In this weekly series experienced caravan journalist Liz King reviews some of the best touring caravan and motorhome sites across the UK and Europe. Keep checking back or subscribe to our newsfeed using the Facebook, Twitter or RSS icons on the right of the page – that way you’ll never miss a trick!
Recommended by Liz
Castel Camping Séquoia Parc
Saint Just-Luzac
17320 France
http://www.sequoiaparc.com/
www.les-castels.com
This is a huge park, a camping village, set in 45 hectares in the grounds of a 19th century château with beautiful trees in the grounds, not far from the Atlantic coast. The pitches are on grass and are spacious, most are divided by hedges but you could book a luxurious Castel premium pitch with water, drainage, electricity, chairs, table, sunbeds, BBQ, fridge and limited free Wi-Fi. English is spoken and there is a motorhome service point. Facilities include an aqua park, boules, multi-sports ground, bar, restaurant, shop and takeaway. Entertainment is organised in high season.
There is some road noise during the day heard on some pitches.
Opening times
May 14 to 5 September 2011
Costs
From €20 per night for two people, outfit and awning in low season on basic pitch with 6amp electricity.
Extra people over 12 years; €7
Children aged 3-12 years; €3
Pets; €5 each
There are special discounts apply for bookings in excess of 10 nights in low season. It’s wise to check with the campsite for up to date information.
Extra charges include Wi-Fi, bike hire, go-kart hire, tennis, diving lessons, horse-riding, use of safe, and massage.
Eat and drink
There are 3 bars on site, a takeaway and the Carrousel restaurant. If seafood including oysters and mussels are your thing, then a short drive in your vehicle, or hire a bike if you prefer, will take you into the fishing village and you can sample the catch of the day.
Local attractions
Oyster beds, Painting exhibition in Marennes, the 12th century St Peter’s Church which has an 85m high bell tower, take a daytrip to the Ile d’Oleron and several local markets.
Directions
Well signposted on the D728. From Marennes turn left into the parc.
Insurance tip
Planning a trip to France? Caravan Guard’s touring caravan insurance policy offers caravanners the freedom to tour Europe for up to 90 days at a time.
There are large pitches available
The impressive château
Many pitches have water, electricity and drainage
One of the five pools
There’s plenty of space for motorhomes too
Many pitches are tree or hedge lined
The modern reception
The Children’s farm
The high quality laundry facility
We recently styead here as a family after deciding it looked like a lovely private area to camp as a family. Upon arrival we were met by the site owner who informed us he charged six pound per person, per night. There was also a charge for firewood per night as you are not allowed to buy your own. All in all as a family of five the cost for camping two nights was sixty pounds, which is a disgrace! We actually given a discount for our two year old instead of 6 pounds we were charged 3. I think it is a disgrace we were actually charged for a toddler! In the first field there was a large group of lager louts who were blaring music and were also accompanied by two pitbull type dogs. We later discovered this when after waking the first morning we discovered dog mess all around our tent. I could not believe the site owner would permit these dogs on what is supposedly a family friendly site. Th toilets were clean however the showers are not private the only thing to hide your modesty from people using the toilets is a filmsy shower curtain. Overall I would not recommend this site Tullymore forrest park offers camping for a flat fee of a312 per night no matter how many are camping in comparision to a360.