We used this as our base for getting around the north forest and Dorset and thought it was brilliant. All of the facilities are clean, and are toilets are kept locked with a security code which you are given at the start of your stay to ensure that none residents could use them. NOt that this seems to be a problem as the park is down quite a long driveway, so traffic noise isn't too much of an issue at night There is a curfew, but its note restrictive as its inline with the bar shutting at the same time. The toilets and shower area have won awards for cleanliness and usefulness and its easy to see why.they're are brilliant! Warm, clean, and split into many different 'types'' toilet cubicles. toilets and sink cubicles. Shower cubicles, shower and sink cubicle, shower, toilet and sink cubicle which makes it very easy to use them regardless of the time of day. It is a mix of carvans and tents, but everyone seemed to get along. Food looked really really nice, and the pool looked clean, with free swimming lessons for kids which i thought was excellent. Will definately be heading back there agin next year, and the year after, and after that. read more

SHAMBLES. we were told to keep quiet at 10pm although we were only talking quietly no views other than seeing the wardens go INTO peoples tents (trying to unzip the tent doors) to tell them to be quiet. icy staff, unfriendly, rude, and demeaning. we had two young children with us and they were terrified, saying are the nasty men going to come in our tents? NEVER going to shamba again. however, we left shamba and finished our weekend in Herston, Swanage, and it was fanastic, beautiful views, kind staff, bar, shop, kids area, absolutely amazing. read more

We have just returned from a 10 day holiday at Shamba and we cannot wait to go back. The staff and facilities were excellent from the initial phone call to book right through until we were packing up. We had a problem with our awning and the warden on duty was on hand to give some practical advice. The playground suited our 6yr old who loved being able to ride around on her bike. Occasionally the wardens asked them to slow done or take care but it was usually because it needed to be said! The facilities were spotless (very important). Round about 10pm the park goes very quiet which was great we have been to Haven sites where kids are running around the camp after midnight with no thought for anyone else or grown up sitting outside there tents drinking til the small hours. Shamba is very much a family park and perfect for my husband, myself, my disabled mother-in-law and our 6yr. Most of the people I spoke to were regular visitors to the park or if not they had every intention of coming back. We hope to go back soon. read more

We have been to this site a few times before, and NORMALLY I would give extremely good feedback. However, this visit has left me with a very bitter taste in my mouth! We booked onto the non-electric pitches this time as it was high season and we had kids with us who wanted a bit more space. Still cost £20 a night and we were situated away from the main site which we were aware of prior to booking. We were told we would have portaloos on our part of the site. However, on arrival we found the portaloos to be situated right by the entrance to the extended part of the site, and there was only 1 female and 1 male toilet to service what ended up being 4 fields of tents. To top the toilet saga off, they rarely had toilet roll, always smelt, and were never clean. The main block of toilets etc remained impeccable as ever (but then the people using those were paying £28 a night for electric pitches.) These toilets were emptied at 5pm on the Sunday. Nice tea time treat for us all as the smell took over the usual BBQ aromas. On the first night we had all of the children from the non-electric pitches collecting wood and toasting their marshmallows on our little camp fire (all contained in a BBQ bucket as we have done EVERY time we have been at Shamba before) and had a really lovely evening with everyone enjoying themselves. The following day we went out, and on our return noticed our wood had been 'confiscated' and we had a note written on an old envelope left on our table telling us not to have open fires on Shamba. I went to the main reception and explained that, actually, it had been contained and that yes, we had initially burnt the grass as there were no bricks on our field, but that we had tried to remedy this. The warden seemed absoultely fine with the explanation, and said the manager had cracked the whip on a walk-around and had ordered them to take the actions that they had. They put bricks on the field that night, and all seemed fine. When it came to the 'Questionnaire' I did leave negative feedback based on the toilet facilities we had been provided with, and the attitude of the manager over the fire. I explained that I felt he should have been the one to come and apologise, as it was him that had got it wrong and riled us. Today I have had a phone call from the manager, basically telling me off for blaming him, and passing the buck onto the wardens. At the end of the day it isn't my problem who did or said what. The fact is we were unhappy customers and he should have tried to smooth it over, not phone me and tell me it was MY fault and I had got the 'wrong end of the stick lovey'! So, despite the fact I have had good experiences of the site in the past (despite the rules being a bit excessive and the wardens pouncing if you dare to laugh after 11pm) I wont be visiting again. And it all boils down to the fact that the manager couldn't just admit that it was him or his staff in the wrong and apologise to me. He basically told me to 'deal with' the fact the toilets were emptied at tea time, as they have to be emptied when full. Fair enough, they have to be emptied, but maybe it could have been done at another point throughout the day, such as when people weren't sitting down to eat their tea! read more