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Reviews of Martello Beach Holiday Park (PHolsUK)
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Martello Beach Holiday Park (PHolsUK)
Belsize Avenue
Jaywick
Clacton On Sea
Essex (Browse area)
CO15 2LF
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Pitches: 100
Open: 13/03/2025 to 02/11/2025
Rating: 
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| Who's it for |
 Families Welcome |
 Not Members Only |
 No Rallies |
 Not Naturist Site |
 Dogs Welcome |
 No Dogs Allowed |
 Groups Welcome |
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| Facilities |
 Toilet Facilities |
 Hot Showers |
 Washing Up |
 No Bathroom |
 No Baby Changing |
 Laundry On Site |
 Drinking Water |
 Disabled Friendly |
 Chemical Disposal |
 No Battery Charging |
 Gas Exchange |
 Recycling Facilities |
 No Kitchen Facilities |
 No Freezer / Fridge |
 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 <1 mile |
 Wild Swimming On Site |
 Indoor Pool On Site |
 Outdoor Pool On Site |
 Horse Riding <1 mile |
 No Cycle Hire |
 Golf <5 miles |
 Tennis <5 miles |
 Beach On Site |
 Watersports <1 mile |
 No Boat Launch |
| Other Features |
 Sea Views |
 Not Working Farm |
 No Campfires Allowed |
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 Coastside Pitches |
 Public Transport |
 No Dog Walk |
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Reviews:
65 in total, now showing 11 to 20
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| Date of Visit: August 2014 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Jodielb |
5 reviews from this member |
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 We booked martello beach as a group of 4 tents, unfortunately one group had to pull out last minute. We couldn't go up till the afternoon due to work commitments but thankfully one family went up first thing and reserved our pitches to with a windbreak and car or there was no way we would have been able to pitch together as it was free for all. First come first serve.
We arrived at 3pm and first impressions were 'it's a mess', tents seemed to be pitched any which way no organisation at all, it was extremely hard to drive the car to our pitch due to lack of space and room between tents.
When we finally got out the car our pitch and our friends were so bumpy and uneven we had to be very careful how we pitched without causing damage to our tent. We had to remove pegs out the ground left from previous campers before we started.
First impression on the toilets were ok, but that was short lived as they became quite filthy very quickly, loo rolls had always run out. And the first morning there was vomit all around one of the pans absolutely disgusting!
Showers again started off ok when we first looked but soon became filthy and water was Luke warm even first thing In the morning.
Children loved the park despite vial language from young children so sadly for them we stayed away.
Shop was extremely over priced so didn't use it unless we had to.
Swimming pool heating had broke so was out of use, but you also had to book and if you didn't get down there early you were out of luck because the pool was tiny.
Noise over night on the campsite was horrendous cars driving round at high speed, people beeping there horns, arguments, foul language and people throwing up clearly after a heavy drunken night in the club house (somewhere we chose to avoid)!
Going back to a badly laid out site with no space between tents, people would head back to there tents, a little worse for wear after the club house closed, tripping over guide ropes and someone even fell on my friends tent fortunately not the end her children were and fortunately the tent wasn't damaged.
We tried making the best of a bad situation because we were all friends together and could have a laugh. But decided we would pack up a day early and head home.
We would definitely not recommend this site and definitely will not be returning! 
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| Date of Visit: July 2013 |
Unit: Other |
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| Reviewer: Folly |
3 reviews from this member |
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Woeful – the worst site I’ve ever been on!
Yes the area is run down we had been warned about this, looks like some redevelopment is underway but we were more interested in the site. When we arrived on the site it wasn’t clear where to park whilst booking in but that’s only a minor point. We were told we could choose our own pitch, we drove round a bit found what looked nice a location and set our folding camper up. There were some rather tatty looking caravans and motorhomes around with grass that hadn’t been cut in quite a while underneath, they were often accompanied by cars that wouldn’t have been able to pull them or commercial vehicles despite the sign at the entrance saying “no commercials”. As we set up we were fairly dubious about the Irish chap conducting a fairly aggressive conversation on a handsfree mobile phone. As we set up we commented on the amount of litter, then we looked over to the wheelie bins and noticed they were overflowing. Also the litter looked worse as the gang mower had chopped up the litter and multiplied it several times, we also found that the same happens to tent pegs when I trod on the remains of one (ouch!).
