I have stayed at Chapel Lane a few times now over the past decade or so. I have noticed a decline in the condition of the site over that period and I cannot help thinking that it is in need of a little bit of TLC. Many of the pitches are looking rather careworn and the site has a generally unkempt appearance. Mind you, this stay was in autumn and one must make allowances; no site, especially if, as usual, it is surrounded by trees, looks especially tidy at that time – particularly on grey and damp days.
I must say that the general dishevelment of the place is not helped by the storage site next door. I have learned, from a bad experience at Bearsted, that whenever a site has storage, one must take care to avoid any road leading to or from it. Few pitches here are affected in that way. Another factor heightening the sense of disorder was some rather odd-looking encampments on a few pitches. Two of these, I was informed, were seasonal pitches. These appeared to be occupied by people in permanent residence. One pitch had two motorhomes and a storage trailer crammed in. The other a trailer home with an array of awnings. They were not travellers, but you could be mistaken for thinking otherwise.
I had a service pitch backing onto the Wythall Cemetry. These pitches are fine, but not very deep. The service pitches on the other side of the site are deeper. It was bad luck that there was some machinery operating in the cemetery, or possibly the large house next door, that continued unbated for the whole of one day and part of another. However, such things are not within anyone’s control.
Despite the negatives, I always seem to much enjoy my time at this site. Part of the draw for me is the Transport Museum next door and three of my visits have coincided with days when the buses are running. But there is more to do.
Caravanners have much to explore by car. Motorhomers, who stay put once pitched, can catch a bus to Solihull or, after a short walk, to Birmingham or they can walk or cycle to Wythall station (1.5 miles) to catch the train to Birmingham or Stratford. There is a big Sainsbury close by. It is a long walk, although I have done it in the past, but easy by car and not too trying by bicycle. However, I recommend the rural route via Willmore and Bateman Lanes. Smaller convenience stores can be found on Station Road as well as a Chinese and chippy. Despite the proximity to Birmingham, the site is very rural and has a lovely countryside feel to it. The managers I met were lovely and the lady willing to chat which is so kind and enjoyable.
I really like it here, but I hope a small amount of funds are allocated to tidy the place up a little.
