Clumber park at Christmas

4430ian
4430ian Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited December 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Hi there everyone Seasons greetings to all

We're going to Clumber park on 23 December for the Christmas period as a family unit in 2 caravans 4 adults and an 8 year old girl.

Has anyone else done this and is it likely to be pretty quiet ?

Also does anyone have any suggestions please 

Many thanks Ian 

Comments

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,065 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #2

    The site might be quite full actually, as it is a popular destination, and a nice getaway for the locals who live not far away. The Park itself will probably be very busy with new Christmas bikes, and lots of "once a year walkers" on Boxing Day and other days just after Christmas! A nice place though, with some lovely walking, bird life and scenery. If you take bikes yourself, make sure you use the security cabins provided by the Club, bike thefts are a bit of an issue on the site. Have a lovely time away!

    If you are looking for a few things to do away from Clumber, Sherwood Forest isn't far, with its visitor centre, and both Worksop and Retford are worth a wander around. Creswell Crags might be of interest as well. Not sure on opening times over Xmas, but you can check these if of interest. Also only a few miles away is Thoresby, which I think has some sort of Museum and Craft Centre, haven't been, but know it is a popular place.laughing

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2017 #3

    According to the "late availabilty"there are at the moment only 30 vacant pitches over that w/endlaughing

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #4

    Remember that phones and Wi-fi wont be working there so on that score a stay will be quiet but I expect a lot of people will still be enjoying a festive break there. Also remember to turn up together if you hope to pitch near each other. smile

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2017 #5

    I think tinternet is now up and running but phone networks are still very poor to non existant frown

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,065 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #6

    Yes, apparently Club have upgraded wifi, so it might be a bit better. You can get the odd phone signal at various locations in the Park, but the Club Site isn't one of them! Clearly explains this on Club's website page though. If there are only 30 pitches left, then it will be buzzing with folks, which is always nice at Christmas! Don't forget your van lights Ian, it's traditional at Christmas! Enjoy!

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited December 2017 #7

    Christmas weekend is not normally that busy compared to New Year

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2017 #8

    ,Sad i know, but had a quick check about 55 pitches occupied as grass pitches probably not used, and wifi is gold standard now,as new cable has been installedsurprised

     

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #9

    That's good to hear, I should have checked before I posted. Still not good on the phone front, at least there's a phone box.

  • David2115
    David2115 Club Member Posts: 548
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    edited December 2017 #10

    For thoses on EE network they have WiFi assist calls which may help if wanting to speak with family on phone network. Of course there is always whatsapp, messenger, Skype, FaceTime , iMessage. Actually thinking about it who needs a phone signal with the WiFi gold standard !

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,394 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #11

    BBQ the turkey!

    peedee

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #12

    Talking birds, Clumber is a good place to spot Hawfinch. Near the Cycle Hire shop I recall hearing them but despite much effort I caught only a possible glimpse. Keep meaning to go back and try again.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #13

    According to the CC the internet has been upgraded to gold, so should be easily capable of VOIP type phone calls, available through BT, iphone voice time, what's app etc.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #14

    Now only showing 26 pitches vacant on Christmas Eve. We often walk in Clumber over Christmas, and over the last few years, when we have walked by, it has looked fairly full.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,065 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #15

    Yes, it's a place we have walked and cycled round on a regular basis. We used to walk the old One Day Event cross country course, which took you deep into the heathland, I can recall hearing nightingales calling at dusk, although we never saw them. Have seen nightjars though. There are no signs of the horse fences now, other than the drop into a corner of the lake opposite the ornamental walk down to the church. It's changed such a lot, you could take a 4x4 carefully deep into woods or onto heathland at one time, but all fenced off for grazing nowadays. If anyone does visit, take a look in the wonderfully restored walled garden. If you look carefully, you can still find the odd tap and electric point, back when it used to be the old C&CC site! The Walled Gardens are lovely, they were just finishing the repairs to the hothouse when we last went back in the Summer. Getting through the ford on a bike, without getting wet or falling off is usually fun, as is ploughing through at speed if there is someone on footbridge! laughing

    The arch bridge is worth viewing as well. Some of the stone work is quite new, the old RAC car rally used to go through Clumber, and every year something hit the bridge! Hence the newer looking stonework.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #16

    Don't think it's used as a rally stage these days, I competed here back in the seventies. Launching the car over the bridge was fun then, it would petrify me now. Think it was also a stage in The Dukeries rally one year if my memory serves me right.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,065 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2017 #17

    I learned to drive in Clumber, we used to take our old column change van and I would tootle around all sorts of hazards trying not to stall!laughing