Independent Campsite Reviews

We had a static caravan on this site for ten years or more and then the bad element came creeping in i.e. the new management. They were putting up the prices on site and the poor people whose caravan was 15 years old were given 3 months to get the off site. Was this really fair? Also the Sales staff were then pushing for us to buy new Caravans at a ridiculous hyped up price. I am pleased that we sold and got of site. I also agree that the vandals seemed to enjoying smashing the place up and the amenities over the years had deteriorated fast. No I wont go back to Billing again.

My partner and I took our 2 kids to the site over Easter. Quite frankly the whole place needs a complete renovation starting with the fair and its old rusty looking rides-to the appalling lack of bins!!! I remember thinking as I was walking around the place, whilst avoiding the empty broken bottles and dog excrement, what our foreign visitors must think of the place. It quite clearly states that there will be no admission for single groups of males or females. Not the case. The showers were filthy! My daughter refused to have one. No soap in the toilets, and a lack of toilet paper all 4 days we were there. And the river that runs the length of the park had so much rubbish in it I couldn’t comprehend how the ducks and swans managed to swim in it. In short, disgraceful.

I have been to Billing on numerous occasions, I also used to have a tourer there a few years ago. But I must say that the place needs a total revamp as it is very dated. The fair rides are good but tatty looking. Also lots of youngsters roaming around in groups, being loud and intimidating. Considering the place does not cater for groups of youths, what are security doing, apart from driving around the park not getting out of their vans to deal with the problem.

I agree with the above review. I stayed there recently and on returning home sent an email with similar comments to Billing Aquadrome. I did not even receive the courtesy of an acknowledgement let alone a response to the points raised. I guess the trouble is that the site gets so many customers due to its size and location that they don't care about adverse comments!

I love Billing Aquadrome.... yes it needs updating... and work has now started... I went on site 5yrs ago with my tourer, loved it that much I bought a static there 2 years later... it’s hard work for the staff to keep this large site clean when its packed, and remember it’s the people on site that make the mess...I also have a dog.. but I pick up after it... so maybe if all owners did the same it wouldn’t be in that state... most of the mess is off the ducks...and that’s nature...The rubbish is removed every day, the grass is cut regularly, it’s the touring side which is the worst... but all this will change as the refurb takes place...it’s like updating our homes... we have to put up with a bit of mess to reap the rewards at the end of it.. so don’t be too quick to judge... and well done to all the staff at Billing for trying so hard to make people’s stay there a happy one...

Initially we thought Billing Aquadrome was a tranquil spot which would suit our needs for our retired lifestyle and my oh my how you have to invest in the place to enjoy it's "lifestyle". We chose to invest in a second hand static. During the coming months /years, we heard of breakins, experienced rowdiness/ litter /fouling and a general "we know it happens but prefer not to be told" attitude. Rules which are hammered home to investors in their vans, apply only as and when it suits, ie same sex parties, breeds of dog which should not be admitted, even the rule that van owners should not hang out washing on Fridays & Saturdays are ignored, I wonder why. Should anyone have the mind to wander round taking photographs of all the eye-sores, they would have a best seller.

Here is an explanation of the experience my family and I had at Billing Aqudrome over the August bank holiday weekend 2006. We are keen campers and have been for some years now. We live in Milton Keynes and usually go camping to Cheddar or around the coast. This year we fancied a change so decided on staying closer to home. Billing is somewhere I have never thought of going but after looking on the web site and reading:

'At Billing Aquadrome we seek to provide you with a tranquil environment and range of facilities so you can take that well deserved break'

We thought we would give it a try as after visiting other camp sites we know how nice and relaxing camp sites can be that pride themselves on providing a tranquil environment.

The experience we got from Billing was actually far from what is described on the web site. The first night we arrived and were pleasantly surprised with the amount of young all male groups that were pitched up with blaring music booming from their cars! They were being very loud and shouting obscene language. We moved our tent away from these groups and found what we thought was a better spot as it was as far away as possible from the fair, parks and takeaway's. On that first night as we were trying to settle our children who were all between the ages of 2-13 the music from cars and shouting got louder and louder. I don't know how but we managed to get the children to sleep ok. For the adults it was a different story! I am not exaggerating when I say that up until at least 4.00am people were screaming, shouting, swearing and singing with no consideration for anyone else at all. This went on through Saturday and Sunday night too but was not as bad as Friday night. Also people were driving around in cars around all the tents with music full blast beeping their horns! Lots of other people were shouting for them to be quiet but they did not let up. The noises from the children's parks where teenagers gathered at night was dreadful! we were no where near them but the noise was still very loud until the early hours.

