Little Wood - Chipping Sodbury

[soldlisa04]

We are off to this five star, adult only site (formerly a Naturist Site) this weekend. I will let you know what it is like as a site. I won't embarass anyone by asking if they've stayed there before when it was a Naturist site ... I've read the reviews on Uk Campsite and they are very favourable. Even though we don't own a dog, I will be asking the question why no dogs allowed? My theory is that when the Naturists stayed on the site ... they didn't want to aggravate the dogs by dangly 'bits and pieces' on display (at mouth height perhaps)

. Anyway, they are losing out on business from our neighbours and their friends as they are both dog owners and would love to stay on the site ... so the question has to be asked.

Will keep you updated. Pray for good weather (don't mind cold, just not the rain). Lisa.

 

[Parksy]

You could also ask the owner why no children are allowed as well Lisa.
I could understand why children (and dogs) might not be welcome at a nudist camp, but adult only sites alienate future caravanners for short term gain.
We're off this weekend so like yourself I hope that the weather is ok. Have a good weekend.

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi all,
It should make interesting reading when you get back Lisa, pray do a proper review, sounds great,
I am not really suprised by the exeptions given the sites origins, and there is in my view a need for sites in this niche market even at a premium price, unlike Parksy I think the long term gain could be good as campers look for something different and quiet!!.
given the volume of complaints on caravan forums about children and dogs "not from me might I add" during the summer season it could do well,
one site we go to in Cornwall also has such exeptions plus a big lake, is nearly always full when we go , we could never go there when we had the little dog, but now it's perfect for a idylic week in a isolated location where the noise level is virtually zero,

 

[Parksy]

Each to their own, but touring caravan holidays are universally accepted as being dog and child friendly. If this site is losing business by discriminating against dog owners then surely they are losing business by not allowing families with children to stay?

 

[soldlisa04]

I shall ask the question to both .. and give a review when we are back!

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

Each to their own, but touring caravan holidays are universally accepted as being dog and child friendly. If this site is losing business by discriminating against dog owners then surely they are losing business by not allowing families with children to stay?

I think this is a Marmite senario, because if all sites were dog and child friendly there would be nothing to choose from as they would all be the same, it is a niche market, yes it may be against the general thesis of what a touring site is but then so are seasonals and pitch and store, offering something different is what seems to work. it is not a case of losing some business but gaining it elsewhere.
you could turn this on it head and say that caravanners who prefer a site dog and child free are discriminated against on normal club sites

 

[soldlisa04]

Just for the record: love dogs (don't own one but love to 'borrowadog.com' on site with owners permission and take one for a walk on its lead and love kids ... only reason for this site is because it's well within our 50 mile radius for a weekend visit!

 

[soldlisa04]

Well, I think we have found our new favourite easy to get to site! Got to LIttle Wood within 35 mins of leaving home (23 miles away) and the owners were there to let us in through the electric gates. First impressions were that the site seemed to be immaculately kept and very pretty. Anyway, we eventually got away from the owners at 5.30 pm (boy can they talk, but there again, so can we!) ... we grilled them as to why no dogs and kids and here goes ...
Site has been a Naturist site for last 57 years ... they took over the Naturist site 16 years ago (they are textilers, i.e. wear clothes). Due to our typical British weather and the fact that most naturists are naturally of a more mature age - bookings had been poor for the last 3 years so a year ago they made the decision to turn the park over to an Adults Only Touring Park which is what they wanted to do originally 16 years ago but never got around to it! As I predicted ... naked people and dogs don't naturally go together (too much 'swinging' temptation apparently

and they did some market research and at the moment, and this is only at the moment, bookings are going to remain as such from Adults only and no dogs. They may, at some point, if they think their bookings are suffering, switch to allowing dogs but as the site is surrounded by woodland, (it really is beautiful) they fear that there may be too much temptation for some dogs as we saw loads of rabbits, squirrels, magpies, woodpeckers and even could hear Peacocks! They will let me know in time if they will allow dogs (would be great if they did as our neighbours could join us). I am not so sure about children as it's in the middle of nowhere and such a small site (40 pitches) that they will probably keep it AO. Anyway, v friendly owners, beautifully kept site, the pitches were a bit narrower that say CC ones, but the setting and tranquility outweighed this. As it was, there were only 6 other vans on site and only 3 of these appeared to be occupied so we were allowed to pitch on a seasonal pitch which was surrounded on all sides by a hedge with bluebells and primroses dotted about. Very pretty. Level site and added bonus of a waste area for waste water. All in all this is a lovely peaceful site with an indoor (small) pool and a larger outdoor pool, short tennis courts x 2, boules area, small pitch and putt area, lovely clean showers x 2 and loos and laundry/dishwash area and around the site is forest where you can walk the perimeter. Two miles to Chipping Sodbury where there is the famous Hobbs House Bakery and Cafe (lush cakes and coffee). All in all, a lovely relaxing and very sunny weekend. I hesitate to post this as I'm sure it will be very popular but it's a lovely small site!

