Situated on beautiful Mersea Island, Waldegraves Holiday Park is the perfect destination for both couples and families. It offers the best of both worlds, whether you desire a romantic and peaceful retreat by the coast or an action-packed family holiday, full of entertainment.
About Waldegraves Holiday Park
Overlooking the Blackwater Estuary, this site is perfect for your relaxing getaway to the South East of England. Enjoy long walks along the Mersea Island coastline, explore the natural beauty of Cudmore Grove Country Park - which is right on your doorstep, or take a relaxing boat trip and see Mersea Island from a new angle. Whether you have a tent, touring caravan or motorhome, you'll have a great holiday at Waldegraves. The site boasts top class facilities, with highly maintained flat pitches that give you all the space you need to enjoy the great outdoors. Enjoy all the creature comforts with a stay in a luxury caravan holiday homes by the coast, which comes fully equipped with everything you need for the perfect family break. There are Platinum, Gold, and Silver options as well as pet friendly and wheelchair accessible caravans available. There is always something happening to keep the whole family entertained here!
Open from 1 March to 30 November
There are 4 accommodation options on-site
Non-Electric Grass Pitches
There are five large camping fields without EHUs. You can choose to pitch by the lake, close to the seafront or close to fishing lakes and there is plenty of space for groups.
Serviced Pitches
Attractive pitches with plenty of open space and hedging bordering the pitches. These have their own electric hook up points and water points on each pitch and are suitable for tourers, motorhomes and tents.
Hardstanding Pitches
There are a limited number of hardstanding pitches, which are partially smooth gravel along with grass. Please specify the size of your unit when booking.
Site tariff
Interested in staying at Waldegraves Holiday Park?
Call 01206 382898 to book.
Unfortunately Waldegraves Holiday Park doesn't share their availability calendar with us yet. Availability changes quickly, especially in summer, so we recommend enquiring by phone to avoid missing out.
Site rules and policies
Please read this prior to your arrival at Waldegraves Family Holiday Park. Please also make sure that anyone connected with your booking is aware of these Terms & Conditions.
1. AGREEMENT, DEPOSIT & PAYMENTS
1.1. These Terms & Conditions will become binding between you and us when your booking is confirmed. The person making the booking accepts the contract on behalf of all members of your party and is responsible for making sure they accept the contract. We cannot accept bookings from anyone under the age of 18.
1.2. You are reminded that breach of these terms is a breach of your contract and could result in termination of your booking.
1.3. Always check your booking confirmation. Subject to clause 11.5 and pursuant to clause 11.8, we are unable to accept responsibility for any misunderstandings or errors which arise in connection to your booking.
1.4. When you book your holiday you will need to pay a deposit. The full balance of your holiday will then be due 10 weeks prior to your holiday start date. If you do not make a payment by this date then we will assume that your holiday has been cancelled and we may re-sell the holiday to another customer.
1.5. In the event that you book a holiday with us less than 10 weeks before the holiday start date, then you will be required to pay the balance to us in full.
1.6. We reserve the right to alter or amend our published price, as long as you are notified before booking. The price of the accommodation will be set out at the time we confirm your booking and this will not change unless you make any amendments to your holiday or tax rates change. All discounts and special offers are subject to availability and their own terms & conditions and may be withdrawn at any time. All discounts and special offers must be disclosed to us at the point of booking. Discounts and special offers cannot be added to your booking after your booking has been made.
1.7. You may cancel your booking at any time. If you need to cancel your booking, please contact us as soon as possible. Subject to clause 11.5, we will retain any payments you have made to us until we establish whether or not it is possible to rebook your accommodation / pitch. If it is not possible to do so, or it is only possible for us to do so at a reduced fee, then we will retain all or part of your payment to compensate us for our loss and we may ask for further payment to cover any balance.
1.8. If we exercise our right to terminate your booking in accordance with clause 1.2, then you will only be entitled to a refund in accordance with clause 1.7 of this agreement i.e. to the extent we are able to rebook your accommodation / pitch.
1.9. Transfers of holiday bookings are only made at the discretion of the management and, if feasible, will incur a £15 administration charge. No transfers will be made to any booking within 14 days of the arrival. You may wish to consider purchasing travel insurance.
2. YOUR BOOKING
2.1. There may be restrictions for some parties or under 21's looking to book in groups of over 4 people. If you haven't made a group booking and arrive in a group, we may cancel your booking and you will only be entitled to a refund in accordance with clause 1.7. This is due to the family nature of our Park, we do not promote hen/stag parties at the Park and we usually turn down non-family bookings from people under the age of 21. There may be additional restrictions on group bookings, depending on the time of year, so please ensure you call our bookings team to ask about these prior to making a reservation.
