Didn't find my tribe camping

[Folicky]

Bought a lovely air tent, and already had many accessories from glamping, eurocamping over the years. Bought a few new ones too. I found it hard to book a site as C19 has made staycations popular. Went camping last week..... okay in diluvian-esque conditions - and found myself disappointed. 1. the tent is heavy (people downplay this about air tents) and 2. I didn't think I'd much in common with the other campers. I wanted something a bit more upmarket. Do I need to choose different sites?

I think you gradually get a feel for the type of sites that suit you. I like a decent loo block, no clubhouse type thing and higgledy layout, not keen on rows of caravans as far as the eye can see.
Last site was on an old airfield, not pretty at first glance but so friendly and welcoming. We spoke to so many people it was lovely
If you let us know where you were, we might be able to recommend somewhere a bit closer to what you're looking for.

Stayed at plenty of C&CCs they arent all designed for caravaners or manicured pitches, many are your standard field for tents. Advantage is tend to have better facilities. Have never been to one where you can pitch your tent wrong?

You probably just need to shop around with your sight, have a think about what this one had/didnt have and what you would like in the future

Do you mean you were trying to befriend the other campers?

That quiz is brilliant @NotMeNoNo - we are unashamedly members of the Outwell family, I have even been known to take my slow cooker camping.

We used C&CC loads pre dc and love it with our tent. Always picked different sites, knew roughly what to expect and where we wouldn't return to. This weekend will be our first C&CC visit with DS. We've deliberately picked a quiet small 15 pitch site for our trailer tent.

Im still confused, were you trying to befriend other campers?

[quote NotMeNoNo]You need this thread
First you have to identify your tribe
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/camping/948218-Cosmo-stylee-39-What-sort-of-mn-tent-camper-are[/quote]
That questionnaire is brilliant.

I really don’t go with any expectations to make friends at all; it’s about spending time with my family. In fact I will recoil in horror at anyone trying to befriend us.

My DH on the other hand will have got the life story out of our neighbours by the end of it. Drives me potty.

I value my sleep too much to enjoy camping.

Look at ukcampsite website and you get reviews

www.ukcampsite.co.uk/

I prefer campsites in France & look at sites which have ready pitches tents, pool, bar etc They're usually more pricey but worth it I think. So see which sites Eurocamo, Canvas Holidays use.

We've been to lots of ccc campsites because you can guarantee the facilities are of a good standard. More expensive though.

@Folicky

Anyone been to a camping and caravaning club site?

I'm not a camper, but there is a C&CC site in our village and I sometimes nip to their shop for a pint of milk etc so have had a bit of a nosey around. Our local one is fairly small, and definitely not very sophisticated but it always looks very clean and tidy, and knowing the couple who run it I'd expect it to be well organised. There's a toilet & shower block and a small shop that sells basic foodstuffs at slightly inflated but not outrageous prices, but no clubhouse or any kind of entertainment. Its a bit off the beaten track and I would say that the majority of the clientele are either fairly serious walkers or older couples wanting a quiet site. I don't see many families with children there. I don't know how typical that is though as I've never been to any others, but I have a feeling it might just reflect the location as everything is fairly low key around here. We are not far from some much more "touristy" places and I'd imagine the sites there might be busier and more developed if that makes sense?

I got stuck at the first question "my tent is ..." it depends what I am doing!

After seeing many tents not survive the weather the last few years we bought a second hand cabanon biscaya for this year, lovely and spacious but my god it's heavy. Of course the weather was much milder this year.

Europe seems to do camping different to here.

Most of the campsites we have stayed at in Europe have been well kept places, with a reception, a toilet block and laid out pitches. Rare to find just a field.

Saying that - one of the more fun ones we stayed at was when we arrived late in a town. All were 'complet' - except for a small field by the main road. The owner was so welcoming. Just find a place, no pitches, offered us some Calvados - then spent the evening chatting with some Dutch bikers, whilst DS slept.

Goes off to do questionaiire

I'm off to do the questionnaire too. I agree that you tend to be able to correctly select the right kind of site after a while. You need to check what facilities there are and how many pitches of each type there are and it will give you a rough idea of the kind of clientele.

You have to find the right camp site - not easy in CV19 times I appreciate. I hated camping until I went to Ocean Pitch in Devon. Google things like "coolest campsites in UK" and do your research beforehand and it can be fab. [https://www.wanderlust.co.uk/content/top-10-cool-campsites-in-england/ example]

Haha @AnneBullen and @AnAchos
Ewelease was where I didn't name
When we were there the group next to us had their tents in a laager, and had hired an hog roast company to come in and cater for them one evening!

Ooh, I've been to Ocean pitch too, and that is lovely!

Bookmarking @bluejava’s link and that questionnaire!

I know some CCC sites can be as described but am aware of a few that are family friendly, field pitches and rather more civilised at the same time. Agree with a PP that facility lists and number of pitches are very good indicators of what you’re getting into.

Due to annual leave and impending reception start with school, we’ve managed the grand total of one trip following lockdown (though if anyone wants to recommend me a nice site within about two hours of the midlands, near a coast and will accept both children and larger tents, and has availability this bank holiday weekend... hit me up )

Next year is two weeks in France that should have happened this year, a couple of trips with friends and a few weekends away as and when we wish. Can’t wait.

Tribe? 😖

UKCampsite reviews are very informative. Sometimes the reviews tell as much about the kind of people who camp there (i.e. what sort of things bother them) as about the campsite itself.

Camping has been very different to most years. We’ve been camping for years and years to quiet Camping and Caravanning sites but it was very different this year. Really crowded (so much for the every other pitch they initially talked about), kids constantly bothering us for stuff (have you got soap spare? Washing up liquid? Dad says can we borrow your mallet?) I don’t mind helping people at all but it was relentless - we suspected they’d never been camping before and had forgotten most essentials! The kids were also screaming their heads off playing at 6am and because the play area was closed due to Covid, this was all outside other people’s tents. My young adult daughter drove up for the day one day but was not allowed onsite due to the rules (despite being the same household) and yet hordes of kids were allowed to all socialise in a big gang - it was all a bit pointless. I found it a bit depressing this year compared to usual.

It’s normally better. People are normally friendly but less imposing, keep their children respectful as we always have done with ours, and it’s generally nicer and more relaxed. So don’t give up after one year. In short, you probably need to go in a different year.

I totally agree over the air tent! We spent a fortune on one two years ago. When we saw the box I said to DH “why such a big box? It can’t fill all that!” It did. Its amazing up but it’s honestly no quicker to put up than our pole tent and I’d never have got it if I’d known how huge and heavy it was. I do feel we were sold it on a bit of a false pretence. Even considered selling it! So I hear you on that one.

Pitchup reviews are usually good too, I use a mixture of there and UK campsites as well as a few FB camping groups.

Thank you folks. Probably going to brave it again this weekend, Quiz is fab. I'm a utilitarian apparently (certainly true ish) and an amalgamation of Joni Mitchell and Kath Kidson (sic)! You see is also a pedant..., not a useful trait in a camper!