The Bounds CL
9, Doggett Lane
Fulbourn
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
CB1 5BT

Tel: 01233 880 722

Mr. & Mrs. AMP Chaplin

Site visited September 2000

A 1 acre lawned garden, quiet and secluded with E/hu's. There is also a w.c. and shower (we preferred to use our own facilities).

The CL is in the grounds of a PYO fruit farm. Children would like it, because at the time of our visit there were a couple of donkeys present and poultry. The reason we wouldnt stay there again is because of the cockerel! It started crowing continually from 3 a.m. onwards. I'm a bad sleeper at the best of times (Because I work permanent night shifts) and by the end of our stay I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown!!

A very useful CL for the hard of hearing wanting to stay near Cambridge economically!

Lin & Kevin Hemmings. CLIC. September 2000

Cambridge C & CC Site--- Second report below
Camping and Caravanning Club Site
19, Cabbage Moor
Great Shelford
Cambridgeshire
CB2 5NB

Tel: 01223 841 185

Map Reference 154/455539

Wardens: Bill and Kath Owen

Site visited February 2000

120 pitches.

We stayed at the site on two separate weekends, one in May 1999 and another in September 1999. The wardens are very friendly and helpful and chucked us off of the site at 3pm on the first visit and at 2pm on the second.

The site is flat and open and well back from any roads and very quiet. There is a very large area for games in the centre, which is kept clear for the children. The grounds are immaculate and the staff are permanently keeping is so.

The toilet block is kept in excellent order and is shut down for a period of time each day for cleaning. It has showers, wash cubicles and disabled facilities. There are the usual Camping and Caravanning Club Site adequate facilities.

The centre of Cambridge is about 20 minutes by car but the parking facilities in the city are atrocious. A better option is to drive to the new Park & Ride Station at Babraham Road which is a 10 minute drive away. For £1.20 return the bus will take you into the centre of Cambridge (the buses leave every 10 minutes). Up to two children travel free. Bus Information: 01223 423554.

If you need groceries there is a garage shop for basics nearby but the nearest supermarket is a car ride away. A ten minute walk away is a very large garden centre which has a cafeteria for snacks, but they are only open office hours, seven days a week.

The nearest pubs are not really within reasonable walking distance. There is a Beefeater pub about a five minutes drive away. If you venture into Cambridge in the evening I can highly recommend The Burleigh Arms, 9-11 Newmarket Road, Tel 01223 301547. It is nothing to look at from the outside and there is a very small car park behind it. The inside is a nice surprise and the food even more so. When we saw the menu and prices we expected sparrow portions so ordered plenty of side dishes. What a mistake! We could have fed another three people on what we couldn’t manage to eat.

In Cambridge there is so much to see and do that I won’t list it. We thought the £25 price for a tour on a punt up the river was a bit extreme, so we waited for another tight-fisted couple and suggested sharing the punt. The guide was very well informed and gave us a detailed history of the colleges and river as we went along, and even gave our grandson a canoe paddle to help the punt along (a nice touch).
What a wonderful experience - you must do this if you go to Cambridge.

We highly recommend the site and with so many places to visit around Cambridge you, like us, will return for more.

Bernard and Diane Wing. CLIC. February 2000

Cambridge C & CC Site--- Third report below
19, Cabbage Moor
Great Shelford
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
CB2 5NB

Tel: 01223 841 185.

Site visited September 2000

This site is just south of Cambridge near the Trumpington area of the city. For those who like walking on the flat you may be able to park in Trumpington and its not a bad walk into the city. Trumpington has a lovely Beefeater pub called "The Green Man" which is always busy and has a local theme. On our last visit bikes and rowing boats hanging from the rafters etc.

This is a large flat site with perimeter trees and has pitches for 120 caravans & tents. It has the usual immaculate facilities we expect from our club sites.

I stayed at this site many times as after we moved to Wiltshire as I was working on and off in Cambridge. The warden (who shall remain nameless) at the time, was very much a "Jobsworth" one. It was their first posting and I’ve never seen his name in the C.&C.C. "Your Place in the Country" book since. I should think his attitude has something to do with this. Perhaps he was a former head of Colditz!! Having said that, his wife was very pleasant.

No complaints about how the site looked and was maintained.

Lin & Kevin Hemmings. CLIC. September 2000

Cambridge C & CC site
19 Cabbage Moor
Great Shelford
Cambridgeshire
CB2 5NB

Tel: 01223 841 185

Date of visit: 15th – 18th Sept 2003

Open to non-members, all types of units accepted. 120 pitches.

The site is a large open area, with a smaller field which can be used either as a rally field, or by campers who do not want electric hook-up. Having said that the main field does not have hook-ups for every pitch.
The site is surrounded by mature hedges and trees, and has a play area in the middle. A main railway line runs near the site, but the trains do not run at night (or I was sound asleep!).

The site is approached by a private road with speed humps, these are guaranteed to sort out your cupboards if you forget to store breakables correctly !
There is a bus stop about 500yds from the end of the road, and a Waitrose Supermarket about half a mile walk away in Trumpington. In the opposite direction, about a mile away, is a Co-Op Supermarket in Great Shelford.

The Holiday Site Managers keep a limited range of basic foods in the office/shop

This site is convenient for visiting Cambridge, and being near the M11 gives easy access to other attractions.

John & Jean Haseltine. CLIC. September 2003

Chatteris CC CL
7, Doddington Road
Catteris
Cambridgeshire
PE16 6UA

Tel: 01354 692 431 - Haylett

Site visited November 1999

Caravan Club Certificated Location.

Very nice quiet site.

No facilities but just across the road was the best full English breakfast ever at The Green Welly. It seemed to be a truckers sort of place with very cheap rooms available. Breakfast to die for (or because of) Masses of fried potatoes, sausage, bacon, beans, mushrooms, egg and toast with mug of coffee for less than £6.00 for the two of us.

Tea rooms at Ely, next door to Cathedral, beautiful garden for cream teas, real old English kind of place twisted old apples trees and hollyhocks. Room for the children to run around.

Suzzette. CLIC. November 1999

Cherry Hinton CC Site--- Second report below
Lime Kiln Road
Cherry Hinton
Cambridge
CB1 8NQ

Tel: 01223 244 088

Site visited September 2000

This caravan site is in the unusual setting of a former Quarry. Having said that it is not at all bleak, having been beautifully landscaped with plenty of trees. Although near the heart of the city centre it feels very rural. The site is spacious … 90 pitches, many hard standings and grass ones too as tent campers are welcome.

The site is well laid out, with the usual immaculate facilities expected of a top club site. Heated toilet block (which is very necessary as the site has a long season i.e. 2000 … 31st March … 3rd January), dishwashing & laundry facilities etc. and privacy cubicles for washing.

