Blackthorn Farm

Great location and a lovely campsite. Booking and check-in were really efficient.

The sea was right there when I stepped out of my tent, and the whole area was so quiet and peaceful. This is probably my favourite campsite I’ve stayed at. I expected basic facilities but was pleasantly surprised: the toilets and showers were clean, pleasant and well stocked with soap and toilet paper. For an extra fee, there’s a laundry room with a washer and tumble dryer. It also has a fridge, freezer, kettle and microwave that you can use for free. I thought that was a brilliant extra, especially when it was raining and we needed somewhere to make a hot meal.

We stayed three nights in our camper. Booking is done by phone, and we kept missing each other’s calls. The charge was £50 per night with EHU and services. We paid after the guy asked, “have you seen the website”, so we were expecting something exceptional. The email with check-in details and codes was useful when we arrived and found our pitch. The sea views were there, but permanent-looking tourers blocked them all, as someone else had mentioned. The grounds also looked untidy, overgrown and weedy. Compared with the immaculate, cheaper CAMC sites, this place needs some TLC. We couldn’t find any coastal walks with direct access without walking along the road. The shower room had a loo and sink, but at that price it could do with a refurb. The loo seat was loose and the taps were old push types. Someone had said the fridge was filthy, but it was clean while we were there, though we didn’t use it. The location felt a bit out of the way, with nowhere to eat within walking distance, though some attractions are nearby by car. The guy was friendly but seemed confused about how long we’d been there, what we’d booked and what we’d paid for. It was an okay stay, but we probably wouldn’t return.

The views can be perfect if you get the right pitch, and the place was very friendly and enjoyable. I found the toilets and showers extremely good, though the dishwashing area was hit and miss. I only discovered the taps were disconnected after unloading my dishes; there is one sink in the laundry room. The facilities are average overall, and the fees felt high. I’d paid £30 a night at each of five other sites over the week, so £40 here surprised me.