I had a share in a PA28 at Popham for some years, it doesn't waterlog. It does get slippery and a little muddy at times, and in winter they often ban T&Gs, but basically, not a problem. Landing a heavyish light aircraft on 26 in zero headwind definitely puts hairs on your chest.
Yes, nice club environment at Chilbolton (it's a true club, run by and for the members); Popham has an LAA strut, cafe, and a general air of somewhere people like to hang around and relax between flying. Neither in my experience suffered much from cliques.
G