Parksy
Moderator
Thanks Keefy, here are my impressions of the site:KeefySher said:That looks a solid outfit, and shiny too
However, instead of putting up pics of shiny motors, there was, I recall, a promise of a review of your trip to Bath Chew Valley that would I assume include mention of the manhandling of your caravan, whilst the shiny motor was on display to all and sundry in the car park, which is probably the true reason for having such a shiny motor
So, how was it??
After a relaxing tow with the Sorento down the M5 from the West Midlands, using the cruise control that my trusty old Pajero had lacked, we followed the directions provided by Chew Valley Caravan Park and turned into the lane leading to the site, where we parked in the arrival area as instructed on our booking confirmation.
After checking in with the friendly receptionist we unhitched the caravan from the car ready for the site employee to take our caravan to the designated pitch using a small tractor with a front mounted (and degreased) towball to move our caravan competently and without fuss.
This was accomplished in a very short space of time while we waited in the car for the employee to wave us up a short driveway to the caravan which had been parked squarely within our hard standing gravel pitch.
I simply levelled the caravan fore and aft to my satisfaction, lowered the steadies and connected the water, drainage and ehu on the fully serviced pitch, we were to all intents and purposes glamping with no aquaroll to fill or grey water to empty during our stay.
The site itself is beautifully landscaped, with neat gravel pathways bordered by lawns, shrubs, interesting small sculptures in stone, metal and wood with wild growing hedgerows and trees forming the boundaries which encourage a wide range of wildlife and wild birds which provide a dawn chorus.
Slightly less welcome is the early morning aircraft noise from Bristol airport, about seven miles away, but with the wind blowing in a certain direction a distant roar is sporadically heard during take offs from 6:30 am until around 11 pm.
Of course aircraft noise is no fault of the site which otherwise is calm and peaceful with just the birdsong and the soothing sound of the wind in the trees, a lovely place to relax and to use as a base to explore the lovely vibrant and historic cities of Bath and of Bristol, both within half an hours easy drive during off peak times.
Chew Valley Caravan Park is close to the lakes in the area, another reason why the site owners prefer cars to be parked on the car park a very short walk from the caravans, because the well tended grassy areas are soft and would deteriorate rapidly if cars were regularly driven over them.
Shoppers are allowed to drive along the well compacted gravel driveways to unload heavy items, and of course cars can be parked on the gravel aprons when unloading on arrival and loading prior to departure.
The site employee will pull the caravan round to the reception area when you are ready to leave, where there is plenty of room to back your car onto the hitch as he guides you, a job he's done countless times before.
No review of this site would be complete without mentioning the facilities, there are various recycling points for rubbish and there is no communal toilet block as such.
Instead each unisex toilet and shower are separate self contained units in the row (including an adapted toilet and shower for disabled users), lovely and warm with a ready supply of hot water, a hair dryer and all absolutely spotlessly clean and well maintained.
The CDP is part of this structure, it is one of the very few which is indoors, has adequate cassette washing and flushing equipment and a clean hand was basin with liquid soap and a hot air dryer to ensure that what can be a disagreeable task is as hygenic as possible.
There is also a laundry which I didn't visit, we were only there for four nights but I'm sure that it will be up to the same high standard set by other on-site areas.
There are no clubhouses, leisure complexes or childrens playgrounds on this adult only dog friendly site, just well maintained grounds, peace and quiet and first class toilet /shower facilities.
Internet facilities are available, these are administered by Club Wi-Fi, an outside agency familiar on many caravan sites.
The abscence of cars near to caravans was in many ways a bonus for us, no early departure engines ticking over for ages or late night door slamming, and the short walk to the car park was not an issue for us at all, the site is level and the gravel is reasonably well compacted for wheelchair users.
I'd have no hesitation in recommending Chew Valley Caravan Park, it's place in the Practical Caravan Top 100 sites is well warranted and we will definitely add it to our growing list of sites to re-visit.
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