2.2. All group bookings requiring 3 or more holiday homes/pitches must be made through our Bookings Team. If this is not done then we may cancel your booking and you will only be entitled to a refund in accordance with clause 1.7. We may only accept group bookings if you tell us about them and give us the names and addresses of everyone in your group before you book. The lead booker for a group is responsible for the conduct of the other members of the group and for ensuring they comply with these terms and conditions. We may require the lead booker to provide a deposit as security in the event of any damage by any member of the group.The total number in your party (including children and babies) must not exceed the maximum capacity of the holiday home or pitch advertised in the brochure or online.
2.3. Very occasionally, in exceptional circumstances, we may have to cancel your booking in advance of your stay. If we do so, we will tell you as soon as possible. Subject to clauses 11.6 and 11.7, we may issue you with a full refund, offer you alternative arrangements or offer you another holiday with us at the brochure price. You will be able to choose any one of the offers we make to you.
2.4. We will always try our best to allocate you a pitch in your preferred area, however we cannot guarantee availability or that you will not be moved due to unforeseen circumstances. Please note, pitches are randomly allocated for online bookings.
3. CHECKING IN AND OUT
3.1. A refundable deposit of £10 is payable on arrival for a barrier card for each touring pitch and holiday home.
3.2. Late arrivals must check in at the Granary Restaurant when Reception is closed. Arrivals after 11pm are asked to park in the Car Park until Reception opens at 9am.
3.3. Don't forget to check the tide times for getting on and off the island before coming to Mersea. When there are very high tides The Strood can be flooded for up to an hour or more. We always advise that if the tide is 5.00 metres and above it will more than likely cover the Strood. In this case we would recommend allowing up to an hour and a half either side of the tide to get on or off the island safely. Don't take chances trying to cross it under these conditions.
3.4. Gold grade holiday homes can be occupied from 3pm on the day of arrival and must be vacated before 10am on the day of departure unless alternative arrangements are made with Reception, subject to availability and an additional charge when available. Platinum grade holiday homes benefit from an earlier check-in time at 2pm and must be vacated before 10am on the day of departure.
3.5. Pre-authorisation of a credit or debit card (or cash deposit) will be required at check in for the static holiday home hire, £50 per hirevan. A pre-authorisation is a temporary hold of a specific amount of the available balance on a credit or debit card, it guarantees that the funds are available to pay for any charges. The pre-authorisation fund is not held by the Park, it is held by the customer's own issuing bank. Pre-authorisation should be released by the customer's issuing bank automatically, if not the customer will need to contact their own issuing bank.
3.6. At the end of your holiday please ensure that the accommodation and pitch is left in a clean and tidy condition. This includes, but is not limited to, removing all the rubbish from the property, emptying the fridge and cleaning all the kitchen equipment. Subject to clauses 11.5 and 11.7, you are also responsible for any damage to your holiday home which has occurred during your stay.
3.7. If the accommodation, upon inspection, is found to be left in an untidy condition or it is damaged then we will notify you in writing and we may recover from you any charges we incur in respect of necessary cleaning, tidying or repair works required. This may be by either deducting sums from your deposit or directly invoicing you for these sums. Our charges will be reasonable and based on the time spent and the work done and shall not exceed those of a written quotation for having the work carried out by an appropriately competent and suitably qualified and experienced independent contractor(s).
4. HOLIDAY HOMES FOR HIRE
4.1. All bed linen is provided in our accommodation. Platinum grade packages include a bale of towels (6 bath sheets & 3 hand towels), a bottle of fizz and the beds will be made up for your arrival. By prior arrangement travel cots can be hired at £10 each per stay. You will however need to bring your own cot linen. For the same charge per item you may also hire from us highchairs, irons, hairdryers and clothes airers. Please note that all of these items are subject to availability. To avoid disappointment we recommend that you call in advance of your stay to make a reservation.
4.2. Subject to clause 10, we are only able to accept dogs in our dog friendly holiday homes. If you bring a pet into accommodation which is not pet friendly - with the exception of clause 10.3 - then you will be required to pay an additional fee of £100 for the deep cleaning of the accommodation. If any member of your party suffers from an allergy, we would strongly recommend that you do not book accommodation which accepts pets.
4.3. All of our accommodation is non-smoking. If you smoke in the accommodation you will be required to pay an additional fee of £100 for the deep cleaning of the accommodation.
4.4. Please be aware that some of our hirefleet are within close vicinity to the clubhouse.
5. CAMPING & TOURING
5.1. Unless you enter into prior arrangements with us or there are exceptional circumstances, all touring pitches may only be occupied from 3pm on the day of arrival. Similarly you must vacate your accommodation by no later than 1pm on your day of departure.
5.2. Pitches cannot be booked for the sole use of a gazebo. Management reserves the right to remove or re-book a pitch found to have been booked for this sole purpose.
