John Fowler, South Bay Holiday Park

First time visit to this park and pleased, very good base for visiting the whole of Torbay District. We had a gold caravan which was getting a bit worn, the double bed was the most uncomfortable bed we have ever slept on (or not slept well in our case)and we have stayed in a few caravans. The equipment was also lacking such as no grill handle, tongs or iron and the T.V. is far to small for the living room. Being picky a T.V. in the double bedroom would have been nice. The shop was well equipped and staff friendly, bar staff friendly and quick to serve (although not overly busy and last orders were called before 11pm on 1 evening). Indoor and outdoor pools, indoor was nice and warm but wouldn't open outdoor even on a nice day over Easter. The best part of the park was the Stripies they worked hard even through illness. The Stripy team included all the family, the children had a lovely Easter extravaganza day. Entertainment could of been a bit more varied for cabaret time as it was all singers, comedian or magician perhaps. We would definitely revisit just to see the Stripy team, keep up the hard work team!!

We had 2 caravans, 1 for myself and my husband and 1 for my husbands brother and 2 sisters.

Both caravans were clean and well equipped, the overall site was clean and well kept except for the road leading up to our caravan, this was full of potholes and as our car was only 3 months old we were not too happy about that! The shop is well stocked and the staff were friendly. we would not go again as we have now seen and done all we wanted to in that part of the south west.

We found our beds very comfortable but the in-laws all said their beds were uncomfortable, but I think this is down to personal choice eg-- soft or hard beds. Also our television was very small and as I have cataracts and poor vision I had to sit right next to it to see it, but that again is a personal thing and my husbands only complaint was that I was in the way!

Have just returned from a long weekend at South Bay Holiday Park. We booked 4 caravans in all for a large group of family members. My van was a 4-6 berth Primula Silver I think I drew the short straw ! The caravan stank of bleech and the fumes were so high we had to open all the windows on arrival. One of the mattress covers on the single bed was very dirty,this had obviously not been changed. We collected a replacement from the reception which had been washed but was still damp and we had to hang it to dry before we could make the bed. Two of the kitchen cupboards had a bad musty smell, so overpowering that we could not use and had to keep the doors closed. The entire van felt damp and really cold, not helped by the fact we could not light the gas fire. The gas oven did not come up to temperature even on the highest setting it took 1hr to cook some garlic bread. The standard of cleaning was really poor, the sinks and toilet were clean but everything else needed a wipe down, the carpets were covered in hair and even a flase finger nail was found at the side of the bed.

Have read some good reviews since returning and think now I should have booked "Gold" but would not return on any account.

only way i can describe the caravan is "wow". my partner and i learnt from experience to book the best john fowler can offer, so went for gold...and got it! we deduced during w/c saturday 24 march 2012 that we were staying in an owner's van as there were some really useful items included in the inventory (tongs for turning bacon and an airer for wet towels), along with some thoughtful finishing touches (a couple of novels and games for children). the main bedroom even boasted a walk-in wardrobe - something i now want at home!

the camp itself was very quiet, eerily so late at night as there wasn't much in the way of lighting near our caravan. the reception staff were friendly and we managed to get our keys early - very much appreciated after a long drive.

brixham itself was beautiful. granted we had what some are saying is to be THE only good week of the year, but it helped. paignton zoo is just a short ride away - right next to a morrisons which is excellent if you don't want to pay over the odds on the camp. the model village near torquay was fantastic...and we didn't have any kids with us! dartmouth is quite expensive for food...but we did a river trip for only £5 per person. seeing the naval college on the hill in sunshine was amazing...and i now know where sir walter raleigh lived!!!!!

all in all we had a fantastic week. thanks john fowlers for stepping up to the mark once again - see you in somerset in october :)

WE havve just got back from a long weekend at South Bay March 2011 and have rebooked to go back in two weeks time cant wait, we have 3 boys aged 9,7 and 4 all of which had a great time swimming pool was lovely think thhey have done some work over the winter, kids loved freddy fox club kept the kids entertained for hours.

We stayed in a Gold Caravan very nice had central heating and was very clean plenty of cups plates ect would advise you take your own Mugs as these were are very small.

