Punch Bowl - Craven

Where to even start it’s actually comical. Oh and before I start it’s worth just letting people know that when you face the owners with the truth via message or social media their approach is to become defensive, fabricate and imply false accusations to customers as an escape mechanism to deter you from the absolute shambles of a service I invite anyone who’s thinking of booking to take a look into their social media and reviews below to ensure you see my point in the above statement and give yourself a lucky escape to. The scenario…. Friday 4th August, myself, my partner, two children and our dog were due to arrive in a pre pitched pre paid tent purchased from Groupon. Within that week I had called twice to ask for some information which wasn’t very forthcoming but thought id give them the benefit of the doubt as the pictures online looked good and there was the odd good comment here and there. Friday arrived and we set off at 1:30pm for our 3 hour drive, I called The Punch Bowl out of courtesy to let them know our eta. (Again still no confirmation or correspondence from them). I got through to a person that I though was a middle aged lady but then later on came to realise it was a young man, the young man was very vague and very laid back quoting “your tent is wet through and I’ve been trying to dry it out all morning” “There is nowhere for you to stay” my response “Is this a **** wind up” and the reply from the man “Nope” in which he persisted to put the phone down. I tried to call back and there was no answer, this was as we were travelling to the place . (On social media the owner has tried to claim they had let me know and tried to claim I was told the manger was away, this was untrue) I called again and again and it became clear that I was being ignored. We turned around and went back home, the car was fully packed we had purchased shopping, equipment, clothing and booked time off work, the children were gutted as you can imagine on a Friday afternoon it was difficult for us to try and sort something else out. My family members also had bookings 1 relative hired a caravan and the others a pitch for 2 tents they were due to arrive on the Saturday but as we had been treated in this was they were very sceptical about their arrival and tried to call also in which for hours there was no answer. Finally on the Friday night my sister in law had a phone call from this young man who’s said that the tent I was due to go to wasn’t wet through it had accidentally been double booked (And of course on social media they have tried to deny this) So I took to their social media site to reach out to others, it become quite clear what sort of place this was as I have been contacted by a few other people that have had similar issues and I’ve also been contacted by some of their neighbours who have stated that they are currently being investigated for fraud and have had their licence taken off them. I was also accused of all sorts over social media, I was accused of being discriminatory towards their son who is diagnosed with autism, I was accused of bullying, lying and much more…. I have left my comments on their social media site so that others can read it for themselves and see that I have in no way committed any of the above I have clearly put the facts there to insure that this doesn’t happen to anyone else. (Again the comments they have fired back at me about their personal circumstances appear to be an escape for them to try and get out of facing the facts) Also be prepared to get questioned and pin pointed by randomers that live on their site trying to back their corner, it’s actually quite funny. The point I’m making is my time is precious I do not care about the money I care about the inconvenience of having to take time off work, pre plan, the effort of getting everything together, the journey but most of all letting the children down and seeing their faces that’s what this place should be thinking about! I received a text message from Mr.Trayner to ask me to give him a call, I called and was asked what the problem was this was a day later and I was trying to sort a day out for the children so by then after all of the social media abuse I just couldn’t be bothered he apologised (like he had read it from a script) and again said my son has autism but he is a university graduate (as another means of trying to make me feel guilty and escape from the mess they had caused) he said get a refund from groupon and he agreed to take the false accusations from social media (which are still there) Top and bottom of it is save yourself the hassle and have a lucky escape.

Truly awful. Terrible breakfast as part of a Wowcher deal. Not even allowed a hot drink! Greasy blackened inedible food, delivered in the rain across the field without a cover. Not allowed to be eaten in the pub. Please see my full review on the Punch Bowl camping Trip Advisor section.

This place is not anything like what is advertised, felt like we had been scammed.really grotty place ,some people actually live on the site and seemed quite scary, would avoid at all costs,health and safety very poor

The worst dining experience of my life. Hairs in food, foul tasting, dirty oil and the room stank of dog and was filthy….. also the crockery and cutlery was greasy and looked unwashed.

Perfect and cheap campsite, lovely owners, good food, clean toilets, easy access to nearby amenities, electric, water on site, definitely coming back again for me and family definitely 5