Johnfowlerholidays Avis 

I stayed at Combe Martin Beach Holiday Park last week after having stayed at Twitchen House at Woolacombe the week before and 4 days at Haven in Watchet the week before that. The first two were great and the I went to Fowlers at Combe Martin. Firstly after staying in silver accomodation over the years at various places, this wasn't a silver grade but a standard. The caravan was old and didn't have a kitchen sink plug. When I asked for one, they said that they didn't do kitchen sink plugs and that I would have to use a bowl. It didn't have that either so I had to ask for one, and it turned out to be an old scratched and used one. The caravan smelled of dogs so I assume they hoovered a doggy caravan before mine and spread all the dirty doggy spells over the carpet and seats. The site was up a hill and my caravan at the top. It just about killed me going up and down this hill, seeing I have a heart problem and severe arthritis in my hip. The club (well it wasn't a club but a bar) had entertainment of a solo singer on the saturday but I didn't go as I would have had to struggle up the hill afterwards. There were no resident entertainers, no quizzes, no karaoke. They had beat bingo for an hour 3 times a week and that was it. I didn't go as I felt that was an insult. Theplay area for kids was less than any standard council play area, with a double slide a sesaw and a springy thing. That was it. Only a couple of children stayed and the rest of the visitors were old people. The site was dead, not a proper holiday site. If I had wanted to stay in a place like that then I would have gone to Dartmoor. Also the cost of the holiday was £40 more than any of the other holidays and the other companies had everything including big acts and loads of entertainment for adults and kids and higher quality accomodation for less money. This wan't my first stay at a Fowler site, as I have been to Trelawn Manor and Widemouth bay over the previous 2 years, but I won't be staying at any more of their sites again. Total waste of money and ruined what was a three week holday away in 3 sites. After the first two were great, this was a big come-down. I left a day early as I couldn't stand the place.

We had a holiday booked, a very well deserved holiday that we were looking forward to. Unfortunately a close family member passed away and I approached John Fowler holidays to advise them that we would not be able to travel due to funeral arrangements. Although they tried to appear sympathetic they said there was nothing they could do, it was there terms and conditions and we should have taken out their insurance. I pleaded with them to see if we could change our holiday to a short break somewhere closer and less travel time, but they said no they could not do that. I have to just hope they mange to resell and will then maybe get some partial refund. I am very disappointed in the response from a hospitality and leisure company, I would expected better. Very upset!

Wow Burnham on sea has had a great makeover. More staff keeping the site so clean,even the shop had a makeover.the Shelley even had a make over.new outdoor TV viewing too.could not fault accommodation.it was do clean nothing out of place.cannot wait to go again thanks John fowler.and praise to your staff.

Will not be staying again!!!!
We upgraded and I dreading to think what the down grade was, our van wasn't clean hair everywhere 🤢 very outdated, food was questionable and expensive for what it was strimmer going off outside our bedroom window early very disappointed left after 2 night was meant to stay the week!

Just had a 7 night holiday in our Motorhome at Widemouth bay.
Left after 5 nights as the touring area was the worst we have ever seen in the many years we have been to the South West in our motorhome.
Roads on the site were very badly maintained with massive pot holes.
Grass area around pitches is very rutted as site has been used in the very heavy rain, and there seems to be no attempt to repair the ruts.
No place to empty grey water from van at the end of our stay, which surely is not allowed now.
The new toilet shower block had only one hook on the wall to put clothes etc on. There was no shower curtain so water sprayed direct onto clothes. We are in our late 70's and there were no seats /benches to sit on when drying ourselves or changing clothes.
We mentioned these issues to several staff and they seemed to just brush off our complaints.
We think that most of the staff were very genuine and friendly but had no authority to fix things.
Things to try and improve:
Flatten pitches
Repair roads and rutted grass areas
Provide proper motorhome drain off site
Sort out new toilet block
Get some senior Managers to inspect the site.

