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I was looking to book a camping pitch for 2009 as I spent a week at Southlands in September 08. Sadly found out that they will become a Caravan Club site from now on. Its a great shame as it was the best camp site on the IOW, I went with just me and my dog, staff and fellow campers were very friendly. But I'm not yet willing to give up my tent to tow a box on wheels around the countryside.

Have been going to this site for the last 8/9 years and had booked for 2009, however my pitch that I had chosen would not now be allocated to me, as it's on a first come, first served basis. This means that I could literally be put anywhere on the site, at their choosing, and the caravan club won't honour my pitch booking 'as that isn't how we work' was what I was told. The previous owners, Viv and Vanessa, were so obliging and helpful, but I feel that the personal touch has gone and have been told that I can have my deposit back. My question is, what happened for Viv and Vanessa to pack it all in? It was Viv's idea to expand the park, as land next door had been purchased and was being developed for future use. Anyone with any ideas or information, I'd like to know as my family treated the owners as friends.

Probably our 10th ish visit to Southlands. Still brilliant, peaceful and quiet even in peak times. Children are welcome but not allowed to run riot unlike on other sites, there is a little park area for them to play in. There is a zero tolerance on noise after 11pm which is great for people in tents as really you may as well be living outside! If you love the countryside come here, I hope it never changes at Southlands.

Southlands in our opinion is the best site on the IOW ,we have had two holidays there this year a week in May and two weeks July and August. This a lovely very well maintained site, the shower and toilet block are very new and kept spotlessly clean at all times, there are family rooms, and a bathroom for babies and toddlers .The chemical toilet emptying has its own wash basin and soap, so you can wash your hands after emptying, there is a lovely play area. There are two washing up rooms a laundry, and an area to peg your washing out, there is a disabled bathroom as well. The pitches are very generous. A truly wonderful gem of a site - before we left in August we booked for 2008 as quite a few other people did.

We have just come back from our 4th visit to Southlands and have booked up for next year too, the site is very spacious, clean and tidy and cannot be faulted. They have the cleanest toilets and washrooms (for washing-up too)you have seen. The site is in a fab location and great for families, our children love the freedom of the site and the friendliness of the staff and they love the children! There are rules to the site and as long as you obey them your holiday will be really great, the evenings are peaceful and a welcome break from the busy day! Thanks too the management for helping with a surprise for my husbands birthday and joining in with the celebration. A most wonderful site for any age.

As a family unit of 2 adults and 2 children under 13 yrs we have just returned from our 10 night stay at Southlands and have the following to say. This was our first ever visit here and must say that the site is one of the best sites yet we have visited. We have been caravanning for over 15 years now and have come to expect different views from different types of people, but anyone who can say that Southlands isn't child friendly must have children who are out of control, and those need bringing back in line as some parents take the attitude, well we're on holiday so the kids can do what they want while they lie around their units. During our visit some children were racing round the park on bikes at an alarming speed and as said on other reviews if the children hurt themselves the parents look at the owners as though it's their fault. If you are the type of parent who takes the attitude of well we're on holiday so the kids can do what they want then I personally suggest that you don't go caravanning or camping as not to spoil it for everyone else.

Children should play and enjoy themselves but not to the point of upsetting other people as my children don't.

We have just returned from our third visit to Southland and we had a great time. We are about to book up for next year. The site was absolutely spotless. The staff were very friendly & helpful. We have two children aged 5 & 9 who took their bikes & footballs and we have never had any complaints from the staff. We have been on two other sites on the island and Southland is by far the best. It is well run and looked after and a credit to the staff. After reading some of the reviews about the site not being child friendly I do not agree. I think some were very unfair to the management. The staff seem very friendly with our children and always seemed to have time to stop and chat with them. Parents should keep their children under control so they do not annoy other people on holiday. We would recommend the site to others who have children: we can't fault the site at all.

What can I say; Southland is certainly the best site we have stayed on. The pitches are great, the showers and facilities second to none and the owners and staff are extremely helpful, friendly and accommodating. We have stayed at this site for the last 5 years and have booked again for next year; as have most of the other people who were there are the same time as us. One family are moving to the Island but have still booked their pitch for next year! Nothing is too much trouble for the owners or wardens; they are friendly to all, yes that includes the children. We have 2 children but also took a friend along this year, they were free to explore both on foot and on their bikes; they were not challenged for their behaviour, but perhaps this is because they know how to respect other peoples property and space! All staff have a great sense of humour - and are only too happy to assist in practical jokes - yes Keith did get red roses for his 40th birthday! This is a truly excellent site that has deservedly won many awards; it is ideal for families, it is a quite site that we all love to stay at; if you want noise and entertainment then this is not the site for you!

We have just returned from our 2nd 2 week stay at Southlands having visited for last 2 years. We have to say that as a family we are full of praise for the site, the wardens and their team of staff. The site is spacious and the toilet and shower facilities are spotless. Havin 2 children aged 11 and 8 we cannot understand how people are saying it is not child friendly. Our children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the play area. The site is quiet and in an excellent position for touring the Isle of Wight. We intend going to Devon on our next hols with the caravan but when we do return to the Isle of Wight we will be booking Southlands as we know that the site is excellent. Well done to all the staff who work there and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.

