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Reviews of Carlton Meres Holiday Park (PHolsUK)

Campsite Search > UK > East Anglia England > Suffolk > Saxmundham > Carlton Meres Holiday Park (PHolsUK) > Reviews

Carlton Meres Holiday Park (PHolsUK)
Rendham Road
Carlton
Saxmundham
Suffolk   (Browse area)
IP17 2QP
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 Featured Site

Pitches: -
Open: 20/03/2024 to 02/11/2024
           20/03/2025 to 02/11/2025

Rating: Average Review Score: 6/10 from 33 Reviews
                6/10 from 33 Reviews

Photos (23)

 No Tents   No Caravans   No Motorhomes   No Campervans 
 Glamping Units   Holiday Homes for Hire   Holiday Homes for Sale   Seasonal Pitches 
 Electric Hookups   Hardstanding Pitches   Fully Serviced Pitches   Show Full Facilities
Who's it for
 Families Welcome   Not Members Only   No Rallies   Not Naturist Site 
 Dogs Welcome   No Dogs Allowed   Groups Welcome 
Facilities
 Toilet Facilities   Hot Showers   Washing Up   No Bathroom 
 Baby Changing Facilities   Laundry On Site   Drinking Water   Disabled Friendly 
 Chemical Disposal   No Battery Charging   Gas Exchange   Recycling Facilities 
 No Kitchen Facilities   No Freezer / Fridge   No Motorhome Point   Wifi Access 
 Shop On Site   Bar On Site   Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway On Site 
Activities
 Kids Playground   TV Room   Games Room   Evening Entertainment 
 Fishing On Site   No Wild Swimming   Indoor Pool On Site   Outdoor Pool On Site 
 No Horse Riding   No Cycle Hire   Golf <5 miles   No Tennis 
 Beach <5 miles   Watersports <10 miles   No Boat Launch 
Other Features
 No Sea Views   Not Working Farm   No Campfires Allowed 
 No Waterside Pitches   Public Transport <5 miles  No Dog Walk 

Reviews:  33 in total, now showing 11 to 20                 Previous 10          Next 10
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Date of Visit: August 2015 Unit:  Tent
Reviewer: Sarah_Sayers 3 reviews from this member

 After reading some bad reviews on this site, I went with a certain amount of trepidation, however things were not as bad as I had been fearing.

The welcome was not great, the lady who checked us in made us feel like a great inconvenience.

As others have said the shower block lacks privacy, which is a shame as there is an area outside each shower where you could change, if they just hung another shower curtain. Knowing about this in advance helped me, as I just wandered over to the block in my dressing gown! Cleanliness was fine, not A1, but probably hard to keep on top of on a site of this size. Just some mud and grass on the main floor, but the showers themselves were spotless.

We liked the layout of the tent area, with lots of trees for the children to play and adventure in. It also broke the field up a bit and made it feel like you were in a smaller place. Also a really big open field where the children can play. The site was very quiet. Lots of washing up stations under a cover. Grounds nicely kept.

The playground is small, as is the pool and there is no shallow end for the younger children, but none of that seemed to matter to my nephews, they had a great time. The chap who did the kids club was brilliant. Funny, and great with the children, he's a real credit to the site.

We didn't use the bar area much. The cash machine was not working, and hadn't been so for a month according to the staff. Nor was the wifi. Didn't matter to us, but might to others. I think if you're going to advertise that you have it, it should be available.

One big down for us though. The bins were over flowing the whole time we stayed there. Not just a few bits left beside the bins, masses of rubbish all stacked around the already full bins, and I am sure this contributed to the wasp problem. I know you get wasps outdoors, but this was like a biblical plague. Made for great team building around the camp-site though as everyone was sharing what tips they had for wasp traps.

This site is ok, but with a bit of care and effort it would be brilliant. 


