Little visit to Dorset .

[Swifter]

We have had a 5 night visit to Dorset . We travelled down to South Lytchett Manor last Sunday .
What a nice site , very busy . Well stocked shop and pizza/ burger vans on site . Overall a very good site . Entrance a little tight due to iron gates but overall we loved it

Next stop Sanford Holiday Park ( Parkdean)
What a crazy site . We turned up and arrived at our “pitch” only to be told by a group of aggressive tent campers that “they ain’t moving and want to stay a bit longer innit “ . Those are the exact words . Kids now in tears so I sheepishly return to reception and get allocated pitch number 1 . What a joy this was . Basically at the entrance to the touring site park and under a huge street light People literally brushing the side of the van to shave 0.5 seconds off their journey back to their pitch . I was so annoyed I set up windbreaks to try and defend our pitch but these were removed and stolen within 2 hours of me setting them up . I felt like we’re were in a war zone. After 1am is the worst time . Groups of ferral kids roam the site with no security or police intervention and many parents seem happy to allow the kids to roam free until the early hours in this “safe” environment!
At 2.55am on Tuesday morning I found a guy sleeping under the motorhome ( because he made a phone call to say good night to his wife and it was clear he was underneath the van ) but apparently I was being out of order in asking him to move because it was raining and I am a weirdo for listening to his conversation ( you really couldn’t make this up ) . Turns out he wasn’t even staying on the park and was a local !The reviews told me it would be like the Jeremy Kyle show and they weren’t wrong .
They did have a good arcade area and swimming pool so the kids didn’t really moan once we had the pitch

Next site was West Bay ,Bridport(Parkdean again ) We went via Sand Banks and we took the chain Ferry . The kids were convinced we had crossed the channel

The warden (Alex)at West Bay is a real character and makes you feel very welcome . Fully serviced pitch here .
Lots to do with the beach so close . Also nice to see the dedicated Motorhome parking bays in Bridport

So that’s the longest trip we have done . 3 sites over 5 nights . Can’t wait for the second tour we do this year but no more Parkdean for us .

 

[Just smiffy]

I’ve been to Lytchett manor, nice site….

atleast the kids enjoyed it…

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

We travelled down to South Lytchett Manor last Sunday .

Nice site, first site we stayed on last December when we got our van.
Very good pub down the road and a cafe a few minutes walk.
Handy for the bus as just outside the gate

We will be visiting again for sure.

 

[David and Sally]

Great site. Buses right outside. Was blowing a Gale and peeing down when we went but loved it.

 

[Spawn_e_git]

Went to Sandford Park Dean couple of years back. Awful place full of awful kids just as you described.
Would never go there again

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[Swifter]

Went to Sandford Park Dean couple of years back. Awful place full of awful kids just as you described.
Would never go there again

It was certainly an experience. I’ve never really felt unsafe anywhere on a campsite but this was crazy .I wanted to leave as soon as we arrived . The static caravans look rough with no decking or side coverings on them and the drive up to the touring site is like traveling through a war zone . If the kids hadn’t been so excited I would have left immediately . The pool area was nice and we did enjoy a good swim as a family BUT lesson learnt for the future

 

[Jewellbags]

Very funny OP post though , made me giggle - and I needed a giggle today . Take the kids to longleat site - they can listen to the beasts

 

[Swifter]

Very funny OP post though , made me giggle - and I needed a giggle today . Take the kids to longleat site - they can listen to the beasts

Thanks Jewellbags . We have a booking for longleat in November.
Glad you enjoyed the post buddy

 

[bobnick]

Thanks for the tips. Wont bother with Parkdean innit.

 

[Vanderek]

Swifter Sandford has a history Murder at Caravan Park
I enjoyed reading your site review

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[glenn2926]

We’re down in Dorset the week after next. I wasn’t looking forward to it before. Even less now,
but summoned for family holiday. Normally we would have a family holiday abroad but not this year.
The pictures of the beach look like a place to avoid. No sand and too crowded.
I’m looking forward to a couple of pub stops each way, down and up. They’re going to be my high light of the trip.

 

[Wabs]

Try Highlands End next time,,lovely site,,,as for the Parkdean resorts,wouldn’t go there in an armoured car too many weird people.

 

[Spawn_e_git]

we're currently at Haven Littlesea. No problems with mutant kids although they did have some problems a few weeks back there is a bouncer crew here who would fit right in at any London club.

Small site with limited facilities but clean and good staff.

The Sandford PD is the only one we have seen heard and issues but none directly affected us there, just that atmosphere.

 

[Wabs]

The fact they needs bouncers at a holiday park says it all,,,,run for the hills,,,women and children first,save yourselves

 

[Geistguy]

Security and booking conditions do seem to be ignored at times, we stayed at a favourite Parkdean site earlier in the year, one "guest" was in a commercial vehicle, towing heavy duty gardening equipment and had numerous dogs. As part from driving the car directly through the pitches to get to the toilet block they didn't cause any trouble but clearly not holidaymakers. No one patrolling the site took any notice at all.

