Should CC sites or CLs give more details?
Where there is a negative aspect to a club site or CL should these points be included in the description of the site more fully than they are, if at all, now?
In the last couple of weeks I have been to a CC site and to a CL where, had I known fully about problems I may have chosen to go elsewhere.
In the case of the CL there is no mention, except in online reviews of the CL that the approch is a very rough track. What is not mentioned in the reviews is that this track is exactly a quarter of a mile long and, after rain, is a quagmire. Because of the
state of the track it is impossible, even after the mud has dried out a bit, to travel at more than a slow walking pace, especially with a caravan in tow.
In the case of the CC site the details in the handbook states that there is a railway nearby and that "occasional noise from the adjacent quarry has been reported". What is not stated is that not only is there a railway but there is a level crossing and
a station next to the site. From very early morning until late at night the audible warning of the crossing is very evident many times per hour and that trains approaching the crossing use their very loud horns. The crossing should not be described as 'level'.
It is not. Consequently vehicles going over the crossing and particularly but not exclusively, many empty HGVs going to the quarry from before 6.00am, five days per week, go over the crossing with a very loud bump.
For some people the ommision of this sort of information may be very important so, in my opinion, a full and honest description of downsides to a site should be published.
Comments
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I empathise with the points made although draw a different conclusion. What to me is a negative aspect is not necessarily the same as for someone else. This then questions how you draw the line. Having reviews does draw the line because some people will
mention their perceived negatives. I can't see any benefit in sites being self critical when such criticism will not be shared by all.We'd love to stay at the CC mentioned because we like transport and the noise does not bother us. The CL? No thanks although I do know of one CL that warns people about the entrance road.
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I tend to agree with Aspenshaw. We often stay at campsites near habitation and as such there will always be noise associated with that decision. Some people find that easier to deal with than others. As individuals there is a lot we can do our selves by
a few simple checks like looking at the site on Google Earth which would show up most of the issues you mention. The advantage of reviews is that what you mention is the sort of things that people comment on. I tend not to use CL's but would always imagine
that many of them will be more "rustic" compared to Club sites so access will not be as well defined. Its obviously a shame that someone's stay might have been spoilt because of such things but unless the negatives are going to apply to all visitors it becomes
difficult to draw the line?David
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I think you should read site descriptions in the same way as you would read estate agent details for a property. They want to sell it to you and will, if the can't avoid it, give hints of potential issues. You need to pick up in these and investigate further
if you perceive an issue. Transport links nearby will mean road or rail close so possibly noisier than you are used too. Living in a town this isn't an issue for us but could be if you live where only sounds are bird song. Google Maps are fantastic for this.
I agree about rough tracks, but having gown up in the country I know farms and certainly fields aren't always on 'proper' roads. I would have thought that CC inspections of CL's ought to at least mention private unmade road/drive access. Why would you want
to travel at more than walking pace on a private road/drive when you don't know the hazards or traffic situation? Especially if you are towing0 -
Things like road, airplane and train noise are very subjective, so other than the fact that the site is close to a road or rail line, I don't feel any further information is required. Take Berwick for example, right next to the east coast main line. However,
although some folk complain on the reviews, I don't find it a problem. In fact quite enjoy watching the trains go past. Even if I didn't, we generally stay for a week at a time, most stay a lot less, so it would not be the end of the world. We would just
take it off our revisit list.The state of a track however, is a totally different matter. In the example mentioned by the OP, it sounds as though anyone turning up in a wet spell with anything less than 4 wheel drive, could experience difficulties. That sort of information should be
made available to anyone intending to book.0 -
I tend to agree with Aspenshaw. We often stay at campsites near habitation and as such there will always be noise associated with that decision. Some people find that easier to deal with than others. As individuals there is a lot we can do our selves by a few simple checks like looking at the site on Google Earth which would show up most of the issues you mention. The advantage of reviews is that what you mention is the sort of things that people comment on. I tend not to use CL's but would always imagine that many of them will be more "rustic" compared to Club sites so access will not be as well defined. Its obviously a shame that someone's stay might have been spoilt because of such things but unless the negatives are going to apply to all visitors it becomes difficult to draw the line?
David
Write your comments here...Good post David I agree..
There will always be ambient noise wherever people caravan, those who prefer sites and CL's near habitation will have appropriate human activity noises whereas those who prefer idiyllic rural sites and CL's will have countryside noises like farm animals and agricural machinery.
All that's required is to do a bit of research before making a decision as to where to base yourself .
K
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Whilst I can empathise with John I do feel that sites or cls are not going to post negative aspects. Why would they? It would be counter productive. You wouldn't expect hotels or restuarants to tell you about the excessive road noise or the fact that the
local sewage works is nearby etc.You would be better asking for more honest reviews from people who have stayed, giving as much information as possible. Even then you have to sift through it with an open mind as what is important to one reviewer and is great may be awful to someone else.
