Bladon Chains - another lost site?
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Perfectly understand that and totally agree there is no point the Club spending money if they are unlikely to get a return. However that doesn't change my view that for the site to continue (in the longer term, now looking unlikely) it needs investment.
What really puzzles me, in the light of Peedee's post, is why the Club embarked on the Pop up Site at Bladon Chains? Is this to be the future, with inferior quality sites being available only on a temporary basis?
David
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Hi everyone,
After lengthy negotiations with Blenheim Palace Estate regarding the Club’s leased site, Bladon Chains, the Club has been given notice by the Estate that the current lease will be terminated in September 2021.
The Club is disappointed about the prospect of leaving Bladon Chains, but it welcomes the acknowledgement of the considerable benefits it has brought to both Blenheim Palace and the local community. The Club is actively looking to find an alternative campsite in the area.
Bladon Chains will remain open as normal for our members to enjoy and the Club will keep members informed of any further developments.
Hannah
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Thanks Hannah for the update.
I would just add, on the prospect of a new site in the area, that the Club give priority to a location that has good transport links to both Oxford and Woodstock.
David
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Oxford aerodrome - close to Blenheim, easy road access, canalside walk into the city. What's not to like?
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There are four Club Sites within an hours drive of Woodstock, M in M is a mere half hour away.
Club needs to stop clumping it’s Sites in certain areas, and look for something new where there are gaps, such as Essex, or Hadrians Wall.
IMHO.
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It's not the driving distance but the walking distance that was the advantage of Bladon Chains, this is the sadness of the loss of this campsite.
Perhaps the Club could investigate Cassington Mill which is just off the A40 with it's bus routes. There was a campsite there which closed some years ago.
David
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I dont like the site much but its in exactly the right place and is always very popular or even full when we go
I noticed documents state it's occupancy throughout the year was 81 percent. That must be rather a bad loss to the Club.
peedee
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But then do we know how much the Estate were getting in rent via the lease?
There are several sites on the Network that the land if sold for building is worth far more to the owners than the club leases it for,and the leases have not long to run
Ps there are some that were run by the club that are now run by the owners so all takings are theirs
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There are indeed. Bromyard Downs and Nunnykirk spring to mind, although I doubt the Club and it’s Membership will fight overly hard for these two, being no facility and more rural. I doubt they will look for replacement in area as well.......
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Like Another David we have used Bladon Chains as a stop-over en route between Yorkshire and the ferry at Portsmouth- a shame that it will be going.Plan B next trip?
I also agree with TDA's comment about "clumping" of sites in certain areas by the Club and voids elsewhere in the UK.We are from a very scenic area on the West/South Yorkshire border(think "Summer Wine" country) no CMC sites in our area,other than distant Hebden Bridge.Covid,Tier 3 etc has highlighted the paucity of sites in our area.Plenty to see and do if this area was used as a base but the nearest site is the CCC site at Crowden.Not that I would ever contemplate staying at a site on the busy,twisting and dangerous,🙈main Manchester route.
Anyone listening out there in HQ land?
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It could well have been. We stayed there many years ago on a Bank Holiday. There are streams running running through the site which the kids loved as they weren't very deep but you can imagine that out of the summer it would be likely to flood. Every time we drive by on the A40 we think of our stay.
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Probably other sites within the are. Not keen on Morton in Marsh site and rarely would travel 30 miles from base and hence why we move every 5 nights and infrequently use the same base. I have been to This site with OH around 2007 and once in 2018 I think
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I have stayed there a couple of times The last time was June 2019. There just isn't anywhere that comes as close to Woodstock as Bladon. Cann't even find a motorhome stopover of any description.. I wonder if there is now an opportunity for the Estate to establish a UK Aire.
peedee
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Cassington Mill is a blast from the past. My children used to love it there playing in the river with those enormous fish!. However it floods really badly that's why it closed so would need an enormous amount of investment. I would use it though.
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Motorhome parking allowed in Blenheim grounds in daytime, or use Oxford park and ride and bus every half hour from city to Blenheim gates, or overnight at C&CC Oxford site and bus as before.
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Hello Ken😁 Don’t tell everyone South York’s has been lovely all year, away from the four main urban areas. We have walked, cycled, picnicked, and generally had a ball in not too busy landscapes, that few seldom visit from other areas!
As you say Crowden isn’t for the faint hearted😱 We seem to have spent hours up over Strines, Midhopestones, Langsett, Wharncliffe Etc.... Best place I can recommend for a South Yorks stop is Wortley Hall CL. But with only 5 pitches, it’s a scramble😂 We have a booking in 2022 (wedding).
But Sshhh🤫 The locals are enjoying themselves😁
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Best place I can recommend for a South Yorks stop is Wortley Hall CL.
Or Here ....operated by Rotherham Metropolitan Council. Plus you get a car pass for the park itself (worth £5 per visit).. We booked a four day stay during Corvid restrictions ..but then they changed and we couldn't go...immediate full refund next day.
As you say we are bit limited with sites..could certainly do with one in 'last of summer wine' area..
edit ...watch the video...
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