Cambridge is at it's best in Spring & Autumn, not quite so manic as in the summer and the banks of "The Backs" are festooned in golden daffodils! For "Culture Vultures" there is much to see and do in the City. The Fitzwilliam Museum is a must for it’s wonderful renowned art collection and the colleges are a delight. Cambridge has a wonderful Botanical garden too. For anyone interested in World War 2 there is the American Cemetery at Madingley and the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. Several N.T. & E.H. properties are within easy reach.

The American Cemetery has a spectacular chapel with a leaded light window for each American State. With the immaculately manicured war graves and named crosses it's a very humbling experience.

For those who like the FDJ I believe there are lots of pubs in Cambridge (map of them enclosed) some obviously more popular ones are on the banks of the River Cam. The Cam is an ideal river for "Gongoozlers" as further up river the Cam joins the River Ouse, so lots of boats.

At the time of our visit the wardens, who were always very busy were very courteous and pleasant.

Lin & Kevin Hemmings. CLIC. September 2000

Cherry Hinton CC Site--- Third report below
Lime Kiln Road
Cherry Hinton
Cambridge
CB1 8NQ

Tel: 01223 244 088

Cherry Hinton is a gem of a place. Not like any CC site I have been on before.
It is fairly small with only 60 pitches [plus a tent area] and set in old quarry workings. There are several glades and it is necessary to walk round and choose your pitch first as the access roads are several dead ends!"
each glade gives privacy and a small number of pitches. In fact one reminded me of a CL I have been on.
This is a site you could visit with friends, occupy one of the glades and have your own private rally!
Some areas are shaded and some get sunshine most of the day. There some are on hard standing. All pitches are level.

One block serves the whole site and this is the usual CC standard as indeed is the whole site. Superbly maintained by the friendly and hard working wardens.

The Duxford Imperial War Museum is only a short drive away.
The park and ride for Cambridge is one mile from the site.

We enjoyed the Cherry Hinton experience and will revisit this site.

David Cuff. CLIC. July 2005

Cherry Hinton CC Site
Lime Kiln Road
Cambridge
CB1 8NQ

Tel: 01223 244 088

To find site:
Leave M11 at junction 11 and head towards Cambridge on the A1309. Passing through Trumpington turn right onto A1134 also called Long Road and signed for Addenbrooks Hospital. Continue to roundabout and go straight ahead into Queen Ediths Way. Just before next major junction (crossroads sign in view) turn right into Lime Kiln Lane and the campsite is on the right after about 100 metres.

The Cherry Hinton site has been created out of a disused chalk pit and as a result is long and thin with pitching areas branching off the main site road at different levels. The site is now open all year. The majority of the pitches are on hardstanding and a few on tarmac although the latter are usually used by large motorhomes. Unfortunately some of the hardstanding don’t exit onto the tarmac site roads but are instead surrounded by grass which tends to result in damage to the grass in wet weather. Non members and tents are allowed. Near to reception is a late arrivals area with electric points. There is also and information hut. The site has one heated toilet block which is centrally situated to most pitches. TV reception is rated as fair but there are no TV hook-ups on site. Satellite TV reception will really depend on where you are pitched. Mobile phone/mobile broadband signal seems quite good no doubt as a result of a communication mast near to the campsite.

Cherry Hinton is an ideal base for visiting the City of Cambridge, renown worldwide as a seat of learning which celebrates its 800 year anniversary in 2009. There are good transport links from near to the campsite and reception can give you information. Its probably best to leave the car on site as the City has a reputation for congestion and very expensive parking charges. The National Trust have the properties of Anglesey Abbey and Wickham Fen are within easy distance of this site. Cambridge has an excellent selection of shops and eating places. Within walking distance of the site is the Robin Hood and Little John pub that does reasonably priced meals. For Supermarkets there is a Waitrose at Trumpington and a Tesco towards Fullbourn.

Date of visit February 2009

David Klyne. CLIC. March 2009
For images of this site, and other reports, go to Caravantravels

Croxford Barn
Hall Bank
Tydd St Giles
Wisbech
Cambridgeshire
PE13 5NG

Steve and Jenny Sanderson

Tel: 01945 870 802
Mobile: 07899 905 908

Some images of Croxford Barn:-- Image 1-- Image 2-- Image 3-- Image 4

My wife and I have just spent a very pleasant week at Croxford Barn campsite, all due to Steve and Jenny Sanderson.
we experienced rain, wind, and a little sun. Even so we enjoyed it all from the "welcome" on arrival to the "cheerio … see you soon" on leaving, from this lovely couple. Nothing was any trouble if help was needed and the couple worked so hard at keeping the site in tip-top condition.
I can with hand on heart say that this site is one of the best that I have been to and I recommend it to all,

Many thanks to Steve and jenny. See you both soon

Mr & Mrs Manuell. Internet August 2008

Ferry Meadows Caravan Club Site--- Second report below
Ham Lane
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
PE2 5UU

Tel. 01733 233 526

Site visited April 1999. Up-date June 2001

We have just returned from a weekend at the CC site at Ferry Meadows, Peterborough. It must be our forth of fifth visit to this site which is easy to get to from Milton Keynes. It certainly makes an ideal site for a weekend or even longer.

It is situated in the Nene Valley Park which is in the outer suburbs of Peterborough within easy access from the A1. If you want to visit the city centre the best way is to catch a steam train into the centre of Peterborough. The Nene Valley Railway runs along one side of the site and the station is a few minutes walk from the site. Also within easy walking distance is a Notcutts Garden Centre and a Beefeater Pub.

The site is in two parts. The newer part of the site has mainly hard-standings. The original site (just across the road) is mainly grass pitches. Both parts have their own toilet blocks which are up to the usual CC high standards.

This site tends to be very busy so its an idea to book, non members are accepted. When we were there I noticed a larger number of motor caravans on site that would be usual but this may have been due to the Motor Caravan Show at the nearby East of England Showground. About 12 miles from the site is the Welland Camping store which must be one of the largest in the country.

David Klyne. CLIC. April 1999
For images of this site, and other reports, go to Caravantravels

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Up-dates.

Diane and I went to Ferry Meadows Peterborough for the weekend. As has always been reported before, and I agree with them, it is a great site. But! The showers are inadequate for such a busy site and it is obvious that they need another toilet block desperately. The hot water to the showers was poor and a trickle at best. Looking in the visitors’ book I saw that nearly every entry told the same story - too long a queue in the shower blocks.

Ben & Diane Wing. CLIC. June 2001.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We were at Ferry Meadows a few weeks ago, about our 5th visit. At the time they were having trouble with the electrical supply to parts of the site and were finding it difficult to resolve, new contractors had been hired.

