Independent Campsite Reviews

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The last 3 or 4 reviewers must be employees or picked the 2 quietest weekends of the year. I have a static and stay here 11 months of the year, so you could say I've seen it all. It's like being in the Gaza Strip during the summer months and in winter the local thieves love the quiet and darkness. Static caravan break-ins are common place. Security's main function is to attend the break-in and arrange to have the door boarded up, rather than throw out the wandering hoodies, thieves and trouble makers.

My biggest mistake was believing the sales hype and not doing proper research before buying my place. I can't wait to sell up and leave like most of my neighbours.

Security is a joke, anyone can get in as long as they pay. If you walk from the local estates or gypsie camp site over the road you get in for free and can cause as much trouble as you want.

Loutish and lewd behaviour, gangs of youths drinking all night and causing trouble, fights, loud music to all hours and drunk speeding drivers. Welcome to hell! If you want a nice family orientated holiday you're in for a shock. If you're looking for a quiet place to retire, don't even think about coming here. I've been to many campsites around UK and Europe and never experienced a place quite like Billing Aquadrome. I've enjoyed the Kent Custom Bike show run by the local Hells Angel chapter with my son who was three yrs old at the time and felt safer, I kid you not!

I don't let my kids out when it gets dark and keep in constant contact when they are out in daylight hours.

I've been threatened when walking back home after a night out in town with friends.

I wouldn't recommend the place to anyone. The shame is that there are many nice families who visit and stay here, but the idiots that are allowed to come on site and act with impunity spoil the place for the many.

COME ON Pure Leisure, do something about the security here, it's a laughing stock. You're alienating your customers and losing them faster than you bring in new mugs. You say Billing is a fun place for all the family, do something so that it is a fun safe place for the whole family before you lose complete control.

I've just come back from Billing Aquadrome with my friend and her dad and we stayed in tents on the campsite. Billing is good it has many different pubs to go to for meals and a drink and also for the children that get bored there are numerous parks and there is also a fair there too but I must say there is not a lot of rides to chose from at this fair!! At times the place can get pretty busy so maybe your children will need to be supervised in this sort of environment?? One of the problems at this campsite is that it used to be pretty quiet and there used to only be allowed families but now there are quite a few young youth's. Another problem is that in the morning you will most likely be woken up by noises but it is not too bad. Just to warn you there are many birds there i.e swans and many more so there will be a lot of poo so you will have to be careful of where to stand!!! There are many refreshments from drinks to ice creams so no need to worry about that and also the people who run the fair rides are very friendly but some can be a little flirty so you will need to be careful other than that Billing is a amazing place so you should maybe go there for a family outing ....p.s I enjoyed it a lot xx

Camp ok, areas clean and quiet at night while we were there.

Static caravan had dirty fridge, dirty carpet, leaking tap in kitchen, no lock on bathroom door, and only 1 out of 3 lights in living room working. We reported this to reception but nothing was done. Woke up late 1st morning to discover no water to wash or clean teeth - apparently planned repair work but we were not warned.

Vinnies restaurant was lovely with really friendly staff and wonderful food. Take away was also friendly and large portions of food - too much for me to eat - and cheaper than we pay locally.

Cars are checked for passes when they go in, but anyone can walk in at anytime of day without being checked.

Children didn't like the look of the funfair, and didn't go on go-karts or pedalos as no one else seemed to be using them and they did not want to be there alone.

We usually camp in the summer but would not want to be on prebooked part as they were crammed in too close for our liking.

Had never heard of the place until 2 months ago and although we liked Northampton and other nearby tourist attractions we would not choose to go back to this park.

Stayed here over Easter. It could be a great site if they spent some money on it. There are gypsies coming in and out all day and night, and yobs from the local estate. You have to lock everything or it’s gone. Gypsies seem to bring in stolen caravans, strip them out and no one seems to care. Will not go again, holidays are for relaxing not being on high security alert.

I've just come back from Billing. I was not going to go there after reading all the bad reviews, but as I had already paid to go, I did not want to disappoint my two kids.

Well, when I got there I was pleasantly surprised. The staff were very good, the place was clean, there was no dog or duck mess anywhere, the toilets and the showers were cleaned twice a day, the bins were emptied regularly, the onsite chippy was very good. There was noise but by midnight it was nice and peaceful. All I can think of is that the people who complained should be living in sheltered accommodation [or maybe Billing has got its act together since the previous reviews - webmaster]. You will get noise: it's a camp site. In all we had a great time and we are going back for the Japanese weekend with another three families.

