Caravan of Fun (Shamba Holiday Park)

Member Name: katyc

Product:	Shamba Holiday Park
Date:	23/08/09 (65 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A great base

Disadvantages: Just a bit tired

After countless hours trawling through the web, we decided we would take friends recommendations and visit Shamba holidays at Ringwood.

First impressions seemed good the Website www.shambaholidays .co.uk was easy to navigate and the site looked very nice I am still a bit of a technophobe so did my booking by telephone which was easy and pain free the lady was very helpful and patient.
As a Caravan virgin I would have liked to go for a long weekend but in High Season ( School Holidays) you have to stay for 7 nights minimum.

Well early one Monday morning we set off in the pouring rain and after a fairly short easy journey we pulled off the Dual carriage way and discovered our Caravan site. We booked in at reception and were created by the Wardens, who then showed us to our pitch upon arrival it was apparent that this pitch would not allow us to put up our porch, as soon as the Warden realised this he moved us.

So we have arrived Caravan all set up so we set out to explore the site, perhaps it was the weather or maybe my expectations were very high but I was rather disappointed.

Play Park
I was expecting a very well built wooden play area however it was rather tired and shabby , I was not convinced at the safety of the equipment.
We therefore did not make that much use of the play area

Shop
This is exactly as you would expect from a camp site shop selling sweets, papers, a small selection of groceries the prices were reasonable apart from the bread £1.70 a loaf!

Social Club
This did both eat in and takeaway food at very reasonable prices mainly burgers etc we used the take away service for some Garlic Bread £1.50 for 5 slices and no oven to clean!
We went in a couple of times after swimming for a drink and the prices were reasonable Spirit and Mixer £2 pint £3 fruit shoots £1.

Throughout August there is also entertainment on We were very lucky to find a children's disco which my daughter thoroughly enjoyed they gave free glow in the dark bracelets and sweets! I unfortunately had to remain in the Caravan with the youngest - such a pity!

Swimming Pool
The pool can be both indoor and out depending on the weather, there is no lifeguard on duty which I found to be a disadvantage due to lots of games and jumping into fairly shallow water. The whole pool area is very clean and well maintained. There are baskets for your possessions but no lockers there are also tables and chairs around the pool area.

Within the pool building there are two Family changing rooms with bathroom we used these which meant that showering two children was much easier, there are two doors which go into the main bathrooms if you cannot get into the family changing.
For me the two disadvantages of the pool were no lifeguard and also the tiles were lethal when wet .
Bathroom
Very clean with a family shower room (ladies only) There is also a play pen again ladies only but bliss . The Toilets have won Loo of the Year by the British toilet association (yes there really is made me chuckle) we didn't use our shower in the Caravan there was no point when the facilities were so good.

Laundry
I cannot comment on these again the area was clean but I do not go on holiday to do washing!

Washing up area
Radio playing plenty of hot water and again very clean other than someone else to do the washing up it was excellent!
Tourist information
Near the reception there is a shed with loads of leaflets with everything you can do in the area and also places to eat all the leaflets tend to have money off coupons so well worth a look
Shamba also has a field for walking the dog as we haven't got one I didn't venture here but I was told is very good by those with dogs

Well the cost we paid £28.00 per night for our pitch including use of all facilities and also water and electricity hook up however should you have children over 5 then you would have to pay £2.50 per night for them you are also charged £3.00 per night for awning's and Dogs are extra too full details are on the website (www.shamaholidays.co.uk)

Directions
The site is easy to find just off Ringwood road,

Full address Ringwood Road, St Leonards, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 2SB.

Summary

Well would I recommend this site for us I would not go here again but if your children were 5 &6 then they would probably get more out of the site and then it would be a great place to stay. Shamba is ideally suited for exploring the nearby area and there are good facilities for shopping in the area. I would not go again as we didn't need the facilities that were there and too many hidden extra's, although to be fair the Staff were incrediably helful and when we had a problem they dealt with it and could not have been kinder.

Summary: see review