Hillhead Club Campsite

Rated 4 of 5

Rated 1 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 3 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 2 of 5

Location

Rated 3 of 5

Good for families

Not quite as I expected......

We chose this site for the pool and the coast for our Granddaughter even though the West Country is not a favourite of ours to visit, considering we could be in Antwerp before we got to Hillhead. We were lateish in the day due to a blow out on a tyre, even after checking pressures, tread, van not overloaded but the staff were perfect, we booked in and found we could have an onsite tyre fitter sort us out. then....it all went down hill. We were told you have a choice of pitch 60 or pitch 60 which is a white peg with awning pitch. Well I have a 6.4m motorhome and getting on to that banked, tight pitch was terrible and other have said they also have trouble getting onto pitches. The staff did say "you can move in the morning after others have left"....well to be honest who really wants that. So our neighbours at our visit had van, awning, windbreak, other spare space the other side of their unit where all we had parked on the pitch marker was to be able to put out around 1/3 of out wind out awning. Wandering around the site I saw many huge pitches with small campervans on them yet small pitches with bigger van's than mine on it. I can see that there really needs to be more control of pitches and unit size including the 2 pegs rule as I have seen many vanners moving pegs this year. The site in the main was okay, the pool wasn't as my granddaughter expected and she used it only once during our 6 days here. Toilet blocks had air dryers not working, no soap either but in defence of staff the soap was being pumped out by unattended children, sinks even left to fill also. Personally, I won't go here again and probably never go further west than the excellent Cheddar site but the rest of the network are much nicer to visit. I hope the pitches can be levelled better, banks reduced in size, some sized to blue rather than white plus double pegged to stop "creep" of sizing Big 5 star for the staff a 1 star for the site I'm afraid

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mikexgough

Motorhomer

Reviewed on 26/08/2022 12:32

35 reviews

1 Helpful note

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Rated 4 of 5

Rated 5 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 1 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 3 of 5

Location

Rated 3 of 5

Good for families

Worse site of the year, dangerous entry and not very clean

This is our fourth visit to Hillhead. Check-in is at 1pm, this is clear, we received a text message before our stay and an e-mail stating this. We had the intention to pull into one of the laybys near the site, however found these were full with motorhomes and cars with caravans, it was manic, caravans stuck out into the road, people trying to park, totally crazy. This is Devon, the roads are not designed for large outfits. We have a ten metre long motorhome, and could not find a pull in. We therefore took the decision to pull into the site, this was at 12:51, we were greeted by one of the male wardens, who was stood blocking two large arrival bays. He promptly refused entry to the park and requested we exited, when asked where we should go, he said, not my issue turn left out of the site. We did not, by turning left this would have taken us to the Dartmouth Ferry the road to the ferry is very small, there are hardly any turning points and would have been very stressful, particularly if you had a caravan. I have no idea why on earth the staff member directed people this way! I felt that the site created unnecessary danger and stress for holiday makers. Outside of the site, caravans and motorhomes all over the place with people trying to find a safe way to stop, meanwhile the staff did not allow anyone to park on the two long new arrivals lanes at the site – is this not what they are designed for? We did not expect to enter the site before 1pm but would have expected to be able to park safely given our arrival time. This is not the welcome you expect and many other people we spoke to felt the same. I understand the sites need to follow some basic rules but this felt intentionally unhelpful. The warden advised that he had received many many complaints from people who were not able to use the arrivals lane – not surprising at all, it doesn’t make any sense!! Throughout our weeks stay we found the shower blocks very dirty; they were cleaned between 10:30 and 12. They were not inspected at any other point, the toilets in the morning were disgusting, the showers were the same, floors, sinks absolutely filthy. It didn’t appear that the wardens were required to clean the site and they clearly did not check the cleanliness at all either. The park is also littered with dog poo, mainly around the hedge outside of the reception and shower block. We noted that some of the poo was there on the Monday afternoon and was still there on the Saturday morning when we left. There was no excuse for this as the site has a really good dog walk and visitors should not allow their dogs to foul on the site, similarly this should be dealt with by site staff. Throughout our stay the bins were often overflowing all over the park, it was hot and the smell from some of them was terrible. Personally, I would say the Wardens need to be changed.

