Clumber is ideally located for a stop on the way north or south on the A1. It isn't just a stopping off point though - the walks through the park are delightful and a perfect antidote to several hours of motorway towing.
Our stop this time was slightly marred by the lack of Wi-Fi. This is critical for our employment so we weren't overly happy but at least we were only had a one-night stopover. (This is apparently a long-term problem so a warning on the Club website would be nice.) Wardens were cheerful and accommodating as usual and we even found that our favourite pitch was free (near one of the entrance gates to the park).
Nevertheless a great site - especially when less full on weekdays.
We consider Clumber to be our "local" site. Our grand-daughter loves it here, and we feel that she is safe when riding around the site (within a limited area so that we can see her). We only mark it down on peace and quiet in the summer, because it is soooooo busy, and can be noisy. There are still some quiet corners to be found though.
We used to stay on this site when it only had a few pitches.
We do think that intermittent inspection of the toilet/shower blocks throughout the day and evening would be a good idea. Since the Club disposed of the mops for the showers, we find that less and less people actually clean the shower cubicle floor with the blade provided, and we have to clean it before and after use. There seem to be enough staff to be able to do this.
On our visit last weekend we lost a memory card from our camera. We thought it had dropped out of our camera case when we were near the lake, and it was lost forever. Three days later, we received a call from one of the wardens at the Caravan site to say that someone had found the card on our pitch. They had viewed the photographs, and we were identified from the registration number of our car on one of the photos. Shocked, amazed and very grateful to the person who took the trouble to try to identify us. We can't thank them enough.
We visited at the weekend so the site was full, however, it was not unpleasant . We enjoyed the holiday feel , well behaved children and dogs. The location is good. We felt the facilities were generally poor , clean but rather basic, for example, there were two hair dryers in the ladies toilet. One was so week it would have never dried my hair and the other was In two bits. The toilets are not at a standard you would expect in a site charging over £30 a night for two people. There are about 6 wardens . Two were nice , the rest were rude and unpleasant. I think that it would be reasonable for the club to review the policy of closing receptions at 8pm on Fridays , with so many wardens there could be a rota so you could arrive slightly later. At this site there is no where suitable to camp over night if you are late- the late arrival space in on the road near reception and it is slopping. I think that at the cost the whole thing about having to arrive on Fridays before 8 and then no over night late arrival space is not good enough. The site was clean .Â
I completely agree with the previous review about the madness at the weekend. We were there Friday and Saturday night (15/16 July) and we saw all the same inconsiderate behaviour. Unfortunately the parents don't care what their children are up to and in terms of setting a good example we even saw a guy cycling around with a beer can in hand accompanied by his child. By the time we left on Sunday morning my nerves were on edge. So if you are reasonably sane, value your space around your unit and prefer to see Club rules abided by, don't stay on a weekend at this time of the year. I am reliably told it is great during the week and we will consider visiting again midweek. Wardens are lovely and do a great job. In terms of crime within Clumber Park maybe the police are being reactive rather than proactive, but having said that a very nice PCSO was security marking bikes on site should you wish it.Â
1st impressions as you arrive, lovely, beautiful hanging baskets and good service road. Extremely friendly staff and very helpful with advice.
Our stay was from Monday to Monday, 7 nights. Plenty of choice for where to pitch from all grass to hardstanding. The majority were all pretty level too although I did see some precarious leveling by some, one who even used a log under one of his steadies.
During the week the site was lovely and peaceful, clean toilet blocks and showers. Pity there's still no music in the block though.
The weekend arrived and so did the madness. I've never seen so many units going around the site the wrong way, children riding bikes everywhere, round the caravans, around the site on the roads the wrong way, through the woods and destroying trees willy nilly. Speeding was totally out of control for some motorists, several must have been doing 25mph. Definitely an accident waiting to happen. In the toilet blocks it was world war 3. I only felt sorry for the staff who had to cope with the mayhem each morning.
The site it's self as explained in the description has no mobile phone signal, although as soon as you were back on the surrounding roads signals came back.
Plenty of good walks and cycle routes right from the site and a place well worthy of a visit is Hardwick it's self where there is a nice clean toilet block and ample parking if you dont fancy the walk from the site. If you do then just go straight over the crossroads, 20min walk 5min drive. You can also get a good cuppa and snack at the small van that parks up by the lakeside. A nice walk around the the lake brings you to Clumber Park visitor centre where there is plenty to do for everyone. Nice grounds and gardens which would be the perfect place for a family picnic. A word a warning though, if you go in your car, make sure to put any valuables in the boot out of site. whilst we were walking around someone smashed the rear window on the pick up truck belonging to the National Trust who had 2 men working nearby trimming the bushes.
Overall an enjoyable stay, however I think I'll stick to midweek visits for the future. Having said that the kids there all seemed to have great fun and we were all young once......
Lovely site, always clean and tidy. Great for walking,cycling and bird watching. Only fault was some inconsiderate dog owners, dogs not on leads/under control on site and also some dogs barking a lot. I am a dog owner myself and wouldn't allow my dogs to be a nuisance to others.
Don't let that put you off as it's the first time we've had an issue with dogs barking a lot.
Fantastic location for summer adventures, walking, cycling, bird watching and organised activities throughout the summer. Only complaint is the constant machine grass cutting from 10-00 am through until 5-00 pm ? Could this not be condensed to finish at 2-00 pm to give a time to relaxe in the afternoons ?
We regularly use this site for a relaxing weekend. It's only 30 minutes from our home but you could be anywhere. The site is well maintained and the facilities are clean. The play area is great for kids and a lock up is provided for bike storage.
The only downside is the lack of mobile signal and wifi on site but on the other hand it stops the constant phone checking. If you want phone signal there is coverage in Hardwick Village a short walk from the site or at the Clumber Park visitor center.
There are loads of walks from the site and you can hire bikes from the visitor center.
A great site for a break from it all.
Lovely location but you do need your own transport to get out and about. There are a lot of inconsiderate people on the site. They leave their dogs barking all evening, they speed around the site in their vehicles, their children race around on their bikes in the dark with no lights. Then there is the bike theft.Our neighbours had their scooter stolen. It is horrible to think that thieves are roaming around while you sleep. The lack of mobile phone signal and wifi pale into insignificanc in comparison with this.
The setting is wonderful and ideal for walking dogs, cycling etc. Because it is so child- and dog-friendly there are LOTS of both around. Most are charming and well-behaved, but a few parents and dog-owners seem oblivious when children or dogs are acting up. We are dog owners ourselves but certainly would not let ours bark all evening as the large party camped directly across from us did.
We would certainly go again but not at a weekend or in school holidays!