The Riverfront York Reviews

5 stars

Lovely spot, easy to get the bus into York. We had a shady spot under the trees. It was our first time in a campervan but everything was easy and convenient.

Nice location

We booked to stay here for 2 nights having read the reviews and the fact that the site had just won an award locally. We were excited to arrive at the site, first impressions were good although there was no one to meet you when you arrive and talk you through things, you simply arrive, pitch up and that's it. The location is nice. The riverfront is quite pretty and busy at times. We pitched up and the pitches were well kept and nicely laid out with EHU and water. That's when things started to go a little wrong for us. The on site cafe and restaurant were very busy and share the toilet block for the campsite, albeit a different door on the side. However, because it is very busy, the toilet area was pretty grubby with toilet paper strewn all over the floor. The dedicated camping toilet block has a coded entry, but I forgot the code and just tried what I thought was right and it let me in. It was the wrong code though so I'm not sure how secure the entry is. In any case, we found that the door was left ajar most of the time. The laundry area was small with one sink and despite this being a recent upgrade, the paving slabs outside were broken and uneven. We got the feeling that the campsite area was a bit of an afterthought to support the restaurant, it felt a bit confused. Having said that, the site was nicely laid out and kept. Security was pretty much non-existent, although it does say there is CCTV in operation, the whole site is open to anyone walking through. The waste bin area was filthy, with the large bin overflowing and dozens of bottles left lying around the bin area, not very well kept at all. The worst part though was that on our first night, we were woken in the night by the most foul smell, it really made you feel sick, it was that strong and foul smelling. I checked online and did some research and found that this has been a problem since at least 2011, with a local councillor stating it was causing distress to residents but clearly nothing has been done. It appears to be coming from a sewerage treatment plant nearby. It was so bad that we decided we couldn't stay another night and left. All in all, The Riverfront, despite its award, was very very disappointing. Would we return? Not a chance, sorry.

Site's response

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience Alan. We’re glad to hear that you appreciated the layout of the pitches, the riverside location, and the general upkeep of the site. We also appreciate your honest feedback on the areas where things didn’t meet your expectations. The points you’ve raised about the shared facilities, cleanliness, and the overall feel of the site are noted and will be reviewed with the team. The issue with the smell is unfortunately something that has affected the wider area from time to time, and while it’s outside our direct control, we understand how unpleasant that must have been and why it influenced your decision to leave early. We’re always working to improve, and feedback like yours helps us better understand what’s working and what needs attention. While we’re sorry to hear you wouldn’t return, we do appreciate you giving us a try and sharing your thoughts so openly.

Amazing campsite...

Our 1st stay at this campsite and it’s fabulous, we are now looking to come back with the family.

Site's response

Thank you for your fabulous review Jayne. We are thrilled you enjoyed your visit and look forward to seeing you again very soon.

Everything but.......

For the most part the park was excellent. What was disturbing was despite the rules sent on the confirmation email and the signs indicating DOGS to be leashed at all times, there were many dogs unleashed and no one to correct the entitled dog owners. No park staff or management ever toured the park to check and enforce rules violations.

Site's response

Thank you, Kelly, for your feedback. We're really pleased to hear that you found the park excellent overall. We do take the issue of dogs being kept on leads seriously, and we understand how frustrating it can be when rules aren’t followed. Clear signage is in place and our expectations are communicated in advance, but we also rely on guests to respect those rules for the comfort and safety of everyone on site. While we don’t have staff patrolling the park continuously, our team is always available by phone and located nearby should any issues arise. We encourage guests to get in touch if they notice something that needs attention—we’re always happy to help. Thanks again for your comments, and we hope to welcome you back in the future.

Real holiday vibe

Toilets looked like they were out if a four star hotel, very nice and very clean. Bit different than usual sites - just check in online.

Site's response

Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to The Riverfront York Catherine. We are pleased that you enjoyed your stay and in particular our upgraded Toilet & Shower facilities. We do operate a largely self-service process on our site but there are always staff around or located close by should our guests have things they need help with. We hope to see you again for another visit.

Riverside York bliss

Absolutely beautiful place to stay by the river, thank you so much xx

Site's response

Thank you for your lovely review Tina. We are thrilled you had such a good time and hope to see you back again very soon!

Fabulous site

Lovely site right next to the river with dog walking trails along the river into York and to York Marina. Shower and toilet block were immaculate. Very dog friendly and the staff were pleasant and helpful. Will definitely be visiting again.

Site's response

Thank you for your lovely review Patricia. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us at The Riverfront York and got to enjoy our renovated toilet & shower block and some of the local walking trails. We look forward to welcoming you back very soon.

