Mixed Feelings
This was our first visit to the Isle of Wight. We knew that like most sites that we wouldn't be able to check in until after 12 noon and had registered for the "fast check in" which is being trialed at this site.
We arrived at around 1130hrs and parked up. The site has a massive forecourt which was literally empty. We used the facilities as we'd had a long journey and had quick look at pitch availability. As we made our way back to our van at approximately 1145hrs we were confronted by a female staff member asking whether one of the now two vehicles on the forecourt was ours. We said yes and would she like us to move, expecting her to say no, to which she said yes as they were "expecting 20 arrivals" and couldn't have a queue out onto the road! She also asked the motorhome behind us to move and when told it was too big to turn around she replied that she would open the gates and he could turn around in the site!! Feeling a bit put out we travelled 5 mins down to the road to Goddard's brewery, had a quick look round, came back and then on the dot of 1201hrs we entered the site! The large van was still there so not sure whether he did move and there was one other car. We set up and then walked to the brewery passing reception where there was now NO ONE waiting to check in which remained the case for the 4 days we were there. Although 20 arrivals may have been anticipated (although I'm not sure this was accurate given the site was pretty full) the likelihood of them all arriving on the dot on 1200hrs is very small.
We have been to other CAMC sites where we have arrived a few minutes early and have been allowed to wait and not effectively told to "get lost".
We understand there are rules but we have never been made to feel so unwelcome at a CAMC site. As a result we didn't interact with any of the staff members for fear of breaching yet another rule (CAMC seem to love a rule) and incurring another telling off.
No queue for showers (water was hot) or toilets but we had to queue on a couple of occasions for washing up facilities and the water was lukewarm.
Location of the site is good if you want to explore via bus or as we did by bike on the Red Squirrel trail. If you plan to eat at the pub down the road then book in advance as inside tables are limited.
We'd like to say we'd go back but given the shoddy "welcome" we probably won't which is a shame.
