Dave, we had never been to Bideford ever till September...Lovely town...with a scarey bridge ! we had 1 reason only for going. The wifes childhood friend ( from age 3...to 21 yrs) moved to Bideford some 10 years ago...kept a pub!!!!!!. We never let on we were going, and it was a good job we made the effort...as the pub was just sold...and she had moved to a house locally. We found her packing up in the pub...had a coffee, yes honest, well I had a beer.And a good chat. We will be going back...and she is coming up here for Christmas if everything goes to plan, to stay with her sister. We stayed at Riverside Camping in S. Molton for 2 nights, and did a lot of motoring about for just 3 days...The wife used to work ( yes even as far away as the East Midlands) for Mole Valley Farmers...she finished in April.....so we went to have a look in the Pathfields shop whilst at S.Molton...we will be down to spend our money again next year.....we loved it.So despite the rotten weather this year....we shall return. In BIDEFORD the sun was shining all day. The Council is to be applauded, as it is costly to set this type of thing up...and so we Must use it. Cheers.
We have used the similar overnight parking at St Annes in Lancashire on a few occasions. The last time after going through the Blackpool Illuminations. It is nice to see that some councils are realising the potential of income for them and the shops in the area.
Dave, we had never been to Bideford ever till September...Lovely town...with a scarey bridge ! we had 1 reason only for going. The wifes childhood friend ( from age 3...to 21 yrs) moved to Bideford some 10 years ago...kept a pub!!!!!!. We never let on we were going, and it was a good job we made the effort...as the pub was just sold...and she had moved to a house locally. We found her packing up in the pub...had a coffee, yes honest, well I had a beer.And a good chat. We will be going back...and she is coming up here for Christmas if everything goes to plan, to stay with her sister. We stayed at Riverside Camping in S. Molton for 2 nights, and did a lot of motoring about for just 3 days...The wife used to work ( yes even as far away as the East Midlands) for Mole Valley Farmers...she finished in April.....so we went to have a look in the Pathfields shop whilst at S.Molton...we will be down to spend our money again next year.....we loved it.So despite the rotten weather this year....we shall return. In BIDEFORD the sun was shining all day. The Council is to be applauded, as it is costly to set this type of thing up...and so we Must use it. Cheers.
Thanks for that.
Incidently what did you think of the Riverside site. Reason I ask is a group of caravanning friends are coming down next March and I thought that might be a good base.
Are the toilets, Bar,cafe etc ok?
Nice to hear the sun was shining when you came, unfortunately like most places we have not been so lucky recently.
We retired and came down here at the end of 2009. Loving it.
DAVE, Riverside, we had not booked the site, as we were touring about...the weather we were after brought us south at the time of year, however it did rain for about 2 hours 1 day. We stayed just the 2 nights...and were out all day both days. The cafe and club room were closed, as out of season...we were aware of this. Reception was very good and informative on our arrival. Everywhere was spotlessly clean ( out of season ?) and plenty of room on pitch, with water, tv point, drainage. and a picnic table.We chose the site for its proximity to MVF...and its large shop, from which we purchased Milk, bread...and Mmmmmm CAKES. Both the bread and cakes were farmers wife produce! The Milk from some udder place. We found the facilities to be superb...the ladies ( i am told) are code entry and both male and female conveniences were spotless again.The site was into large building works, and with the weather we had had for weeks, the ground was very wet. They, however, had made sure that none of the site was dirty, and no mud about at all from the diggers and earth moving trucks. It was amazing the cleanliness under the circumstances. We believe that this building work was for another new facility block at the far end of the new area of the site under construction, along with a permanent fuction type room. Truely thought had gone into making the least interuption as possible. Its an all year site, and I guess the trouble they were taking with the grass and roads etc was to protect the pitches they were creating and those already done. That 'new' part was not in use of course. I would say...use it for your friends. However in season, I bet it could be a very busy place, especially in school hoildays as it is a large site. We saw nothing that would prevent us from going again. xcept that now we know about Bideford lol.
