Visitor Reviews - Merley Court Holiday Park (shorefield Holidays)
Merley Court Holiday Park (shorefield Holidays) 
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Merley
Wimborne
Dorset (Browse area)
BH21 3AA See Map
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Tel: 01590 648331
Pitches: 160
Open: February 5 To January 2
Rating: 
8/10 from 103 Reviews
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| Date of Visit: September 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
Rating: |
| Reviewer: TentsTentsTents |
3 reviews from this member |
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Just back from a very pleasant week at this site.
Good location just off the A31 roundabout so very good for trips out and about (Kingston Lacy is a *must*).
Mostly caravans/motorhomes with some tents. On the plus side this does mean that there is less queuing for the loos and showers!
Somewhat regimented site (laid out in rows) with marked pitches. Pitches were a good size with plenty of space for our 6m tent and car. (Pitches numbered 82-127 are even bigger if you have a large awning on your van - you can request a particular pitch when you book. )
If you want electricity in your tent then you'll be put in amongst the caravans. Not a problem, they're usually a friendly bunch
Toilet blocks (x3) very clean. Only let down by missing hooks on the wall or hooks hanging off. I know it's late in the season but really that is not an excuse - any campsite pulling in over £4, 000 each and every day ought to be able to fix these as and when they occur. The site workers are however very good - report a fault (e. G. Bulbs blown) and they'll fix it very quickly (and cheerily!).
Showers hot all day, and free which is a big plus.
Being picky I would say the toilet blocks are starting to look tired (aforementioned missing hooks, no shower curtains, scaled-over shower heads, grubby pipework / window woodwork) and could do with a facelift, but I've seen a lot worse (for which I've paid a lot more!).
We went late in the season - if you went in July/August I would imagine there would be a lot of children there, so bear this in mind if you dislike children.
Swimming pool was closed due to no lifeguard (thinks: what's wrong with parents watching over their children instead of expecting someone else to do it?!) - it's probably only open during July/August.
On-site shop has all the basics, and has a bar room (Freeview tv - no Sky) although we didn't use it.
Some background noise from traffic on the A31 during the night but not intrusive. Early flights from Bournemouth leave at 06:30 and 06:40 which will probably wake you up!
Cancellation insurance is very expensive (and added automatically) - minimum £17. 50 ! - but they'll cancel it if you ask when you book by phone.
Overall a very nice site: good location, good facilities, good price (in low season)
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| Date of Visit: August 2012 |
Unit: Touring Caravan |
Rating: |
| Reviewer: Fudge53 |
1 review from this member |
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Having grown up with parents who were avid Caravanners we made a decision to purchase a used Caravan in June 2012 a Swift Challenger 550 (2005). While trying to decide on tow car and unit combinations we struck on the idea of storing the Caravan on site for the first year and looked around for locations. After a good search we decided upon Merley as it ticked many boxes.
Good points:
Very friendly staff, they helped us every step of the way when we had our van towed from Oxford Caravans to site and made sure everything went smoothly. On each visit we have had excellent service.
After the first initial weekend after delivery we have stayed with our family on several occasions and each time it has been enjoyable. The tow in/out service is £10 in total and we have found it very easy to plan and book a weekend away and arrive on a Friday night to find the Caravan already on the pitch waiting for us.
We have used the toilets and shower blocks on many occasions and have found them clean and the showers a good temperature. The shop is good but a little expensive but there are plenty of other alternatives in Poole etc.
In terms of location we find Merley ideal as shops such as LIDL, Tesco, and Sainsbury are within driving distance. There are excellent restaurants around the area and we found no problems in finding something suitable to eat. We have enjoyable days at Sandbanks, Bransome Chime, Boscome and other beaches in the area.
Having visited Dorset over many years it is very loved by the family and we plan to visit many of Dorset's gems such as Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Corfe Castle and the Jurassic Coast on future visits.
Very good site overall when you weigh up all the factors such as location, nearby shops, restaurants and lovely beaches within 10 mile radius.
Bad Points:
We found that on a couple of Saturday nights there was a lot of noise after 11pm coming from a nearby Club. The level of noise was unfair on people on site especially those with young children. We are reasonable people and enjoy music but after 11pm it needs to be a reasonable level.
Could be more facilities on site but we have access to Oakdene and have already used the swimming pool there although it can be a fair drive in traffic.
Traffic getting to site can be fun and we were held up several times on the M3/M27 and A31 but that is not the sites fault just the popularity of the area.
One of our friends stayed at our Caravan recently and found that the nearest bus stop was quite tricky to walk to and she had to cross a busy road with her daughter to get there. In the end she booked a taxi each day for £20 to ferry her around Poole, Bournemouth etc
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| Date of Visit: August 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
Rating: |
| Reviewer: Jo.H |
2 reviews from this member |
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We have just returned from a week camping at Merley Court and were pleased with our stay. Earlier reviews comment on problems with hot water; we had none. The toilet blocks were clean and never really full even though we were there at peak season. Washing up areas also very clean and plenty of hot water.
Although our pitch was flat and in reasonable condition, it was rather tight. We do have a rather large and akward shaped tent with 3'pods' + a porch, but most other tents were squeezed in too. We didn't have much space for cooking and playing in.