Date of Visit: August 2015 Unit:  Touring Caravan
Reviewer: Andybikemad 2 reviews from this member

 Not a site I would revisit. Arrived about 1pm staff in the reception was polite but didn't seem to know what they was doing, no info was given as to where water and waste was info pack that we were given only give info for the static vans. Found our pitch which only gave us about 4 foot from the van next to us only had a porch awning but by the time you get your car on there wasn't any room for much else. Toilet blocks were dirty although we were told they are cleaned 3 times a day saw no sign of this, no privacy in showers only a curtain, for 2 days there was no toilet paper in the men's block (even though they where cleaned 3 times a day!) There was dogs running around without leads and dog mess that had not been picked up. Night times was noisy had to ask a group of people to keep the noise down at 1pm. On the day of leaving there was a van turned up saying that they was on our pitch this was at 10am even though there was several pitch's empty that had been throughout our stay. This could be a lovely site with a bit or organisation and enforcing rules. 


Date of Visit: July 2015 Unit:  Touring Caravan
Reviewer: Wooliepig 3 reviews from this member

 Not one of my favorites. Good points and bad points.

Hubby and i booked for 4 nights arriving wednesday 22nd july. Popped postcode into 'satnag' and ended up at a totally different campsite with big boards out front saying 'no access to carlton meres' - obviously this is/has been and will continue to be an issue (maybe note on website / note on confirmation email regarding directions could be forwarded). After calling helpline number to which girl did not know how to find and would call back - week on still waiting for that call!. Once found. Reception was shut (6. 30pm) - they only open 9. 00 - 5. 00 (even on saturdays - school holidays) - so found the bar where there was no record of our pending arrival, lovely lady let us in, suggested we pitch up where ever we liked in touring field and to check in at reception in morning and advise where we were. Set up all ok, found amenities, water etc. Following morning checked in, had to prompt for welcome pack, had to prompt for electric key card for gate - all in all not a welcoming / helpful experience.

For the site itself, large touring area and lots of static caravans, in a nice setting, nice and quiet, nothing very local but that's what you go away for to get away from it. The entertainment / function area has recently been done up and is very nice and clean, staff helpful, cider cold, didn't try food but looked ok - lot of money spent but did not see many people using facilities (mainly staff, family of staff). Tennis court £5 p/h. Pool looked ok but unless it reaches 30 degrees i would not get in. The biggest disappointment and the only reason i would not return is the showers. Beautifully clean but where is the privacy ??? Literally shower with curtain across. You have to either get undressed in full glory of anyone walking into block or scuttle into a loo get undressed and quick sharp get in, get showered and scuttle back to loo again (there are 2 changing rooms but they are at other end of building) - ended up showering in my own caravan! 


Date of Visit: May 2015 Unit:  Tent
Reviewer: Mystified71 1 review from this member

 My partner and I stayed for 3 nights. We arrived after reception had closed and had to ask where to get are pack and pitch number. We were directed to the bar where a lovely young man tried to assist us. As we didn’t realise we had to call if we were going to arrive late and are pack was not there, but this was not a problem as a phone call to the manager later and we were set to go. The tent pitches are not marked out so pitched up next to a spear electric hook up, (Lucky for us :) we didn’t book one) might have been a problem if you did. The electric hook ups were scattered around the three fields.

The site has just had a major refurbishment, which included the shower blocks, toilets and the club house.

The showers. Umm although lovely could have done with a bench or two to help with changing as all there was a hook and no privacy while getting changed. I solved this problem by changing in the toilet before getting in and then a dash back to the loo after my shower. The water pressure was great but make sure you test them all to find the right temperature as they varied.

Although I didn’t try the heated swimming pool the children seemed to be having a good time. There is also two tennis courts a gym and sauna.

The two fishing lakes along with the wild ducks and geese are spectacular. You need fishing licence to fish, which I would have loved to try if there had been lessons available.

We went during half term and the site was surprisingly quite at night, this may be due to the kids in bed by ten notice.

A twenty minute drive brought you to the lovely seaside town of Aldeburgh which boosted that it had best fish and chips and they were right. There was also two co-op and a Tesco Express if you needed to pick anything up.

All in all a lovely site and would stay again. 


Date of Visit: July 2014 Unit:  Touring Caravan
Reviewer: Capelgal 2 reviews from this member

 Had two nights at this site, which we now understand is being renovated.

The toilet block needs a lot of work, toilet seats mostly broken and although showers are now free, you have to pull a cord outside of the cubicle to turn on and off, toilets are not cleaned just cleaner squirted around bowl. Likewise the mop is swirled around the floor without brushing up first, and the doors left open to dry it, leaving it very slippery.

