Category: Coronavirus

Closed from 5 November 2020

11/1/2020

Sadly, Sparkhayes Campsite will have to close on 5 November 2020, in accordance with the Government's advice. It will be a shame to have to close our gate again, particularly with the weather about to improve (perhaps!).

We thank everyone who has stayed with us, or made enquiries this year, for their patience and understanding.

We hope all our customers and compatriots stay safe and happy and we hope to see you again soon.

Photos from September 2020, a brief but happy open period!

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Traces of Autumn

9/28/2020

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Well, it was a strange summer, there's no doubt about that. We have continued to welcome campers to our socially-distanced fields and have enjoyed a modicum of normality amid the chaos. It's sad to see so many of our local events cancelled (and the list keeps growing unfortunately), but heartening to see the rest of it survive; luckily our village is currently thriving. Most importantly, we are all well!

In an effort to keep things that way, we are continuing to keep the camp site clean and hygienic, following the rules and looking out for each other. This week we have also gained our new Covid QR code, to use with the new Covid-19 app. You are encouraged to download this to your phone (unless it is a wonderfully-traditional phone that has no idea what an app is..!) and use it during your daily travels.

We continue to take bookings (up to ten days in advance) for the campsite. Booking is essential but we are open for the remainder of the year, unless a very wet season means the ground is too wet to support our campers. Come and enjoy the glory of Exmoor in the Autumn, it really is a very special and colourful place and we have plenty of left time to explore our surroundings before we need to need to settle down and start writing our Christmas shopping-lists..! (sorry, I just love Christmas, I couldn't resist!). To book please call Phil on 07721 045123, he can check availability and help you make a booking.

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Latest News

7/24/2020

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So far so good, here is our latest update about the coronavirus situation.

We are pleased to welcome campers with the following rules, which have been designed for our customer’s safety and confidence:

Customers must book in advance of arrival, though bookings can be made no more than ten days in advance (the situation here, like government advice, is under review).
We have limited toilet and shower facilities, please bring your own facilities if you would feel uncomfortable about using shared facilities - so bring a toilet tent for example, or motorhome.

Chemical emptying facilities and drinking water will be available but the laundry and washing up room facilities, plus the fridge, freezer etc facilities will all be unavailable.
We are not encouraging bookings that include children under 12. Please bear with us while we assess how successful our reopening is, we look forward to welcoming children again in due course.
Campers are expected to bring with them all personal sanitising equipment.

Please call us on 07721 045123 for more information or to book.

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BREAKING NEWS

7/10/2020

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I am delighted to announce an important moment in the history of Sparkhayes campsite. No not the pandemic - it's card payments! We are now able to accept debit and credit card payments with our shiny new mobile card reader.

So far all is going well with our cautious re-opening and we thank our customers for their patience and understanding at this unprecedented time. The hostelries in Porlock have been welcoming back customers this week and the village has a cheerful air, let's hope the summer season continues well and that we can increase the facilities we have on offer. Stay safe everyone!

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Cautious Re-Opening

6/24/2020

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Update - 24 June 2020

We are pleased to announce a cautious re-opening from 4 July 2020 with the following rules, which have been designed for our customer’s safety and confidence:

Customers must book in advance of arrival, though bookings can be made no more than a week in advance (the situation here, like government advice, is under review).
We are only currently able to accommodate campers who can provide their own facilities - so tents with a toilet tent for example, or motorhomes.
Chemical emptying facilities and drinking water will be available but the toilet and shower facilities, the laundry and washing up room facilities, plus the fridge, freezer etc facilities will all be unavailable.
Initially we are not accepting bookings that include children under 12. Please bear with us while we assess how successful our reopening is, we look forward to welcoming children again in due course.
Campers are expected to bring with them all personal sanitising equipment.

Please call us on 07721 045123 for more information or to book.

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latest coronavirus update

6/13/2020

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What an unusual year! Here at Sparkhayes we have been following government advice and have been closed during lockdown. At the moment the advice about the easing of lockdown for campsites is unclear. We need to protect campers and also our staff and have a conundrum about how to ensure our shared facilities can be safely shared.

While we're scratching our heads, campers are welcome to call for updates on 07721 045123. Phil has missed having a field full of campers to chat to, although the recent weather has had him spending as much time on his mower as any other year.

What else have we been up to? Right now it's elderflower season, so Phil's been dodging the showers to collect ingredients for his cordial. It will soon be whortleberry season and if I'm not mistaken I think it will be a bumper year. Personally I've been exploring more of Exmoor than ever before and finding paths I didn't know about, it's been intriguing to discover anew the moor I thought I knew so well.

Work on Weaver's Special Railway continues and life goes on, though it's not the same without a field of happy campers. Let's hope we can welcome you back soon, stay safe everyone!

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railway antics

6/13/2020

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For those curious to know how the railway has been progressing, here at the latest pictures! If you're wondering about the tent, this was an ingenious temporary engine shed, erm, engine tent. The engine has found a wagon and the line has been extended, happy days!