Camping at Castlewellan Forest Park

jadedson

I have just had a horrendous weekend at Castlewellan Forest Park, a lovely looking area completely new to me, but at night time the caravan park was out of control. There were excessively loud conversations and laughter around campfires through the early hours. There were cars started and visitors brought in for a party session. There was shouting and falling out with each other late at night. There was a convoy of young people who set up a rave in the corner of the campsite and spent all night playing very loud dance music, revving their engines and beeping the horns on their cars. It was like a seige! This morning at 8.30 the party was still going strong, shouting, sporadic music and they were using the wet grass to do handbrake turns and doughnuts in their cars close to family tents.

I asked my immediate neighbours to speak a bit quieter at 12.20am, they just found this very funny and then deliberately started their car to rev their engine, the four of them falling about laughing (two couples). They completely disregarded my request, getting louder if anything. They then spoke in quite horrific terms about me within ear shot of my children, calling me names, using very foul language (c word) and mentioning topics not suitable for childrens ears. Then the implied threats started and the word rape was used by the two men (someones gonna get raped). The younger of my teenage children was in tears. We were absolutely terrified. I was concerned that I would either have my tent slashed or be attacked myself. I am a widowed mother with teenage children and with no husband to stand up for me I think I represented a soft target to these people. I waited until daylight, fully dressed and on full alert. I packed up when it got light. In fact at 4am I started packing up inside the tent so that it would be quicker to get away.

I did speak to the police about 2.20am. They told me not to approach the two couples (too late, I had asked them to be quiet about 12.20) but they said they couldn't do anything unless there was an approach to my person or my property. I should have phoned them back but by this time I was praying for daylight so I could pack up and go.

At 6am I thought I'd found a park ranger, but he was a dog walker. He told me that Tollymore is the same, no night time security and no locked gates. He said that it's the same over there, drink taken and excessive partying and then abusive behaviour. At 7.30 I spoke to the ranger and was asked to give a report in writing. I was offered a free nights camping which I turned down.

At most sites there is a night time quiet policy after 11am with some even going further by saying zero noise after midnight. It's not to ruin anyones party, but just to have some respect for the people all around you that at the end of the day have to share the same site. Another simple solution is to move the party inside the awning or tent which means the sound doesn't carry as far. The people beside me had young children sleeping in their caravan so they probaby didn't want to wake them prefering to keep everyone else awake instead.

The people next to me had no registration number on their caravan, although I did note down their car registration number. Although the rangers intended to remove them from site, next weekend they'll be parked up beside some other unsuspecting family who will have to suffer them instead. My advice is if there is no registration number on the caravan, park up on the opposite side instead.

mamabuddah

should have phoned the police and told them someone was dealing drugs...rave...loud music...all goes hand in hand....while the PSNI are interviewing the "partygoers"....you can quietly slip away...

smokiewater

Horrible experience for you!

We always found that rules were more strictly enforced in privately owned caravan/camp sites, though we have stayed in Castlewelland afew times without incident, maybe we were just lucky.

In recent times we have stayed at the Touring in the Trees sites, but these are only suitable for caravans (I think) and the gates are securely locked - you get a key with your annual membership. We have never, ever had any hassle at any of these sites, though they are often a bit out of the way. Hope you find some better sites to stay on over the summer!

live'n'learn

Its a disgrace that your family had to go through this, i often thought about camping there sometime but this has put me off!!

Did you mention the talk of rape to the Police?

BigAl94

Sorry to hear about your horrendous experience but I'm not at all surprised. These forestry sites are not fit for purpose in today's world - no security and no supervision, I wouldn't go near one. You should send a report of your experience to [EMAIL="customer.forestservice@dardni.gov.uk"]customer.forestservice@dardni.gov.uk[/EMAIL]

jadedson

I had phoned the police a little bit earlier than reference to rape and to getting the scissors. In hindsight I should have phoned them back as I think they probably would have taken that more seriously, but - imagine the scene. Four very drunk people none of whom can tow a van away, I'd have the police out but then they'd leave again leaving me at the mercy of these people. So the best scenario for me was to get them off to sleep, and for me to get packed up and leave as soon as I could.

There are lots of brilliant places to camp or caravan in N.I. but it looks like this is not one of them, unless they sort out a night time warden who was effectual (I say that because I've come across a place who has a night time warden who sits in their wee room watching TV which isn't much good!). If that was to happen this would be a great site, the views are great and from both EHU and non EHU sections of the site you can catch glimpses of the castle through the trees. To say this place is scenic is an understatement, but until they sort out the night times it's a place for day trips only.

warmhands.coldheart

I've been to Castlewellan & Tullymore on a number of occasions (Day Trip only, would never stay at any of these sites overnight) and have noticed they always look really packed. It's always going to be a problem when so many people in one place without proper "Security"!. Even noticed a number of Travellers parked up on a few occasions with there dogs roaming around freely and rubish all around their caravans.. Nice!!

mummysaving_2

I see that last weekends events are front page of todays Mourne Observer - they have said there will be an outside security firm at Castlewellan 24 hours from now til the end of the summer.

jadedson

Really! It was all over U105 this morning thanks to Blogger Jon

http://www.jonpatterson.co.uk/2011/asb-public-campsites/

BigAl94

I am of the opinion we should lobby to have these sites closed down until such times as the Forestry Commission either run them properly or franchise them out to private operators to run properly on a commercial basis.

BigAl94

jadedson wrote: »

Really! It was all over U105 this morning thanks to Blogger Jon

http://www.jonpatterson.co.uk/2011/asb-public-campsites/

I have sent that link to The Caravan Club who have run articles in their members magazine promoting these sites asking them to issue a warni ng so that visitors to NI stay way from these sites. As a caravanner of 30 years I feel very strongly about this.