My regular beef about sites is that they are too often surrounded by trees. So it was that I ventured to Clumber Park in the full knowledge that the gloom I feel when encased in forest would inevitably descend. As it was, however, I got a surprise; the site has lots of big wide open spaces and, consequently, although the boundaries are certainly tree lined – as one might expect in the midst of Sherwood Forest – I did not suffer with the usual claustrophobia that arboreal living gives me. The site was unexpectedly bright, open and not at all melancholic. I had no complaint at all about any of the facilities which were all up to par (although only one toilet block was open they looked pretty much identical from the outside) and the wardens were very friendly and helpful. The road immediately leading up to the site could do with a little attention but really there is nothing to complain about the quality of the site or the facilities. The children’s playground looks lovely too for the younger ones. The exception to these positives was the Wi-Fi. I sometimes have to rely on this to deal with issues that crop up in my work and so I was concerned to see a sign “Sorry no Wi-Fi” on arrival. In fact, it was working, but it was patchy and very slow. I managed to do what I had to do, but when one has paid for this service it is unacceptable that it so often is not available. I know some members pooh-pooh Wi-Fi and get all superior about its needless presence - as once people did about electricity or telephones. But one day soon it will be as essential as an electric hook-up and this is something that must be sorted. I had no (Vodafone) phone signal here either, not even a glimmer until I moved some distance from the site, but one can’t blame the CC for that. The TV points on the bollards gave a decent signal but even that was patchy.
The site is very cut off from any civilisation. Worksop is the nearest town but it is still just over four miles by the shortest route for cyclists or walkers. By car it is well over 6 miles. There are no shops or other facilities close by. Because of this, the site was not to my personal liking. I like to be reasonably close to towns or villages which I can explore and visit. Here, without a car to go further afield, you are really limited to Clumber Park itself, which I found really rather dull, or Worksop if you have a bike or like long walks (but I found the town as glum as its name suggests). Overall I could see no reason to be here for more than a couple of days. But I know this is a very personal view and many would take a different stance. Because the site is plainly popular. Even on a very cold weekend in March the number of late Friday arrivals was considerable with lots of families. For those looking for peace and quiet, relaxing in the van, or out of it in good weather, and walking in forests, this place is ideal. I accept I’m in a minority, but it’s not for me.
