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Hi

We shall be trying out our new van in the next few weeks or so and ask if anyone could give any info on caravan sites that do not have narrow/windy or tight access for our first outing.  Thinking of Dorset as do not want to travel too far first time.  Would like electric hook up  Have been ploughing thro the reviews on here which are very helpful but not much is said about access.

Cheers

Carol

Hi Carol - have you looked at Merley Court nr to Poole, they are part of the Shorefield group and the site is fantastic with quite good access.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=1230

hth

Ian

Hi Carol

We did our first trip to Home Farm Holiday Park at Edithmead (Burnham on Sea), Somerset.  The reason we chose it is because it is barely a stone's throw from the exit of the M5 and has a nice wide, easy, entrance.  Mr Ulti-mates was very nervous of his first tow to site and we chose it particularly for his sake!

As with almost all sites, it has barriers to drive through, but they're not difficult.

Also, there is a very major caravan dealer/accessory shop just down the road at Highbridge Caravans, which means that if anything doesn't work, or gets forgotten, or if you haven't yet bought all the necessaries, then they are very close by.

There are review of it on here, but from a first-timer point of view I can recommend it for a night of two of 'initiation' regardless of whether or not it is the type of site you would use in future.

Carol -

I would tell your OH not to worry too much. I am fairly new to this but you soon settle down and find that the van will just follow along behind the car, only a little extra thought is needed on right turns and islands otherwise if a good match and correctly loaded you almost don't know it's there! If never towed at all there are always courses or find a big empty car park and practice.

I think you will find that most sites have reasonable access, if not someone will almost certainly have commented on the problems in a review. We choose a site less than 10 miles away, half way between home and a caravan supplies superstore for our first weekend. Found we made more than one trip to both whilst we were sorting things out . Location more important than facilities by far but still wanted EHU to check everything out and shower block to stay feeling human.

HTH

regards

Tony

Hi Carol, Hunters moon caravan club site near wareham in Dorset has very easy access off a long straight road, it has EHu and good facilitys and there will be plenty of people around to give a hand if you get stuck with anything, also off the same road is wareham forest.

Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone,

As we fancied Dorset I think we will probably try Hunters Moon/Merely Court and if already full up try the others mentioned.  I will make a list, for future reference, of any sites that anyone cares to mention.

TonyC52,

Thanks for the tips, very useful. OH actually is a very optimistic soul, I am the pessimist who could worry for England!  He is very "it'll be ok" and never reads the instructions (sound familiar ladies?no offence to any of the gallant gentlemen out there) whereas I want to try as far a possible to eliminate any problems even when there may not be any.  Opposites attract they say, must do, 43 years and counting

Carol.

Most of the larger sites are ok, it is the little CLs and CSs you need to worry about!

Like you, I have an OH who never reads instructions, and never worries about anything.     For possible narrow gates we use the 2-way radios, me usually standing at the rear of the van going hysterical!!!!!

39 years and counting for us!

Jennifernn

That could be me! LOL 

Carol

Carol,

If its a weekend, if you access the CC website you'll probably find that Hunters Moon is full up at weekends & I seem to remember that its a members only site, but I could be wrong on that score! but if you phone the site direct on 01929 556605 they will be able to tell you if it is & if they have any last minute cancellations & pitch availability.

If no joy there you could always try here; WAREHAM  FOREST TOURIST  PARK
North Trigon, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7NZ
Tel (01929) 551393 Fax (01929) 558321
its about a mile up the road from Hunters Moon & a really nice site st in the forest, big pitches & easy to get to from the A31/A35 & a doddle to get into no narrow lanes & its not far from Monkey World, the Tank museum at Bovington or Poole

Hi George

Thanks for this.  We have to ring the dealer tomorrow to see what time we can pick up the van.  All being well, I can then try to book, thanks for the tel nos etc.  Toying with the idea of joining the CC or C&CC but another expense on top of all the add ons needed setting up. I like the sound of the access to Wareham.

Cheers

Carol

CC is well worth joining if you want to use their sites, which are always excellent.  No need to read their reviews!  Membership cost is saved in 5 nights, you can join at any site.   Also lets you use the CLs, which are much cheaper.

Worth it too for the insurance (I hope you have insurance?),  breakdown service, ferry bookings, even the magazine!

Hi Jenniferrn

Yes we do have insurance for damage to caravan or persons and breakdown.  Have the RAC "get you going once you've broken down" but not recovery.  Am biting my lip a bit about that but it is another £70 odd.  Take your point about benefits of joining clubs.

Cheers

Carol