire
WA6 6SU
01928 788557
Email - enquiries@ladyheyespark.com
Website - http://www.ladyheyespark.com/
Charges per night (2014)
Camping - Adults £8.00, children £3.00 (under 3yrs free) Ehu - £3.00 Dogs £1.00 each
Caravan/motorhome charges - contact site for details
After hearing other people sing the praises of this camping and caravan site I was recently looking forward to meeting up there with a group of camping friends - it was their choice of site and my first time there but to be honest it was also my last as I disliked the place intensely.
The camping field is sloping with a central gravel roadway, though the 'gravel' seems to be more like ground up hardcore and builder's rubble as there were stones and small bits of brick lying in the grass. The pitches, although long, aren't very wide, and many of them are very uneven; the hook-up posts are situated at the front of the pitches rather than at the back near the hedge, so cables snaking along the ground to various tents could provide a trip hazard.
All bar two of the pitches were occupied when I arrived and there wasn't much space in between each unit - no 6m rule here so I hope no-one ever has a tent catch fire. I couldn't get onto the pitch I'd originally booked as there was a large tent on the next pitch which encroached halfway onto mine, making putting up my own tent impossible so I had to change to another pitch. This was so uneven that the front of the tent wouldn't peg down properly, I had to put wood blocks under my kitchen stand and larder unit to level them up and my bed sloped sideways, giving me a very uncomfortable night's sleep and dreadful backache. Also, because the pitches are long and narrow, cars have to be parked at the end of each pitch, and a long line of cars at each side of the roadway makes the site look rather like a car park.
There are two fresh water taps on the camping field and these are located at the back of the pitches along the hedge separating the field from the caravan section, but with tents in front of them even using the site map provided by reception they aren't easy to find, also it means walking across other occupied pitches to get to them. The only dustbins are situated at the very top end of the field so quite a walk for anyone camping at the bottom. The facilities block is situated over on the caravan section and there's a children's play area close to it; there's also a large play barn and a soft play area in the on-site cafe/clubhouse but these are all more suited to younger kids, with nothing for older ones.
Unfortunately, what most people don't tell you is that the site is right under the flight path for Liverpool airport and from 6am for over three hours the planes were coming over more or less one after the other and quite low - under normal circumstances I don't mind a few planes but this was more than just a few and the constant drone so early in the morning was very annoying. I was also wakened by plane noise a couple of times during the night, which wasn't funny.
On the plus side the toilets and showers have underfloor heating and were spotlessly clean, also there was music playing quietly whenever I went in there; I didn't use the pot washing or laundry facilities so I can't comment on those. One big minus point though is the location of the cdp, which is right next to the children's play area - not very pleasant or hygienic. There's a dog walk between the camping field and the caravan section with a small enclosed field at the end where dogs can be let off the lead, and on the wall outside the laundry room is a bike/dog shower set at a comfortable 30 degrees. The tops of the hook-up posts are all lit up at night which helps to light the way on any night time trips to the loos, and when pitching the tent the pegs all went in the ground easily.
In the site grounds there are several single storey buildings separated into different units selling antiques, collectables and gifts, crafts and shabby chic furniture, there's also a book shop, sweet shop, micro brewery, bistro and a lovely Yankee Candle shop. These shops are a popular weekend attraction for many people, and though they are separated from the camping/caravan site itself by hedges and small trees there's nothing to stop any members of the public walking through and wandering round the caravans and tents; security-wise that could be a cause for concern for some campers, although I personally didn't notice anyone there who shouldn't be.
Unfortunately, apart from the on-site shops and eateries there's very little to see or do in the immediate area - Frodsham town centre and Morrisons are just a couple of miles away and Delamere Forest and Go Ape are only a ten minute drive down the road but anywhere else, like Chester and its zoo, is quite a distance away.
When I originally made my booking I really only wanted to stay for two nights, Saturday and Sunday, but the site 'rules' for the time of year meant I had to also book the Friday - that was no use to me as with working in the evening I couldn't get away until Saturday morning, so it meant I had to pay for a night I couldn't use, and at £13 per night it worked out expensive. On checking in at reception on arrival I was given a swipe card for access to the toilets and showers, I had to pay a £10 deposit for this which was refunded at the end of my stay. Unfortunately, for some reason I was only given £5 back which I didn't realise until I got home and by then it was too late to do anything about it. With hindsight I should have checked before I left reception but I just wanted to get away.
No doubt many people, especially those with young kids, will think this is a great site but unfortunately I don't. In sixteen years of camping this is the first site that I haven't liked - to be honest I hated every minute of my stay and if I hadn't already paid for the one night I couldn't use I would have left after the first night there. Looking round it seems that the place isn't very old and is either still being developed or is being extended - I think with a few tweaks here and there it could be a really nice site but unfortunately it's not for me. Would I go back? Definitely not!
06/03/2013
Willow Lakes
Willow Lakes Certificated Site
Barton Street
Ashby-cum-Fenby
Waltham
Lincs
DN37 0RU
01472 826183
Website - www.willow-lakes.co.uk
Email - info@willow-lakes.co.uk
Open all year
Current fees - £10 per night inc ehu (Feb. 2013)
Situated just by the A18 in North East Lincolnshire this basic little site is a great place for a chill-out fishing weekend or as a base for exploring further afield. The camping/caravan field itself is just a small part of a much larger area of land currently undergoing development as an equestrian and fishing site which includes holiday cottages and chalet-bungalows. Access from the main road is currently through the stable yard where several horse boxes and various bits of farm paraphernalia are kept so you would be forgiven for wondering if you were in the right place, but once on the site itself you'll find it's a little gem.
Separated from the stable yard on one side by a row of tall conifers and sheltered on the other side by various tall trees and bushes the level field has a dozen hook-up points situated in groups of three and a fresh water tap at each end. Waste bins, grey waste disposal and cdp are all in a small decked area near the entrance, and at the far end of the site is a small fishing lake; on a clear day you can see right across to the Humber estuary from there. The showers and toilets are situated at the lake end of the site, with just one single-occupancy shower/toilet for ladies and the same for men - entry is by a coded key pad which you will be given the number for when booking in. Backing onto the lake are two rows of purpose-built holiday 'cottages' which are all fully furnished and equipped and with a pleasant block-paved terrace overlooking the lake. A rough track behind the site leads down past fenced paddocks to a large and very pleasant fishing lake where there are currently three chalet-bungalows being constructed right by the water's edge. The weather was very grey when I was there but on a sunny summer's day the lake and it's surroundings will be really lovely.
Away from the site itself, about twelve miles south east is the small horse racing town of Market Rasen, and just a five minute drive from the site along the B1203 is Waltham Windmill which is open at weekends and bank holidays from Easter until the end of September; there are several little shops housed in the surrounding buildings, a cafe, Indian restaurant, small garden centre, picnic areas and a miniature railway. Another couple of minutes drive brings you to Waltham village itself where there are shops and takeaways, and the coastal resort of Cleethorpes is five miles further on.
There are only two minor niggles to Willow Lakes, the first one being the proximity to the main road. There is some traffic noise during the day, which could be a problem for some campers, but although the road is an A road it's not a major one so any noise is bearable and you may find it fades into the background after a while; anyone in a caravan probably won't hear it anyway, and there's not much noise at all at night. The second niggle is the lack of a pot washing area; this probably won't affect any caravan dwellers but any campers will need to either use disposable plates and cutlery or have their own pot washing facilities.
Niggles aside Willow Lakes is a nice compact little site in a nice countryside location situated not too far from the coast, and for anyone who likes fishing it would be well worth spending a weekend there. It wasn't initially my choice as I was meeting up with friends who had already booked, but I liked it enough to want to go back there later in the year.
Barton Street
Ashby-cum-Fenby
Waltham
Lincs
DN37 0RU
01472 826183
Website - www.willow-lakes.co.uk
Email - info@willow-lakes.co.uk
Open all year
Current fees - £10 per night inc ehu (Feb. 2013)
Situated just by the A18 in North East Lincolnshire this basic little site is a great place for a chill-out fishing weekend or as a base for exploring further afield. The camping/caravan field itself is just a small part of a much larger area of land currently undergoing development as an equestrian and fishing site which includes holiday cottages and chalet-bungalows. Access from the main road is currently through the stable yard where several horse boxes and various bits of farm paraphernalia are kept so you would be forgiven for wondering if you were in the right place, but once on the site itself you'll find it's a little gem.