David Klyne. CLIC. June 2001

Ferry Meadows Caravan Club Site--- Third report below
Ham Lane
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
PE2 5UU

Tel. 01733 233 526

Site visited September 2000

We visited Ferry Meadows in August this year and it was one of the best sites that we have been to.

The facilities are to a very high standard and we found the grass to be very well looked after etc.

There is 2 parts to the site (old and new). I can’t remember which is which but I think that the part near to the reception would be quieter than the other part. The part across the road has a park etc and is ideal for kids.
We stayed on this part as we have a 4 and half year old daughter. It was ideal as there was plenty of room between the pitches and we could sit and watch her play in the park (can’t do this from all of the pitches).

The Nene park, which is right next door, was ideal for walking etc. There were 3 lakes, nature reserve, 3 parks for the kids, horse rides, boat trip, miniature steam train ride, excellent for cycling.

About 10 minutes walk from the site you can board a ‘proper’ steam train and ride down into Peterbrough Centre. The line also goes a few stations in the other direction but we did not do that.

We regularly cycled down the cycle paths into the Town Centre. It only took 25 minutes (this with a child on a trailer bike attached to our bike is not bad). It wasn’t very far and was a lovely ride never crossed a road at all.
Rode through the Nene Valley Park and then alongside the railway and alongside the river. There are loads of places to fasten bikes to as City is geared up for cyclists.

We also visited the main station on the Steam Railway line (we went by car but you can go by train) and we seen Thomas the Tank and all of his friends. If you have children definitely worth a visit!

We were limited in what we did because we geared our holiday to suit our daughter. I can’t advise as to other ‘grown up things’ that were in the area. However if you have children I would certainly recommend the site and the area.

It was probably one of the best holidays that we have had in the 12 years that we have been caravanning and we will be going again next year.

As you have no doubt guessed we are quite rapped with this site.

Alan Young. CLIC. September 2000

Ferry Meadows Caravan Club--- Fourth report below
Ham Lane
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
PE2 5UU

Tel: 01733 233 526

Visited 9th to 12th June 2003

CC handbook page 59

Some images of the site:
East. Facilities--- East. Play area--- East site--- Rally field--- Reception--- West. Pay area--- West site

This site is in the approach to the Nene Park, and is located on both sides of the road. On arrival you must go into the West site, where reception is situated. The site is open to non-members, and can be used by tents (although it would appear that only small ones are acceptable)

The West site is mainly hard standings, has a play area almost hidden in a corner, and leads to the rally field.
The East site is all grass pitches, with a play area in the centre. Both sites have the usual toilet block and veg. prep area.

The Nene Valley Railway runs beside the West site, and gives a convenient way of going into Peterborough on the days when it runs. The nearest supermarket is quite a drive, and the route is available in reception.

John & Jean Haseltine. CLIC. August 2003

Ferry Meadows CC Site--- Fifth report below
Ham Lane
Peterborough
PE2 5UU

Tel 01733 233 526

Some images of the site.
View of the pitches-- Toilet/shower block-- Playgroud 1-- Playground 2-- Open meadow part-- Sportsfield ?-- Reception

This was our first visit to this site which is easy to get to it's within easy access from the A1

It certainly makes an ideal site for a weekend or even longer.
It is situated in the Nene Valley Park .  Which is in the outer suburbs of Peterborough . If you want to visit the city centre the best way is to catch a steam train into the centre of Peterborough (the Nene Valley Railway runs along one side of the site and the station is a few minutes walk from the site). Or cycle by the side of the Railway. Also within easy walking distance is a Beefeater Pub.

The site is in two parts. The original site is mainly grass pitches. The newer part of the site has mainly hardstanding. Both parts have their own toilet blocks which are up to the usual CC standards.

This site tends to be very busy so its an idea to book, as with most Caravan Club sites although non members accepted here too.
There is a Rally field those of you who want to hold a rally it’s quite large and separated from the main site by huge hedges

There are lots of Cycle ways and Horse riding trails but a lot of them end about a mile or two away from the site (as if the council ran out of cash)
Peterborough is great to visit if your into shopping although I am finding a lot of UK towns now have the same stores in I can’t tell which one I’m in any more

Graham Wilson. Clic. 2004

Visit Grahams web pages for more fishing sites
http://www.madcaravanner.co.uk/

Ferry Meadows Caravan Club--- Sixth report below
Ham Lane
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
PE2 5UU

Tel: 01733 233 526

Visited January 2007

Site is in 2 halves, separated by the road to the country park.
Reception is to the left of the road, as are the hardstanding pitches. Grass pitches are to the right of the road. Not a regimented site, divided off into smaller areas. Also has a rally field.
Rabbits everywhere on site and warning notices to watch you don’t trip down one of their holes!

As we went in January, they were only using the hardstanding section of the site, and offered guidance as to which pitches to avoid because they flooded if it rained too much!!

Fortunately it only rained one evening while we were there although it was pretty windy. Days were lovely and bright which gave us the opportunity to make the most of cycling round the lakes and walking some of the local area. Cycles tracks are good quality and wide enough for trikes if that is relevant to you......

Nene Valley railway seems to run each Sunday in winter, although it may be only diesels. £10.50 for a Rover ticket, don’t know how much a return to Peterborough would have been. Site has directions to the nearest bus stop if you want to get into Peterborough that way. Village centre shops are within walking distance, although there are no shops in the immediate vicinity of the site.

Beefeater at the end of the road was having a bad day when we went. Lights went out before we got our food (did come back on!), prawn cocktail arrived without the advertised bread, vegetables supplied were not those ordered and the waitress was very off-hand about it. Steak was beautifully cooked though.

Also a garden centre at the end of the road which has a cafe as well.

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Ferry Meadows and going back next month!

Myra Sears. CLIC. February 2007

Ferry Meadows Caravan Club--- Seventh report below
Ham Lane
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
PE2 5UU

Tel: 01733 233 526

Caravan Club web site www.caravanclub.co.uk

To find site:
Leave A1 onto either the A47 or A605 towards the centre of Peterborough and follow brown signs for the ’Nene Park’ the campsite is situated just before the car parks.

This was one the first sites we ever stayed at when we started caravanning more than 25 years ago. We have visited this site quite a few times over those years and seen many changes

In total there are 252 pitches which are split between two sections either side of the Nene Park access road. The main reception is in the West site which consists of virtually all hard-standings pitches and it is this part of the site which is open all year. The East site, just across the road, has all grass pitches and a tent area. Both parts have their own toilet blocks which are up to the usual CC high standards. (during our latest visit, November 2007, the toilet block in the East site was being refurbished and extended) There are play areas in each section.

