Practical Caravan Top 100 Parks Award 2008

The Orchards Holiday Caravan and Camping Park, South-East England
If you are looking for a quiet stay on the Isle of Wight, this site will provide a peaceful base.
Located near the village of Newbridge on the west of the island, it is away from the busy seaside resorts, but still just a short drive from the beach. Country walks leave from the site, or you can use the indoor and outdoor pools to relax. All of the pitches have electric hook-up, and some also have water points. A mixture of hardstanding and grass pitches are available. Washroom and washing-up facilities are also provided on site.

Practical Caravan Top 100 parks Award 2007

T his impressive site is set on
a gently sloping hillside with marvellous views east over the Isle of Wight. The nearest village is Newbridge, which is easily accessible from Yarmouth and the Lymington ferry.
It is evident the site owners take immense pride in the upkeep of the site; it is spotlessly clean and very well cared for.
The site’s excellent amenities include an attractive indoor swimming pool, and a pretty outdoor swimming pool and children’s paddling pool.
There’s a licensed coffee shop adjoining the indoor swimming pool so you enjoy a relaxing cuppa or glass of wine while watching the swimmers. The takeaway restaurant and well-stocked shop provide snacks and groceries at very reasonable prices.
The site is set in 15 acres of beautiful countryside, with plenty of country walks leaving from the site grounds.
The caravan pitches are set in six paddocks, some of which are flat and terraced, a few of the pitches are gently sloping and require levelling blocks.
There is easy access from the site to the beaches of West Wight, and you can see the Needles. If you want to see them close up it’s a long walk, but there is a regular bus service to the Needles that runs from the car park at Alum Bay.
Nearby there are pubs where families are welcome, in Calbourne, Ningwood and Shalfleet, all offering top-notch pub grub.
The site is open 11 months of the year, so if you feel like spending Christmas on the Island, the staff there will help you celebrate in style.

Practical Caravan Top 100 Parks Awards 2005

The Orchards is one of those rare sites that provides a quiet and restful holiday for couples while at the same time accommodating families looking for action-packed fun.
The entrance is easy to spot and wide enough to allow two caravans to pass. The site sits on a gentle slope, with rows of terraced pitches overlooking the beautiful, rolling countryside.
Dogs are welcome; you’ll find two walking areas where they can get their exercise. There are no limits applied to your canine companions as long as they behave and you clean up after them.
There are two pools from which to choose. The attractive indoor pool has an upper patio served by the Orchards coffee shop. There is also a take-away, which offers tasty food at reasonable prices, and a shop selling groceries, ice creams and holiday items.
One of the toilet blocks contains four unisex cabins, each with a shower, toilet, washbasin and hairdryer. These are well-designed and are in pristine condition, though the disabled toilet would benefit from its own shower. They are heated when necessary, usually from September to May.
The crossing to the Isle of Wight is one of the most expensive ferry journeys in Europe, but the site thoughtfully offers travel packages that offset the cost.

Practical Motorhome Independent Site Reviews.

The Orchards is one of those rare sites that can offer a quiet, restful holiday for couples as well as being able to accommodate those in search of action-packed fun. It is a private site, on the Isle of Wight, managed under contract for the Caravan Club. Rows of terraced pitches overlook lovely, rolling countryside.
The attractive indoor pool has an upper patio served by The Orchards restaurant. There is also a take-away, offering food at reasonable prices, and a shop selling groceries, ice creams and holiday items.
One of the toilet facility buildings houses four unisex cabins, each with a shower, toilet, washbasin and hairdryer. It is well-designed and in pristine condition. The disabled toilet would benefit from having its own shower, though.
This is one of the Caravan Club’s best sites. Set among trees and pleasant walks, it is also an excellent family park with plenty of space and many attractions within easy reach. The park has 130 numbered pitches, all with 16A hook-up, and nearly all are hardstanding. Pitches are clearly divided by grass, gravel and tarmac roads.
A friendly welcome is always forthcoming and a useful map of the site is provided when you check in. There are three pristine sanitary facility buildings with free hot showers. Mops and buckets are provided and users are asked to mop up after themselves as this helps maintain the buildings to the high standards for which the club is famous. No pitch is further than 50 metres from these facilities.
As for other recreational activities, Sandringham House and its museum are close by. And, within five miles you’ll find golf, fishing, and horse riding available. Boat trips can be taken around the coast.
The Country Park is open to visitors with its train ride, country walks, adventure playground, Royal Gardens flower stall and tea room.
Last year, there was a minor problem with some of the grassed areas but the park’s staff have worked hard to re-seed the area.
l Save money: the ferry crossing to the Isle of Wight can be costly but the park offers travel packages which help offset this cost.