Golden Customer Vote For Park Holidays UK

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By William Coleman

Customer feedback and word of mouth is one of the most powerful forms of advertisement, proof of that in recent times has been the huge global success of TrustPilot and TripAdvisor. Recently Park Holidays UK have been given a top gold award verdict form their visitors. Following the 2018 Feefo Gold Trusted Service Park Holidays have now joined a small elite group who have been given this prestigious honour.

A lot of people turn to the internet when doing any kind of research on holidays, which is one of the best things you can use the web for, and a lot of people are now using a site called Feefo. Feefo is one of the world’s most trusted independent review websites. Their top gold award is only given to who achieve exceptionally high scoring.

Unlike most popular review websites you must be an genuine verified customer to submit votes that count towards Feefo’s top award. So you know that the people voting are genuine people and not just someone who did not like the breakfast they had and simply want condemn the place they visited.

Guest are able to make comment or criticism on any aspect of a company’s services, from the ease of the booking process to the way the staff treat you during your stay. Park Holidays UK scored very well across the board in all aspects which got them a huge thumbs up from consumers.

Last year, said Park Holidays UK director Tony Clish, the company invested over £20 million in new swimming pools and other leisure facilities across its 26 holiday parks:

“We have always been determined to provide the best quality and the best value to our holiday guests, and we are hugely proud that they have voted us this award,” he said.

“It’s especially pleasing because Feefo only accepts reviews from bona fide customers on its review website, so the credibility of the comments is never in doubt.

“They are exclusively from people who have booked with Park Holidays UK, and who have first-hand experience of the holidays and standards of service we offer.

“In other words, these reviews are simply what genuine customers feel about us – and we are delighted to be exceeding their expectations in so many different ways,” added Mr Clish.

Holiday Parks UK have a sites all over the country and provide caravan holiday homes and lodges which can be owned privately or rented for short breaks. A number of their parks also have touring pitches available.

2018 has more investment in store for the company’s leisure and entertainment facilities, said Mr Clish, which will help to ensure that the company meets and exceeds its already golden standards.

Other pampering bonuses include hotel quality linen on all of the beds which – other than for newspaper promotional bookings – are fully made-up on arrival.

More information about the group’s parks and details of holiday offers for the coming year can be found on Park Holidays UK’s website at www.ParkHolidays.com

Caravan And Car Combo Win For Family Worth £34,000

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By William Coleman

We all love a good competition here in the UK and we all want to win whatever is on offer. These competition winners certainly walked away with one of the best prizes I have seen in a very long time at the February NEC Show.

The Camping and Caravanning Club reinvigorated their long running No B+E? No Problem! campaign for 2018. The Club launched a competition during the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at the Birmingham NEC Show last month. People who took part in the competition were in with a chance of winning an All-New Hyundai KONA and a Swift Basecamp Plus camping crossover vehicle which has a combined price of more than £34,000.

The lucky winners of this amazing competition were Rachael and Noel along with the 9 week old son Benjamin. The couple collected their New Generation Hyundai i30 and Swift Basecamp at the Birmingham show, which made their visit there all the more special.

On top of winning the car and caravan combo they also walked away with a year’s free membership to the Club and Caravan manoeuvring course for beginners. The Hyundai is a fantastic hatchback and when combined with the lightweight Swift Basecamp you can set of on your holidays without having to worry about any towing laws.

Rachael said: We feel like we’ve outgrown tents and as a family but had never really thought about caravans. I want to explore the UK with my husband and I think the first place we’ll visit is the Peak District. Noel is American and we haven’t been able to travel and see that much of the UK yet-perhaps now is the time to do it. We would not have been able to afford to buy a caravan so winning the competition opens up a whole new way of holidaying.

The prize was given to the couple by the Camping and Caravan Club along with Hyundai and Swift as part of the club’s ‘No B+E Licence? No Problem!’ campaign. The campaign has been designed to reassure drivers who passed their driving tests on or after January 1st 1997 that they can tow legally with plenty of modern car and caravan combinations while holding a category B driving license. So if you do hold a category B license you can legally tow up to 3,500KGs.

The Camping and Caravanning Club’s Technical Manager, Ian Hewlett, said: “Advancements in technology and improvements in the manufacturing process mean that caravans are becoming increasingly lightweight and easier to manoeuvre than ever before.

