Newlands Holidays Park
To Find Site:- From the Bridport direction on A35 take slip road to
Charmouth. Newlands is a few hundred yards on the left and is clearly
signed. From the Axminster direction use this same approach via the
bypass as towing or driving a large motorhome through Charmouth is to be
avoided.
Newlands is a bit more than just a campsite with a variety of
accommodation in addition to
about 200 touring pitches. The topography of the site is also
difficult as it’s on the side of a hill and all the pitches are on
terraces and site access roads are quite steep in places. The site is
divided into several sections, the main one being to the left of the
reception building. There are seasonal pitches situated around the
perimeter of the lower site from the entrance and up the hill with
statics forming the upper section of the site. Touring pitches are
between the two. This section has mainly grass pitches but there are
some premium pitches which have a section of hard standing with fresh
water and drainage. It is a requirement of the site that units are
placed nose first onto pitches which is somewhat unusual, although it
does afford very nice views over the surrounding countryside. The
exceptions are units with their door on the Continental side which have
to pitch rear in, no doubt to provide more privacy. There are two
further touring areas. One immediately behind reception and a large
camping field beyond that. Touring pitch size is not particularly
generous. Our 7.5 mts motorhome with bikes on the back just about fitted
onto the pitch without encroaching on the roadway. Electric points,
rated at 16amps, are conveniently situated and use standard CEE17 blue
connectors.
Water points are dotted around the site. It is a little
unclear where grey water can be disposed of although the water points do
have quite large drains at their base. Alternatively there are three
chemical disposal points, one in the middle of the main touring area and
the other two at the toilet blocks. There is no dedicated motorhome
service point but on request a member of staff will open a convenient
drain cover to allow the emptying of grey water. There are two toilet
blocks but during our stay only one was open. They are of a reasonable
quality with quite large shower cubicles but no privacy cubicles.
However they
seem quite gloomy during the day due to insufficient lighting. One
central block houses the reception which also has local tourist
information. Part of the building is taken up by a large bar/restaurant
with a lovely indoor swimming pool leading off from this. There is also
an outdoor pool which seems only to be used
in the hotter months of the years. Next to reception is a
well-stocked shop and behind this a take-away meal service. Children are
very well catered for with a large adventure style playground and an
indoor softball area. There is site wide WiFi but the pricing is
expensive. There is some road noise, especially on the lower pitches but
we did not find it particularly intrusive. During the low season the
site accepts Camping Cheques and will allow a pitch upgrade for the
difference in price between standard and premium.
From the site the beach at Charmouth is about a
fifteen minute walk as is the town. There are several carparks
near to the beach but other than a café and a couple of shops
not much else. In the town there are several shops including small NISA
supermarket although for more comprehensive shops Bridport has both a
Waitrose and Morrisons. For those not wanting to use their own transport
there are two bus services available from outside the campsite entrance
running in both directions along the coast. West Bay near Bridport is
well worth a visit. Not far from the site towards Charmouth is a caravan
dealer who has a very comprehensive accessory shop.
