Independent Campsite Reviews

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Visited Fisherground recently for the first time, July 2008. Great site, kids loved it, plenty of exploring for them to do, showers & toilets very clean, only fault we found was the overly abrupt lady owner who was a bit over the top enforcing campsite rules. Thought 10.30 was a little early for silence. Apart from this had a good time and would return.

Picture the scene. You are camped in the most beautiful valley in the Lake District, Eskdale. Ahead, a breath-taking fell with a variation of delicate heather dancing between shapely trees in an array of greens provides the backdrop to your relaxed break. Flourishing flashes of pinks and purple stone shape the magnificent horizon.

But surely other sites in the valley can provide this view? Yes, however Fisherground offer something that little bit different.

I bet no other site has ever thought of combining such a relaxation with stunning views with a authoritarian, commanding, controlling and campsite owner who will happily attempt to control every aspect of your holiday, even down making checks to find out on arrival if you know anyone else on the site or will be joined by anyone else.

Well this is what Fisherground now offers. The oppressive owner patrols the site during the day and night and if you talk or heaven forbid laugh, and are heard, you will most definitely summon the overbearing, overpowering, pushy, owner who will review the rules with you in the style of a disciplinarian dictator.

I feel that we should all respect each other as campers and have never been accused of being loud. Embarrassed from being ranted at by this matron we decided we should leave the following morning. This was not a relaxing place to be under the lady owner’s (Alison) oppressive rule.

We got up early as you are to leave by 11am on day of departure and had only stayed one night of the purchased two. I explained to the partner of the owner (Mike) that we were far from satisfied by the way in which we where spoken to. I assured him that we would be gone by 11am and requested a refund for the second night that we did not feel welcome enough to stay for. Rule 1982272709878699- NO REFUNDS!

Having explained the situation I was fooled into believing that we were to receive a refund although he stated that they did not usually do this. We discussed behaviour on the site (Please, lets remember that I did no more than laugh on this site) and I was led to believe that I would receive a refund.

Queue the strict, tyrannical owner who approached me as we packed the final items into the car. No refund, no flexibility or apology for her lack of social skills and diplomacy.

If you still fancy the views go for it. Have your answers ready for the cross examination on your arrival and obey the rules which have no flex whatsoever. If you are young, forget it go somewhere else, you will be a target. It is worth a night stay at least just to laugh at how anal someone can actually be, but please “pay as you go” otherwise they will keep your money.

The money they wrongly took from us did however seem worth it as it made us realize how lucky we are to live far enough away from there to avoid ever seeing her again or her constitution.

This is a campsite that has been ruined by the current owner, it was not always this way but if you have not visited for about ten years beware. It is not how you will remember and I am so sorry to have to tell you that.

At Fisherground the customer......................................is NEVER right and should be seen not heard.

The old post office campsite, Santon Bridge, or Hollins Farm, boot, is nice about five minutes drive.

Fisherground is set in beautiful scenery and the play area is brilliant for older kids.

That’s it for the good points though! The owners are far too strict and rude to make decent hosts, the facilities are basic to say the least, the ground can be very soggy even in fine weather and so the list goes on!

I wonder exactly who they aim to please?

NOT families with small children. Too dangerous near the play area/overcrowded everywhere else as we discovered.

NOT families with older children (Children must be seen and not heard at this site!)as we discovered.

NOT larger tents "welcomed" , so no school/scouting parties here - supplements for large tents on top of per person fee's is just a rip off!

NOT single sex parties/not two or more families together/not anyone mr & mrs Fisherground don't like the look of....

Perhaps when they only have a few walkers left at the site (one's that don't mind all the driving to reach it that is...) they will be happy?

Overpriced for what are very basic facilities (hot water not always available at even at a cost)

Would not send my enemies here, never mind my friends.

Good points: Nice views. Childrens Facilities acceptable.

However I have to echo the views of Sarah and others. Personally I took the rule of no noise after 10.30 as no loud music or screaming and shouting etc, however we made the mistake of having a couple of glasses of wine after the witching hour. We were just chatting and having a laugh, without being exceptionally loud, but at 10.40 we were told to keep the noise down and "not to enjoy ourselves quite as much!!" (I thought that was why I was on holiday!) We were not allowed to park our car by our tent - even when packing to leave we were told off!! The road round the site is full of potholes. The staff were exceptionally rude. Lady owner cleaning in the men’s toilets while men going to the loo (what would happen if it was a man cleaning the ladies??). Barrier closed at 9pm - how would an emergency vehicle get in?? 1 night barrier closed at 8pm, another night 7pm.

Supplementary charge for so called "large tent". I had pre-booked electric hook up so I was able to get my money back, but not without a fight. Not sure but think electric was turned off during day as we went out most days, but my fridge didn't keep food cold (my sister in laws fridge didn't work either). We spoke to other families who had also had endless problems. This site has a 3 star AA rating, personally I would struggle to give it 1 star. I will never go there again, and certainly could not recommend it to anyone.

Used to camp here years ago, it's quite a drive from home but always felt it was worth it, couldn't fault the previous owners. How things have changed! Just got back from a 2 night stay and was glad to be leaving. It reminded me of an American war movie where the commander whizzes round the base in his little open top jeep. They tell you where you can pitch your tent and which way to have the door facing. What a nightmare it is carrying all your stuff from the car, especially when you have children too young to leave unattended, having to take them to and fro and keep them safe whilst carrying tent, sleeping bags etc. For goodness sake, do not think about going out for the day, you will find yourself having to park in the overflow field on your return! UNLESS YOU HAVE A CAMEL LANDROVER!!!! Nobody is allowed to park on the grass, or make a noise into the early hours UNLESS YOU OWN A CAMEL LANDROVER!!! Oh yes, they can park right next to their tribe of tents, they used to yrs ago when everyone could, and they still do!! One rule for everyone?? NOT!!! STAY AWAY from this place, the owners seem to think they are running a military base. Yrs ago, you used to buy your logs from a house further up the road, not a problem, the people who sold them were so nice and friendly. Now you buy them from the campsite owners, but think carefully before you do. We watched and have realised why they continually drive around the site in the quad....they are collecting any unused wood so they can rebag it and sell it again!!! Personally I have always either given any unused wood to another camper or taken it home to keep for next time, so please, if you do feel you must stay here and buy their wood, don't leave it lying when you leave, give it away. The facilities aren't great, if you have young children, there is grass and a stream. For the older ones there is a playground and a pond which they enjoy but any younger than 6yrs old, and really there's nothing safe. The little railway is lovely, but not cheap, check the prices on the railway's website before you go so you don't get a shock when you get there. Heard another camper saying a 50 pence piece was worth a pound at this site, had to laugh but you do need to start collecting them before you go as you will need a couple if you want to shower and be in long enough to rinse shampoo out your hair. Not enough toilets, showers or dish washing sinks, queues of people standing holding their dirty dishes and looking pretty fed up. Don't bother putting any ice packs in the freezer, they won't freeze, it's not cold enough in there. So, what are you paying for? Suppose it has to be the view, and that's about it. You may have quite a distance to walk to where you are ordered to put your tent, bear that in mind, think of how many trips back to the car you will have to make, is it worth it? I can see the reasons for not parking on the grass, child safety (been to a site once where an idiot was driving around narrowly missing tents), possibility of getting stuck (in wet weather) but surely people could park on the grass at their pitch while they unload the car, then park on the gravel or overflow field once the car is unloaded?? Don't bother staying here, it's not worth the bother...unless you have a CAMEL LANDROVER ;-)