My car was damaged by maintenance. An accident, these things happen and I wasn't upset at the time. The staff on site were fantastic, the groundsman very apologetic. Then it gets awful. Senior management took days to contact me. I had to phone regularly to get updates. Was passed from pillar to post to finally be told two weeks after to go through the insurance of the site itself. Head office wiped their hands of it and now the only way to get it fixed is to get it done myself then try and claim the money back. I can't afford this or even the excess on my insurance to fix it and then claim it back!! I can't afford to do this. I firmly believe if I hadn't booked through The Sun on a cheap deal I may have been treated better. As it is I'm still here today trying to get my car fixed and sorted. Shocking behaviour from a multi million pound company!!!
As I said, staff on site were absolutely fantastic, the holiday stay itself was great ....just management and the inability to get my car fixed.

I spent 4 nights in a bronze caravan. The van was comfortable, well equipped and spotless. The outside areas of the park were clean and well kept. Staff were friendly and helpful. I'm going back to Widemouth Bay in October, for the fifth time in 2 years. Excellent value for money.

(South bay holiday park )
Unfortunately one of the worst holiday parks I’ve stayed at. Firstly the arcade was absolutely tiny and only one machine was actually working. So pretty pointless of having one. The swimming was not good. Baby pool absolutely freezing. And the changing rooms… awful. No privacy or changing rooms.just had a shower curtain for you to get changed. The food in the “restaurant” was over priced and very minimal and basic so didn’t end up eating there. Lastly we was due to leave at 10am yet to wake up with a freezing caravan as they had turnt off all electricity and heating the night before. I was really unhappy about this as I have a baby and he was freezing. There are no emergency contacts at this site so if something was to go wrong … what are you supposed to do?? Wouldn’t recommend ESPECIALLY if you are thinking of bringing children.

Booked through Hoseasons at a bargain price but would always recommend checking the John fowler site directly. Stayed at Sandaway in Combe Martin. Small but cosy caravan. Wasn’t super clean when we got there and had to make our own beds which I wasn’t expecting. Outdoor pool only so very much depends on time of year for that amenity. Otherwise lovely site with own private bay

Had a lovely and enjoyable week 2 weeks ago at Combe Martin Sandaway Beach Park in N Devon. Stayed in a 2 bed Silver chalet only criticism no bath mat for shower.
Josh and Charley did a fantastic job with the entertainment - both could go a long way. Hoping to return later on this year as we enjoyed it so much.

The staff! A lovely welcome. Problems resolved promptly. Fabulous accommodation

Cardigan bay holiday park the bartenders need to keep an eye on people stealing little kids sweets and the other customers wanting to punch my younger brother in the face is disgusting and disrespectful the place is lovely but the bartenders need more help in hand cause it is disgusting how they treat kids

What can I say a fantastic place staff very polite Had 4 days in widmouth Bay for our honeymoon very happy and would highly recommend could not be any happier

This is a genuine post.
I have stayed at a few John Fowler sites do had a lovely time and decided to return to Sandy Glade this year after enjoying it so much last year.
I paid for platinum plus as I wanted few luxuries on holiday. Life is stressful at times. However you don’t get the luxuries ( extra tv and dishwasher) with certain vans despite paying the price. When I complained I was told it was because it was a brand new compact caravan and that’s why the charge platinum prices. I pointed out there was the Ariel and plug socket in the bed room. The “plus” was the decking which I did get as I’d paid extra for that too. There customer service was very poor and when I emailed I still got no further forward, not even a small gesture. In fact to add insult I was told that they hoped that my terminally ill husband gets better soon!!!
They said not to book via the web. My advise is to double check as they don’t clearly state anything in their brochure. And certainly didn’t get a luxury van even if it was brand new. It’s not suitable for family.

I’m highly disappointed and I doubt I will ever return to a site of theirs again. A small token could have gone a long way!!!

