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Mikerc
Reviewed on 30/03/2017 18:59
Peter H
Reviewed on 28/03/2017 08:40
Stayed for three weeks in July. Site very busy and always full.
Firstly the good, this is a beautiful site, well maintained, spotless facilities and a decent enough shop. However- We abide by the rules and it states "strictly no entry before 1200hrs". We, being early waited in a layby to await the time, and noticed umpteen caravans and motorhomes hurtling past us towards the site. Of course on arrival, these people were halfway through putting awnings up, so the rule is basically ignored. The reason we followed it was that we had asked in advance if early arrival was possible and were told in no uncertain terms that the rule was rigid. On arrival we found the wardens harassed and two of them very unhelpful, other two were lovely. Asked what pitches were free, was told to drive around and find one (although the tag system employed could have given this info very easily), this led to utter chaos as everybody was doing the same and ignoring the one way system. One of the wardens blocked access to two pitches as "they were being saved for somebody, funny that, I thought that wasnt possible with the club rules. We were exceptionally lucky and found a massive grass pitch that was lovely. others however were not so lucky. Some were actually driving round for well over an hour and of course getting very frustrated. In some areas there are double rows and some people found it very difficult to access the rear row. Some pitches were so sloping that the jockey wheels had to be removed to get a level, i.e. caravan on its nose. A couple of side-on hard standing pitches were so close to the driveway that the awnings would be brushed by passing wing mirriors. Constant, and I do mean constant noise from mowers and cutters. Aslo was the usual problem of some dog owners not using the designated areas, some even so blatant they used the grass area in front of the wardens office, and of course this went un-challenged. The St Mawes area is gorgeous, but I found we very quickly exhausted the things to do and see, and being on a peninsula ended up driving more miles than I had planned. Still, very nice and a break from our usual West Cornwall. Would I stay again? Definitely not and for the reason being that when it did get busy, you are extremely lucky to get a decent pitch. We were absolutely fine, but only by the grace of god, it could have been so much worse. For us, it is simply not worth the risk. Note to the wardens, try smiling, it costs nothing.
Our FOURTH trip to this site this year - even from Newbury it's quite a haul at 250 miles each way - but the very fact that we've returned time and again says a lot. A warden concerned about the messiness of falling leaves and the frustration of trying to keep up with them says even more. A gem of a site....lovely country, near a great beach which is dog-friendly, the regular ferry to Falmouth from St Mawes is perfection, the artichoke and goats cheese pizza at the St Mawes Hotel is to die for, the King Harry ferry is fun, Trelissick Gardens great for its forest walk, dog-friendly bay, and a cracking cup of coffee and food in the NT shop. We just love it here - so much so that we've thought of moving to the area - and a stay at the Merrose Farm site simply makes us wish we'd take the plunge. You must try it!
PenniesFromDevon
Reviewed on 20/10/2016 18:03
