Practical Caravan Top 100 Parks Award 2008

Set in some of the loveliest countryside in north-west England, Riverside is a gem. From here you can reach The Forest of Bowland, the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. The pitches are in bays separated by mature trees, which provide shade and privacy. Grass or hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up and an aerial point are available, and all are near the washroom, washing-up and laundry facilities. The site has a games room and play area, and the river alongside it is also safe for swimming and fishing.

Practical Caravan Top 100 Parks 2007
Region Winner

Set astride the River Wenning, this attractive, family-owned park lies at the centre of some of the most beautiful countryside in England. The Forest of Bowland, the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District are all easily accessible from here.
A policy of continuous improvement has made Riverside one of the most attractive and best-appointed sites in the country. Approached by a wide tree-lined drive, the site offers superb facilities including a reception area where a wide variety of caravan accessories and toys are sold. There are also a well-equipped games room, a commercial-sized launderette and an information centre, which houses an extensive ‘honesty’ library and an internet access point. The amenities building is very modern and impeccably maintained, while
the showers, controlled by
infrared sensors, provide plenty
of piping-hot water.
The touring area is laid out in bays separated by mature trees offering welcome shade in hot weather. The large, flat grass pitches are well manicured, while the fully serviced hardstandings (50 of which are reserved for seasonal use) have TV points with satellite available. If you’ve forgot to bring your cable or it’s not long enough, you can hire one on-site.
The most recent addition is an extensive play area, while the river can be used for swimming, sailing and fishing. There is also a large playing field and a fishing lake is planned to be stocked this year.
All leisure facilities are some distance from the main camping area and close promptly at 9.30pm so they do not disturb the site’s tranquillity at night.
The village of High Bentham has a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants, while the railway station provides a link to the Settle-Carlisle railway. For the energetic, there are over 100 miles of public footpath within the parish, and the peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-Ghent are within easy reach. Riverside really provides something for everyone in
a beautiful natural setting.

Practical Caravans Top 100 Parks Awards 2006

Although this site has
been owned by the same family for more than 30 years, there is a continuous programme of improvements in place, resulting in superb facilities such as a well equipped games room, an extensive ‘honesty’ library, and a washblock that is a former ‘Loo of the Year’. The newest addition for 2006 is an excellent children’s play area.
There is no on-site club house or restaurant, although there is a well-stocked shop, and you’ll find pubs and cafés a short walk away in the village of High Bentham on the edge of the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales.
There are plenty of different natural landscapes to explore here, including the Forest, the Dales and the Lancashire Coast: all are within a short drive of the site. For the adventurous, the peaks of Ingleborough (and its nearby show caves), Whernside and
Pen-y-Ghent can be tackled. For those who prefer a more leisurely aspect to their holidays, the scenic Settle-Carlisle Railway with its fabulous viaducts and pretty villages runs a few miles to the east.
The site itself enjoys a beautiful natural setting, and the most popular pitches are those located next to the babbling River Wenning, which gives this park its name. Whether you want peace, quiet and relaxation or
a more energetic family holiday that takes advantage of this beautiful area of the country,
this traditional and well-run site will have everything you need.

Practical Motorhome Independent Site Reviews.

You approach this site down a narrow road from the centre of High Bentham, turning right into the site road which is long, but wide enough along its whole length for two units to pass.
The reception is a new, purpose-built stone building which also contains the site shop and games room. When you've finished booking in with the warden, you are shown to your pitch and the location of the facilities pointed out.
The new toilet block, recently opened by David Bellamy, has been designed with its green credentials uppermost. A key card is required for entry to the block, the lighting switches on and off automatically and the taps and showers are also controlled by sensors – all with the aim of minimising waste of water and electricity. The block also houses a disabled toilet and shower room, a chemical waste disposal unit, and a dish-washing room. Next to the toilet building is the motorhome service point which has a fresh water tap, grey water dump and toilet dump.
The new reception and toilet blocks have been designed with the needs of disabled people in mind, as they have wide doors and level entrances.
A new building houses the laundry, which has washing machines and tumble dryers.
It also houses an information centre, a library, and it includes a room with internet access. The children's play area is intended to be completely refurbished in time for the 2006 season.
The site shop sells dry goods only, but mobile businesses visit the site on a daily basis selling items such as newspapers, dairy products and so on.
Running through the site is the river Wenning, where both sea and brown trout can be caught - fishing permits can be obtained from the reception. You can walk along the river bank or you can tackle one of the nearby three peaks - Ingleborough, Whernside or Penyghent. There's also a climb up 'Big Stone', with views over Morecambe Bay. A golf course is close by and the town has a good selection of pubs and eating establishments.

Practical Caravan Top 100 Parks Awards 2005

The approach to this attractive site is via a narrow road that leads from the centre of High Bentham. You turn right into a site road that is long but wide enough for two units to pass. The reception is a new purpose-built stone building that also contains the site shop and games room. Once the booking-in procedures are complete, you will be shown to your pitch and the location of the facilities will be pointed out to you.
The new toilet block has been designed with the environment in mind. A card key is required for entry to the block, the lighting switches on and off automatically and the taps and showers are also controlled by sensors – all with the aim of minimising waste of both water and electricity. The block also houses a disabled toilet and shower room, a chemical waste disposal unit, a washing up room and a kitchen that include a sink, kettle, toaster, fridge and microwave.
The new reception and toilet blocks have been designed with the disabled in mind with wide doors and level entrances.
A new building houses the launderette, an information centre and a library. The children’s play area is excellent and has recently been refurbished.
The site shop sells dry goods only but tradesmen visit daily selling newspapers and dairy products. Running through the site is the river Wenning, where brown trout can be caught. Fishing licences can be obtained from the reception.
Walk along the river bank or tackle one of three nearby peaks – Ingleborough, Whernside or Penyghent. A golf course is close by and the town has a good selection of pubs and restaurants.