You mention New Forest as possible destination - dh would recommend Roundhill campsite - toilets and showers only by way of facilities but lots of space - is old airfield. Have only been once myself. Lovely setting, quiet and safe. Between Brockenhurst and Beaulieu. Might be Forestry Commission run.

Went to Clippesby last year - brilliant. Going again this year - but book a year in advance for the summer holidays.

Place in the woods nearby is called Bewilderwood. Didn't go last year as DS too young but can't wait to go this year.

Is a very fab place. Usually a total nightmare last minute/never book type of person so very pleased we got our Clippesby act together.

Do the camping and caravan club not like large tents though (or have I dreamt that )?

Our tent is large and so I've never bothered to look into becoming a member.

Join the camping and caravan club - the club sites are lovely, clean , in nice places and the managers ensure there is no noisy rabble.
The toilets and showers are always immaculate, also special offers for family groups etc. We go to Minehead and Rhandirmwyn most years, and had a wonderful week at Scarborough 2 years ago. They also have lists of tiny "certified" sites that are often on farms, but you usually need your own "facilities" for these.

What's this? Clippesby hall fully booked???? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

I just found this site on UK campsites today and was so excited about going in August bless me .

Oh feck! Are you sure?

Thanks for that Riven. I live about an hour or so's drive away from Chichester so that's quite do-able, I'll look into it!

We have a fairly noisy neighbour, so we also crave peace and quiet on the rare occasions we can get away and listening to other people's music and shouting drives me wild!!!

I like quiet sites. Last thing I want is to listen to someone's radio or stereo all frigging night!
Stubcroft Farm near Chichester is small and its a no noise site.

Oh no, they can't be booked up for the whole six weeks surely I really wanted to go and dh has just said that I was so slowly convincing him too!

Am trying to see if we could go in term-time but tbh I don't really agree with doing that. Do you think ds' headmaster would mind me putting on the holiday form that he must be released from school because it's a really lovely campsite?

I could make it educational - honest!

helsbels4, we went to clippesby for 3 nights at Easter, it was brilliant, my favourite campsite so far (been to 4). But, when i got home I phoned up to book a week in the Summer (school) holidays, and they are FULLY BOOKED the whole of the 6 weeks!

So I am gutted, I (and my husband and dcs) dont want to go anywhere else.

I hope you get a late deal or something similar at Clippesby, the woman I spoke to said they put any cancellations on their website.

i also bought the cool camping book. Didn't know they have one for kids... must check that one out.

Agree that it can be tricky to pick a nice site -- I have actually made dh drive to a site in the pre-departure phase just to check if it's decent!!