To consider Eurocamp with 1 & 3 y/os?

[blueberry23]

We are considering our first Eurocamp trip in September with our two under fours!

Can anyone recommend a good one?

Important to us but don't need to tick every box...

Near a beach
Clean and modern ish
Toddler friendly
Ideally not too far from an airport but can hire a car if needed
Nice weather mid sept
Good toddler pool
Some evening entertainment for kids

We have a tight budget so thinking this is a good option - any experiences you've had please let me know, good or bad!

We loved it!! Our first time was when the kids were 1 and 3 too!! We went to Beekse Bergen but you’ll probably need a car for it. As we’re in the midlands we took the hull to Rotterdam ferry. It was so good we booked it again for the next year after we got back

If you’re on a tight budget you might want to compare some other operators like Suncamp, Rent a Tent etc.
For good weather for swimming Spain might be most reliable. You could fly to Girona or Reus and look along the coast.

We did Eurocamp and Keycamp (as it was then) every year when our girls were v young. They're the best holidays, so chilled and fun. We usually went to France on the sea cat and never drove more than three hours at the other end. Can't remember the site names but we never had a bad one and they were all really clean and well set up for children.

@SunshineDucks and good morning to you too!

I am struggling to find a decent one with good reviews meeting the requirements we need, I'm also nervous as it's our first abroad holiday with two very small children. Mumsnet i find an invaluable source of knowledge and also will hopefully give me a bit of confidence that it won't be a total disaster.

Or maybe you're just a troll 😂

There's a Facebook group with lots of advice and information.
Eurocamp Unofficial Supporters Group.

They are basically like a Haven with outdoor pools - perfectly fine for toddlers. There are very few eurocamps that still have tents as an option, it's mostly caravans, which is probably better as you have your own bathroom and a bit more noise insulation.

We stayed at one in France that had an indoor heated pool as well as the outdoor ones - it was ideal as the weather was a bit iffy so you could go out and play and get a bit cold then warm up in the indoor pool then go out again. It was a bit in the middle of nowhere so wouldn't necessarily recommend unless you want to hire a car. If I went again I'd prefer somewhere in walking distance of a town or village.

There's nothing like people's own personal experiences though is there?

Great contribution though. Congrats.

We did this when our children were little- always in a caravan. So much better than a tent.
we loved Sartigiano (maybe?) in Tuscany- on the edge of beautiful countryside and you can walk into the lovely town for supper. Three spring fed pools.
northern Spain would be good, near Comillas. Not too hot.
or Morbihan in Brittany - it’s better weather if you get south of the Loire.

Look at Club Farret (Yelloh Village) in the South of France. 5 minute taxi from Beziers Airport. Amazing facilities. Loads of restaurants a 5 minute walk away.
Only thing is I don't know what the weather will be like in September or even if it will be open - I think some campsites are only open for the Summer period.

Isn't the point of mumsnet to share personal experiences and recommendations based on being parents? I don't think a Eurocamp filter will do that for you.

All the French ones I’ve looked at close mid-September. Spanish ones stay open a bit longer (one I’ve stayed at closes in late October).

When ours were those ages we loved Bella Italy in Lake Garda...it was a fantastic holiday. We broke the drive up with 2 overnight stops - back then you could book a Eurocamp site for a single night which I don't think you can now, but you'd find Airbnb or Ibis hotels etc...
We stopped for picnics en route and found services with little playgrounds so the kids could stretch their legs. They had films downloaded on tablets but honestly they dozed for a lot of the driving, then we wore them out with playgrounds and walks and they still slept just fine!
We also went to Bella Italia before we had kids for a September holiday and it was gorgeous weather. We flew that time and got the train to Peschiera but wouldn't fancy a train and luggage with small children!

It's absolutely fine with two under 4s. Really not a big deal at all. I'm not sure how many sites do much in the way of evening entertainment for kids - this isn't something we'd really attend but also isn't something we've ever felt was needed as it's perfectly easy to fill the day. We drive so always have our car with us but would definitely recommend hiring a car if you fly - you don't just want to be stuck on a campsite the whole time.

We've taken kids camping in France since youngest was 6 months old and the campsites are fabulous. Perfect hols for toddlers . Having said that the French campsites close in September so tend to be winding down and minimal entertainment, low staffing in bars and restaurants, facilities starting to get a bit tired etc. I'd leave it until next year, mid June is always great as lovely long days and the staff are full of energy and and the site is just starting to come to life!

Eurocamp tend to suggest that the campsites they advertise belong to them which is not the case im the majority of instances.
We booked our first abroad campsite years ago via Eurocamp and when we got there we realised it was an independently owned campsite and Eurocamp just had a few caravans on the site. The grottier ones right at the back at the park. We've never booked with them since. But we've used their website to find a good site then either booked directly or with another company. Had much nicer accommodation with Canvas and Roan to name a few.
We stayed in a fab one a few years back in Lake Garda and booked that via Human Travel. We've also booked directly with the site

Sorry just realised i didn't recommend anywhere! Park playa bara in Spain, near Barcelona may fit your criteria! It's right on the beach, loads to do there and a supermarket right near to the entrance so you dont need a car. As it is Spain maybe open longer. Fab pools as well. I've only been out of season as can imagine very hot and busy high season but out if season was lovely. It is right next door to the main train from Tarragona to Barcelona so there is train noise at night but that is the only negative I can remember!

We've just got back from a week in France with our 1 and 4 year olds.
Chateaux Lez Aux in Normandy.
1.5 hours (very straight forward drive) from Caen Ferryport. Perfect campsite with farm, indoor and outdoor pools (indoor one great for kids), close to a Sandy beach, lovely clean campsite with lots to do.
If you have good weather it's the perfect holiday!

When you find one you like make sure to check when the pool/pool complex closes. On the weekend, I almost booked one in Brittany for 3rd week in Sept, but noticed just before booking the pool closes at the beginning of September.

I don't think Eurocamp own any campsites nor have they ever suggested they do, but there is a sort of common misconception that they are a holiday park company a bit like Center Parcs or Butlins. I was surprised when I realised my husband thought this and think it was very much an assumption based on other companies he was aware of.

Hello,
did you go on this trip? I’d be interested in where you booked and if you rated it. Thank you!