Emral Gardens - a Little Jewel of a Site

Emral Gardens Touring Park, Bangor-on-Dee, near Wrexham, is beautifully set in the grounds of a former stately home, Emral Hall which was sadly destroyed in the 1930's when the running costs became prohibitive in the post-war years.

This is our sort of site - set deep in the heart of the country. Classified as a "hideaway" site, the 3 minute drive down the single track access road (with passing places) assures you that this is going to be a peaceful place.

Until last year, Emral was a Certificated Site of just 5 pitches. Then permission was granted for a further 15 pitches, making it a 20 pitch site for the 2008 season.

A mixture of seasonal, deluxe and grass pitches for caravans, motorhomes and tents are on offer, most with hook-up and some backing on to an ornamental pond which was originally part of the moat around the Hall. Near the entrance to the site is a delightfully rustic toilet and shower kept scrupulously clean by owner Julie Broad, who is often pottering about the site doing odd jobs and chatting to guests. Nearby is a large log cabin housing reception, information, games, a relaxing area and TV for campers (particularly people in tents), indoor washing up and fridge.

The site is located so far away from the road that the only noises are the birdsong and the occasional hum of the mower keeping the site neat and tidy. The extensive grounds, including a stream and woodland, are a delight to explore and a two mile cross-country walk heads towards Bangor-on-Dee, a delightful little town with shops, pubs, and many circular walks possible.

This is a site for rest and relaxation. Entertainment is provided by the resident peacock, penhen and pea chicks, and guinea fowl who strut their stuff, together with the birds in the runs near the site entrance.

To get the most from this site, a car is useful, however for the two nights we were in residence we were more than happy to soak up the sunshine, stroll round the grounds and take the occasional walk into Bangor-on-Dee.

Run by the same family that own Plassey Leisure Park just 5 miles away, campers can enjoy a choice of two Parks, totally different in character but equally excellent in their own special ways. What more could you ask?

AvailablePitch stays at Shortlands Farm, Druidston, Pembrokeshire

Since we’ve had our motorhome, so many people have said “you must visit Pembrokeshire – its very beautiful” that we finally got round to it this Easter. And what a wonderful week – 7 days of unbroken sunshine, calm days and clear nights – absolutely perfect.

A search for campsites with availability showed that Shortlands Farm Caravan Club Certificated Location had touring vacancies in early April and on checking their availability calendar for Easter, we saw they had a few touring pitches available.

This popular site has to be booked well in advance - not surprising as it is a campsite with seaviews over the fields from all pitches. It is also very peaceful and secluded, with coastal walks direct from the farm. If you are lucky, you will see amazing sunsets, and, on a clear night, an incredible view of the night sky.

David and Pam Williams have farmed there since 1997, in what they laughingly describe as “semi-retirement”. They made a lifestyle decision to move into dairy farming in 1982, then subsequently moved to the 75 acre Shortland Farm to rear rare breed sheep and cattle organically. They also have a holiday caravan and The Granary cottage for rent, both with stunning seaviews. There has been a CL here for 35 years, and they are now welcoming third generations of visitors to the site, which has remained unchanged over the years, with just the addition of fencing, 8 electric hook-ups and a pretty family shower room with wash basin and loo.

Opposite the CL, over the Bumpy Lane, is the camping field with pitches for 5 tents, which have probably the best views of all.

Organic lamb and beef is sold from the farm. To read more about it, visit their website www.bumpylane.co.uk.

10 minutes walk downhill is The Druidstone Hotel, an amazing quirky place, with an incredible atmosphere and a brilliant menu, with a strong emphasis on vegetarian cuisine. Much more about the Druidstone in a later blog. A further 5 minutes and you are on the dramatic Druidston beach, with towering cliffs, caves and rock pools to explore. It is incredibly beautiful.

If you love peace and quiet, beautiful sea views, some of the best walking ever and a slow pace of life, this site is perfect. We absolutely loved it here, as do most people who stay. We’ll leave the last word to David, who summed everything up by saying “we just love sharing this place with people”. We are very pleased they do!