Rawcliffe Manor caravan site , York

14th & 15th February 2014

 

Trying to book a site at the start of the February school holidays was bound to be a problem, especially when quite a few sites don’t open until March/April.  We tried a few hoping that the weather may have caused some last minute cancellations, but no joy.  I remembered I had seen  a site hidden away near Clifton Moor shopping park.  Looking on ukcampsite.co.uk I did a search on their google map radius search. There it was, Rawcliffe Manor caravan park.  Handily situated next to a pub but also a 5 min walk to Clifton Moor shopping centre which has a 10 screen multiplex cinema, bowling, Tesco’s and fuel station, various shops and eating places.  A bus service from Clifton Moor runs in to York every 10 or 15 mins.  Or walk 5 minutes in the opposite direction  to a Park & Ride service which operates every 10 minutes passing by the York Railway Museum before it reaches its destination at York city centre. There is also a cycle track and footpath from the site along side the River Ouse to the centre of York.
Attractions within a short distance include York Minster, Yorvic Centre, Castle Museum, Castle Howard, Yorkshire Dales, Shambles, Site seeing and Ghost walks, Boat trip on the River Ouse & Yorkshire Moors.

The site – Adults only - has 13 pitches which are classed as super pitches – electric, rubbish bin, water tap, grey waste, and toilet waste – Some care is needed in emptying the toilet cassette.

 

Pitches are hard standing for the motorhome or caravan with a grass section next to it.  Most pitches are separated by a hedge.  The pitches are small but ample but larger outfits may struggle.

The site also has a small toilet block containing 1 toilet and shower plus 2 sinks for male and female. There is a disabled toilet but this also incorporates washing up sink, washing machine and tumble dryer. These facilities were clean & modern.

Cost per night is £25 which is more than we would normally like to pay but as we had struggled to find a site and this was very handy we went for it.

On arrival we were met with a friendly welcome and told our pitch number.  As we pulled on to the pitch we were advised of a better pitch but we struggled as the overhanging branches on the row of conifers were hitting the roof.  We asked if we could park on another pitch so we didn’t have the branches banging on the roof and this was fine..

We didn’t try the pub but it did look very enticing. You can get a takeaway from the pub to your van if you prefer. You can also vacate your pitch later on a Sunday if you would like to stay for the carvery. The pub also has free wi-fi.

You can see  the site here on google maps.

Rawcliffe Manor caravan site @ York. Adults only site

In the Bag.

 

We decided that the two lounger chairs that we carry in Monty needed a bag.  As Monty does not have any external storage lockers, a slight downside, this means we have to carry them inside the motorhome.  Not a good idea if they are wet or muddy.  The last thing you want is mud or wet inside.  We searched around but couldn’t find any suitably sized bags until we came across Bags4Everything on the internet.  Based in West Yorkshire they make bags and covers to your measurements for most uses – from padded LCD TV bags to aquaroll bags, steps to BBQ’s, awnings to A frames. They come in an assortment of colours, fastenings & padding.

If they don’t have something in the right size from over 100 bags in their range then you can get it made to measure at a reasonable price.

We emailed the company and after a very prompt email reply I placed an order for a made to measure cover in blue.

14 days later the cover has arrived and appear to be very well made  and to the size specified.

First trip of 2014

17th-19th January 2014

 

I was itching to get away for the weekend, A because I wanted to keep the batteries topped up on Monty and B, because I wanted a rest!

A quick look on the caravan club sites late availabilty showed York Rowntree, yes another trip to the site, had one space left.  So 9am, on  the Thursday before, the booking was made.

Forecast was a wet weekend but that didn’t matter as we had season 4 of Breaking Bad to watch in readiness for season 5.  Friday night we got an Indian takeaway from the same indian restaurant we went to last time – Lal Quilla on Bishopthorpe Road. 

Saturday morning after a great nights sleep we decided to go back up to the high street and visit some of the local shops where we bought fresh croissants from the Pig N Pastry – next time we shall try their breakfast.  There was even a queue at 9am waiting to get in!  We browsed some of the other shops then retired back to Monty for breakfast and Breaking Bad.  Tea time soon came round and we opted to be naughty again and get fish & chips again from Bishopthorpe Road.  They too were delicious. Okay so the diet was on hold for the weekend!

We didn’t visit York centre but we had a very enjoyable and relaxing time.

York Rowntree CC Site

18th –20th Decemeber

Our last trip away for 2013. I managed to finish work early in the week and after suprisingly finding that the York Rowntree site had a few spare pitches left we booked for a last minute getaway and an Xmas shopping trip.

Our Camper couch was packed – see my last blog – along with a set of solar 50 LED Xmas lights.  We arrived at the site on a dry Wednesday afternoon. It had been raining for the last week on and off and the river was higher than normal.  In fact on the day we left it had risen even more. We were lucky and had a very large spacious pitch.

We had a walk in to town where there was a Xmas market. Along with lots of festive stalls there was also a crepe van which did fantastic sweet and savoury crepes.

