On the day that you visited there were 82 campers on site and we received no complaints or phone calls (including from you).

I know exactly when you visited because the toilets are cleaned every 2 hours and we found the used tampon on the floor of toilet 3 and because it was so extraordinary we noted it. I would add that there were 3 permanent flushing toilets open on site at that time and the other 2 were immaculate.

At the time 3 of the pitches on site were booked by a group supporting children with educational and social needs. They later apologised to us for the tampon being left on the floor as a member of staff didn't know the young woman had been to the toilet. I didn't accept their apology because there was no need - there was no harm done and we generally host campers who are understanding and considerate of others.

Your assertion that the other campers on site made you feel at risk of theft is unreasonable. In 4 years we haven't had a single report of theft on the campsite. Our campsite welcomes decent, hardworking families and always will.

We don't advertise toilet rooms to wash hands and brush teeth, so that aspect of your review is also unreasonable. The absolute irony is that the building work concluding in the corner of the field (which we limit at weekends to minimise noise and dust) is to install a covered picnic area which includes a sink with hot water for washing pots.

We won't ever offer sinks for brushing teeth in public toilets because it's not hygienic.

When you stayed in your pub car park, you breached planning regulations and local by-laws so you are comparing apples with pears. We've waited 3 years for planning permission to install the facilities you saw being upgraded. No doubt your waste was disposed of at the expense of the local council tax payers.

So to summarise, your comments are inaccurate, intolerant and your decision to illegally pitch in a pub car park probably informs others where your respect for the Yorkshire Dales and those who live here lies.

Sincerely

Brian

On the weekend of this review, 98 people stayed on the campsite. The FREE hot showers worked absolutely fine all weekend and we received a number (not less than 20) of compliments for how hot the showers were.

"The toilets were basic." They are porcelain flushing toilets with plentiful stocks of Andrex toilet roll.....I genuinely don't know what more you want?

"No washing up sink." there is a washing up sink in the middle of the field. Can I suggest that if you can't find something on future sites just ask the site staff and they'll show you.

"£25 a night a rip off.".....

.....the first £4 of your booking is taken by Pitch Up to support their marketing and booking system. This is great value for us as we couldn't do it ourselves for that price. As such, great value for you too......

Free hot showers (if you can rotate a shower mixer tap clockwise to get hot water).

Free unlimited waste disposal

Free mains water

Free porcelain flushing toilets

Staff on-site to answer any questions or solve problems.

Location - the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, a 10 minute slow walk from the centre of town. Pub B&B = £150+, nearest campsite with comparable facilities 5 miles away.

.....so my family and I offer this for £21 because we want people to enjoy the Yorkshire Dales at affordable prices. While inflation has risen at almost 10%pa for the past few years, we've held our prices throughout.

We're proud that we don't cater for everyone. The Caravan & Camping Club asked us to join them - and we didn't because we want those with less cash to feel welcome and we don't want burdensome rules. We openly recommend those who don't share our values book elsewhere.

We are a Yorkshire Dales farm. We work hard and we play hard. Out of 534 reviews, we average 8.6, so other campers will figure if these comments are mean spirited and unrealistic or if others like the 10 review below are wrong.

Sincerely

Brian

Great review and great photos, thank you very much. Brian

On the weekend you stayed there were 10 pitches on site (7 camper vans), approx 30 people. By every measure that is a quiet weekend for our campsite, largely because of the weather.

There were 3 (free) hot showers open all weekend. 3 showers serviced 150 pitches at Easter with no more than a 5 minute wait all weekend.

"A Simple Patch of Grass"......

.....with free hot showers (unlimited time)

.....with porcelain flushing toilets

.....with free unlimited waste disposal

.....with free potable mains drinking water

.....with free fire pits

.....with free access to a barn for shelter in inclement weather

Regarding dogs.... the price we charge for dogs is a very simple calculation to cover the increased premium on our insurance to allow dogs on site. We don't load the costs for picking up endless plastic bags full of dog muck when we clear the site every day. We don't load the costs for the few reckless idiots that let their dogs chase sheep and lambs every year.

For a credible objective assessment of value for money, you would need to compare like for like in the same area of the Yorkshire Dales National Park where operating costs are comparable. You chose the area, you chose a grass pitch campsite, you chose the campsite amenities advertised, you paid the price in advance. I suspect that you did so having looked at other options in the locality and found that for a 5 miles radius there was nothing comparable. By doing so you've undermined your comment.

I'll close with my thoughts.....we've held our prices for the past 2 years whilst inflation in the UK has been upward of 10%. I've done that against the advice of our business advisor, accountant and members of my own family because I want access to the Yorkshire Dales to be affordable for those families who are struggling with the cost of living and need access to the open space. Anyone who comments negatively on the value for money of what we offer hasn't got a clue about operating costs in the area and demonstrates a contempt for hill farmers that I won't tolerate.

Sincerely

Brian

Over the course of the weekend we didn't receive any comments or complaints.

Given the lack of comments about why this camper was unhappy, I suspect to be a member of the group referred to below who we asked to leave after the disturbed their neighbours.

Sincerely

Brian

Thank you for the review.

The unseasonal heavy rain in June has made the river field too wet for campers, so we had to close it. Weather permitting it'll reopen on the 19th July when it will have hopefully dried up.

The reason we've made the toilets and showers robust is because regrettably, especially in busy periods the heavy usage leads to a lot of damage and repairs. In our pursuit of giving our campers free hot showers and running water porcelain toilets, we have tried to strike a balance.

Kind Regards

Brian

Thank you for your review.

For others reading this, the noisy neighbours were kicked off the site as soon as we found out and banned from returning.

The annoying aspect of this review is that we make a field available for people who want to continue beyond 2130hrs to midnight so that they don't disturb others who don't.

If this were to happen in future please call us straight away. Alternatively call the Police on 101 as anti-social behaviour is as much an offence on a campsite as it is at home - and we'll fully support you.

Kind Regards

Brian