01422 396 769 
quoteBy Liz and Dave King
Name:
Merley Court Touring Park
Address:
Merley
Wimborne
Dorset
BH21 3AA
Map of location
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Website:
www.shorefield.co.uk
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Directions:
From Ringwood on the A31 towards Dorchester, about 10 miles from Ringwood at roundabout at the end of the Wimborne bypass take the second exit, watch for brown signs to the park. The park will be on your left about 500 yards up the narrow road.
Opening times:
5th February to 2nd January
Costs:
From £13.50 per night for outfit, up to six people and awning in low season on a serviced pitch. Check the website for special offers.
Pets: from £1.50
Verdict:
This multi award winning, mature park, part of the Shorefield Holidays Group is a member of the Best of British chain and offers serviced pitches with 16amp mains hook-up on grass or hard standing and executive pitches on hard standing with water, grey water, 16 amps mains hook-up and selected satellite channels. A £5.00 refundable deposit is required for the barrier but a new system is likely to be installed for 2011 and the shower and toilets will be upgraded too. Watch for the fountain which is illuminated at night, but the key feature of the park is its location.
Facilities include a motorhome service point, a well stocked shop, a licenced bar with food, a family room and an outdoor heated swimming pool. Some facilities are seasonal only but there are extensive leisure facilities at Oakdene Forest Park, seven miles away.
Well laid out pitches
Heated swimming pool
Main facilities block
Play area and short tennis courts
I booked a two week holiday at Merley Court Campsite in August 2013 from 17/08/2013 till 31/08/2013. We paid for two weeks electric, we arrived at the site to no electric lights in the shower/toilet block for a week and no electric for one day of the first week. Worse than that the site was full of young people in big groups, despite the advertisement by Merley Court saying it was a ‘family’ site and no noise after 10.00 pm. On 22/08 after being unable to cope with the noise that was going on all night till 2 and 3 am I complained to the office and whilst in there at least 5 women other where complaining about the noise and some where leaving due to having small children who had become intimidated by the drunken teenagers roaming about after dark. I filled in a complaint form and it was faxed to the Director of Shorefield’s that day. I was told that unruly behaviour was not tolerated and that complaints are treated very seriously. I was informed I would receive a call with in a day or so from the ‘Director’ to discuss the matter. I received no response to my complaint. On the 23/08 my children (boy 14 years and girl 18 years) went home as they could not sleep and could put up with the noise any longer. On the Saturday 24/08 I went at 10.30 pm to find the warden to complain about the noise – on the way I met another lady who was trying to find him also to complain – we found the warden only to be told that he was unable to do anything about the group. The warden had approached them but had been verbally abused by the teenagers – the parents were so drunk the warden could not get any sense out of them. I asked for him to call the police – the warden had already done this and the police would do nothing as it was private property. I sent and email with pictures of the site to Shorefields showing ‘the morning after the night before’. My husband and I left the site on the Sunday 25/08 a week before our departure date. I received a letter from the Shorefileds ‘Director’ when I returned home apologising about thoughtless people and a £75.00 gift voucher to spend next year on the camp site!! I had asked for a full refund which she had declined saying – ‘it was not possible for her to refund any monies’. I am totally disgusted with Shorefields and how they seemed to have such little regard for the safety of their staff and the comfort of their customers. I asked for their ombudsman details to take the matter further only to be told they do not have one. Therefore I want to warn other families about this site.