We visited the site because a swimming pool was advertised and although the web site says it is at the moment unheated, it doesn't say it is not open! We overheard children asking when it would be open and they were told tomorrow, but it wasn't. You can view the pool and it looks very nice, but although it is only the changing rooms that are not finished it is very disappointing that they won't allow access to the pool. , especially as you could walk from your pitch with your cossy on. We spoke to many people who were especially upset about this.

Some of the electric hook ups don't work, so try before using the pitch!

The club house is a little tired but reasonably priced food and drinks offered by friendly staff.

The spacious grounds and lake are lovely and grass kept short.

We did not use the fitness room, but looks well equipped.

So, we may return in a year or so when hopefully the new owners will have finished the renovations 

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Date of Visit: June 2014 Unit:  Touring Caravan
Reviewer: Sheelywheely 4 reviews from this member

 Have just returned from a lovely weekend, the toilet/shower block was cleaned and was spotless totally different from August 2013. When we arrived several young men were cutting the hedges and clearing up. The food, although a limited menu at the moment was excellent. After speaking to several people they were all enthusiastic about the changes that are hopefully going to be made in the near future, l just hope they don't put the prices up as that will keep people away. It is a beautiful site and l am so pleased that it is going to be looked after again, we will definitely be going back again. 


Date of Visit: August 2013 Unit:  Tent
Reviewer: FourBs 1 review from this member

 We spent two nights here and I am sad to say that it has gone down hill since our last visit two years ago. The toilet block is ok, it's definitely usable but it only gets cleaned on a morning so come teatime, it really isn't very pleasant. The washing up facilities are also ok but with no cold running water, just hot but hot is better than just cold! We only booked the weekend before we stayed but our children were very disappointed that the pool was out of order, apparently had been for a week or more (would have been nice to be told this at time of booking), however it was open the following day but the water was far too cold to use.

The site itself is set in beautiful surroundings with just a few hook up points, we booked a pitch with hook up however as one of the hook up points was broken (and had been for over a week), we were left with only one pitch to choose from. Thank goodness we arrived when we did!

I can't comment on the clubhouse as we didn't stay in there, only to go into the shop which only actually had some crisps, sweets, 2 boxes of UHT milk and a few other laundry bits. I was really disappointed as on our last visit here, the shop was well stocked with local produce, diary and things for the kids to buy with pocket money (that wasn't sweets!). With the sign On the wall saying Farmshop, I had to laugh a little.

The only bins on site were near the exit, meaning that for us in the top field, it was a long old trek to dump our rubbish. Again, on our last visit there were bin facilities by the washroom. I also noticed that there was no buckets of sand near the fire alarm points and the extinguishers did not show any date checks.

All in I was quite disappointed with our visit this time, which is such a shame as I don't think we will be returning. It has so much potential too. 


Date of Visit: August 2013 Unit:  Touring Caravan
Reviewer: Sheelywheely 4 reviews from this member

 Just returned from a weekend break with family members. There were 5 tourers in our party. We were very disappointed with the site and how it has gone down hill in the last couple of years. The toilet/shower block on the main field was disgusting. The ladies block seemed as if it was only cleaned once the whole weekend and the site was full so lots of people were using it, the toilet cubicles do not have a full door, the whole block looks as if it needs a good scrub and disinfecting, it never smelled fresh, the sinks never looked clean and according to the male members in my party the gents were even worse, the only good comment about the shower block is that the water was nice and hot and you were not restricted by a timer. There was only one rubbish disposal area that was by the main entrance and that hadn't been emptied for a week or more. The shop didn't stock much of anything. There was a swimming pool but that looked as if that needed a good clean also one afternoon there was a dog swimming in it. The staff in reception and the clubhouse were lovely, very friendly. We saw no maintenance man or other workers. I will not be going again until something is done about the toilets/showers which is such a shame as it is a beautiful site but just very poorly managed. 


Date of Visit: May 2013 Unit:  Motorhome
Reviewer: Stevepugs 1 review from this member

 Very well organised reception who couldn't help enough, we had such a great time fishing and asked for late checkout with no problem. Beautiful site amazing grounds and fantastic fishing, great swimming pool although was closed for cleaning but facilities looked top class, stumbled across this site and was delighted. We had a hard stand opposite the two picture perfect lakes with electric and own water supply. We will be back 


Date of Visit: May 2013 Unit:  Touring Caravan
Reviewer: Mazzyc 3 reviews from this member

 Carlton Meres has the potential to be very good. There is one main flaw letting it down and that is the shower/toilet and washing up area.

