Exeter Racecourse-Seasonal
Just wondering of anyone would recommend it? Its just me and my 9 year old
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It depends what you like. The main part of the site near the facility block can suffer from traffic noise as the racecourse is adjacent to the A38. There is, though, a quieter more secluded part of the site which is almost self contained but is quite a hike from the facility block. Check out the downloadable site plan but it could be pointless unless you know where the seasonal pitches are. It wouldn’t be the first time the site has had unwelcome visitors from a nearby 'camp' which might not be ideal if your van is left unattended on a seasonal pitch.
I suggest, too, you check the Exeter Racecourse website to see when race days are and whether events, both private and public (noisy) are listed.
Personally, although it’s a non-facility site, I much prefer the Stover site just a few miles down the road. It’s quieter with easier access and, to my mind, more pleasant in general than Exeter with Stover Country Park next door.
Look out for posts from Takethedogalong who has used Exeter Racecourse site several times and for Jolly Kernow who was warden there at one time.
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Thank you. Have been trying to find a seasonal in the Devon area and I'm not having much luck. Plymouth Sound has availability I see but am thinking thats just a little bit too far away and the Illfracombe site looks too remote. Have been ringing around so many sites this weekend.
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Plymouth Sound and Modbury both have narrow lanes for access and they are quite a drag for you. Putts Corner is a decent site - I don’t know what the availability is there.
Edit: Have you considered Ilminster in Somerset? It’s not far from the Devon border.
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That’s a nuisance. See my edit above.
Perhaps others will have a different view of Exeter than I.
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Absolutely no reason not to stay. I’ve used it many times and wouldn’t hesitate to return. If you look at the reviews nobody is bothered by noise, maybe a bit of background traffic noise but certainly not intrusive. Easy access, good location for touring East & South Devon, acres of space and great value (not sure about seasonal charges?) compared to most other CMC sites. Shower block is functional rather than luxurious. Shop within walking distance in adjacent service area, bus stops nearby to Exeter & Chudleigh and beyond. Ground can be quite soft in heavy rain.
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If it was me I'd go for Plymouth Sound, it has a nice beach just down the road and a seaside cafe, the village has a pub and shop and there's plenty to do in Plymouth for a nine year old. We've chatted with seasonal pitch owners there and there is a nice community of returners. It's another hour on from Exeter but a different world!
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Hello😁 We love Exeter Racecourse. We got chatting to a few seasonals who stay regular at Exeter, and it is actually somewhere we love. Tinwheeler has outlined some of the drawbacks, and I wouldn’t disagree with any of them, but the lovely little area set back from the main site is much quieter, and there are certainly seasonal pitches in there, as we were pitched up next to two in September. Grass, but it is firm underwheel. It’s a superb location for getting out into lots of different areas, up onto Dartmoor in ten minutes via Bovey Tracey, across to the Exe Estuary and Powderham Castle, into Exeter itself, down towards Torbay area, or right on the doorstep, the Haldon Forest Centre, which is great for children. You can walk and cycle around the site, and there are lots of birds and deer to watch.
We haven’t been to Stover, but it’s only 20 minutes further down the A38, so either of these sites would get a thumbs up from us for a seasonal pitch. You do have Trago Mills on your doorstep at Stover.Only negative I would say about Exeter is that it is extremely high up, so when it rains, boy does it rain. Good luck finding somewhere👍 Be aware it is some seven miles or so into Exeter itself.
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Hi, Not used the racecourse site but have used Webbers Park at Woodbury, albeit some time ago, on a few occasions.
My wife spent a considerable time in hospital in Exeter and their tow on/off service was perfect for my planned, and short notice unplanned, stays. Link below.
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Hi, we have stayed at Exeter in the past and no issues as we had a dog at the time a lot of walks about, a friend of ours goes every year as he says it is cheaper than a lot of sites as he is on his own and he is booked up for early July as there is a classic car event on at Powderham which he enjoys a real petrol head, it does have basic facilities but Plymouth and Ilfracombe do not something to bear in mind and as folk have said can be noisy on race days and events. Hope you can find somewhere soon.