Separated from the stable yard on one side by a row of tall conifers and sheltered on the other side by various tall trees and bushes the level field has a dozen hook-up points situated in groups of three and a fresh water tap at each end. Waste bins, grey waste disposal and cdp are all in a small decked area near the entrance, and at the far end of the site is a small fishing lake; on a clear day you can see right across to the Humber estuary from there. The showers and toilets are situated at the lake end of the site, with just one single-occupancy shower/toilet for ladies and the same for men - entry is by a coded key pad which you will be given the number for when booking in. Backing onto the lake are two rows of purpose-built holiday 'cottages' which are all fully furnished and equipped and with a pleasant block-paved terrace overlooking the lake. A rough track behind the site leads down past fenced paddocks to a large and very pleasant fishing lake where there are currently three chalet-bungalows being constructed right by the water's edge. The weather was very grey when I was there but on a sunny summer's day the lake and it's surroundings will be really lovely.
Away from the site itself, about twelve miles south east is the small horse racing town of Market Rasen, and just a five minute drive from the site along the B1203 is Waltham Windmill which is open at weekends and bank holidays from Easter until the end of September; there are several little shops housed in the surrounding buildings, a cafe, Indian restaurant, small garden centre, picnic areas and a miniature railway. Another couple of minutes drive brings you to Waltham village itself where there are shops and takeaways, and the coastal resort of Cleethorpes is five miles further on.
There are only two minor niggles to Willow Lakes, the first one being the proximity to the main road. There is some traffic noise during the day, which could be a problem for some campers, but although the road is an A road it's not a major one so any noise is bearable and you may find it fades into the background after a while; anyone in a caravan probably won't hear it anyway, and there's not much noise at all at night. The second niggle is the lack of a pot washing area; this probably won't affect any caravan dwellers but any campers will need to either use disposable plates and cutlery or have their own pot washing facilities.
Niggles aside Willow Lakes is a nice compact little site in a nice countryside location situated not too far from the coast, and for anyone who likes fishing it would be well worth spending a weekend there. It wasn't initially my choice as I was meeting up with friends who had already booked, but I liked it enough to want to go back there later in the year.
12/12/2012
Skipworth Arms
Skipworth Arms
Moortown
Market Rasen
Lincolnshire
LN7 6HZ
01472 851770
Open all year
Current fees - contact site for details
This basic but peaceful little site is literally a hidden gem. About half a mile from the village of Moortown and almost in the middle of nowhere it's tucked away behind a pub, and you wouldn't know it was there unless someone told you about it as there's no sign at the entrance and it can't be seen from the lane; there's no reception so you go into the pub to book in. The level open field is well-draining and separated from the pub by a small car park and a grass bank, and the end nearest the car park is divided by rows of tall conifers, making a separate section for a handful of seasonal caravans. There's also a large fishing lake on one side of the site with access all the way round, making it ideal for those early morning dog walks.
There are several 16amp hook-up posts along the side of the site nearest the lake and plenty of space to pitch elsewhere if you don't need ehu. There are no lights on the site other than one near the car park so you will need a torch or lantern for any night time visits to the loo. The toilet/shower block is situated just off the car park; the doors have keypads so you will need to get the code number when you book in. I can't comment on the mens' side but the ladies side was very clean and heated by a convector heater, and even on a bitterly cold December weekend was certainly warm enough to get washed and changed in comfort. The pub itself serves good-sized portions of home-cooked food at very reasonable prices; the staff are all very friendly and there's often entertainment on at weekends.
There's nothing in Moortown itself, in fact the place is so small you can't even call it a village - hamlet would be a better word - so if you want a shop the nearest place is a couple of miles away at Nettleton where there's a small village store, or Caistor another mile or two further on. If you need to stock up at a supermarket then Market Rasen is just over seven miles south. The North East Lincolnshire coast is about twenty miles away and the resorts of Cleethorpes and Mablethorpe are easy enough to get to. For anyone camping or caravanning in winter a 'must see' is the large grey seal colony at Donna Nook, about halfway between Cleethorpes and Mablethorpe - the seals are there from mid October to the end of December and the babies are absoloutely adorable.
I think the only possible downside to Skipworth Arms for some campers would be the railway line which runs right past the site. Trains are roughly every half hour during the day with one or two goods trains running at night, and though the passenger trains are fairly quiet the goods trains do make quite a rumble, though personally I wasn't disturbed by any of them. Other than that the site is really peaceful and you'll go to sleep to the sound of an owl hooting and wake to birdsong coming from the trees.
So whether you're into trainspotting, star gazing or fishing, or you just want to get away from the rat race for a couple of days, this hidden gem is a great place to do it, and the pub only a few yards away is a great bonus for those who like a pint in the evenings. Would I go back? - most definitely!
Moortown
Market Rasen
Lincolnshire
LN7 6HZ
01472 851770
Open all year
Current fees - contact site for details
This basic but peaceful little site is literally a hidden gem. About half a mile from the village of Moortown and almost in the middle of nowhere it's tucked away behind a pub, and you wouldn't know it was there unless someone told you about it as there's no sign at the entrance and it can't be seen from the lane; there's no reception so you go into the pub to book in. The level open field is well-draining and separated from the pub by a small car park and a grass bank, and the end nearest the car park is divided by rows of tall conifers, making a separate section for a handful of seasonal caravans. There's also a large fishing lake on one side of the site with access all the way round, making it ideal for those early morning dog walks.
There are several 16amp hook-up posts along the side of the site nearest the lake and plenty of space to pitch elsewhere if you don't need ehu. There are no lights on the site other than one near the car park so you will need a torch or lantern for any night time visits to the loo. The toilet/shower block is situated just off the car park; the doors have keypads so you will need to get the code number when you book in. I can't comment on the mens' side but the ladies side was very clean and heated by a convector heater, and even on a bitterly cold December weekend was certainly warm enough to get washed and changed in comfort. The pub itself serves good-sized portions of home-cooked food at very reasonable prices; the staff are all very friendly and there's often entertainment on at weekends.
There's nothing in Moortown itself, in fact the place is so small you can't even call it a village - hamlet would be a better word - so if you want a shop the nearest place is a couple of miles away at Nettleton where there's a small village store, or Caistor another mile or two further on. If you need to stock up at a supermarket then Market Rasen is just over seven miles south. The North East Lincolnshire coast is about twenty miles away and the resorts of Cleethorpes and Mablethorpe are easy enough to get to. For anyone camping or caravanning in winter a 'must see' is the large grey seal colony at Donna Nook, about halfway between Cleethorpes and Mablethorpe - the seals are there from mid October to the end of December and the babies are absoloutely adorable.
I think the only possible downside to Skipworth Arms for some campers would be the railway line which runs right past the site. Trains are roughly every half hour during the day with one or two goods trains running at night, and though the passenger trains are fairly quiet the goods trains do make quite a rumble, though personally I wasn't disturbed by any of them. Other than that the site is really peaceful and you'll go to sleep to the sound of an owl hooting and wake to birdsong coming from the trees.
So whether you're into trainspotting, star gazing or fishing, or you just want to get away from the rat race for a couple of days, this hidden gem is a great place to do it, and the pub only a few yards away is a great bonus for those who like a pint in the evenings. Would I go back? - most definitely!
20/08/2012
Riverside Caravan Site
Riverside Caravan Site
Moorfoot Lane
Cononley
Skipton
North Yorks
BD20 8LX
07980 260727
Open all year
Current fees - Log pod £30 per night Caravans/motorhomes/tents - contact site for details
This Camping & Caravanning Club Certificated Site is situated on the outskirts of the quiet village of Cononley, just off the A629 three miles south of Skipton, and has gorgeous views over the surrounding countryside and hills. There are hard standing pitches for caravans and motorhomes and 30 tent pitches, many with ehu; some of the pitches are separated by low hedges which give the site quite an attractive look. The toilets, showers and washing up sinks are all in a large covered barn, and although basic are always very clean; there's also a freezer for ice blocks and plenty of information leaflets about places and attractions in the surrounding area. Near the main hard standing area is a play area with a sand surface and lots of small scooters and bikes, though it's more suited to the under-8s rather than older children.
