Lady Margaret's Park this weekend

moulesy
moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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edited July 2016 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

We're due to arrive here on Sunday. I've just read that there is a half marathon taking place at Chirk Castle that day. Is that likely to disrupt our arrival? Does the site share an entrance with the castle? Would be grateful if anyone knows. Have just rung
the wardens and left a message; waiting for a call back. Happy

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  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #2

    No, the Castle entrance is further along the road, well past the lane to the site.

    But you could meet runners on the road from the site to the village I think.

    Depends on the exact route of the run.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #3

    Thanks, K. Wardens rang back very quickly to say they're not aware of any road closures. We may just delay our arrival to later in the afternoon to avoid any congestion. Happy

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

    But you'll miss the best pitch, Moulesy!! Surprised

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #5

    But you'll miss the best pitch, Moulesy!! Surprised

    Just checked the details. Apparently the race is within the grounds of the castle, so no road closures. Still, better arrive at 12:01 to avoid all the speed merchants leaving after the run! Wink

    (Thinking about it, we have friends who are already there - could always text them and ask them to save us a pitch! Innocent)

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #6

    Its a very short stretch of quiet road between the B5070 (which was the A5 before the bypass was built) and the site.

    I could not imagine you having too many problems there, I know Chirk quite well....

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #7

    Found this M 

    route

    From what I can see it will certainly affect access, depending on timing, as it uses the route we used from Chirk village.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #8

    Thanks, both. The run starts at 10 o'clock so I'm guessing it'll be relatively quiet by 12:01! Wink

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #9

    Chirk Castle operates a one way system for vehicles within the grounds.  The entrance is, as Kjell says, further on away from the large gates of the castle.  However, the exit is immediately outside the 'gated' access road of the CC site so you might get
    some disruption from either runners and/or spectators.

    photo 78301b06-7bdd-45fe-8ae2-d4d2cae14135_zpssi5htrez.jpg

     

     

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #10

    Thanks, Jill - might have to delay our arrival till, say 12:05! Wink

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited July 2016 #11

    The Nat Park exit shares the Club site. Speak to the wardens for any access problems.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #12

    Well, luckily by the time we arrived there were only a few stragglers and so no hold ups. Despite the horrendous weather forecast we actually arrived to blue skies and managed to get set up, awning and all, minutes before the heavens opened! Laughing

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited July 2016 #13

    M - Even if the rain continues, there is plenty of walking in the area. Just follow the canal towpath. There is a nice long canal tunnel under the town where you can walk in the dry. Also an interesting viaduct just a few hundred yards from the tunnel mouth. 

    And the plus point you can easily walk across the border between England and  Wales. 

    Wink

     

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #14

    You can walk along the canal towpath all the way to Llangollen, over the Frocysyllte aquaduct. Its a Unesco heritage site. Have a brew in one of Llan's many cafes and then get the bus back to Chirk. The bus stop is in Parade Street.

    They even took our dog. Its one of our favourite walks.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #15

    Yay ..... Blue skies again now. Just time to enjoy a cuppa while we watch Andy Murray finish his demolition job, then out to explore the area! Happy

  • scoutman
    scoutman Club Member Posts: 441 ✭✭✭
    edited July 2016 #16

    You can walk along the canal towpath all the way to Llangollen, over the Frocysyllte aquaduct. Its a Unesco heritage site. Have a brew in one of Llan's many cafes and then get the bus back to Chirk. The bus stop is in Parade Street.

    They even took our dog. Its one of our favourite walks.

    We walked across the aquaduct some years ago, ended up walking all the way to Llangollen and catching the bus back as SWMBO refused to cross back over. Scaredy cat.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,657 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #17

    Well, luckily by the time we arrived there were only a few stragglers and so no hold ups. Despite the horrendous weather forecast we actually arrived to blue skies and managed to get set up, awning and all, minutes before the heavens opened! Laughing

    Glad that you've missed all the exiting traffic. Can be a bit of a bottleneck over the canal bridge. Enjoy your stay. When do you head onto Anglesey?

