Review: Red Kite Touring Park, Powys

[Townie]

Brand new site, still not completely finished when we called. We only visited to see what it's like as we were staying nearby. Access road is wide. The reception building was completed and was waiting to be fitted out in the next few days. Toilet and shower block was only partially working, and was also due to be finished in the next couple of weeks. Pitches are large, flat and easily accessible. The pitches are all fully serviced with 16amp electric, fresh water and grey AND brown waste water disposal. We were encouraged to wander around the site by the owners father who is currently looking after the site. (He owns the static caravan park 200 yards down the hill.) When the site has been finished and landscaped, it will genuinely be five star.

 

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[Jimbuoy]

I looked at this online after Tranquil Touring mentioned it on Facebook.

 

Looks good but the pitches seem very close together with only a thin strip of green between them.

 

What did you think?

[Townie]

Hi Jimbuoy, the pitches were large with a strip of green between them but the owner did say that there is a great deal of landscaping left to do. We're in Brecon at the end of July so we'll pop up again to see how its matured. The site is definitely on the list for next year.

 

Mike.

[gumdrop]

Anyone visited this site more recently? I am booked for a week soon.

[gumdrop]

Well I did get to the red Kite Touring Park, it is a very well laid out site.

Every pitch is fully serviced; water, waste water and toilet waste, it even

has free-sat to a bollard on your pitch (cable and receiver can be

borrowed from reception if you don't have your own)

The grounds are a little raw but will soon, given time, blend right in with

the amazing views. Showers and loos are very good but most people,

given the on pitch facilities, used their own.

*Close by are big static caravans/bungalows that won the Bellamy award.

Red Kites, Greater Spotted Wood Peckers, Buzzards, Fly Catchers,

and lots of LBJs. My brothers Springer Spaniels had a wonderful, time in

and out of the bracken and two new ponds. Most people just walked their

dogs in a sedate fashion. The smaller natural pond has Great Crested Newts.

Shopping; Tesco (big) and Lidl at Newtown.

Salty sea air at Aberystwyth, Ospreys nesting at the local dam, Devils Bridge,

all in all plenty to visit, a very good, base.

 

* But out of sight

Edited July 1, 2016 by gumdrop

[TinShack]

We called in for a gander a week or so ago while staying in Powys. Work seems to have been done to a high standard and the outlook is very pleasant set out on 3 terraces on a valley hillside.

If there was any criticism it's that some of the pitches are very close together, 2ft or less of grass in some cases. Those pitches with a grass pathway behind the vans do at least give somewhere to sit but not all pitches have that.

 

No Freeview TV reception there if that's important to you, but they plan a RF distribution of a subset of the main channels, 10 or so, to most pitches when they get it finished.

 

We certainly intend to stay at some time in the future and it's only a walk down the hill to the town and selection of pubs.

 

We drove on to the Red Kite feeding station at Gigrin farm afterwards. Quite a sight as they bully and barge into each other and the crows for the beef that's put out.

[Townie]

Drove up and visited again when we were staying in Brecon last weekend. All seems to be maturing nicely. Will definitely be staying there next year. They gave us a site plan and said that if we booked by phone, we could ask for a specific pitch if we wanted.

 

Mike.

[Glen and Les]

We have an opportunity for a last-minute break and have just booked a week commencing on Thursday. I will report back with my findings,

[Townie]

Let us know what it's like now it's been open for a season. We're picking our new 'van up on 9th and we're off to Red Kite on the 14th.

 

We have an opportunity for a last-minute break and have just booked a week commencing on Thursday. I will report back with my findings,

 

Mike.

[TinShack]

Got back from there a couple of weeks ago. Spoiled by the fantastic weather! 20 minute walk down the hill into town, slightly slower on the uphill return, several pubs to choose between, couple of cafes, a bistro, butchers, bakers, greengrocers, Spar minimarket and a little Coop. Most pubs stop serving food at 2pm. Pleasant walk along the river in town. Beautiful Cywedog reservoir just up the road, forest behind, lovely views.

Site good, friendly owner/staff, comments about little space between pitches still valid, fully serviced, black & grey waste disposal on each pitch. TV has 10 channels re-multiplexed onto the stanchion aerial connector, no EPG available, direct Freeview reception also unavailable. Satellite OK. Pitches are hard-standing and I mean hard. Take a big hammer and good rock pegs, and some means of straightening them!

[Glen and Les]

Got back from there a couple of weeks ago. Spoiled by the fantastic weather! 20 minute walk down the hill into town, slightly slower on the uphill return, several pubs to choose between, couple of cafes, a bistro, butchers, bakers, greengrocers, Spar minimarket and a little Coop. Most pubs stop serving food at 2pm. Pleasant walk along the river in town. Beautiful Cywedog reservoir just up the road, forest behind, lovely views.

Site good, friendly owner/staff, comments about little space between pitches still valid, fully serviced, black & grey waste disposal on each pitch. TV has 10 channels re-multiplexed onto the stanchion aerial connector, no EPG available, direct Freeview reception also unavailable. Satellite OK. Pitches are hard-standing and I mean hard. Take a big hammer and good rock pegs, and some means of straightening them!

I think you've just about covered most of what I was going to say. We've had 2 nights here - 5 more to go. Would add that there are a few "new" small ponds on the lower level, which make for a picturesque view down through the site and that there is ample space to walk the dog, including a small enclosed area if needed. There is also a dedicated dog wash area, complete with hot air dryer, in the facilities block.

