devon cc sites, broad park, start bay, stover, ramslade, putt...

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

have any of you been to any of these site?.

please give your view on the sites, pitches and tell me more about the area.

we have 2 children, 13 and 5 and a staffie. so lots of advise please.

thanks

jo-anne

 

[Angus1]

Only done Putts Corner from your list.

Great for the dog, Brilliant pub with easy access direct from the site, facilities typical CC but old now (although clean as usual). I wouldn`t recommend it for kids though as theres little to do on site, and whilst Sidmouth is attractive it may be a little too `genteel` for active offspring.

I would go again, but then my requirements would be different to yours.

Hope this helps.

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

Hi Jo-anne

We did the Stover site a few years ago, and we liked it. It's rather close to a busy road which leads into Newton Abbot, but we didn't think it took anything away from the appeal. There's no facilites, and the dog walk was a bit small, but you do have the added benefit of the Stover Country Park which is just out of the main gate and about 50m up the road. From what I remember alot of the pitches were hardstanding.

You are nice and close to Dartmoor so there are plenty of places to visit, and not all that far from the coast either.

We are going to the West Country in October, Stover is on our short list :O)

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

Hi Jo-anne

We did the Stover site a few years ago, and we liked it. It's rather close to a busy road which leads into Newton Abbot, but we didn't think it took anything away from the appeal. There's no facilites, and the dog walk was a bit small, but you do have the added benefit of the Stover Country Park which is just out of the main gate and about 50m up the road. From what I remember alot of the pitches were hardstanding.

You are nice and close to Dartmoor so there are plenty of places to visit, and not all that far from the coast either.

We are going to the West Country in October, Stover is on our short list :O)

wendy, i dint know that stover site didnt have any facilities.

i wont be able to go there then, thanks

jo-anne

 

[alan_374310316]

Done Srart Bay last July/August. Nice site but journey from Kingsbridge to site with caravan in tow is harrowing to say the least.

 

[chelsea1]

I live 10 minutes away from Minnows.

I would say NOT to pick it as a holiday location. Its perfect for a stopover if you are coming down to Devon/Cornwall but I wouldnt choose it for long stays. Its very close to the motorway and the Link road/dual carriageway to Tiverton/north devon. It does back on to the Grand Western canal - so ideal for dog walks and cycle rides.

 

[Vic_5039745]

Putts Corner is a lovely site set midway between Honiton and Sidmouth. It's a typical CC site, very quiet and beautifully manicured but there is nothing in the area except a great pub - The Hare and Hounds - just up the road. This pub does a carvery to die for with roast beef cooked the proper way, nice and rare and not cooked so much that you could repair your boots with it! It is ALWAYS busy and you must book a table. But I digress!!

The surrounding area inland is very pretty but the coastline, albeit historically very rich and famous, is a bit plain for my taste.

We have only ever stayed at Putts Corner as an overnight stop en route to Cornwall, but can see the potential for a very nice holiday there. We would also recommend Oakdown near Sidford - a commercial site with more facilities - in the same area as Putts Corner.

Vic

 

[Ogre]

I have to say that NONE of these sites would get my vote, and the reason is connected to Alan's comment ref. the Start Bay site. Depending on the size of your van, many of the Devon and Cornwall sites (and we used to live there), have VERY narrow lanes leading to them. Forget about dual carriageways with nice wide sweeping drives into the sites, we are talking lanes here!

The fact that YOU are towing a caravan will not give you any kind of leeway on such lanes, and if you meet something coming the other way, and it could be another caravan or an agricultural vehicle with a LONG trailer, then it can lead to some interesting communication situations!!

This is something that is rarely, if ever, pointed out in the sites publicity. Getting to some of these remote sites can be a horrendous experience, especially if you have a new or well turned out caravan. Trying to negotiate a caravan down a country lane built for a solo car or a tractor with sharp blackthorn scraping your nice shiny acrylic windows is not for the faint hearted!!

Try this site for listings of other sites, many of which have far more accessible and better sites.

http://www.caravancampingsites.co.uk/
I would ALWAYS check out the access to ANY site (certainly in the UK), before even thinking about a booking. Caravans are expensive, and damaging your caravan or motorhome before you even get to your destination would be a not very nice way of starting your break.

For us, good access straight off an "A" class or WIDE "B" class road, is essential, and well worth checking out BEFORE you make your decision.

If you DO decide to go the "lanes" route, then NEVER, EVER, reverse your caravan in such a lane, unless you have a family member walking behind the caravan to check clearances at the sides, back and even above your caravan.

As I've said, we lived in Devon for many years, towing our caravans all over Devon, Dorset and Cornwall as well as further afield. Narrow lanes are bad news. Take it from those that have been there and done it!!