Each electric bollard also have a TV hook up point. A recent introduction to this campsite is a WiFi facility. The pitches in the vicinity of reception give the best signal. I found the service a bit disappointing because as I could not receive it in the van so had to sit in the car with the door open, and I was only 50 feet from the aerial! The minimum cost of this service is £6 for one hour although there are better value offers for longer stays.

This site tends to be very busy, particularly at weekends so its an idea to book, non members are accepted.

It certainly makes an ideal site for a weekend or even longer. It is situated in the Nene Valley Park which is in the outer suburbs of Peterborough within easy access from the A1. The Park provides wonderful opportunities for walks and cycle rides. If you want to visit the city centre the best way is to catch a steam train into the centre of Peterborough if it is in operation during your stay. The Nene Valley Railway runs along one side of the site and the station is a few minutes walk from the site. Also within easy walking distance is a Notcutts Garden Centre, a Beefeater Pub and a golf course. The site information hut gives details of the local supermarkets and directions.

David Klyne. CLIC. November 2007
For images of this site, and other reports, go to Caravantravels

Ferry Meadows C C Site
Ham Lane
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
PE2 5UU

Tel: 01733 233 526

An excellent site, as previous reports have shown, so this is just a minor update.

We were here for one night, 5th May, after the CCC Tulip Rally, and we were told that on the previous weekend the Wardens had to close about 50 pitches which were affected by flooding. This included some of the hardstandings on the west side!

Wi-Fi is now available on the west side, but ask when booking in as it cannot be received at all pitches.
The cost is:
-----1 hour card £5 (use within 24 hour period) -----7 day card £20 -----30 day card £33

Next visit I will take my laptop.

John & Jean Haseltine. CLIC. May 2008

Highfield Farm Touring Park--- Second report below
Long Road
Comberton
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
CB3 7DG

Tel/Fax: 01223 262 308

E-mail: enquiries@highfieldfarmtouringpark.co.uk
Web site: www.highfieldfarmtouringpark.co.uk/

10 amp electric hookups
Hard standing or grass
Motor home service point
4 loo blocks
3 washing up areas
Rally field
Reception sells gas and basic provisions
Fish and chip van on Saturdays
Children's play area
Dog walk

A beautifully kept site that has the added advantage of the ground remaining solid when the rest of the world is a quagmire!
The site is divided into several areas...hardstandings, family field etc. We liked it when we visited out of season but felt it might feel quite crowded in high season (never been there to test this theory out, pitches were a bit closer together than club sites and we have a large uni...)

There is a walk around the farm that you can do, but we didnt try it.

As with the CCC site in Cambridge the drinking water tastes foul (hot, cold, flavoured or straight...nothing you did to it improved it, not even filtering it) and bottled water was an essential for us

We might well return in a wet season or off peak, because it is basically a very nice site. Part of the Best of British group.

2005 prices:
Unit and 2 people £7.25 to £10.50
Awning/pup tent £1
Porch awning £0.50
Extra car £1
Dogs (max 2) £0.50
Electric £2

Myra Sears. CLIC. April 2005

Highfield Farm Touring Park
Long Road
Comberton
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
CB23 7DG

Tel: 01223 262 308

E-mail: enquiries@highfieldfarmtouringpark.co.uk
Web site: www.highfieldfarmtouringpark.co.uk/

A pleasant site divided into 7 areas, one of which is for tents. The site is surrounded by 10 foot high, well trimmed, hedges. The grass is well mown.
Reception doubles as the site shop, and on arrival we were given a booklet of information about the site, and the local area. The site is surrounded on three sides by farmland.

There are 3 toilet blocks, although when we were there the central one was closed. Both of the other 2 were closed at the same time for cleaning.

Myra’s report commented on the taste of the drinking water on the site so we took a 5 litre bottle of water with us, but found that the water was fine (we were in the top field)

In the village there is a small supermarket and post office, a hairdressers, and a vet. There is an hourly bus service into Cambridge, and a two-hourly service into St Neots. The Madingley Road Park & Ride is about 3 miles away.

Our visit was from the 25th to 27th April, and was for an owners club rally, but we felt that we would be happy to visit the site solo.

John & Jean Haseltine. CLIC. May 2008

After her visit to Covert CC site at Swaffham, Pat went on to Houghton Mill.

Houghton Mill (CC managed) Site--- Second report below--- Fishing site
Mill St.,
Houghton
Huntingdon
PE28 2AZ

Tel: 01480 466 716

Site visited April 1999

Advance booking is advisable for weekends and bank holidays

The tiolet block contained the usual showers, toilets, and hand basins, but was un-heated

There was no childrens playgound here

This is on NT property, a beautiful site with working ancient water powered mill on site. The river Ouse flows on one side of the site which is bordered by footpaths and smaller waterways. (Saw lots of ducks, coots, swans and gt. crested grebes.)

The village of Houghton with PO General Store (with off licence), newsagent, church, and pub are within a few hundred yards of the site and there is a bus service to between Huntingdon, St Ives and Cambridge.

Pat Worsfold. CLIC. April 1999

Houghton Mill (CC managed) Site --- Fishing site
Mill Street
Houghton
Huntingdon
PE28 2AZ

Tel: 01480 466 716

Site visited July 2000

Open to non-members and tent campers.

This site is owned by The National Trust and is in the grounds surrounding Houghton Mill. As a result the site is fairly open to access by non-campers. The Caravan Club run the site on behalf of The National Trust but obviously have limited powers on the provisions of services, more of which later.

There are about 65 pitches, including 15 for tents. The tent area and some of the caravan pitches are on level grass but the rest of the site is undulating. However despite the look of the pitches there is no problem finding a pitch which is reasonably level even if it does seem to be on a little hillock! The majority of pitches have access to electricity.
The National Trust have recently completed a new toilet block which in every way as good as any new Caravan Club block. The only let down is that the showers, both men and women (I am told) have heavy curtains rather than doors. This seems a stupid idea. Those that appreciate their privacy will no doubt use the facilities in their vans, no such choice of course for the tenters. The only water points are at the toilet block.

There is only the Warden and his wife running the site so you may have to look for them.
Advance booking is advised particularly at weekends and school holidays.

The site is in the village of Houghton which has at least 2 pubs, a newsagents and a Post Office. Houghton Mill is open to the public, free to NT members. It grinds it’s own flour which can be purchased.
A few yards on from the Mill is the river Great Ouse and Houghton Lock. There are plenty of opportunities for walks in this area. For those that like to combine camping with fishing it looked as though tickets where available.

A nice little site where use of the car can be kept to a minimum.

