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Hi Everyone!

Am new to this site but have been both a 'tenter' and a caravaner for many happy years. We've been very lucky in finding good sites, probably because we've done a bit of research before booking such as using guidebooks, calling the site to check anything not made clear in the written info and in recent years, making full use of the internet to get information. Every campsite owner we have come into contact with has always been very helpful and friendly until now....

A few days ago I had the misfortune to call Forest Park Caravan Site in Hay on Wye, which I had found via the listings, to see if they had any availability for this Bank Holiday (we don't normally do last min bookings but this was a late decision) I was told yes, they had pitches available at £15 pn, I asked how much for an awning and was told an extra £1.50 pn. This was fine so I asked if we could book and was amazed when she said that as it was Bank Holiday there would not be room for an awning!

Taken a bit aback I polietly asked how big were the pitches. The person I spoke to got quite shirty and said if I had to ask how big the pitches were then I'd best go somewhere else!

I'm sorry but I thought I'd asked a valid and reasonable question, (as her comments had visions of being able to shake hands with the caravan next door through a window flashed into my mind and of course should there be a fire....) Before I could say anything further she went on to say that if size was important (!) there was enough room for a caravan and a car as on Bank Holidays there's lots of cars and caravans and so the site gets a bit too crowded for awnings and if I didn't like it then it wasn't the site for me and to go somewhere else goodbye!

I am very disturbed about this site after what she had said, surely if they normally take awnings (they must do as she quoted £1.50 pn) then they should be able to do so on a Bank Holiday UNLESS they are trying to squeeze as many units on as possible. Surely this is neither pleasant or more importantly, safe? I found her attitude appalling too. We do not expect a pitch the size of a football field just one in which we can comfortably and safely site our caravan, small awning and car and I also thought that there are regulations as to distance between units or the amount of units a field is licensed to hold. Thankfully we have now found availability at a really nice site and are looking forward to our break.  

I agree with Rizzo. Glad you have found a better site, have a great time.

Not all sites have to abide by the 6m rule and maybe the reason they restrict awnings when the site is busy is to ensure there is sufficient space between units. It's hardly in the site's interest if the place goes up in flames.

However, if you weren't happy at booking into what was obviously going to be a busy site you did the right thing in looking elsewhere.

Blimey +- what an awful attitude. I would be tempted to pose as another person and ask again to see whether this is a blanket response or you caught someone having a funny five minutes.  No excuse though. Is this site registered with the local tourist board? If so make a phonecall to them - the campsite will only have a licence for a certain number of units - so if they are packing them in for the BH they are breaking the law.

Obviously the person you spoke was embarrassed about pitch sizes - you can tell that by her attitude.

Having read some of the replies, I did in fact ring Powys County Council who are responsible for licencing site in that area. The person at the relevant dept I spoke to was quite concerned and has promised to look into it as according to her records, the site is apparantly only supposed to be licensed for 25 vans and she may well do a spot check at some point as they do enforce the 6m rule between caravans in that area. (however only for caravan parks and not tent only sites) She agreed with me that 6m should be more than enough room for a caravan and awning and if the owner was saying otherwise then maybe something not right was going on there.

I hate to 'dob' anyone in as I too run a small business but I remember seeing the aftermath on TV a few years back of a fire that had swept through a caravan park and it still gives me the shudders!

The site we eventually found that had a pitch still available (hey we got the last one!!)is Batcombe Vale near Shepton Mallett. No where near Hay on Wye but we really wern't bothered about what area we went to just as long as we could get away somewhere other than home! The site looks great on their website and the owner was so friendly and helpful and is amazingly not charging any extra than normal for Bank Holiday stays! After working on avaergae 18+ hours a day, 7 days a week for most of this year I can't wait to go as it looks a very peaceful and tranquil site.

I agree with all the other replies. Surely having a maximum number of vans benefits everyone. It is safer, less crowded and if it is a good site you will get more return visitors.

I am always a bit wary about sites that change their usual conditions just because it is a bank holiday.

Hope you have a good break

karen

Im glad you rang the Council too it makes things safer for everyone.

Hope you have a great stay at new caravan site.

We are off to Wales for 10 days this Saturday

Happy holidays to all

Cheers kathy