Disappointing

Stayed two nights in June. Site was clean and tidy on arrival. Please check opening times for the bar as it closed early on Sunday and not open on a Monday, so never got to use it. Would describe the site as show and no substance, high end finish but facilities let the site down. Unmanned site, which isn't a problem until you have an issue. No hot water in the showers - emailed them and no reply. Toilets and showers were not cleaned whilst we stayed and a lack of bins. Tried to recycle rubbish but no bins in the recycling area. Lastly, double check if you want to use the water taxi as again, didn't run every day. Buses are infrequent into York so ended up using an Uber. Overall, expensive for what it is, plus many pitches are under trees which the birds loved but unfortunately, left us with a mess to clean before we could pack up.

Site's response

Thank you for your feedback following your recent stay with us Tracy. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. To address the points you've raised: Cleanliness: We're pleased to hear the site was clean and tidy on arrival. Our team works hard to maintain high standards across the site. Bar and Restaurant: The bar is located within the restaurant, which is open Thursday to Sunday. Drinks are also available from the Café Bar during its opening hours. We’ll review how clearly this information is communicated to guests on arrival. Facilities and Staffing: While we do operate very much a self-service process, staff are located nearby and available to respond to issues. We regret that your email regarding the showers was not responded to promptly and are reviewing our communication procedures to ensure better responsiveness. We do provide telephone numbers to all visitors on site to contact us in the case of any kind of issue or emergency. Hot Water and Cleaning: We are now actively monitoring shower temperatures to ensure consistency. Toilets and showers are cleaned every day, but we will investigate any lapses in service during your stay. Waste and Recycling: There was a temporary issue with bin availability, which has since been resolved. We are also reviewing the signage and provision in the recycling area to ensure it is clear and functional. Transport Links: The water taxi and local bus services are operated independently and may vary in frequency. We advise guests to check directly with providers for up-to-date schedules. We’ll also look at how we can better support guests with this information. Pitch Location: Some pitches are under trees, which offer shade and shelter, though we understand this may not suit all guests. We encourage guests to let us know their preferences when booking so we can allocate pitches accordingly where possible. We’re sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet your expectations, and we appreciate your comments as they help us continue to improve.

Superb

Great stay! We used our own caravan facilities but all looked clean and new. Loved the walk to right, along river to the Ship Inn, where we had a very good meal. Caught number 11 bus into York, very quick and easy. We didn't try the Bosun restaurant, but it looked lovely, as did the pods along the riverside. Very popular place. Definitely plan to return.

Site's response

Thank you for your positive review Alison. We look forward to seeing you again very soon when hopefully you can experience more of our site.

Good site in a quiet location

Good site in a quiet location. Small touring area which was nice & peaceful, although a little pricey. Only downside was no onsite reception to make enquiries, collect leaflets on local interests and the local area.

Site's response

Thank you, Sandra, for your review. We're really glad you enjoyed the peaceful setting of the touring area and found the site to be a good place to unwind. We appreciate your feedback about the lack of an on-site reception. While we’ve opted for a more relaxed, self-check-in approach, we’re always available by phone for any enquiries during your stay, and we have team members located nearby who can assist if needed. We also provide local information and recommendations on our website, which guests can access at any time. Thanks again for staying with us and for sharing your thoughts.

Lovely campsite

Lovely campsite. Very peaceful. Highly recommended for a lovely quiet break.

Site's response

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback Ann! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and had a relaxing break with us. Your recommendation means a lot, and we hope to welcome you back again soon for another quiet getaway.

Stunning

Absolutely stunning location. Boats, lodges, hot tubs, cafe and a fabulous restaurant. If you book to stay on this site do yourself a favour and book a table at the Bosun's restaurant, not cheap but well worth the treat. We stayed in a our sons tourer, but will be looking to book one of the shepherds huts for a longer stay. Handy for the race course and we walked back which is capable for able walkers.

Site's response

Thank you for the fabulous review of your recent visit to The Riverfront York Chris. We are delighted that you had such a good time and got to experience so much whilst you were with us. We look forward to welcoming you back again very soon.

Lovely stay

Was a really nice stay, the place is such a beautiful place with brilliant views. Lovely friendly people at the side and so quiet. Only downside was a motorhome next to us beeping their horn a couple of times at just before 7am this morning. But besides that, was really really nice, will be coming back.

Site's response

Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience Charmaine! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful views, the peaceful atmosphere, and the friendly surroundings—it really means a lot to us. We're sorry to hear about the early morning disturbance from the nearby motorhome. We understand how important a quiet start to the day is, and we’ll keep an eye on this to help maintain the relaxing environment our guests value. We’re so pleased to know you’re planning to return, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another lovely stay!

Amazing site

Never, ever do reviews but I had to jump on and do one this time. This was an absolutely stunning site, we had a fab time and we will definitely be back. Anyone wanting to go to York, you definitely need to try this site. Thank you for a great few days.

Site's response

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review Katy! We're thrilled to hear you had a fabulous time and found our site stunning. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We can't wait to welcome you back for another great stay. Thank you for choosing us for your getaway!