5.3. The price of a touring or camping pitch includes 4 people, one car, one unit (tent, caravan or motorhome), an awning and one extra pup tent. You may have a maximum of 6 people on your pitch at an additional charge per person. Bookings of 7 or more people will require you to book an additional pitch. All children over 12 months old are chargeable. The number of people on your pitch includes any people sleeping in an awning or pup tent. IF YOU HAVE ANY EXTRA PEOPLE, CARS, DOGS, BOATS/JET SKIS OR A GAZEBO, YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THEM AS EXTRAS. You can find the price list on our website or in our Price Guide booklet. All extras must be paid for before putting them onto your pitch. Inspections will be made by our Park Warden to ensure all extras are paid for.
5.4. Windbreaks must be within your boundary. Only environmentally friendly, breathable ground sheets may be used under awnings.
5.5. Only the hook window and rotary line clothes airers may be used. Laundry also provide rotary airers. String lines are prohibited. We ask that you don't leave your rotary airer up when not in use.
5.6. It is your responsibility to ensure that your tourer holds a valid insurance policy whilst it is on your pitch.
5.7. If you find any tree or hedge a nuisance or unsatisfactory you should take the matter up with us; do not deal with it yourself. You must not dig any holes at the Park.
5.8. All belongings and rubbish must be removed on departure. If the pitch, upon inspection, is found to be left in an untidy condition or it is damaged then we will notify you in writing and we may recover from you any charges we incur in respect of necessary cleaning, tidying or repair works required. Please do not leave anything in the wooded areas.
6. VEHICLES & DRIVING
6.1. No more than 2 cars are permitted on a single pitch at any one time. Bringing a second car onto the pitch will incur a fee of £15 per stay for touring/camping bookings and £10 if you are staying in our static holiday homes. All cars which are parked on a pitch must comply with the spacing requirements set out in our site licence. A copy of our site licence is available in Reception. Please display the vehicle pass in the windscreen of the vehicle so the Park Warden can clearly see it. All other cars, or any cars which do not comply with the spacing requirements set out in our site licence, must be parked in the Car Park and a £5 day pass from Reception is required.
6.2. You must have insurance for all vehicles, accessories and items towed by vehicles (such as boats and jet skis) you use on the Park as if for use on the public road.
6.3. Quad bikes, motorbikes, petrol/electric scooters or any similar vehicles are not permitted on the Park.
6.4. You must not wash cars/caravans with a hosepipe or jet wash.
6.5. Other than for delivering goods and services, we do not allow parking of commercial vehicles of any sort on the Park. This includes, and is not limited to, transit style vans, flatbed trucks and sign written vehicles. This will be strictly monitored by our Park Warden throughout the season.
6.6. For everyone's safety, a 10mph speed limit is in force which must be observed at all times and cyclists should keep to the roadways. All UK driving laws apply to our Park and we co-operate with local authorities. No learner drivers or underage drivers are allowed. You must hold a full current driving licence to drive any vehicle on the Park. Please leave your vehicle on your pitch and walk to the facilities to reduce the traffic flow on the Park.
7. PARK FACILITIES & RECREATION
7.1. You will only be admitted into our heated outdoor swimming pool area on production of your booking confirmation or an alternative pass issued in Reception. The pool will be open from May Day Bank Holiday weekend until early September, weather permitting. You must follow the procedure for use of the swimming pool and all the swimming pool rules. These are clearly displayed at the entrance to the Pool. Alternatively you may view a copy of the swimming pool rules on request at the Park Reception.
7.2. Some facilities operate limited opening hours outside peak times. The kids club runs throughout school holidays and operates a limited entertainment schedule during the off peak season.
7.3. Fishing tickets may be purchased from Reception, The Wheatgrain Supermarket or the Bailiff (cash only), who is based at the lakes. You must be able to provide a valid rod licence for all rod users. For fishing Rules & Regulations, please ask Reception for a copy.
7.4. Ball games may only be played in the children's play area or open fields. All play areas are open between 9am and 9pm each day. A responsible adult must accompany children under 5 years of age to all facilities.
7.5. All children in the clubhouse must be kept away from the bar and accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Parents will be held responsible for any children found wilfully damaging equipment or any other part of the Park.
7.6. We regret we are unable to offer any child care facilities. Whilst we are happy to provide children's activities, including kid's clubs, they are not child care facilities. Please note that at all times the safety of children is the responsibility of the parent or guardian. The parent or guardian will be held accountable for the actions of any minor(s) in their control.
7.7. Whilst every effort is made to provide all facilities as advertised, we regret that we are unable to accept liability for any lack of facility due to technical breakdown or circumstances beyond our control unless caused by our own action or omission as set out in clause 11.5. The Wheatsheaf and the Granary Restaurant are available for private hire whenever we choose to do so. In the event of a venue being unavailable, we will try to arrange for an alternative venue to be provided but we cannot guarantee this.
