UKC

Heya all,

I've tried a search for this, but to no avail. Does anyone have some suggestions for camping near to the Yat?

Theres quite a few of us going (for a friends birthday), so around 30 in all are due to head down. Bonuses would be picturesque, good facilities, easy to find location.

We passed Sterrets Caravan Park on a bit of a wrecky the other weekend (we didnt stay over), and that seemed big enough, but hardly idyllic.

Answers much appreciated!


Jon.

In reply to blod:

There is a campsite (read field) right down on the water by the Saracens head. Access to climbing would either be a walk along the path and then a horrible scramble up dirt, or a drive round to the car park at the top. The bonus is it's next to the pub, but the facilities aren't great and it's not that cheap (about £6.50 per person last time I was there). Probably a bit small for 30 of you too!!

You're better off heading back up the hill to the right, past the car park for the climbing and on for about 1k to a big caravan/camping site on the right. Has a shop with lots of beer, good facilities and lots of space. There is a pub within 10 mins walk through fields (ask the guys on the gate). Climbing is either a 20 minute walk down the road or a 2 minute drive back to the same carpark as before.

Sorry that's not very specific (I don't know names) but if you want more detailed info I can give it.

In reply to blod:

The Forestry Commision campsite nearby (in the Guide) is Rules, Regulations, Caravans and nice straight lines. Expensive, unfriendly and not somewhere which would welcome climbers, never mind a group of 30 of you.

The Saracens Head one was closed when we were there the other week, but I can't unreccomend the F.C. one enough.

Lex

In reply to lex:

Cheers for that guys.

I had a look online, and came across a site called Doward Park - is that the one either of you are talking about?

It looks really good, but it doesn't really look that big either?

At least I have one campsite to avoid anyway


Jon.

In reply to blod:

Had a look at the Doward website and it doesn't look like the place I was talking about - still can't remember its name though!! Looks nice mind.

The one Lex was slating/describing does sound like it a bit - it has straight lines and caravans, but it was cheap and spacious (and had a fridge full of beer, which was pretty much all I noticed after a day scaring myself on the rock!)

Doward Park gets highly complimentary reviews here;

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk

Although a lot of campsites can be a bit reluctant to accept bookings from large groups, especially single sex ones.

In reply to Stuart Robinson:

Thanks for that - it should be fairly 50:50 blokes to lasses, so I'll give them a bell!

Ta


Jon.

In reply to lex:

I've been there a couple of times - it's expensive, yes, and not exactly overflowing with atmosphere (it's in the middle of a forest), but the staff were friendly, and very much welcoming of climbers. Though there were only 8 of us, not 30. So long as you're not planning an all night party...

The best site in the area is the Beeches above Shorn Cliff, but the facilities are severely limited (toilets, sink, cold water).

In reply to lex:

The forestry site does welcome climbers so long as you stump up the lucre ! No good pubs or cafes near by so I'm not rushing back.

In reply to GrahamD:

Cheers guys for all the replies - we're looking at making a booking this weekend (or thereabouts), so we'll phone about.

Cheers!


Jon.