Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Camping and Bushcraft => Topic started by: blokarter on July 22, 2010

Title: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: blokarter on July 22, 2010
Can anyone tell me if the campsite at Meelmore Lodge gets very soft in wet weather?

We have looked down on it a few times to see the caravans & thoughts about using it. Our problem is we are in a motorhome which is fairly heavy & I would not like to get stuck (again). Maybe they have a hard stand area..

It would give us another base to head off from as we are quite restricted with secure locations being few and far between.
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: RedLeader on July 22, 2010
I've seen motorhomes and caravans up at the top plenty of times. Plus there's plenty of traffic all over the fields as people always park by their own tents.
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: blokarter on July 22, 2010
Thanks J

I will give it a go before the end of summer.

I am very cautious as it weight 3.5 tonnes.
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: RedLeader on July 22, 2010
Fill the tyres with helium  ::)

Thanks J

I will give it a go before the end of summer.

I am very cautious as it weight 3.5 tonnes.
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: blokarter on July 22, 2010
I suppose it would be lighter if I removed all the beer from the fridge..
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: RedLeader on July 22, 2010
There'd be no point in going then :)

I suppose it would be lighter if I removed all the beer from the fridge..
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: blokarter on July 22, 2010
How true !
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: LandyLiam on July 22, 2010
i've had the caravan in there plenty of times, and that was when we had to drive through the mudpool at the bottom of the field (now has a gravel track down the side of field) although i did tow it with a 4x4

it would be worth calling them before you go to check its ok, owners have a farm so should be a tractor or 2 around to pull you out if necessary, but best to let them know in advance  ;)
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: blokarter on July 22, 2010
Thanks Landyman.

I used to tow caravans with Discovery's and places like Meelmore were never a problem. This was another one of a few things which I never considered when buying a motorhome.

Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: Nightjar on August 03, 2010
Personally I would not go near Meelmore during the summer season.  People seem to go there to get drunk, play loud music 24/7  and let their kids run riot. It gets ridiculously  overcrowded; and the toilets are few and consequently get dirt very quickly. The fields at the bottom of the site have been known to flood, and people and vehicles have had to be rescued.  if it is a big site you want you could go to Castlewellan.

 The Cafe does do excellent coffee though
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: blokarter on August 03, 2010
Thanks Nightjar.

I do use Castlewellan & Tollymore but was looking for a secure location to walk from to try different routes.
I looked at the Rock campsite a few weeks ago but the pitches are a bit small.

There is a motorhome only park on the coast road south of Newcastle which is great for Bloody Bridge routes.

Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: RedLeader on August 03, 2010
There's a hugely mixed reaction to Meelmore. Some people think it's got too many drunken lads keeping others awake and others complain that they have problems getting to stay because they aren't family groups.

Personally I would not go near Meelmore during the summer season.  People seem to go there to get drunk, play loud music 24/7  and let their kids run riot. It gets ridiculously  overcrowded; and the toilets are few and consequently get dirt very quickly. The fields at the bottom of the site have been known to flood, and people and vehicles have had to be rescued.  if it is a big site you want you could go to Castlewellan.

 The Cafe does do excellent coffee though

Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: LennyJ1 on August 03, 2010
I like the fact the have a secured car park. (ish)
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: Timbo on September 15, 2010
wanted to camp at meelmore recently to find on their website they don't allow dogs, I mean wtf its a campsite! wouldn't be right going camping without the dog, he'd know and never speak with me again
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: LandyLiam on September 15, 2010
There's some nice spots for camping just over the stile at meelmore heading towards spellack, just pay £4 to park your car and you still have the campsite facilities nearby if needed, bit far to walk if you have a lot of camping gear though
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: ChuckMcB on September 15, 2010
Timbo, give Frank over at the Bloody Bridge Camp Site (http://www.bloodybridge.com/html/campsites.html) a shout (frank@bloodybridge.com / 07788127730 / http://www.bloodybridge.com/ )

I've started using his place rather than Meelmore Lodge and I've seen a fair number of (well behaved) dogs on my last couple of visits. It's a bit of a steep access road to get up, it doesn't have a fancy Cafe like Meelmore but the toilet block is clean and showers hot and *free*. Ask him for a quiet pitch and he'll try to tuck you away into one of the corner fields.

Just make sure you pack anti-midge stuff because it's very sheltered so the midge's don't get blown away (if you forget Frank will sell you a bottle of the Avon Skin-So-Soft (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1176.0) for a couple of quid).
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: Timbo on September 16, 2010
Timbo, give Frank over at the Bloody Bridge Camp Site (http://www.bloodybridge.com/html/campsites.html) a shout (frank@bloodybridge.com / 07788127730 / http://www.bloodybridge.com/ )

I've started using his place rather than Meelmore Lodge and I've seen a fair number of (well behaved) dogs on my last couple of visits. It's a bit of a steep access road to get up, it doesn't have a fancy Cafe like Meelmore but the toilet block is clean and showers hot and *free*. Ask him for a quiet pitch and he'll try to tuck you away into one of the corner fields.

Just make sure you pack anti-midge stuff because it's very sheltered so the midge's don't get blown away (if you forget Frank will sell you a bottle of the Avon Skin-So-Soft (http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1176.0) for a couple of quid).

nice one thanks Chuck, will check it out
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: DryBag on November 09, 2010
they don't allow dogs, I mean wtf its a campsite!

Given that the last tie i camped there I got woken in the middle of the night by a sheep eating my tent, I can sort of understand their reluctance to allow dogs.
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: LandyLiam on November 09, 2010
last time i was there i stood in dog poop  >:( glad i had just packed up and was on the way home, imagine getting that all over the tent  :o (actually i was in a caravan that weekend  ::) )
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: RedLeader on November 10, 2010
When we were there last there was plenty of cow shit around. And I mean the big steaming, recent kind. Was pretty offputting to be honest.
Title: Re: Meelmore Lodge site
Post by: LandyLiam on November 10, 2010
You must have been put in the chav field ::)