Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site
It had always been my intention to visit some different campsites once April rolled around and all sites were open again. Following my return from an Easter trip to Scotland I was again looking for a pitch. These days I tend not to use Caravan Club sites, preferring those of the ‘friendly’ club. With no answer when I called Chertsey it was time to try out somewhere new, namely Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site.
On my arrival I was pleased to see the wardens were Sue and Malcolm Wells. I’d got to know them quite well from their time at Chertsey. The assistant wardens are also a couple who I’d met more recently at Chertsey! Good wardens can really make the difference to a campsite. Some just don’t have the people skills needed for this type of work! Needless to say I think anyone planning to visit Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site will be very impressed by the staff currently there.
Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site – Location and facilities
The site is situated in the South Downs near Petworth. It has a total of 90 pitches, most of which have electric hookup. The campsite is in the middle of a wood and this leads to a real sense of privacy and seclusion. As you would expect from a countryside location like this the site attracts its fair share of wildlife. Pitches seemed to be grass but despite some dreadful weather recently the ground was bone dry during my stay. I suspect drainage here is excellent.
Like most club sites, Graffham Camping & Caravanning Club Site has showers, toilets, laundry & dish washing area. There is a chemical disposal point but no dedicated motorhome service point that I could see.
There are a few downsides about this site. Firstly mobile reception is poor. Luckily the site was largely empty during my stay and I was able to select a pitch where I could just about get a signal on the three mifi. My giffgaff mobile phone was also just about able to detect a signal but from some pitches you will struggle. Ironically I seemed to get the best signal in the area where the pitches have no electric hookup! Of course there is broadband provided by the club at additional cost if you usually use this. If being in contact with the outside world is not as important to you then you will love this peaceful site.
I also noticed that the shower block did not seem to be heated. The temperature from the shower was only just warm enough. Another possible downside is also what makes the place special. Being remote you really do feel away from it all, just don’t expect lots of shops and supermarkets in walking distance! If you have forgotten anything there is a small village shop about a mile away.
Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site – What to see and do locally
It’s entirely possible you have chosen this site just to get that sense of isolation and peace. You may have no intention of being the tourist and visiting local attractions. For those who do like to explore the local area however there are a few things you might want to visit. For National Trust members Petworth House could be worth a visit. The 17th century mansion is set in a large deer park. Its home to an important art collection that includes works by Turner and Van Dyck.
Being in the South Downs the other main attraction is the great outdoors. There are a number of great footpaths to explore. I can certainly recommend Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site. It proved a useful stopover for my journey to the south coast later that week.
**In addition to this Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site review I should add that there was a power cut from about 10:40pm until 3:00am the night I stayed**