I recently read a review of an independent site on UK campsite where the reviewer thought it was great that everyone got around a camp fire in the evenings and had a sing song. Not my cup of tea.At least these days you do have reviews to read to form some sort of idea plue Google earth.
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We have far more info with the advent of the internet. You can even have a shuftie at the entrance with "streetview" on Google Earth. That plus a few reviews on a number of websites. In the old days, all you had was an address, phone number and a price.
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I'm guessing John might be referring to the Crossways CC site in Dorset? I haven't stayed there but have considered it and read the reviews, I think you get a feel for the site by reading a couple or more pages of reviews. Usually someone writes about something
they don't like whilst others praise it. The reviews are far more revealing than the site blurb since they want your business and will only put a tiny warning about possible things that might not appeal.0 -
We have stayed at that site (crossways) often and other than the train whistle I can't say it is a noisey site , and have never heard any noise from the quarry , but like everything it depends on what noises you have where you live to compare
we are booked in in August ,will have to listen out for the quarry noise ......
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We stayed at Crossways, a few years ago, hardly heard the trains. It may depend on which part of the site you pitch on though.
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reviews,whilst being helpfull can also be offputting!I have read reviews of a site in Germany thatmention rail and river traffic noise!I have had 2 holidays there over the last few years and have not noticed either as being intrusive or annoying.One reads
reveiws of products with some sceptism....there will always be somebody who is not happy!0 -
I find noise a very difficult one to deal with. I have sen complaints on the reviewsa for Chester Fairoaks in particular but having stayed there frankly we could hardly hear anything although it is there. Durham Grange is near a motorway and yes there is
some noise. We found it to be a low huim but someone elase thought it was very loud. You read the reviews and try and get a fair balance but the problem is subjective. I have seen some mention of noise on site descriptions but not the two mentioned.The one that fooled us years ago was Crystal Palace where the handbook showed a row of grassy pitches. When we arrived we found a site full of tarmac roads and long lengths of hardstanding. The grass was just a few pitches near the entrance and very misleading.
I know that the descriptions given are meant to sell the site to you but this is a club and a bit of negative could be included if serious. The reviews now do help so it is probably not a problem finding out any downsides but a bit more honesty would help.
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Have never stayed at Crossways, but have stopped at the C&CC Moreton site which is adjacent to the railway line and never had any problem with the noise of trains. However last year we stopped at the CC's Durham site and would not stop there again because of the road noise!! Fuuny how some noises annoy one group of people while other don't notice the same sounds.
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I've not stayed at Crossways so can't comment, however I have stayed at Durham and Berwick and neither cause me any problems. Edinburgh site is another one that some complain about the noise of airplanes, likewise Ayr. Again neither of these sites bother
us. The site that we found noisy was Tredegar, again depending where on the site your pitch is, Strathclyde can also have high road noise, there are quite a lot of sites like these. We live in a quiet village with very little noise so we do notice it when
away. To be perfectly honest it is not road/air/train noise that annoys me its the noise from humans. Slamming of car/van doors during silent hours, loud voices, loud televisions etc. basicly the inconsiderate folk around you can and do spoil it for others.0 -
I've not stayed at Crossways so can't comment, however I have stayed at Durham and Berwick and neither cause me any problems. Edinburgh site is another one that some complain about the noise of airplanes, likewise Ayr. Again neither of these sites bother
us. The site that we found noisy was Tredegar, again depending where on the site your pitch is, Strathclyde can also have high road noise, there are quite a lot of sites like these. We live in a quiet village with very little noise so we do notice it when
away. To be perfectly honest it is not road/air/train noise that annoys me its the noise from humans. Slamming of car/van doors during silent hours, loud voices, loud televisions etc. basicly the inconsiderate folk around you can and do spoil it for others.Write your comments here...+1
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Likewise some have complained about road noise at Chapel Lane and I hardly heard any. Perhaps the wind was in the right direction for me but the M42 isn't so close anyway.
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The way Mrs Swifties buddie's shouts i'm suprised weve not been banned from every site, Ive complained about her noise to the CC and they have not done anything about her LOL. No body else has complained , so i guess i must have sensitive hearing, Not all
bad though, she is good at pulling caravans up muddy tracks, as long as dont forget to take the Harness and tackle lol
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Have never stayed at Crossways, but have stopped at the C&CC Moreton site which is adjacent to the railway line and never had any problem with the noise of trains. However last year we stopped at the CC's Durham site and would not stop there again because
of the road noise!! Fuuny how some noises annoy one group of people while other don't notice the same sounds.It may depend on what you are used to but as we live within hearing distance of the M74, but not as close as Strathclyde Park, we are probably more tolerant of noise on site. Even then having read reviews of some sites we have found it very difficult to
hear anything and certainly some of the complaints are overdone in our opinion.0