“The prospect of towing a caravan for the first time really isn’t that scary – and there’s now more choice than ever to help give owners confidence they’re buying the model that is best suited for their needs. The KONA and Basecamp Plus are a great combination.”
With this perfect combo and the No B+E Licence? No Problem!’ campaign you really do not have anything to worry about. All you need to do is a little bit of research on the weights of your vehicles and away you go.

£4m Makeover For Kent Seaside Park

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By William Coleman

When renovating a holiday park £4m can go a very long way. Park Holidays UK have just finished their latest site redevelopment at one of their Kent seaside parks ahead of the 2018 season and they have certainly made the most of the money they had.

New Beach Holiday Park, which is located near Dymchurch, is now completely ready to welcome guests for the new season. Following the revamp the facilities on site have been described as wholly unrivalled.

New Beach, which is owned by Park Holidays UK, have said that completing the site on time was all due to massive efforts put in by the team doing the works, who deserve all the credit. The work was completed in just a few months which saw the former clubhouse demolished and replaced with a brand new modern entertainment complex.

The new complex boasts a whole range of brand new showbiz equipment and technology which includes a high-tech lighting and sound system, which will allow New Beach to stage West End standard live performances. Despite the money spent on the new sound and lighting stage the site still provides free entertainment for its guests.

There has also been a fantastic new addition for the kids. Park Holidays UK have built an arcade area with world class gaming systems which are suitable for all ages.

Something that makes this a stand out site is the newly developed bar area with a super size TV screens. So when you are visiting you will never miss a game or event. When you are at the bar you can also take full advantage of the restaurant which serves meals throughout the day and evening.

If you run out of the bare essentials, or if you fancy something a little different, there is an on site mini supermarket where you can pick up anything that you need. There is also a brand new sales administration centre for those who may want to purchase permanent plots or holiday homes.

Another big part of the development was the addition of new leisure homes to buy, ranging from starter caravan holiday homes at around £15,995 to fully specified extra wide luxury lodges.

According to Park Holidays UK director Tony Clish, the decision to invest substantially in New Beach is a reflection of the confidence the company has in the park’s future:

“New Beach has long been one of the most popular of our twenty-eight parks, and we are determined to ensure it continues offering guests the best possible experience,” he said.

“The park is open for fifty weeks of the year for leisure home owners, so there’s always a great holiday atmosphere and plenty of indoor activities such as a swimming pool.

“Park Holidays UK is especially well known for the quality of our free entertainment, and we spend literally millions each year securing first-class acts.

“Now at New Beach we have a great venue in which to welcome performers and our holiday guests.

“I am confident that our investment will help attract even more visitors in the future, and this will also benefit the many other businesses in this part of Kent which rely on tourism.

“We’re immensely proud of this new project – and give a big thank-you to our staff for their role in helping to make New Beach such a great holiday centre,” said Tony.

With so much to do and see on site this park is one of the best for families. The kids will have more than enough things to do to fill their time while the adults relax and make the most of the hard earned leisure time. So now the season has started make sure this site is at the top of your holiday destination shortlist.

Free Holiday Competition With Experience Freedom

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By William Coleman

Recently The Caravan and Motorhome Club launched their Experience Freedom Brand. To Kick things off with a bang they are giving a lucky family a 6 night cycling holiday absolutely free. All you have to do is get your spirit of adventure in check and enter the competition.

The Club’s Experience Freedom brand will be running the three CycleFest events and are all accredited by British Cycling and supported by Raleigh a Maxxis. The aim of the events are to bring people from all walks of life to enjoy cycling. There will be two challenges per CycleFest, the challenges come in the form of different routes. You can choose from a relaxed family ride and a cycling village with lots to see and do.

Courtesy of Belle France, you could win a family cycling holiday for 2 adults and 2 children in the Loire region of France worth £4,000. Simply click HERE and you’re halfway there.

A Hands On Look At The Auto Trail Tracker LB

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By William Coleman

Recently we have covered how the Tracker LB works for weekends at the races and family holidays. In this video we will be highlighting some of the key features that make this Auto-Trail model a clear standout among all other motorhomes.

