Next To Very Busy And Noisy Road
We followed the directions on the website from the M40. The main issue is that the A4155 from Marlow to the site is very busy with HGV' s, buses and is quite narrow in places with lots of overhanging trees and bushes.
On checking in we were met by the very friendly and professional wardens. The site was very busy when we arrived, so we ended up with one of the hard standing pitches next to the road. The wardens did warn us about the road noise and did point out some grassed pitches away from the road, these were in the shade so it was a compromise. We'd read the reviews about the road noise but had we have known how bad the noise was we would have taken a shaded pitch.
The site is clean and looks well managed. Following a day of strong winds the staff were out working hard clearing up leaves and branches. The toilets and showers were very clean.
As the leaflet states TV signal is poor. We couldn't get a satellite TV signal, more than likely because of the tall trees within and surrounding the site. Mobile phone coverage was average. We did just about get a 3G signal with Three and a weak 4G signal with EE. The site has a gold rating for WiFi, which worked well.
The site is ideally situated for visiting the local area. It was a 10-15 minute walk into Henley on Thames. As others say the pavement is narrow with overgrown hedges. On leaving the purpose built pedestrian exit to the site you walk along a narrow pavement for a few yards before the pavement stops. You are then forced to cross a road just after a bend to join the pavement on the other side of the road. It's impossible to see around the bend so it's very risky when crossing. There is no way that the majority of motorists, including HGVs and buses stick to the 40mph speed limit. There are no signs warning motorists that pedestrians cross the road or that there is an entrance to the site (yet a private touring site closer to Henley on Thames has such signage and it is in a 30mph limit). I have emailed the Club about my concerns and to ask that they contact the relevant Local Authority for a site safety survey to be completed.
On the walk into Henley on Thames, about 5 minutes from the site, there is a public footpath on the left (opposite Swiss Farm) which takes you down to the River Thames, but you cannot get into Henley on Thames itself on this footpath. This is ideal for a dog walk as the on site dog exercise area is tiny. As others mentioned there is a lovely walk through Henley to Marsh Locks. On this walk there are lots of cafes. We enjoyed the Hot Gossip Cafe in Friday Street. There is a good sized Waitrose and local Sainsburys in the town. Parking at Waitrose is in a public car park, Waitrose will refund the parking charges off your bill. The local fuel stations certainly have the market cornered which shows in their fuel prices, so it's well worth filling up elsewhere.
Would we stay again? Probably not, the reasons - road safety and road noise.
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