7.8. Guests with disabilities are welcome. We offer specific accommodation suitable for holidaymakers with wheelchairs or mobility difficulties. However certain accommodation and locations may not be suitable. If you or someone in your party has any medical conditions or disabilities which you wish us to be aware of, please inform us at the time of your booking so we can try to ensure the accommodation is suitable for you. If we are unaware, we can't be responsible if the accommodation or position on the Park is not suitable. If you do have special requirements, please do let us know, preferably in writing or via email. We will try to accommodate for you as best as we can, but we cannot guarantee availability.
8. BEHAVIOUR
8.1. You may only consume alcoholic drinks within the boundaries of your pitch or on the Park's licensed premises. In accordance with licensing laws, we can only sell alcohol to persons aged 18 or over. We may require you to show proof of age using an approved form of identi?cation.
8.2. You must not use a drone, powered model aircraft or any other powered flying object on the Park, unless authorised.
8.3. The possession or use of drugs, firearms, guns, pistols, catapults or any similar weapons are strictly forbidden.
8.4. Please respect your neighbours at all times of the day and night, loud music and rowdy behaviour will not be tolerated. Please note that awnings are not soundproof. There must be strictly no noise after midnight anywhere on the Park. Television, radios or portable speakers must not be audible outside your pitch.
8.5. Every endeavour should be made to respect the privacy of others on the Park. Please use the roads and paths to gain access to other areas of the Park. Footpaths to the beach are clearly marked. Please do not use the private area between owners' holiday homes as walkways.
8.6. If we deem that your behaviour amounts to a serious breach of our behaviour standards under clause 8 of this agreement, then we may at our reasonable discretion ask you to leave the site. Please note, our Body Worn Cameras may be used by our Security Staff when they believe there is potential for aggression and will be used in accordance with The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice.
8.7. If you are in breach of the behavioural standards under this clause but we deem that your behaviour is capable of being remedied then we may give you a warning to remedy this with immediate effect. If you do not do so then again we may at our reasonable discretion ask you to leave the site.
9. VISITORS TO THE PITCH
9.1. You may have a maximum of 6 people on your pitch and 8 people in the hirefleet. No large party gatherings unless authorised by the office.
9.2. All accommodation on Park are to be used only for holiday and recreational purposes.
9.3. It is your responsibility to ensure that your visitors adhere to these Terms & Conditions and the Park Rules.
9.4. It is requested that all family and friends visiting for the day leave their vehicle in the car park. A visitor day pass can be purchased at Reception for £5 and will need to be displayed clearly on your dashboard. All payable facilities are charged as an extra. Visitors are welcome to visit the Park between the hours of 9am and 10pm.
10. PETS
10.1. All dog owners must keep their dogs on a lead at all times and kept from entering prohibited areas (restaurant, shop, clubhouse, swimming pool, toilets, showers, laundry). Dog bins are provided around the Park for disposal of fouling and free doggy bags are available from Reception and the Laundry. Dogs from the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 are not allowed.
10.2. A maximum of 4 dogs per accommodation/pitch are allowed. If we deem that your pet is causing a nuisance - either in contradiction of clause 10.1 or in a manner that breaches the park's behavioural standards under clause 8 of this agreement - then we may request that you remove the pet from the Park immediately.
10.3. Nothing in these Park Rules prevents you from bringing an assistance dog to the Park if this is required to support your disability and Assistance Dogs UK or any successor body has issued you with an appropriate evidence.
Things to do on site and in the Colchester area
The pool is the perfect place to splash around and there is a separate toddler pool for the little ones to enjoy. You can relax in the sun on a deckchair in the garden overlooking the pool and enjoy refreshments from the poolside bar.
There's plenty of great golfing opportunities so that you can work on your swing and four well-stocked coarse fishing lakes on site with well-maintained swims. The boating lake is especially designed for you to bring your own rowing boats and inflatable boats so that you can make the most of it.
There is a private beach for the use of Waldegrave guests so you can soak up the sun, explore the rock pools and build the sandcastles all day long. Plus with the site's own boat launching facilities it is ideal for those who like to be out on the open water.
The Granary offers a superb selection of hot and cold meals taking advantage of the masses of quality fresh produce local to Mersea Island. Eat in the superb comfort of the restaurant or on the decking overlooking the swimming pool. .
You'll find top quality entertainment throughout the year at the Barn and Wheatsheaf. Kids can join Sammy and Bonnie in the early evening to have a laugh and play games and then sit back and enjoy as the stage gets taken over by amazing acts, cabaret, comedy and entertainment.
Interested in staying at Waldegraves Holiday Park?
Call 01206 382898 to book.
Unfortunately Waldegraves Holiday Park doesn't share their availability calendar with us yet. Availability changes quickly, especially in summer, so we recommend enquiring by phone to avoid missing out.