Date of visit end July 2000

David Klyne. CLIC. July 2000
For images of this site, and other reports, go to Caravantravels

Long Island Lake--- Fishing site
134, Meadow Drove
Earith
Cambridge
PE28 3SA

Tel: 01487 842 547

All I can tell you its got electric hook ups, a shower block and it’s a nice quiet site with very friendly people

I spent most weekends there last year and it was great
That’s all I can say about it, lovely and quiet.. ok

But....:o)
There are Carp, Tench, and Perch to name a few..
Baits taken range but...Spam, sweetcorn, trout pellets and of course maggots get takes

There are other fishing sites in the area..
The Ferns is one there is a farm near buy that sells most baits and small selection of fishing gear.

Close to St Ives there's a Chinese take-a-way in a near by village that delivers on orders over £10 (Less than six miles away)

That's about it, the people who own it are lovely and friendly

Terrence Dean. Internet. September 2007 (visit date unknown)

This report was copied from www.madcaravanner.co.uk/ ...(for caravan sites with fishing on or closeby)
My thanks go to the authors and to Graham Wilson.

Old Manor Caravan Park--- Fishing site
(Grafham Water Caravan Club Site) Church Road
Grafham
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE28 0BB

(Off A14 at Ellington, signed from A1 Buckden)

Tel: 01480 810 264
Fax: 01480 819 099

E-mail: camping@old-manor.co.uk
Web site: http://www.old-manor.co.uk/frame.htm

Owners: RP & J Cubberley

Site visited January 2000

6.5 acres; solar heated swimming pool; dogs allowed by arrangement; gas; laundry room; deep freezers available; shower block with shaver points; electric hook-ups; shop. 58T; 58MC; Tents; open all year; no hard standings. Very quiet site with no road noise.

We visited the site in August, 1999 and took our 5-year-old grandson along with us and stayed two nights. We visited again in September in a party of three caravans after recommending the campsite to caravanning friends.

On both occasions the friendliness and cosiness of the place was very evident. There were quite a few children on site who quickly welcomed new arrivals and the small un-fenced play area became a popular meeting place for them.

There is an attractive pond with a wooden bridge crossing it in the centre of the site which caused some concern. Therefore, children need to be watched because it is unfenced.

The swimming pool can be used at a charge of £1 per swim or £5 per weekend for each party. It is a warm pool, well looked after, but the surrounding area of the pool is unattractive. There is a double step at the shallow end which extends all the way across the pool. Children would need to be watched when using the pool.

The shop was basic and newspapers had to be ordered the day before. There are adequate dishwashing and laundry facilities. There is a dog-walk at the far end of the site. The layout of the camp is neat with caravan hook-up pitches in the centre area with tent area around the outside. There are plenty of trees and bushes and some cosy little pitches between them. The gravel path snakes through the site with some pitches a little close to it. There are plenty of water and dustbin points which were regularly attended to by the staff.

For a £5 returnable deposit a key is supplied for the toilet block. Although there are only three showers for each sex we did not experience any waiting. The block is very clean and is regularly checked by the staff.

A very welcome visitor to the site is the fish and chip van which arrives at 8pm and stayed until 9.30pm on the Friday night and the quality of the fare was excellent.

Outside the site:
If you want a pub or shops I’m afraid you need to drive there. But within a ten minute drive there is plenty of choice.

Now comes the ’piece de resistance’, Grafham Water. There is a cycle route which passes the entrance to the site and circles the reservoir (about 10 miles). A small part of the route is on the road but there is only very light traffic. It is advised to ride anti-clockwise to make it easier to get through Perry village. Most cyclists keep to this unwritten rule, if you don’t you will be told ’wrong way’ at regular intervals by other cyclists. Having said this the visitor centre is fairly close to the campsite and it is a long way around to it anti-clockwise, we put on thick skins and earplugs and went the short way to it as it was too far for a five-year-old to ride the other way. On the route there are bird hides (so take your binoculars), nature trails, a dragonfly pond, a marina and restaurant, a visitor centre with cafeteria and shop. It is a very popular centre for yachting and fishing. At the visitor centre there is a bicycle hire shop where cycles of all types can be hired. Children’s bikes and cycle buggies are also available. The surface of the route is varied, but mostly it is gravel.

We will definitely be returning this year.

Bernard and Diane Wing. CLIC. January 2000

Riverside Caravan & Camping Park--- Second report below--- Fishing site
21, New River Bank
Ely
Littleport
Cambridgeshire
CB7 4TA

Tel: 01353 860 255

E-mail: riversideccp@btopenworld.com
Web site: www.riversideccp.co.uk

A quiet and peaceful adults only site. Open all year. Helpful and friendly site owners.

The site is set opposite the River Great Ouse, in the Fenlands. Good access roads to and on site, even for RVs. spacious level grassed and well drained pitches with 10 amp EHU. Nicely landscaped and well kept site.
Recently refurbished unheated central shower block with all usual facilities and amenities.

Tourist information hut on site.
TV reception on our pitch was poor. Calor gas available on site.

Day ticket river fishing opposite site entrance.

Pub .25 mile; train station, village shops and take-aways .5 mile; Ely 6 miles.

Well worth a visit and we will definitely go again soon (during the coarse fishing season, of course).

Laurie & Sandra (Compleat Caravangler)
This report appears on www.madcaravanner.co.uk and was copied with the authors permission.
CLIC September 2008

Riverside Caravan & Camping Park--- Fishing site
21, New River Bank
Ely
Littleport
Cambridgeshire
CB7 4TA

Tel: 01353 860 255

E-mail: riversideccp@btopenworld.com
Web site: www.riversideccp.co.uk

To Find Site:
The best approach to this site is from the Downham Market end of the A10 Littleport bypass. At roundabout, immediately past level crossing take third exit onto road that runs along riverbank. Continue past bridge on right and campsite is on left hand side a little further on.

Riverside is a small peaceful adults only, open all year campsite.
The site is situated just across the road from the River Great Ouse. The resident wardens, Ann and Jim, are very pleasant.
The site is a mixture of static vans, seasonal pitches and touring pitches for caravans, motorhomes and tents. There are about 25 touring pitches. All pitches are on grass and are reasonably spaced.
There is one central facility block containing toilets and showers and outside there are a couple of dishwashing points and the chemical toilet disposal. The toilet block is clean and functional rather than being luxurious.

Campsite pricing offers good value with a base price of £10 for two, add-ons include £2.50 for electrics and £2.50 for awnings. There is a small addition surcharge for Bank Holidays.Bookings can be made by e-mail or telephone and no deposit is required. There is site wide WiFi available through provider Caravan Connect which you pay for online. Costs during our visit were £5 per 24 hours with reductions for longer periods. This proved to be useful as I was only able to get GPRS on my Vodafone dongle.

