Baltic Wharf site
has there been any update on the future of the Baltic Wharf site? I love this site and would be sad to see it go.
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According to the Bristol Post the lease was extended in September 2015 for a further 3 years so as things currently stand it will be open to at least September 2018 on that timetable. Hopefully this will give the Club the opportunity to find an alternative site in Bristol although so far the one they had in mind has been turned down. It seems that the Council are also considering the Baltic Wharf site for housing now which many of us thought inevitable at some stage. I suppose it's not beyond possibility that the lease could be a extended beyond 2018. It would be good if the Club could buy the freehold of the site but I doubt the Council would be willing to do that?
David
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The note on my booking for August says:
'Please note that bookings made more than 3 months ahead are subject to the lease conditions of Bristol City Council and The Caravan Club having a 3-month notice agreement.
At that time it also said bookings from September 2nd were available, subject to the above.
That was also before the rebranding, so the exact lease agreement may be in another name now. Wonder what happens if BCC serve notice on the incorrect named party
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Fingers crossed that the club doesn't decide it needs too much money spent on it and the lease doesn't warrant it as they have done with the Mildenhall site. After all lots of reviews talk of tired facilties 😉. I think the outcry migt be greater but would it still fall on deaf ears? We've visited once and would love to revisit but not sure we'll get that way anytime soon. 😢
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Personally I cannot see the need for a site within a town ect we should concentrate on sites out of urban areas, we are after all mobile and can if we wish drive into said areas and park, as a club any site near a village or town is block booked by wk Enders removing them would help the rest of us who like to tour.
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Town centre sites where people leave their cars behind and walk or use public transport help reduce local air pollution.
I've noticed a few at Baltic Wharf using the site as a one night stop over and the site is still busy. It's a very small site and is obviously popular for all types of use, not just weekenders. It is one of the sites which brings in revenue to the club all year round. This in turn supports quieter rural sites.
Hope it stays open as long as possible....til July at least please, for our next booking!
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Once we arrive on site we like to use the car as little as possible. Town centre sites such as BW or York permit this. Sites near villages, where you can walk to do your shopping are popular with us. I am sure we are not unique. If all sites were placed miles from anywhere it would mean using the vehicle more, which certainly would not aid local pollution levels. As for weekends being blocked booked, from our week long stays at BW, I would deduce that as many are staying longer and including the weekend, as are booked for just Friday and Saturday.
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Exactly, move it ten miles and it would be different story
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I love the different experiences that the York and Bristol sites offer us members. We love both, pitch up, walk into the city enjoy the culture and walk back, even after a meal and drink. Can't think of any commercial sites that offer that! I'd love to see more city sites. We enjoyed several in Denmark towns so why not here, they are a treat.
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in actual fact, BCV is nowhere near Bath, at 13 miles driving distance. its 'only' 11 miles to drive to Bristol from there but somehow doesnt have the same cachet.....
it should be called Bishop Sutton site, or Chev Valley Lake site.
'Bath' is surely in breach of Trades Descriptions, lol
returning to the OP, sites like BW are terrific for all who like to leave the car (or van) alome for a few days and stroll around enjoying city life.
this is exactly what you get with the many Municipal sites (and aires) abroad where tourers can get in close to the action without folk having to trek about too much.
BW is great, its location is spot on, it will be a loss.....
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Anyone wanting to visit Bristol Harbourside without staying at Baltic Wharf follow the club access instructions from the M5 via the Portway and continue towards the site and use the SS Gt Britain car park. Or follow other SS GT Britain signs through the city.
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On a slight tangent and not a club site but Lincoln City Council has its own municipal caravan site.
Shame there are not more in Britain like those on the continent.
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Micky, we stayed there on our tour of Norfolk/Lincolnshire a couple of years ago.
a lovely rural site in the country park, yet close to Lincoln. a fair march to the Cathedral, but easy on bikes.
agreed, we need more of this type of site not less.
with BW, it shows that the site itself doesnt need to be anything special. theres no flashy facilities, no playgrounds, dog walk (that i know of), just a batch of stopping places and a toilet block....not really that difficult is it?
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With restrictions coming along for diesel vehicles in city centres I would have thought the days of having sites in locations there are numbered.
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hooker128, I am quite surprised you feel that way. I suspect you pull a caravan so have a car with you all the time, what about the likes of motorhome users who don't have the car to be able to drive into the cities. Sites like this are great for all members.
On the topic of the lease. I spoke to the wardens a couple of weeks ago about this topic. I was told that the lease is already up and it is just a matter of time when the council will decide the sites future. I did not ask any more but suspect this is what is meant when one comment related to a 3 month notice.
The SS Great Britain car park is excellent but only really useable by the smaller motorhomes I think, although I did not look at it properly from that perspective. I don't think I would be able to find a place on it for my 8m van and be able to guarantee getting off it again with later arrivals parking but I may be wrong.
Great site location wise, a bit noisy if windy from the adjacent sailing club boatyard and the facilities are sub standard for the price charged in my view, but I was told it is always full. Regards, Roy
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Roy, location, location, location....
why some crappy places in 'London' are worth millions...
we like the location of BW, however OH agrees with you ots not worth the money (based on facs alone) as its really little more than a French city aire, most of them free.
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hooker128, I am quite surprised you feel that way. I suspect you pull a caravan so have a car with you all the time, what about the likes of motorhome users who don't have the car to be able to drive into the cities. Sites like this are great for all members.
Hi Roy, nothing personal but I am also not concerned about those that choose to use an 8m motorhome and, reasonably, do not feel able to drive into cities.
I am happy that the Bristol site is still running but I personally would choose to stay outside as one day in a city is enough for me. I have stayed on the site many years ago.
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What is stopping you driving into a city or town, bus's and trucks seem to manage.
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personally, Id rather not be driving (given a choice) of i were visiting a city with plenty of bars and restaurants....hence why folk like this type of site.
yes, i could drive the 26 miles return from 'bath' chew valley but id rather steoll i to town.
nothing to do with having a MH or a caravan, just about the convenience of the site location.
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