Site Details
Sorry if this should be posted elsewhere but now that "and Motorhome" has been included in the name of the club for some years I wonder if it is time to start describing sites in a way that helps motorhome members aswell as caravanners? For example, Exeter Racecourse shows only one item under "Get Walking" which is Becky Falls. It doesn't mention it's a 14 miles drive to get there including some nice narrow roads. A great recommendation for those members with a car at their disposal but not the best recommendation to make for motorhome members.
Comments
-
Well it isn't the only walking idea given, there is one from the site itself.
And while it may not be possible for all motorhomes to get there (how narrow is narrow and it does appear to have a seasonal bus service?) is that reason not to have it in the site leaflet? It is 'Devon's top beauty spot'
Are you saying that only attractions that are only equally available to both caravans and MHs should be listed?
Any more examples that you've found?
1 -
I doubt anyone seriously expects to be able to drive a MH around the lanes of Dartmoor.
I suspect, too, that most walkers have maps and are capable of working out their own itinerary and that will lead them to conclude that there are far better placed sites for that purpose.
2 -
To cornersteady, I’m suggesting it would be helpful if listings were more consistent in indicating if they were close to the site - rather than say nearby, just say a short drive, within walking distance or similar. It’s not rocket science.
Tinwheeler - on your logic there’s no point in providing information. Just leave people to study their maps.
1 -
Tbh, NB, compared to the club's offerings, that idea has much in its favour.
No way would I stay at the Exeter Racecourse site if I wanted to visit places on Dartmoor.
2 -
Quote For example, Exeter Racecourse shows only one item under "Get Walking" which is Becky Falls. It doesn't mention it's a 14 miles drive to get there including some nice narrow roads.
Does it need to mention that ? or does it need to give you a google link to every landmark in the area ?The joys of touring is finding and exploring the area you visit. its good that sites mention places to visit. you then make your own mind up if and how you want to visit.
I think the CAMC is for tourers and families, rather then caravans and a few motorhomes.
0 -
For walking on Dartmoor I suggest the independent site at Langstone Manor close to Tavistock, the independent and affiliated site at Lydford, or for motorhomers the Plume of Feathers pub site at Princetown. And that is not an exhaustive list, but all are better bets for walkers than Exeter racecourse.
0 -
We have taken our small MH (5.5 metre) onto Dartmoor, but it isn’t easy getting on from most places, certainly not Exeter. Even the drive up from Tavistock is narrow and you need a clear run or sympathetic traffic coming off the moor. Once up there, some roads are nice, easily doable with a small MH like ours, but we do know Dartmoor very well, and you won’t get to Widecombe or Chagford etc easily. Dartmoor has a rather unique colour signposted set of roads, which indicates suitability for certain types of traffic, and what should or shouldn’t be going down certain lanes. Ignore at your peril. We got our MH off the Moor down near Ashburton, but with only a couple of centimetres to spare either side, and I was out guiding through the unforgiving granite wall projections😕
0 -
This is example of a Dartmoor sign post. If I recall, Blue is suitable for general traffic (not HGVs, large wide stuff though), Brown was “give it a go”😕🤞, Black is “not a prayer in anything larger than a car, and if it’s a big one, you will leave your paint finish behind!”😱
Expect all manner of sheep, ponies, cattle, deer and lost walkers on any kind of road as well. And they don’t reverse up, so you’d better make sure you can!😂
We used to tow our van across Dartmoor every Summer, but it was a small one, and we did have a Defender pulling it. The hairpin bends up to Moretonhampstead were the worst bit😱
0 -
A useful bit of colour coding of which I was unaware.
0 -
It is very useful CY, and a good guide. We spend a lot of time on Dartmoor, and it isn’t uncommon to come across road closures for one reason or another, (not so much the main roads across the Moor), but if you do have to take a detour, some are incredibly narrow, mirrors in even with a car. There are lots of deep granite sided lanes, very unforgiving. Fabulous place though.
0 -
-
Excellent point. There should be a minimum standard information on each site description covering the basics of enjoying the locality without a car, e,g. public transport links, nearest pub/restaurant/shop and walking/cycling route safety. Tips on MH parking options at local points of interest would also be good. Wouldn’t require much effort to compile such information and would save a lot of time for MH owners having to trawl through reviews in the hope it’s buried in there somewhere (often is).
0 -
👍😁 We love Bodmin Moor as well. One of our trips out when staying at Bodinnick. Back to West Taphouse, tiny little lane that drops under railway line, out just West of Trago Liskeard, jink across road and then a very narrow road climbing up onto Moor. Skirts Carnglaze I think. Golitha Falls was one of our favourite walks, but we have done the wilder ones up Rough Tor and Brown Willy as well. Can’t do it with MH, at least not much of the stuff we love. The churches are really interesting, I recall one where the Vicar had no congregation, so he made cardboard people? Might have been Warleggan🤔 Dozmary Pool, trying to see Excalibur.😂 when we had the van, and left it down in Marazion, we often travelled solo, so would take to the moorland roads the stretch of the A30 near Temple that was always bottled up. Not with van on though😱 Recall being totally underwhelmed by Jamaica Inn, many years ago though. It had a horrendous stuffed kitten tableau that sent me out throwing up. Hopefully gone now, it deserves to be much nicer. Gorgeous place. You are very lucky.....Only we could get excited about King Doniert’s Stone!😁
0
