Campsites with no marked pitches (apart from Forest Holidays)

[Milliways]

Does anyone know of any campsites similar to those run by Forest Holidays where you can choose where to pitch as long as not too close to someone else?

We go with groups of friends and like to camp in clusters, not formal rows, and some of us have huge tents as well, and would like to try somewhere new.

Pref nearer the South if possible?

Thanks

[PeachesMcLean]

Where do you mean by South? I don't know anywhere like Forest Holidays (have just looked at the website - looks lovely) but I know a place in the Gower (South Wales) which didn't have marked pitches - Nicholaston Farm. Other than pitching, do you have anything else you're looking for?

[amynnixmum]

We went to a place on the North Devon/Somerset border in Exmoor that does this and is lovely. They have 4 fields with bigger groups tending to go into the fourth field where there is more space and they can light campfires. Its only downside is that the toilet and shower facilities are very basic and there aren't many of them but thats not put us off from going agian this year. I'll find you a link.

[amynnixmum]

here

[Milliways]

Thanks both of you!. Taunton is probably a bit far for us this time (we are in Readig but 1 family coming from up north). The Gower site looks beautiful & I think we should try that some time.

We just like a site with enough space for a game of rounders and ultimate frisbee! Being able to set up our own mini camp with cookers etc in between our tents and sitting around with a galss of wine watching the stars. Having great scenery/ places to explore would be fab otherwise we make our own entertainment. That's the fun of group camping - the kids just amuse themselves.

DH would like a pub nearby and we would all appreciate a Takeaway on night 3!

Thanks again

[Billster]

Not sure if you ever made it to Gower, if you do then Hillend may also suit. Rock up, pitch where you want in the family field (stay away from the boundary hedge with the non family field) may get some random noise. we went last year with 3 tents and a camper van - often little circular "communes" coralled in with windbreaks. Right by the sea behind the dunes, childrens play ground, cafe with sun terrace, small shop, surf oriented with lessons available and a pub in walking distance (uphill there but downhill on the way home more importantly!)

[surprise]

If you can travel as far as Norfolk, try www.breckfarm.co.uk. You don't need to book, they have so much space. Just turn up, pitch where you like and you can have camp fires/bbqs as well. We've been twice and are going back soon. Facilities are little on the basic side, but if you check out reviews at www.ukcampsite.co.uk you should get a good idea of what it's like. Although inland, it's only about 2 miles to the coast.

[mumthegrump]

I've just come back from a weekend with some PTA friends - 18 adults and 19 children. We had 6 tents (3 very large), a trailer tent and a folding camper. The campsite let us camp in a sort of round. Some of us had hook-up, too. The site has about 40 pitches. There's a council play area right next to the site that you can see from your tent. We played rounders right next to this play area (adults v children). We shared our food the first night and had a communal BBQ on Saturday, some with disposable BBQs and some not. There's also a BBQ on the site if you don't have your own.

The site's called Nethercourt Touring Site in Ramsgate. It's got a v small TV room (children watched Dr Who), a pool table, a very small shop where they'll charge your phone, freeze your cold packs, etc. and also cook you a breakfast or snacky type food. This is the second year we've been here. We had great trouble finding somewhere that would take us all, especially very large tents. Takeaway and lovely sandy beach within walking distance. Can't recommend highly enough.

[Milliways]

Thanks everyone - nice to see an old thread ressurected

We daren't ever Not book in advance as we had 50+ go this year (to a farm in Oxfordshire where we are allowed real campfires!) so would be pushing our luck

3 more sites to add to "favourites" and discuss with the troops - they all look great. Thanks!