Abbey Farm Caravan Park--- Second report below
Dark Lane
Lathom
Ormskirk
Lancashire
L40 5TX

Tel: 01695 572 686

E-mail: Via the web site
Web site: www.abbeyfarmcaravanpark.co.uk/

Site Visited October 1999

Directions:

Leave M6 at junction 27 onto A5209 towards Parbold. In approx 6 miles turn left onto B5240 [SP Lathom]. In 100 yards turn right into Hobcross Lane. Site is on right by white cottage in 1.75 miles on apex of sharp left hand bend [CARE REQUIRED!]

This site is near Ormskirk on the site of an old Abbey.

It consists of four fields. One is primarily for tents and campers. The next is for seasonal pitches - both tourer and static. The next two have a mixture of seasonal and touring caravans.

The resident owners keep the whole site in excellent condition.
You are accompanied to your pitch and have the choice of standard or serviced pitches with your own water, waste and electric hook up. I had not come across these before and of course did not have a long enough length of pipe to save using the wastemaster.
The toilet block is very clean and has the most powerful showers I have found yet on a site.

Excellent eating out is to be had just a five-minute walk away.

The on site shop is licensed and seems to stock all the essentials.

One point I liked about this site is that you can pay an extra £2 and stay till as late as seven in the evening. This is extremely useful when one is away for the weekend and does not want to leave at mid day. It is an example which could be taken by many sites and which I gladly pay when I visit.

David Cuff. CLIC. October 1999

Abbey Farm Caravan Park
Dark Lane
Lathom
Ormskirk
Lancashire
L40 5TX

Tel: 01695 572 686

E-mail: Via the web site
Web site: www.abbeyfarmcaravanpark.co.uk/

I have Just got back from 3 days at Abbey Farm, just outside Ormskirk. I can confirm that it’s just just as good, if not better than the review done by David Cuff 5 years ago. There’s a new indoor games room now - installed after a long battle with the council, apparently and the disabled facilities have been upgraded.
I had gorgeous weather and had planned on using the site as a base for touring but, in the end, I decided to stay put and just chat to people who passed on the way to the washing area!

Norman Hesford. CLIC. June 2004

Blackpool South CC site--- Second report below
Cropper Road
Marton
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY4 5LB

Tel: 01253 762 051
You tube video: Blackpool CC

Site visited July 2002

This is a Caravan Club site for members only. It meets the high standards of the Caravan Club with regards to cleanliness and the overall look and feel of the site. I found the wardens to be very friendly and helpful.

This site doesn’t have a park which I was quite surprised at considering Blackpool is such a huge family resort. The children did take their scooters and rode around the paths but soon became bored with this, as they obviously had to stay away from other camper’s areas. I did feel that this site wasn’t geared for children and young families.

It is only a short drive to the bright lights of Blackpool and from the site you can see Blackpool tower.

Overall this is a nice quiet site but I won’t be returning to it as it didn’t meet the needs of a young family.

Emily Granger. CLIC. April 2003

Blackpool South CC Site
Cropper Road
Marton
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY4 5LB

Tel: 01253 762 051
You tube video: Blackpool CC

Blackpool South Caravan Club site has 96 pitches, all on hard standing. I was pleasantly surprised how rural the site was as it is surrounded by industrial estates on the outskirts of Blackpool. Access is easy. I had not been before but just wanted somewhere in easy travelling distance. There are two barriers to the site. The outer ones are raised during the day and the inner ones require a remote fob which you get once you are pitched, along with the toilet block key. Surprisingly there is no deposit required for the key and remote. I wonder how many they "lose"!

Once checked in by the very friendly wardens you choose your pitch from those available. Everything is standard CC but none the worse for that. The pitches are large and some are separated by hedging. Others are more open and separated by wood fencing. Some pitches back on to the road but this is not a busy main road so there would only be traffic noise during the day. There is a children’s playground at one end of the site.

The toilet block is immaculate and spacious and the building also contains laundry facilities, dishwashing, and elsan disposal.

Blackpool and all it’s glitz is less than 4 miles away but there are also many other attractions in the area.

My visit was in mid November and the site was about half full. The only caveat I should probably mention is that the site will be much busier and have plenty of movement during the high season so if peace and tranquillity is your desire you would possibly be better on a CL in the area. One final point to mention is that this is a member’s only site.

I found Blackpool a very good site and will certainly return.

Directions:
Continue to the end of the M55 and the 0.4 miles on the dual carriageway. Keep in the left hand filter lane at the large roundabout following the signs to the airport. In .25 miles at next roundabout take second exit to Cropper Road. Site on left in 100 yards.

David Cuff. CLIC. December 2007

Bridge House Marina Caravan Park--- Second report below
Nateby Crossing Lane
Garstang
Lancashire
PR3 0JJ

Tel: 01995 603 207

Website: www.bridgehousemarina.co.uk

Site visited - September 2008

Fees per unit per night-:
March - October: Caravans, motorhomes, campervans & trailer tents - £14.20 Awnings - £1.50 Electric hook up - £2.20
November - January 4th: Caravans, motorhomes, campervans & trailer tents - £10.75 Other charges as above

This peaceful, well-kept site lies adjacent to the Lancaster Canal, just off the A6 on the outskirts of the small market town of Garstang. It is divided into three sections, touring, static and seasonal, and access is through a fob-operated barrier - fobs are obtained from reception for a £10 refundable deposit.

The touring area is very well laid out, and has 50 good-sized hard standing pitches, all with electric. The modern toilet and shower block is heated and spotlessly clean, and well stocked with soap and toilet rolls. There are 8 toilets and 3 showers in the ladies and 4 cubicles and 3 showers in the mens, which also has shaving points. There is also a separate toilet/shower room for those with disabilities, and a chemical disposal point. Also in the same block is the laundry room, with large washing machine and tumble dryer operated by tokens available from reception, sink, ironing board and iron; and a pot washing room with two sinks. Be warned though, the water is very hot! At the bottom end of the site is a grassy childrens play area with various items of play equipment and plenty of room to kick a ball around. For anyone who likes wildlife there are dozens of rabbits which roam around the site day and night, and several families of ducks which also wander about at various times.