There is no site reception but the owner lives nearby; there's a notice outside the barn which includes her phone number so to book in you ring her and she'll come across within a few minutes, or she'll tell you where to pitch then come round for payment later on. The log pod is situated in a quiet corner at the far side of the barn and there are several picnic tables dotted around the site. For those who like fishing there are footpaths from the far end of the site leading to the River Aire.
Cononley village itself is only a couple of minutes walk from the site and is a very pleasant little place with a stream which runs alongside the road. There's a couple of pubs - the Railway and the New Inn which does good meals - a shop-cum-post office and a Chinese takeaway, and for kids of all ages a great play park which includes a zip wire and skateboard ramps. There's also a station with trains into Skipton every fifteen minutes - the journey only takes five minutes and is less than £2 return so far cheaper and easier than driving there and paying to park. As well as the castle Skipton itself has a good outdoor market, plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants, and boat trips along the canal. Bolton Abbey is a 15 to 20 minute drive away from there along the A59 and is well worth a visit - £6 to park but that's for all day and you can use all three car parks, which are in different areas of the estate, as many times as you want.
Riverside is fast becoming one of my favourite sites but there are a few points to mention. Although most of the site is on level ground the large field where the non-ehu tent pitches are is slightly undulating, with ridges and dips along it's length which could make pitching a large tent a bit awkward, though the outer edges of the field are okay. Also the ground doesn't seem to drain easily and the ehu tent pitches, which are all level, get quite waterlogged and boggy in very wet weather; the owner does provide pallet-type boards to put down outside your tent if necessary, but be prepared to get a very wet groundsheet and also to wear wellies. The third point is the railway line - it runs right past the top end of the site and though the daytime passenger trains are fairly quiet the night time goods trains can be quite noisy so may disturb those who are light sleepers. There is also some road noise from the A629 but it's across the fields so is very much in the background so probably won't be noticed after a while.
Niggles aside, Riverside is a nice little site with great views in a lovely area, and as long as you don't expect five star facilities it makes a great place to use as a base for exploring further afield or just for a chill-out weekend.
Moorfoot Lane
Cononley
Skipton
North Yorks
BD20 8LX
07980 260727
Open all year
Current fees - Log pod £30 per night Caravans/motorhomes/tents - contact site for details
This Camping & Caravanning Club Certificated Site is situated on the outskirts of the quiet village of Cononley, just off the A629 three miles south of Skipton, and has gorgeous views over the surrounding countryside and hills. There are hard standing pitches for caravans and motorhomes and 30 tent pitches, many with ehu; some of the pitches are separated by low hedges which give the site quite an attractive look. The toilets, showers and washing up sinks are all in a large covered barn, and although basic are always very clean; there's also a freezer for ice blocks and plenty of information leaflets about places and attractions in the surrounding area. Near the main hard standing area is a play area with a sand surface and lots of small scooters and bikes, though it's more suited to the under-8s rather than older children.
There is no site reception but the owner lives nearby; there's a notice outside the barn which includes her phone number so to book in you ring her and she'll come across within a few minutes, or she'll tell you where to pitch then come round for payment later on. The log pod is situated in a quiet corner at the far side of the barn and there are several picnic tables dotted around the site. For those who like fishing there are footpaths from the far end of the site leading to the River Aire.
Cononley village itself is only a couple of minutes walk from the site and is a very pleasant little place with a stream which runs alongside the road. There's a couple of pubs - the Railway and the New Inn which does good meals - a shop-cum-post office and a Chinese takeaway, and for kids of all ages a great play park which includes a zip wire and skateboard ramps. There's also a station with trains into Skipton every fifteen minutes - the journey only takes five minutes and is less than £2 return so far cheaper and easier than driving there and paying to park. As well as the castle Skipton itself has a good outdoor market, plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants, and boat trips along the canal. Bolton Abbey is a 15 to 20 minute drive away from there along the A59 and is well worth a visit - £6 to park but that's for all day and you can use all three car parks, which are in different areas of the estate, as many times as you want.
Riverside is fast becoming one of my favourite sites but there are a few points to mention. Although most of the site is on level ground the large field where the non-ehu tent pitches are is slightly undulating, with ridges and dips along it's length which could make pitching a large tent a bit awkward, though the outer edges of the field are okay. Also the ground doesn't seem to drain easily and the ehu tent pitches, which are all level, get quite waterlogged and boggy in very wet weather; the owner does provide pallet-type boards to put down outside your tent if necessary, but be prepared to get a very wet groundsheet and also to wear wellies. The third point is the railway line - it runs right past the top end of the site and though the daytime passenger trains are fairly quiet the night time goods trains can be quite noisy so may disturb those who are light sleepers. There is also some road noise from the A629 but it's across the fields so is very much in the background so probably won't be noticed after a while.
Niggles aside, Riverside is a nice little site with great views in a lovely area, and as long as you don't expect five star facilities it makes a great place to use as a base for exploring further afield or just for a chill-out weekend.
18/08/2012
Honeysuckle Cottage
Honeysuckle Cottage Caravan Park
Old Felton Lane
Widdrington
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 5DR
01670 761286
Open January to November
Current fees - Contact site for details
If you're looking for peace and quiet away from the rat race then this little site has it in bucketloads. Situated about a mile off the A1068 it's practically in the middle of nowhere - there's a couple of houses next door and that's it, nothing else except fields for quite a distance. There's no reception but the very friendly and helpful owners, Les and Susan, live in the adjacent bungalow so you just knock on the door - if there's no-one in when you arrive you'll find a note directing you to your pitch and Les or Susan will come across to see you later on. The main part of the site has ehu pitches for caravans and motorhomes round three sides, accessed by a gravel track, and a pleasant grassy area in the centre where you can pitch a tent if you want ehu and/or the site isn't too busy. The caravan pitches over the far side are sheltered by tall trees and beyond the trees is the main tent field - much of this is sloping but you can find some flat areas if you're not too fussy about which way your tent faces.
Just by the site entrance is a small play area with a timber climbing frame, slide and a couple of swings, which will keep younger kids happy for a while. At the top end of the site is a pleasant little enclave of a dozen static caravans and the toilet/shower block is situated in this area. There are currently three single occupancy toilet/shower units which, although fairly basic, are always spotlessly clean - there's always plenty of hand soap and loo roll provided, and the showers are roomy and free. Access is by Yale key - given out when you first book in - so to avoid the potentially embarrassing situation of another camper walking in on you don't forget to bolt the door while you're in there. Unfortunately there are no pot washing facilities so you will need to do any washing up in your own unit, but the owners have plans for some improvements to the site and this issue is one which will probably be sorted out.
There are a few hens, a cockerel and three turkeys which all roam freely round the site, and though they aren't exactly tame they will come close if you throw some bits of bread out for them. For anyone who likes star gazing this is an ideal place to do it as there is no light pollution at all; there are no lights on the lane and just one by the site entrance, other than that once it goes dark it's really dark. Just across the lane is a large pond which you can walk part way round and it makes a good dog walk, but it's unfenced and deep so any kids need to be supervised. Across the fields is a section of the East Coast main rail line so you do hear some train noise occasionally, but they go past in seconds so it's not enough to be disturbing.
Set back off the A1068 across the road from the lane leading to the site is the Widdrington Inn - it was recommended to me as a great place to eat but to be honest I found it dreadful. The meal I had there must have been the worst one I've ever had anywhere and the service was abysmal. About five miles south of the site is the town of Ashington, which has most of the usual shops and a large Asda for any food, fuel and provisions you might need. A couple of miles up the A1068 going north is Druridge Bay country park which leads onto the beach and is great for dog walking. The car park there is a pay-and-display, but if you go past the signposted lane and take the next lane on the right this leads down to two free parking areas right next to the beach. The little harbour town of Amble is about five miles north of the site and just beyond Amble is Warkworth Castle which is well worth a look round - it costs £3 to park and £4.95 to get in, but your parking fee is refunded when you buy a ticket for the castle. For eating out the Mason's Arms in Warkworth itself gives friendly service and provides very good meals, and if you fancy some city centre shopping then Newcastle is only a forty minute drive south.
l can only think of one minor downside to Honeysuckle Cottage and that's the current lack of dishwashing facilities, other than that it's a nice little site in a very quiet rural area, and it makes a great base for exploring the many towns and villages on or near the Northumberland coast. Would I return? - most definitely!