DAVE, Riverside, we had not booked the site, as we were touring about...the weather we were after brought us south at the time of year, however it did rain for about 2 hours 1 day. We stayed just the 2 nights...and were out all day both days. The cafe and club room were closed, as out of season...we were aware of this. Reception was very good and informative on our arrival. Everywhere was spotlessly clean ( out of season ?) and plenty of room on pitch, with water, tv point, drainage. and a picnic table.We chose the site for its proximity to MVF...and its large shop, from which we purchased Milk, bread...and Mmmmmm CAKES. Both the bread and cakes were farmers wife produce! The Milk from some udder place. We found the facilities to be superb...the ladies ( i am told) are code entry and both male and female conveniences were spotless again.The site was into large building works, and with the weather we had had for weeks, the ground was very wet. They, however, had made sure that none of the site was dirty, and no mud about at all from the diggers and earth moving trucks. It was amazing the cleanliness under the circumstances. We believe that this building work was for another new facility block at the far end of the new area of the site under construction, along with a permanent fuction type room. Truely thought had gone into making the least interuption as possible. Its an all year site, and I guess the trouble they were taking with the grass and roads etc was to protect the pitches they were creating and those already done. That 'new' part was not in use of course. I would say...use it for your friends. However in season, I bet it could be a very busy place, especially in school hoildays as it is a large site. We saw nothing that would prevent us from going again. xcept that now we know about Bideford lol.
Thanks for all the info on Riverside.
Very informative, although driving past it loads of times have never bothered calling in.
Im sure others on here will also benefit from your excellent review.
Quote: Originally posted by AUSTINS on 04/12/2012
DAVE, Riverside, we had not booked the site, as we were touring about...the weather we were after brought us south at the time of year, however it did rain for about 2 hours 1 day. We stayed just the 2 nights...and were out all day both days. The cafe and club room were closed, as out of season...we were aware of this. Reception was very good and informative on our arrival. Everywhere was spotlessly clean ( out of season ?) and plenty of room on pitch, with water, tv point, drainage. and a picnic table.We chose the site for its proximity to MVF...and its large shop, from which we purchased Milk, bread...and Mmmmmm CAKES. Both the bread and cakes were farmers wife produce! The Milk from some udder place. We found the facilities to be superb...the ladies ( i am told) are code entry and both male and female conveniences were spotless again.The site was into large building works, and with the weather we had had for weeks, the ground was very wet. They, however, had made sure that none of the site was dirty, and no mud about at all from the diggers and earth moving trucks. It was amazing the cleanliness under the circumstances. We believe that this building work was for another new facility block at the far end of the new area of the site under construction, along with a permanent fuction type room. Truely thought had gone into making the least interuption as possible. Its an all year site, and I guess the trouble they were taking with the grass and roads etc was to protect the pitches they were creating and those already done. That 'new' part was not in use of course. I would say...use it for your friends. However in season, I bet it could be a very busy place, especially in school hoildays as it is a large site. We saw nothing that would prevent us from going again. xcept that now we know about Bideford lol.
we visit North Devon fairly often, we have family in Barnstaple and Westward Ho.
Have stayed in a brick tent (ahemm cottage) a few times in Bideford just by the coal merchants, we love the place.
no excuse now, will have to bring out the 'camper' van and come and stay more often. (not sure how the family will respond to that tho, lol)
well done to a council with a bit of thought for motor homers.
We have also used the St Annes motorhome parking area. I think we will visit the Devon one in spring. Great news that another council has seen the light.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: North Devon welcomes Motorhomes!
We found the facilities to be superb...the ladies ( i am told) are code entry and both male and female conveniences were spotless again.The site was into large building works, and with the weather we had had for weeks, the ground was very wet. They, however, had made sure that none of the site was dirty, and no mud about at all from the diggers and earth moving trucks. It was amazing the cleanliness under the circumstances. We believe that this building work was for another new facility block at the far end of the new area of the site under construction, along with a permanent fuction type room. Truely thought had gone into making the least interuption as possible. Its an all year site, and I guess the trouble they were taking with the grass and roads etc was to protect the pitches they were creating and those already done. That 'new' part was not in use of course. I would say...use it for your friends. However in season, I bet it could be a very busy place, especially in school hoildays as it is a large site. We saw nothing that would prevent us from going again. xcept that now we know about Bideford lol.