What I can't understand is how this is allowed to happen! The park clearly had a lot of security but nothing seemed to be done about it. My 5 year old son nearly got run over twice just playing right next to our tent as massive pick up trucks flew around driving too fast on the grass and the language used by people was disgusting especially when children are around. I can honestly say that what was meant to be a nice relaxing bank holiday was ruined. We would have packed away and left the site after the first night but the children got upset as they love camping and wanted to stay. They had all been very excited all summer holidays about it so we did not want to upset them. Other camp sites we have been to all over the country seem to have strict rules about noise after a certain time but Billing certainly has none of those. Of course we expect a certain level of noise as people have a right to enjoy themselves and have fun, listen to music and sit around chatting but this was something else! I am only 27 and enjoy fun but being at Billing made me feel very threatened and vulnerable whilst in my tent at night. Instead of the web site saying 'Tranquil' it should say 'This campsite has a club 18-30 feel with no rules, expect shouting and screaming until all hours with people beeping their horns to keep you awake'

It has taken me two nights to catch up on the sleep I missed. Also the web site boasts about its new development. It also said that the new 'Crazy Golf' was proving very popular! We were there from Friday to Monday and walked past it about 4 times every day, it was never open and the only sign of human existance was dirty condoms hanging off a plastic shark above the door! Disgusting!

Since returning and speaking to friends most of them have told me that Billing has a bad reputation and is known for being dirty, noisy and a park that allows teenagers to wander in at all hours causing noise and trouble. The fair was fun for the children but as adults we could see that it is in a bad state of repair with half the stuff broken and missing. Also one good point is that they do have shops where you can get everything you need and the toilets were nicer than I have seen at other camp sites. The pubs and clubs are nice but one bad point about that was the amount of drunken adults staggering around bumping into people and apparent 'boy racers' screeching around in cars. Drunken local teenagers were also lurking at every corner spitting on the ground which did not make for a pleasant 'family feel'. I am sorry to say it but Billing Aquadrome seemed like a place for local teenagers to loom and dogs to bark and not only crap everywhere but to bark right through the night along with the sounds of car horns, drunken people singing, screaming, shouting and obscene language. The best part of my weekend was packing up on Monday morning to leave.

I will certainly never be visiting this horrible place again and I recommend anyone who is looking for a nice relaxing family break to steer well clear!

"I love Billing Aquadrome"

No, Really, I do, which is why I find it such a shame that it has gone from bad to reasonable to bad, then to worse.

I have been forced to write this after a discovery I made today upon attempting to renew my yearly pass.

I’m afraid I’m not a camper, or caravanner any more, but, if that’s what flicks your switch, then go for it, I just think it would be a great mistake if you choose to do it in this godforsaken place.

For the past 10 or so years ago I have bought a yearly pass to enter Billing, so that I can attend the many shows that are put on there each year. I am typical of the type of person that attends these shows and, can confirm that we also hate the fact that it is so crowded and rowdy, my thoughts go out to all of those who have had the misfortune to have thought they could have a good family camping holiday here. As usual, its the minority that ruin it for everyone else, unfortunately, this minority seem to be there all day, all night and all year.

The amenities are barely suitable for a day visit, I don’t know how people cope camping, the overall feel of the place is that of a decaying Chav town, complete with overflowing dumpsters, toxic looking rubbish filled river and rusty old fairground rides that look as much fun as hitting your thumb with a mallet.

As I have said before, I am not a camping person, but, if I were to be given a choice of a week at Billing Aquadrome and a month being chained to a rusty radiator with Terry Waite, I think Terry would win. The company would certainly be better, but the overall view of a person that hasn’t had a wash for ages due to a lack of decent amenities and rusty metal would be about the same.

Some years ago, whilst on one of my visits to Billing I had some drunken, possibly worse, thug, threaten to beat me up, it it weren’t for a friend of mine being with me, I’m sure he would have had his way, it was like being in an open prison without guards or control, but that was a one off, even so one more than it should have been.

Are things looking up for Billing?

Last year it was taken over by a new company, with new ideas, one of those is to redevelop the site to take make believe "log cabins", the rest of the site seems to have remained as attractive as a decaying ghetto filled with Chavs (so much for their entrance rules)

Here is the big crunch: my season ticket has gone up 100% without 100% of improvements. At £100, this to me is the final nail in its coffin, surely it was better to have put it up a small amount and still get the money, rather than force me to attend shows elsewhere.

Billing Aquadrome.

I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate you on a job well done and value for money.............

But I can’t

The latest news on Billing aquadrome.

The nice people on the American Automobile club, who attended Billing this weekend (14 April 2007) have all clubbed together and bought one of their members a new electric wheelchair to replace the one that had been stolen and damaged last year.

The headless Swan, found in the site last week, had not been shot, but had had its neck broken then was decapitated.

Nice to see things are looking up. (Not the Swan though)

I think Billing is a disgrace: the rubbish is always overflowing, security are no use to anyone; they just drive round for 10 ten minutes then go back to their shed for a cup of tea...the fair? well that is just a joke...the amount of underage youths that drink alcohol whilst riding around on push bikes is unbelievable...I also visited after the latest Land Rover weekend and may I say what an utter disgrace, the whole park is like a swamp and to top it all off how can you say its right to let people have tents and tourers around an infants play park...they say don’t let you kids talk to strangers how exactly do you stop them when there are people basically living in the park......

sort yourselves out you are VERY EXPENSIVE as it is and if it gets any worse the environmental health will end up there.