Old Felton Lane
Widdrington
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 5DR
01670 761286
Open January to November
Current fees - Contact site for details
If you're looking for peace and quiet away from the rat race then this little site has it in bucketloads. Situated about a mile off the A1068 it's practically in the middle of nowhere - there's a couple of houses next door and that's it, nothing else except fields for quite a distance. There's no reception but the very friendly and helpful owners, Les and Susan, live in the adjacent bungalow so you just knock on the door - if there's no-one in when you arrive you'll find a note directing you to your pitch and Les or Susan will come across to see you later on. The main part of the site has ehu pitches for caravans and motorhomes round three sides, accessed by a gravel track, and a pleasant grassy area in the centre where you can pitch a tent if you want ehu and/or the site isn't too busy. The caravan pitches over the far side are sheltered by tall trees and beyond the trees is the main tent field - much of this is sloping but you can find some flat areas if you're not too fussy about which way your tent faces.
Just by the site entrance is a small play area with a timber climbing frame, slide and a couple of swings, which will keep younger kids happy for a while. At the top end of the site is a pleasant little enclave of a dozen static caravans and the toilet/shower block is situated in this area. There are currently three single occupancy toilet/shower units which, although fairly basic, are always spotlessly clean - there's always plenty of hand soap and loo roll provided, and the showers are roomy and free. Access is by Yale key - given out when you first book in - so to avoid the potentially embarrassing situation of another camper walking in on you don't forget to bolt the door while you're in there. Unfortunately there are no pot washing facilities so you will need to do any washing up in your own unit, but the owners have plans for some improvements to the site and this issue is one which will probably be sorted out.
There are a few hens, a cockerel and three turkeys which all roam freely round the site, and though they aren't exactly tame they will come close if you throw some bits of bread out for them. For anyone who likes star gazing this is an ideal place to do it as there is no light pollution at all; there are no lights on the lane and just one by the site entrance, other than that once it goes dark it's really dark. Just across the lane is a large pond which you can walk part way round and it makes a good dog walk, but it's unfenced and deep so any kids need to be supervised. Across the fields is a section of the East Coast main rail line so you do hear some train noise occasionally, but they go past in seconds so it's not enough to be disturbing.
Set back off the A1068 across the road from the lane leading to the site is the Widdrington Inn - it was recommended to me as a great place to eat but to be honest I found it dreadful. The meal I had there must have been the worst one I've ever had anywhere and the service was abysmal. About five miles south of the site is the town of Ashington, which has most of the usual shops and a large Asda for any food, fuel and provisions you might need. A couple of miles up the A1068 going north is Druridge Bay country park which leads onto the beach and is great for dog walking. The car park there is a pay-and-display, but if you go past the signposted lane and take the next lane on the right this leads down to two free parking areas right next to the beach. The little harbour town of Amble is about five miles north of the site and just beyond Amble is Warkworth Castle which is well worth a look round - it costs £3 to park and £4.95 to get in, but your parking fee is refunded when you buy a ticket for the castle. For eating out the Mason's Arms in Warkworth itself gives friendly service and provides very good meals, and if you fancy some city centre shopping then Newcastle is only a forty minute drive south.
l can only think of one minor downside to Honeysuckle Cottage and that's the current lack of dishwashing facilities, other than that it's a nice little site in a very quiet rural area, and it makes a great base for exploring the many towns and villages on or near the Northumberland coast. Would I return? - most definitely!
16/08/2012
Manorafon Farm
Manorafon Farm Touring & Camping
Gwrych Park
Llanddulas Road
Abergele
Conway
LL22 8ET
01745 833237
Website : http://www.manorafon.co.uk/
Email : iola@manorafon.co.uk
Open - March 1st - September 30th
Current fees (2014)
Caravan, motorhome or tent and car, plus two people (two adults or one adult and one child) - Hard standing pitch (including ehu) £17.50 per night low season, £19.50 high season.
Grass pitch with ehu - £16.00 low season, £18.00 high season. Tents larger than 17sq.m - £20.00 low season, £22.00 high season
Grass pitch with no ehu, £13.00 low season, £15.00 high season. Tents larger than 17sq.m - £18.00 low season, £20.00 high season
Additional adults £4.00 each per night, additional children £2.50 each per night, awning or pup tent £1.00 per night, gazebo £3.00 per night, additional car on a pitch £1.50 per night.
Discounts - Single occupancy £1.00 per night reduction, hikers and cyclists £1.50 per night reduction, small tent (less than 4.5sq m) £1.50 per night reduction.
This lovely little site, situated in the grounds of Gwrych Castle estate, lies between the countryside and coastline of North Wales just a few minutes walk from the small town of Abergele. There are two single track lanes leading from the main road to the site - the first one goes through the entrance archway to the castle estate, and though there's no problem driving a car through anyone towing a caravan will need to use the other lane about 100yds further along. There's no actual site reception but the owner lives at the house so booking in is done by ringing the front door bell - when I last stayed there (August 2013) none of the pitches were numbered but if you're not sure where to go then the owner or one of her family will come out and show you.
There are 15 hard standing pitches with ehu for caravans/motorhomes, 19 grass pitches with ehu and 26 grass pitches which are non-ehu. Most of the pitches are level and the grass ehu pitches are terraced and very spacious, though many of the non-ehu pitches are on a slope towards the back of the site. The showers and toilets are cleaned regularly and are always spotless and there is a hairdryer provided in the Ladies; there's also a separate disabled toilet and shower at one end of the amenities block and a covered pot washing area at the other end. Other facilities include a coin operated laundry area and a freezer for ice packs, and gas is available from reception.
Next door to the site is a large golf course with the old castle beyond it, and the lane which runs past the site makes an excellent traffic-free dog walk. Although the castle itself is a derelict and dangerous ruin and has been made inaccesible to the public the lane goes right past it and leads to several paths through the woods; if you go straight ahead and far enough there are some caves in the rocky hillside and great views along the coast. The path eventually drops down onto the road which takes you back to the site, which makes for a really good circular walk with or without a dog.
Abergele town centre is less than ten minutes walk from the site; there's a large Tesco which is open till very late and most of the shops, cafes and take-aways you would normally get in a small town, though don't expect to see any of the usual high street fashion shops as there aren't any. There are four pubs, all of which do food, and the A548 to Llanrwst leads off from the main street, about halfway along. A short drive along the main road through the town takes you to Junction 24 of the A55 coast road where there's a Macdonalds and a large farm and pet store which has a good range of pet food and accessories, and you can even take your dogs in with you.
The nearest railway station is right on the coast at Pensarn and the beach there is a very pleasant fifteen minute walk or five minute drive from the site. There are three car parks situated along the promenade, which are all free, an amusement place, kiddies rides, a couple of cafes, takeaway, beach shop and a couple of kiosks, one of which sells fishing bait. That's about it, but it's a pleasant enough little place and when the tide goes out it leaves several wide pools on the beach which are great for paddling in. If you want to explore further afield then Manorafon is ideally situated for the Welsh Mountain Zoo, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno to the south and Rhyl to the north - if you want to leave the car on site then the No. 12 bus, which goes in either direction, stops on the main road just by the lane to the site.
The best bit about Manorafon just has to be the animals; there are pigs, chickens which often roam about freely, ducks, rabbits, adorable pygmy goats and even a couple of wallabies, and there's a path which runs beween the enclosures so you can see them close up - kids will love that part of the site. I can only think of one real niggle and that's the showers - they are on a push button and although they are hot they don't stay on for long so you have to keep pushing the button, which can make hair washing etc a bit of a trial. Other than that Manorafon is a great little site with reasonable prices, and well situated for visiting other places in North Wales.
Gwrych Park
Llanddulas Road
Abergele
Conway
LL22 8ET
01745 833237
Website : http://www.manorafon.co.uk/
Email : iola@manorafon.co.uk
Open - March 1st - September 30th
Current fees (2014)
Caravan, motorhome or tent and car, plus two people (two adults or one adult and one child) - Hard standing pitch (including ehu) £17.50 per night low season, £19.50 high season.
