Castle Howard Lakeside Holiday Park

Liked We have stayed at this campsite twice before in our tent box and loved the peace and tranquility of the site.
However we have only stayed before in winter months so we were not prepared for the difference in how many tents are squashed on the site in summer

Disliked We arrived at the site at approximately 8pm after a day sightseeing in the local area.
The reception was closed
However there was a welcoming message on the door telling us just to pick a spot in the tent field.
We drove into the tent field and were absolutely shocked at how busy it was.
There was hardly any space for us to park and pitch. Tents lined the field with little space between and then two rows were down the middle.
We decided this wasnt the relaxing peaceful camping trip we had hoped for and needed after a busy working week.
We decided not to stay
Wasted our money
But found a much quieter campsite a couple of miles away on Cotril Farm in Terrington.
My ratings reflect our experience on this occasion
For the winter months camping Id give full stars
But way too many tents crammed on in summer
Id stay again in the quieter months but avoid peak times in summer

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Liked Beautiful surroundings. Toilets and showers were nice and clean. Great field for then kids to play in.

Disliked No WiFi

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Liked The lovely open feel of a field. The facilities were excellent. Friendly greeting on arrival.

Disliked Traffic noise.

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Liked Toilets showers clean fish and chip van very good

Disliked No body on reception when we arrived
Pitch not level under large trees
Very noisy kids shouting cars in and out so no peace
Crows making a racket at 4.30am
When i booked i booked for 2 nights but got a email saying they was a problem with the booking system and it had taken a deposit
If there had been someone on reception when we arrived we could have confirmed 2 nights but no
Saturday afternoon a lady came round and asked us to leave as we had only paid for 1 night
We said we would pack up and go we searched somewhere else in the area
After a short time she turned up again and said we could go on a grass pitch (5ton Motorhome on a grass pitch in pouring rain WHAT)
We left and never to return
We actually went to a lovely site very accommodating when we told them the situation
Thank you for completely ruining are weekend

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From the manager: Dear David, Thank you for taking the time to write your review. We are naturally sorry that you didn't enjoy your visit to Lakeside as our team always do their best to help and accomodate our guests. We're glad that you approved of the facilities and enjoyed your fish and chips.

We feel we need to clarify the situation. Your booking, made just two days before your visit, through Pitch Up will have shown that only one night was available before you paid. At this time of year, our weekends book up well in advance, especially Saturday nights. Therefore we recommend that in future you please check your booking confirmation in advance as it clearly stated one night.

As you booked with Pitch Up, any system email would have come from them so in future it would be best to call Pitch Up to check your booking if you receive such an email as hoping to fix it on the day is not always possible. Our receptionist noted on your booking, that she had spoken to you whilst you were on your way to let you know what to do on arrival as reception would be closed so you were made aware that reception is not open for late arrivals. She checked your pitch on Saturday, near departure time, and it was empty; she was not to know that you had gone out for the day, nor that you intended to return thinking you had booked two nights. It was only when the guests arrived later in the day that the problem was recognised as they found you already parked on their pitch.

Our receptionist came to speak with you but unfortunatley we had nothing to offer you other than an electric grass pitch, or the camping field. We did everything we could to help you but we hope you realise the mistake was not ours.

Liked Everything about the site, it was lovely and so friendly. Very spacious, very clean and extremely peaceful

Disliked Nothing

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Liked Beautiful area, loads of space, well maintained toilets and showers, on-site shop, reasonable price.
We stayed for 2 nights and were very impressed. There are many other sites around York that are more expensive but have far fewer features! There are a few nearby attractions, including the Great Lake (directly next to the site, which is full of fish, swans, butterflies and dragonflies), Castle Howard and the arboretum with its red squirrels. Most everything else is a significant drive away though.
One of our nights was a Friday, possibly the start of the school holidays, and the site became much busier then. Despite this, there were no issues with noise at bed time or early in the morning. Would definitely visit again.

Disliked Very poor phone signal (not their fault really, just be aware depending on network!), very out the way so tricky to get around with public transport.

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Liked Friendly helpful staff.
Not too far from Castleford Howard (ask at reception for directions.)
Clean and tidy site.
Quiet (apart from some of the birds!)

Disliked Electric point too far from the pitch for my 15m cable.
Luckily reception lent me an extension.

The promotional pics online show hard-standing areas with guests' awnings pitched on nice grass areas alongside.
Unfortunately my pitch was next to a tree surrounded by tall nettles and weeds so insects came out and bit my legs.

The grass by my pitch was very hard, I only managed to get a couple of awning pegs in.
If you have a campervan with a tent-style awning then you're best booking an all-grass pitch because I was told that guests using hard-standing areas are not meant to pitch on the grass at all. That is NOT mentioned online. It's not possible to comfortably pitch a tent-style awning on stones :(

You won't get a phone signal on this site, which is fine, but there's no WiFi option available to compensate.

The dog walking area is a small field that is not enclosed, and people have to walk through it to get to the kids playing area. This needs to be made clear on the website. There's no signs saying where the dog walking field is either. You have to ask reception. It can only be accessed via the private holiday homes area.

The toilets/shower block was clean but narrow and basic. I image it'd be hard to manoeuvre in there when it's busy.

I couldn't find any plastic/cans recycling bins onsite, only glass, which is a shame.

Overall, I think the cost per night doesn't give value for money, considering the basic facilities. I have paid the same price at other campsites but they have enclosed dog walking areas, free WiFi and more modern toilet block and shower facilities.

The site seems to focus a lot more on holiday homes sales than the camping side.

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Liked Nice location by the lake

Disliked Some of the pitches were a bit bumpy, requiring some manoeuvring and levelling

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Liked Good welcome helpfull, plenty of space, showers were very good plenty of hot water. Clean and tidy

Disliked None

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Liked Amazing vacation 🫶

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From the manager: Lovely to hear that you enjoyed your time here at Lakeside. Thank you.