You must remember you are going camping.

If you want luxury BOOK A FLIGHT

Just passed by and stopped for the night. Was here 2 years ago for 1 night, its like going for a meal here. If you have a good one then there are no complaints but if you get a bad one well you will wish you hadn't come.

Been here 6hours and so far my boy has been pushed and kicked by a 5 year old hoodie in the toilets and another young girl was seen throwing things at the ducks. Usual scumbags that i saw 2 years ago, this place will never change.

We first went here a month ago and couldn't understand the bad reviews, till we went at the weekend. Baghdad was a safer place to here. Bare knuckle fighting, a riot, police removing hundreds of people from site and officially closing the site down for the night. Very little security for the site of that size and our dog was attacked by a resident's pitbull.

Drunk drivers, kids driving their parents cars, cars speeding and handbrake turning, loud music and having to stay up the second night to protect my family as I felt the on site security were not up to the job. We won't be going back and currently trying (unsuccessfully) to get a full refund.

Don't go here, don't go near it and for goodness sake take note of the comments above. A book called cool camping for kids has found us some nice and safe places to go since and has restored our faith in camping. If the British army needs somewhere to train they should use this site.

We stayed for 4 nights at the end of July, for the Japanese Car weekend. We stayed in our own touring caravan and a pitch with hook up.

We've been staying here for a few days every summer for the last 10 years. The cost of staying has leapt up over the last few years so much so that it begrudged me paying for my son to sleep in a pup tent outside of the awning, considering I've already paid extra to have him get in anyway. So not only do they charge per person you then get charged again for his tent.

We used to bring our 2 dogs, but even they stayed at home this time. Maybe Billing will charge us for using our own cycles next year. ;)

We were also disappointed that Billing still charged TEC for use of the field despite there being several visitors and campers for the event. Some of us did chose to use the Hook-ups and may not of even shown up at attending the Japanese Car weekend.

he

On the positive side now. The security did give us some comfort knowing that they were keeping an eye on our show cars throughout the night, all of the security that I did speak to were very professional and polite.

There were 2 thefts from cars whilst at the show, but they were left unsecured with cash and a purse on show. Tempting fate maybe, but it is a shame that in the world we live these days some members of the public have no respect for other peoples property, hardly something unique to Billing Aquadrome.

The toilet cleaning staff once again had a battle on their hands, Billing can't control the mess made in the showers or the toilets, but they did a cracking job considering the age of the blocks.

So will I go back? Yes .......BUT the pricing needs to be a little cheaper £30+ a night for a caravan + Awning, Hook-up, Towcar + Showcar, 2 Adults, 1 Child is not a cheap weekend away. For the petrol I used to take the caravan away I could have stayed in a cheap hotel and just visited for the days of the show.

[From the new manager of Billing Aquadrome]

There can be no doubt that the Aquadrome has suffered over the years. It has suffered with the same issues experienced by every caravan park in the UK. That is local youths hell bent on coming onto park to cause trouble, would be thieves taking advantage of those folk on holiday, poor British weather and generally the same troubles experienced in all walks of life, in all venues, all cities and towns right across the UK!

In recent months the management at Billing have installed CCTV cameras. Evidence from these cameras will be used to prosecute any wrong doing! They have also installed over 800 meters of perimeter fencing to further improve security on park. A number of undesirables have been removed from the park and will not be allowed to return.

There is a serious effort going on behind the scenes to keep improving the park. feedback from those who understand this has been very welcome and the majority of people have been grateful for the recent improvements.

The park has also now commenced building of the "Pure Aqua" leisure centre at a cost of some £5M.

The reality is that this is a small town with in excess of 4000 people here on busy summer months. Those people who leave their cars unlocked, goods on display and generally think that the place is one where the undesirable members of the community avoid, need to wise up! This place like every other place in the UK can have undesirable people on it.

As a guest you should be sensible and behave exactly as you would anywhere else.

Billing Aquadrome is a great place to holiday and to own a holiday home and the one thing that I do know is that all the team who work here are very committed to the cause and as a team this place will continue to move forward.

People are very quick to criticise when anything goes wrong. It is how things are dealt with that makes the difference.

As the new manager on the Aquadrome, I am well aware of its historic problems, but at the same time there are lots of positive experiences that you don't hear about because the very nature of the human being is to complain and not praise.