All in all a fab time had by all would recommend to any one

20th july 2010. My self and partner and 10 year old daughter, just came back from South Bay, It was a Sun newspaper holiday so was really cheap. wouldnt like to pay brochure price for what you got there.However, We had a gold caravan which was immaculate. really comfy.The swimming pool was lovely but didnt like the way it shut for an hour at one o clock, which was right in middle of day. However the pool was really warm. We went to the club house only twice and only for an hour so my 10 year old daughter could watch the foxy show. It is a very back to basic camp. reminded me of my childhood holidays in the old Pontins camps. But as your in Brixham there is loads to do and see. We really used it as a base as we spent most our time in the harbour. I recommend crabbing which my daughter loved, and The Prince William Pub on the break water side of the harbour does a lovely good priced carvery. Steps down to St Marys Bay beach was well worth it. Its georgous down there. Over all we had a fantastic holiday and will def be returning next year.

I've been to Southbay two years in a row and thoroughly enjoyed every part of it, now even my mother won't holiday anywhere else. The staff were very helpful and even brought us an airer when they saw our towels hanging on the windows. Entertainment for the little ones was brilliant but obviously its not a themepark holiday camp like Butlins. But there is so much to do and see around Brixham so no rides made no difference. Oh and dont forget to visit St Marys cove its such a quiet and lovely beach.

Just back from a long weekend at South Bay.

We stayed in a "Silver" caravan. Upon arrival it smelt of cleaning products, and was indeed clean. There was a modern LCD TV and the kitchen was fine. All I would say is that the double bed was really not very comfortable, and the (tiny) WC lacked a door lock, which was a bit embarrassing on occasions. The van was adequate for 2 adults and 4 kids. It was slightly run down (hole in carpet, hole in fridge, that sort of thing) but overall fit for purpose.

The kids enjoyed the 2 swimming pools and the playground.

The club house was OK, and we felt that the drinks prices were reasonable. The food offer is great if your diet leans towards chips, wedges, and fried foods (Mine doesn't!)and the family pizzas went down well on the couple of occasions that we ate there. It's reasonably priced, and the kids get a free toy with their meals.

As for the entertainment, well it's your usual bingo, horse racing films and cabaret by the camp staff. Kids enjoy Freddie the fox and his friends. As a word of caution, on the Friday night there was an entertainer/comedian, we felt that his act was lewd, crude and unsuitable bearing in mind that the club house was still full of children.

I found the John Fowler staff to be helpful and good humoured. We decided to see if we could stay an extra night to avoid the Bank Holiday traffic the night before we were due to leave, and reception sorted this out for us at a minimum charge.

after staying st ives holiday village arrived for the 2nd week of our john fowler holiday week staying in 6-8 bronze caravan the lounge and eating areas were a good size for 3 adults but the bedroom were very small compare to st ives in the double room i had trouble standing in the room because it was that small one good thing about the site unlike a lot of john fowler sites which are in the middle of rual areas brixham could be walk into 20 mins and this a bus service from the site every 30 mins from 9 till 5

I went to South Bay on 8th Aug 2009

After reading reviews on it I was dreading it!

I went with my partner,son aged 17, son aged 11,sister,brother in law and their son aged 17.we had very good weather and were able to go out and about each day,there are some stunning views and beaches and Brixham harbour is very quaint,I loved it.However the site itself was'nt overly exciting and if the weather had been bad and you had to rely on the site facilities you would be rather bored at any age,the swimming pool opening times are a bit odd,my 11 year old enjoyed being in there when it was open though.When I first went to the clubhouse I was slightly dissapointed at the size and state of it but I got use to it in the end and even ended up really enjoying it,won the quiz and bingo twice and my son loved shouting all the sayings out! I have to say there were only three stripey coats,Matt, Emma and Hutch but I thought they were fantastic at their job and especially brill with the younger ones,I was gutted having to go home in the end! Southbay needs a bigger swimming pool that opens first thing so you can have a swim before breakfast,It also needs an amusment arcade (I've seen more machines in my local pub!)The club needs a bit of tlc,new stage curtains etc,if you are booked to go here please try and enjoy yourself,Its not that bad and I'm really fussy!