When touring around the UK the two things that I look for in my portable accommodation is comfort and space, something that usually goes hand in hand. With the Tracker LB you get an abundance of both, which makes it the ideal tourer.

From the big additions like the full size fridge freezer to the smaller details like bedside surfaces the Tracker LB pretty much has it all. Think of it as more of a portable flat or apartment than a motorhome.

When it comes to the luxury side of things this is where the comfort box gets ticked. The island bed makes such a massive difference when two of you are going away. In the past I have used all manner of beds inside touring vehicles and I have found that sleeping two adults comfortably is not always that easy. There are no such issues in the Tracker LB.

That is more than enough from me, for now, so have a look at our video and let us know what you think.

CaravanTimes Head To The MotoGP With The Auto Trail Tracker LB

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By William Coleman

We sent Dan, CaravanTimes man in the field and superbike enthusiast, to meet Andrew Ditton and his four legged companion Dougal at the British Superbike warm ups. They get to spend the whole weekend at Cadwell Park and meet the best of the best, who just happen to be sponsored by AutoTrail. For our man in the field this really is a journalistic dream come true.

The AutoTrail sponsored Tyco BMW team all use leisure vehicles from this industry leaders. The track days can be long, extremely busy and strenuous for the riders and also the people in attendance. So after a long day these riders need somewhere nice to settle down and relax. And what better place than an AutoTrail motorhome. The ease, comfortable and luxury of motorhomes and caravans really do make them the backbone of the motorsport industry.

For decades race tracks and other courses around the globe have been, and will continue to be, littered with all different forms of leisure vehicle. For mini flat back truck conversions all the way to the super luxury, you see it all. This is just another fantastic example of how versatile the Tracker LB really is.

The Auto-Trail Tracker LB really is a luxury motorhome. Andrew Ditton sums it up as a perfect leisure vehicle for couples. With the good size double bed, spacious wash area and great seating area it’s the perfect fit for a couple. If Andrew’s testimony is not enough check out what Dougal the dog thinks.

Making Memories With The Auto Trail Tracker LB

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Our good friends at Auto-Trail are more than just motorhome provider. They are a UK based manufacturer who invest a lot of time into making their touring vehicles the ideal choice for you and your family holidays. They are consistent award winner which is a testament to the time and effort they put into their motorhome designs. In this video they will show you exactly what touring holidays are all about.

The design feature I find the most appealing about the Tracker LB is just how much space and storage the motorhome provides. With large rear storage underneath the main bedroom you can take a whole range of accessories with you from BBQs to inflatable boats.

The large fridge freezer means that you can fully stock up with enough food and drinks to ensure that you will not need to spend your precious holiday time having to run back and forth to the shops. It really does make a huge difference having a fridge as large as the one board the Tracker LB.

In the good size rear bedroom you will find the perfect size double island bed. The bed has space either side of it so you can climb on and off without disturbing your significant other in the mornings. There are also bedside like tables each side of the bed so of an evening you can finish your book and rest it on the side without having to get up and take it elsewhere.

So if you are planning on using a motorhome to make the most of everything the UK has to offer you really should be considering the Auto-Trail Tracker LB.

AA Awards Best In The North West

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William Coleman

The AA have named the Skelwith Fold caravan park, in Ambelside, as North West England’s top holiday destination for touring caravan, motorhome owners as well as glampers.

An AA award is something all sites and holiday destinations strive to achieve. An award win brings a level of prestige and validation. The family run Skelwith park bested hundreds of other eligible parks to take the NW Campsite of the year title. The award was presented to business owner Henry Wild at a special award ceremony at February’s NEC Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show.

The site sits on an 130-acre park which achieved its high award following a visit from a secret shopper visit from an AA inspector. Following the visit the secret shopper reported that this is one of the best campsites I have ever stayed on. Some incredibly high praise for the park and its owners.

Henry Wild said that the AA’s top regional accolade was a fantastic start to the 2018 season for the park which his family has owned for over 20 years.

The award follows the park being crowned last year as Lakeland’s top holiday park in the Cumbria Tourism Awards when it took the overall gold place in the competition.

However, said Henry, the AA award has a special significance because it looks particularly closely at the standards of service and levels of hospitality provided for touring guests:

“We know that the memories which visitors take away are fashioned not just by the quality of the surroundings, but also by the warmth of the atmosphere of the park,” he said.

