York Rowntree Park Club Campsite
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Have finally visited Rowntree in November after waiting approximately 4 years and it was very enjoyable. December 6 is coming round again and no doubt I will not be able to get on again for next year. I have a 8.7m motorhome with a site limit of 8.5m I will have to wait to book through the site and by Thursday or maybe Friday there will be very few vacancies so I do not expect to get on. As a side issue I am a little surprised that there is a limit of 8.5m on site when there are many pitches which would comfortably accommodate my vehicle.
Reading other reviews there are some members like me who have struggled to get on site and others who have been many times to the site. I do feel that there may be some who understandably try to make Rowntree their second home whilst others struggle to secure a pitch at all. To allay my concerns about booking here and e.g. Baltic Wharf it should be easy to restrict members to maybe have, say, a maximum of 3 bookings at any one time for any individual site. I think this would be much fairer to everyone concerned it could also do away with the need to open booking on a particular day in December booking could be available for a rolling 18 month period.
We really enjoyed the site and were only a little disappointed by the recycling facilities on site I am not sure if I have seen anything like this on any other Club Site.
Disappointing
Visited the site on Sunday the 12 November 2017 on spur of the moment just wanted to get away for a couple of nights. Site was fantastic and so is the location been a few times but hard to get booked over the phone or online. When we arrived we didn't seem very welcome and felt like a burden she then went to window to see what I was driving but she could have looked on computer. She said we could only stay 1 night as the second was fully booked. On the day we were leaving I asked staff if there was any cancellations I got an abrupt no. As we left the site I counted 21 empty pitches and that's what I could see surely 21 vans were not coming on in 1 day especially on a school day. I have never experienced this before while I have been there I'm very dissapointed that the site is now for the exclusive and does not seem fare just because I have a campervan I still pay the same money.
Favourite site
The site is very popular (and rightly so) so it's not easy to book but it's well worth it. We've visited several times but were particularly impressed with the arrivals process this time, very slick. Fantastic location with an easy walk into town and a good base for day trips elsewhere. We will be back!
SMH
Reviewed on 08/11/2017 20:15
YORK ON YOUR DOORSTEP
We have been visiting this site for more years than I would care to number. This site is in an absolutely first class position, ten minutes walk into York and yet on the edge of countryside for walking. Site is currently looking pristine, hedges trimmed perfectly pitches clean and weed free. There are no negatives regarding the site and the warden team led by Phil and Janet are exactly that, ‘A Team’
Sioban
Reviewed on 07/11/2017 22:23
October break
Have stayed many times on this site,suprised to see empty pitches after checking Web site and constantly ringing site for cancellations to find a non awning and awning pitch free for most of our stay.
The wardens seemed to constantly be on at the children, yes I agree the bikes and scooters were out but kids will be kids and most seemed to be going the right way round, The toilet facilities were perfect as normal hats of to the staff for that, but come on camc get the wifi sorted out.
20yearmember
Reviewed on 07/11/2017 22:06
They don't get much better than this!
Always full whenever we've tried to book so very surprised when we suddenly managed to book 4 nights including Halloween. Great well kept site and friendly helpful wardens who dressed up and entered into the spirit of Halloween. Out of the back gate for a range of shops and eating places. 15 mins walk into York. Great base for cycling - can recommend the solar system ride to Ricall. What's not to like!
Conveniently sited for York city break, requires improvement for families
We have been visiting this site annually for the last 9 or 10 years, and it is on our list as one of our most favoured sites for city locations. York is a lovely city, with so much to do and all within walking distance of Rowntree Park which makes it a very convenient location. The site itself is maintained to an excellent standard and is overall well run. We enjoy coming here and meet other families who do the same year in year out. However....
We have three children, who are well behaved and good mannered having been caravanners for all their lives. Having just returned from half term there, I have to say that I would agree with other reviewers on here - that, with regret - some of the wardens were particularly unwelcoming towards children and noticeably uncomfortable with having them on the site. This was shown through unnecessary reprimands/reinforcing rules that didn't need reinforcing, not being friendly towards them and showing what we felt was unnecessary contempt towards their attempts to play etc. Whilst this site isn't geared completely towards families (which is fine) a little more tolerance could be exercised to children who want to enjoy their holiday, and if that means safe scootering and biking - the correct way around the one way system and at an appropriate speed - then so be it. On several occasions our children said to us that the wardens told them (and their friends off) for using their scooters and I know they were doing so safely because I was watching them!
We came away feeling much less positive about the site than before, and it was reminiscent of a more military approach to site management, which is thankfully not the norm generally with sites. I think the club needs to review the customer service here to take account of the above, as it will really enhance the overall visitor experience we have. It is not a cheap site by any means to stay at, and a review of the approach to welcoming families is required.
On the plus site, this is in the minority of sites we visit and I think the club takes great efforts to putting on excellent activities for children and families and making everyone feel welcome. At the end of the day, the future of the now C&MHC depends on the next generation.
A well maintaintained site in a great location
York Rowntree Park is a well run site which has improved over the years. We have been staying there for 15 years plus and will keep doing so. The current team running the site have got the arrival system off to a fine art and have eliminated the long Queue, down the road, that one used to encounter. The TV reception is mediocre using an aerial so the site is equipped with connection points which fully addresses this issue. The one way system round the site combined with the narrow roadways and hedges dividing the pitches makes it difficult to back and line up to some locations. However the site is flat and it is possible to man handle. The site team go out of their way to be helpful with this for those who need it. There is a great little community shopping area 5 minute walk away on Bishopsthorpe road. With a good Sicilian Café, Chippy, Deli, Pubs and other shops with a friendly community atmosphere. York Centre with all its features is a 15 minute walk away. From the site there are good walks along the river bank towards the race course as well, ideal for dog owners. For children, there are facilities on site and a park next door. There are also plenty of buses to out of town shopping centres at Monks Cross and Macarthur Glen. Once on site, you don't need to use your car. If you do want a day out, there are plenty of places within an hours drive including the East Coast Resorts.
It remains an annual treat for us. Worth getting up early on the opening day for the next years bookings.
Do not go to this site if you have young children and / or a dog
Young children are not made welcome at this site at all although we have to pay for them to stay and we stayed at this site in the Easter school holidays which is when you would expect children to be made welcome. Both the wardens and the other residents did not make us feel welcome, mainly the other caravans and motorhomes in our immediate vicinity who were just older adults with no children so if you do not like children do not go away in school holidays or go to adult only sites.
If you have a dog do not stay at this site either as they are not allowed to bark!!!
Good site but some negatives
This is a well kept site in an excellent location. To get a pitch you have to have the time to constantly check the website and grab a cancellation when it appears, I had to make 3 bookings to get 4 nights. The negatives are as previously mentioned, you can't do anything without the wardens telling you off! This made for a slightly uneasy feel to our stay. There certainly are afew pitches where if you abide by the rules you'll not be able to get out of your cab door for a hedge in the way. We asked about the non existent recycling facilities and were told that the wardens take out the recyclables later!! Can't quite believe that one, what they actually go through peoples bin bags and separate items which must by then be covered in food waste etc? I don't think so.
Joffy
Reviewed on 25/10/2017 19:00