We stayed there for the first May bank holiday weekend (family of four with a dog in a caravan).

On arrival you need to get a fob for the barrier (£5 deposit), when we arrived we were lucky and got a fob but was advised that it was the last one as they were supposed to have some delivered but they hadn't arrived.

I used the toilets just outside reception and couldn't find a light at all for them and once you shut the door you are in total darkness. I had to use the light on my phone to see and sadly when I did see the toilet was filthy with urine stains all over the seat and everywhere. I looked everywhere for a light but if there is one I cant see it.

Once we got through and set up the ground was great ( we were on grass) and flat.

There is a very small park area which the children enjoyed.

There is a bar that the children and my husband went to and played pool and enjoyed. On the Saturday night there was entertainment there and I think from the noise karaoke but it wasn't too bad in the caravan but if you were in a tent or sleeping in the awning would have been louder - but not a major problem. I did walk in the bar once during the day and it looked clean and tidy but there was a man drinking at the bar who used some pretty bad language so rushed my 6 year old past. They do serve food but we didn't eat there. There is a 'shop' on site but its really very, very tiny and not to be relied on, it just sells some cornflakes, hand soap, bags of sweets, drinks etc. Not a problem though as waitrose and tesco just a short drive away.

The main problem occurred when I went to wash up in the washing up area round the side of the shower block (they are outside). I carried over all the washing up and found the row of sinks, I looked at them and saw they were all dirty so tried to find the least filthy one and turned on the tap - nothing. I moved along the sinks trying all the taps but none worked. A tad miffed I stood for a minute with all the washing up wondering what to do! A lady came over and told me that none are working as she had the same problem and she has told reception. I had to go to the toilet/shower area and fill up with hot water from there using a push tap and try and get my 'gorilla tub' with all my washing up in under the tap in the tiny hand washing sink. I then had to take it back to the caravan and do my washing up as best as I could. For the rest of the time we used the sink in the caravan washing up bit by bit! So, I went over to the reception to ask when the water would be back on. The gentleman there was a little 'funny' with me and he said that there is no washing up there as the whole lot is leaking and basically useless, he said that the whole block needed to be knocked down. He said there was a sink in another area by the swimming pool in the laundry room. So I went off to find this - basically it wasn't practical for washing up, it was a white square shaped sink with no draining board or area to put anything, I believe it to be a sink for hand washing. Clearly they know they have no washing up facilities so on booking they should tell you this on the phone and then I would not have been so annoyed as would have expected it.

We used the showers and toilets but they really do need vast improvement (or knocking down). The toilets are not very private at all and in the showers there is only a hook and no where to put any items or stand children on etc and the floor is very wet and my clothes fell on the floor as fell off the hook so had to dress in wet clothes. The water was hot however so that's a plus.

The location is superb and that's my main reason for going as we visited southwold, Aldeburgh, sizewell beach, woodbridge and a short drive to saxmundham little town (we also had an indian takeaway delivered to the caravan which was handy). Also the area around Carlton Meres with the lakes and geese is lovely and the pitch quality was very good.

So even with the negatives purely because of location and that the children enjoyed the little park and because it wasn't very busy we actually would consider going back. However if the shower block was better and there was actually somewhere to wash up it would be a fantastic.

Just to note - I went to go to the toilet in the block and as it was being cleaned it was completely shut so you cant use the loo or have a shower. I had to walk over to the reception toilets and use the loo in the pitch black again. 


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Common Questions

Is Carlton Meres Holiday Park (PHolsUK) child friendly?  YES, it accepts children & has a playground  View all facilities

Does Carlton Meres Holiday Park (PHolsUK) have a swimming pool?  YES, there is a pool on site  View all facilities

Where is the nearest shop to Carlton Meres Holiday Park (PHolsUK)?  There is a shop on site  View all facilities

Is Carlton Meres Holiday Park (PHolsUK) dog friendly?  YES  View all facilities




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