The Church House Inn

Just stayed here for three nights for a post Christmas break with our two boys. It is the first time we have used a Caravan Club CL site. Here are the positives: Great location, lovely views, direct access to the Torver trail – on which we cycled to Coniston village and back (lovely ride with beautiful views of lake and fell). A well kept small site at the back of the Inn, good level hardstanding. There is no electric hook up which we knew, so we took our own generator. We had a meal in the pub on the first night and the food was very good. Negatives: When I rang to make the booking for this site, I spoke to a lovely lady who was very friendly. I am not sure what happened to this lady, as on arrival we were given a very frosty reception from the lady at the bar – after being made to wait whilst others were 'served' who had entered the pub after us, we were then addressed in a rather dismissive tone and just told to go and find a pitch with no words of either welcome or offers of information such as where the toilets were etc. This frosty reception continued when we returned for our pre-booked meal and was no different when we paid on leaving! We are not sensitive people, and are quite happy to be left alone to get on with our holiday, but we would expect at least a basic gesture of welcome, perhaps a smile?! Instead we were made to feel like an irritating inconvenience, just a bit of extra income to them and no interest whatsoever in whether we were happy with the experience or not. We had to ask where to find the toilet and shower and when we went to have a look after dark, we were shocked to find there was no light bulb in the toilet, the only one working was in the shower room and we could not find a switch anywhere for the main hall light! All the walls were covered in damp (there was no heating) and in the toilet the wallpaper was literally hanging off the walls! The overall impression was of total neglect. Surely someone could at least provide a light bulb?! My children refused to use the facilities after seeing them on the first night. Its a shame because the shower and toilet were relatively clean and in good working order, they were just set in horrible surroundings.... Despite this, we enjoyed our holiday as the area is lovely, however we would not return to this site as why would you go back somewhere where you don't feel welcome?

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We have just returned from 7 nights at the Church House Inn CL. Owner was welcoming and friendly. Good pitches, all hard standing and slightly raised above the grass level. It does make the pitching of an awning slightly difficult but not impossible. The fresh water tap is close to the pitches, the toilet waste point is away from the pitches but close enough for access. There is WiFi but only in the Pub.  There is a footpath/cycle path adjacent to the site which will allow you to walk into Coniston, 2.5 miles away, or other numerous destinations. The footpath does allow users to view into the CL site and affects the privacy of your pitch. If you like walking, or cycling this is the ideal CL.

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This cl has everything we love about cls. Great location, excellent hard standing pitches, behind a  fabulous friendly pub which was very dog friendly and served the tastiest fish pie I've had in a long time. Dog walk runs behind cl that is well used by runners,cyclists and walkers. The only negative is that it no longer has electric hook up but we knew that when we booked. Stunning location with easy access to walk to Coniston lake or up to Coniston Old Man.  Think the wifi is inside the pub - can't comment on that. Wasn't shown a shower either so check on that too.  Would we return; most definitely.  

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