LONGLEAT - WARMINSTER [110]

Tuesday 14th April – Sunday 19th April 2009

The journey from the park entrance roundabout to the site is a bit of a route march but is apparently designed to prevent congestion on the narrow exit route. However it is well worth it for the views over the estate and surrounding countryside. Being a club site, check in was faultless and we managed to find two pitches next to each other. The site has two toilet blocks and was busy for our stay which was during the school holidays after the Easter break. Turn left outside the site entrance and you are in the Longleat estate where entrance passes may be purchased. The vehicle entrance to the safari park is signposted off the exit route, however if you prefer you can board a bus from near the caravan site entrance which will take you around the park. This can be expensive as they charge £5.00 [April 2009] per person and you have to book at one of the ticket booths in the park. You will need a minimum of one day to enjoy the full facilities of Longleat. However if you don’t see everything on the first day your entrance pass can be used on any other day during most of the current year.

There are a couple of pubs on the A362 near the exit route [which can be used as an entrance when solo], and a couple of supermarkets in Frome. All other services are available at Frome or Warminster. Didn’t see a handy bus service in the area, but I assume one must run along the A362 which is a fair walk from the site entrance.

There are lots of things to do in the surrounding area, and the information room onsite has all the usual details.

Digital signal available from electric bollard. Own coax cable required

£20.80 per night [3 adults]

OAK TREE FARM - TAMWORTH [109]

Friday 10th April – Tuesday 14th April 2009

You will have to park on Drayton Lane on arrival to open the gate that is usually shut. The site is a mainly flat rectangular grassed field with a central hardcore drive on a working dairy farm. Drayton Lane is busy during the day but becomes much quieter in the evening.

A bus service between Birmingham and Tamworth runs along the A453 which is a good half mile away, and a working mans club is about the same distance away in Drayton Basset. Anything else needs to be driven to in nearby Tamworth and surrounding area. Fazeley has some useful shops, pubs and takeaways. There is a large retail park just off the A5.

The site is perfectly situated for Drayton Manor Theme Park and the popular canal side area around Fazeley Junction, with many other interesting places in and around Tamworth.

Analogue TV signal good
Digital signal available

£7.00 per night

TOP HOUSE FARM - NOTTINGHAM [108]

Monday 6th April – Friday 10th April 2009

On arrival continue up Lamins Lane for about 350 yards and the site is on the right. You will have to park to open the gate which is usually shut. The lane is narrow for the first 100 yds and has three speed humps in this area but after this it is wide enough for two vehicles to pass. Although a private road, it can be busy during the day with farm traffic, cars and commercial delivery vehicles. It becomes a lot quieter in the evenings. The owner called to welcome me and provided a useful fact sheet about the surrounding area. The field is gently sloping with the pitches, one of which is on a hardstanding, in mown bays between newly planted trees.

The ‘Pronto’ bus service to Nottingham runs every 15 Min's during the day from the stop opposite the farmhouse. More locally, nearby Arnold has a supermarket and all the other services that may be needed. All these details are set out on the fact sheet that the owner provides.


Analogue TV signal good
Digital signal available

£8.00 per night

COLLEGE FARM - SCUNTHORPE [106 & 107]

Friday 13th March – Sunday 15th March 2009
Friday 27th March – Sunday 29th March 2009

This site has improved enormously since I last visited three or four years ago. There are now hardstandings and a tea room serving cakes to die for [not good for the figure]. Breakfasts are available if you don’t fancy cooking, full details are available on their website http://www.collegefarm.org/

We visited the site twice in a fortnight because my daughter and her husband ordered a new car on the first visit and collected it on the second. This is the type of site that I could revisit over and over again. This working farm is run by the friendly Ogg family who always make you welcome. It is a level site with hardstandings or grass in the centre of Alkborough village. The shop in the village seems to have disappeared, but the club makes visitors welcome.

A bus runs from the village to Scunthorpe where all services can be found. There are several supermarkets scattered about the town. Burton upon Stather has shops, pubs and takeaways. Normanby hall is a short drive from the site and is well worth a visit.


Analogue TV signal good
Digital signal available

£8.00 per night

THE RANCH - SELBY [105]

Friday 27th February – Sunday 1st March 2009

This commercial site has it all, level pitches on hardstandings, new shower and toilet block, clubhouse with bar and restaurant. The weekend of our visit was reasonably busy, with many seasonal pitches taken by regulars. I have never been able to make my mind up about seasonal caravanners. They are all helpful and have a good knowledge of local facilities and amenities. However they come across as superior to the common or garden caravaner and usually have their own glasses and seats in the bar. Perhaps it’s me.

I’m pleased to report that my daughter and husband are getting better at caravanning, but they still have a long way to go. My son in law is an ex HGV driver so towing and manoeuvring are not a problem, they just need to get into a routine, which will eventually come, [I hope].

The approach to the site is straight forward, but watch out for the speed humps in Cliffe village. The entrance has an electronic security gate which was open when we arrived. Visitors are given a key to operate the gate for which the owners require a deposit.

Selby is the nearest major town for shopping etc, however there is a pub and convenience store in nearby Cliffe. I believe a bus service to Selby runs from the village. York is a short drive away with a Park and Ride service available to the south of the city.

Analogue TV signal good
Digital signal available

£14.50 per night [This varies with occupancy during main season]