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #18

    Well, luckily by the time we arrived there were only a few stragglers and so no hold ups. Despite the horrendous weather forecast we actually arrived to blue skies and managed to get set up, awning and all, minutes before the heavens opened! Laughing

    Glad that you've missed all the exiting traffic. Can be a bit of a bottleneck over the canal bridge. Enjoy your stay. When do you head onto Anglesey?

    Moving on to Anglesey on Thursday. Hope the weather's going to be as kind as it's been today. Whereabouts are you at the moment?

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,657 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #19

    Well, luckily by the time we arrived there were only a few stragglers and so no hold ups. Despite the horrendous weather forecast we actually arrived to blue skies and managed to get set up, awning and all, minutes before the heavens opened! Laughing

    Glad that you've missed all the exiting traffic. Can be a bit of a bottleneck over the canal bridge. Enjoy your stay. When do you head onto Anglesey?

    Moving on to Anglesey on Thursday. Hope the weather's going to be as kind as it's been today. Whereabouts are you at the moment?

    We're on the Wirral at the moment but move on to Westley House CL/Comm site , SE of Shrewsbury tomorrow. 

  • insignia
    insignia Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited July 2016 #20

    Good to see you both last night, thanks for the drink.  Very coincidental you being at LM's park at the same time as us.  Hope the weather improves!

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #21

    Good to see you too and have the chance to chat about acquaintances! Wink

    Wardens say they've sold out of our size of gas so off to look for some today, otherwise it'll have to be take aways for the rest of the holiday!

    Enjoy the rest of your stay.Happy

  • JayEss
    JayEss Forum Participant Posts: 1,663
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    edited July 2016 #22

    There are quite a few stockists in Wrexham M or try Plassey Touring Park

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #23

    This place is only down the road Moulesy.

    photo 78301b06-7bdd-45fe-8ae2-d4d2cae14135_zpssi5htrez.jpg

     

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited July 2016 #24

    More interested in review of this site after reading the last few reviews on the site itself. We have given it up as the access road was too bad and the facilites very dated and poor. Better alternatives in the area.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #25

    Nothing wrong with the access road when I was there in the autumn 2015.   Facilities are large and good.  Were you at the same place?

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #26

    The access road into the site between the castle exit and reception has recently been completely resurfaced but the rest of the issues appear not to have been rectified yet.   I was there a few weeks ago and the water pressure in the showers was virtually
    non-existent.  

    The play fort was also taped off and the exit barrier remained up the up position for the entire week.

    photo 78301b06-7bdd-45fe-8ae2-d4d2cae14135_zpssi5htrez.jpg

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #27

    I note that permanently open exit barriers are becoming more common, and not just on caravan sites.  The water pressure can be fine at times - I suspect it is something to do with the folk up the road making chipboard.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,404 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #28

    The lady warden I saw was very helpful and suggested I try Chirk marina for gas and, sure enough, we managed to get some there!

    "Better alternatives in the area"? Well that's a very subjective judgement isn't it? All I know is that for a touch over £20 we have a very nice pitch backing on to the tall trees at the bottom of the site and getting whatever evening sunshine Wales can offer! The approach road is now perfectly smooth, the facilities, whilst dated, are perfectly adequate including the showers ( Jill, there's a notice up saying they've closed off the annexe, whatever that is, which seems to have solved the water pressure problem) and although the play fort is still taped off I haven't seen many youngsters on site - probably all still at school! Wink

    We're within easy walking distance of the castle and the canal aqueduct.

    All in all, we're more than happy! Happy

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #29

    Is the annex the additional building close to the main block on the side towards the wardens office?  It contains additional disables facilities, etc.

    Moderator Edit:

    Yes - it houses similar facilities to the main block and is normally open when the others are closed for cleaning.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #30

    We loved LM's when we were there 3 years ago. The water in the showers was a bit pathetic at times, the warden told us that the site was up for a complete make over, he thought it would be 2015 obviously not happened yet. Its still a lovely site in a great
    area and we would use it again if in the area.

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited July 2016 #31

    Tamygirl- you would think they would have sorted it in 3 years but apparently not.