My wife and I have just returned home from a wonderful four-day break at Martindale Farm CL, which is perhaps the best CL we have had the pleasure to visit since starting caravanning in 2003.The site is easily accessed via a wide gate, preceded by excellent guidance to the site provided by the site owners, Sue and Alan, who are lovely helpful people, (I had an issue with my tow car which meant starting our stay later than planned - this was not a problem to them). The CL is well equipped with two toilet and shower rooms, which were kept spotlessly clean throughout our stay. Alongside these, were the fresh and grey water points, chemical disposal point and recycling facilities - all were well maintained and kept clean and tidy. This area is only a short walk from the level, gravelled pitches, (six in total),each with their own electric hook up point. Each pitch overlooks a shared well maintained large lawn with picnic benches and tables that overlook the CL's pond. The whole site shouted out, "We the owners care for our site, take pride in it and want our visitors to have a wonderful stay". When I leave reviews I like to be balanced and honest, and reserve the right to make negative comments as well as positive ones, when needed. So now, to the, 'BUT' indicated in my review title. The CL appears to be in two sections. A grassed area to the left of the access drive and then the area described above, to the right. Upon our arrival, the grassed area to the left had a large motorhome set up on pitch. On the right section were two caravans and a small motor home already 'pitched up'. This left us with a choice of three hardstanding pitches. We decided on the far corner pitch which was a large, quiet and private pitch surrounded by the border hedge with a backdrop of trees. Whilst setting up, three further caravans arrived. We were approached by one of the drivers who asked if we were leaving as the site seemed full. I explained we had only just arrived and this annoyed both the gentleman and I, due to this now making eight units on site rather than the permitted five units for a CL. This meant, none of the three new arrivals should have stayed, but they were allowed to do so. Day two saw one of the motorhomes leave, but seven units, (including ourselves), remained during our stay. This should NOT have been allowed and is the subject of my, 'BUT' and subsequent 'overall',downgrade. Five units maximum means just that and is one of the reasons why members choose to stay on a CL site. As I said before, this is a wonderful site, very well maintained, cared for, and spotlessly clean. Would I recommend a visit? Most definitely if you are happy that you may have more than the five units maximum supposedly allowed during your stay.