The static area is accessed through the touring area, and is again very well laid out. All the caravans are privately owned, there are none for rent. There are several different styles of holiday home available, and for anyone wishing to purchase one the staff can arrange everything from finance to delivery and siting on an available pitch.

The seasonal area is just a short walk from the main site on the far side of the marina, and backs onto the main canal. Caravans are accepted subject to age and condition, though as this facility is very popular there is quite a waiting list for pitches.

Reception is housed within the shop, which mainly sells boating equipment and accessories, but does also stock basic provisions, and all the staff are very friendly and helpful. Boats can be hired by the day for a leisurely cruise along the canal, and a member of staff will give instructions and advice before letting anyone loose on the water. Fishing isn’t allowed within the confines of the marina, but is fine along the canal towpath. To sit on the bank near the marina entrance and watch the world go by at a very slow pace is absolute bliss, and you don’t have to have a rod in your hand to do it.

Just along the lane from the site entrance is a small baker’s shop which sells a variety of really nice pies, sandwiches and cakes. The local town of Garstang is less than 5 minutes away by car, or a 10 - 15 minute walk along the canal - it offers a variety of shops, pubs, restaurants and takeaways, there is a public leisure centre and swimming pool, and a regular weekly market held on Thursdays. The Trough of Bowland, Blackpool, Lancaster, Morecambe and the Lake District are all within easy reach.

It’s very hard to find anything negative to say about this lovely site, but there are just a couple of points. The first is the traffic noise from the very busy main road which runs close to the site, though after a while it does become less noticeable and it certainly doesn’t spoil the tranquility of the site. Second is the lack of a decent dog walk/exercise area, although dogs can run free along the towpath on the far side of the canal.

For us this site is only 45 minutes away from home, but with the rural setting and the laid-back atmosphere we could have been hundreds of miles away. This was our first visit to Bridge House Marina but certainly not our last. To slightly misquote The Terminator - "We’ll be back"!

Eunice Ratcliffe. CLIC. September 2008

Eunice went back to Bridge House again in January 2009

Eunice wrote:
We enjoyed our second visit to Bridge House Marina very much in spite of the cold.
There were only 3 other motorhomes there and we rarely saw anyone from them so we had, in effect, the place almost to ourselves.
I had actually only managed to book the pitch the day before we went - I’d been try to phone since before Christmas and failed to get an answer so on the Sunday we actually went up there. The office was closed there was a notice on the door that said they were only open between 11am and 12.30 - I rang the following day, booked in for Tuesday no problem and was told that if the office was closed when we got there just pick a pitch, get settled in and pay next time the office opened.

This was our very first experience of caravanning in cold weather, and if I have anything to do with it it won’t be our last! It was great - lovely and cosy in the ’van in spite of the temperature outside. We didn’t really want to come home on Saturday, and I was quite tempted to go to the office and pay for another night!

I did see that since we were there in September quite a few of the pitches have notices on saying they are not in use - I just thought it was because it’s the time of year but it seems these have been changed to seasonal pitches. I counted 8 in all - so maybe if we want to make regular weekend visits there during the season we will have to start booking in advance as there’ll now be 8 less touring pitches to go round and I know it’s a popular place in summer.

Eunice update: CLIC. January 2009

Bridge House Marina & Caravan Park
Nateby Crossing Lane
Garstang
Lancs
PR3 0JJ

Tel: 01995 603 207

Website: www.bridgehousemarina.co.uk/

Current fees per unit per night:
March to November - Caravans, motorhomes & trailer tents + 2 persons - £17.55 Awnings - £2.00 Electric hook-up - £2.20 Extra adult - £3.00
November to January 4th 2013 - Caravans, motorhomes & trailer tents + 2 persons - £12.85 Electric hook-up - £2.40 Awnings and extra adults as above

This peaceful well-kept site lies adjacent to the Lancaster Canal in a countryside setting just off the A6 on the outskirts of the small market town of Garstang. It's divided into three sections; touring, static and seasonal, and access to the main part of the site is through a fob-operated barrier - fobs are obtained from reception for a £10 refundable deposit. The touring area is very well laid out and has 50 good-sized hard standing pitches - the ones round the edge of the site are backed by trees and all the pitches have hook-up points. The toilet and shower block is heated and spotlessly clean, with shaving points in the men's side - there's also a pot washing room with two sinks and very hot water, and a laundry room with a sink, iron and ironing board, and a large washing machine and tumble dryer. At the bottom end of the site there's a grassy play area with plenty of space for kids to run around and kick a ball about. For anyone who likes wildlife there are dozens of rabbits which roam around the site day and night - you'll sometimes find them sitting under your caravan - and several families of ducks which also wander about. Although not tame they'll often come to your pitch looking for food and will take bread from your fingers.

The very pleasant static area is accessed through the touring area, though all the holiday homes are privately owned and they aren't hired out. There are several different styles there, most with surrounding decking, and if you're lucky enough to have a substantial lottery win and want to buy your own the site staff can arrange it all, from finance to delivery and siting on an available pitch. The seasonal area is just a short walk from the main site across the far side of the marina, has its own toilet block and backs onto the canal. Caravans are accepted subject to age and condition, but as it's a very popular site there's a long waiting list for pitches.

Site reception is housed within the shop which mainly sells boating equipment and accessories, though it does also stock basic provisions. The site has been owned and run by the same family for many years and they are all very friendly and helpful. Day boats can be hired for a leisurely cruise along the canal and you'll be given advice and instruction before being let loose on the water. For anyone who likes fishing it isn't allowed in the marina itself but it's fine along the canal towpath, though you have to go a hundred yards down the lane and over the bridge to get to it as it's on the far side. If you like leisurely cycling then a ride along the towpath in either direction takes you through some lovely countryside.

Just along the lane from the site entrance there's a small baker's shop which sells very nice home made pies, sandwiches and cakes (no good for the waistline!) and on the corner by the main road is the Bellflower pub/restaurant, so you can go for a meal and a drink without using your car. Garstang itself is less than 5 minutes away by car or a very pleasant 15 minute walk along the canal. There's a variety of shops, take-aways, pubs and restaurants, a public swimming pool and leisure centre and a regular weekly market held on Thursdays, also for anyone with a pet in need of treatment there are two vets, one in the town centre and the other just off the main road near the fire station. There are some good vintage shows and country fairs in the town and surrounding areas during the summer, and Blackpool, Lancaster, Morecambe, the Lake District and the lovely countryside of the Trough of Bowland are all within easy reach.