There were lots of families and our children found friends to play with in the playground where there was an open air table tennis court. The playground equipment was mainly directed at the under 7's. Noise curfew was 11pm and was mostly adhered to. I did make a complaint about a nearby pitch one morning after a very noisy late night drinking game with loud offensive language. Although nothing was done during the evening, the wardens obviously not listening out around the park, we had no further problems and the noisy pitch was very quiet thereafter.
Tennis courts were available with a deposit paid at the shop. The outdoor pool was well cared for and the lifeguards were very friendly and did a good job. We enjoyed some lovely sunny weather and the pool was kept at a reasonable temperature.
The bar was a little pricey, especially if you drink beer rather than lager on tap. We did spend some time in there without mking a purchase to watch the Olympic coverage and this was not a problem. Staff were very friendly and helpful.
The shop was stocked in the usual way and again was quite pricey, but then they usually are! There are plenty of supermarkets in the area and we were able to keep ourselves stocked up on our way home from days out.
It is well worth being a member of the National Trust if you are visiting the Poole area, some lovely beaches on Studland bay with expensive parking but free for NT members. (Access via chain ferry at Sandbanks for £3. 50 is quickest but beware long queue on sunny days. ) Also, NT sites include Brownsea Island in Poole harbour and Kingston Lacey.
All in all I think we would revisit this site. The staff were friendly and the site was just the right size. Fully serviced pitches, clean amenities and reasonable price.
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| Date of Visit: June 2012 |
Unit: Touring Caravan |
Rating:  |
| Reviewer: Daviesfamily |
18 reviews from this member |
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Just returned from Merley Court after a very wet half-term/ Jubilee break. We had mixed feelings about this site.
First the good points:
We received a warm welcome. The security barrier system is good - recognising your car registration.
Our pitch(a fully serviced one)was a good size and level but with no privacy hedging. Other pitches varied considerably in size and were rather cramped, although it was busy due to the Jubilee weekend.
There were three shower blocks with ample showers and basin facilities. These were on the whole clean although did suffer a bit due to the appalling weather and some inconsiderate people who just can't seem to wipe a mop around after themselves. Our main gripe was that the water was never hot, warm it was and verging on hot and not very powerful either. However, the showers were free.
The location of this site is very good, close to Poole and Bournemouth and other attractions.
Outdoor pool looked good but did not use due to the weather.
Now the bad points:
The main one was that the clubhouse and games room were shut for refurbishment, although when looking through the windows there has clearly been no work undertaken! and a notice states it is due to be finished by July 14th. Not only that when booking it was not mentioned to us that this facility would not be open. We were told on site that we could use the facilities at Oakdene (a sister site)'down the road'. Well even on a good day it is not just 'the road', and with the roadworks on the A31 it would have taken a good 45 minutes at least!
The one time we wanted to use the shop to make a hot cuppa after getting drenched and out of milk - they had no milk and no chocolate bars either! Other than that shop looked ok we were just unlucky I guess - they clearly hadn't ordered enough to cover the bank holiday weekend.
Overall the site when we visited seemed predominately full of very large family groups, occupying several adjacent pitches. This may have been because of the Jubilee weekend. However, guests didn't seem as friendly to others as we have experienced on other sites. In particular, we left a night early due to gale force winds, after having tried to rescue our neighbours awning while they were out. We had returned ourselves to find it in that state but many others including wardens must have just merrily gone past ignoring their predicament.
Our neighbours were grateful and left early too. Upon driving out we then saw several other tents and awnings being ripped up by the strong winds while their owners were not there and not one person was doing anything to assist!
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| Date of Visit: April 2012 |
Unit: Motorhome |
Rating: |
| Reviewer: Trackerrob |
2 reviews from this member |
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Merley Court is a large site, which has enjoyed an excellent reputation. However, it has probably seen better days. Overall quite well cared for, but there was maintenance required. As it was early in the season, the showers in the toilet block nearest to our pitch were closed, although the toilets were open.
The next nearest block was fully open, although the hot water wasn't hot! Only just warm. The games room was closed for refurbishment, and the swimming pool also. The shop had a reasonable choice of goods, with the usual milk, bread, and papers available. The service was quick and friendly.
We were lucky to be sited on a very private pitch, with hedges enclosing us on 3 sides, but a long way for me (slightly disabled) to empty the toilet, and to collect fresh water.
There were several vans parked close together, near to Reception, all with families, and they seemed to be on seasonal pitches. This was the noisiest part of the site, which was otherwise
Quite quiet, with only a few children around
Next to the site was a camping and caravanning accessory store, which was not very busy during our stay.
There is access to a cycle route within a mile, and the town of Wimborne Minster, is about a 2 mile walk. The Minster is well worth visiting There is also a huge market at the bottom of Oakley Hill, with lots of stalls, and a car boot sale which seemed to be a permanent feature.
The nearest bus stop on Oakley Hill is about a 15 minute walk. Buses can be caught from here to Poole, Wimborne, and further afield.
We enjoyed our stay at Merley Court, but probably won't return. We hope the site is soon returned to its full potential.
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| Date of Visit: March 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
Rating:  |
| Reviewer: Markone |
6 reviews from this member |
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Well we arrived on the Friday night at 18:30 and we were greeted with a cheery welcome from the warden. The park was clean & tidy and looks like it is 'managed with pride'.
There were some problems with hot water, but there were enough other wash/wash-up areas around the park but this was being attended to as the evening moved on.
The only slight, & I mean slight, niggle was the low, background noise from the traffic on the A31, it was just 'always there' This would not put us off and we will definitely pay a return visit
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