The site is ideally placed to explore the Fenland area with Ely only being about 10 miles away. Littleport is about a 15 minute walk away and has a butcher and baker plus a small Co-Op supermarket. There are also restaurants and takeaways in the village. There is an hourly bus service from Littleport to Ely. Fishing is available on the Great Ouse and the wardens will be happy to advise about day tickets.

Date of our visit, early August 2010.

David Klyne. CLIC. August 2010
For images of this site, and other reports, go to Caravantravels

St. Neots C & CC Site
Rush Meadow
St. Neots
Cambridgeshire
PE19 2UD

Tel. 01480 474 404

180 pitiches. Non-members welcome.

Although we have stayed at St Neots twice and also have nothing but praise for the site (very friendly warden who shows you to your pitch on his bike - BTW, is this bike riding a pre-requisite for C&CC wardens?) I thought you may like to know that it is absolutely not the place to be when it’s been raining. It gets very boggy and was very badly flooded in the Easter floods last year.

There’s a nice walk along the towpath (when dry!) and if you cross over the river to Eaton Socon there is a place on the left selling very good terracotta pots - only drawback is that you have to carry whatever you have bought back along the towpath.
Continue into the village and across the Green is a pub (can’t remember the name) which does a BBQ in the summer months and when we were there they had a live Jazz Band performing in the garden.

Nesta

Stroud Hill Park (CC affiliated)--- Second report below--- Fishing site
Fen Road
Pidley
Cambridgeshire
PE28 3DE

Tel: 01487 741 333
Fax: 01487 741 365

E-mail: stroudhillpark@btconnect.com
website: www.stroudhillpark.co.uk

The fishing lake

This site has only been open just over 12 months and is really superb.
My partner and I stayed there for the first time last September, and we would recommend it to anyone.
Beautiful countryside, fishing on site, peace and quiet, and no screaming brats!

Eunice Ratcliffe. Internet. February 2005

Stroud Hill Park (CC affiliated)--- Third report below--- Fishing site
Fen Road
Pidley
Cambridgeshire
PE28 3DE

Tel: 01487 741 333
Fax: 01487 741 365

E-mail: stroudhillpark@btconnect.com
website: www.stroudhillpark.co.uk

Go to.. www.davidklyne.plus.com/StroudHillPark.htm for images of Stroudhill
..or visit Davids site for other reviews www.davidklyne.plus.com/

To Find Site:- From A1 exit onto A14 at Huntingdon. Next take the A141 to March. At Warboys turn right at roundabout onto the B1040 signed to Pidley. As you enter Pidley you pass the church on your left and take the first left into Fen Road (International Campsite Sign and Golf Complex sign). The campsite is three quarters of a mile along Fen Road on the right. This road is narrow in places but does have passing places and vision is quite good.

Stroud Hill Park is an adults only campsite and is open all year. It is also very new, 2005 being its third season. As a result the site still looks a bit bare, especially in March but I am sure as time allows the planting will establish and the look will improve. The pitching area is set in a semi circle around the central amenity block. All pitches, except a few set aside for tents, are on hard standing made of what looks like crushed asphalt. Each pitch is divided by a section of grass or in some places by a shrub planting areas which are contained within old railway sleepers. These planters extend the full depth of the pitch so can be a bit awkward when trying to reverse onto an adjacent pitch. Most pitches have a slight slope, either side to side or fore and aft or both! Every pitch is serviced with electrics, water and waste with the points shared between two pitches at the rear of the van, so plumbed water and piped waste are possible. Although an independent campsite it is affiliated to the Caravan Club whose members get a small nightly discount.

The central building on the campsite contains all of the site amenities and administration. Built in the style of a barn it is of superb quality and hand built by the site owner. The is a small shop next to reception for essentials. The toilet/showers are really excellent with large cubicles not only containing a shower but also a toilet and hand basin. Also within this building are the laundry and dishwash area. However the ’Piece de Resistance’ the Cafe/Bar/Restaurant. I don’t think I have seen anything similar or to as high a standard anywhere else. I think the owners should be applauded for investing in such high quality surroundings.

There are many interesting towns nearby for visits including Huntingdon and St Ives. Huntingdon has an excellent Garden Centre with a nice tea shop. If you enjoy Golf this could be the campsite for you as there is a golf course right next door. The campsite also has a tennis court which can be hired by members. From the number of lakes and rivers around and about it must also be a good setting for fisherman.

David Klyne. CLIC. March 2005
For images of this site, and other reports, go to Caravantravels

Stroud Hill Park (CC affiliated)--- Fishing site
Fen Road
Pidley
Cambridgeshire
PE28 3DE

Tel: 01487 741 333
Fax: 01487 741 365

E-mail: stroudhillpark@btconnect.com
website: www.stroudhillpark.co.uk

We’ve just come back from a couple of days’ stay at this site, which is Adult-Only and only a few miles North-East of Houghton Mill.

A very nice site, immaculate shower block, and an excellent restaurant.

It was a bit quiet...

In fact we were the only outfit there on Thursday! When we left this morning the numbers had soared to three other vans and five campers.

It was the first outing for our new van & everything went well. Towed like a dream, completely effortless and very comfortable.

Tony Miller. Harrys Cafe. January 2007

Westerby Farm CC CL
Robbs Lane
Outwell
Cambridgeshire
PE14 8QJ

Richard & Christine Bloom
Tel: 01945 772 976 or 07896 083 982

Open all year. Caravan Club members only. An adult only site.

We spent 3 nights at this site, in the rally field, but with use of all the facilities.

The entrance gate is at an angle to the lane and needs care to avoid damage to the caravan. On arrival pitch your van and the owner will call.

The CL has electric hook-ups, but the supply is limited, so the owners request that no fan heaters, or other high load items, are used.

Adjacent to the site there is a large building, which appears to be a barn. At the left hand end there is a pushbutton code lock. These leads into a lobby with 2 toilets (1 male, 1 female) and a shower. These are clean and modern.

At the end of the rally field is a small fishing lake with 4 stands. If you wish to use this there is a charge of £5 a day.

Date of visit 14th – 17th April 2011

John & Jean Haseltine. CLIC. April 2011

Willows Caravan Park--- Fishing site
Bromholme Lane
Brampton
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE28 4NE

Tel: 01480 437 566
Fax: 01480 437 566

E-mail: willows@willows33.freeserve.co.uk
Web site: www.willowscaravanpark.com

Close to the junction of the A1 north of St. Neots and the A14 east of Kettering

Just spent 3 nights at this site

Arrived at lunchtime Thursday and Brian (warden) was there to meet us and helped us set up on the level pitch in fact they are all level and flat
Not a weed or root to be seen only well manicured lawns, every where, and weeping willow trees. because it was wet under foot he asked us that if we put a breathable sheet down could we take it up at night. to protect the grass.

