Due to the continuing lack of respect many campers are showing towards our property and other users we have finally decided to close The Lion Inn's campsite. We are sorry to the genuine people who have used this facility over the years and we thank you for your past custom.
This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we have been monitoring the situation closely. Despite having our rules advertised on signs around the site and on the face of camping tickets, every week we have people remolishing our walls to make campfires (which are not even allowed), leaving huge amounts of litter, playing loud music and revving car engines in the middle of the night, setting off fireworks and this weekend even firing guns!
Enough is enough, the field is now closed to the public, with the exception of walkers on the Coast to Coast who should email us in advance at [email protected]
We are so sorry to hear of your decision to close the camp field, However we fully understand your reasons. We have visited The Lion for donkey's years and have witnessed at first hand the lack of respect for the facilities offered, the field sometimes resembles a run down back street frequented by yobs instead of the beautiful moorland that should remain untouched by these idiots. Unfortunately, shame is a concept that no longer exists and once again we, the majority are subjected to restrictions as a result of a mindless few.
I am sorry that some of the less desirable elements of society have taken this opportunity away from those of us that just love to be in a tent, at one with the elements but with the bonus of your excellent hospitality.
All the best and hope to see you again in the near future
John
I am very sorry to hear that. That is a shame for the people who enjoy using the facilities. I hope it has the impact intended on those who have abused the service.
Sad but understandable decision to close the campsite.
I drive 250 miles from Essex to experience the sanctuary that places like the Lion offer, and to escape precisely the attitudes and disrespect you have obviously endured.
My experiences as a teacher in an urban college graphically illustrate the sad slide in social conscience, behaviour and respect.
Looking forward to making the trip back up north to stay wit you again, soon.
I am really sorry to hear of the closure as both my partner and I enjoyed camping at The Lion. We will continue to visit for the excellent food and atmosphere and only hope that it will be reconsidered in the future.
In reply to Jon's message:(It is a shame that you have to close it - isn't there a way of taking a credit card deposit & then keeping it if people don't follow the rules? Or , cld you not reduce the number of large groups etc staying? There must be a way around this ?)
Hi Jon, we appreciate your comments and suggestions and have considered these and many other options, but there are reasons why these won't work.
Firstly, a lot of people ignore the signs on the entrance to the field about getting permission to camp and buying tickets in the pub, they just drive in pitch up and don't bother paying. The only way this could be controlled is to have someone permanently situated on the gate for when people arrive, which is not viable. Therefore a credit card / deposit system wouldn't work. Also, how would we put a value on noise/litter/abuse/vandalism? How would we decide who the offenders were without controlling the site all night long? (the latest wild party peaked about 5am). How would we stop the offenders from leaving early in the morning before the site could be checked?
Regarding limiting large groups, generally if these people come in to buy tickets, they do so in smaller groups, so we can't tell they are part of a big crowd, and it's not necessarily the large groups that cause the worst trouble. Everyone seems fine when they check in and we don't want to be put in the position of having the decide who looks "decent" and who will abuse our property.
A couple of weeks ago some "quiet" campers did ask a group who were partying very late to quieten down and they were given a load of verbal abuse. What if this had escalated into a fight? We can't let this problem carry on.
There are some really great people who come and use the camping field, for example 2 lads from Middlesbrough came up last winter and spent several days rebuilding our stone walls, these have already been demolished by this years firestarters!
It is unfortunate for the majority of campers, and we are sorry, but this is our private property and our customers who are suffering the abuse. We don't have the desire or resources to patrol the field 24 hours a day as we are trying to run a busy pub and we need to concentrate on doing this.
Once again Jon, thanks very much for taking the time to comment.
I am really sorry to hear that you having to make this discision, my friends and i been camping at Bank Holidays, weekends for over 7 years, whether been walking, biking or just come up for a lovely meal. I dont blame you though - unfortunately when a place gets good reputation for food, atmosphere - their is always someone who try to come and spoil it for everybody else. We will still come to the pub anyway, and wish you all the best for the future.
Yes, the field will still be available as an overnight stopover for Coast to Coast & Lyke Wake walkers. These people should email us at [email protected] in advance to make the necessary arrangements.
On Tuesday night 29/5/07, I camped in the field to the side of your inn. (price £2.50) I was walking the Coast to Coast.
At around midnight, car headlights were heading straight for my tent, the car/cars stopped in front of my tent. They were aware of my presence but continued to play loud music,shout,slam doors and flash headlights into my tent.This went on for one and a half hours. (The following morning your field was littered with beer cans)
As i think this was a potentially dangerous situation, I am making you aware of this to hopefully ensure the safety of other campers in the future.
Could a chain be fastened across the entrance to the camping field?
I look forward to your reply.
Regards
David Pattison.
Dear Mr Pattison,
Sorry to hear about this. You may have noticed from the signs on the field entrance and the notes on our websites message board that we are doing what we can to control the behaviour of people on our property. The people who stopped in the car did not have permission to park there and I was only aware of their presence when I saw all the empty lager bottles thrown around the next morning. The field entrance is currently cordonned off with traffic cones and a gate has been ordered, this will then be duly locked on a permanent basis.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention and once again I apologise for this disturbance.
Kind regards
Paul Crossland
Manager
The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge
I TOTALLY understand and respect your decision to close the field for campers. Nobody needs the mindless acts of low-life that seem to be an increasing trend of today's society.
However, reading the main complaints message, it would seem that the'extra-curricular' activity that took place was, in fact, not from campers at all, but others who had decided that the site was a suitable place to park up and cause mayhem. Like many others have stated, there must be a simple solution to this. Perhaps a gate with key to those who leave a credit card (or similar) might be the answer. With an earliest 'checking out' time....this could be achieved. Most people who camp tend to wake at similar hours, so therefore complaints could be registered. For those to whom this isn't suitable ....well, hard luck. At least this would give those of us who are geniune an opportunity. Restricted opportunity, yes, but better than nothing!
I TOTALLY understand and respect your decision to close the field for campers. Nobody needs the mindless acts of low-life that seem to be an increasing trend of today's society.
However, reading the main complaints message, it would seem that the'extra-curricular' activity that took place was, in fact, not from campers at all, but others who had decided that the site was a suitable place to park up and cause mayhem. Like many others have stated, there must be a simple solution to this. Perhaps a gate with key to those who leave a credit card (or similar) might be the answer. With an earliest 'checking out' time....this could be achieved. Most people who camp tend to wake at similar hours, so therefore complaints could be registered. For those to whom this isn't suitable ....well, hard luck. At least this would give those of us who are geniune an opportunity. Restricted opportunity, yes, but better than nothing!
I am really sorry and saddened to hear about the abuse of the campsite. We brought our touring caravan to the site last year and had a fabulous evening in your pub (it's our favuorite!)
Is the campsite closed to touring caravans as well?
Just logged onto check price of camping, as we planned to camp with some friends and MA fans one weekend during the summer. This is a real shame, but probably a reflection of society nowadays. Will keep checking incase situation changes.
Sorry to hear about the campsites closure and yes I understand your decision to do so. Such a sad state of affairs that the scum of this society can infultrate such a beautiful part of our county and that the genuine lovers of it should suffer as a consiquence.
I had planned one day to show my eldest boy the beauty of Blakey on our travels in the VW Campervan.
Maybe now just a drive by or hope you have rooms?
Sad times...Martin
Me and a few lads used to camp there quite often about 7 years ago, and to be fair we did used to stay up till the early hours drinking, but we went right to the end of the field out of the way and always made sure all our rubbish was cleared up before leaving,
Its a shame you have had to stop it, was planning to take the girlfriend and another couple in the summer as its a great spot