The loo’s were filthy, there is only one convenience block which is rather dated and could do with a BIG clean, the end stall in the gents was flooded and had no door lock, I moved on, and on my third attempt found one with toilet paper. The soap dispenser was empty but there was hot water, the sinks were however, rather grotty and could do with a clean. The showers are woeful, plenty of hot water but no way of cooling it (not helpful when showering my two year old son(also there was nowhere to dry or dress him)). There is no stool, no shelf to put shower gel or toiletries and the water doesn’t drain away, instead you are left with a puddle of foul smelling water. There was a fair bit of mould and some odd stains on the ceiling. The showers need a very good clean. There is one mirror in the whole shower block but was covered in condensation so didn’t use it. Also within the convenience block are the wash up areas, there are two sinks for the while site!
During our first night I went for a walk to speak to the site security men (who were being kept busy by the travellers) and asked if the site was always like this. The security man was very friendly and said any problems call us and we will deal with it, I didn’t take him up on this as there are some sectors of society I wouldn’t feel happy complaining about, unless through the police or relevant authorities.
On the second day we went to use the pool, the changing room door lock was broken, the pool was pleasant enough the water was a nice temperature and save for a bit of sand seemed fairly clean, the drain in the outdoor pool had several pieces of the grill missing. I spoke to the receptionist to enquire if the standard was typical of Park Resorts, she answered as though she was a cassette recording and used well chosen words when answering my questions about travellers, she said that they had not had any trouble with them (it did seem that the site rules were tailored to meet the travellers needs). My wife also noted that 130 nights GWE pitch was being advertised for £500. As regards the other facilities on site such as clubhouse etc, I cannot comment as we spent as little time on site as possible (we also left early).
So to sum up if you are looking to join the travelling community then this is the site for you! Loud music at all times of the day and night, boy racers, fast driving, frame buggies, unruly children, dogs barking, foul language, lots of rubbish and other issues associated with living in a caravan / motorhome. If on the other hand you are looking for a friendly family orientated site, keep looking I implore you!
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| Date of Visit: June 2013 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Dolphia1 |
1 review from this member |
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Parking / Reception - On arrival at approx 2. 30pm I approached Martello and parked up on the left which had about 4 parking bays. It was empty so was easy to park. At first sight if it was busy I would not have known where to park.
The reception area is right next to the parking bays and the reception staff were friendly and helpful.
Tourers and tent field - In the same field with non electric round the outside (which is where I was). I was able to pitch anywhere I wanted along the non electric section, no set sized pitches which meant I could choose the flatest part. I could not see any major uneven surfaces.
There is one block to service the tents and tourers which have;
1) Toilets - around 5 stalls, 4 sinks, all clean and regularly attended to. Shaver points above the sink and at the end of the toilets is a unit with mirrors and an electric point to the left.
2) Showers were a separate block - out of the toilet door and you could jump to the shower block. Has about 5 showers, the shower head on the 3rd one was movable (did not check the rest)and it has the standard push button but I must admit it lasted about 30 seconds rather than the usual 10 which if you think about it is a long time. The showers were big enough for me and my daughter to shower in but have no real place to get dry but we managed to do this in the cubicle. These are just shower, no toilets or sinks. As you enter the room on the right is a surface with a couple of electric points. The showers were dated but clean. Very hot (too hot for me but daughter loved it)
3) Washing up facilities - these were located inbetween the toilet door and the shower door and there is only enough room for one person/family to wash up. Just to point out round the other side of the building is a duplicate for the mens toilet/shower and another washing up space.
4) Drinking water - At the end of one side of the building are 2 drinking water taps. Fairly low down and it looks like they are putting a building around this to make the taps in doors!
5) Chemical disposal point - this is at the other end of the building, it has the normal hole to dispose of contents but it has a weird flush system which is a pipe coming out of a toilet system where you 'flush the chain' and water comes out of the pipe and you can rinse out your toilet. This is not good as ideally you could do with a hose to properly clean your toilet, water gushing out of a pipe only gets you soaking wet!
