Moved from Damage Barton to Tewkesbury Abbey

catherinef
catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
edited May 2016 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

We were going to go to Damage Barton for our main holiday this year, but for a couple of reasons we decided to cancel. Anyway we have decided on an alternative site and decided on Tewkesbury Abbey.  Have we picked a nice site?

The 1st option had been Winchester and the 2nd the one at Blenheim, but the user reviews put us off both sites.  We then looked at Malvern and Tewkesbury, both of which had great reviews and plumped for Tewkesbury on the basis it was a little closer.  One
of the reason for cancelling Damage Barton was that I am still only a novice returnee to towing and the access to Damage Barton is probably something I'd want to tackle next year with more miles under the belt and a towing course.

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  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #2

    Catherine - Tewkesbury Abbey is a great choice of site. Just be aware though that it's all grass pitches, though that's never bothered us, and that it is close to the river so can easily flood (hopefully not with the scorching summer we're about to have
    though!)

    It's easy to get to off the M5 so no problems towing wise, very convenient for the town and there are any number of walks you can do direct from the site.

    We've just got back today from our tour of Norfolk and Suffolk, so later on this week, once I've got all the jobs on Mrs M's list done, I'll email you with more details of the site and some suggested walks.

    Happy. Use left and right arrows to navigate.

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited May 2016 #3

    Hello M, that would be brilliant and thank you.

    You must let me know if you are in the vicinity of Plough Lane at the end of May so we can have a get together when we are next here.

     

     

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #4

    Will do, although I think we may be due down in Cornwall then!

    (BTW, did you manage to visit the Jolly Hunstman yet?)

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited May 2016 #5

    Ah OK, wasn't sure if your trip to the Vets was around the next Bank Holiday.  Actually that sounded bad, obviously not YOUR trip to the vets, the 4 legged's trip to the Vets :)

    Not tried it yet, currently trying the best the Fortune Inn Chinese has to offer :)

     

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #6

    Trip to vets is tomorrow and Wednesday - haven't actually told Lady yet though!

    Wink. Use left and right arrows to navigate.

    (Fortune Inn is a favourite of ours, and staffed by a number of former students of mine - dread to think what goes on in the kitchen!

    Laughing. Use left and right arrows to navigate.    )

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited May 2016 #7

    Catherine.....I'd be amazed, if you are able to gain a UK driving license, that you would be unable to access to  an AS club site!

    Anyway, Tewkesbury is obviously a very different proposition to Damage Barton......one near to the coast and the other.....well, a long way from tbe coast.

    We've been to Tewkesbury a couple of times (the town, not the site) and found it to be a pleasant enough town, but an hour or two was enough. That said, there are lots of nice places to visit in the local area, in the car......

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited May 2016 #8

    .......  One of the reason for cancelling Damage Barton was that I am still only a novice returnee to towing and the access to Damage Barton is probably something I'd want to tackle next year with more miles
    under the belt and a towing course.

    I'm puzzled as to why you think that access to DB might be a problem Undecided

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited May 2016 #9

    I'd understood the road to it was extremely narrow?  I'd personally rather tackle something like that next year when I've got a few more miles and a towing course under my belt.  Or have I misunderstood about the narrowness of the road?

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #10

    .......  One of the reason for cancelling Damage Barton was that I am still only a novice returnee to towing and the access to Damage Barton is probably something I'd want to tackle next year with more miles under the belt and a towing course.

    I'm puzzled as to why you think that access to DB might be a problem Undecided

    Me too, there are a couple of short narrow sections along the access road that is all, Both have ample visibility to see oncoming vehicles. Nothing to really worry about. If you are not going in the main holiday season you will find the road pretty quiet anyway.

    peedee

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited May 2016 #11

    I'd understood the road to it was extremely narrow?  I'd personally rather tackle something like that next year when I've got a few more miles and a towing course under my belt.  Or have I misunderstood about the narrowness of the road?

    To quote an experienced lorry driver on a recent TV programme....."so long as the wing mirrors fit, the rest of it will go through".

    What more do you need?

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited May 2016 #12

    We were going last week of June, Google Earth isn't working for me on our current site so can't take a look.

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited May 2016 #13

    Catherine.......it's a caravan site. Loads of caravans go there. What is the problem?

