The Old Vicarage

Liked: We have an 11 and 2 year old and there were things to do with both of them. Our older child was always busy and our youngest enjoyed the cars and bikes available all the time. The campsite wasn’t too big but big enough to run around and the other campers were really nice.

Disliked: I didn’t dislike anything really. There was work being done while we were there which is good, this campsite has the potential to be really good and hopefully once the works are done on the facilities then it will be fantastic.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your review. We are always trying to upgrade and renew our site, thank you for your understanding Kind regards The Old Vicarage Team

Liked: Liked the setting with the trees and river

Disliked: Not sure if there is a financial reason but everything seemed a little uncared for and in need of some money, the ladies facilities in particular were shocking, one working shower with a see through cheap shower curtain, we were offered the use of the shower in the holiday flat but this was nothing but a cold trickle, staff were not on hand to deal with any issues, the electric hook up were extension leads which seemed to go in every which way, including under the water, and across roadways, the campsite appeared over sold and although we booked in advance, we didn't have a pitch allocated to us and the only place available was amongst brambles and nettles. There is a no loud music notice around the site, we had to put up with an evening of ridiculous loud music, which could be clearly heard across the campsite, once I managed to contact a member of staff by telephone, they did wander across and ask for it to be turned down, but it was turned back up within 5 mins and was never challenged again, although they would have heard it ! They was a lot of rubbish piled up and broken items just stored around the site, as I previously said it all just seemed a little uncared for, shame really I was looking forward to spending my birthday here, this is a wedding venue, I definitely would not like my wedding here !

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks for your review. We cannot make repairs during the summer months - we do this over the winter. We care about our site an awful lot and are very upset when things get ruined that we have paid money for, put time and effort in and want others to enjoy but some people don't. Staff are always on hand to deal with problems or queries - as stated when you check in if you cannot see one of us for any reason, as we are a small family business and are very busy then to ring the assistance bell in reception and somebody will attend to you. Regards The Old Vicarage Team

Liked: We had wonderful time kids was enjoying playing in the river

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your review We hope to see you again soon Kind regards The Old Vicarage Team

Liked: Loved the campsite. it was like going back in time for us as it was close to wild camping where you could pitch where you wanted. It was tents only which was just perfect because now days campsites are overrun by caravans which take away the camping experience. Our daughter absolutely loved the river along with the rope swings and zip wire over the river. she made so many friends whilst in site which is what we was hoping for with this site. It's absolutely perfect for kids

Disliked: The toilets and there only being one shower which was freezing cold really let the site down but despite that we will be back!

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your review We are currently installing another shower in the ladies and the mens shower is hopefully being installed over the winter. Please let us know if the water is cold during your stay so we can attend to the problem Kind regards The Old Vicarage Team

Liked: The location was incredible. The stream through the site was perfect, and children from all over the camp site played for hours. It was safe and clean. The cave bar was a great addition, and food was available

Disliked: The facilities were very basic. The allies toilets were being repaired and whilst alternatives were given. These were also in high demand. Female shower had no door but a see through curtain. Washing area had no bin and one sink for a busy campsite. Bins area was some bags which were overflowing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thanks for your review. As you stated the ladies toilets were being repaired and we didn't have the chance to install the door beforehand. Washing area has signs in there stating you need to take your rubbish back to your pitch as when we did have a bin in there everyone used it as a dumping area for their rubbish. Bags were overflowing because we were waiting for the skip company to come and remove the skip. Regards The Old Vicarage Team

Liked: Site is idyllic, lovely stream running through which the kids loved playing in with zip wire and rope swing across. Lots of other play equipment for kids to enjoy as well. Fire pits to hire made for cosy evenings and toasted marshmallows.

Disliked: Not enough facilities for the size of the site, only 2 toilets and 1 shower in females. When I did brave the shower it was freezing cold. No marked pitches so felt a bit haphazard with tents squeezed close together. Rubbish piled up in corner, no obvious recycling even though it was stated that there was some. Either bigger/more bins or more frequent collection needed.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Liked: River on site

Disliked: There is not always warm water, there are no trash bins on site, the tents pitch are uneven, the grass is not cut, the toilets are bloked

Recommend to friends Visit again

Liked: The stream was loads of fun

Disliked: Where to start? Form No hot water to broken playground equipment, to trip hazards to dead rats… The owner has completely checked out and literally doesn’t care what you do. The tents are crammed in so a huge fire risk. The ehu is insane- just wires everywhere. The toilet block is more of a stable with not enough facilities for people staying. And nothing is clean. It’s such a shame as it’s a beautiful setting but it needs some money spent on it. There isn’t any proper bins so there’s just piles of rat infested rubbish in one corner. The kids play are is all broken and dangerous. The toilets and shower are not fit for purpose. It’s also not the cheapest so god knows what’s happening to the money they make.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Liked: The setting is lovely with the river running through the site. We were there at a bank holiday so the cave bar was open with a small takeaway menu. Plenty of local attractions to visit if needed. Able to have a firepit at night... one of our camping favourites. We didn't have kids with us this time but the ones on site were loving the rope swing and zip line. Nice little park and loads of toys and bikes for the younger ones to play on. Staff we spoke to (especially chicken ball lady haha) were lovely and friendly

Disliked: Nowhere near enough toilets and showers for the site. Need a massive overhaul. No hot water in the washing up area. Cave bar was lovely but not manned so could be 10 or 15 mins before anyone came

Recommend to friends Visit again

Liked: The river is amazing for the kids to play in. It felt a safe site - little to no traffic moving around it, and it’s small so you could always keep eyes on them. There were lots of rope swings, zip wires etc to keep them busy too. The children had a brilliant weekend. The bar looked great although we didn’t personally use it.

Disliked: I’ve never stayed at such a basic site before, and especially not one charging the same as some of the brilliantly maintained and updated beach side sites we’ve stayed at. We stayed August bank holiday weekend, and it was busy. The pitching is haphazard - we pitched as advised by the owner, in a group, but although we’d booked EHU, we weren’t next to a post and had to trail wires across the site. On our second day another group arrived and pitched their gazebo within a metre of the bedroom of our tent and then 6 adults sat under it chatting loudly and playing loud music (and one was swearing a lot), which was an issue when we wanted to put our kids to bed. They did move it the next day but it really spoiled our second evening. The facilities were verging on bizarre. One shower for all of the women on a packed site, and it didn’t have a door - just a curtain, with a light above it, rendering it see through, and a mirror on the wall reflecting it back the whole building. There was a whole load of builders’ equipment shoved in the end of the cabin. The shower went hot and cold and lost pressure if others used the sinks or flushed a loo. We didn’t even attempt to shower the kids in the 3 nights as it would have been impossible. The toilet cubicles are tiny, as are the sinks, so you couldn’t have washed your face easily on an evening, even if you’d wanted to. There was only one washing up sink, with no bin for scraps of food stuck on plates etc, and fairly filthy, with questionable electrics. We washed up at the tent after boiling the kettle, in the end. There are no proper bins. We were told the skips were full and to put bin bags in the one tonne bags but these were full very quickly and by the time we left there were just piles and piles of rubbish bags. The children found a dead rat on the site and this was of no huge surprise. I looked for a member of staff to tell for 30 minutes, but couldn’t ever find one. All replies to reviews last year said that facilities were being updated over the winter but this has clearly not happened. It’s in desperate need of a proper toilet and shower and utilities block. If this was a £20 a night site, you could possibly understand it, but we paid virtually the same for a gorgeous beach side site with amazing facilities this summer. A shame, as the setting really is idyllic - it just needs a bit of money investing in it.

Recommend to friends Visit again