Lyndon Top at Rutland Water

[bartman]

I know this isn't wild camping, but I know that a few of the members here have been to this place. When we first started motorhoming it was one of our regular places, no fancy electric hookups but a huge "go anywhere you like" series of fields. Water readily available from various points and black water disposal. The official grey water disposal point - in the hedge. It was then £7 a night, no doubt some here will remember it being less than that.
We didn't get there last year, on our last visit it had gone up to £15 which I thought was borderline ok bearing in mind you can arrive early and stay late.
Looking at their site now, they appear to have gone commercial. It's £22.50, and they now have some hookups available for £32.50.
I don't know whether they can justify these prices with increased overheads, or whether it's just commercial greed. Either way, I can't see us being frequent visitors.

 

[barryd]

£22.50 is too much with no hookup I reckon.

We had a night there on the way to France last summer. I'm sure it was £16. Which is ok. We were going to stay two nights but I just wasn't impressed with Rutland water. Difficult to access the lake. It's not like they have waterside access for kayaking and too many rules and regs for me on Rutland. Your not even allowed to use inflatable Kayaks.

 

[mistericeman]

Look at the details and decide whether it's worth it for YOU....

IF it's not then look elsewhere..... They won't be bothered as there will be plenty that think it's value....

Thesedays there's non many places left for £10 a night.

 

[maingate]

That is very sad news but in a way I cannot blame them. It is a unique site in many ways. We used it quite often and enjoyed our stays there. With having multiple dogs it was ideal for walks and you had the space to be private or mingle, as you felt the need. We were always blessed with good weather there and I got free wifi from a Hotel somewhere across the lake. Many happy memories.

 

[Robmac]

Love Lyndon Top, but it will never be the same as when Arthur ran it.

 

[Tezza33]

It was our favourite place, we used to go there regularly but the last time was 2019 and it was £15 a night, a lot more regulated than when Arthur ran it and it didn't have the same welcoming feel, we haven't been back since.

 

[edina]

It was our favourite place, we used to go there regularly but the last time was 2019 and it was £15 a night, a lot more regulated than when Arthur ran it and it didn't have the same welcoming feel, we haven't been back since.

Our first time there was to meet Maggy and Terry, it was snowing!
I believe it was taken over by Lakeland Leisure, who also bought the marina we kept our narrowboat in. The mooring fees went soaring up soon after they took over.

 

[Mr and Mrs Tupcox]

We always have few nights there, but its priced out or price range now ,
So we use the little site by the boat club £14

 

[Tbear]

I have not been to the site for several years. Not since just after the legendary Arthur died. Our motorhome sadly went the same way not too long afterwards. However the beautiful lake is still there with its cycle/footpath going all around it. There is a bit of snobbery as Barryd points out, on access to the suface of the water but the local wildlife ignores that. It is only 10 mins drive from the A1 and a lot cheaper than many tourist hotspots.
We have so many good memories of there it would be a shame to write it off.

 

[Robmac]

£22.50 is too much with no hookup I reckon.

We had a night there on the way to France last summer. I'm sure it was £16. Which is ok. We were going to stay two nights but I just wasn't impressed with Rutland water. Difficult to access the lake. It's not like they have waterside access for kayaking and too many rules and regs for me on Rutland. Your not even allowed to use inflatable Kayaks.

You can use Inflatable Kayaks as long as you launch from the watersports centre and have a day permit Barry.

But it ain't cheap!

 

[Tbear]

You can use Inflatable Kayaks as long as you launch from the watersports centre and have a day permit Barry.

But it ain't cheap!

Is that not only in the very limited area of the centre or do they let you out on the lake now Rob?

 

[Robmac]

Is that not only in the very limited area of the centre or do they let you out on the lake now Rob?

Not sure Richard, I have only seen them launch from the centre but haven't really noticed how far they go.

Do you still have yours?

 

[bartman]

Sadly we only got to hear about the site after Arthur's death - when reading the condolences posts on here. We did meet his wife (Maggie?).
The main attractions for us were the freedom of being able to pitch anywhere on the huge site, and the cycle routes around the reservoir and the surrounding country roads. Yes, it is a reservoir not a natural lake so hardly surprising they don't want barryd doing unspeakable things on/in it

 

[Tbear]

Not sure Richard, I have only seen them launch from the centre but haven't really noticed how far they go.

Do you still have yours?

Still got it but it got confined to the back of the shed when I started doing a lot of cycling and the grandkids where a bit young to be on the river. Perhaps its time to dust it off???

 

[Tezza33]

Sadly we only got to hear about the site after Arthur's death - when reading the condolences posts on here. We did meet his wife (Maggie?).

It was Maddy, not Maggie, she ran the site for a few years after Arthur died, she learned to drive the Land Rover but the grass cutting was done by the owners son, Arthur loved to leave wild patches of grass around the site, he got very angry if anyone drove over it, the son had different ideas, he mowed it all down and it spoiled the look of the place.

 

[runnach]

It was Maddy, not Maggie, she ran the site for a few years after Arthur died, she learned to drive the Land Rover but the grass cutting was done by the owners son, Arthur loved to leave wild patches of grass around the site, he got very angry if anyone drove over it, the son had different ideas, he mowed it all down and it spoiled the look of the place.

Leaving wild areas is good land management, allows for various flora and fauna to thrive. No wonder Arthur got miffed!

 

[Tezza33]

Leaving wild areas is good land management, allows for various flora and fauna to thrive. No wonder Arthur got miffed!

Exactly why he did it, he was an exceptional man

 

[Robmac]

Exactly why he did it, he was an exceptional man

He was indeed Terry.

Always remembered our names as well when we turned up.

 

[runnach]

I never met the gent, he was deceased by the time I made our first stop there en-route to and from the tunnel.

 

[Mick H]

First camped there on a rally, about 25 yrs ago. Lakeland leisure owned it back then, so nothing new. As a sites officer for our camping group, I booked this venue, several times. I always dealt with Richard Bee, of Lakeland.
Occasionally, he camped there himself, in his RV. There was only a groundsman around, on site. Don't remember any Arthur, or Maddy, at that time, indeed, when we once had a problem with the septic tank being full, I had to ring Richard Bee, to arrange for it to be emptied. Interestingly, the tanker driver told us that he would be spraying the contents on farmland, in Lincolnshire. That included all the toilet fluids, paper etc.
I recall that Phil once had a difference of opinion, either with Richard, or his son and wasn't happy to book this venue, in the future.
Only camped there, on our own, once, when we had to put our site fees in a "Honesty Box"