Yes I agree and so do many other people who stay here for 11 months of the year.

We have all bought our static caravans or log cabins at great expense and we are enormously disappointed at the way things have gone with the new owners.

The majority of owners here are decent, law abiding citizens who are disenchanted by the weekend visitors who seem to be able to do what they like. We have strict rules that we have to adhere to or we get thrown off with our caravans, but visitors to our site get away with all sorts.

We have to keep our dogs on leads at all times and remove dog waste immediately. We are not allowed to drink and drive or break the speed limit or have rowdy parties but visitors pitch there tents where they like and leave all there rubbish behind. Its not the 'caravan owners' at Billing that are to blame its the lack of funds being invested by Pure Leisure. And they promised so much too!

Visited Billing for the first time at the August Bank Holiday weekend. Pitched our van on what little flat surface remained due to ruts and pot holes all over the place. The toilets and showers could have been better despite noticing the cleaners were there twice a day. This was partly due to inconsiderate people leaving their rubbish (soiled underwear and used sanitary products (women’s toilets) all over). It makes me wonder what these so called campers/caravanners must live like at home. On the Sunday night we were unfortunate enough to get new neighbours who had no respect for anyone else, shouting, screaming and doing things of an adult nature, which we found to be unacceptable especially as we have small children. Surely couples should be put in a separate area away from respectable families! Also we were aware of idiots in souped up cars racing about at all hours of the day and night. What were the security doing? Sweet FA, except riding around in vans and even they were breaking the speed limits. I suppose the only good things over the weekend were the meals we had on site and the excellent weather. We would probably visit again but not until the new owners get their act together and do something about all the problems we and others have had.

We have just returned from 5 day short break at Billing Aquadrome - never to return!!! We appreciate that it is late in the season but we did not expect to find 3 out of the 4 toilet blocks closed with no explanation as to why. The toilet blocks that were open were 1) COLD 2) DIRTY 3) SOAPLESS 4) LOO ROLL LESS 5) USELESS!! They seem to have invested in some new showers (2 portacabins bolted together) but these are useless too. The water took ages to heat, lasted only minutes and there are no doors on any of the shower cubicles - only curtains!!! I dread to think what this will be like in the summer months when the place is heaving.

There is a total lack of security in the park too. Our neighbour for the 5 days had his gas bottle hose cut and bottle pinched. We also had our windows knocked twice on separate nights - with no one apparently there!! The only security we saw were driving around the park in their white Corsa vans and 6 times the stated speed limit! At no point did we see any foot patrols of any sort. The security (haha) guys on the gates had a job to smile as they were to busy watching the telly!

The whole park just has that 'run down and dirty' feel to it. Its a real shame as it could be made into a lovely place but unfortunately we wont be returning to find out - and until the reviews change then I advise that anybody contemplating going here seriously consider looking at the alternative sites!!!

3/10 (and that is being generous!!!)

Need to reply to Mary who visited the site - where we live !! It POURED with rain for the whole weekend at the Land Rover show, and one would imagine therefore that even HRH's grounds in Windsor would have been like a swamp. I also deeply resent the inference that the "camp" is populated with latent creeps and paedophiles.

True we do have some strange people hereabouts, truthfully though many of those are the weekend visitors.

Even after being taken over by new management Billing Aquadrome shows few signs of improving. The emphasis seems to be on cramming as many static vans as possible on the site, raising the prices (by 100% on certain things!!) and not giving the customer anything back in exchange for their cash. We first had to pay £25 two years ago for every extra car pass we wanted, the next year it was £50,and surprise surprise it's now £75!!! So instead of buying 3 extra passes we have decided to tell them to stick their passes. I know of many people who have decided to move off the park as you are paying a fortune for nothing. If the idea is to outprice the average family and only attract gullible fools with bottomless wallets, oh boy it's working. But even the gullible will eventually get fed up with throwing money away for little in return.

I am sorry to say this but all you people do is moan about Billing. I am sorry you have had a bad time but people go on holiday to have fun. Billing has sorted out the rides. When I went last weekend the only poo on the floor was left by the ducks and there was no rubbish on the floor. People are friendly and helpful so I don’t know why people are complaining. Or are you the people who sit in the corner and moan who ruin the holiday not only for yourselves but for the people around you?

I have just visited Billing for the R&R weekend, and was robbed of my Peugeot Scooter on the first night which was on the rack of my motorhome, what can you say, I know (PLEASE DO NOT GO THERE IT IS INSECURE). I reported the incident to security but there was only one person for the whole site, I shall be informing the ARVE magazine and the MMM of this.

Pure leisure or Pure greed.

It seems the only thought is profit and not the people that provide it. Is it not time to give the residents and visitors something back? The camping areas are a joke the tourers are being squeezed out by an invasion of statics, the train’s gone the pools gone the fair and amusements are so dated they are no longer an attraction. Couple this with new and old statics scattered everywhere and without some input to the site the repeat visits and the solid resident base will soon dry up.

PS what happened to the pool and gym starting March?