Old Hartley CC SiteA --- Second report below
Whitley Bay
Tyne & Weir
NE26 4RL

Tel: 01912 370 256

The Old Hartley site consists of about 64 Hardstanding pitches to which 34 are for awnings.
Most of the site is sloping and on some pitches you need levelling blocks.
The site has a single road which is a one way system and to get to some of the pitches you have to drive accross the grass and I noticed that when it was wet it became slippy so care has to be taken.

The Toilet Block has been closed all Season due to Subsidance and at present there was 2 porta Cabins in use, both contaning 3 showers, 2 toilet compartments and 4 wash hand basins.
I was informed that this is the 3rd time in 10 years that the Toilet Block has suffered from Subsidence and the plans are to Underpin it, replace the floor and seal the cracks on the walls during the closed season.
The shower compartments in the porta cabins are very narrow and I found that if you drop your soap on the floor, you need to step out the compartment to retrieve it.

Another problem I found was, that the Fresh Water and Waste disposal Points were adjacent to the Toilet Block at the top of the site and were very difficult to use due to the Sloping site for both taking full containers to and from the Points.

I have sent an E-Mail to the caravan Club complaining about the Lack of Fresh Water and Waste Facilities and Suggesting that they could install a second set of Facilities at or near the bottom of the site to make it more Disabled and Elderly person friendly.

I now await their reply.

Jim Tierney. CLIC. October 2007
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8th December 2007: Reply received

Dear Mr Tierney, Thank you for your e-mail. I can tell you that we are beginning a lengthy remedial scheme at the site to underpin the toilet block, refurbish it and reopen it for next season, including the disabled facility. You may be aware that we have had serious problems with the toilet block recently due to settlement. It will delay the opening somewhat because of the extent of the work and we are currently taking bookings from June onwards. If the work finishes earlier, we will open sooner. The service point close to the toilet block is included in this project. However, I regret to say that we will not be installing a service point at the bottom of the site because it is below the level of the sewer to which we are connected. The site is sloping and I can both understand and sympathize with your difficulty. Would it make sense to ask the wardens to reserve a pitch for you higher up the site, perhaps level with the service point? We do allow members to ask for a pitch to be reserved in certain circumstances and I know they would be happy to oblige.

Once again, thanks for making contact with us.

Regards,

Jonathan Swales, Regional Manager.

Old Hartley CC Site
Whitley Bay
Tyne & Weir
NE26 4RL

Tel: 01912 370 256

Date of visit mid April 2009

To Find Site:
Leave A19 onto A186, at A192 turn left and in a short distance turn right onto B1325. This is not a bad road but take care at railway bridge as vision towards the direction of the site is not clear. At roundabout cross over and go down the side of the Delaval Arms, go slightly right and then left to site entrance which can be seen ahead. An alternative route (as suggested by the CC) is as above but turn right onto A192 and left onto A1148 (Monkseaton Drive) signed for St Marys Lighthouse. Continue to seafront and turn left towards Seaton Sluice. Turn right at roundabout at A193/B1325 then as above.

Old Hartley is situated on a cliff top overlooking the North Sea and St Mary’s Lighthouse. There are just over 60 pitches, half can accept awnings. The site slopes from reception quite steeply, however the Club has minimised the effect of this by providing, mainly, level pitches with two rows of paving slabs. The awning pitches have an additional area of gravel hardstanding. All pitches are arranged so that you have a sea view. There is one toilet block which is up to usual Club standards but it can seem under pressure when the site is full. Water and waste service points are adjacent to the toilet block which can mean a heavy haul for grey water disposal from the pitches nearest the sea. There is a service point for motorhomes. There are no onsite play facilities for children. Reception sells milk and toilet chemicals.

There are walks along the cliffs from near the site entrance, one being to St Mary’s Lighthouse, where, if you are energetic enough, for a small fee you can climb to the top of the lighthouse. Be warned, its 137 steps! Also nearby are the delights of Whitley Bay (?) and also the centre of Newcastle which can be accessed by bus from near the site entrance.
The Delaval Arms, within a short walk of the site, advertises that it does food. On the Blyth road out of Seaton Sluice is the Astley Arms Inn which operates an amazingly good value carvery, the only downside is that it always seems to be very busy! Also on the main road in Seaton Sluice is a good chippy but be warned they are real working men’s sized portions!
The nearest supermarket is Sainsburys which is at the top of Monkseaton Drive( see site directions above)

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

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