Access to the site is straightforward, the last few hundred yards are on setts so no issues with travelling slowly. There is one 'accord precedence to oncoming traffic' chokepoint just as you arrive on a single track bridge to watch out for, but it is pretty obvious and well signposted.
The wardens did their usual - "go and pick a pitch you like" line with us, so we took a pitch right next to the railway line (fully serviced as that's all there was left). The site itself feels spacious and well spread out. All pitches are directly accessed off the very smooth tarmac service roads. We spent a few days at a C&CC site last month where pitches were as close as legally allowed, and people were walking and driving over your pitch to take short cuts.... this site feels so very different.
The countryside is amazing - woodland and farmland, a live heritage steam railway with its own platform for the site (accessed via the main gates, it's a 5 minute stroll form the main gates), and you are next to the river Irwell, where you will find amongst other things, Kingfishers.
The site is immaculate, and all facilties are modern and kept in pristine condition. There is a very useful shop with all the usual necessities, and the staff are friendly and fab.
Local shops are 10 minutes drive away - Tesco, Lidl, ALDI, B&M bargains, take your pic. Alternatively, if the trains are running (East Lancashire Railway, steam, vintage diesels, and the occasional more modern DMU) you will get a 50% discount if you are a C&MC member, and if you go into Bury by train, you will be not too far from its amazing market, and a good range of retail shops, pubs, cafes and so on.
Personally, if I needed to shop, I'd go north two stops, to Ramsbottom, which has a beautiful station, and ALDI, Tesco and Morrisons virtually next to the station. It's also a very scenic ride!
There is the Brown Cow pub right outside the site but it's a great small pub that does do food, as well as serve great beer and it is dog friendly too. It has a massive beer garden to enjoy. There is also, in the remains of what was once a massive mill complex, an icecream shop and cafe. Further down Woodhill Road within a 15 minute walk is another pub that also does food, plus another cafe/ice cream shop at Woodhill farm.
If you are a dog owner, there is a massive dog walking field right next to the site with benches, dog waste pins, firm laid paths that are pushchair/wheel chair friendly, and lots of room for wuffits to get their execise while you get yours.
The hard standing pitches are gravelled, quite deeply too, so if you are taking an awning, it'll be rock pegs and a Big Hammer, but the site is very well drained, no hint of mud or surface run off anywhere even after a sharp down pour.
Finally - this is an all year round site, so would suit those who like caravanning/campervanning in the off-season.