1 reply

djarr1150

Motorhomer

Reviewed on 26/08/2022 10:40

2 reviews

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Rated 4 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 5 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 5 of 5

Good for families

A perfect stay

We have just had a 5 night stay a this site and it was perfect. We arrived just before 1pm and waited until the allowed time when the friendly staff waved us in and directed us quickly and swiftly onto the site. The view from our pitch was amazing, the facilities were great. The entertainment and pool were just wonderful for families and couples alike- we enjoy a busy site and the feel of Hillhead was friendly and relaxing. A bus service frequented Brixham and the location was great for exploring the English Riviera. It is August and one of the busiest times, but the site was spotless. We definitely look forward to returning again soon. Thank you Hillhead!

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ScreenNameA305AA2502

Caravanner

Reviewed on 22/08/2022 20:56

1 review

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Rated 4 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 5 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 3 of 5

Location

Rated 5 of 5

Good for families

Great site but arrival time ruined it for us

We arrived at 12:55pm and were turned away. When you’ve been travelling for over six hours, this is not ideal. The roads leading from the campsite both left and right are very narrow and dangerous and as a result traffic built up and bottle necked outside the site as everyone then turned up at once as many people had been turned away. We’ve damaged the back of our caravan having to turn around after being turned away at 12:55 pm. The staff on the site are absolutely lovely, but for the sake of five minutes we now have £500 worth of damage to repair to our unit as there is nowhere to stop or pull into. It was suggested we nip into town which is 5 miles away while we waited but with a van and a 21 foot caravan that’s not really possible. There’s little things like hand and hair dryers not working and showers not working in the toddler room but those things can easily be sorted. Also, It’s a such shame they’ve done away with the arcade as well but the prices remained the same, so there’s only the pool now and that’s not ideal on a rainy day. The staff however despite this were lovely and I haven’t a complaint about the high level of customer service that was offered by them, they were all lovely and extremely helpful and polite. It’s just a shame we damaged our unit significantly turning around in a road not fit for that Purpose for the sake of five mins and it was five mins because the staff member held up 5 fingers. Not sure we will come back next year as we don’t want more damage to our van.

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COOKIEMAZ

Caravanner

Reviewed on 20/08/2022 19:52

1 review

1 Helpful note

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Rated 4 of 5

Rated 3 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 5 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 5 of 5

Good for families

An excellent but different site

We’re staying at the site right now - August 2022 - on a serviced pitch. We’ve been here a week and have extended our stay. The wardens are excellent, pleasant and helpful. The blocks are modern and well liked after. The facilities are good and the swimming pool expertly looked after with attentive life guards. But some of the pitches are awful - especially the serviced pitches - and too small for 8m caravan and awning let alone a car. And some impossible to manoeuvre into without unhitching (so you have to have a good motor mover). Other pitches are wonderful - spacious and with great views. We moved after the first night with the help of the wardens. Parts of the site are livelier but still have a good atmosphere. The prices are high - but so are all club sites at the moment - and there are quality sites nearby for a lot less (Dornafield for one). There is a huge playing field, dog walk and modern play equipment - all well looked after. We have really enjoyed our stay and would recommend the site - but take your time picking a pitch. Oh - and the site phones you to remind you not to arrive before 13.00 so there’s no excuse to moan if you do and are turned away.

1 reply

PaulJHopkins

Caravanner

Reviewed on 12/08/2022 18:05

7 reviews

2 Helpful notes

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Rated 4 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 4 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 5 of 5

Good for families

Check in times a disgrace and dangerous!

As mentioned in other reviews, the check in time inflexibility needs to be changed. We arrived on site, which was not even half full, at 12.54pm after a 6 hour drive. To be met at the entrance by a jobsworth warden who told us we had to drive through the campsite and back out and not return until 1pm. Not even allowed to sit and wait or use the late arrivals bays. Caravans parked up on the side of the narrow roads, trying to pass one another on said narrow roads to try and avoid a major accident. This was absolutely disgraceful and quite frankly, not needed. This is the 5 time we have stayed here and unless the wardens are changed, we will not be back! So unnecessarily stressful after a long drive. Such a shame as the campsite and the rest of the staff were lovely.

2 replies

Ben125a

Reviewed on 10/08/2022 18:31

2 reviews

1 Helpful note

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Rated 4 of 5

Rated 3 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 3 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 4 of 5

Good for families

Great site spoiled.