Grass pitch with ehu - £16.00 low season, £18.00 high season. Tents larger than 17sq.m - £20.00 low season, £22.00 high season
Grass pitch with no ehu, £13.00 low season, £15.00 high season. Tents larger than 17sq.m - £18.00 low season, £20.00 high season
Additional adults £4.00 each per night, additional children £2.50 each per night, awning or pup tent £1.00 per night, gazebo £3.00 per night, additional car on a pitch £1.50 per night.
Discounts - Single occupancy £1.00 per night reduction, hikers and cyclists £1.50 per night reduction, small tent (less than 4.5sq m) £1.50 per night reduction.
This lovely little site, situated in the grounds of Gwrych Castle estate, lies between the countryside and coastline of North Wales just a few minutes walk from the small town of Abergele. There are two single track lanes leading from the main road to the site - the first one goes through the entrance archway to the castle estate, and though there's no problem driving a car through anyone towing a caravan will need to use the other lane about 100yds further along. There's no actual site reception but the owner lives at the house so booking in is done by ringing the front door bell - when I last stayed there (August 2013) none of the pitches were numbered but if you're not sure where to go then the owner or one of her family will come out and show you.
There are 15 hard standing pitches with ehu for caravans/motorhomes, 19 grass pitches with ehu and 26 grass pitches which are non-ehu. Most of the pitches are level and the grass ehu pitches are terraced and very spacious, though many of the non-ehu pitches are on a slope towards the back of the site. The showers and toilets are cleaned regularly and are always spotless and there is a hairdryer provided in the Ladies; there's also a separate disabled toilet and shower at one end of the amenities block and a covered pot washing area at the other end. Other facilities include a coin operated laundry area and a freezer for ice packs, and gas is available from reception.
Next door to the site is a large golf course with the old castle beyond it, and the lane which runs past the site makes an excellent traffic-free dog walk. Although the castle itself is a derelict and dangerous ruin and has been made inaccesible to the public the lane goes right past it and leads to several paths through the woods; if you go straight ahead and far enough there are some caves in the rocky hillside and great views along the coast. The path eventually drops down onto the road which takes you back to the site, which makes for a really good circular walk with or without a dog.
Abergele town centre is less than ten minutes walk from the site; there's a large Tesco which is open till very late and most of the shops, cafes and take-aways you would normally get in a small town, though don't expect to see any of the usual high street fashion shops as there aren't any. There are four pubs, all of which do food, and the A548 to Llanrwst leads off from the main street, about halfway along. A short drive along the main road through the town takes you to Junction 24 of the A55 coast road where there's a Macdonalds and a large farm and pet store which has a good range of pet food and accessories, and you can even take your dogs in with you.
The nearest railway station is right on the coast at Pensarn and the beach there is a very pleasant fifteen minute walk or five minute drive from the site. There are three car parks situated along the promenade, which are all free, an amusement place, kiddies rides, a couple of cafes, takeaway, beach shop and a couple of kiosks, one of which sells fishing bait. That's about it, but it's a pleasant enough little place and when the tide goes out it leaves several wide pools on the beach which are great for paddling in. If you want to explore further afield then Manorafon is ideally situated for the Welsh Mountain Zoo, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno to the south and Rhyl to the north - if you want to leave the car on site then the No. 12 bus, which goes in either direction, stops on the main road just by the lane to the site.
The best bit about Manorafon just has to be the animals; there are pigs, chickens which often roam about freely, ducks, rabbits, adorable pygmy goats and even a couple of wallabies, and there's a path which runs beween the enclosures so you can see them close up - kids will love that part of the site. I can only think of one real niggle and that's the showers - they are on a push button and although they are hot they don't stay on for long so you have to keep pushing the button, which can make hair washing etc a bit of a trial. Other than that Manorafon is a great little site with reasonable prices, and well situated for visiting other places in North Wales.
24/05/2012
Major Bridge Park
Major Bridge Park Certificated Site
Selby Road
Holme-on-Spalding Moor
East Yorkshire
YO43 4HB
01430 860992
Open - March to October
Current fees - Contact site for details
This quiet and quirky site is situated just off the A163 about two miles from the village of Holme-on-Spalding Moor. When you turn into the entrance you would be forgiven for thinking you'd got the wrong place, as with the two very large corrugated workshops and various vehicles dotted about it looks more like an old bus depot, but drive down by the side of the workshops and you'll find the site behind. And what a gem of a place it is!
The main part of the site consists of a large level field surrounded on three sides by tall trees; on the left is a group of large greenhouses and a couple of polytunnels, and anyone wanting an ehu pitch will be sited somewhere in that vicinity as that's where all the power is supplied from, though if you have a very long hook-up cable you'll be able to pitch a bit further out into the field. If you don't want power then you can pitch where you want - most campers seem to settle round the edge of the field leaving plenty of room for kids to run about. At the very end of the site there's a path leading to a bridge over a brook with another field on the other side - if you want to be really secluded you can pitch there if you wish but you can't get a car over there so you'll have a long walk back to the toilet block.
The toilet block itself is a little dated, but though the facilities are basic they are very clean, with three cubicles in the ladies and two in the men's, plus disabled facilities and one large shower room which is free but has an honesty bowl for a £1 donation. There are two drinking water taps on the wall outside the shower room and the cdp is round near the men's toilet; there's a second drinking water tap down at the far end of the field. The owners/wardens are very friendly and helpful and are always on hand if there's a problem; they do allow camp fires in fire pits but they have a restriction on which part of the site you can use them, so if you want a fire it's best to check with them when you arrive as it may affect your choice of where you want to pitch.
This is a great site for dog owners and cyclists as the Howdenshire Rail Trail footpath runs behind the site and goes for miles both east and west, so it's ideal for dog walking or a gentle cycle ride. Anyone with a liking for vintage vehicles would probably be interested in the old cars and tractors stored in the various barns and outbuildings on the site, and which are in various stages of restoration ranging from completely unrestored to fully restored and running.
The nearby village has a general store, post office, bakery, butcher's, take-aways and pubs, and four miles away the larger village of Market Weighton has some nice little shops and a Tesco supermarket. About twenty minutes drive away is the village of Melbourne where on Sundays you can have a short trip on a narrowboat on the Pocklington canal. These are run by members of the Pocklington Canal Society, and while the trips are technically free they do appreciate a donation towards the upkeep and running of the boat.
There are just a couple of minor niggles which stop Major Bridge Park from being totally perfect; firstly there are no washing up facilities so you will need to do your pots in your unit, which could be a challenge for a large family, and secondly there are no waste bins so you will need bags to take your rubbish with you when you leave - another challenge if you stay for more than a couple of days.
One thing to note which could be a problem for some people - the site is adjacent to fields of high value crops and during the early growing season there's a bird scarer in operation. This starts soon after first light and lets out an almighty bang every hour for several hours, so if you don't like being wakened early or you have children who are easily scared then this site may not be for you, although if you pitch on the side where the greenhouses are it may not trouble you too much. I heard it once on my first morning then went straight back to sleep again!
If you want to chill out in peace and quiet (apart from the bird scarer!) then this site has it in shed loads, and at only £8 per night or £9 with ehu (May 2011) it's certainly value-for-money, though if you have kids who need entertaining then it may just be a little too quiet!
Selby Road
Holme-on-Spalding Moor
East Yorkshire
YO43 4HB
01430 860992
Open - March to October
Current fees - Contact site for details
This quiet and quirky site is situated just off the A163 about two miles from the village of Holme-on-Spalding Moor. When you turn into the entrance you would be forgiven for thinking you'd got the wrong place, as with the two very large corrugated workshops and various vehicles dotted about it looks more like an old bus depot, but drive down by the side of the workshops and you'll find the site behind. And what a gem of a place it is!
The main part of the site consists of a large level field surrounded on three sides by tall trees; on the left is a group of large greenhouses and a couple of polytunnels, and anyone wanting an ehu pitch will be sited somewhere in that vicinity as that's where all the power is supplied from, though if you have a very long hook-up cable you'll be able to pitch a bit further out into the field. If you don't want power then you can pitch where you want - most campers seem to settle round the edge of the field leaving plenty of room for kids to run about. At the very end of the site there's a path leading to a bridge over a brook with another field on the other side - if you want to be really secluded you can pitch there if you wish but you can't get a car over there so you'll have a long walk back to the toilet block.