“Providing this is very much in the hands of our staff team at Skelwith, and they must take a major share of the credit for our friendly reputation.

“They are always prepared to go the extra mile to make holiday guests feel welcome and at home, and to help them get the most out of their stay.

“We knew we were up against some extremely tough competition in these awards from other excellent North West parks, so everyone is naturally delighted with the result,” he added.

So it seems that 2018 has started off well across the board for the industry. With high awards being given as well as extremely high numbers of tourers embracing winter holidays.

The AA report on Skelwith Fold said: “This exceptional park is very much in tune with the natural oak woodland in which it sits, and through which a network of paths has been created.

“Very high quality is at the forefront of every aspect of this park, with first-class toilet facilities.

“The needs of tourers are met through generously-sized pitches in peaceful woodland glades, and the views of the fells from the five-acre family recreation area are truly outstanding.

“Wildlife watching and walking are readily available, and four luxurious Hideaway pods with every amenity are located in a tranquil clearing on the park.

“Skelwith Fold is a unique blend of modern and extremely high quality amenities which deliver exactly what the discerning visitor looks for in the beautiful Lake District,” it concluded.

Auto Trail Owners Club Reaches Milestone

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By William Coleman

As far as professional achievements go this is certainly one for the books. Auto-Trail are proud to announce that at this year’s February NEC show they signed up their 10,000th member, Kim and Julia Knight.

The Auto-Tail team were so close to reaching this significant milestone that they had planned to celebrate the goal over the course of the Birmingham event. As the team worked their finger to the bone to make sure they were a standout displayer at the event they reached their goal by day 4.

Mr and Mrs Knight had recently purchased their Auto-Trail Motorhome and had no idea they would become the milestone members. Club Chairman, David Wort and Club Treasurer, Kat Ashton presented Kim and Julia with a beautifully engraved award, a bottle of champagne, complimentary first year’s free membership, and 25th anniversary year polo shirts.

Managing Director of Auto-Trail, Dave Thomas and President of the Trigano Group, Francois Feuillet also presented the lucky new members with a free habitation check.

2018 is a moment of celebration for the Auto-Trail Owners’ Club, not only have they now recruited 10,000 members, it is also the year of their 25th Anniversary rally which is being held at Doncaster Racecourse this April. Over 250 vehicles will be present and a visit to the Auto-Trail factory will be arranged for all owners to explore the production line first hand.
Click here for more information about the Auto-Trail Owners’ Club.

2018 is shaping up to be an amazing year for Auto-Trail as they reach a milestone membership number and their silver anniversary. It really is excitig times for the company and I look forward to see what else they have in store this year.

To have a closer look at Auto-Trail have a browse of their amazing Tracker LB and their V-Line ranges.

Norfolk Park Wins Top Award Ahead Of Season Start

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William Coleman

February has brought more than just snow for this family run Norfolk park as the staff and management are celebrating after being named in a major new tourism award scheme. Searles Leisure Resort have been titled as Norfolk and Suffolk’s top park destination.

The Hunstanton business was the overall winner in the parks category of a prestigious new awards scheme with judges describing Searles as having an unbeatable “happiness factor”.

Sponsored by major media group The Eastern Daily Press and Hoseasons, the Norfolk and Suffolk Tourism Awards 2018 made its star-studded debut in February.

The competition is designed to highlight the region’s top tourism performers, and drew almost 300 VIP guests to the glittering finals at Edmunsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds

Popular BBC TV presenter David Whiteley who hosted the event said that Searles Leisure Resort had emerged as the stand-out holiday park winner.

Stepping into the spotlight to receive the award were brothers Paul and Andrew Searle who, with their sister Joanna, are directors of the long-established business.

The park first began welcoming campers over 60 years ago onto what was then a farm, and it has since grown to become one of Eastern England’s largest and best-loved holiday centres.

It provides more than 800 holiday home and touring pitches, including luxury lodges to buy and rent, plus a raft of family-friendly attractions and outdoor activities.

The citation from award judges noted that Searles is “an outstanding park that embraces its role in the community and pushes the boundaries of excellence in all areas of its operation.”

They continued: “Searles is a park which truly creates happiness for all ages, and offers a wide range of facilities to meet the needs of all it customers.