This site is very well located for local beaches, shops and site seeing etc. All the facilities are extremely clean, practical and the pitches are excellent! The owners and staff are very friendly and helpful. Our 3 kids (8/3/1) all enjoyed themselves and made lots of friends. The kids play areas are very good and safe. This site has a wholesome and safe atmosphere, which is well appreciated! We will return again and again.

Yet again a lovely stay our 6th time in 10 years and true to form Viv was there to greet us as he has all the other years not only the children who Viv has seen grow up but also our dog sally who was only a pup on our first visit. We have looked at other sites none compare so Viv we will see you soon.

My husband, myself and our three large dogs visited Southlands for the first time in August 2007. We were all made most welcome, the dogs even got treats! My son and his two daughters aged 3 and 5 had been in 2006 and they were so enthusiastic about the site and the people who run it that he persuaded us to go with him in 2007. Are we glad we did go! We had a wonderful week's holiday and could not fault anything on the site. We would thoroughly recommend this site. The review written by Lesley Myland in July 2004 still holds true. The reviews written by Michael Brown and Graham Sunley are a load of rubbish! Our two grand-daughters are not the quietest of children but were very friendly with the owners who were brilliant with them. They both had a great holiday with plenty of freedom on the campsite and loads of other children to play with. Before we left we all booked to go back for two weeks in 2008.

Having read through the reviews I feel I have to strongly disagree with the comments made about the site being "child unfriendly". We have just returned from our second holiday here in as many years. We have a 7yr old son and a 5yr old daughter and on this last occasion we took our 6yr old nephew as well, all of which know their manners and how to play with other children. They also all took their bikes. Not once did we hear any complaints of "being bored" or were we asked to control our children. The site wardens were around the park all the time and not once did we hear them confront any child.

The site itself is very nice. Very clean and spacious, flat pitches, ample toilet and showers. Maybe only criticism could be that the shop is only open 9-12 but that's just us.

On the whole one of the Isle of Wight's best sites.

We have just returned from our 4th year at Southlands and have had yet again a fantastic holiday with them. The staff are very welcoming and friendly. The site is spotless and spacious from the pitches to the toilets. I have 2 children (aged 5 & 7) and so for the past 2 years have had a pitch next to the children's play area and this has never given us any reason to complain as the staff and supervising parents have always been extremely thoughtful particularly with the 9pm curfew on the play area which I feel is late enough for the age group the play area is there for. My children loved the staff who interacted with them wonderfully. We look forward to returning in 2008 and can highly recommend this site to anyone with or without children - however unruly children should look elsewhere!

We have just returned from our 3rd visit to Southlands. The site is kept to a very high standard. The pitches are all level and of good size. The facilities are cleaned and maintained also to a high standard. We like the site as it is quiet and peaceful and despite others commenting that they find it not child friendly, well we have always had our grandson with us who is now aged 11 and not had any problems. He always comments on how he enjoys himself and meets lots of new friends. The owners and wardens are very welcoming and help is always there if needed. We had a very enjoyable stay and hope to return again in 2008.

I have just come back from a three-week holiday at Southland, this being my 4th visit to the park. I have already booked our holiday at this site for another 3 weeks next year. Once again the site was immaculate, well maintained and most importantly the facilities clean, which with 2 young children (aged 4 & 7 months) is the most important factor for me. The layout of the park is excellent as the pitches are a good size and all laid out in small avenues sheltered by hedges or conifer trees. I have found that the management are friendly and willing to assist you in any way they can should you require them. I have seen several reviews that state this park is not child friendly, well I beg to differ: I have seen children play in the play area, cycle around the park in groups and play sports. I see from one review that the management ask children cycle slowly, which I agree with when then you have to consider that the circuit that they use is being used by other campers and vehicles, should an accident occur then the first thing the parents would do is contact the management to complain. I personally love this site as do my family and if you are looking for a clean, well-maintained site then this site is for you.

Despite the wet start and end to our week on this site (our second visit) had a great week. It can seem that the rules are strict but because of them this is a lovely quiet site at night and the facilities are excellent - always clean. The pitches are a good size too. The staff are very helpful, showing you to your pitch etc This site is in a good location for getting around the island.

We have recently visited this site.

The site is immaculate with great attention paid to ensuring the facilities are maintained to a high standard.

The pitches are generous and considering site is all grass very well maintained.

We travelled with young children and would agree that the site is not the most child friendly. We certainly felt that children were 'tolerated' at best.

The welcome pack does set out the 'rules' for the site and if you are checking in you need to understand that the rules will be enforced by the site owners.

The site would benefit in my opinion from changing to adults only.

If you are looking for a quiet and immaculate site then book with confidence. If booking with children check the rules first!