Hopefully this was an isolated incident.

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[glenn2926]

You lot are not doing anything to make my enforced trip south sound any better.
I have found a hill to walk up. It’s all of 900’ . Looking to try standup paddle boarding and for a very lazy day electric mountain biking.

 

[David and Sally]

You lot are not doing anything to make my enforced trip south sound any better.
I have found a hill to walk up. It’s all of 900’ . Looking to try standup paddle boarding and for a very lazy day electric mountain biking.

Dorset is fabulous. South Lychett Manor is a great site, as is Highlands End. Wonder how many of the trouble makers are from God’s Country let loose in the deepest darkest south?
Go for it

 

[Wabs]

We stayed at a Park resort site in Herne Bay in Kent last year,,1st night someone unplugged our EHU, 2nd day I had to ask a 7 year old to stop kicking his ball against the MH,( he was staying in a static ) he turned round and told me to f**k off and that his dad was going to kick the s**t out of me,I told him we were on pitch nineteen and I’d have the kettle on,,,funny now, but I was fuming at the time,,,far too many feral demonic kids for my liking,,never again

 

[Wabs]

Glenn you will love it,it’s beautiful, just do it

 

[David and Sally]

Have never considered Parkdean. Even less chance of consideration now

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[Keep Right On]

We have had a 5 night visit to Dorset . We travelled down to South Lytchett Manor last Sunday .
What a nice site , very busy . Well stocked shop and pizza/ burger vans on site . Overall a very good site . Entrance a little tight due to iron gates but overall we loved it

View attachment 521952View attachment 521953
View attachment 521954

Next stop Sanford Holiday Park ( Parkdean)
What a crazy site . We turned up and arrived at our “pitch” only to be told by a group of aggressive tent campers that “they ain’t moving and want to stay a bit longer innit “ . Those are the exact words . Kids now in tears so I sheepishly return to reception and get allocated pitch number 1 . What a joy this was . Basically at the entrance to the touring site park and under a huge street light People literally brushing the side of the van to shave 0.5 seconds off their journey back to their pitch . I was so annoyed I set up windbreaks to try and defend our pitch but these were removed and stolen within 2 hours of me setting them up . I felt like we’re were in a war zone. After 1am is the worst time . Groups of ferral kids roam the site with no security or police intervention and many parents seem happy to allow the kids to roam free until the early hours in this “safe” environment!
At 2.55am on Tuesday morning I found a guy sleeping under the motorhome ( because he made a phone call to say good night to his wife and it was clear he was underneath the van ) but apparently I was being out of order in asking him to move because it was raining and I am a weirdo for listening to his conversation ( you really couldn’t make this up ) . Turns out he wasn’t even staying on the park and was a local !The reviews told me it would be like the Jeremy Kyle show and they weren’t wrong .
They did have a good arcade area and swimming pool so the kids didn’t really moan once we had the pitch View attachment 521973View attachment 521974
Next site was West Bay ,Bridport(Parkdean again ) We went via Sand Banks and we took the chain Ferry . The kids were convinced we had crossed the channel
View attachment 521975View attachment 521976View attachment 521977The warden (Alex)at West Bay is a real character and makes you feel very welcome . Fully serviced pitch here .
Lots to do with the beach so close . Also nice to see the dedicated Motorhome parking bays in Bridport
View attachment 521982


View attachment 521983View attachment 521984
View attachment 522029
So that’s the longest trip we have done . 3 sites over 5 nights . Can’t wait for the second tour we do this year but no more Parkdean for us .

I had a horrible experience staying at Sandford Parkdean too. I meantasay, I was out for a walk one night and it started raining and so I lay down to shelter under this motorised caravan thingy and this guy woke me up to say I shouldnt be underneath. I mean innit selfish? He had only rented the bits of grass where the 4 wheels rested (even if he only had 3 the next morning) and not like the fresh air space innit. Then HE accused ME of waking HIM up - after all I had only made a quick call to the missus to say I wouldnt make it back to our tent up the top. Nice pitch that. My 18 kids liked it especially after dark as there wuz lots of stuff left around, I mean finderskeepers innit. Anywun want to buy a windbreaker?

 

[IvorandLouLou]

We live in Beautiful Dorset - and are soooo glad we don't need/want to stay at the sites you have reviewed. Crikey what a cracker of a review. Thankfully our driveway is more spacious, with noone (to our knowledge) sleeping under the van, feral kids running amok, people cutting corners on our pitch, or naff tenters refusing to leave. Think we will keep our space on the driveway until the grockels have left (although we have just returned from a glorious break in peaceful Somerset

 

[Tonks]

It was certainly an experience. I’ve never really felt unsafe anywhere on a campsite but this was crazy .I wanted to leave as soon as we arrived . The static caravans look rough with no decking or side coverings on them and the drive up to the touring site is like traveling through a war zone . If the kids hadn’t been so excited I would have left immediately . The pool area was nice and we did enjoy a good swim as a family BUT lesson learnt for the future

Reminds me of a site in New Zealand where I arrived, did a circuit in the van to turn round and immediately left, despite having paid a deposit. To be fair, it was the ONLY negative of my travels in NZ, which was a fantastic trip and a wonderful experience. Must dig out the photos...