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #14

    Try Google Maps but it probably looks worse than it actually is. There are four caravan sites along this road before you even get to Mortehoe and it is used by the buses, Damagae Barton is just a mile from the main road. Take it easy and you will be fine.

    peedee

  • Vicmallows
    Vicmallows Forum Participant Posts: 580
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    edited May 2016 #15

    If at all uncertain I always check the OS 25000 map (viewable free online for a small area). These distinguish between roads which are (generally) wider or narrower than 4m.  Unless I have previously checked the route for passing places I avoid taking the
    caravan down anything shown as under 4m wide.

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited May 2016 #16

    Thanks Vic.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
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    edited May 2016 #17

    Tewksbury is a good site and easy to reach from the motorway. With it being in the centre of town there are plenty of places to eat and shops for supplies. Enjoy the trip.

     

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #18

    If it is such a narrow road how do they get the bins emptied?

  • PJMEG
    PJMEG Forum Participant Posts: 180
    edited May 2016 #19

    Hi, been to tewkesbury a couple of times already and going again twice this year, unfortunateley only as stopovers travelling south and then north again, lovely site, easy walk into town lots to do and see in the area, I`m sure you will enjoy it.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited May 2016 #20

    I'd understood the road to it was extremely narrow?  I'd personally rather tackle something like that next year when I've got a few more miles and a towing course under my belt.  Or have I misunderstood about the narrowness of the road?

    IIRC there's a bus stop outside the entrance Wink Access is very easy. Cool

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #21

    Catherine, good for you. If you're not confident enough to tow on the lanes of Devon, you're best avoiding them until you have more experience. Enjoy Tewkesbury.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #22

    Agreed. Bus drivers, bin lorry drivers are professionals and will find no problem with the road. Better that an inexperienced tower takes things cautiously rather than subject themselves to unnecessary stress, I'd have thought. Happy

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited May 2016 #23

    Thank you TW,  EuroTraveller made an excellent suggestion on a post I made elsewhere about Club Towing Courses, I've already acted this evening on what he said and asked a Driving Instructor I know to give me some one to one tuition.  At the end of the day,
    I may drive 20,000 miles a year, but this year I've done a mere 300 with a caravan on the back.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited May 2016 #24

    Agreed. Bus drivers, bin lorry drivers are professionals and will find no problem with the road. Better that an inexperienced tower takes things cautiously rather than subject themselves to unnecessary stress, I'd have thought. Happy

    But the roads to DB are no narrrower than you'd find around town when vehicles are parked at the side of the road. 

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited May 2016 #25

    And Tewkesbury site is in the middle of a busy town, with some narrow lanes and sharp bends........be careful out there Catherine!

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited May 2016 #26

    Well unfortunately on this occassion MM I clearly took too much notice of the members reviews I read.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #27

    Anyone who has actually been to both sites will know the difference in access, Ian. Tewkesbury is a couple of miles from the M5 along a wide road into the town. The final 400 metres or so is the only narrow stretch. We (I assume) are both experienced towers
    and would probably have no qualms about DB. Catherine has admitted she's a relatively inexperienced tower and made a conscious and sensible decision. Why imply any criticism of her for that?

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #28

    Thank you TW,  EuroTraveller made an excellent suggestion on a post I made elsewhere about Club Towing Courses, I've already acted this evening on what he said and asked a Driving Instructor I know to give me some one to one tuition.  At the end of the day,
    I may drive 20,000 miles a year, but this year I've done a mere 300 with a caravan on the back.

    Do what is right for you, Catherine, and don't be pressurised into anything else. You are erring on the side of caution. Can that ever be a bad thing?

  • scoutman
    scoutman Club Member Posts: 441 ✭✭✭
    edited May 2016 #29

    Why do I get the feeling that some of the keyboard warriors on here find it OK to criticise the OP for her valid (to her) reasons to change her mind on choice of holiday destination. Go Catherine and enjoy your visit to Tewkesbury, I'm sure you will feel
    far more relaxed.

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited May 2016 #30

    There is absolutely no problem with the approach to Damage Barton. . . Buses, lorries and artics use the road.  Whether you think that the damage barton site is worth the journey is a different question. It is a shared site between the CC and the C&CC. It is not very inspiring.

    Their warning notice at the open front  barn about Adders can be a concern to some people.

    In a straight choice Tewkesbury comes way out in top.

    K

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited May 2016 #31

    Why do I get the feeling that some of the keyboard warriors on here find it OK to criticise the OP for her valid (to her) reasons to change her mind on choice of holiday destination. Go Catherine and enjoy your visit to Tewkesbury, I'm sure you will feel
    far more relaxed.

    I get the impression I'm included in that. I made no criticism, merely stated that the roads to DB were no narrower than you'd find elsewhere ..... that big infact that you can drive a bus along them

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