Shop - there is one 'Nisa' shop (next to reception) open mostly at 8 am and I think it closed around 8pm. Sells everything you need food and drink wise (alcholic and non alcoholic) it also sells the usual gifts like sweets, biscuits, money boxes etc, prices are ok but they do charge 5p per carrier bag :-)
Park - As you enter the park on the right, is a play park for the kids. Surrounded by high green fencing. Located right by the side of the main road going into the touring field, so was not warm and fluffy to let my 8 year old go their on her own. My daughter loved the park, couple of tube slides lots of climbing. Small climbing frame for younger kids. Swings for both older and younger however one swing seemed to be missing from each set! next to the park is a football pitch (concrete not grass) with goals at both ends (does help)
Swimming pool - Small pool maximum depth 1. 2 metres, another circular toddler type pool next to it, showers and toilets. Only 3 changing rooms. This was not busy despite it size. Does have an outdoor pool rounghly the same size but did not use this (brrr) Done a water activity as well like the hamster balls (the blow up balls you can walk on water in) 2 lifeguards about, friendly. We did book a slot the morning of the day you want to go just in case they got busy, this was handy as it was never packed which meant you could at least move. Had balls and swimming aids about to use if needed.
Restaurant - Ocean bar was nice, order food and drink at bar, ate quite a few times here all meals nice, have separate kids menu which was handy as my daughter really fussy. Do breakfast which was also good and food is served from 9am through to about 9pm. After 9pm there is a burger bar (shut on Sunday we found out) very handy after coming out hungry. 2 Lovely ladies run this.
Show bar/amusements/- Have to go through the amusements to get anywhere (pool, bar, showbar) which is quite spacious, usual games. Showbar had a good bar, popcorn, nuts etc plenty of room although the site itself is very small. Could see my daughter from anywhere within the bar.
Staff - Could not fault them. Emma and Mike the two kids entertainers on duty who worked really hard from daytime entertainment through to then doing the evening entertainment and play the 'characters'. Whether there were 50 kids or 1 kid they did entertain (on last day there was just husband and child doing one of the activities and they had great fun)
Bar staff all friendly along with reception and pool staff. Shop staff could be more happy but probably having a bad day !
Overall one of the smallest sites (of any company) that I have been too but had lots to do and would definitely go there again and my 8 year old is already asking when we can go back!
£34 for 3 nights non electric, includes entertainment passes, for two people, this price applied for up to 4 people (intially mum and daughter then I had to work so dad took over sunday)
The only negative was the toilets in the amusement centre (opposite the swimming pool) they smelt awful just as you walked down the corridor, it got worst when you went in. Poor condition, did not look maintained/cleaned. Hubby said he walked into the mens toilet and walked out again as there was water leaking into the corridor and the state of the toilets themselves were revolting. The toilets in the main blocks and those inside the show bar were fine.
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| Date of Visit: May 2013 |
Unit: Touring Caravan |
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| Reviewer: Custom |
8 reviews from this member |
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Just returned from martello, here's my opinion. Firstly-yes, Jaywick is a shanty town-the back streets look like they're more suited to a 3rd world country BUT once through the gates to martello beach its a very nice site! A police presence was noted occasionally-but it wasn't intrusive & the whole of jaywick was patrolled-not just the site.
As others have mentioned there's a shop (no camping stuff though), indoor & outdoor pool (lifeguards keep an eye on everyone, you book a 1 hr slot so the pools wont get too crowded all at once), 2 bars-1 is the quiet/food bar, the other is the entertainment venue, so pretty much what youd expect. In the touring field there is one decent sized shower/loo block, fresh water & chemical waste point plus 2 washing up sinks. Now if this doesn't sound like much it did cope with a sunny bank holiday weekend with ease, showers were lovely & hot & there were 2 staff members cleaning/checking for problems all week doing a great job too!
Pitch sizes are a generous 6m X 6m mostly flat with a few lumps & bumps! Some people cant take direction & ignored instructions on how/where to pitch though! The far end of the touring field is very peaceful (no hook-up) & ideal for away from it all camping-fair play to the management for not cramming as many pitches as possible on it as other sites would!