“The park performs well in all areas and keeps reinvesting to better the experience for its guests both throughout the summer season and with special events and themed breaks during the winter.”

Searles is also a highly regarded local employer with around 200 staff, and provides valuable training and skills development opportunities especially to younger workers.

Paul Searle said that the park’s loyal and hardworking team deserved a big share of the credit for its achieving the overall Norfolk and Suffolk park tourism award:

“These awards place strong emphasis on the quality of the hospitality provided to guests, and delivering this is largely in the hands of our employees.

“Their determination to ensure that everyone visiting Searles enjoys a first-class experience is the reason why we get so many repeat bookings each year.

“We are hopeful of another record-breaking season in 2018, and this award gives us a flying start which I hope will also benefit the regional generally,” said Paul.

With the new season just weeks away this site really should be on your short list of places to visit.

There is more information about Searles Leisure Resort at www.searles.co.uk

Interview With A Globe Trotting Tourer With A Pricey VW Camper

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By William Coleman

Recently I had the absolute pleasure if speaking with someone who has been touring the world in his camper van for almost 50 years. After all this time he has now put together, perhaps, one of the most expensive VW Campervan ever.

Jeff Williams has had many amazing adventures throughout his travelling career and has seen some of the most amazing parts of the planet. Having clocked up thousands and thousands of miles he seems to have only just gotten started.

What got you into touring holidays?

When I left university in 1975, I bought an old Series IIA Landrover with a friend and we converted it to a campervan with a couple of beds in the back and a few cupboards. We kitted it out for an expedition and drove from Birmingham to Cape Town across the Sahara, through the Congo rainforest and then across the East African savannah. I met my wife, Nikki on this trip in Johannesburg and we travelled back up through East Africa to Nairobi. After a short break back in the UK we then carried on through the Middle East to Kathmandu and then back to the UK. The whole trip took 3 years but we got the touring bug and Nikki has always wanted to cross the Sahara. We’ve not managed to return to the Sahara yet, although we have done quite a few self-drive safaris in East and Southern Africa.

How comes you chose a VW camper and not a caravan or motorhome?
We wanted a campervan that we could use every day as our main long distance vehicle. Also the access to our house in St Ives is very narrow (2m max width) so anything bigger than a VW would not make it. We also wanted 4 wheel drive so that we could go off road and get back to Africa.

So what work has gone into this VW to make it one of the most expensive camper conversions?

We bought the van as a kombi with 4 motion and DSG with quite a few extras (diff lock, led lights, satnav, adaptive cruise control etc) and wanted to have some power so we went for the 204 HP engine. So the starting price was quite high. We did not want to carry gas so we have gone for a Wallas XCduo diesel hob for cooking. We wanted to be energy self-sufficient for wild camping so have a Clayton Lithium ion leisure battery that is charged by the solar panel on our roof and has an inverter so we have 240 volts for our kettle when we are wild camping. The lithium ion battery has twice the storage capacity of a lead acid battery for the same size. The whole set up means we have enough energy to run the fridge, lights and kettle without being hooked up to the mains.
We also wanted hot water so had to get a special hot water tank made up that fits under the floor and is heated by the engine coolant or an immersion. We have a drop down shower tent on the tailgate. We had a cold water tank made up that fits under one of the seats and has a 50 litre capacity.

We decided on a LWB van so that there was room for a swivel flushing toilet and extra storage for the longer trips we plan. We have a roof bed capable of sleeping 2 adults and two RIB seats that convert to 2 single beds or can slide together to make a double. The van is fitted with blinds and fly screens to keep out midges and mosquitoes (including over the sliding side door). We went for a bit of luxury with leather seats and had top quality converters at Ecowagon build the conversion.
Finally we decided to install VB air suspension so that lets us drop height a bit for low car parks and ferries, raise it when we go off road for better ground clearance and it has automatic levelling when we camp.

What makes this so touring home so unique?

Its versatility. We can use it for local shopping trips or long distance and have seats for 4 people. We can go on off road trips for several months at a time. It’s also small enough to get through narrow town streets and country lanes. The 4motion means we have less chance of getting stuck.

Are there any trips planned once you have finished all the upgrades?