 

[Beachball]

We are going to this site but it more than 50 miles more like 210 miles for us but we are going for a week , i am pleased you had a nice time we have booked a superpitch when we are there ....

 

[soldlisa04]

I am sure you will love it Beachball as it's sooooo peaceful and quiet and the owners are lovely and friendly. Let us know how you get on.

 

[PR]

We live only a mile or so from this site!
Anybody staying there should keep an eye on events in Chipping Sodbury. This week is Festival week, with free music in the street, a carnival and street fair. Google Chipping Sodbury Festival .
in future weeks are the food fair and a Classic car run.
There is also a huge Mop fair in March an September.

Great site in a super part of the country.

 

[Fred Firefighter]

Just returned from this site. Absolutely brilliant. It really is a unique site.A little tight on the access for larger vans, but no problem if you take care. Showers are small for changing in, but the reason for that is explained by the owners, so just get in and enjoy the warm water! The report previously dated 29th April is excellent and says most things that readers are looking for. The owners are very helpful.Take your own empty bottles to a bottle bank if you can find one, which is a bit unusual, so I brought mine home. If you dont drink then it isnt a problem. You cant please all the people all of the time, which is an expression I have heard before, and quite true. Just go and enjoy a lovely site, but not too many of you or we wont be able to get in for our next visit .

 

[soldlisa04]

Glad to hear you approved and enjoyed Fred! It's a lovely site ... but ssshhhh keep it quiet!

 

[Beachball]

Glad to hear you approved and enjoyed Fred! It's a lovely site ... but ssshhhh keep it quiet!

[/quote Can you tell me how big the shower"s are my husband is disabled and he is 6ft 5 ins Tall in the reviews with UK Campsite/ and Practical Caravan they are a saying quite small ??? Regards

 

[soldlisa04]

Hi Beachball, I think from memory there is a disabled toilet/shower but I also think there are steps to the approach to the loos/showers to your best bet would be to ring owners direct and have a chat. He would struggle to fit in the shower as I bumped my backside against the door whilst dressing (I'm 5'4") and projected myself forward in to the shower area!!!! Give them a ring, they are very friendly. Lisa.

 

[Beachball]

Hi My wife is 5ft 10ins Tall is she going to have problems in the Toilet Block/ Shower .. ???

 

[Beachball]

Just returned from this site. Absolutely brilliant. It really is a unique site.A little tight on the access for larger vans, but no problem if you take care. Showers are small for changing in, but the reason for that is explained by the owners, so just get in and enjoy the warm water! The report previously dated 29th April is excellent and says most things that readers are looking for. The owners are very helpful.Take your own empty bottles to a bottle bank if you can find one, which is a bit unusual, so I brought mine home. If you dont drink then it isnt a problem. You cant please all the people all of the time, which is an expression I have heard before, and quite true. Just go and enjoy a lovely site, but not too many of you or we wont be able to get in for our next visit .

Hi Fred you have put down showers are small for changing in and what reason did the owner"s give because i have been in contact with them and the Warden who is looking after the site while they are away said they were of a good size what is the truth here can you help me out .............

 

[soldlisa04]

The shower area is pretty much standard, it's the bit of floor space before you get to the door I think we are referring to here and indeed, there is not a lot of room. There are hooks to hang your clothes on but if you put a rucksack on the floor there is not much width in which to stand to get changed, unless you stand in the shower area itself. Hope this clarifies. Lisa.

 

[Beachball]

Hi Lisa
It where you get change is very tight that could be a problem for me because i walk with two sticks and i need a lot of room they say they have a disabled toilet/ shower but getting that could be problems if they are some more disabled there and seasonal using it as well . Thanks for the update ..............

 

[soldlisa04]

I would say to call and check first about disabled facilites for sure as I had trouble changing in the non shower part of the whole cubicle due to the small amount of floor space as I didn't really want to stand in the wet bit of the shower, but this wouldn't put me off going back for sure. They are really friendly and I am positive will be able to talk you through the disabled facilities ... Lisa.