The toilet block itself is a little dated, but though the facilities are basic they are very clean, with three cubicles in the ladies and two in the men's, plus disabled facilities and one large shower room which is free but has an honesty bowl for a £1 donation. There are two drinking water taps on the wall outside the shower room and the cdp is round near the men's toilet; there's a second drinking water tap down at the far end of the field. The owners/wardens are very friendly and helpful and are always on hand if there's a problem; they do allow camp fires in fire pits but they have a restriction on which part of the site you can use them, so if you want a fire it's best to check with them when you arrive as it may affect your choice of where you want to pitch.
This is a great site for dog owners and cyclists as the Howdenshire Rail Trail footpath runs behind the site and goes for miles both east and west, so it's ideal for dog walking or a gentle cycle ride. Anyone with a liking for vintage vehicles would probably be interested in the old cars and tractors stored in the various barns and outbuildings on the site, and which are in various stages of restoration ranging from completely unrestored to fully restored and running.
The nearby village has a general store, post office, bakery, butcher's, take-aways and pubs, and four miles away the larger village of Market Weighton has some nice little shops and a Tesco supermarket. About twenty minutes drive away is the village of Melbourne where on Sundays you can have a short trip on a narrowboat on the Pocklington canal. These are run by members of the Pocklington Canal Society, and while the trips are technically free they do appreciate a donation towards the upkeep and running of the boat.
There are just a couple of minor niggles which stop Major Bridge Park from being totally perfect; firstly there are no washing up facilities so you will need to do your pots in your unit, which could be a challenge for a large family, and secondly there are no waste bins so you will need bags to take your rubbish with you when you leave - another challenge if you stay for more than a couple of days.
One thing to note which could be a problem for some people - the site is adjacent to fields of high value crops and during the early growing season there's a bird scarer in operation. This starts soon after first light and lets out an almighty bang every hour for several hours, so if you don't like being wakened early or you have children who are easily scared then this site may not be for you, although if you pitch on the side where the greenhouses are it may not trouble you too much. I heard it once on my first morning then went straight back to sleep again!
If you want to chill out in peace and quiet (apart from the bird scarer!) then this site has it in shed loads, and at only £8 per night or £9 with ehu (May 2011) it's certainly value-for-money, though if you have kids who need entertaining then it may just be a little too quiet!
23/05/2012
Centenary Way
Centenary Way Camping & Caravan Park
Muston Grange
Muston Road
Filey
North Yorkshire
YO14 0HU
01723 516415
Open - March to October
Current fees - Contact site for details
This delightfully peaceful family owned site is set on the outskirts of Filey just a 15-minute walk from the town and the beach, and caters for caravans, motorhomes and tents. Access is off the A1039 down a private un-named lane which takes you right into the site, and the reception/shop is just by the entrance. The site itself is level, very well kept and well set out, with decent-sized pitches separated into different areas by 'islands' of bushes, shrubs and small trees. Most of the pitches are gravel hardstanding (even for tents, so take a footprint groundsheet) and the majority have hookups, though down at the bottom end of the site is a separate small non-electric camping field. This is surrounded by trees and looks out over open fields, so should certainly be very quiet.
The small shop within reception really only sells the basics, but for anything more there's a Tesco just a few minutes drive away in town. The toilet block is in the centre of the site, and although the toilets and showers couldn’t be described as 'luxurious' they are spotlessly clean and well maintained. The addition of piped music and a small plant on the shelf above the wash basins just gives a little added extra. Handsoap is provided in dispensers above the wash basins, and showers are coin-operated, 50p for about 10 minutes, though you need to be aware that the water can get quite hot and there is no way of regulating the temperature. Also in the toilet block is the laundry room with a washing machine, dryer, and a free-to-use freezer for ice blocks. Round one end of the block are the waste water, chemical disposal point and waste bins, and round the other end is a covered washing up area, with 5 sinks complete with washing up bowls and dish drainers.
There's a children's play area on the far side of the site which has swings, a slide, climbing frame and a roundabout, enough to keep younger kids happy for a while; at the bottom end of the play area, and adjacent to the camping field, is a good-sized playing field with plenty of room for more than one game of football. Between the play area and the main body of the site is the dog walk - it’s not a very long dog walk, but there are three different paths winding between the bushes so it should keep most dogs happy. And if you want to take your dog for a longer walk, then just by the site entrance is a path which leads past the golf course in the direction of the beach. A very pleasant 10 minute walk will take you to Glen Gardens, and following the path down the wooded ravine will take you down to the beach.
Filey itself is a nice little town - the beach is lovely, and there’s a nice promenade with gift shops, cafes, a paddling pool, crazy golf, amusements, and a slipway called Coble Landing where all the brightly coloured fishing boats are kept. A walk through Glen Gardens and Crescent Gardens will bring you to the town which, although not a big place, provides all the shops, pubs and eateries you need. On the cliff top at the far side of the town is a country park where you can park your car and walk right out along the top of the headland. This area is very popular with dog walkers and bird watchers, and at the end of the headland is The Brigg, a rocky outcrop which is a very popular place for fishing. You do have to watch the tide if you go out there though, or you could find yourself stranded - the local lifeboat goes out on average twice a week to rescue people who have got stuck when the tide comes in. At the bottom end of the country park, near to the entrance, is a small cafe which does light meals and snacks, and a good mug of milky coffee.
For days out away from the site then Scarborough, with its castle, Peasholm Park, great beaches and many cafes and amusements, is just 7 miles to the north while Bridlington, with its harbour and large promenade funfair, is 10 miles to the south. About eight miles north of Scarborough is the lovely town of Whitby with its abbey overlooking the harbour, and between Scarborough and Whitby is the picturesque little fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay. A half-hour drive inland from Centenary Way will take you to Heartbeat country and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
It would be very hard to make any criticisms about Centenary Way as it’s such a lovely place in a lovely area, but there is one point - there is no lighting on the site and once it goes dark it is really dark, so you will need a torch for any night time trips to the toilet block. Apart from that this is a great site - I've stayed there twice so far and would have no hesitation in returning again and again.
Muston Grange
Muston Road
Filey
North Yorkshire
YO14 0HU
01723 516415
Open - March to October
Current fees - Contact site for details
This delightfully peaceful family owned site is set on the outskirts of Filey just a 15-minute walk from the town and the beach, and caters for caravans, motorhomes and tents. Access is off the A1039 down a private un-named lane which takes you right into the site, and the reception/shop is just by the entrance. The site itself is level, very well kept and well set out, with decent-sized pitches separated into different areas by 'islands' of bushes, shrubs and small trees. Most of the pitches are gravel hardstanding (even for tents, so take a footprint groundsheet) and the majority have hookups, though down at the bottom end of the site is a separate small non-electric camping field. This is surrounded by trees and looks out over open fields, so should certainly be very quiet.
The small shop within reception really only sells the basics, but for anything more there's a Tesco just a few minutes drive away in town. The toilet block is in the centre of the site, and although the toilets and showers couldn’t be described as 'luxurious' they are spotlessly clean and well maintained. The addition of piped music and a small plant on the shelf above the wash basins just gives a little added extra. Handsoap is provided in dispensers above the wash basins, and showers are coin-operated, 50p for about 10 minutes, though you need to be aware that the water can get quite hot and there is no way of regulating the temperature. Also in the toilet block is the laundry room with a washing machine, dryer, and a free-to-use freezer for ice blocks. Round one end of the block are the waste water, chemical disposal point and waste bins, and round the other end is a covered washing up area, with 5 sinks complete with washing up bowls and dish drainers.
There's a children's play area on the far side of the site which has swings, a slide, climbing frame and a roundabout, enough to keep younger kids happy for a while; at the bottom end of the play area, and adjacent to the camping field, is a good-sized playing field with plenty of room for more than one game of football. Between the play area and the main body of the site is the dog walk - it’s not a very long dog walk, but there are three different paths winding between the bushes so it should keep most dogs happy. And if you want to take your dog for a longer walk, then just by the site entrance is a path which leads past the golf course in the direction of the beach. A very pleasant 10 minute walk will take you to Glen Gardens, and following the path down the wooded ravine will take you down to the beach.
