Sandy balls

[blamethecat]

We've already booked for May, looking for tips for things to do while there. Haven't been to the area at all before, the last 5 years we've been to bluestone (which I absolutely love) and are used to spending most the time off site with one or two activities booked for ds who will be 7 when we go. I've looked on the website but can't book activities yet ?

We went last year and were totally underwhelmed by the activities tbh (we're used to being spoilt by center parcs and bluestone), everything was either too young for them or overbooked such as bingo and pool. Also while we were there there was a constant stream of delivery of new lodges which spoilt the quiet, but guessing that will be over by now with the refurb.
We did however have a hot tub and our lodge was bliss. My 8 and 6 year old loved that!
I asked same q last year and got some good responses:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/uk/3552712-Sandyballs
In particular Lymington, Corfe Castle and Swanage were our highlights. Oh and the Fighting Cock pub was lovely to sit outside and watch the ponies.

Lovely thank you, Looks like we'll just use there as a base then !

We are here now, just for a 2 night stay - in one of the Zen lodges with a hot-tub. Accommodation is lovely, kitchen is well equipped, etc. We have been very lazy as that's what we all needed. Lots of time in the hot-tub, watching films, bike ride/walk round, etc.

We did go in the pool today - which is basic, but fine no slides. Main pool then a couple of small splash pools for toddlers, a hot tub and sauna. One thing to note from previous advice and from their own website/app is that you can no longer book sessions in the pool, you just turn up 15 mins before the hour and get a wristband for an hour slot. Make sure you get there early, as I saw people being turned away when all the bands had gone, and that was at 5/10 to 3.

We have an alpaca walk booked for tomorrow morning....

Do bring your own tea-towels, washing up cloths, washing up liquid/dishwasher tablets. I found they didn't give great info on their website about what was here and these are the things I'd seen on other posts to bring. Wish I'd brought some flip-flops for walking across decking the hot-tub!

Paultons parks is quite close as is beaulieu motor museum. Salisbury is lovely for a look around too which is close.

Also marwell zoo is not too far

Take some Sudocrem!!

We've just got back.
The Alpaca walk was good but expensive for just under half an hour.
We visited Moors Valley park which is great for kids under 10- has a Gruffalo trail and is free except for the expensive carpark. Theres a GoApe in there too that looked fab.
The onsite pool is a bit crap tbh, as is the arcade (if you're into that!)

We went there last year & paid top money for the brand new Knightswood lodge.

We had sewage coming up through our daughter’s bathroom so couldn’t use it for the entire stay, our lodge wasn’t clean on arrival including dirty pants left outside on the enclosed veranda, the outside shower had incorrect plumbing so out of action, the dishwasher was not working, the hot tub kept shorting out, so unable to use it for majority of our stay, the doors wouldn’t close securely. A few other issues.

We had the maintenance team there most of our stay (we were told we had to wait in for them but 2 days later they said we didn’t need to) - they were lovely but just couldn’t fix it all.

The attitude of the reception staff was appalling when I very calmly explained these issues. Unfortunately, it’s the worst £2000 we’ve ever parted with.

In fact £2,700!