National Memorial
I'm just doing the final bit of planning our trips for next year and Ros would like to visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. I was fortunate to be there for the opening of the St John Ambulance memorial some years ago, but Ros has never been. Can any one - possibly local - recommend a nice site to stay at. I've done the usual trawl on the net and both Club's websites, but can't find anything that really excites me. Easy access is important as is no traffic noise! Other than that, happy to consider anything, large or small, CL, CS, Club or commercial.
Many thanks, Richard
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If you don’t mind being 14 miles away you could look at the reviews of Forestside Farm at Marchington and drive to the memorial site from there.
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It's a bit of a trek (about 20 miles or so if I remember correctly) but we visited when staying at a lovely CL called Fieldhead Farm just outside Uttoxeter. No problems with access, huge west facing pitches and little noise other than the cows in the field opposite. (Added benefit was the full English breakfast and tour of JCB HQ just down the road from the site.
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ED - that's interesting. I was aware that dogs could only go in the designated areas - not the memorials - but didn't appreciate it was that bad - thanks for the tip.
Peedee - looked at that one, thanks. It was one of the ones that 'didn't excite me'!
Eurortraveller - thanks I'll have a look at that. Distance without the van on the back isn't an issue.
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Not knowing that Mutts were not allowed through the main doors I approached them to be pounced on to be told I wasn't allowed through and was directed to to another access point. There I was preached to by an obviously retired Gunner type to be told where & how I was to proceed through the site and he was determined he was going to finish his lecture. At the memorial itself, we split up so that EmilysMum could go up to the actual memorial .... it's at the top of a hill with steps & pathways to the top. I started to wander along one of the paths at the bottom with Molly - she doesn't like us to be split up - I was barked at telling me I couldn't go to the top with the dog, I said I'd no intension of going up, but was barked at again to tell me that yesterday a dog had poo'd up there. What that had to do with me I've not a clue. I told him in no uncertain terms where to go. Far too many ex Sgt Major types knocking about that would like to think they can talk to Joe Public like they used to when on a parade ground. I left that behind 30-odd years ago.
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RichardandRos......take a look at this CL, not too far away, and at least one of the reviews mentions the National Arboretum. We stayed back in 2015, and it’s somewhere we would definitely use again. My review following our visit is still there, page 2, although things might have changed a little. They had two pitching areas, one the CL proper, the second, which we preferred is a rally field with some HS. You might need to check about rallies. But it was great for dogs, wildlife, and we didn’t find the narrow Lane anything too bad.
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/certificated-locations/england/staffordshire/rugeley/blythe-house-farm
PS. Lichfield Cathedral is well worth a visit. It’s why we chose this area👍
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Moulesy - from what I can gather it's no longer a CL but a glamping pod site that specialises in Hen parties!! Methinks that's not exactly what we're looking for - but thanks anyway
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Don't know whether I've lost a post but now re-posting. We used the C&CC Conkers site for an overnight stop this year, it's in a Country Park so quiet and has excellent dog walks, might be busy at weekends as it's popular with families. Not far from the arboretum.
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Thanks for the suggestion ttda. Looks lovely but I don't think I'm going to risk that approach with an 8' wide van! (Yes, I know I'm a whimp!!)
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Thanks brue. I have looked at that and it was towards the top of my list but I got the impression that it could be a bit 'boisterous' at certain times. Staying there mid-week sounds like a good compromise.
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No, you’re not a wimp. Just someone who takes care that’s all. Apologies, I had forgotten you had a wide van. It’s just the last half mile or so if I recall, but there were passing places. But it’s different in a MH.😁
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Bosworth is very dog friendly. Good walks if you do the whole trail around.
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Have a look at this CL
https://www.lakesidemeadow.co.uk/
a few miles south of Ashbourne, we’ve stayed here a couple of times, hard standing, serviced pitches, quite. Lovely site facing onto a big lake.
About 25 miles from National Memorial
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Thanks Burgundy - I wouldn't have found this because I was looking closer to the Arboretum - but it looks ideal - apart from the slightly narrow bit on the approach road - but it's do-able! I've put this one to the top of my 'list'. Thanks again.
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If you are a member of the C&CC, then there is Conkers CCC site.... I reckon about 10 miles from the National Memorial Arboretum...
Edit: Just read others have already suggested Conkers. It will be quiet during the week, providing it's not a BH. We usually pop up to Conkers for the MayDay W/E, when it does get busy, but we've always found it fine. Not as good as a CAMC site. I think they have done some re-furb on the toilet block this year. Still only one CDP and water fill up point though. They have bookable hardstanding but no serviced pitches...
David
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We stayed at this CL in June specifically to visit the arboretum https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/certificated-locations/england/staffordshire/burton-upon-trent/woodmill-farm/. It was a lovely quiet site, no facilities but a farm shop, butchers and ice cream parlour on the farm. It was slightly sloping but nothing that couldn’t be solved with good pitching. Access was ok although the final half mile is a little narrow but with passing places
The owner recommended two days visiting the arboretum and I totally agree. We did one half the first day and returned to do the second half the next day. Parking is free, as is entry but they welcome donations. The cafe is reasonable but we took a packed lunch which we enjoyed on one of the many benches. I thought it was wonderful and beautifully kept - very thought o provoking and totally agree that dogs shouldn’t be allowed (except assistance). It’s a very tranquil place and lots of dogs barking, yapping etc - not to mention leaving the possibility of left deposits is not very respectful of those who gave their life serving our country. The volunteers work very hard keeping the park clean and tidy with ongoing planting and weeding.
We also visited Burton on Trent (brewing museum) and Lichfield (cathedral) whilst in the area. Both were lovely, however Lichfield was particularly pretty with lovely gardens.1 -
Not a lot of use for RandR, as the site states "no dogs"!!
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Yes - you're correct nth - I looked at this one and discounted it for that obvious reason! Anyway, thanks to Burgundy - all now booked for July at Lakeside Meadows (just a bit apprehensive about that narrow-ish lane on the approach but am just hoping it will be quiet!!)
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Oops - obviously missed the post that mentioned R&R had a dog, wasn’t in the original post. Hopefully though my description will help others who want to visit the memorial as it’s very close by and a nice site. 0 -
Just a bit ED
- perhaps I should change my screen name to "richardandrosandmegthe cockapoo"2