Filey itself is a nice little town - the beach is lovely, and there’s a nice promenade with gift shops, cafes, a paddling pool, crazy golf, amusements, and a slipway called Coble Landing where all the brightly coloured fishing boats are kept. A walk through Glen Gardens and Crescent Gardens will bring you to the town which, although not a big place, provides all the shops, pubs and eateries you need. On the cliff top at the far side of the town is a country park where you can park your car and walk right out along the top of the headland. This area is very popular with dog walkers and bird watchers, and at the end of the headland is The Brigg, a rocky outcrop which is a very popular place for fishing. You do have to watch the tide if you go out there though, or you could find yourself stranded - the local lifeboat goes out on average twice a week to rescue people who have got stuck when the tide comes in. At the bottom end of the country park, near to the entrance, is a small cafe which does light meals and snacks, and a good mug of milky coffee.
For days out away from the site then Scarborough, with its castle, Peasholm Park, great beaches and many cafes and amusements, is just 7 miles to the north while Bridlington, with its harbour and large promenade funfair, is 10 miles to the south. About eight miles north of Scarborough is the lovely town of Whitby with its abbey overlooking the harbour, and between Scarborough and Whitby is the picturesque little fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay. A half-hour drive inland from Centenary Way will take you to Heartbeat country and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
It would be very hard to make any criticisms about Centenary Way as it’s such a lovely place in a lovely area, but there is one point - there is no lighting on the site and once it goes dark it is really dark, so you will need a torch for any night time trips to the toilet block. Apart from that this is a great site - I've stayed there twice so far and would have no hesitation in returning again and again.
22/02/2012
Eskdale C & CC Site
Eskdale Camping & Caravanning Club Site
Boot
Holmrook
Eskdale
Cumbria
CA19 1TH
01946 723253
Website - www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Open - March to January
Current fees - See website for details
There's really only one word to describe this site and its location - fantastic! Well, probably several words, but all in the same vein. Situated on a narrow country lane just outside the tiny village of Boot in a fairly remote part of the western Lake District it's surrounded by gorgeous scenery, and the area is a walker's paradise. There are two ways to get to it - if you're a confident and competant driver then you can take the route from Ambleside at the top of Lake Windermere, which takes you over Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass but certainly isn't for the faint-hearted. Only suitable for light vehicles it's a single track road with many hairpin bends and sharp drops - better than a roller coaster ride! - and with a gradient of 1 in 3 is one of the steepest roads in England. Or you can go 'the long way round' via the A roads, which is actually quite a pleasant drive, though it seems to take an age to get there. A word of advice here - don't rely on your satnav as it will direct you over the pass; if you don't want to risk it then use a map book instead.
The site itself is ideally placed for getting to Wasdale and Scafell Pike, and is owned and run by Martyn and his wife Sarah, a very friendly and helpful couple to which nothing seems too much trouble. It's mainly level, with the access road running from the entrance right up to reception and the facilities block. The grass pitches on either side of the road have hook-up points and are backed by tall trees; behind the trees on the right a small stream runs through the site and tent campers not needing electric can camp on the far side of it. Unfortunately, in times of very wet weather some of the pitches can become a bit waterlogged, though Martyn and his staff will do their best to find you an alternative. The site also has ten camping pods and just past the facilities block is a large fully equipped camping barn and a nice warm drying room for wet outdoor clothes and boots; there's also another camping area, a hard standing area for motorhomes and a children's play area. Within the facilities block there's indoor and outdoor washing up sinks, a laundry room, chemical disposal point and the showers and toilets, which are kept spotlessly clean all the time. Reception is within the licensed shop, which has a fairly good selection of basic provisions and leaflets and maps of the surrounding area, and there are several good walks right from the site.
Boot village is just a few minutes walk from the site down a footpath near the entrance, and consists of a couple of dozen cottages, a couple of pubs and a working water mill with a 'step back in time' shop which is well worth a visit. The Boot Inn has a very friendly landlord and serves real ales and great food at reasonable prices. It also has a beer garden with a very good children's play area, and dogs are welcome both inside and outside the pub. About five minutes walk along the lane from the site entrance is another pub which also does meals, and a quarter of a mile away is Dalegarth Station and the Ravenglass & Eskdale miniature steam railway. There's a lovely cafe and gift shop on the station platform and the seven mile ride from there to Ravenglass is very scenic. There's nothing much at Ravenglass itself, it's just a small coastal village on the main West Coast rail line, but there's a good pub/restaurant near the station - the Ratty Arms - and on a sunny day the return train ride is well worth doing.
Because of the very narrow and winding country lanes the site doesn't take caravans or larger motorhomes, and with the area being so remote there's no tv signal, no WiFi internet and no mobile phone signal. Perfect if you really want to get away from it all but not for anyone who can't live without various gadgets. There's a payphone near reception though if you really do need to keep in touch with someone. Also it's advisable to take as much food with you as you can or stock up on the way there, as there's no shop in the village and it's a very long drive to get to a decent one. Leaving aside those few minor niggles this is a fabulous site in a fabulous area with scenery to die for - if you've never been to that area of the Lake District before then try it, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Boot
Holmrook
Eskdale
Cumbria
CA19 1TH
01946 723253
Website - www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Open - March to January
Current fees - See website for details
There's really only one word to describe this site and its location - fantastic! Well, probably several words, but all in the same vein. Situated on a narrow country lane just outside the tiny village of Boot in a fairly remote part of the western Lake District it's surrounded by gorgeous scenery, and the area is a walker's paradise. There are two ways to get to it - if you're a confident and competant driver then you can take the route from Ambleside at the top of Lake Windermere, which takes you over Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass but certainly isn't for the faint-hearted. Only suitable for light vehicles it's a single track road with many hairpin bends and sharp drops - better than a roller coaster ride! - and with a gradient of 1 in 3 is one of the steepest roads in England. Or you can go 'the long way round' via the A roads, which is actually quite a pleasant drive, though it seems to take an age to get there. A word of advice here - don't rely on your satnav as it will direct you over the pass; if you don't want to risk it then use a map book instead.
The site itself is ideally placed for getting to Wasdale and Scafell Pike, and is owned and run by Martyn and his wife Sarah, a very friendly and helpful couple to which nothing seems too much trouble. It's mainly level, with the access road running from the entrance right up to reception and the facilities block. The grass pitches on either side of the road have hook-up points and are backed by tall trees; behind the trees on the right a small stream runs through the site and tent campers not needing electric can camp on the far side of it. Unfortunately, in times of very wet weather some of the pitches can become a bit waterlogged, though Martyn and his staff will do their best to find you an alternative. The site also has ten camping pods and just past the facilities block is a large fully equipped camping barn and a nice warm drying room for wet outdoor clothes and boots; there's also another camping area, a hard standing area for motorhomes and a children's play area. Within the facilities block there's indoor and outdoor washing up sinks, a laundry room, chemical disposal point and the showers and toilets, which are kept spotlessly clean all the time. Reception is within the licensed shop, which has a fairly good selection of basic provisions and leaflets and maps of the surrounding area, and there are several good walks right from the site.
Boot village is just a few minutes walk from the site down a footpath near the entrance, and consists of a couple of dozen cottages, a couple of pubs and a working water mill with a 'step back in time' shop which is well worth a visit. The Boot Inn has a very friendly landlord and serves real ales and great food at reasonable prices. It also has a beer garden with a very good children's play area, and dogs are welcome both inside and outside the pub. About five minutes walk along the lane from the site entrance is another pub which also does meals, and a quarter of a mile away is Dalegarth Station and the Ravenglass & Eskdale miniature steam railway. There's a lovely cafe and gift shop on the station platform and the seven mile ride from there to Ravenglass is very scenic. There's nothing much at Ravenglass itself, it's just a small coastal village on the main West Coast rail line, but there's a good pub/restaurant near the station - the Ratty Arms - and on a sunny day the return train ride is well worth doing.
