Campfires burning...

[BogstandardBelle]

We live in France, are regular campers. I’ve just been reading the “I love camping...” thread in AIBU and lots of posters waxing lyrical about toasting marshmallows over the campfire.

I’ve camped loads in the UK as a child (England and Scotland) and in France for the last 7 yrs. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a single campfire in a campsite! We’ve stayed at a mix, from basic / municipal / tent and toilet block in a field type places, up to big commercial seaside sites. Lots of BBQs, charcoal and gaz/electric ones, but never a campfire.

Do campsites in the UK routinely allow open fires on the ground? Doesn’t it wreck the pitch? Isn’t there are fire risk? I’m fairly sure they aren’t allowed here in France for that reason. But I’d live to do it if we ever go back to the UK for a holiday!

[CasperGutman]

I love a camp fire so I seek out sites that allow fires in firepits. Very few places allow fires on the ground, but an increasing number do allow fires in raised firepits though. Some provide these, and firewood, either included in the cost or for an additional fee.

[CMOTDibbler]

Big commercial sites don't, smaller spaced out sites may - mostly in a firepit to protect the ground. Lighting and faffing with the campfire is the highlight of the holiday for us - the kids take it in turns to use a flint and steel to light it

[hillbilly]

Camping in the UK is all about the fire for me but I'm not bothered so much in France.

[Milliways]

We go group camping to a local basic but beautiful farm where there are firepit areas in every field, so loads of marshmallow roasting, campfire singing experiences.
(Just wish they had better loos)

[RedneckStumpy]

A campfire is always amazing to sit around. So much so we have one in our back garden and will sit out there most weekends

[BogstandardBelle]

Cheers all! So what exactly is a fire pit? Is it a burnt out area ringed with stones, on the ground? Or is it one of these big shallow metal bowls on legs?

If it’s the latter then I’m guessing they’ve become popular along with bell tents and fairy lights ;-) I don’t remember any of these from 70s and 80s camping holidays in the UK ;-)

We are hoping to get ‘home’ to Scotland next summer, so maybe we will be able to have a proper camping campfire then.

[RedneckStumpy]

At home our burn put is a 3ft circle of stones

[PragmaticWench]

Yes, they're a metal bowl on legs. The site we go to will hire them out and sells logs and kindling.

[Milliways]

The fire pits at our favourite sites are dug-out/ burnt out areas in the ground. As long as you keep to these can have open fires.

We take a metal frsstanding fire pit elsewhere where allowed, but still have to put stuff under it to stop the grass scorching.

[hillbilly]

Yes if fire needs to be above ground ( to preserve the grass) then usually a shallow metal bowl or whatever the campsite provides. Sometimes they also give you stone slabs to go underneath.

[ScrubTheDecks]

The good campsite listings websites such as UKCampsite and PitchUp have a campfire search filter.

I prefer a fire on tne ground as it is easier to cook over with my Campfire Grill or Dutch Pot.

But as more campsites allow fires they tend to specify fire pits. Some supply old washing machine drums or tractor wheels as fire pits.

There are French sites that allow Fires. Use the fire filter and search the French section of UKCampsite or CoolCamimg.