It's very hard to find anything negative to say about this lovely site but there's just a couple of minor points. It's only one field away from the busy main road so you can hear some traffic noise, though you don't notice it after a while and it certainly doesn't spoil the tranquility of the site. Also there's no dog walk or exercise area, though dogs can run free along the towpath on the far side of the canal.

Eunice Ratcliffe. CLIC. February 2013

Brylea Caravan Park
Bryars Farm
Lea Lane
Lea
Preston
Lancashire
PR4 0RN

Tel: 01772 739 633

E-mail: brylea@hotmail.co.uk
Web site: www.brylea.co.uk

Directions:
Leave M6/M55 at junction 1 & turn left toward Preston and then immediately left again on B6241. At roundabout take 4th exit signpost Cottam and in 50 yards 1st left onto Hoyles Lane. In 1.2 miles at T junction turn right. In 300 yards at Saddle Inn turn left into Lea Lane. Site is in left in about 0.75 mile.

Brylea Caravan Park is a newly developed small site on a working farm. A CL has operated there on another part for some years.
There are seventeen hard standing pitches and eight on grass. All have electric. The site is well maintained. The showers and toilets were spotless and situated in the building next to reception. Pitches are large and level.
There are three pubs within a 15 minute walk all serving food. At present it feels a little open but once the trees and shrubs grow it will be well screened. Road noise is in any case minimal as it is set well back from the road.
Brylea is convenient for Preston, Blackpool and surrounding area.

David Cuff. CLIC. August 2010

Charity Farm
Smithy Brow
Toogood Lane
Wrightington
Nr Wigan
Lancashire
WN6 9PP

Tel: 01257 451 326

Charity Farm fishing & camping

the important bit first the fishing.
Charity Farm Fisheries is a popular and well stocked coarse fishery which is available for day ticket and match fishing.

FOUR landscaped Ponds set in beautiful open countryside within an 115 acre working farm. Facilities include a touring caravan park and camping area, toilets, telephone and refreshment area.

Total of eighty fishing pegs.
Day Tickets.
Match and Club Bookings.

A day ticket costs £5.00 plus £1.00 for an extra rod if purchased through the self pay system. If you pay on the bank you will be charged £1.00 extra.
*Juniors must be accompanied.

Tactics:
Best baits are maggot or caster on float tackle, pole or waggler fished maggot. For quality Carp use luncheon meat, sweetcorn, chum mixers or bread. Prawns are exceptional.

Charity Farm Coarse Fishing Pond Details. for full details of all 4 ponds:

Caravan and Camping Site Facilities:
The site features:
Electric hookups. Hard standing and grass pitches. Modern toilets and showers with shaver points and electric plugs. Self catering canteen with sinks and hot water for washing up. Vending machines. Payphone. Chemical toilet disposal unit.

On site attractions include:
Private farm walks. Dog exercise area.

Warrior 04. Anglerscircle Moderator. 2008
This report appears on www.madcaravanner.co.uk and was copied with the authors permission.
CLIC September 2008

Clitheroe C & CC Site
Edisford Road
Clithero
Lancashire
BB7 3LA

Tel: 01200 425 294

Site visted September 2002.

80 pitches. non CCC members welcome

Directions:
If coming from South then go left on to B6243 on the edge of the town and follow the signs. It is about a mile and a half to the west of the town on Edisford Road.

The site is part of a very pleasant park beside the Ribble and has short walks, swings etc. Close by is the Ribble Way for the enthusiastic walker.
There is no shop on site (gas available I think) but there is a Spar just over 10 minutes away on foot. There is a swimming pool about 2 minutes from the site. The nearest pub is about 5 minutes away further out the B6243 and of course there are all the amenities of Clithero about 15 minutes away. (All my times are on foot).

The site caters for a mixture caravans, vans and tents. It says in the booklet that there are 80 spaces though whether that includes the sloping field at the end of the site I am not sure. Most of the site is flat(ish) but there are a few very sloping spaces. They have hook-up for 30 units which the warden told me is often not enough for the demand.

There are two toilet/shower blocks but one was closed though the one open seemed adequate. The facilities are a little aged but clean. There is plenty of free (boiling) hot water to wash dishes etc. There are water taps available dotted around the site.

Tariff: Van and 2 people.
The normal summer rate for CCCmembers is £8.10 with hook-up £1.65 extra. As we visited in September (mid season) and have an age concession we paid the princely sum of £4.60 a night, there were no hook-ups left.

Come Again ?
Definitely. The site was quiet and clean. The staff pleasant and possibilities locally for walks and cycle rides tremendous. One other thing, it took us only one hour and 20 minutes to get there from Liverpool on a Friday afternoon.

Colum Murphy. CLIC. September 2002

Colne CC CL
Mr P Waters
Alma Inn
Emmott Lane
Laneshore Bridge
Colne
Lancashire
BB8 7EG

Tel: 01282 863 447

Page 335 of the CC handbook

for Easter we took the van up to Nelson/Colne in Lancs and stayed on a CL behind the Alma Pub/Restruant. Firstly it’s easy to find and get to 3mile from the end of the M65 turn left and in 1/2 mile.

Good points:
1.Easy Access
2.Fantastic views
3.Nice very popular pub Peter the owner nice man helpful
4.Good food served
5 Not noisey from pub to caravan
6 location only 20 min to Skipton. Bolton Abbey not far ect.

Bad points:
1.Due to popularity of the pub an overflow car park has been layed in front of the caravans so at weekends the CL gets a bit invaded by pub traffic,but we didn,t find it a problem and would go back

Martyn Clough. CLIC. May 2006

Eastham Hall Caravan Park
Mr H Kirkham
Saltcoates Road
Lytham St. Annes
Lancashire
FY8 4LS

Tel: 01253 737 907

E-mail: info@easthamhall.co.uk
Web site: www.easthamhall.co.uk/
You tube video: Eastham Hall

Site visited April 2002

Directions.
Turn right off A584 onto the B5259, park 0.75 mile on right. Tranquil park for static and touring caravans. Set in secluded Flyde countryside. 1 1/2 miles from Lytham, 6 miles from Blackpool.