Staff throughout were superb-on the entertainment front Carly & Lee should sing more often instead of booking some rather average evening acts!Evening bingo linked with other park resorts sites means you could go home with hundreds/thousands more than you came with-if youre lucky. But you wont break the bank camping here-£135 for a b/h week was cheap-the site was a pleasant surprise, especially at this price!
Kids are well catered for (the staff were very good at wearing them out to give the parents a break). The beach at the front of the site is shingle & ok-to the left of it is a rocky breakwater. On the other side of this is a nice little sandy cove.
Further afield-Frinton beach below the Greensward is nice (most of this beach is dog friendly too) & free parking!But for great fish&chips try the one in the centre of Walton (superb). Parking in Clacton is not easy-even on rainy days its hard to find a spot! Lots to do on the pier of course!
back on site:amongst the extras there's a burger bar outside the arcade/bar area from 9pm, an ice cream van toured the site regularly during the day, on some days we spotted a bouncy castle & rodeo bull ride too!
So to sum up. A medium sized site, great value, great staff, next to the beach 5 mins from clacton! Well worth a look-my daughter's bugging me to book there again already!if you want to extend your stay while you're there by another night they only charge you £15!
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| Date of Visit: May 2013 |
Unit: Touring Caravan |
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| Reviewer: Nicnoc1982 |
3 reviews from this member |
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What a shame! Staff here were so friendly and the site really tries hard. We went to this local site to try out our new touring van before we took it further afield. Unfortunately we had to leave early as the toilets were vandalised with the sinks being pulled off the walls. We didn't feel as though we could sit outside our van or leave it for very long. We were actually refunded due to the issues so well done to the site on this one! Pitches were a bit all over the place and not very clear so this is something that really could do with being addressed. Quite run down on the drive into the site too so not a great location.
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| Date of Visit: September 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Arabscot |
11 reviews from this member |
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A great weather forecast for a September weekend should not be missed so made a last minute decision to visit the coast and stay for a couple of nights. Saturday arrival on a hot sunny day made for a busy site. Mid-season prices for a non-electric pitch for up to 6 people was very reasonable - cheap, cheerful, and good value.
Friendly reception staff simply told us to pick a spot wherever we liked as long as we kept 5m distance to adjacent pitches. For us this turned out fine, all pitches are flat, and quiet at night so a good nights sleep.
Site can accomodate a large number of tourers/tents but facilities are minimal for such numbers. One toilet/shower block, with two chemical waste disposal points, two sinks for washing up, and two drinking water taps. Plenty of hot water in the showers. The block itself could do with modernising and a few more washbasins, and definitely more regular cleaning.
The on-site bar was fine - drinks and food were good but as others have noted the food could be pricey - but enjoyed the breakfast. Others have mentioned a police presence mainly by the bar in the evening - this was the case on our stay but we didn't see any trouble.
We didn't use any of the other facilities and can only say that the kids seemed to be having fun.
'Resort' camping would not be our normal choice, and Martello Beach would not be top of our list, but for a night or two for somewhere to put your head down, have a couple of beers in the evening, while you go somewhere else during the day - it does fine - at mid-season prices that is - I wouldn't consider returning in high season.
I doubt this site sees many backpackers - you have to walk through Jaywick to get to the site and I doubt many would make that trip.
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| Date of Visit: August 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Tracyndale |
2 reviews from this member |
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After making a last minute booking then reading the reviews we nearly didn't go to this site. Would have missed out. The general area of Jaywick is run down. Sad to see but is a great base to go off to clacton from. Arrived midweek for 4nights. Receptionist friendly directed to elec touring field. Pitches ran diagonally and where not clearly marked but wasn't a problem as most people seemed to use common sense. You can see arrivees scratching their heads! Toilets n showers were spotless nice warm showers lovely. Was great until the weekend when they were freezing. N toilets blocked. This is a very busy family site also couple of teenage groups but everyone enjoyed themselves. We didn't see no trouble. Usual kids entertainment. The staff worked hard to keep kids happy. Mine 4, 6+8 loved it. Swimming pool very small and had to book in in morning for an hours swim. Good clean play area. Paid £160 for camping which was value for money in the 6 wks holidays. If you want a busy family resort on budget worth a go. Enjoyed yes. Would I go back. Probably not.