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I didn’t know that site at Woodbury but a quick look through their photos and reviews shows it to be a far better spot to take a nine year old.
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Good Morning
So, Exeter racecourse then. I've worked there and I'd recommend it. On all sites mentioned above you'll need transport but as mentioned above there's lots to do on foot as well at Exeter. The racecourse does jump racing so it's a winter season which finishes in May. Race days are great as you can stand at the start/ finish line and watch all day for free, or you can get discounted tickets if you fancy a bet or 2! The big 40 foot tv screen gets parked next to the site toilet block.
The Jockey Club who own the place put on lots of events over the year to which club members are welcome, along with the Sunday afternoon bootsale. There's a diner next door which gives members a discount along with the ones across the A38 mentioned above.
The "camp" which TW mentions above is long gone. The council spent a small fortune building a proper travellers site which pretty much stays empty. The original camp dwellers further down the road in the woods weren't "travellers" but just a load hippy types in old buses and vans. Never had an issue with them apart from the noise when they had a rave or two!
Yes there's traffic noise, you notice it more in the mornings with wagons climbing Haldon hill but it soon becomes so normal you don't notice it. Hardly any complaints.
Deer spotting is fun. Walk around the road inside the track at dusk to watch deer grazing, I've seen 50 plus before.
I can't advise on Plymouth sound as I've only been once. I currently run Ilfracombe site and once again if you have a car there's lots to see and do in North Devon. There's only 2 seasonal pitches left here. Interestingly the Beavers trust based in Cornwall are trying to introduce a pair of beavers into the brook on site. A long process trying to gain approval from local landowners etc.
I hope this helps with your decision making
JK
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Maybe not much to entertain a 9yr old in the immediate vicinity of the site but tons to do nearby. Exeter is a lovely city, visit Exeter Quays, walk/cycle or get the ferry to the Turf Locks, visit Topsham, cycle the Exe Estuary Trail, extensive sandy beaches and loads of kids stuff at Exmouth & Dawlish - and that’s just within a few miles radius. Loads more besides. Plenty of space for kids to kick a ball about without annoying anyone.
The Classic Car Show at Powderham is very good, a lot more than just old cars.
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Exeter city is great, but you need to use the park and ride if you don't want to be stuck in queues, especially in the summer holidays. My main concern would be getting to a fairly long distance seasonal pitch on the M5 during the summer. It might be worth looking up seasonal pitches on the ukcampsite web site to extend the choice?
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Hi
You'd be surprised the distances people are prepared to travel to a seasonal pitch Brue. At Exeter we had several from south Wales who would drive up after work every Friday for the weekend. At Ilfracombe we've had people from Staffordshire doing the same every weekend. Next season people are from even further. I guess a weekend away being able to turn up at anytime of day becomes precious after a hard week at work?
JK
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JK, I respect your personal knowledge of those Club sites, but as I said earlier there are better places to take a nine year old if the questioner looks outside the Club network. We have a nine year old grandson and know what would suit him..
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I must admit, if we ever get our old van sorted, we have thought about Exeter and a seasonal pitch. That’s from South Yorks! 😁
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Yes I know people do travel but I often think the ones who have a seasonal pitch nearer to home get the best use and the best value for money, considering fuel costs etc. Especially if constrained by school holidays and holiday traffic.
Recalling seasonal pitch users who turned up at midnight and hammered in their awning next to us.....not CAMC.
We've visited Plymouth Sound a lot over the years, I re-call a lady on her own who lived half an hour away and escaped to the site as much as she could. I think seeing her enjoyment tipped us in the direction of considering a seasonal pitch at one point.
I think if you don't want to spend your time driving too much it's worth finding a site where there is plenty to hand.
Anyway I don't want to curb anyone's style if they're up for driving in all conditions.
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It is a consideration Brue. We used to leave a van near Fowey, and come and go through the year. We could do it easily in around four and a half hours solo, with two drivers, but now it’s totally different, possibly three times as much traffic on roads, lots of hold ups. Depends on how long you might stay of course as well.
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