Eastham Hall near Lytham St Annes has 200 statics and space for 200 tourers. The site itself is nothing to write home about.
This is just a warning to anyone who tows with anything remotely commercial. Don’t go there.

We were on the site last year and it was like a swamp. I explained in detail that I tow with a customised Transit. Chrome wheels, swivel Recaro’s, mural, windows etc. We basically use it as a big estate car. I even showed it to them before entering the site and they were happy with it.

Now for reasons that is only apparent to Mr Kirkham they’ve changed their minds. I’ve spent a great deal of money on this vehicle and they now want me to leave it outside the site, yeah’ right. I appreciate why a lot of sites around Blackpool are paranoid about vans towing caravan. It’s a ‘Gypsy’ thing, but a lot of them tow with ‘Shoguns’, so are Shogun owners next ?

The strange thing is that one of the site wardens has a Volkswagen van at the side of her caravan and mine still looks so much better that hers !!!!!

(Vanner) Robert & Karen. CLIC. April 2002

Galley Hall Farm CC CL
Carnforth
Lancashire
LA5 9HZ

Tel: 01524 732 544 - Mr & Mrs Casson

Caravan Club Certificated Location.

Site visited November 1999

Small but neat with a fair view over farm fields.
Use of exceptionally clean bathroom and toilet. Shower (or bath) cost £1.00 for timed hot water.
Very quiet but the town was only about half a mile away with a Booths Supermarket. There was also a caravan sales company in Carnforth with an accessory shop that seemed to stock everything. We even managed to buy a replacement part for our gas cooker.

Site was well placed for touring. We did Blackpool, Morecambe and the Lake District. We found the most enticing farm shop at a place called Sizergh just south of Kendal and bought several delicious items, all of which were eaten remarkably quickly.

We also found Colony Candles at Ulverston. Spent a fortune but some special bargains. Then there was Lakeland Limited. So much better than the brochures and so many reduced items. And the cafe served such lovely meals at quite reasonable prices considering the quality. We went looking for Sarah Nelson’s Gingerbread shop at Grasmere; it was where it always was and smelled gorgeous. The gingerbread tasted pretty good too.

Suzzette. CLIC.November 1999

Gibraltar Farm Caravan and Camping Site--- Second report below
Silverdale
Lancashire
LA5 0AU

Tel/Fax: 01524 701 736

E-mail: camping@gibraltarfarm.co.uk
Web site: www.gibraltarfarm.co.uk/

Directions:
Come off M6 at J35 and follow signs for Watton then Silverdale. Just before Silverdale look out for Hollins Lane. Go to end of Hollins Lane and Gibraltar Farm is facing you. If you end up in Silverdale look out for signs to Shore then take first left off it and keep going until you see farm on your right after the Plant Nursery. Another guide is that it is very close to Wolf House Gallery.

I have just been on my second visit to Gibraltar Farm and so it must deserve a report. On both visits the sun was shining which can make any site seem idyllic.
The location is abut half a mile south of Silverdale on a working farm so you can have a large herd of cows going up one side of the field in the evening. There are two fields, one for caravans and vans looking for hook-up and the other for tents and campervans without hook-up.
I wasn’t mad about the field for caravans which seemed a little shaded at one side but the tent field is excellent as it is mostly flat with a natural play area (large rocks and swings on trees) in the middle.
The site is quite close to the bay which you can walk down to along several paths but it is not a bucket and spade bay. I was there over the Spring Bank Holiday and there were millions of kids involved in large games of rounders and football but once it got dark the site did quieten down.

The site gets quite busy at weekends which leads me to my biggest complaint, the facilities are quite basic, toilets just about passable and a very erratic shower. However if you enjoy walking, cycling and peaceful locations then this area is unsurpassable which made up for the basic facilities. It is a warren of footpaths and the C roads are largely empty but you will need a decent map.

Price (2004) for camper van and 2 people was £7 and electricity is £2 extra. I think awnings are free - check out the website.

Colum Murphy. CLIC. October 2004

Gibraltar Farm Camp Site
Silverdale
Lancashire
LA5 0AU

Tel/Fax: 01524 701 736

E-mail: camping@gibraltarfarm.co.uk
Web site: www.gibraltarfarm.co.uk/

open April to October

Super campsite......
Very good value for money, £10 per night with hook up £5 with out.

Village is a short walk with nice pubs and shops.
Pub and Art studio/sale room opposite entrance to farm.

Toilet and shower blocks (can only advise on ladies) were at all times clean and well stocked with soap, paper towels and toilet roll, and very clean.

If in tent you can camp so you are overlooking the bay so breakfast takes on a whole new meaning.

Lots of space for children to run around, but no ’playground’

For film buffs the film ’Brief Encounter’ was filmed at Carnforth railway station, which is only a short drive away.

Lorraine. CLIC. October 2006

Newly opened 1st June 2003
This was submitted by the site owners. Maybe someone could check it out and send in a report

Greenacres Camping & Caravanning Site Greenacres
Bambers Lane North
Marton Moss
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY4 5LQ

Tel: (01253) 696 266

Certificated 5 Van Site

Set within large gardens

Level grassy site well screened & sheltered

Minimum Facility Hideaway Site

Convenient for the attractions of Lytham St Annes & Blackpool

Milk & Eggs Available onsite

Choice of Supermarkets within 5 Minutes Car Ride

Conveniently Situated 2 Minutes from the end of M55

Site owners. Internet. July 2003

Holgates Caravan Park
Middlebarrow Plain
Cove Road
Silverdale
Nr Carnforth
Lancashire
LA5 0SH

Tel: 01524 701 508
Fax: 01524 701 580

E-mail: caravan@holgates.co.uk
Web site: www.holgates.co.uk

A well organised and rather classy family site.

Tarmac roads wind around hardstandings set in grassed areas, surrounded by trees. One or two pitches have view out onto Morecombe bay.

Facilities were exemplary, each caravan pitch had all facilities directly adjacent to the hard-standing.

