Stayed here at various times over 20yrs now. The Flood defence work means that the normal scenic route along the Ouse into York is closed completely as a road and more importantly a footpath. We used the locking gate to exit via Vine Street to the local shops and into York, which we have also done in the past. Now the problem, this gate is pad-locked by the wardens at 10pm and only open again at 8am. So even though you are provided with a key to unlock/lock the gate, the padlock applied after 10pm means the only access is via the main barriers. This involves quite a detour probably not far off a further mile to walk or to catch a taxi (apparently circa £5.00). I fail to see the point in supplying everyone with a key to the gate and then padlocking it. Wardens state that this has been enforced by the Club's Headquarters and they have no say in the matter. I note that they also allow access through this same gate to people staying in the new adjacent hotel, maybe people have returned there late and this has caused it to be pad-locked. If that's the case then the use by the hotel needs to be terminated or is the Club receiving a monetary benefit by allowing them access. (I know it will be an emergency exit when the Ouse floods) Nowhere on the webpages for Rowntree Park can i see information that there is a 10pm restriction to access the site on foot down Vine Street, thus if you visit any of the restaurants on Bishopthorpe Rd or The Swan or Slip Inn, traditional Pubs nearby then make sure you leave by 9:45pm or be prepared for a long walk. I appreciate that there is normally a quiet time of 11pm-7am at most Club sites, but 10pm is fairly early considering quite a number of people were still sat outside their vans or in awnings talking when we had to be back before 10pm and cars can still access the site from the main entrance. A warden quoted that most people on the site are happy with the gate being additionally locked at 10pm as they feel safer! The road/footpath around the Millennium Bridge at the bottom of Butcher Terrace I would suggest is a lot less safe after 10pm in the dark with no houses nearby and spare land for youths to congregate. As grandparents, we go away for a holiday and break from cooking etc and spend a good amount in cafe's and restaurants in the local community using sites that are ideally within walking distance to those amenities. The locking of this gate spoilt the 5 days we spent there, always having to clock watch when out in the evening. Most restaurants were busy and often available bookings were after 7:30pm. I fail to see the point of issuing everybody with a key to lock/unlock the gate which everybody on the site to our knowledge did religiously then banning the use of the gate for 10hrs evening to morning.It appears from the Clubs actions that we are not to be trusted.