Great time away After scouting around for a while on where to book our next camping trip, and asking via social media camping pages Pillaton was recommend by numerous previous visitors as a place to go. We wanted somewhere local rather than having to travel for hours in the heat with children. This seemed very ideal only 25 minutes away.
We had someone helping us with the camping equipment as with 4 kids, one car wasn't going to be enough. So we called up beforehand and they said it was fine as long as they were in a gone within 30 minutes, we mentioned it again at reception and again they were completely fine with it and explained the same again.
I just want to touch on some main factors which others have done in reviews are which I consider when staying somewhere. Firstly one I've read alot about
STAFF - I have read alot about staff being, rude, regimental or aggressive to me this could be no further from the truth. We came across many staff members carrying out all sorts of duties, litter picking, patrols, cleaning the toilet block, kids bounce pads, at the water inflatables, and the ones on reception. You name it, not once were any of them aggressive if not quite the opposite. I believe this place has some of the best staff I've come across on a campsite.
Not long after we'd pitched up, we noticed a spiked peg protruding from the ground. We tried for some time to get it out, but as we only had a peg remover on the end of our mallet. It wouldn't budge.
With it being dangerous we called reception and explained, they sent a warden down straight away, he removed it and even borrowed us his hammer for a while to get the tent pegs in as the ground was so dry it was difficult with our rubber mallet.
He even gave us some additional pegs to use as we didn't have strong enough ones. He then communicated with reception on our behalf a few times to save us calling to do it, and took our last rubbish bag and box on the buggy for us when we were leaving. He's a credit to the site, all though didn't want to give his name (which is fair enough) I'll refer to him as the hammer man.
Now, I'll move on to a few I've read stating "they shouted at my kids" again, I witnessed them speaking to children there was no shouting involved. And I am putting this down to people simply not parenting their children, it seems to be well we are away I'll let the kids do what they want mentality. After the campers left next to us, we were left with abit of space.
A fellow camper(s) decided to instruct their kids to come and have a water fight next to us, because they seemingly didn't want them having it there. This is where you'd think commonsense may prevail, who gives their kids water balloons to completely litter the field? And all down by the toilet block. Not only that, they were allowing their children to use the drinking water tap as a man made splash pad, wasting completely good water.
The warden came over and turned the tap off and politely asked the kids to tidy up the water balloon mess, not once was she shouting or aggressive. Parents really need to parent their kids honestly. My kids were number pulled up about issues, because they are taught to respect the establishment which they are at and people around them.
So yeah, I do believe it's the entitlement of camping parents unfortunately, who believe their kids do not wrong and should be able to do as they please.
PRICE - So, I do agree with some reviews when it comes down to price point. I must admit, I was dubious about paying so much for 4 nights, especially to find out electricity was not included. Which for us was a first, all though I do believe it's becoming more and more. But what I will say about the price now I've been is, you can understand why you do pay.
The cost of running the site must be very high, especially as they have the most staff I've ever seen for a campsite. And, I was speaking about this when there I don't imagine those Biffa bins are cheap to have empty when needed. And then, I'll touch in the electric well, have you seen some of the set ups people bring! It's no wonder, but us being basic we only ran a coolbox, charged some devices and cooked. We probably would have only used £5. However, what I will say, is it was warm even on the nights when we stayed, but we accidentally left the small heater on and fell asleep it used a out £5-6 in 6 hours so if it's a cold night, it will cost. But to me, the pricing is now understandable, along with why the electricity isn't included.
THE SITE - It is immaculate, you have to think the size of it, with that many people on at peak season, it's not an easy job at all keeping the place the way it is. From the grounds, to the toilets and shower blocks, reception and bin stores. Well done it's great.
The things to do for kids, are great as well. What I would say however, we are very adventurous campers and like walks and finding "nooks and crannies" if you want to call them that! And there isn't much of that here. So my kids did get bored and over hot at times with what was available, especially with the bounce pad(s) being so hot on the feet in this weather.
They've got a nice dog run/walk, which is great to see. The only thing I would say, it's great we had that patch of grass to kick the ball round on, but with us being on pitch 196, there is barbed wire fence diving Palliton and the adjoining farmers field.
This seemed quite dangerous to me, and on one occasion someone tent bags went flying across the pitches (by the wind, not literally flying) in the to field as there isn't a protective mesh across it. And I ended up popping out ball on it, now I think I was crying more than the kids when that happened, but I got a right ear bending from them for it. And we didn't have a ball for the rest of the visit aha.
Plenty water supply taps which is great to see. Great washing facilities with a TV in there to keep you entertained abit. Radio on in the toilets, who doesn't want to listen to abit of Bon Jovi while you are showing aye?
Overall great site.
DOTTIES - I did want to touch on this, I didn't realise they'd have something on, on a Saturday night so we missed that in all fairness as we arrived on the Saturday, but we did walk past and it seemed like a vibe.
Now I know I'm going to seem like a moaning myrtle here but the prices are INSANE. Like, just to put it in to context here, if all 6 of us wanted a pizza at £14.95 each that's £89.70 if we all then wanted a drink let's just use the slush at £3.95 each (which is one of the cheaper drinks) that's another £23.70. I mean at that point an ice cream would be looking very unlikely. Along with £5.70 a pint wowzers! I did spend some money in there, but would have certainly spent more if the value was there. It would be good as campers to be provided more incentives to spend in there. Maybe some discounts? Or cheaper prices for campers.
I will also mention this isn't the staff' fault, it's again parents unfortunately. So I'd pay for the kids slushes, while filling them up a kid runs in with his empty cup and just fills it to the top again with free slush. Me in just disbelief was like what the hell, the kid just turns smerks and runs off. Then when outside, he was laughing and just showing and telling his parents what he'd done with them just smiling a out it. Then it gets worse, he encourages his sister to go in and get one, and then the younger brother. Then he goes in and gets a 3rd! So that's 4 large slush unpaid for while the parents might as well be standing their applauding them. They were day trippers may I add. Just unbelievable the lack of parenting I've seen on the trip.
Anyway, congratulations if you've made it this far, I could have just said "great, will return" .but what fun would that be.
Until next time .over and out.