Fantastic central leisure area with gym (fee payable) swimming pool, sauna, steam room, communal changing.

Good walks in surrounding area. Open all year. Highly recommended.

Iain M Strachan. Internet. May 2003.

Hollingworth Lake Caravan Park
Rakewood Road
Hollingworth
Lancashire
OL15 0AT

Tel: 01706 378 661

Web site: www.information-britain.co.uk/...

Some images of Hollingworth:
Veiw of the lake-- The ameninities with the lake and hills beyond-- The site

Sloping field with shingle hardstanding around outside, grass tent pitches in middle.
All pitches (including tents) can get 16amp electric.
New water/waste/elsan area lot’s of waste bins

Has a Barbeque area (under cover)

Open All Year

Downside: Lot’s of seasonal pitches and really old vans on them.
Upside: Price listed on notice board is for 1998 £8 a night (£10 including electric) We paid £10 a night (Dec 2006)

Lots to do in the local area for ..Walking ..Fishing ..Shopping, 1/2 an hour to Manchester city centre 15 minutes to Oldham.

Also if using Sat Nav to visit this site plot the route for Rakewood Road not the campsite (it is listed on Tom Tom’s own POI’s) if you try to use the auto setting it will try to take you the wrong side of the lake where there is no access to the site, although the "road" goes right around the lake !

Graham Wilson. CLIC. January 2007

Kneps Farm Holiday Park--- Second report below
River Road
Stanah
Thornton-Cleveleys
Lancashire.
FY5 5LR

Tel: 01253 823 632
Fax: 01253 863 967

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

Site visited September 2000

There are some statics on site but that aside, it’s still a super site for tourers.

There are first class toilet and laundry facilities.

Prices are competitive and details are available on request with a descriptive brochure.

Very well located for The Fylde Coast and access into all surrounding areas with easy access to the M6 motorway.

Roy Firth. CLIC. September 2000

Kneps Farm Holiday Park
River Road
Stanah
Thornton Cleveleys
Lancashire
FY5 5LR

Tel: 01253 823 632

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

Kneps is a small park with static holiday homes on the banks of the river Wyre country park. Unlike a lot of static parks it does not have a bar or clubhouse so it is a quiet peaceful park.
The touring section is nicely laid out with most of the pitches separate from the statics. There are about ten full facility pitches with water and drainage attached. All pitches are hard standing and spacious. Unfortunately due to the sea defences in the area there is no longer a view from the site over the estuary out to sea, one has to go out of the bottom gate and walk along the riverside path to get the view. It is a walk well worth taking.

The park has been run by the same family for many years and seems to have an ongoing improvement program. Pitches seem to be pre-allocated, and a £10 deposit is required for the facilities block key.
Security is good with the entrance and exit barriers being controlled by a number plate recognition system.

The shower block has male and female toilets but is unusual in that there are about a dozen family bathrooms each containing a bath with shower over, toilet and wash basin. All was kept scrupulously clean over Easter while I was there. I rally a fair bit so I must confess I generally use my own facilities but the bathroom concept is far better if one has small children or grandchildren with you. The block also contains laundry and dishwashing facilities.
Reception houses a well stocked shop, and information on the area. A children’s playground is also on site.
A bus stops right outside the gate and goes into Cleveleys where trams or buses can be caught to Blackpool and surrounding towns. The area is a country park and the ranger’s office is 100 yards away on the shore. It is also popular with the boating fraternity as there are slipways and launching points here. Walkers are well catered for.
Thornton village is about a mile and has a supermarket and the usual shops.

Although not a regular at commercial sites I found this a pleasant change from the norm and it is one I shall consider for future visits.

David Cuff. CLIC. August 2010

Lakeside
Newhall Avenue North
Marton Moss
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY4 5GY

Tel: 01253 765 498
Mobile: 07930 117 173

Mrs P. Aston-Cardwell
Caravan Club Members ONLY

½ acre in 3 acres of secluded woodland conservation. Lawned. Quiet with hardstandings, wc, el pts,
Coarse fishery.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach 1½m.

Open all year.

David Cuff.
This report appears on www.madcaravanner.co.uk and was copied with the authors permission.
CLIC September 2008

Leisure Lakes
Mere Brow
Tarleton
Nr Preston
Lancashire
PR4 6JX

Tel: 01772 813 446
Fax: 01772 816 250

E-mail: gab@leisurelakes.co.uk

Site visited April 2002

We had the privilege of camping with another District Association of the Camping and Caravaning Club on this occasion (North Lancs D.A). It seems fitting therefore to offer them our deepest thanks for a wonderful weekend, which eventually became six days!

And so onto the report of this site. My views on the Leisure Lakes are mixed, so I will endeavour to furnish the reader with my personal pluses and minuses concerning this site and let them make up their own mind.

The pluses;
This is a very large site that in my opinion would be suitable for even the large meets. The Easter weekend that we stayed there, there were over eighty units on the Rally field with room to spare for more.
Away from main roads, there is little traffic noise and it should be a good site for children on the strength of this, but more on that in a while.
From the children’s point of view, there is plenty to explore, rich wood lands complete with a paint-balling range (which kept many of our children occupied on tanks etc), there is even a small children’s playground complete with climbing frame and sand pit.
Nature is of course prolific on this site and during our stay we saw all manner of birds, from the owls in the evening, pheasant and geese to many other water fowl including crested Grebes.
The site is in easy cycling distance to the village, where a small but well appointed shop can keep you in food.
If you don’t want to leave the site, there is a small public house and even a take away shop providing chips, burgers and other ’kid friendly’ food.
There is also (I was informed) a shower block on site.

The minuses:
One of the lakes is used exclusively by people on jet skis. Some of the group we were camping with found the noise from these annoying but for myself I can only say that after a while I did not notice them.
Whilst the Rally Field is a good size, it has a ditch running the length of one side which I had to drag my boys away from on more than one occasion.
One of the biggest bug bears that we had was with the toilets provided for use of the people on the Rally field. From the moment we arrived, the complaints were thick and fast. There was no light in the gents (and later in the ladies). For a large part of the weekend the gents was literally unusable due to the state of them and they were only finally cleaned when several of our number had complained at the site office.
Though I did point out that this site was off the main road, this is a busy site and the aforementioned toilets are on the other side of it, a point to be remembered for those of us with children.
A final niggle was the state of the ’private pitching grounds’ surrounding the lake. When we visited at Easter the site was like a vast Gypsy encampment; there was litter everywhere, tents were far to close together and several of the campers had campfires burning (for which I remain certain that they had no permission). Several of our party mentioned being annoyed by children coming over from this site and making a nuisance of themselves.