As we had 2 young children, he put us on one of the centre pitches so we could watch the 3 year old on the children’s slide etc and the rule is, no cars allowed on the centre, so that’s a bonus, As a rule the families are in the centre and the vans without children are on the outer ring the other side of the road, cars are parked on the road at the end of your caravan in the lay-by. So if you can work it out , the site is quite small about 50 or so pitches set in a circle, with an inner and outer set pitches, in-between, a road around the site. In the centre are the children’s amenities and the toilet/shower block, this was impeccable ,clean and shinning and always smelt nice. (3 showers etc and separate room for crockery washing etc.) ample water taps around the site and chemical and water waste outside the toilet block.

The only thing that nearly put us off was the approach to the site was a heavy plant machinery depot almost opposite the site gate but in the end we only noticed it when we were coming or going

Opposite the main gate was a small lane that led to a fishing lake that offered day tickets at £5 for 2 rods, and across the main road was Hinchinbrook park with a small sea in it but they have a closed season operating at present.

Turning right outside the main gate and walking about 200 yards you come to the Brampton Mill restaurant (Beefeater) a working mill, after the meal you can walk it down along the towpath of the river Ouse. There were also lots of walkers who used the site as a base.

A few miles down the road is the village of Brampton, with the usual, Chippy/indian/post office and the Co-op

Finally it is a very nice site. ideal to stop over and unwind for a day or two, or a site to use as a stop over when going further. Please visit the website as there is a lot more than I have mentioned

Barry Teague. CLIC. April 2005

Wyton Lakes Holiday Park--- Second report below--- Fishing site
Banks End
Wyton
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE28 2AA

Tel: 01480 412 715
Tel mobile: 07785 294 419

E-mail: loupeter@supanet.com
Web site: www.wytonlakes.com/

Some images of the site and lakes:--- Image 1 --- Image 2 --- Image 3 --- Image 4 --- Image 5 --- Image 6 --- Image 7 --- Image 8

Site visited on August Bank Holiday weekend 2008:
Current charges: Caravan/motorhome pitch for 2 people with electric hook up and water tap - £15 per night (awnings, gazebos and dogs extra) Tent pitch for 2 people on non-serviced camping field - £12 per night.
Site is open from early April to late October

You dont have to be a fisherman (or woman) to enjoy the peace and quiet of this adults-only fishing site near Huntingdon. If your looking for rest and tranquility then youll certainly find it at Wyton Lakes.

The site is set in over 12 acres of private land, with four fishing lakes, a good dog walk round the perimeter, and a 200 metre frontage along the Great Ouse river where you can fish or just sit and watch the boats go by. Caravans, motorhomes and tents are all accepted - the caravan and motorhome pitches are mainly hard standing and each pitch has its own fresh water tap and electric hook up. There is a grass camping area - without hook ups - for tents, and many of the pitches are right beside the lakes so you can fish next your own unit. The owners, Louise and Peter, are extremely friendly and helpful, and you will very often see one or the other riding round the site on a bike.

The toilet and shower block, which incorporates disabled facilities, has free hot showers and free hairdryers, and is spotlessly clean at all times. At the end of the block is a chemical disposal point and an indoor dishwashing area, where there is a library of books to borrow, a good selection of tourist information leaflets and a free-to-use freezer for your ice blocks. Calor gas is also stocked and can be purchased during reception opening hours only. Well-behaved dogs are welcomed, though they must be kept on a lead and not allowed to run free round the site. And for those who can’t bear to be parted from a computer, the site now has WiFi internet supplied by Caravan Connect.

The fishing lakes are stocked with carp, bream, tench, perch, roach and rudd, and there is no closed season when the park is open. fishing is from 8am till dusk and costs £4 per day for residents, on either the lakes or the riverbank. A 7-day ticket can also be purchased for £24. The cost for non-residents is £8 per day on the lakes only.
For those who like wildlife there are ducks and waterhens on the lakes, and families of rabbits can very often be seen scampering about in the grass.

The site is situated on the main A1123, about 3 miles from both Huntingdon and St. Ives. The National Trust property of Houghton Mill is only about a mile away - on certain days you can watch milling demonstrations there, and on the far side of the mill is a lovely riverside area where you can watch the boats going through the locks.

Directly across the road from the site is a large garden centre which sells everything from fresh bread to wellies - it’s well worth a look round but be warned, the coffee shop is expensive! There is also an outdoor sales area for hot tubs - you would need a lottery win or a huge bank loan to buy some of them! - but if you have a couple of hours to spare then take your bikini or swim shorts and they’ll let you try one out. They even give you free wine and nibbles!

Next door to the site on one side is Hartford Marina, where there is a nice ’Two-For-One’ pub/restaurant which does really good meals - we ate there every day. And if you don’t fancy staying in one place for your meal you can book a trip on the ’Captains Table’, a narrowboat which cruises up and down the river while you have your meal. Almost next door to the site on the other side is Daylock Marine, a boat yard with a lovely little riverside cafe which does a very good all-day breakfast and a decent Sunday lunch.

About a mile or so up the road towards Huntingdon is a big Tesco supermarket and petrol station, and on the riverside you will find Purvis Marine, where you can hire a boat by the hour or the day for a leisurely trip along the river. Also not far away is Wood Green Animal Shelter, which is free to get in and for animal lovers is certainly well worth a visit.

There may be one minor downside to the Wyton Lakes site for some people and that’s the traffic noise from the main road running past the entrance. Anyone on a pitch nearest the gates would no doubt notice it, but when you get further into the site the noise fades to a distant hum and it certainly isn’t obtrusive. In fact after a while the tranquility of the site takes over and you cease to hear it.

This was our third visit to Wyton lakes and it certainly won’t be our last - in fact we have already booked for another two weekends next year and just can’t wait to go back!

Eunice Ratcliffe. CLIC. September 2008

Wyton Lakes Holiday Park--- Third report below--- Fishing site
Banks End
Wyton
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE28 2AA

Tel: 01480 412 715
Tel mobile: 07785 294 419

E-mail: loupeter@supanet.com
Web site: www.wytonlakes.com/

The images this time are from David:--- Image 1 --- Image 2 --- Image 3

Wyton Lakes is an adult only caravan site not far off the A1 between Huntingdon and the small village of St Ives. There are around 80 pitches, mostly hard standing.
As the name suggests the site has three different fishing lakes. The pitches surround these, so it is possible to step out of your caravan/motor home sit at the rear and fish. Very convenient as you dont need to shout loudly for your beloved to deliver another cold one!!
Lets get one thing straight from the start. I dont fish so I am not sure if this is part of the format, but I never knock another mans interests.

