We stayed here for only three nights as part of our 'homeland tour schedule' and we were absent from the CL during daytime with various rendezvous to keep. This was our first visit back to UK since emigrating in 2018 so it was primarily a 'friends and family catch-up' excursion.
We regretted the shortness of the stay immediately the awning was being stowed away, the CL suited us perfectly being set on a vast country estate with freedom to roam afforded by the owners. Yes, of course your dog should be under close control on farmland... but there are acres and acres of grassland and a beautiful path around the substantial lake - so if the collar happens to be slipped occasionally nobody's likely to notice. We enjoyed a view directly over the lake, as wildfowl enthusiasts this was quite splendid.
A truly delightful place to pitch, administered by landowner Maria and estate manager Tony in the most helpful and sociable way. Only on our final evening did I discover that young Maria and I were raised in the same village, although not of the same generation!
Thank you to the delightful Maria, the exuberant Tony and our lovely neighbours for helping to search for our keys... that weren't actually lost! Sorry...
Such is the natural wonder and sheer space of Hawton Waters that I wouldn't be surprised to see it upgraded some day soon, with a local authority licence for many more pitches or 'pods' of one sort or another. The owners have already invested well and it's difficult to imagine a neutral (let alone profitable) balance sheet based upon the revenue from just five CL pitches. I only hope that the lakeside CL will be retained, with development of additional facilities kept sufficiently separate so the Caravan Club association isn't lost.
Let's make it clear that we are ancient CL users and we are happy with a grass field and a water tap, mains hook-up is a luxury. An evening's entertainment is a smokey plancha meal or BBQ over several hours with a decent bottle of wine or two (just as well we brought some from France) and jovial conversation while we count the stars and monitor the nocturnal wildlife. We don't seek candyfloss, one-armed-bandits, laundry blocks nor provided entertainment.
I wish we had stayed a fortnight. Longer, even.
J.
