I fail to see that it’s that difficult to find, you just need to follow the directions in the sites guide. The reason the reception and toilets are built up is that the site is prone to flooding after prolonged heavy rain.As for the pitches what  do expect when you are five minutes out of the city centre rolling green fields ? We have traveled all over the Uk and have  been to this site at least 4 times every year for the last 30 years and the city never fails to impress whether spring, summer or winter. 

Still 6m apart in reality, no matter how close you feel they are. I think The Caravan Club was one of the objectors to the construction of the hotel next door (also on stilts).

Can't be long until the site closes though, as more money to be made out of building another hotel. Just so close to the city, you see. Makes it an ideal spot.

I have had serious concerns about this site and the lack of information the Club has made available. Having had a visit cancelled without any prior notification because of flooding, I complained to the Club. Their initial response tried to disguise the fact it floods and often. Its right in the middle of the published flood map for York ! There is no permanent warning on the the Club website. Picture the scene, you roll up, walk into town have a few drinks with your meal, you are on holiday after all. You dont intend moving for a few days. The heavens open the river rises and you have to evacuate but are well over the drink drive limit. Or you have to take medication which affects your driving ? The Club should have a proper warning on the front page so members are fully informed of the flood risk. How many other sites are there that have the same problem ? I know the Camping and Caravanning Club site at Keswick floods. Campers are warned on the booking page, to the extent that you must always have a tow vehicle available in case of evacuation.  

I rarely comment on reviews but the club do have "safety" warnings about site evacuation on the Rowntree site leaflet, it reminds people to keep in touch with the site etc. I would also suggest (but can't remember) that there may be warnings about flooding and safety visible on the site. Flooding can occur at any time of the day or night, if the river is rising the sensible thing to do would be to check with the EA (Environment Agency) web site, keep alert and not drink alcohol in case of an emergency exit being needed. Most floods build up due to local environmental factors eg heavy rain, high tides, run off from other wet areas.

I live in a flood area in the SW, the EA is the first thing we look at.

There are 2 clues. One, the site is listed as being beside the river Ouse and, two, the site details leaflet warns of flooding. 

We have lived not far from York all our lives and well aware of flood risks. Never having visited this site before, the situation of the site in the middle of the city and the one way systems in York made it extremely difficult to find. An ancient city like york has lots of narrow streets and we were caught off guard when trying to find the site. Once we did find it we knew exactly where we were. This was the 1st time on a city site. The sight of the reception etc being on stilts was quite an eye opener. Perfectly aware of why it was like that and the fact I am registered disabled made it hard for me to access. Yes there is a ramp, but being made of wood can make them very sloppy when wet. There is the regulatory distance between each pitch, just about, and it felt too enclosed. If we had known about all of this we would have booked elsewhere. York is a busy city with many tourists and students attracted to the area. Obviously once you know where it is there isn’t a problem, but we didn’t. This review was our opinion and ours alone. The fact our unit was damaged while we were there and needed repairing doesn’t enhance enjoyment