Please rest assured any complaints are dealt with in a timely and professional manner and used to help us move forward.

We stayed at Billing on a seasonal tourer pitch, for over 5 yrs.

The site is nice when EMPTY.

The ducks are killed once a year.

WHEN FULL IT’S MOSTLY FULL OF LAGER LOUTS, LOUD MUSIC AND BOY RACERS DRIVING LIKE MAD MEN

Security is a joke and if any problems arise you’re better off forming a group of adults and using force. Security do nothing if they come out at all.

Washrooms and showers are kept in a poor state.

The park is nice when empty.

BH weekends and major events breaks avoid at all costs.

The rear static part is like a scene from a trailer trash movie.

SORRY TRAILER PEOPLE.

Site is a firm favourite with TRAVELLERS/white vans, 4x4.

If you move your car people will pitch on the space.

ALWAYS erect wind shields round your plot

You have one meter all round and space for your car.

They also cull the ducks ie shoot them once a year.

Billing Aquadrome was already in a decline before Pure Leisure came aboard but the decline has be made worse because the company that had taken over had not got a clue about running such a large site. Having said that they seem to have learnt a few lessons and we seem to be on the up. The one thing that spoils Billing is Pure Leisure's hunger for money, its money money money and any which way they can and you get that impression right from the start.

I currently have a Holiday Home on the site and like a few on here I would advise to leave buying a HH on the site for the time being, come back in a few years and lets see what has happened.

If you buy and you don't like it your going to lose a lot of money, not only is the resell value dropped big time but you can't even say the Home would be allowed to stay on its plot of land.

A lot of us who do have a Home here love it but we remember how it used to be and keep our fingers crossed for a return to those days.

If you still want to come then make sure you’re sited well away from The King Fisher, a constant source of trouble and noise and don’t bother complaining because you won't be heard.

I have recently bought an old caravan, my first, so I thought it a good idea to go to Billing as its only 60 mins drive from my home. So I booked. No problems, that holiday was great except the dirty toilets. I thought ‘one more chance’ so off I went not booking this time.

When I got there I was in a long queue as it happened to be a bank holiday weekend. I had my sister and nephew with me. I got to the booth and asked for 2 nights stay. The attendant told me I had to pay 3 nights £75 for 4 adults. I said my nephew is only 14 and 2 adults 2 nights. If I could have turned around I would have but the cars behind were pipping at us. The man in the booth said not my problem, the management have said same price to all. I paid. He had no change, and had to get some from the office. This made the other cars pip even more.

We went in to the park, found our friends and told them. They said complain but no one was around to complain to, only the man I spoke to in the booth. I got ready for my weekend break to find a rottweiler next to me. No large breeds on the site! We settled for the night had a few bevies as you do, to find fires being lit further down the field so I rang the office and left a message. 1 hour later the fires still burning so it wasn’t a barbecue. The roti is barking like mad and I phoned and left a message. I saw no security come after either complaint.

The toilets are still a disgrace. What more can I say. Just this: I’ve been to another large site and it was brilliant: clean, people there to help if problems come up, great. I’ll not go to Billing again even if they offer me a million quid, it’s rubbish.

I would agree with Andy Cressey the park is improving slowly but that is only has it take time for new facilities to start as they need planning permission etc.

To the people who moan that property has been stolen well would you leave it in sight when you are at home? I think not.

If a thief is wanting to nick something they are going to do it we can only prevent it as some thieves can get violent and it’s not worth risk your life for it.

People who complain about security I’m sorry you are so wrong they do a fantastic job. Whether it’s because there is trouble or you are needing help as you are ill or injured they are quick.

I had a holiday home for a couple of years now before that I stayed with parents in theirs.

In the days of the old owners there was more trouble then I would say it has decreased now since the new owners have taken over. I can recall when the park shuts in the days of the old owners of the park then when all the homes and sheds get broken into and the things that were being stolen you would need a vehicle to come on and take these so where the security then that’s what I call very strange security. Then the new owners take on the park and when the park shut under them there was not one home or shed broken into. Now what does that say? The security are doing a good job and that includes the ground and office staff so well done. Billing Aquadrome are doing as much as they can to improve the park. It doesn’t help when you have kids throwing rubbish in the lake and not caring for the surroundings and to dog owners pick up your dogs’ mess.