 

[Swifter]

Swifter Sandford has a history Murder at Caravan Park
I enjoyed reading your site review

Looks like more trouble at a Parkdean site north in Wales yesterday .

Police attend ‘serious’ and ‘tragic incident’ at holiday park in North Wales

North Wales Police confirmed on Saturday afternoon they were at the Ty Mawr holiday park in Abergele following an incident.

www.newsandstar.co.uk

 

[Catpirate]

Hi I stayed in a Park Dean site in Dornoch, it was called Grannies Helland Hame I think. It was great, pool in need of tlc but but staff were fine. Beach was super and many walks around, stars were amazing. We stayed 3 nights no problems.

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[Hawkstone]

South Lytchett is my local campsite. I work at the school just behind. Many friends have stayed there and love it. Buses to the Jurassic coast, local town and some good pubs within walking distance. Parkdean at Sandford!!! Wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole. Attracts some ’interesting ’ clientele.

 

[Catpirate]

South Lychett is a great campsite, friendly staff good bus access, dog walks and a great shop. Very clean showers etc with excellent family facilities. No complaints was there 2 weeks ago.

 

[mikeandmary]

We have had a 5 night visit to Dorset . We travelled down to South Lytchett Manor last Sunday .
What a nice site , very busy . Well stocked shop and pizza/ burger vans on site . Overall a very good site . Entrance a little tight due to iron gates but overall we loved it

View attachment 521952View attachment 521953
View attachment 521954

Next stop Sanford Holiday Park ( Parkdean)
What a crazy site . We turned up and arrived at our “pitch” only to be told by a group of aggressive tent campers that “they ain’t moving and want to stay a bit longer innit “ . Those are the exact words . Kids now in tears so I sheepishly return to reception and get allocated pitch number 1 . What a joy this was . Basically at the entrance to the touring site park and under a huge street light People literally brushing the side of the van to shave 0.5 seconds off their journey back to their pitch . I was so annoyed I set up windbreaks to try and defend our pitch but these were removed and stolen within 2 hours of me setting them up . I felt like we’re were in a war zone. After 1am is the worst time . Groups of ferral kids roam the site with no security or police intervention and many parents seem happy to allow the kids to roam free until the early hours in this “safe” environment!
At 2.55am on Tuesday morning I found a guy sleeping under the motorhome ( because he made a phone call to say good night to his wife and it was clear he was underneath the van ) but apparently I was being out of order in asking him to move because it was raining and I am a weirdo for listening to his conversation ( you really couldn’t make this up ) . Turns out he wasn’t even staying on the park and was a local !The reviews told me it would be like the Jeremy Kyle show and they weren’t wrong .
They did have a good arcade area and swimming pool so the kids didn’t really moan once we had the pitch View attachment 521973View attachment 521974
Next site was West Bay ,Bridport(Parkdean again ) We went via Sand Banks and we took the chain Ferry . The kids were convinced we had crossed the channel
View attachment 521975View attachment 521976View attachment 521977The warden (Alex)at West Bay is a real character and makes you feel very welcome . Fully serviced pitch here .
Lots to do with the beach so close . Also nice to see the dedicated Motorhome parking bays in Bridport
View attachment 521982


View attachment 521983View attachment 521984
View attachment 522029
So that’s the longest trip we have done . 3 sites over 5 nights . Can’t wait for the second tour we do this year but no more Parkdean for us .

Thanks for the heads up on Parkdean, I’m amazed. I’ll be sure to give them a big miss. South Lytchett Manor a very nice site and handy ‘bus stop and pub.

 

[125BEER]

I had a horrible experience staying at Sandford Parkdean too. I meantasay, I was out for a walk one night and it started raining and so I lay down to shelter under this motorised caravan thingy and this guy woke me up to say I shouldnt be underneath. I mean innit selfish? He had only rented the bits of grass where the 4 wheels rested (even if he only had 3 the next morning) and not like the fresh air space innit. Then HE accused ME of waking HIM up - after all I had only made a quick call to the missus to say I wouldnt make it back to our tent up the top. Nice pitch that. My 18 kids liked it especially after dark as there wuz lots of stuff left around, I mean finderskeepers innit. Anywun want to buy a windbreaker?

Did you manage to sell the "windbreakers?".....

 

[MisterB]

Great review, just booked the MiL in for a week, told her she doesn't need a tent or van etc as there are lots of places to sleep off her hangovers ...

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