Unfriendly phone call while on route, at 2.30pm, a chap from Dodwell called to say “hello we are expecting you at 1pm” I presumed I had filled in the booking form incorrect as there was no way I’d have ever made it by 1pm, I explained I expected to arrive at around 7pm to which he quite abruptly replied 7pm is when we close and the very last arrival is 8pm so if you hit traffic or delays then find somewhere else to stay, travelling with two kids and being threatened with nowhere to stay really wasn’t what I needed to be worrying about on a 7 hour journey.
When I arrived back home I double checked my email confirmation and I did actually specify on the booking that I would arrive at 7pm so I’ve no idea why I was expected at 1pm, additionally having stayed at dodwell several times in the past my experience was that late arrivals were not a problem, I’ve arrived at 9pm previously after being caught up in an accident with no issue at all - albeit it was the winter and different staff. I’ve also since read the terms of the site in pitch up which also would make you think that a slight delay or late arrival is tolerated, it says if arriving late please call the reception before 6.30pm to obtain pitch details - doesn’t say anything about find somewhere else to stay!
Eventually I must say the same chap was very helpful and pleasant, as was the lady at reception, which just makes the initial phone call even more confusing, if it really is indeed no entry past 8pm then I would suggest you make this clear on pitch up, I know it says check in is up to 7pm but it also says if you are late please call by 6.30 to get pitch details, when the chap phoned me I explained I expected to arrive at 7pm but if I was a little later could I have the pitch number to which he replied no, we need to pitch you, if your not here by 8pm find somewhere else, this is a long way off the advice to call to obtain pitch details.
The site is clean and tidy, quiet and safe, shame this experience will probably make me look elsewhere now.
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