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| Date of Visit: August 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Tweenyno2 |
7 reviews from this member |
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Stayed here for a few days break with friends and their children. Staff helpful in telling us where to go when we arrived, but as has been mentioned before, there was no regimentation of the camping pitches. A case of set up where you like, meaning it was an obstacle course trying to avoid all the guy ropes from various other tents/tourers.
Toilets and showers were in a reasonable state on the actual campsite field, and a cleaner was seen at least once every day whilst we where there, but the toilets in the clubhouse/arcade got worse as the day went on, to the point we didn't want to use them in the evening as they stank so much. Not sure how often they actually got cleaned.
Activities for children were good, with our friends youngest happy that Sparky the Rabbit and friends where there a lot of the time. The bookings for activities, however, were rather poor, as the times stated on the information pamphlet didn't match up with any of the actual times the activities took place. Food and drink in the clubhouse was also expensive.
Shop was well stocked, although sold out of stuff quickly, and for some bizarre reason, didn't stock essential camping equipment such as small camping gas cylinders (the type used in small gas stoves).
Beach was clean, although stony, but this didn't put us off going twice.
Would visit again, but not for more than a few days at a time.
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| Date of Visit: April 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Tynxuk |
16 reviews from this member |
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The clubhouse was small for the size of the site, electric pitches bundled together with no road/path separating so risk getting 'pitched in', you have to walk/drive through pitches and there didn't seem to be much enforcement on general rules. Dogs loose on arrival and a group of people with commercial vehicles were pitched in the middle of the site. Thursday night was freezing and we had a man in a van blasting music at 12. 30 but when I went out to the toilet he turned it down until I returned to the tent but then put it up again and started singing along! I believe security were called and this was dealt with quite quickly. Friday night they had left but a couple of young groups arrived which started playing music around 8. 30pm until gone midnight and the other group sang random songs (out of tune) although I found the music less offensive than the previous nights man as this seemed just young'uns enjoying themselves rather than out to annoy.
The toilet and shower block seemed to be only briefly checked on and signed off several occasions at one time ie 3. 30, 6. 30 & 9. 30 all filled in after 9. 30! and that was the night all the toilets ran out of paper. The toilets were being used for campers to warm up, boil their kettle (as they were none electric) and have a ciggy. One evening I walked in to the smell of cooking, someone was cooking rice in the toilet block. The shower block seemed to be the same however I did experience a male cleaner wanting to go in on several occasions but due to women showering he would leave without looking in.
Sadly the sandy beach was littered and dog poo on the paths, campers also left rubbish after packing up.
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| Date of Visit: October 2011 |
Unit: Static |
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| Reviewer: Yellowbelly |
1 review from this member |
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Took a 5 day Sun newspaper holiday offer and first impressions were. Well as has been said previously Jaywick is a bit of a hole right down to the tumble weed blowing down the beach, the day we arrived it was right into the teeth of a force 9 sou'wester, but the site is clean and tidy, the staff helpful even a week before they closed for the season, don't expect riveting 'entertainment' in the clubhouse its all a bit 'Bingo' and not my thing but we didn't spend any days on the site only used it as a base to travel around, we visited Colchester Castle, Colchester zoo which is brilliant and you need a whole day to do it justice, Sutton Hoo (on the way home) we used the pool, which was empty apart from ourselves and about 5 others, which was a little small but warm and clean.
We didn't try the food but it looked OK and was cheap enough we did eat out in the Clacton area at a couple of pubs, Clacton is a typical UK holiday resort and not the normal place we visit living 20 minutes drive from Skeggy we get enough sand and chips when ever we need.
This was our 2nd visit to a 'Park Resort' and they aren't a patch on Haven ones but it was OK.
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Common Questions
Is Martello Beach Holiday Park (PHolsUK) child friendly? YES, it accepts children & has a playground View all facilities
Does Martello Beach Holiday Park (PHolsUK) have a swimming pool? YES, there is a pool on site View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Martello Beach Holiday Park (PHolsUK)? There is a shop on site View all facilities
Is Martello Beach Holiday Park (PHolsUK) dog friendly? YES View all facilities
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