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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

camping in the uk is very shit, need to book weeks ahead

76 replies

madhurjazz · 09/08/2016 07:33

I want to go away this weekend in the new Forest but i tried 10 campsites yesterday and they all full!/I'd book a hotel room long in adnvance but not camping as its awful if its wet cold and windy.

Even if we could of got a place it would cost not that much less than a deal on a family room at a Travelodge, and we wouldn't have to slot in endless 50p and wait a long time for the shower

OP posts:
ChrissieS79 · 09/08/2016 07:36

Totally agree. The idea and reality of camping never seem to be the same

KERALA1 · 09/08/2016 07:40

Do you live somewhere worth visiting? We house swap so it's free.

GlitterBox · 09/08/2016 07:41

If you think camping is shit don't go. Problem solved.

davos · 09/08/2016 07:42

I don't like camping. So I don't go. It's quite easy.

I would expect campsites to be booked well in advance at this time of year. I don't think that's so surprising really.

longdiling · 09/08/2016 07:43

Are they all big campsites? I can see your point with the larger campsites, especially during the summer holidays. What you need is somewhere smaller with more basic facilities, then you're back to paying hardly anything per night and no need to book.

princessconsuelabannahammock · 09/08/2016 07:43

Kerela1 we have been thinking of house swapping - we live somewhere touristy, is it fab? I love the idea in principal. Sorry for the derail!

Around here you have to book months in advance as it's a popular area for UK holidays, try a bit further out?

NatureCreatesFreaks · 09/08/2016 07:44

I camp often but I go to sites with fewer facilities so you don't normally need to book and they're never full. But they are always in beautiful places

Walkacrossthesand · 09/08/2016 07:44

My SIL commented once that camping looks better than it feels Grin
The New Forest is extremely popular so not surprised it's fully booked. Have you looked on the UK campsite website for another site just outside the National Park? It's surrounded by beautiful countryside, surely there will be availability somewhere in the area?

Amelie10 · 09/08/2016 07:44

I think camping in general is shit and as for a holiday would be the last thing I would go on. So I don't do camping. If you don't like it why are you considering it.

harderandharder2breathe · 09/08/2016 07:46

Touristy places in August of course need to be booked in advance

If you think it's shit then don't do it Hmm

StillDrSethHazlittMD · 09/08/2016 07:49

New Forest in the middle of school holidays. You REALLY expected to find somewhere???

AnnPerkins · 09/08/2016 07:53

I managed to book three nights at The Inside Park at three days' notice two weeks ago. Have you tried there?

They only had non-electric pitches though.

OnionKnight · 09/08/2016 07:55

It's summer, of course you need to book in advance Hmm

Original poster
madhurjazz · 09/08/2016 08:00

Well my point is I like camping if the weather is nice. But seeing as you need to book so far in advance you have no idea what the weather is going to be like.

The uk is full of countryside, why is there a shortage of land to camp?

OP posts:
PovertyPain · 09/08/2016 08:06

The uk is full of countryside, why is there a shortage of land to camp?

Them bloody farmers, wanting to keep their land to...erm....FARM on.

Original poster
madhurjazz · 09/08/2016 08:06

Thanks, I've tried the inside park but the minimum stay is 4 nights. Annoying.

OP posts:
busyboysmum · 09/08/2016 08:06

Find somewhere you don't have to pay a deposit for. Then if you cancel at the last minute because of the weather it's not a problem.

Original poster
madhurjazz · 09/08/2016 08:08

Them bloody farmers, wanting to keep their land to...erm....FARM on.

Aren't most farmers going out of business? Most of the UK's food is imported .

Anyone know the stats for the amount of land in the uk put to productive use?

OP posts:
elgol · 09/08/2016 08:09

There isn't a shortage of campsites. Just the popular ones in a good location tend to be full in peak season. Am not sure why that is surprising.

You seem to be paying a lot for camping if you can stay in a hotel for less. We generally pay about £45 a night to camp for a family of 5. If we wanted a hotel room in the same area it would be much more.

Am sure I could get a cheaper hotel room, just not where I want to be.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 09/08/2016 08:11

Try the New Forest Water Park. I camped there last week and there were a few empty pitches. Great place for kids too.

Egosumquisum · 09/08/2016 08:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cexuwaleozbu · 09/08/2016 08:13

I agree that camping is only nice if the weather is good.

I am going camping this weekend. The weather is going to be nice - hurrah!

It was easy - the campsite just requires you to pay a £10 deposit when you book, and the remainder is payable in cash on arrival. If it is rainy you just don't go. You lose £10 but don't have to camp in the rain and keep the rest of the money. The campsite owners get a small amount of compensation for having a near-empty campsite in the rain which I don't begrudge them.

Now I wouldn't book a campsite that requires payment in full more than 3 days before arrival but there are plenty that don't.

StillDrSethHazlittMD · 09/08/2016 08:13

So we've gone from moaning about shit camping to farmers going out of business and most UK food being imported? Impressive in so short a space of time.

Northernlurker · 09/08/2016 08:15

It's the summer holidays OP. Of course holiday sites are busy Hmm what do you expect?
bizarre thread

Original poster
madhurjazz · 09/08/2016 08:15

Find somewhere you don't have to pay a deposit for. Then if you cancel at the last minute because of the weather it's not a problem.

People doing that sound like massive a holes and are causing the shortgage.

No avalibility at water park, just the odd wed and Tue.

OP posts: