A family friendly campsite with extras! (Sandy Balls Holiday Centre)

Member Name: Fluffiedux

Product:	Sandy Balls Holiday Centre
Date:	13/08/09 (137 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything you could want, on site

Disadvantages: Busy and expensive for a campsite

We have just returned from a small group trip to Sandy Balls - three families all with children under three and several novice campers. We had a fab time! This is just a snapshot of our experiences, and does not include details on all facilities.
We camped with all our own equipment on the seasonal 'Cornfield' field which offered grass pitches (as opposed to gravel / hardstanding) as it was August (two extra fields are opened to deal with extra campers during the peak month). Facilities on this field were basic, but more than sufficient - several blocks of toilets, with 3 loos and 3 showers for each gender, and 2 washing up sinks with drainers. All blocks were effectively cleaned by site staff every afternoon. A campsite 'warden' was on site between 10 and 7 every day, helping new arrivals and dealing with any problems or queries. A very professional set up - and we hadn't even seen the main holiday centre yet!
The outdoor swimming pool looked like a continental pool - very nice indeed -complete with loungers and ice-cream seller! The pool itself was very, very cold - more than bracing. As it was high season, the indoor pool was running hourly sessions - which worked very well - all facilities were clean, and chemical levels were checked whilst we were there.
The shop was very well stocked, complete with bakery and freezer section, as well as the expected tins and jars. Some high end goods on offer too. Prices were reasonable - slightly more than 'corner shop' prices.
At all points staff were friendly and helpful, although the on-site 'pub' was apparently having problems with their credit card facilities which made staff a little fractious.
As a driver you must be very careful - children on bikes go where they like!
Outdoor facilities like the play areas were excellent for the young family members - and well built to cater for several age groups, seperated enough for safety and ease of use, but all within eye sight of parents.
I thought it was expensive, but with hindsight, generally it was good value for money.

Summary: Overall felt like the Holiday Centre it is named for, rather than the campsite I was expecting.