Because of the very narrow and winding country lanes the site doesn't take caravans or larger motorhomes, and with the area being so remote there's no tv signal, no WiFi internet and no mobile phone signal. Perfect if you really want to get away from it all but not for anyone who can't live without various gadgets. There's a payphone near reception though if you really do need to keep in touch with someone. Also it's advisable to take as much food with you as you can or stock up on the way there, as there's no shop in the village and it's a very long drive to get to a decent one. Leaving aside those few minor niggles this is a fabulous site in a fabulous area with scenery to die for - if you've never been to that area of the Lake District before then try it, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
12/02/2012
Station Camp Site
Station Camp Site
Pen-y-Bont
Carrog
Corwen
Denbighshire
LL21 9BD
01490 430347
Website - http://www.stationcampsite.com/index.html
Email - enquiries@stationcampsite.com
Open all year
Current fees (2014)
Caravans, motorhomes & trailer tents - £12.00 per unit per night 2-person tent - £10.00 (£12.00 bank holidays) 4-person tent - £12.00 Larger tents - £16.00 Awnings, gazebos & annexes - £2.00 Large free-standing awnings - £12.00 Electric hook-up - £3.00 Dogs - 1st dog free, extra dogs £1.00 each Extra cars - £1.00 each Winter storage - £1.00 per day
This quiet rural site with lovely views is part of a working sheep farm and is set close to the River Dee just off the A5 seven miles west of Llangollen. When I first camped there in 2002 it was little more than a small well-mown field with just half a dozen hook-up points for caravans and an 'overspill' field across the lane for when it got busy; tent campers could pitch where they wanted and if you didn't get there early enough you'd find that all the best spots were taken. There was no need to book, you just turned up, picked your spot and pitched your tent and the owner would eventually come round and collect your money.
Now though it's totally different - over the last few years there have been gradual changes and there's a proper booking system in place with the site being open all year round. The main part of the site now has a small office/reception where you can get milk and canned drinks and there are 20 hard standing pitches and well over 20 hook-ups. A gravel road runs all the way round which makes access to the perimeter pitches really easy and there's a large grassy area in the centre for campers not wanting a hook-up. Beyond the main area is a smaller field with eight hook-up points on two posts, and tent campers can also pitch in the large field across the lane, which has Portacabin toilets and is often used for events and rallies.The toilets and disabled facilites on the main part of the site are basic but very clean and are located in the barn, and new from Easter 2014 are four wet room-type showers which are free. Also in the barn is a washing up sink with hot water, and just outside is another washing up sink and the fresh water tap.
This site is ideally placed for anyone with a liking for steam locomotives as it's right at the end of the Llangollen Steam Railway line - the station is directly across the lane from the site, with trains running several times a day, and the engines turn round right at the back of the main camping field. On the station platform there's a nice little cafe, and a couple of old railway carriages serve as book/gift shops selling all sorts of stuff which is railway-related. Several times a year, usually during school holidays, there are Thomas the Tank Engine events which both small and not-so-small kids will really enjoy.
Down the lane from the site entrance is the River Dee and across the nearby stone bridge you'll find The Grouse Inn, a nice little pub which does good meals. The inside eating area isn't very big and gets packed at weekends, such is the popularity of the place, but there's a large outdoor dining terrace built up above the lane and with great views over the nearby hills. A couple of miles west of the site the A5 runs through Corwen, a nice little village with shops, pubs and take-aways, and about a mile beyond the village, set back off the road, is the Rhug organic farm shop, with a deli, burger bar, restaurant and childrens play area. A large steam and vintage show is held in the fields there on the middle weekend in September and is well worth a visit. A drive further along the A5 will take you in the direction of Bala, with its lovely lake, and Betws-y-Coed with its shops, cafes, and well-known Swallow Falls.
Llangollen to the east of the camp site has a good selection of shops, cafes and pubs, and just beyond the town centre is the canal where you can have a ride on a horse-drawn narrowboat. The ruins of Castell Dinas Bran (Crow Castle) stand on top of a hill above the town - it's a steep walk up the hill to get there but on a clear day the views from the top are worth the climb. About three miles east of the town is the Pontcysyllte aquaduct which takes the canal over the Dee valley - well worth walking across as the views are great, but not for the faint-hearted as it's 126ft high.
With fantastic views, the dawn chorus coming from the trees, and the sound of sheep bleating in the nearby fields, Station Camp Site is a lovely little place in a lovely location, so whether you want to spend a few days exploring the area or a weekend relaxing this is definitely a great place to do it.
Pen-y-Bont
Carrog
Corwen
Denbighshire
LL21 9BD
01490 430347
Website - http://www.stationcampsite.com/index.html
Email - enquiries@stationcampsite.com
Open all year
Current fees (2014)
Caravans, motorhomes & trailer tents - £12.00 per unit per night 2-person tent - £10.00 (£12.00 bank holidays) 4-person tent - £12.00 Larger tents - £16.00 Awnings, gazebos & annexes - £2.00 Large free-standing awnings - £12.00 Electric hook-up - £3.00 Dogs - 1st dog free, extra dogs £1.00 each Extra cars - £1.00 each Winter storage - £1.00 per day
This quiet rural site with lovely views is part of a working sheep farm and is set close to the River Dee just off the A5 seven miles west of Llangollen. When I first camped there in 2002 it was little more than a small well-mown field with just half a dozen hook-up points for caravans and an 'overspill' field across the lane for when it got busy; tent campers could pitch where they wanted and if you didn't get there early enough you'd find that all the best spots were taken. There was no need to book, you just turned up, picked your spot and pitched your tent and the owner would eventually come round and collect your money.
Now though it's totally different - over the last few years there have been gradual changes and there's a proper booking system in place with the site being open all year round. The main part of the site now has a small office/reception where you can get milk and canned drinks and there are 20 hard standing pitches and well over 20 hook-ups. A gravel road runs all the way round which makes access to the perimeter pitches really easy and there's a large grassy area in the centre for campers not wanting a hook-up. Beyond the main area is a smaller field with eight hook-up points on two posts, and tent campers can also pitch in the large field across the lane, which has Portacabin toilets and is often used for events and rallies.The toilets and disabled facilites on the main part of the site are basic but very clean and are located in the barn, and new from Easter 2014 are four wet room-type showers which are free. Also in the barn is a washing up sink with hot water, and just outside is another washing up sink and the fresh water tap.
This site is ideally placed for anyone with a liking for steam locomotives as it's right at the end of the Llangollen Steam Railway line - the station is directly across the lane from the site, with trains running several times a day, and the engines turn round right at the back of the main camping field. On the station platform there's a nice little cafe, and a couple of old railway carriages serve as book/gift shops selling all sorts of stuff which is railway-related. Several times a year, usually during school holidays, there are Thomas the Tank Engine events which both small and not-so-small kids will really enjoy.
Down the lane from the site entrance is the River Dee and across the nearby stone bridge you'll find The Grouse Inn, a nice little pub which does good meals. The inside eating area isn't very big and gets packed at weekends, such is the popularity of the place, but there's a large outdoor dining terrace built up above the lane and with great views over the nearby hills. A couple of miles west of the site the A5 runs through Corwen, a nice little village with shops, pubs and take-aways, and about a mile beyond the village, set back off the road, is the Rhug organic farm shop, with a deli, burger bar, restaurant and childrens play area. A large steam and vintage show is held in the fields there on the middle weekend in September and is well worth a visit. A drive further along the A5 will take you in the direction of Bala, with its lovely lake, and Betws-y-Coed with its shops, cafes, and well-known Swallow Falls.
Llangollen to the east of the camp site has a good selection of shops, cafes and pubs, and just beyond the town centre is the canal where you can have a ride on a horse-drawn narrowboat. The ruins of Castell Dinas Bran (Crow Castle) stand on top of a hill above the town - it's a steep walk up the hill to get there but on a clear day the views from the top are worth the climb. About three miles east of the town is the Pontcysyllte aquaduct which takes the canal over the Dee valley - well worth walking across as the views are great, but not for the faint-hearted as it's 126ft high.
With fantastic views, the dawn chorus coming from the trees, and the sound of sheep bleating in the nearby fields, Station Camp Site is a lovely little place in a lovely location, so whether you want to spend a few days exploring the area or a weekend relaxing this is definitely a great place to do it.
Footnote - As I have no photos of my own for this site (it was raining when I was last there) I've borrowed these from the camp site website until such time as I can go back there and take some of my own. So thanks and credit must go to David and Judith Blair, owners of Station Camp Site.
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