First visit to this site, the booking in process is laborious due to 1pm arrival time, with everyone parked up on road. CAMC do not understand that people travel from all over the country and getting your arrival time spot on is not easy, have some sense and sympathy. The site itself is great especially for young families and the pool area is good although it does get busy in the late afternoon. Toilet blocks are clean but need a refresh. The club complex is ok and obviously a moneymaker with food prices when you can get it expensive, it appears that they open and close the food ordering when they want so take no notice of advertised times. The site staff are conscientious and hard working pity the younger staff in charge of the bar and food area arent, there service is lapsodaisical try getting served when theyre chatting and you will see what im referring to. For the price you pay for this site it needs service improvement , the CAMC are running this like a private site at the same prices without the service.

1 reply

ScreenName3AA18D974B

Motorhomer

Reviewed on 07/08/2022 14:56

1 review

2 Helpful notes

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Rated 4 of 5

Rated 3 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 3 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 5 of 5

Good for families

Time for a change

After staying at hillhead for our holiday for the last 15 years, unless things change we will be going elsewhere in future. I will list the positives first .ideal location for torbay and surrounding areas, fantastic views, pool bar restaurant. Now the bad bits.1pm arrival time caused total chaos. The main road outside the site was blocked with units queueing up to get in then it was a mad scramble to get a decent pitch.to prevent all the chaos why why why can't you choose your specific pitch when you book,this would solve the problem and take away the stress if trying to find a decent pitch and or can't the wardens allocate pitches on size of unit to fit the size of thd pitch.also for years and years people including myself have mentioned sloping pitches and pitches difficult to get on and off due to slopes bankings etc.this could be easily be solved by levelling pitches and making them more accessible, this could be done during the winter when the site is closed .also the toilet blocks need gutting they are dirty.mouldy ceiling tiles broken tiles broken toilets ,dirty toilets not helped by people who seem to lose the ability to use one properly while on holiday, Also .someone from head office needs to take a good look round and update this site and the booking process as a matter of urgency. No offence to the wardens who are working non stop and are very helpful, but things need an upgrade.,REFURBISH ALL THE TOILET BLOCKS .RETHINK ARRIVAL TIMES,LEVEL UP THE SLOPING PITCHES,LOOK AT PITCH SIZES AS SOME ARE VERY CRAMPED FOR 2 UNITS.AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL THE BOOKINGS PROCESS NEEDS A REVAMP .PICK A SPECIFIC PITCH WHEN YOU BOOK ,AND OR ALLOCATE PITCHES AT BUSY TIMES.i will contact head office and see what response I get as this review will more than likely be Deleted User.if more people feel this way or have any other suggestions pass them on to the caravan club.hillhead was and should be the best site on the on the caravan club network .when you pay a premium price you expect a premium site

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ianbfc

Reviewed on 03/08/2022 20:06

4 reviews

5 Helpful notes

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Rated 4 of 5

Rated 5 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 5 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 5 of 5

Good for families

2nd Visit at fabulous site

This was our 2nd Visit to this campsite and we thoroughly recommend it to others. The staff, clubhouse and dog walking areas are excellent. The food menu is great and the portions for the price are extremely good! It is very clean, safe and friendly to stay there. Good bus service to Brixham - Paignton. Dartmouth and the river trips are a must as is the Steam Train journey. We will definitely be back. See you in 2023

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ScreenName12371D30E9

Caravanner

Reviewed on 28/07/2022 17:06

4 reviews

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Rated 4 of 5

Peace and quiet

Rated 4 of 5

Facilities and cleanliness

Rated 5 of 5

Location

Rated 5 of 5

Good for families

Hillhead Happiness

Ok Listen to this: A fantastic Site, beautifully manicured and maintained by a dedicated, attentive team of Wardens. If you have any complaints look at fellow human beings who do not read the rules, have decent manners or appreciate all the work to provide such a great facility for all to enjoy. The Shop, bar and restaurant staff were so pleasant. polite and dedicated, despite being under pressure, at times. The food was of a high standard throughout our time, with huge portions. The pool Staff, delightful young people watching endlessly for our safety! Thank you. ‘Daphne’ sends her love and thanks. Thanks for a superb two weeks!

1 reply

tdp72

Motorhomer

Reviewed on 15/07/2022 21:19

21 reviews

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