Glamping at Parley by PitchingIt

Liked: Convenient for the Bournemouth air show. Fire pits available.

Disliked: Everything else. We paid £80 per night for the glamping tent with beds. We arrived in the evening and the airbeds were almost deflated so had a terrible nights’ sleep. Requested that they be pumped up for the next night so they left a foot pump for us to sort it out ourselves. I also asked if we could borrow a dustpan and brush to sweep the tent out as it hadn’t been cleaned and there were bit of biscuit all over the floor. No one bothered to help with this so we had to live with it. The shower and toilet block were old and filthy. I don’t think they can have been cleaned properly in a while. I’ve been camping for the last 15 years and this is one of the worst sites for cleanliness and amenities. Especially seeing as I paid £160 for 2 nights. Shocking.

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From the manager: Whilst its great to hear you enjoyed the Bournemouth Airshow from our Glampsite, I'm sorry if your experience could have been better. On the night in question, we would have been happy to switch you to an alternative Bell Tent should we have been notified of your dissatisfaction with your tent. As we are based on Parley Court Camping site (with Parley Golf their reception) it seems somehow your message never came across to us, we will bring this up with the Glampsite manager for future. Sadly, during airshow week all prices are sky-high (no pun intended) across the Bournemouth region, therefore we do not dictate the pricing as it's soley based on demand for that particular weekend. With regards to the cleanliness of the facilities, it does surprise me as the toilet blocks were brand new this season, but anyhow we will pass this onto the land owners who run and maintain the facilities over at Parley Court Camping and discuss this at length with them. Warm regards Rob H - Glampsite owner PitcbhingIt

Liked: Firepit, kindling, marshmallow extras kit Set up Clean utilities Welcome text made for a super easy arrival

Disliked: Bring any extra blanket to sleep on as air beds are cold! Don't forget matches as these aren't in the firepit kit 😊

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Liked: Loved the name plaque to help you find your tent and fairy lights as I arrived at night time. They realised I was coming with my 3year old son so put up a bed for him. Great communication via email coming back with answers to my queries quickly. Loved the welcome txt message on the day of arrival with number to ring if extra help was needed. Clean fresh tent, loved having bed linen already there. My little one loved watching the planes taking off in the morning.

Disliked: Having to go home. Loved staying.

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Liked: Location near Bournemouth beaches was great, easy to find and free parking, facilities were free ok and it’s only a small site so not too much noise from other campers. Cute details such as a welcome sign and fairy lights to help find your tent entrance when dark. Tent was big enough for the double and single cots inside, it was like being on a waterbed. We didn’t try the golf facilities and didn’t meet any staff so cannot comment.

Disliked: The website initially said that dogs were welcome, only after booking did we find out that meant onsite. To be allowed in the tent we had to pay an additional £99 holding fee. Not only was this not clear before booking but that was more than the cost of our one night stay, doubling the amount we had to pay even if i will be getting this back. This information and the amount of the holding fee should be provided upfront. The tent entrance had loads of stinging nettles right by the entrance flaps and in front of our designated area, so of course i strung myself within five mins of being there. I wouldn’t have pitched a tent myself with that at the entrance. The toilet block was ok but in need of refurbishment, i didn’t use the separate showers so cannot comment. We had cots with blow up beds on, and they weren’t attached, so when i moved in the night i did have to stop myself and the blow up bed from falling off the cot multiple times which woke me. But the beds were comfortable otherwise.

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From the manager: Hi Holly, Thank you for your review. I’m sorry to hear you had a frustrating experience, but I really appreciate you bringing this to my attention. Its good to hear you liked the site, location and details within the Glamping Tent. With regards to the dog deposit taken, this is clearly outlined on our advert on Pitchup, its frustrating to hear that this was not brought to the forefront on your booking experience but this is something that we will have to speak to them about. Being a dog friendly site means that we do allow dogs to stay in the tents, the deposit is only there should there be any issues after or if the dog rules are broken. Thankfully in your case this you adhered to the rules and this was returned to you as promised. The land that we are on is owned and maintained by our sister site Parley Court Camping, we will raise your issues with them regarding the grounds maintenance. With all our Bell Tents we only supply Double campbeds (with airbed topper) which are listed in our adverts in advance for you. Im confused that you thought we had cots and singles, could this have been elsewhere?

Liked: Very convenient, everything was ready for us. Rob is a fantastic host and can give you plenty of advice on where to go to eat, what to visit, etc... Our dog was welcome too.

Disliked: Occasional noise as very close to Bournemouth Airport

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Liked: hello, we had a great stay, the tent was clean, the sheets too, the toilets and showers are cleaned several times a day, the little extras, the coffee corner, snack bar at the golf office.

Disliked: If I can give some advice that you have probably already thought of, the kitchen area is only a sink area, I expected to be able to heat up food, so we had to eat in restaurants every day. from my point of view. I will agree to pay a little more to have electricity only at the level of the rented tents, in order to be able to install a small heating there because the nights are cool, whereas during the day it was 30 °C.

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Liked: The freedom to bring our dog without any worried - that the beds were provided and the linen

Disliked: Can’t really think of anything

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Liked: clean bathroom/ shower facilities linen provided easy check in process good value for money

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