This was supposed to be our first camping trip. We were booked into Hollands wood at the end of July, but as everyone knows it rained a bit. A few days before we were supposed to go i thought i would check to see if the camp site was open. We didn't know if companies contact you to let you know they are turning people away or having problems. How wrong we were.
The women on the end of the phone wasn't very helpfull. She said they were turning people away and sending then to other sites, but they were suffering as well. No advise of what to do. The only thing she did say was, " If you don't turn up you will lose your deposit".
I phoned their HO and was advised we would get a credit note. This wasn't any good as we are short for time off and their manners weren't very welcoming. So i said i wanted our deposit back, which they eventually agreed to, reluctanly.
Two weeks on and still no money back and they keep on saying, "we will do it."
To me this isn't good customer services. Off to find a small friendly camp site.
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Sorry to hear of the problems you've had, hope it doesn't put you off.
We're off on our first camping trip next weekend to a site just outside the New Forest. We were going to try either Hollands Wood or Ashurst but decided on a private site for our first one, glad we changed our minds now.
Don't get me started on Hollands Wood.
Fantastic position for a campsite but some of the staff...like I said I won't get started. People skills (whatever that is) are not their forte.
------------- just love the freedom under canvas
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thats a shame . i hope you get your money back. through personal circumstance. i dont alway want to risk booking a holiday. iv found a site that is just turn up and pay daily if need be (no ehu by the way)i would call round and see if you can put one of theses type of sites on your short list. i was on the understandidng if the site called you to cancel then you had the right to a full refund.thats prob why they didnt call you loss of monies on there part, but on the other hand two sites on the camp search here posted the weather situation as needed .
i can't comment on getting money back but when we stayed there for our 1st trip the staff could not have been more helpful when our car batterywent flat, loaned us jump leads and were very friendly.
but of course i wasn't asking for money!!
i'd put it down to stress re: the weather
but i could be wrong
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My mum always stays at the Longbeech Forest Holidays site and the staff there have always been lovely to her, including charging her leisure battery and they recognise her from before and let her pitch in her favorite pitch. Maybe the people on site are nicer than the people on the phone as it is a general booking line isn't it?
I thought i would use, " carp " to describe there service as i thought the correct spelling might be removed.
When we couldn't get to Hollands wood we camped at my fathers farm for a few night so my boys could try camping. I'm going to contact a few other farmers i know as it was lovely and peacefull.
We have found a nice friendly site in kent which we will try as and when we get chance.
Sounds like it is just one of those things to chalk up to experience- though if the money is slow in coming I would be inclined to WRITE to their head office and say that this shoddy performance has put you off ever using them again.....it might get you a discount offer or something!
Glad you have found alternative arrangements. Farm camping is basic, cheap and gets you bargain hols in great parts of the country.
We're just back from Forest Holidays Glenmore site at Aviemore and I have to say I have mixed feelings about using them again.
On the plus side, the staff were very helpful, the toilet and shower blocks were first class with loads of hot water available all day round.
However, the pitches themselves left a lot to be desired. Ok so we arrived there on Monday in the middle of a mega downpoor, but I'm not used to seeing such a haphazard pitching system. The only suitable non-EHU pitch I could find had 2 small 'rivers' running down it due to very poor drainage, the ducks off Loch Morlich were resident in many of the mini-ponds that seemed to have formed. Purely on that basis, I don't think I'll be taking the kids back there in future.
Before anyone says anything, I'm a Guide guider and I'm used to roughing it when I go camping but even our worst campground is less bumpy and water logged that Glenmore was.
------------- Denise & Kids (x2)
Been bitten by the camping bug
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Glenmore site is fsntastic in good weather but a nightmare in rain. We like because it is so rough and ready. But I can see your point about the rain. this year however has been excessive. I would try again when the summer has been drier
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: Carp service from FOREST HOLIDAYS
but i could be wrong
