Date of Visit: Easter Weekend 2023
Overall View
Beech Farm CL is an adult only site situated about 5 miles outside the city of Chester and is located on the A56 in the village of Mickle Trafford. Access is very good, please see arrival video HERE. On arrival, pull through the gate and remain on the roadway, someone will come out to book you in and take a meter reading of the electric. On your departure, the owners read the meter before you leave, and payment is made at that point. You can pay by cash or card.
This is a 5-pitch site – open to members of the CAMC. It is open from April to October each year.
Facilities
It is fair to say that the standard of the facilities block, and its cleanliness were of the highest standard and made a short stay very pleasant indeed.
There is a shower room and toilet, plus an additional toilet to the rear of the wash up room, there is a small charge to use the shower, 20p per three minutes, 20p coins required. Recycling facilities are also available. Although the facilities block is all on one level, wheelchair access might prove a little difficult.
The Elsan disposal point is at ground level to the rear of the facilities block and is easily used.
Fresh water is available from the tap at the front of the facilities block which is to the rear of the site and sheltered by well-kept hedging.
TV and radio reception was good and all four major mobile networks report good coverage up to 4G.
The site does not have a dedicated dog walk on site but there are several country lanes close by on which to exercise your dogs. Equally, the Sustrans Greenway is dog friendly too.
Review of Site Pitch
There are 5 grass pitches with metered electric bollards to each pitch, (10 amps). The site is level throughout. The pitches are well separated by small hedges and the field is immaculately looked after.
Around and about
There is a bus stop close to the site entrance, care should be taken as this is a very busy road at peak times. Buses go into Chester and also towards Warrington and run every hour, including weekends, although the service finishes early evening every day.
There are several pubs serving food in the vicinity – the nearest being the Shrewsbury Arms. Slightly further afield is the Chester Fields. In the opposite direction, a short drive will bring you to the Toby Carvery (Royal Oak) with a Travelodge attached. It is essential that you book ahead at busy times as this can get extremely busy.
There is a small shop and Post Office a 5-minute walk in the village opposite – they stock essentials. The nearest main shopping area is the village of Hoole – you will find everything you need there. A Co-Op is also available on the main road, which is a continuation of the A56 into Chester.
If you prefer to use a Park and Ride service [PR3], the nearest one is next to Chester Zoo and operates 7 days a week. This will take you into the Bus Station on the outskirts of the city.
- https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-roads/public-transport/buses/park-and-ride
- www.chesterzoo.org
For all things Chester – please use www.visitchester.com Highlights are the world famous medieval shopping Rows; Chester Cathedral; River Dee including possible boat trips; the oldest racecourse in the UK – The Roodee to name but a few. There is a vast range of restaurants and places to eat and drink throughout the city. More recent developments have seen the Chester market move location from behind the Town Hall, it is now particularly noted for its food offerings. The Storyhouse theatre offers a wide range of shows and productions.
For cycling and walking enthusiasts, Chester’s Millenium Greenway walking route is close by. It is a good place to exercise your dogs too. You should, however, always keep the dogs on lead as it is regularly used by cyclists at speed. www.sustrans.org.uk
Further afield are the cities of Liverpool and Manchester – both of which can be accessed by trains from Chester Railway Station – it is highly recommended that you use the bus service or a taxi as there is very limited car parking – most of which is short timed and very expensive.
The two nearest petrol stations are at Sainsbury’s superstore on the A41 ring road and the Shell Garage on Hoole Road, next door to the Co-Op and is on the A56.
Summary
This is a very pleasant, well-situated Adults only CL. Although there is some road noise to be expected from being on a busy main road, we did not find it overly intrusive. We would highly recommend this site as an excellent base to tour the area and its many attractions on offer.