 

The site is on a very steep slope, although it has been terraced well and all pitching area are level (almost). I am going to repeat TinShack's comments about the hardstanding and rock pegs - we have struggled to get a few pegs in as you hit solid concrete just underneath. High winds forecast on Monday - hope we've done a good enough job!

 

The facilities are all new and well maintained. I used the showers last night and although there's ample seating/pegging in the changing area, there's only one small soap dish on the wall in the shower, so my shampoo, conditioner etc. had to live on the floor. The showers also have the electronic switches to turn them on and off - wave your hand in front and they come on. Downside is, when the water stops and you've got soap in your eyes, you're waving blindly at the wall hoping they come back on lol! I'm not a fan of stop/start showers, but at least the flow was good, unlike most C&MC sites we visit nowadays.

 

The site was quite full when we arrived on Thursday but is emptying out today, being the end of the Bank Holiday week. Have to say, apart from one evening when two couples from adjacent vans got together and played their music quite loud, it is probably the most tranquil park we have visited!

[Townie]

Hi Glen and Les, I know that you are from the Newport area, so how was the drive up to Red Kite? We pick up our new caravan on June 9th and are heading to Red Kite on the 14th. I was thinking of driving to Brecon and picking up the A470 then going all the way via Llyswen, Builth Wells, Rhyader, Llangurig to Llanidloes. Is this the route you used? Any places I need to look out for?

 

Thanks in advance, Mike.

[Glen and Les]

Hi Glen and Les, I know that you are from the Newport area, so how was the drive up to Red Kite? We pick up our new caravan on June 9th and are heading to Red Kite on the 14th. I was thinking of driving to Brecon and picking up the A470 then going all the way via Llyswen, Builth Wells, Rhyader, Llangurig to Llanidloes. Is this the route you used? Any places I need to look out for?

 

Thanks in advance, Mike.

Hi Mike,

 

Not sure which route you would take to Brecon, but if you go that way avoid the A465 dualling roadworks between Gilwern & Brynmawr at all costs.

 

We now store our van at Mamhilad, so we went out to Abergavenny, bypassed the town by going off the A465 at the Llanfoist junction then past Waitrose and joined the A40 by the hospital. Then via Crickhowell, Talgarth, Builth Wells, Rhayader, Llanidloes. It was fairly straightforward, but obviously the roads twist & turn a bit, although not as bad as I remember from years ago - I think there are some new sections in place which bypass the old roads. Certainly there's a bypass around Talgarth now. Follow the site directions for the final approach via Llanidloes - don't turn off at the first junction for Llanidloes, but go out to the roundabout, as recommended, otherwise you have to drive through the town. Earliest check-in is 1pm.

 

Hope everything goes well with the new van handover - I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay here.

 

Glen.

[Townie]

Thanks for the info Glen, we are stored in Magor so M4/A449 to Raglan, A40 to Abergavenny and then, the same way as you. Any problems in Rhayader? I seem to remember that the road gets a bit narrow where the A470 links with/crosses the A44 in the middle of the town. Maybe old age is affecting my memory .

 

Enjoy the rest of your stay and I hope the weather isn't TOO windy on Monday!

 

Regards, Mike.

[Glen and Les]

Rhayader hasn't changed, but as you're going straight on it's no real problem. We have put the awning up on the new van for the first time - and yes I'm worrying a bit about the wind on Monday. Don't want to end up with scuff marks on the side of the van like we did last year on our previous van. Will check the forecast tomorrow and make an executive decision then.

[TinShack]

Any problems in Rhayader? I seem to remember that the road gets a bit narrow where the A470 links with/crosses the A44 in the middle of the town.

 

Only slight issue in Rhayader is for those travelling from Llanidloes on the A470 wishing to turn left onto the A44 past the clock tower. Small/medium sized vans no problem, TA's do-able but very tight. Someone on here put me right suggesting to take the left turn onto Dark Lane just before the traffic lights. Easy route.

 

As far as the HARD standing is concerned I did manage to get the T cross section storm pegs in a good way which helped considerably during a good blow. They look a bit worse for wear now.

 

Nice meal in the restaurant at the Angel in town, and tried again another day in the bar. Also good. Nice pint of Butty Bach too!

[Glen and Les]

Only slight issue in Rhayader is for those travelling from Llanidloes on the A470 wishing to turn left onto the A44 past the clock tower. Small/medium sized vans no problem, TA's do-able but very tight. Someone on here put me right suggesting to take the left turn onto Dark Lane just before the traffic lights. Easy route.

 

As far as the HARD standing is concerned I did manage to get the T cross section storm pegs in a good way which helped considerably during a good blow. They look a bit worse for wear now.

 

Nice meal in the restaurant at the Angel in town, and tried again another day in the bar. Also good. Nice pint of Butty Bach too!

Nice pint of Butty Bach here on site too - it's Les's favourite!

 

Edit - no pub on site, we brought our own.

Edited June 3, 2017 by Glen and Les

[Townie]

Hope the wind has calmed down a bit now Glen, although it's still quite blowy here in Newport.

 

Mike.

[Glen and Les]

Hope the wind has calmed down a bit now Glen, although it's still quite blowy here in Newport.

 

Mike.

We have survived the high winds and torrential rain, although we did take the awning down on Sunday just in case! Drier today, but still quite windy. Hopefully the sun will return for your visit.

 

Glen.

[Townie]

Nice and still and gloriously sunny here in Newport this morning!

 

 

We have survived the high winds and torrential rain, although we did take the awning down on Sunday just in case! Drier today, but still quite windy. Hopefully the sun will return for your visit.

Glen.

 

Mike.