The Rowntree site has a back pedestrian gate which leads to a nearby parade of shops, takeaways and cafe/ restaurants. We have enjoyed fish and chips from there before but on this trip we decided to get a takeaway from the Indian restaurant which was very tasty and had good sized portions.

Camper Couch Competition

2nd December 2013

Well we have had some very exciting news today. A competition that we entered at Best French Campsites has resulted in a win.

 

We have won a personalised Monty Motorhome CamperCouch from Trottybrand.

It’s a superior quality all-weather sofa manufactured using tough 600D polyester fabric with matching carry bag and a powder coated steel tube frame, it is built to support a total weight of 225kgs. Yet only weighs 5kgs. Its a logical alternative to the familiar single chair as it folds to almost the same size,  yet provides double the accommodation. 

It arrived on the 11th of December. Wow even better than our expectations. Very light yet very sturdy and well built. Looks great in Navy and with the white lettering on it ties in with Monty’s body colour.  This meant now we would have to try it out properly with a trip away – see our next blog.

                          

York – Rowntree Caravan Club Site

1st – 3rd March  &  8th – 10th November

             

York  is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence. The city offers a wealth of historic attractions, of which York Minster is the most prominent, and a variety of cultural and sporting activities. Delve into the city's vibrant café culture, take time out to enjoy some of the country's most talented street entertainers or simply watch the world go by while sipping a drink by the river. With hundreds of attractions, museums, historic buildings, tours, shops,restaurants and bars within the compact walled city you’re never far from an awe inspiring moment.

The city was founded by the Romans under the name of Eboracum in 71 AD. It became the capital of the Roman province of Britannia Inferior, and later of the kingdoms of Northumbria and Jorvik. In the Middle Ages, York grew as a major wool trading centre and became the capital of the northern ecclesiastical province of the Church of England, a role it has retained.

In the 19th century, York became a hub of the railway network and a confectionery manufacturing centre. In recent decades, the economy of York has moved from being dominated by its confectionery and railway-related industries to one that provides services.

York Rowntree Park Caravan Club Site  offers level pitches located on the banks of the Ouse. Attractive hedging and glades provide not only a scenic treat but also ensure your privacy. The caravan park is within easy walking distance of the beautiful and historic city of York and also makes for an excellent base from which to explore the Yorkshire area. York itself has so much to see and do that you'll find the time can slip by all too easily.  That’s probably why trying to get a pitch on this site is so hard due to its popularity.  Again with the caravan club the amenities block is modern, warm and very clean.  It’s raised off the ground because the site suffers with flooding from the nearby river Ouse.

The Rowntree site is ideal for those wishing to visit the lovely Minster with its dazzling stained glass windows or  a walk to the city walls and the Shambles to get a feel of the old city with its medieval timber framed houses. You must call in at the Jorvik Viking Centre and take a time-car, which will transport you back to the city’s distant past. Train enthusiasts of all ages won't want to miss the award-winning Railways Museum. When  we went the Great Gathering of steam locomotives was on display. I believe this has now finished.

 

Regular visitors to York Rowntree Park will know that this site is in two parts, separated by a warehouse. In mid February 2014, this building will be demolished in order for The Club to improve and enhance the site and its layout, which is planned to be completed by the beginning of August. Rather than shut such a popular site, they have decided to partially cordon off some areas and close the Riverside section of the site during this period. During the demolition phase (anticipated start is end of February for approx 1 month), there is likely to be a level of disruption due to noise and dust on site.

 

Xmas window displays

Barnard Castle

11th –13th October

Barnard Castle is a market town in Teesdale, County Durham, England. It is named after the castle around which it grew up. It is the main settlement in the Teesdale area and is a popular tourist destination. Set on a high rock above the River Tees, Barnard Castle takes its name from its 12th century founder, Bernard de Balliol. It was later developed by the Beauchamp family and then passed into the hands of Richard III.Barnard Castle sits on the north bank of the River Tees, 21 miles south-west of the county town of Durham. Nearby towns include Bishop Auckland to the north-east, Darlington to the east and Richmond in North Yorkshire to the south-east.

Teesdale Barnard Castle Caravan Club site where we stayed for the weekend on a serviced pitch is set in open countryside that is designated an Area of High Landscape Value. The site is fairly new and eco friendly. The amenities block is very clean and modern and up to the high standards of the club, with heating from a ground source heat pump, hot water from the solar panels and rain water used in the toilets from rainwater harvesting A very eco friendly building.  A mobile fish & chips van arrived on the Friday – excellent fish and the size and portions for the price were brilliant.

From the site, you can enjoy a 10- minute walk (the CC list this as a river walk) along the road on the grass verge, covered with a plastic matting, down hill  and across the river and then up the hill to Barnard Castle. A delightful town, home to the renowned Bowes Museum, a 12th century castle, an excellent visitor centre and a great choice of pubs and restaurants. Also a Morrison’s supermarket is located in the centre of the town along with a Co-op and many small shops. It also marks the entrance to Teesdale which offers spectacular scenery following the river up to High Force and a series of other waterfalls to its source beyond the Pennine Way and Cow Green Reservoir.

 

Above, the view from the bridge on the 10 min walk from the CC site.

Old butter market above.