Great location, lovely clean site

The campsite was in a lovely location, could walk along the river from both sides. To the right to a lovely walk with a great little pub with great food. To the left to the little village, where you can also find 2 friendly pubs with great food. The site was very clean and well maintained. the new shower block was lovely. The only criticism would be to put some kind of seating in the changing area so you can sit down when getting dried and changed. Otherwise a beautiful site, well located as just a bus journey or river ride into York, would definitely return.

Site's response

Thank you for your wonderful review Julie! We're delighted you enjoyed the scenic location and the lovely walks along the river, with great pubs and food on both sides. It's fantastic to hear you found the site clean and well-maintained, and appreciated the new shower block. We value your suggestion about seating in the changing area and will look into it. We're glad you found our site well-located for easy access to York and look forward to welcoming you back soon!

Wonderful site, location brilliant and facilities perfect

Wonderful time spent here.

Site's response

Thank you for your lovely review Sarah. We are delighted you had a wonderful time at The Riverfront York and look forward to welcoming you back very soon.

Short stay

Great site and beautiful views. My only suggestion is that the shower areas don't have anywhere to put your wash bag shampoo. The disabled toilet would benefit from having a chair. Most elderly/disabled have difficulty bending and balance issues.

Site's response

Thank you for your kind words and valuable feedback Isabella! We're delighted you enjoyed the site and its beautiful views. We appreciate your suggestions regarding the shower areas and the disabled toilet; we have already added shelves for wash bags and shampoo as well as a chair in the disabled toilet. Your input helps us improve, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon!

Lovely

Lovely site, very clean and tidy and immaculate showers and toilets. There was no reception and didn't see anyone who worked there. I did call to ask a question but no answer and no reply, all done by email, so not sure what would have happened if an issue occurred!

Site's response

Thank you for your lovely review Sarah! We're thrilled you enjoyed our clean and tidy site, as well as the immaculate showers and toilets. We apologise for the communication issues. As a self-service site, we strive to provide convenience, but we acknowledge that your call should have been returned. Your feedback is invaluable, and we hope to provide an even better experience on your next visit.

Lovely family site

Cleanest, site I've ever been on, a little hidden jewel, will definitely be returning.

Site's response

Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to The Riverfront York, Philip. We are so pleased that you found our site to be so good and look forward to seeing you again very soon.

Stunning site

Beautiful site. Staff lovely. Amazing toilets and showers.

Site's response

Thank you for your review Richard. We are delighted you found The Riverfront York to be so enjoyable and look forward to welcoming you back very soon

Easter weekend

Could not fault the site at all.

Site's response

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback Ian! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience and couldn't find any faults with our site. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and it's great to know we met your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for another enjoyable stay!

Chilled 4 day break

Facilities close too early. Dogs not allowed in restaurant therefore couldn't eat there.

Site's response

Thank you for your feedback David. We're sorry to hear that the early closing times of our facilities and the restriction on dogs in the restaurant affected your experience. We understand how important it is to have flexible hours and pet-friendly options. We do allow dogs to join their owners for dinner on Bosun's heated balcony. We will also review our current opening times for our onsite facilities during the spring season. Your input is valuable to us, and we hope to make your next visit more accommodating. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for choosing our site.

Lovely & clean

Set in a lovely location. Site itself is perfect size. Little park for the kids. Didn't get a chance to use the restaurants but they looked lovely. Amazingly clean and modern bathrooms. Only downside, the 4 for location was because there was a constant hum from something like a generator. Which during the day, was fine but it was loud at night.

Site's response

Thank you for your feedback Leanne. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed our lovely location, the perfect size of the site, and the little park for the kids. It's great to know that you found our bathrooms amazingly clean and modern. We apologise for the constant humming noise, especially at night. This isn't from our site and we are talking to other local facilities to investigate this issue to ensure a quieter environment for our guests. Your input is invaluable, and we hope to provide an even better experience on your next visit. Thank you for choosing our site!

Lovely clean site with great location to York.

Lovely, clean site. Great facilities - the showers were lovely. Had food from the cafe which was great and love the pods by the river. Great spot to access York - taxi cost us £5 into York and you can also get a boat along the river into the city too. Could do with more recycling bins as the rubbish was overflowing and stacked up in the corner.

Site's response

Thank you for your positive feedback Emily! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the cleanliness of our site, the lovely showers, and the food from our café. It's great to know that you loved the pods by the river and found our location convenient for accessing York. We appreciate your suggestion regarding the recycling bins and will look into adding more to prevent overflow and ensure a cleaner environment. Your input helps us improve, and we hope to welcome you back soon for an even better experience. Thank you for choosing our site!

Highly recommended campsite - 5 star

5 stars - clean! Brilliant and the best! Highly recommended to all camper-man.

Site's response

Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to The Riverfront York, Hon. We are thrilled you had such a great time on your visit. We look forward to welcoming you back very soon.