Hillhead cc site, brixham, devon

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hi whats the site like?.

what are the pitches like?.

is there a beach nearby?.

what attractions and sites are nearby for my children?.

anything else would help

thanks

jo-anne

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

i am surprised that no-one has been to this site on here, lol.

jo-anne

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

mandy, my kids are reece 14 and lucas 6. reece does have learning difficulties and the lucas is the size of a 2-3 year old as he was prem.

reece loves swimming. lucas likes to paddle, they love the park and both like to ride there bikes.

weve not been on a noisy park before would we like it?.

thanks

jo

 

[Lara_374353049]

Hi Joanne,

We went to Hillhead last year for 2 weeks in August, and loved it. We've got 2 girls, aged 5 and 8 at the time, and there was plenty to keep them occupied.

The site is on a hill (funnily enough!), most pitches are separated by hedges, but some of these i thought looked a bit of a squeeze if you have a large van. We've got a twin axle, and went on the grassed area at the top of the site and found we had loads of room for our full sized awning, plus car, leaving more than enough space between our neighbours.

The play park for the kids has a large wooden fort, which our 2 loved. Also a large field for ball games etc.

There is a swimming pool and a toddlers shallow pool, life guards on duty at all times. When we were there they did have a set time when inflatables were allowed in the pool, but this was kept under control, ie not too boisterous!

The site was very busy when we were there, but the facilities were immaculate at all times, i never had to queue for the showers or the parent and toddler room. Staff very friendly and helpful too.

There is a bar on site, which has evening entertainment. Normally this puts me off, but again, very impressed! There was either a magician or a clown first of all for kids, then quiz later for adults. Main thing that i was pleased with though, was every one was well behaved, no drunken idiots and no rowdy/unruly kids or teenagers.

With regards to beaches, we didn't get that many hot sunny days, but when we did, tended to stay on site. We visited Torquay, but found it tacky and scruffy, beach not up to much either, suggest you give it a miss. Brixham looked nice, we only visisted on the evening, seems more traditional fishing village. Blackpool sands was a 30-40 min drive away. This is a shingle beach, but very clean.

Theres loads of stuff to do in the area, there's an excellent model village, can't remember the name, but the site has leaflets on it. Paignton zoo very good too. There is a traditional steam train that runs from a station a couple of miles away from the site, to Dartmouth, which is very nice.

Don't want to waffle on too much, so just let me know if you need to know anything else.

I can highly recommend it, and if we hadn't been going to France this summer, we would've been going back to Hillhead.

Hope this helps!!

Lara.

 

[RogerP]

just to add a little more.

Hillhead is a very nice site and well managed but its big (230+ pitches) so will get busy. Although most pitches are separated by hedges I did feel some were cramped and if putting up an awaning you'd have to park the car partly on the access roads. That said some of the pitches like this do have a parking area nearby.

The site has a Spar shop but seemed expensive. We opted to use either the Sainsburys or Morrisions (right by Paignton Zoo)

we didn't like Paignton as its very much like Blackpool. Beaches weren't briliiant , mostly shingle (paignton was also covered in green slime!!!)

Check out the Living Coasts at Torquay good half a days outing. Aim to be there about 2:30 when they feed the penguins as they are free to roam and will wander around the boardwalk.

The steam train to Kingswear is another good outing with the ferry over to Dartmouth.

Fianlly the wardens do have some discount vouchers so be sure to check out what they've got.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

thanks Lara and Roger you have been a great help. we have managed to book 20 nights there. They have reserved us a pitch because our van is 26ft and put us near the loos and facilities because our eldest has a blue badge. Lara im like you and dont know what to expect because we normally go on quiet cc sites and go out everyday and spend about

 

[MissRuby]

thanks Lara and Roger you have been a great help. we have managed to book 20 nights there. They have reserved us a pitch because our van is 26ft and put us near the loos and facilities because our eldest has a blue badge. Lara im like you and dont know what to expect because we normally go on quiet cc sites and go out everyday and spend about

 

[MissRuby]

Hi Jo-anne

Went to Hillhead at the end of May agree with Lara and Roger about the site, we were pitched behind the shop and pool area. Some of the pitches on grass had alot of water on them. We have a twin axle and used a porch awning but luckily our friends had a larger pitch and we parked the car on their pitch. My kids are 10 and 8 they loved it there especially the pool and the play area.

 

[RogerP]

Jo-anne

re your sandcastle beach.

I think alot of the beaches are shingle , however i did read something either while we were there or on the tourist info website and it mentioned a beach in the area that was one of the best for sandcastle building.

(Sad that I know this but some university boffin has done studies on the best beaches for building sandcastles.)

I think its Torquay beach , do a web search you may find the answer. If yo do go up to Torquay there was a fixed hotair balloon there , takes you up about 200 feet might be nice treat , dont know the costs though.

 

[Lara_374353049]

Hi Joanne!

I know what you mean about spending

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

lara, we are going to hillhead from monday 14th july to sat 2nd august at the moment. we want to leave on the sunday so less traffic so waiting for another cancellation for 1 extra night making it 21 nights.

im sure torquay did win an award about its sandcastle sand it was a test on the coast programme.

hope you have a good hol and ill keep you posted.

thanks everyone

jo-anne

 

[Lara_374353049]

Hi again Joanne,

We travelled down to Hillhead on a Sunday, albeit during the school holidays and when we reached the outskirts of Torquay it was gridlocked. This was mid afternoon. I would've thought that if you are going on Monday 14th you should find it ok to get through as kids don't break up till the following week.

