Date of Visit: July 2023
Overall View
Kingsbury Water Park Camping and Caravan Club site is located just over three miles from junction 9 of the M42. Please see arrival video HERE. At the time of writing there is a new roundabout – for HS2 works – that doesn’t yet show up on Google Maps. The approach is straightforward, the access road being single track but with ample passing spaces. The site offers both grass and hard standing pitches totalling around 130. You can elect for non-EHU for the grass ones. In addition there are some ‘Ready Camp’ safari tents. The site is open all year around and also welcomes non-members – who pay a premium. Check in is from 1pm, check out by midday.
Facilities
There are barriers at both site entrance and exit – a four digit code is required at the entry barrier – given to you on arrival – and the barriers are closed between 11pm-7am.
There are two amenity blocks. The first, behind reception houses the usual ladies and gents’ showers, toilets and wash basins, along with a laundry room which has some leaflets and a book exchange. There is a washing up area too with the addition of a low level sink and an accessible unit. In the atrium there are those essential numbers that hopefully you will never need along with a defibrillator.
The showers were fixed temperature and push button, there was a good flow and a decent amount of time between presses. Unlike the other club, shower curtains remain, helping to keep your clothes dry. The floor seemed heated and everywhere seemed clean although some mould killer on the grouting would not have gone amiss.
The second amenity block has the ladies and gents’ facilities, a baby change room, a family shower room and a washing up area. Both blocks have chemical toilet disposal points and there are other fresh water and wastewater points (not CDP) dotted around the site.
There is a motorhome service point located just after reception.
By reception there is a pleasant partially shaded grassed area with seats and picnic benches as well as a bike rack.
Refuse bins can be found in the visitor’s car park just ahead of reception – all into one, no separating of recycling needed. Additional bins are located at the northern end of the site along with a children’s play area.
The site is flat, largely bordered by trees though does feel quite open in places. Traffic noise from the M42 is evident if not overly loud where I was pitched near reception.
Both TV and DAB/FM radio reception were good. Free site Wi-Fi is offered – the log in is on the welcome leaflet and during the day, from inside my unit I recorded a download speed of 3.8 Mbps and upload of 1.4 Mbps.
Of the major mobile networks only Three reported that 5G was available. All the others promised a good 4G signal. Once again Three reported issues in the area but the signal was still good enough to stream TV.
It should be noted that there is no area on site where dogs can run free but they are otherwise welcome though must be kept on a lead at all times.
Reception was stocked with a few grocery basics plus ice creams and cold drinks – card only, no cash accepted.
During my week long stay no food van visited the site.
Review of Site Pitch
I opted for a grass pitch with electric – as they were on offer at the time of booking – and was located near the exit barrier in the bottom right hand corner. It was quite an open area and, as mentioned above, noise from the M42 was evident. A slight ramp was needed but access was easy and the grass kept a decent length.
Around and about
There is a once a day bus service to Tamworth and back stopping near the humpback bridge about a 10 minute walk from the site, however you have to telephone to request a stop. Operated by Flexibus.
A more frequent service between Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth is available from the roundabout on the A4097, this is about a thirty minute walk from the site. Operated by Diamond Buses.
The nearest railway station is at Tamworth, approximately a 15 minute drive away and offers good connections around the country. Cross Country Trains provide services.
For groceries the nearest shop is a Co-op in Kingsbury village, roughly a five minute drive away. Plenty of fresh fruit, veg and meat,
For the bigger supermarkets it’s a fifteen minute drive to the Ventura retail park on the outskirts of Tamworth, there’s fuel here too.
Takeaway wise there’s a chip shop in Kingsbury along with a pizza place. Pub wise there is the Royal Oak and White Swan in Kingsbury. Closer to the site, about a twelve minute walk by the canal is the Dog & Doublet. Once just serving pub grub this now offers a menu of Chinese dishes several nights as well along with traditional Sunday roasts and is dog friendly.
The water park is next door to the site offering 15 lakes over 600 acres and offers a range of activities from waymarked walks and cycle routes of various lengths to bird watching, fishing, sailing, model boats and more. See Kingsbury Water Park for more information.
There are two vehicular entrances; the smaller one – Broomey Croft – shares the access road to the site. The main site entrance is further back along the main road. Parking is more expensive here, in both car parks it’s card only. Toilet facilities including accessible are available near both.
I took one of the shorter walks, starting at the Broomey Croft car park which seemed to be the quieter part, passing a couple of lakes and another with hides for bird watching before returning on the tow path of the Birmingham Fazeley Canal.
Middleton Hall & Gardens is about a 10 minute drive away, on the road to Tamworth. Parking is free, though donations are welcome. There is a lovely courtyard – which you don’t have to pay to enter – with artisan shops and a place for drinks and snacks. The coffee was very tasty.
The Hall and gardens are usually open from Wednesday until Sunday depending on the time of year, weddings and other special events. The history of the hall is fascinating, as is the story of its restoration, starting over 40 years ago. The grounds are pleasant too and there are plenty of benches and tables for a picnics. All dogs are welcome in the grounds but only assistance dogs inside.
Tamworth is about a 15 minute drive away and the Castle Gardens are well worth a visit. I used the neighbouring Riverdrive car park which charged only £1.00 for 3 hours or £1.50 all day. The town had a number of independent shops as well as some of the usual chain store offerings, many more of which have decamped to the nearby Ventura Retail Park which was much busier. Back in the town you can see a statue of Sir Robert Peel and a memorial to another local lad – Colin Grazier, who played such an important part in the 2nd World War.
On the way to Tamworth is Drayton Manor resort and theme park. Tickets are cheaper online.
Further afield is Lichfield with its lovely cathedral and Close, see Visit Lichfield for more information.
There are a number of National Trust properties within twenty miles including the Birmingham Back to Backs – pre-booking is essential for this one.
Summary
A nice place to stay although those concerned by noise from the M42 may want to pitch a little further away from the site entrance where I was. Easy access and plenty to do around and about, I would have liked to have seen better public transport provision.