Anyway back to the site report...
Access is off the A1123 directly opposite the Huntingdon Garden Centre. Reception is on the left where you are quickly booked in and shown personally to your pitch, which is a nice touch. I had asked for specific pitches having been recommended to the site.
Road noise from the aforesaid A1123 was not too bad. The pitches have individual water and electric points, one post to two pitches. If you happen to get the one on the left of the post as I did then you may find the aquaroll water connector pipe is a metre or two short to allow a permanent connection. Luckily I was with a motor home friend who had a long flat hose for his fresh water so I was able to use that during my stay. But that is the luck of the draw.
I have an ancillary electric lead which is 5 metres long that I use on rallies sometimes with the generator. If I am near an electric point on other sites I get the shorter one out but I always find that the e.h.u. bollard is between 5.1 and 6.5 metres away!
The pitches are mainly hard standing although some are on grass, and they are level. There is a very …spread out… feeling as the pitches are not all in regimented lines.
The toilet facilities, information room, elsan disposal and waste and water disposal are all behind reception. For the furthest pitches this means a bit of a walk.
At the bottom of the site from the main road the Great Ouse river meanders past with further opportunities for fishing. I cannot tell you how good the fishing is as my friend caught nothing in four days, but said he had enjoyed himself.
The site also provides wifi facilities.

The garden centre across the road is well worth a look and there is a pub next door in the marina, which I did not try although it certainly seemed busy when I walked round to the marina. St Ives is a very pretty village and Huntingdon is only ten minutes away, as is a large Tesco. I did not know at the time but it is possible to hire boats on the river very nearby.

I am not usually a commercial site fan but I enjoyed this one and will go again if in the area.

David Cuff. CLIC. October 2009

Wyton Lakes Holiday Park
Banks End
Wyton
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE28 2AA

Tel: 01480 412715

Email: loupeter@supanet.com
Website: www.wytonlakes.com

Current fees - Caravans & motorhomes including 2 occupants - £17.00 per night Tent and 2 people - £14.00 Awnings/gazebos/pup tents - £2.00 each per night Dogs - £1.00 each Extra car - £2.00 Extra person (over 18 only) - £2.00

You don't have to be a fisherman (or woman) to enjoy the calm and tranquil surroundings of this lovely adults-only fishing site near Huntingdon - if you're looking for peace and quiet then Wyton Lakes has it in bucket loads. Situated three miles from Huntingdon on the A1123 the site is set in over 12 acres of private land, with three fishing lakes, a good dog walk right round the perimeter, and a 200 metre frontage along the Great Ouse river where you can fish or just sit and watch the world go by at a very slow pace. The owners, Louise and Peter, are extremely friendly and helpful and you'll very often see one or the other riding round the site on a bike.

Reception is about 20yds from the entrance and next door to it is the toilet and shower block - this incorporates disabled facilities, has free hot showers and hairdryers, and is spotlessly clean at all times. At the end of the block is a chemical disposal point and an indoor dishwashing area where there's a library of books and magazines to borrow, a good selection of tourist information leaflets and a free-to-use freezer for your ice blocks. Calor gas is also stocked and can be purchased during reception opening hours, and Sunday papers can be pre-ordered when you book in. Well behaved dogs are welcomed, though as with all sites they must be kept on a lead; unfortunately though, certain breeds of dog aren't accepted. And for those who can't bear to be parted from a computer the site has WiFi internet supplied by Caravan Connect.

The caravan and motorhome pitches are set in four very pleasant areas - Bankside, Lakeside, Waterside and Woodside - are mainly hard standing and all have fresh water taps and hook-up points. The Bankside, Lakeside and Waterside pitches are, as their names suggest, right beside the lakes so you can fish next to your own unit - just don't have too many beers at night or you'll roll out of bed and straight into the water the following morning! There's also a good-sized grass camping area for tents with one section being close to one of the lakes. For those who like wildlife there are ducks and waterhens on the lakes and families of rabbits can often be seen scampering about in the grass.

The fishing lakes are well stocked with carp, bream, tench, perch, roach and rudd, and there is no closed season when the site is open. Fishing is from 7.30am until dusk and costs £5.00 per day for residents, on either the lakes or the river bank, or you can get a 7-day ticket for £30.00; residents' visitors can fish by arrangement from 8.30am at a cost of £8.00 per day. Now as I've no interest at all in sitting for hours on end dangling maggots on the end of a line I couldn't say whether the fishing is good or bad, but the many photos on the wall in reception suggest that there's some big fish to be had.

Directly across the road from the site is a large garden centre which sells everything from fresh bread to wellies; it's well worth a look round but if you go in the coffee shop be warned - it's expensive! Next door to the site on one side is Hartford Marina where there's a nice pub/restaurant which does good food at reasonable prices, but if you don't fancy staying in one place for your meal you can book a trip on The Captain's Table, a narrowboat which cruises up and down the river while you dine. Almost next door to the site on the other side, and down a long farm track, is Daylock Marine, a small private boatyard with a lovely little riverside cafe which does a very good all-day breakfast and a decent Sunday lunch.

The National Trust property of Houghton Mill is only about a mile away from the site and on certain days you can watch milling demonstrations there. On the far side of the mill is a lovely riverside area where you can sit and watch the boats going through the adjacent locks. The lovely riverside town of St. Ives is three miles away and is well worth a visit, especially on bank holidays when there's a huge open market on. About a mile up the road from the site, going towards Huntingdon, there's a big Tesco supermarket and petrol station, and on the outskirts of the town centre you'll find a big riverside car park and Purvis Marine, where you can hire a boat by the hour or the day for a leisurely cruise along the river. Crossing the nearby bridge will take you into Godmanchester where there's a lovely riverside park, and a couple of miles from there is Wood Green Animal Shelter. It's a lovely place and for animal lovers it's definitely well worth a visit - just try not fall in love with everything you see!

I think there may only be one minor downside to the Wyton Lakes site for some people and that's the traffic noise from the main road running past the entrance. Anyone on a pitch nearest the gates would no doubt notice it but when you get further into the site the noise fades to a distant hum and it isn't enough to be disturbing - in fact after a while the tranquility of the site takes over and you cease to hear it. All in all this peaceful and relaxing site is an absolute gem, and if you don't have kids it's a great place to unwind and recharge your batteries.

Eunice Ratcliffe. CLIC. February 2013 Top | Back to area page | Back to Index | Back to county list