Review: Devizes Camping & Caravanning Club Site. Wiltshire

Quite a few years since we have been here, so time for a re visit. A handy stop for us as Den's brother and his wife live in Devizes. A good excuse for another meal out!

Only the third "shake down" trip for Pebble so we were on a roll. Everything neatly packed away, we were getting the hang of living in the new baby.

Devizes is not too far from us and is a Camping & Caravanning site, so we knew what to expect. £97 for two nights. A tad on the expensive side then, we booked onto a hardstanding with grass and electric. The site is on the edge of the Kennet and Avon Canal near Devizes. A convenient bus stop outside the site takes you into Devizes or on to Bath. A short walk to the left along the tow path, goes to Devizes via Caen Hill, an impressive array of locks. Great for an afternoon stroll, watching the bargees, navigate the locks.

Pubs in both directions so on our first afternoon we headed for The Barge Inn along the canal. A beautifully sunny day, so we spoiled ourselves with lunch and a drink of two.

The pub has a nice atmosphere, with lots of indoor and outdoor space. The wasps drove us indoors but the food was lovely and we could watch the world sail by outside.

Quite a few boats on the canal, moored or gliding along. Getting ready for the set of locks at Caen.

The next day we headed in the opposite direction. Through the tunnel and up the canal.

We didn't walk up as far as the whole set of locks at Caen, 

so no iconic lock picture this time. We will have to save that for a return visit.

So, another day , another pub. This time the Two Magpies", practically on the camp site. In fact they do have a small campsite of their own, well a pub carpark with facilities. Takeaways are also sold from the pub on certain days, which could be handy. After another great meal, with Tony Den's brother and his wife Lorraine we wandered back to Pebble to watch the sun go down.

A short break but on a very peaceful and quiet campsite with good facilities. Toilet block ,a little dated but very clean. Lots to do and see in the local area, very convenient for public transport, easy access.

Definitely one to return to for a longer stay, perhaps an Autumn break!!

 

Review Cofton Country Park, Devon.

A new site for us and just the place to give Pebble her third "try out".

Pebble has been packed and repacked AGAIN!! We have a new bit of kit to explore and an Isabella two sided wind screen. Courtesy of Davan Caravans, a reduced price ex demo in perfect condition and a sun screen to attach to the wind out awning. 

Cofton Country Park had long been on our radar for a visit at Dawlish Warren , a comfortable two hour drive on the motorway. Dawlish Warren was a place I remember as a child, staying in "camping coaches" on the railway lines. Time for a bit of reminiscing.

Cofton was easy to find and we got a warm welcome. We had a pick of pitches and went for the scenic view from the top of the site. We were given a choice of pitches. Our pitch was large, on grass in a well kept field. We were soon set up.

The main items to try out were the sun awning and the wind screen. We were lucky with endless sun this weekend so perfect weather.

The Isabella sun awning was perfect. I love it and when set up it feels like a proper room. So easy to set up and it takes up so little space when stored. We didn't bother with a ground sheet here, as we are only staying for 3 nights.

The wind breakers also are easy to put up and down and perfect to cook behind. Sorry no pictures taken of this...next time.

Cofton is a beautifully maintained park with clean facilities and very well run. Not too crowded mid week, but this was before the school holidays. It is really a "resort" with all the facilities you would want and good for kids. The two swimming pools looked really nice. We did eat one night in the camp restaurant it was a pleasant enough meal, much as expected. There is also a pub on the resort, tables can be booked at all venues using their app, we gave that a miss. The site is however, very hilly although well terraced so good exercise. A bit of a climb back from the showers and sinks must be good exercise!!

Dawlish Warren beach is a good thirty minute walk away, through the woods. A typical holiday beach, with bars , shops and restaurant. For me a trip down memory lane. We peeked in at the camping coaches where I had stayed as a child, still there, but now morphed into luxury accommodation, with toilets and showers. When I was a child conditions were much more primitive.

Much as I remember really, though not as tidy!

Outside the camping coach at Dawlish Warren circa around 1962. I'm the biggest one in the silly hat!! 

After having a good look around and trying to remember, I decided the old adage of never looking backwards, was probably a good one. Everything was so much smaller and scruffier than I remember.  Still ever onwards.

We walked along the sea front to Dawlish on a deliciously warm day. The beach was very tempting but the sea looked rather chilly. Not busy though, a few brave souls in the water.

The old Langston Cliffs were as red as ever. Dawlish is a good 3 miles flat stroll but I must admit we were shattered as it was so hot!!! We played with Uber,  (which didn't work well in these parts,)  then gave up and caught the bus back to the campsite. A much better option and great value using our bus passes. The bus stops right outside the campsite and is very efficient for a rural area. In fact, we actually used the bus twice which worked very well.

Dawlish is lovely for a day out, we found a great little pub which did excellent food. Lots of tourists and coach parties, so choose your times wisely and avoid lunchtime.

The opposite direction from Dawlish Warren and you arrive at the scruffy little village of Starcross. Home to the Exmouth Ferry ( £8 return) Probably worth a day out, but nothing much to do in Starcross itself. The pub on the edge of the village The Anchor at Cocklemouth looked quite nice, but we can't try them all.

The ferry at Starcross. Cross the platform to board the ferry.

All too soon, three nights faded away. We enjoyed our stay but these large resorts are not really for us. Still searching.