We’re heading up to Scotland at Easter but our first big trip is to Iceland via the Faroe Islands. We are taking the ferry from Denmark and are planning a route over the mountain roads that are only accessible for 2-3 months in summer.

We would like to drive back to Cape Town along the west coast of Africa – more or less sticking to the coastline – and the take the van to Australia and New Zealand. Could take a few years to do all this!

Knaresborough Caravan And Motorhome Club Site And Wanderer Bar And Kitchen Review

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By William Coleman

A couple of weeks ago I tried my hand at a spot of winter touring at the Caravan and Motorhome Club site in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. While I was there I took full advantage of The Club’s new restaurant concept The Wanderer Bar And Kitchen.

The Knaresborough Site

The Knaresborough site has changed recently following a £1m redevelopment late last year. A number of additions and adjustments were made to make your stay more comfortable and convenient. The entrance to the site was changed to make access to the site a lot easier as well as upgrades to the service points throughout the site.

There are 79 pitches available at the site, 12 or which are fully serviced. The site was at about 95% capacity, which proves the point that the public are doing a lot more touring during the winter months. The site has all the things you’d expect from a Caravan and Motorhome Club site, clean large pitches, nice quiet surroundings and staff on duty making sure the site stays clean and well kept.

The renovation also saw the addition of a new shower/toilet block. During my 3 day stay the blocks were always spotless and well stocked with soap and toilet roll. The showers get warm very quickly, something very important when the temperature was around -1 outside, and the pressure was spot on.

There is so much to do and see in Knaresborough so you will never be short on days out. The historic town of Knaresborough features the equally historic Knaresborough Market which is within walking distance from the site. The market takes place on a Wednesday so put than into your weekly plans when visiting. When you are in town you need to make sure you visit the Knaresborough castle ruins and be sure you take your camera with you.

If you want to tour in the winter, spring or summer the Knaresborough site is ideal. The site is spotless and the surrounding area is full of things to do and see. Also the new addition of the The Wanderer Bar and Kitchen certainly makes it a stand out Caravan and Motorhome Club site.

The Wanderer Bar and Kitchen

I have covered The Wanderer Bar and Kitchen a couple of times before, firstly when it was opened following the redevelopment and secondly when I met the team behind the restaurant. Now I get to give you a first had review of the food, the place and the people.

The first thing that stood out to me was just how welcoming the staff are. When dining out for the evening poor service can ruin a good meal, so no worries on that front. The waitress took her time going over the weekly specials and what else they had on offer.

Once we were seated it came time to choose a drink to open up the meal. The drinks menu is quite large with a wide range of each beverage. If you like gin or want a nice whiskey to warm you up then you are in the right place. The wine menu is also extremely impressive so be sure to take some time have a browse.

The main selling point for meis that the Wanderer makes sure that they source most of their food locally. All their fruit, veg, meat and fish is all sourced within a certain mile radius of the restaurant, depending on the season and availability. It is so important to buy local and support small independant farms and other produce companies. As well as supporting the economy it also makes for fresh tasting food.

For a starter we shared a Plank Platter which was almost too much for me and my better half. Although I stayed determined and managed to get through all the cheese, meats, olives and pickled veg.

Once the main course came I was almost too full to carry on. As soon as that perfectly cooked 10oz rib eye steak appeared my appetite came back with a vengeance. You could really taste how fresh the meat was and it was genuinely cooked to perfection. The homemade fries must have been made from about 2 whole potatoes and were so nice that I ate all mine and had a couple that were left over on the partners plate.

At this point I was far too full up to even entertain the idea of pudding, which is a shame as I had my eye on pretty much the whole dessert menu.

The next day we decided to have lunch at The Wanderer, as they were kind enough to open early for us as we were going to be doing some filming and photography of the site. I had my eyes set on the Wanderer Burger. This burger really has to be seen to be believed, it even defeated our cameraman! With three large homemade onions rings on top of a massive beef patty it was almost too large, thankfully I have an abnormal appetite.

I was able to topple the burger but had to leave the very generous portion of chips, as I was dead set on having something sweet. Once the main was done I dived into my panna cotta that came with fruit compote and an amazing shortbread biscuit.

So overall the whole experience at the Wanderer was great. I got to speak to the head chef about the food and the whole process from field to fork. The food portions and generous and all freshly prepared and cooked on site.