I am well aware that the time that we visited was a busy weekend. But having said this, I am still unsure whether to recommend this site to other D.A’s or campers in general. This ’may’ have been just a bad time for the site and I for one sincerely hope it was, but the fact remains that there are many really good sites out there and this is not the way to get anyone coming back to you.

Peter Dean. CLIC. April 2002

Marton Mere Holiday Village
Mythop Road
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY4 4XN

Tel: 01253 767 544
Tel: 08003 162 128 (for information)

E-mail: ellie.redfearn@bourne-leisure.co.uk
www.havenholidayhomes.co.uk/

This site has a mix of Statics and tourers
Tourer pitches ALL hardstanding and at least 50 super pitches. Each ’block’ of tourere pitches had its own toilet block, each with pot washing and chemical toilet empty point fresh water and waste water points. ALL pitches had 16amp elctric hook ups

ON site there is a fairly decent shop open long hours.
Other facilites include.....
A take away, amusements, swimming pool, bike and pedalo hire, a family room, an adults only ’sports’ bar and a restaurant area (licensened)

The pitches are getting old and are cracked and most are not level any more. Most access roads have speed ramps that are too high for caravans, other ’roads’ are ballast filled tracks.
the pitches are made to take a car and caravan. The awning goes on the grass area which is usually at least 3" lower than the concrete.
Some pitches are occupied by ’seasonal lets’ so they have usually pitched so the awning is on the concrete, making it necessary use the hardened pegs through the concrete to fix their awning ’permanently’.

All in all, what could be a good site is spoiled by lack of maintainanence for the sake of profit.

All holidaymakers are given a ’security’ pass. This is supposed to be asked for when entering the bar/amusment area and when ordering drinks. I was not asked for my pass the whole time I was there, so what good is security

OH, BTW, normal price £18 A NIGHT. We had a special offer of two night for the price of one.

Graham Wilson. CLIC. May 2002

Royal Umpire Caravan Park --- Second report below
Harrison Leisure UK Ltd
Southport Road
Croston
Near Preston
Lancashire
PR26 9JB

Tel: 01772 600 257
Fax: 01772 600 662

E-mail: reception@royalumpire.co.uk
Web site: www.royalumpire.co.uk/

Site visited April 2000

Situated approx. 15 miles out of Southport on the A581.

We stopped here for one night last August after picking the van up the night before. It was far enough to go seen as neither myself or Lee had never towed anything before. We arrived in the middle of the day, Grass, Hard standing and Super Pitches are available most with electric and well spaced and level.

The kids disappeared to inspect the children’s play area, this looks like a fort, and got a big thumbs up. By the number and ages of the kids from toddler to teenagers, in this area it is a great success. However the thought of a 3 year old wanting to follow his big sister onto the aerial slide doesn’t help to calm the nerves!

Also there is outdoor chess and draughts, a sunken garden, we do not have a dog but we believe it is a good dog walk.

The toilets and showers ( always a big talking point on these reports I’ve noticed ) were spotlessly clean with music playing I think this is to stop you singing in the showers. On site there is a small shop which was well stocked, a recreation hall / shed with table tennis.

Next to the camping area there is a Pub/restaurant that serves bar meals. Close by across the road is another Pub / Restaurant, and within a 5 min. walk yet another Pub, the Rose and Crown, that serves food. The last is the best value by far.

Booking could be advisable if you intend to try this one.

See we can be satisfied. Also Phil does exist!!

Happy camping

Phil and Lee. CLIC. April 2000

Royal Umpire Caravan Park
Harrison Leisure UK Ltd
Southport Road
Croston
Near Preston
Lancashire
PR26 9JB

Tel: 01772 600 257
Fax: 01772 600 662

E-mail: reception@royalumpire.co.uk
Web site: www.royalumpire.co.uk/

A fairly good commercial site with reasonable sized level pitches not far from the M6 so quite a good bet if you want to break your journey north or south. It’s also open all year round.

The site is set back from the road and although there is a little traffic noise, its not enough to notice. Entry is via a security barrier and you are issued with a swipe card when you arrive, as well as a key to the toilet blocks (£10 refundable on departure).

You are assigned to a pitch??? no wandering round choosing where to go? and all the pitches seem to be in regimented lines with hedging between rows. A number of the pitches are hardstanding.

The toilet blocks are quite nice although the fact that they’re closed for three hours each afternoon, supposedly for cleaning, is rather puzzling. You’d think they’d be absolutely immaculate following such a prolonged cleaning session but you’d be wrong. Having said that, they were fine. I think the three hours was a ruse by the guy who cleans them to stand chatting to his mate and smoking a fag for a couple of hours. I was putting up an awning on my own and felt like saying that since they were doing nowt, they might like to give me a hand!!

There are a couple of pubs and a garden centre within walking distance and there’s a large Tesco in Leyland to stock up. Preston, Blackpool and Southport are all nearby.

One point that may be of interest is despite being inland, the site is quite exposed. There’s not much between here and the Irish Sea coast, so it can get rather windy at times. Best to pack a tie down kit for the awning, just in case.

Ron Miller. Internet. November 2002

Turnover Hall Farm CC CL
Rawcliffe Road
St. Michaels-on-Wyre
Garstang
Lancs
PR3 0UE

Tel: 01995 679 275

Current fees - Contact site for details

I used this quiet little Caravan Club CL as a base while attending a towing course at a nearby agricultural college in September 2010; it was my first experience of staying on a CL and apart from a couple of minor niggles it's a nice little site. I arrived at 10am on a Friday morning to find that reception was closed and there was no-one around - after spending several minutes wandering round the nearby farm buildings I finally found a farm worker who said he had no idea who was booked in but he would come across and show me where to pitch and I could pay my site fees the following day. It took several minutes for him to find me a hook-up post though as they are situated underneath the surrounding trees and the conifers were so thick the posts were totally obscured. My second niggle was the reception opening hours - Saturday only from 10am to 4pm, which under normal circumstances would have been no problem but was no use to me then, as I had to leave the site by 8.30am and wouldn't return until after 5pm. Luckily someone I knew was also staying on the site and he offered to take my site fees to reception for me, but had that not been the case I could have found myself in a slightly awkward situation.