My partner and me thought we would treat the kids to a 4 night stay in the Easter holiday with John flowers and saw one online and booked. After two weeks went by we noticed that john folwer had reduced there prices quite abit. So we thought we would ring and see if we could extend are holiday from 4 to 7 nights. Having done this in the past with no issues before and used the new prices. BUT when I phoned I was told due to there terms and conditions we could only book at the prices at time of booking NOT the new prices. The customer service manager was quite blunt and kept on repeating its our terms and conditions.
Can’t see how when I have done this quite a few times over the years it’s now a big issue.
When we said we would complain by email she said it will go to her anyway, so basically saying no point in complaining.
Never in over the years we have stayed at John folwers have we have had such BAD customer service. So the point she is making and the company don’t book early wait till they drop there prices. Don’t think we will be booking again with John folwers which is a shame as we have stayed in quite a lot of there parks over the years and always enjoy are stay.

I want to give this holiday park a very balanced review.

I think if it was just my husband and myself it would have been a fairly decent stay. It is well located to go an see things such as; national showcases, brecon beacons. So that's a plus.

The accommodation was nice and very well priced, hot tub was a much needed addition as without it the kids would have been bored stiff, not really anything for the kids to do on sight apart from small Park.

Holiday Park is advertised as aimed for families, however, as said above, as a couple it was fine, as a family, there was nothing to engage the kids.

TV signal was terrible but then we did have WiFi in the caravan so that helped.

Staff were all very pleasant and very helpful.

We went down to have breakfast on one of the days as a treat for the kids. This was disappointing. Not much to chose from and nothing kids would like as a treat- no French toast, no pancakes that kind of thing. Of what was on the menu nothing was suitable for my family as they are Muslim and almost everything on the breakfast menu had pork in it. The chef was great and adapted what was on offer. Bit overpriced almost £9 for a fairly small omelette with nothing with it. Kids had toast, so that was the last time we went down to the bar/resteraunt for food.

The shop (again staff very nice) really didn't work on its stock rotation 3 separate items on 2 occasions bought which were out of date and so then we became reluctant to use the onsight shop.

Wasn't a bad experience and if we were thinking as just a couple we would come back but as a family we won't return.

I have read certain reviews below and to be brutally honest - I think that some are being rather unkind - although I certainly wasnt there when they "experienced" their complaints. What I can say in all honesty is - I have been going to John Fowler sites for the past 30 years and have never experienced a dirty caravan or rude staff member. I have stayed in bronze, silver, Gold and platinum accomodation, even camped at Widemouth (our fave place by far).
Credit where credit is due - ALL staff I have encountered in the past 30 years have been lovely, funny, attentive, helpful with some going above and beyond to ensure we had a wonderful stay.
I have not stayed at all parks... the somerset and south wales one, but have stayed at 90% of the Devon and cornish sites and so feel I have a good overall experience.
I usually go slightly out of season and we are definitly having another visit at some point this year.... probably Widemouth Bay again. Just love that place

Came for a Furry convention for a few years, excellent facilities and staff are friendly and always up for a laugh. Will hope to visit again in the off season. 10/10 Party central.

I've just returned from a short break at Widemouth Bay. The caravan was well equpped, clean and they even had the heating on so it was warm when I arrived. Staff were helpful and cheerful, which is always a bonus. This isn't the first time I#ve stopped on one of their sites and it won't be the last.

I used the John Fowler website to book 4nights from 09/10/2023 .
1. Selected accomodation required as disabled selected assistive accomodation
2.selected from parks offering assistive caravans choose Sandy Glade in Somerset
3. selected caravan from accomodation that was offered as suitable to my needs .
Arrived on site to find no parking by caravans told receptionist am disabled so may have trouble unloading car as have a loss of balance issue assured parking area close to caravan so will have no probs . So drove to parking area . Then problems began had to unload case in boot caravan had steps to door of caravan if that was bad van STUNK was filthy shower unuseable no rails or seat and too small had to buy a bowl and flannels to have wash , Had to wipe window to see out . Carpet was threadbare everything was dirty had to be cleaned before use curtains fell to floor when tried to close mind you nobody could see in windows filthy . Had to use own duvet covers so could sit on settees and buy new ones to use as ones supplied had marks and dog hairs on , dining chair legs so loose would have collapsed to floor if sat on , mould on walls n window edges , joining strips on wall panels hanging off , fridge filthy and full of mould lucky had electric 12/240v cool box with us oven unuseable just used gas rings . Never again. Caravan 329