Saturday:
With a short drive ahead, we had a relaxed start. Picked up the ‘van and headed South for York. The drive was pleasant, most of the A1 is now complete making the journey very smooth and delay free. I used the A64 to get to the East side of York, much better than the A59 and A1237 (far fewer roundabouts). We arrived just before the booking in time of 12pm, but got booked in without any hassle. We were met with a warm greeting and given all the details, then we made for our pitch.
The pitches are of a generous size, so easily maneuvered onto. We went through our usual set-up routine, no awning for this trip though. We then enjoyed food, drink and TV for the rest of the night.
Sunday:
Following breakfast, a trip to York and the Christmas Market was the order of the day. We took the bus from the stop just outside the site entrance. A quick 10 minutes later and we were in the center of York. It was very, very busy. The market was very nice from what we saw of it. But the crowds were a little off putting and trying to get some refreshments anywhere was near impossible. So following a couple of hours trecking around, we headed back to the site. The weather was very good, albeit a little cold. Back at the site we relaxed for the rest of the night.
Monday:
Weather has turned a little poorer with rain. But being our anniversary we decided to relax in the ‘van all day and do nothing basically, bliss!
Tuesday:
Weather still poor, so we spent some time at the shopping complex (Monks Cross) just around the corner from the site. It killed a couple of hours, but neither of us are keen shoppers, so we stretched our legs and then returned empty handed! Back at site, we were entertained with a couple of ‘vans that arrived, unhitched, re-hitched and then left? Weird or what!
Wednesday:
A trip to the NRM in York was the order of the day. Following breakfast we headed on the bus to York again and departed at the station looking for the museum. We found it following a quick wander through the station. We spent a good couple of hours there taking in everything it had to offer. We also took a trip on the Mallard simulator, which was a little bit of a letdown if I’m honest. Following a coffee there, we headed for York town, glimpsing the Christmas lights and markets once again, but thankfully a lot quieter this time. With darkness falling upon us, we headed back on a rather crowded bus. Back at base we followed our usual evening routine.
Thursday:
Our final day, so typically we choose to stay on site and relax for the day. Apart from filling with fuel and posting a birthday card, we had a small meander across the site and then stayed indoors for the rest of the day. Weather has improved slightly, although clouds and rain look set to move in once again.
Friday:
A smooth journey followed our packing up in the morning. Taking note that between York and Darlington, the A1 is pretty much all 3 lanes now, joy! We put the ‘van back into storage and headed home, possibly the last trip of this year due to other commitments, but we’ll see.
The site is well laid out with two main ovals forming the foundation for the pitches. In between these two ovals is a lake and toilet block. The toilet block is a formidable size. You have a covered courtyard type area and then numerous doors feeding off into individual wash cubicles and a gents & women’s area. The wash cubicles are quite simply massive, comprising of a toilet, sink, shower and hair dryer. There are 8 of these cubicles and are very welcome. The standard gents/women’s area are again each of a generous size and offers toilets, sinks and showers here as well. The only thing missing I would say is piped music.
Pitches are a mixture of hard and grass, all of a generous size. Pitches all have EHU and water and grey drainage. A chemical point can be found at the rear of the wash block. Pitches have hedge borders so are well defined and quite private. Access to the site is via barrier, this is key fob operated with a £10 deposit for the fob, all standard. Access to York is simple via the bus stop just outside the site. All in all a nice site. I think I prefer it to Rowntree, as it is adults only and has a nicer layout I feel. Whilst the bus is not quite as convenient as walking into York, it suffices just as well. Thumbs up from us.
- Date: 18th November 2017
- Nights: 6
- Pitch #:7
- GPS: 53.981541, -1.0326864
- A64 > A1036 > Hopgrove Lane > Stockton Lane