Niggles aside, the site itself is in a lovely countryside location near the River Wyre on the outskirts of St. Michaels village, and is actually part of a much larger site which seemed to be mainly seasonal pitches and storage, and was undergoing further development. Accessed down a short private lane the CL is spacious and level, and being mainly surrounded by trees it felt very secluded. There's a large wooden farm gate at the entrance which must be kept closed at all times. The water tap and waste bins are just off the site at the end nearest to the main site - unfortunately a bit of a walk if you're pitched at the opposite end - and the spotlessly clean showers and toilets are in a newly built block on the main site itself, again a bit of a walk for some. Across the lane from the site is the high river bank which makes an ideal dog walk - walking along the lane itself isn't to be recommended as it's only wide enough for two cars to pass and there's no pavement.

With Blackpool and Fleetwood on the doorstep and Lancaster, the Lake District and the Trough of Bowland all within easy reach this little site makes a good base for exploring the surrounding areas. Maybe by now the main site has been fully developed and reception has better opening hours, and hopefully the conifers have been trimmed back to allow better access to the hook-up posts - I certainly wouldn't let the couple of minor niggles put me off, and I'll probably return for another weekend in the not-too-distant future.

Eunice Ratcliffe. CLIC. February 2013

Windy Harbour Holiday Centre--- Second report below
Little Singleton
Near Blackpool
Lancashire
FY6 8NB

Tel: 01253 883 064
Fax: 01253 892 562

E-mail: Via the web site
Web site: www.windyharbour.net/...

Site visited May 2000

Situated approx. 6 miles out of Blackpool on the A586.

We stopped here one weekend last September. We arrived in the early evening on the Friday booked in, chose a pitch and paid in about 15 mins.

The area for caravans is located at park entrance, off the access road and screened by trees. All pitches with electric, were hard standing and well spaced. The access road leads down to the statics and shops etc.

There are 2 toilet blocks, both well maintained. One near the entrance the second which contains the showers, is located on the opposite side of the access road, where there are two camping areas one with electric and one without. Sorry, but we can’t remember if the loo’s and showers are heated!

On site there are 2 play areas one of which is for the more adventurous, an indoor swimming pool this is not open all day, a selection of shops, club which membership is extra ( about £1 ). In the club there is a family room which had a children’s entertainer on at night, also an adults only room but with 2 kids in tow we didn’t get into this one.

On the Saturday night we caught a tram at Cleveleys, went through the full length of the illuminations and back for less than £8 and no traffic jams.

We enjoyed this site, even though there were quite a few children there, after about 12 pm it is very quiet and peaceful.

Carry on camping chaps and chapesses!

Lee & Phil. CLIC. May 2000

Windy Harbour Holiday Centre
Little Singleton
Near Blackpool
Lancashire
FY6 8NB

Tel: 01253 883 064
Fax: 01253 892 562

E-mail: Via the web site
Web site: www.windyharbour.net/...

A very nice park, great location plenty of facilities and also has a good pub plus a even better club and a family room
You feel you are in a park with a country atmosphere yet you are only a few miles from two seaside resorts. If you would like to visit the park have a look at this first which will provide you with more photos and details www.windyharbourcentre.co.uk

Dave Charlton. Internet. February 2007

Wyreside Farm Park--- Second report below
Allotment Lane
St. Michael’s-on-Wyre
Garstang
Lancashire
PR3 0TE

Email: penny.wyresidefarm@freenet.co.uk

Open: March to October
Cost: £16 per night - unit, 2 people, awning, dogs & electric

Dates visited - May Bank Holiday & 22nd/23rd May 2010

This small secluded site in the village of St. Michael’s, near Garstang, can only be described as a haven of peace and tranquility - the only noises you will hear are the birds in the trees and the resident sheep and hens, making it ideal for a relaxing break away from the rat race. Penny, the owner, is very friendly and helpful, and if you like free-range eggs she will quite happily sell you some which have been freshly laid.

Access to the site is down a narrow private lane just wide enough for a caravan, and through electronically controlled double gates (..seen in this photo), for which you will be given the code number on arrival. The field itself is very flat and the ground reasonably soft, which makes the job of hammering in and pulling out tent pegs relatively easy. There are only ten pitches and these are situated round the edge of the field, leaving a lovely open space in the centre.

Don’t expect all the bells and whistles with this site as there aren’t any - it’s a relatively basic site with few facilities. All the pitches have a hook-up point, there are two fresh water taps - one at each side of the field - and a cdp which uses recycled rainwater for flushing. The toilet block, which is always kept very clean, is near the entrance to the site and has only one female shower/toilet and one male shower/toilet, though as some people will probably have their own facilities this shouldn’t present too much of a problem. There are no washing up facilities so campers will have to take their own washing up bowl or bucket.

As with all sites dogs must be kept on a lead, but there is a pathway leading from the site to the riverbank where they can run free in the adjacent fields. The walk along the riverside is very pleasant and there is a lovely view over to the hills of the Trough of Bowland. On a bend in the river there is a small sandy ’beach’ ideal for picnics and paddling. Keen anglers can fish in the river by permit, £4 per day, purchased from the fishing tackle shop just along the main road from the site. There is also a large carp fishing lake near the tackle shop, although the charges for a day’s fishing aren’t cheap.

For those who like to relax over a drink or two The Grapes pub is just a couple of minutes walk along the main road from the site, although there is a path from the site which leads directly to the pub car park. There is just one small shop in the village and a garage, but unless you are absolutely desperate don’t get your fuel from there - they charge £1 per litre more than anywhere else! The next nearest petrol station is a short drive along the main road in the direction of Garstang and at the junction with the A6. For anyone who likes carboot sales there is a big one held each Sunday (May - September) in a field a few minutes drive from the site (turn left at the mini roundabout near the church), and Garstang, with its shops, pubs and eating places is only about four miles away. The site is also very well placed for visiting Blackpool, Cleveleys and Fleetwood in the west, and for driving to the lovely hills and villages of the Trough of Bowland in the east.