We did an overnight stop at Blackmore CC site on the Saturday, leaving there about 10am on the Sunday to break the journey up.

Hope you have a fab time!

Lara.

 

[RogerP]

we were down there the week before the last BHols. The wardens said that the Saturday they'd got 146 units arriving.

We noticed that the Friday night the late arrivals was full (and they do have 2 areas I guess for probably 6-8 units at a push) and on the Saturday morning the wardens were having to let people on site from about 08:00am , seemingly to ensure they didn't have people queuing out on the road.

We left at about 10:00am on the Saturday , up to the Friday late afternoon the site had about 40 pithes occupied. From about 6pm there was a steady flow of arrivals. When we left it was well over half full if not 2/3rds full.

Credit to the Wardens though it is a well run site.

 

[Tapestry]

hi Joanne

We were at Hillhead cc for 10 nights over spring bank holiday, our third visit. Its a lovely site, some pitches are smaller than others, you may need your levelling blocks, the site slopes. We have a 24 ft single axile van and have been on different pitches each time, our choice. There are some lovely views from parts of the site, take your camera.

We have 3 children, 2 with special needs, including learning disability. Our youngest (9 year old) has Autistic Spectrum Disorder. We introduced him to the wardens and explained his difficulties, they were brilliant in their response. He like us had a good time, despite the poor weather at times.

The site has both disabled toilets/showers, need a RADAR key and family bathrooms, with shower and toilet facilities, you pay a returnable deposite for the key. Both are very good.

The play area is good, as is the play field for football, flying kites etc.There is also a skateboard ramp next to the play area. The pool area has a paddling pool with some fun things in and a swimming pool, can't remember the depth but our 10 year old can stand up in the pool. The Spar shop on site sells a range of things, including food, papers, wine etc and pocket money price things. Our daughter collects teddies on key rings etc and was spoilt for choice, as were her brothers with special needs.

Paignton zoo is worth a visit, as is the steam railway and ferry to Dartmouth. The Marble museam, not very big, but has a few interesting marble runs. Goodrington Sands has a sandy beach, mini golf, boats you can ride on a lake. The Inn on the Key serves food and is child friendly, over looks the sea at Goodrington Sands.

We were not the only family with children with special needs there. The site is busy during school holidays. We will be returning again.

Hope this helps

Annette

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hi annette, thanks for your reply. my eldest has special needs and mobily problems. my youngest also has problems.

glad you had a great time i cant wait now.

jo-anne

 

[Jimbob1]

Hi Joanne,Goodrington Sands is not to far away there on the road into Paignton and thers so good sandcastle sand there.There is a steam railway station there too.Brixham is a typical old fishing port plenty of seagulls flying around watch for the plops its good luck to have one plop on your head!!!!.Enjoy.Jimbob

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

thanks everyone for all your help and advice.

jo-anne

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Jo-anne

Is this one also going into your new site book for 2009???

I reckon Hillhead will be the best ever for all of you and Reece and Lucas will have a great time as indeed will you and Craig.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers

Alan

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hiya, we cant wait to go, if our friends wernt getting married on the 12th we would be away now.

thanks

jo-anne

 

[ThePlotter]

Joanne if you go on carryoncamping.org Martin is there at the moment with lappy so you can get him.

 

[ThePlotter]

Joanne ,Martin is back on Saturday and is putting a report with photos on the carryoncamping.org

 

[cokey1970]

As Plotter says, we're currently staying at Hillhead and what a fantastic site. The site is quite busy at the moment although not full. Great facilities and the wardens are the friendliest I've met so far.

Most of the evening entertainment in the club has been quite good although some quite dodgy! Excellent play area for the kids consisting of a huge wooden fort, skateboard ramp and wooden caravan/motorhome. Next to this is a very large play field with views to the sea.

We chose a grass pitch at the top of the site situated between hedges and levelling blocks were needed. There are plenty of hardstandings and the CC has applied to have 34 more.

I'll put a full review and photos on carryoncamping.org when we come back on Saturday.

Martin.

 

[cokey1970]

As Plotter says, we're currently staying at Hillhead and what a fantastic site. The site is quite busy at the moment although not full. Great facilities and the wardens are the friendliest I've met so far.

Most of the evening entertainment in the club has been quite good although some quite dodgy! Excellent play area for the kids consisting of a huge wooden fort, skateboard ramp and wooden caravan/motorhome. Next to this is a very large play field with views to the sea.

We chose a grass pitch at the top of the site situated between hedges and levelling blocks were needed. There are plenty of hardstandings and the CC has applied to have 34 more.

I'll put a full review and photos on carryoncamping.org when we come back on Saturday.

Martin.

 

[cokey1970]

Oops! That's the slow wireless connection at Hillhead for you.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

martin, i hope this works this time ive tried to put his message on 4 times now.

they have allocated us pitch 174 i think because of the length of van, the time were there, because my son is a blue badge holder. any chance you could get us a picture of this pitch ( am i sad).

also are you using a dongle?, if so which one and how much?.

thanks a lot

jo-anne