In 2007 my parents paid £20,000 cash for a caravan, last Easter 2009, my partner and I upgraded the caravan, they gave us £4,000 back, then when we went to pay this years fees they have gone up by £900. Billing saying we are new owners and have to pay more...

My neighbour got hit at New Year by someone on site. He was told to forget it as the person concerned would probably damage his caravan...

2 years ago my son and friend was badly beaten up, we was told the boys and family would have to leave, they are still on site..

Drugs, guns and stolen cars were removed last year from behind us, upsetting a complete week end.

Now we find that all visitors/ friends have to pay £10.00 to get in. They will get it back if it’s not on a weekend event, or it’s pay just like the public.

Billing may tell you they are making improvements, but believe me there are more people leaving than staying. We would be out of here too if it weren’t for the finance we were stupid to take out. But we will keep trying to find out how to get out of this hell hole without going bankrupt...

On a goodish note the swimming pool is nearly finished for those who wish to bother. And they are bringing the train back. But no doubt they will ruin that by charging the earth.

We always went to Billing Aquadrome when I was young. So now 25 years later me and my husband bought a caravan and decided to take our daughter to billing. Massive Mistake !!! Entrance looked like a building site, piles of earth, work vans, mud everywhere. Miserable blokes on the gate directed us to our field, we slowly travelled through the "building site", past a smoking generator that was obviously struggling to cope with the new indoor pool. The new indoor pool was the only new thing on the site by the way. Everything was old. Took a while to find our pitch, no numbers, no lines on the ground showing you pitch sizes, caravans packed together so close. We found our crap pitch and settled down. First job, check out the toilets, oh my god, filth !! they smelled terrible, no lock on toilet door, toilet roll all over floor, we never used them again, we used our caravan for toilet and washing. We walked up to the amusements (fun fair) dodging dog muck, duck much, litter, mud, and the fair was ancient, maybe 4 rides at most, the rides were really old. The noise late at night from other campers was a nightmare, inconsiderate drunks !! Boom Boom music. Teenagers being sick and swearing. we spent 3 days there and i will never go again, ever !!!!!!

I couldn't believe what I've just read,, such bad press,, my husband has been head security on this park for 1 & half years and i can tell u critics that he works all hours every day,, so many people have praised him for his good work,, and to point out when everybody is off for the month ,, this year there was not one breakin, my husband and the other security guards work very hard here,, i live here and i really love it,, the people r very friendly, the shows r very good and they are always secured with security,, the entertainment on the park has been improved so much,, everybody who works on this park work very hard,, i am proud to live here ,,

I agree with Mandy, we have just brought a lodge here and love it. The probs at Billing are know different than the cities, towns, and villages, maybe if everyone stopped slateing the place and started concentrating on its good points instead of the bad it would give he whole of the pure leisure team some encouragement . I have worked in the hospitality business for over 20 yrs and I am well aware that people are always ready to complain, but never to say well done.

SO WELL DONE MANDYS HUSBAND AND TEAM AND PURE LEISURE, BILLING IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.

(No I dont work for pure leisure)Would though

We visited Billing last year it was our first experience of camping, there was a group of us including tents and caravans, we found the site to be in a very depressed condition, we were very aware that extra security was needed as we felt our property was under surveillance by other users of the camp site!! After reading that the new swimming complex was now open also the train had re-started and the site had a revamp we decided to give it another go, I can assure you this was a big mistake, yes the new complex is nice, though the beer was undrinkable and at an extortionate price and after paying £5 per person and there was 19 people in our group there is no shower facilities other than the open ones that lead into the pool where anyone can see you showering. There is no hair dryers, these are basics even in our small local swimming pool that only charges £2.50 to swim. I walked into the shower block and as far as I can remember there is still the same broken toilets seats and missing locks on the doors, I did not shower for 3 days due to the very poor conditions and cold water. Although we made the most of our weekend and did enjoy ourselves but this was not down to any facilities on the site. Again this year we were very aware of vans and lorries driving round the site again and again and going nowhere in particular, in the end we felt we were being watched and had to arrange our vehicles into a way that we felt safer, and on the last evening (Sunday) there was an argument going on between the travelling families that last a good hour, why did it take another brave camper to intervene and not the security!! It is such a shame because if these issues we sorted out properly Billing would be a lovely place to visit on a regular basis but I would not recommend this site to anyone other than telling other travelling families that there is a site for them there.