I think the other reviewers of this campsite must have had some strange concepts of what camping is about! Have used this site for a number of years (not exclusively - I camp at least 6 times a year). Only once have I had a problem with tent guys overlapping and that was because the person who pitched next to me had a monster of a tent and no idea how to pitch it so it didn't encroach. In fact, on many sites, they would have had to book 2 pitches.
One reviewer complain about a party next door to the campsite - I was there at the time and the time - the property adjoining the site is NOTHING to do with the site. Andrew did his best to negotiate with the residents but they were unco-operative at the time - the police had to be called in the end. We, and anyone who asked, WERE reimbursed for that night. The loos do get mucky when it's raining but that would happen anywhere. They are generally clean although some campers seem to think they have the right to make as much mess as they like - dread to think what their homes are like.
The site staff are strict about behaviour on the site and if they receive a complaint or see something amiss they will tackle the problem. This attention to detail makes it a great holiday for families - my children don't take playstations and gadgets with them, they enjoy getting out and playing cricket, football, flying kites and doing all the things that they don't get to do at home.
Everyone mucks in on this site and if a neighbour is having problems with tents, cookers or anything else there is always someone there to help and advise.
There are inevitable queues sometimes for facilities but do you really have to shower at precisely 9 am - what's wrong with 9.30 when the queues have died down? The attraction you want to go to will still be there - the bar will still be open - the beach won't have moved - Chill - you're on holiday.
The transport links at this site are really good - buses every 15 minutes in each direction - rail-link close at Dawlish Warren etc. Obviously at peak season the roads do get busy - but buy a decent map and explore! Take the back roads and avoid Star Cross at all costs!!
Dawlish is a pretty village with a great pie shop on the Broadway - but remember it is a village and it gets clogged up with traffic - why not walk along the coast path to it and, if you have shopping, just catch the bus back up to the site - saves loads of hassle. At carnival time there are free buses which run from Dawlish to the Warren so it doesn't cost you anything.
The prices at this site are very good with no hidden extras.
Conclusion: If you want bright lights, high kicks, and 5* luxury camping isn't for you! If you want a relaxing site within pleasant surroundings and fantastic views of the stars at night as there is very little light pollution (we were delighted to see the Meteor storm in August - you would be hard pushed to see this from any hotel) then this is the site for you.
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Aug 19th, 2009
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