Good location, close to Sandown and cycle paths. Clean and well kept site.

Shockingly bad attitude from management to having children on site. As parents who ensure their children have minimal impact to others, we can't believe how unaccommodating to the general play of young children this site is.

Children will play when on holiday and should be expected to do so. However the management on this site do not see it that way. Our children (3 and 6 years old) are very closely supervised when they are playing outside. Like all children they will make some noise. Given that we visited in the middle of the summer holidays, what can anyone expect? The site were happy when we booked that we had children - only when we were on site did we realise that Victor Meldrew is alive and well.

This isn't a young child friendly site. Shame really.

Although Southlands is an attractive and well positioned campsite, our fortnights holiday really was spoiled by the over zealous enforcement of rules and regulations especially against the children. This is a site where the kids should be seen and not heard. The owners insist on cycling only at walking pace, place unreasonable restrictions on outdoor toys and games and even threaten to confiscate bicycles when children go too fast. Fine you might say, but why not make this clear when accepting bookings. We visited Southlands at the height of the school summer holidays and yet kids were made distinctly unwelcome.

A good site if you are over 60 and don't like children, otherwise one to avoid.

Excellent site with clean and well maintained facilities. Very welcoming. Our 6 year old twins have been with us here at least once a year for the past three years and have never been made to feel unwelcome always enjoying the campsite and new found friends to the max. A great site for all - except those who cannot and will not control their children. Congratulations to the owners and wardens.

Yes all true, Southlands is great. We traveled there at peak times on our motorbike and enjoyed a peaceful few days. No down side at all really and great pubs nearby. Take a torch: unlit lanes!

An excellent site: very clean and well maintained. Went for the first time in June 2005 and will certainly be returning in 2006. A very friendly and welcoming atmosphere from staff and proprietors and a lovely group of people on the site whist we were there.

We have recently returned from another enjoyable week at Southland. Having visited many sites in both Europe and the UK we continue to return to this site to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the rural setting, and the excellent facilities. This was our sixth visit.

All pitches are of a good size and level - we particularly like the hedged plots which create a good feel of personal space and privacy.

The pasture area is a recent addition to the site - this is a unique peaceful haven with beautiful views over the countryside.

The WC / shower facilities are maintained and cleaned to a very high standard - in fact a pleasure to use. The staff are all courteous and helpful and nothing is too much trouble.

It is evident that the owners are actively involved with the running of this site, and are clearly concerned for the environment and wildlife conservation.

As owners of a laptop PC and needing to access emails on a regular basis the "hotspot" facility is a great idea.

Southland is an excellent site and fully deserves the many awards it has received. We shall return!

My husband and I are Assistant Wardens at Southland Camping Park, and return in 2005 for our third season. Lesley Myland's report is fair and accurate.

We welcome visitors from both the UK and abroad, with tents, tourers, motorhomes etc, arriving with two, or four wheels, or even on foot.

Rallies are also welcome, but need organising with Vanessa early in the season to ensure members are pitched together.

We love meeting the visitors, some of them into "second generation" camping. Those who came as children with their parents, now bring their children year after year. There is a lovely friendly atmosphere at Southlands, and we are already looking forward to our third season there.

This site strikes you as soon as you drive in. Spaciously laid out, very tidy, neat but colourful, attractive and varied. The owners and staff are welcoming and show a genuine interest in all visitors. Our pitch was very convenient but private and actually quite peaceful. We had been before and requested the pitch we got when booking early to make sure we did get it. Nothing was too much trouble. The facilities are kept immaculate, although the owner does regular checks he does not appear to be 'policing'; more like ensuring all his guests are OK.

The shop is small but had everything we needed - there are supermarkets nearby. The site is also very central for anything you would wish to see on the island. You need a car but even without one, you could get around quite easily from Southlands. Although we would not use the children's area and dog walk, we thought both a good idea. We did use the pasture behind the site for evening strolls and found this quite therapeutic.

There is clear concern for the environment in recycling etc, disabled facilities good but without fuss. The owner dealt with some troublesome campers tactfully but firmly and they were not allowed to spoil everyone else's holiday.

All in all good value, a great place for a holiday in tent or tourer.

A very lovely site with excellent facilities. The site is well laid out in "avenues" divided by well-kept hedges, which are home to a huge variety of birds. The owners of the site are very obviously passionate about their site, and in seeing that their visitors have an enjoyable stay. The WC/shower blocks are well maintained and cleaned regularly to a high standard. There are lovely walks from the site, and a pub and a general store are not too far away. The site has a children's play area and doggie walk. There is a wealth of information on the surrounding area, and in addition, the owners are only too happy to help with further information. Altogether a very nice site.

We have visited the site on many occasions and will be returning this year. For the complainants I can only say you could not have controlled your children having other campers in mind. I have found the owners to be helpful and fair in their dealings with us and everyone we saw them with.

This is the only flat campsite we have found on the island and even if it was not it is always our choice of venue.

I can only agree with the positive comments made above.

This is a quality campsite.