Black Knowl Redevelopment - Any news???

Honey Monster
Honey Monster Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited June 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Hello,

I noticed that DerekandSusan had asked a question on a different thread about how the redevelopment was progressing at Black Knowl.  

As the original question appears to be in danger of disappearing without a response being provided, can someone from staff (Han???) advise if this site will also be opening ahead of schedule please??

Many thanks,

HM

 

Comments

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #2

    Have you looked at the BK site page? The info is there.

  • Honey Monster
    Honey Monster Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited June 2017 #3

    Hi Brue,

    Thanks for that, yes we've seen the detail on the site info page.

    The reason for the query is that several other sites, which are being redeveloped this year, have recently been announced as due to open early but nothing thus far has been mentioned about Black Knowl.

    HM

     

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #4

    There was an article about it in What's On,  Club News, looks as though it reopens  July 28th. You could try a phone call to the booking dept? 

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #5

    From what I've seen of the upgrade ,we won't be going back ,we now use Setthorns, Black Knowl now looks like one big car park with no soul 

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #6

    The video suggests "Re-opening in June 2017" but not sure who's info that actually is.....??

    It looks like being superb, with more hardstandings thank goodness  wink.

    I expect that if it wasn't already the Clubs most popular site, it will be now........wink

    Yeah.....okay, well RP & BW excepted.....

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpQDxErLR9g

     

  • Simon100
    Simon100 Club Member Posts: 666 ✭
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    edited June 2017 #7

    HuskyDog, if by a 'car park' you mean lots of fully serviced hard standing pitches then this is the site for me!

    Actually I am going there in September for a week so will be able to check it out.

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #8

    Enjoy the car park cool

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #9

    An area of outstanding natural beauty being concreted over, wonder how that sits with the clubs environmental and wildlife plans?

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #10

    Just across from the Black Knowl site is the C&CC Aldridge Hill site which tries to blend in with the landscape. No EHU but you'll see wildlife close by. Like Husky we'll be using sites like that in the future. 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,868 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #11

    I think we need to hold back on the judgement on what Black Knowl will eventually look like especially once the site has matured. When I first went to Rookesbury Park it seemed a bit barren but now, as you drive down the hill to the site, you can hardly see the site until you get to the entrance. Black Knowl can't really be seen from the outside so I can't see it as being a blot on the landscape. We all have our different preferences for what sites we like and I for one won't have any issues in using the refurbished Black Knowl and the fact that people won't have to put up with flooded pitches will be a bonus. Pretty sure it will be as popular as ever. The icing on the cake will be if it can now open all year.

    David    

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #12

    Yes, it is a well hidden site and will be as popular as ever with more pitches available for a longer season. Personally I will miss the central grass area which gave a sense of space when the site was quieter. The new design is similar to Poolsbrook which is also a nice site but in a reclaimed industrial area, as this is in the New Forest I prefer a more natural looking site. The club now has two good sites in the NF which suit those who like this type of site.

  • Caravan Han
    Caravan Han Forum Participant Posts: 87
    First Comment
    edited June 2017 #13

    Hi Honey Monster,

    Thanks for your query. The redevelopment is progressing well and the site is due to open on time and bookings can be made now for stays from 28 July onward.

    Some of you may have seen a version of this video already, but here's an edited version of the footage taken by member Dean Kimber which shows what's changed on site since the redevelopment began: 

    Black Knowl Redevelopment

    Is anyone planning on staying this year?

    Hannah

  • Honey Monster
    Honey Monster Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited June 2017 #14

    Thank you very much for the update Hannah. Most appreciated.

    We can't wait to visit and see how things have been redeveloped.

    Hopefully it will be the same Black Knowl just a little bit better and more up to date. 

    HM

     

     

  • DerekAndSusan
    DerekAndSusan Forum Participant Posts: 74
    edited June 2017 #15

    Thank you Hannah, we are visiting the site in early August, joining up with our Daughter and her family. We have seen the drone footage before and all looks good. As for the comments that this is a car park. I feel they are totally unfounded.

    If other members prefer to stay at Aldridge Hill that is up to them, they obviously enjoy the "party" atmosphere you get on this site from the large groups of campers. We have walked through this site on many occasions when it is open and peaceful it is not.

  • longtermpuller
    longtermpuller Forum Participant Posts: 17
    edited August 2017 #16

    We are going in September,Has there been any changes to the speed humps on the road leading to the site, they almost rip my jockey wheel off

  • DerekAndSusan
    DerekAndSusan Forum Participant Posts: 74
    edited August 2017 #17

    Hi Longtermpuller

    Nope, road worse than before, you slalom to miss the wonderful forest potholes and the humps are just as vicious as before. The much advertised improvements to the entrance are not. All is as it was but with a barrier now that does not line up with the new arrivals lane. 

    On a plus side the new block is stunningly wonderful for the club and the wardens are great. 

    Enjoy your stay.cool

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