At £16 per night for somewhere with very few facilities this site isn’t cheap, but it’s worth the price just for the peace and quiet - it’s so relaxing that a couple of days feel like a week. I’ve stayed there twice so far and would recommend it to anyone.

Eunice Ratcliffe. CLIC. May 2010

Wyreside Farm Park
Allotment Lane
St. Michaels-on-Wyre
Garstang
Lancs
PR3 0TZ

Tel: 01995 679 797

Website: www.riverparks.co.uk/

Current fees - Contact site for details

For anyone looking for peace and quiet this site is a little gem. At the end of a private lane off the main road through the village it's hard to believe that you're so close to civilisation, it really is so quiet. Open from March to October it's owned and run by Penny, a very friendly and helpful lady who tends to the fields, the animals and the site on her own. Go early in the season and you'll see delightful lambs in the fields by the entrance gate, and several free range hens roam about the site most of the time - you can buy fresh eggs from the farmhouse, I got some and they were much nicer than supermarket ones. There's also plenty of rabbits hopping about, and you'll wake each morning to the dawn chorus from the surrounding trees.

Access to the site is through an electronic gate with a walk-through gateway at the side - you have to park up just outside first and book in at the farmhouse where Penny will give you the code number for the gate. The first part of the site is a very pleasant area of a dozen static mobile homes and the large flat touring field is beyond - there are ten hook-up points round the perimiter of the field but no marked out pitches, you basically pitch near a convenient hook-up point. Ball games aren't allowed on the field itself but there's another enclosed field at the end of the site with plenty of space for kids to play. There are water taps, waste bins and recycling bins on the field and the chemical disposal point uses collected rainwater for flushing. Unfortunately there's no washing up area so you'll need to have your own washing up bowl and boil some water to do your pots, throwing the 'grey waste' into the hedge. The toilet and shower block is near the entrance gate, is always kept spotlessly clean and has loads of information leaflets about the surrounding areas. The only downside is that there's only one toilet for women and one for men, with the shower being in the same room, so if someone is having a shower you'll have to wait to use the loo - it may well be advisable to take your own portable loo if you have one.

Near the entrance gate is a footpath leading to a tarmac path through a wooded area on the banks of the River Wyre - turning right takes you down to the main road, left takes you over a stile and into open fields with a very pleasant walk along the high river bank, and with no livestock around it's great for dog walking. There's also a fabulous view right across to the hills and lower reaches of the Trough of Bowland. For a drink and a meal The Grapes pub is on the main road just a couple of minutes walk from the end of the lane or there's a path through the field by the site entrance which takes you straight to the back of the pub - not far to stagger back to your unit at the end of the evening but you'll need a torch. There's also a bistro-type place - The Weird Fish - set back off the main road about five minutes walk away.

There's nothing much in the village itself but Garstang is only a 10-minute drive away along the main road and Blackpool about 25 minutes in the other direction. A drive through the country lanes will take you to Knott End - there's nothing there either but there's a nice cafe at the end of the promenade where the ferry comes across the river estuary from Fleetwood. For anyone who likes car boot sales there's a big one held from the beginning of May to the end of September in a field about five minutes drive away - turn left out of the site lane, along the main road to the mini roundabout, turn left again and follow the lane round and it's on the right just after the sharp left hand bend. And if thick black smoke and lots of noise is your thing then Great Eccleston, a few minutes drive along the road, holds a tractor pulling event as part of the annual show in July, with a full programme of tractor pulling over the August bank holiday weekend.

This lovely little site must be one of the quietest I've ever stayed on - ignoring the lack of washing up sinks and the minor niggle of the loos/showers, neither of which affected me as I have my own facilities anyway, it deserves top marks for being the perfect place to relax and unwind. Just two things to note though - firstly the site is very poorly signposted, there's just one small wooden sign at the entrance to the lane and you can only see it when travelling from the Blackpool direction. This isn't the site owner's fault, she wants a proper sign but the local council won't let her have one! Also if you're using a satnav to get you there put in the name of the lane - if you put in the postcode you'll end up in a housing estate!

Eunice Ratcliffe. CLIC. February 2013

Wyreside Lakes Fishery--- Second report below--- Fishing site
Sunnyside Farmhouse
Bay Horse
Nr. Lancaster
Lancashire
LA2 9DG

Tel: 01524 792 093 (Ask for Bob, Sally or Ruth)

E-mail: wyreside2003@yahoo.co.uk
Web site: www.wyresidelakes.co.uk

Stayed:
A weekend in June 2000.

Site facilities:
Showers £1, Electric pitches, Some hardstanding, Toilets, Bar, Tea Shop. Course & Fly Fishing.

Attractions:
Country walks.

Nearest Pub:
On site.

Opinion:
A quite site to sit and do very little. The weather when we were there was Very hot. We will consider staying here again.

Phil & Lee. CLIC. August 2000

Wyreside Lakes Fishery--- Fishing site
Sunnyside Farmhouse
Bay Horse
Nr. Lancaster
Lancashire
LA2 9DG

Tel: 01524 792 093 (Ask for Bob, Sally or Ruth)

E-mail: wyreside2003@yahoo.co.uk
Web site: www.wyresidelakes.co.uk

Bob & Elaine Birkin

Just back from 2 nights at the above. Weather not brilliant. They have a detailed website.

Very pleasant people. They lock the gates between 10.30pm and 7.00am to protect the night-time fishermen from marauding Lancastrians.

Facilities for all forms of camping and caravanning as well as B & B.
Some of the Hardstanding is Stone and Very hard for Awning pegging.

Fees Van £9 + £2 Elec (£3 Winter) and £2 awning.
Tents £3 + £3/person.

Restaurant:
Breakfasts daily and evening meals 5.30-6.30 with a la carte 6-9 Friday and Sat and Sunday Lunches. Take away/delivery service to fishermen’s pegs.

Lovely Views when it’s not raining!

Phil Elliot. CLIC. June 2005

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