CCC • View topic - Waldegraves Holiday and Leisure Park

http://www.waldegraves.co.uk/

We managed to grab a most enjoyable weekend at Waldegraves on Mersea Island, near Colchester in Essex on May Bank Holdiay weekend.

Initial impressions - large, clean, well tended grounds and very welcoming .

First thing you have to think about when going to this site (unless you live on the island itself) is the times of high tide. Best to check them out first before setting off as the island does get cut off with the tidal flows Very Happy

Second thing we noticed was good signposting and then the VAST speed bumps as you come along the road to the site...stupidly overlarge in our opinion and mostly unnecessary...how many speeding caravans do you spot flying along the entrance road to a campsite? Confused

You could get marooned on a speed bump if the vehicle is low enough Laughing

Plenty of pull in room at reception to check in and pay a £10 deposit for our swipe card for the entry and exit barriers - refundable with the production of said card on leaving Very Happy

The site itself is spread out over a large area and is right by the sea.
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This can make it open to a reasonable breeze but non-the-less unpleasant for it. Static caravans are available for renting and there is extensive non-hookup camping around the freshwater fishing lake.
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All hook-up plots come with water connection as well as the standard electric hookup and the plots are well spaced out with low hedges separating you from next door. We were lucky enough to get a corner plot with a little bit more space.
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Opposite the reception area is the outdoor heated (yes heated) pool and the very well stocked 'store' (think small supermarket with absolutley loads of stuff you need and tons you might need in the way of fishing supplies, toys, sweets, camping equipment etc as well as lots of fresh local produce - don't worry if you've forgotten milk, eggs, bread, ham, burgers etc as they have it all!), bar and restaurant, and barn with entertainment areas.
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For those of you who enjoy golf, there's a driving range and pitch and putt too
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The shower blocks are cleaned frequently throughout the day, but it is noticeable that if all the cubicles are occupied at once then there is a noticeable drop in shower pressure (ie need to squash face against cold wall to get under drizzle from showerhead). However, if you hit it when it's quiet...lovely warm showers are the order of the day Very Happy

Although you'll find at certain times of the year you may well run in to possibly odd sorts that like to drive about in those old vw type things
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Not to worry though...they're mostly sociable types who may insist on pushing a glass of Pimm's into your hand if you are in the vacinity at Pimm's Oclock. If you need to ask when that is then you've never camped with me before Laughing

Plenty of play areas for the children with the usual playground things and a hard football/netball fenced area too
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Oh a point of note...if you have a serviced pitch and then someone else wants to join you with a tent, it's just an extra £10 for that person to put up their tent on your pitch.

All in all a highly popular and lively site, but not overly noisy after 11pm when the noise curfew is respected rather well - even by us lot Laughing

Peaceful as well as being lively due to the entertainment being well away from the camping areas. Plenty of space to play moonlight rounders too - pics to follow maybe Laughing

On Sundays they have a car boot sale at the top of the road too, as well as evening entertainment that we never quite felt the need to participate in as we were making plenty of good times between us all Very Happy

This is a great site for families, couples, mixed groups of friends (no all male or all female parties allowed) and there is as much as you want to do or as little as you please to undertake.

Not necessarily one for those who like smaller more intimate sites, but for a larger site it's very friendly and we will definately be going back again some time this year.

Guest

Lovely report and pics Jen, you look like you had a really good time! Love the pic of Darren (it is him, isn't it?) on his skateboard.............boys just never grow up, do they??!?!! Laughing

I could post up the photos of the fun we all had...it might scare everyone though Laughing

Great review and photos Jen. Very Happy

Thanks Martin! We had such a nice time we're going back with the same group at the end of the month Laughing

Camper Joined: 19 Feb 2010 Last Visit: Today Posts: 11

We have stayed here twice in the last season..2009.
As this is a family run buisness, it in turn actualy caters for families, not the usual larger louts you find on some of these commercial sites... judging by the pics.. you were pitched near the small fishing lake... a very nice spot.
Hope you managed to go and visit the SHED... on the other side of Mersea... famous for its oysters... and seafood.
Were hoping to get there again this season...

I don't know how I missed that review but nice pics Jen

I missed this one too - it looks lovely,,one for the future I think x