Exeter Racecourse-Seasonal

I didn’t know that site at Woodbury but a quick look through their photos and reviews shows it to be a far better spot to take a nine year old. 

Good Morning

So, Exeter racecourse then. I've worked there and I'd recommend it. On all sites mentioned above you'll need transport but as mentioned above there's lots to do on foot as well at Exeter. The racecourse does jump racing so it's a winter season which finishes in May. Race days are great as you can stand at the start/ finish line and watch all day for free, or you can get discounted tickets if you fancy a bet or 2! The big 40 foot tv screen gets parked next to the site toilet block.  

The Jockey Club who own the place put on lots of events over the year to which club members are welcome, along with the Sunday afternoon bootsale. There's a diner next door which gives members a discount along with the ones across the A38 mentioned above.

The "camp" which TW mentions above is long gone. The council spent a small fortune building a proper travellers site which pretty much stays empty. The original camp dwellers further down the road in the woods weren't "travellers" but just a load hippy types in old buses and vans. Never had an issue with them apart from the noise when they had a rave or two! 

Yes there's traffic noise, you notice it more in the mornings with wagons climbing Haldon hill but it soon becomes so normal you don't notice it. Hardly any complaints.

Deer spotting is fun. Walk around the road inside the track at dusk to watch deer grazing, I've seen 50 plus before.

I can't advise on Plymouth sound as I've only been once. I currently run Ilfracombe site and once again if you have a car there's lots to see and do in North Devon. There's only 2 seasonal pitches left here. Interestingly the Beavers trust based in Cornwall are trying to introduce a pair of beavers into the brook on site. A long process trying to gain approval from local landowners etc. 

I hope this helps with your decision making

JK

Maybe not much to entertain a 9yr old in the immediate vicinity of the site but tons to do nearby. Exeter is a lovely city, visit Exeter Quays, walk/cycle or get the ferry to the Turf Locks, visit Topsham, cycle the Exe Estuary Trail, extensive sandy beaches and loads of kids stuff at Exmouth & Dawlish - and that’s just within a few miles radius. Loads more besides. Plenty of space for kids to kick a ball about without annoying anyone. 

The Classic Car Show at Powderham is very good, a lot more than just old cars.

Exeter city is great, but you need to use the park and ride if you don't want to be stuck in queues, especially in the summer holidays. My main concern would be getting to a fairly long distance seasonal pitch on the M5 during the summer. It might be worth looking up seasonal pitches on the ukcampsite web site to extend the choice?

Hi

You'd be surprised the distances people are prepared to travel to a seasonal pitch Brue. At Exeter we had several from south Wales who would drive up after work every Friday for the weekend. At Ilfracombe we've had people from Staffordshire doing the same every weekend. Next season people are from even further. I guess a weekend away being able to turn up at anytime of day becomes precious after a hard week at work?

JK

JK, I respect your personal knowledge of those Club sites, but as I said earlier there are better places to take a nine year old if the questioner looks outside the Club network. We have a nine year old grandson and know what would suit him..

I must admit, if we ever get our old van sorted, we have thought about Exeter and a seasonal pitch. That’s from South Yorks! 😁

Yes I know people do travel but I often think the ones who have a seasonal pitch nearer to home get the best use and the best value for money, considering fuel costs etc. Especially if constrained by school holidays and holiday traffic.

Recalling seasonal pitch users who turned up at midnight and hammered in their awning next to us.....not CAMC. 

We've visited Plymouth Sound a lot over the years, I re-call a lady on her own who lived half an hour away and escaped to the site as much as she could. I think seeing her enjoyment tipped us in the direction of considering a seasonal pitch at one point. 

I think if you don't want to spend your time driving too much it's worth finding a site where there is plenty to hand. 

Anyway I don't want to curb anyone's style if they're up for driving in all conditions. 

It is a consideration Brue. We used to leave a van near Fowey, and come and go through the year. We could do it easily in around four and a half hours solo, with two drivers, but now it’s totally different, possibly three times as much traffic on roads, lots of hold ups. Depends on how long you might stay of course as well.