Barnstaple, Chivenor Caravan Park

A second visit after a good all round experience in 2007. This time, unfortunately, the site was rather run down, long grass and weeds, and our caravan was superficially clean only. The shower hose was taped together and the bath mats were dirty. Liked the location, ideal for activities nearby, road noise a problem, facilities and cleanliness poor.

I have just camped for the week at chivenor in august for £120 with hook up. I feel you get what you pay for, I met the man at the start paid my money and did not see him again wich was fine by me.Yes there is road noise then its next to a road der ! The toilets and showers were fine and the pitches of good size.It is well positioned to explore devon and tarka trail and because there are no clubs on site, nice and quiet with no noise at night I would stay again. oh we did have a grasshoppper and moth in the tent but we survived.

Thought we would add a comment. We have tent-camped several times over the years, up to about 2006. 2009 we booked a static caravan for the beginning of the season. Ownership had changed since we used to go to what was an immaculate and friendly family-run site. We checked-in hurriedly after a difficult journey and went out to eat. For the amount we paid we were unconcerned about one of the doors not being openable due to defective hinges. But, after seeing a mouse run across the floor and half of my family spending half a night in the car, we woke up to have a closer look. Mouse droppings were everywhere. Food debris was in the cupboards. Crayons and kiddies drawings had dropped behind the microwave and the caravan had clearly not been cleaned since it was last used (we were told) by council tenants temporarily rehoused over the winter. We were accused of planting cream crackers in the cupboard. We could continue but we'd be over the 200 words ..... vile place.

I found this review on this site by David Roth, and have to disagree. It would appear that young David is a professional whinger who looks to moan at every opportunity and is quite dishonest in his views. I have stayed with my wife at Chivenor on a number of occasions and have always been made to feel welcome and the shower blocks have been immaculate every time.

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My wife and I visited this site from the 6th to the 13th October 2009 after driving past in June and after reading the visitors comments. However we found it to be anything but friendly and the toilets and washing up area were filthy. On arrival the shop was closed and, as far as I am aware, remained so for the duration of our visit. As instructed by a sign in the shop/reception window I called at the house and spoke to a lady, paid my site fees and given a card with the times of toilet cleaning as well as entry codes. My only other contact was when I called, after a couple of days, to ask for the toilet block/washing up area to be cleaned. The toilet block was cleaned somewhat on this one occasion but the wahing-up area was untouched with a waste bin overflowing with rubbish all week.

We stated in a caravan that was not cleaned at chivenor caravan park...dirty kitchen, pans, dishes, powder on the floor etc etc..the glass windows had been replaced as they had been damaged and they didn't fit..the curtains you could see moving. They did clean the caravan as best as they could but said nothing could be done about the glass as we were paying for the best caravan in the area....I would NEVER stay there again!!

Over the last few years we have camped here a few times and always commented on the cleanliness and friendliness of this site - until it changed owners in 2007. Visited last October and toilets and showers were not cleaned for days. General maintenance of site also non-existent. Such a shame as nicely positioned for touring the area. Will not visit again.

Chivenor Caravan Park in Barnstaple is a beautiful site with spacious pitches. Highly recommend.

We were talked down to and had the rules spelt out to us. We got the impression that the proprietor was doing us a big favour by letting us stay, we were not trusted one little bit, we had to give a £30 cash deposit before we were allowed our keys. Then when we tried to leave, we suffered the indignity of having your van inspected, even the grill pan, before the deposit was returned. We didn't enjoy it.