Busy site ideal for families but standards not what they used to be
We have just returned from Hillhead, our 5th visit over the last 15 years or so. With three growing children (2 teenagers and a 7 year old) the appeal was the swimming pool and entertainment, which kept everyone interested for a main summer break. The wardens (or site managers as they are now called) were lovely and hard working, although I think could do with more help - both from members in following some basic 'rules' to keep it nice for everyone as well as the club themselves as they seemed very 'self managed'. Sadly there were too many examples of inconsiderate behaviour from other members (excrement left in toilets, dog poo put in bin within dishwashing area that ended up around the rim as bag had broken, rubbish left outside bins and too many vehicles allowed on site per unit creating crowed pitches and encroachment into other's pitches.) The issue of speeding traffic on site, despite the sad incidents and fatalities of recent years on the site network, doesn't seem to have got any better. What the answer is I do not know when common sense seems so lacking.
I am quite tolerant usually, but I think it would have tested my patience for the hardworking site team doing their best. I suspect times are changing and the standards of the Caravan Club certainly are sliding in our opinion at this location. It is a large site and to rely on the site staff to do all the hedge and landscape management, seems an impossible task - a site of this size needs more professional teams of landscape teams to keep on top of it, in order to get it into the shape it was in when first opened. This is in no way a criticism of the existing team who you could tell were doing their very best.
On the plus side, swimming pool was great and children had a fantastic time. Lifeguards were lovely and we felt very safe enjoying the water. We enjoyed a few evenings at the entertainment and the entertainment team there worked hard to run things to a good standard. We didn't eat in the restaurant this time, but did feel the menu was quite basic and expensive for what it was (more gastro pub prices than what was being served). Having said that the restaurant was busy each evening but couldn't comment on the standard.
Site is in an ideal location for the English Riviera and whilst overpriced is probably in line with everywhere else these days for staycationers. We will probably go back but mainly because of lack of choice for sites like this within the club with facilities, in spite of the issues raised.
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