Camping dilemma since fire alert

[SaturdayGiraffe]

Off camping next week but been told no cooking stoves allowed now - so no hot water, no hot food.
There’s no pub or shops nearby either.

The site is saying we are inside 14 day cancellation so they are charging to move the dates back and we’ll lose full amount if we go elsewhere (although not even sure where else since the phone alert).

Camping with kids, with no hot food or drink - would you do it?

Does anyone know a site where we could cook still?

Certainly not!!!

Yeah, it’s just open flames, camping stoves are allowed in most campsites still (and festivals).

No shops, no pub in the vicinity, No hook ups.

You are allowed camping stoves, it’s open flames that aren’t allowed.

I've just cancelled our camping trip for the bank holiday. Of course I understand the reasons for the government statement but our campsite has banned gas stoves as well and its just not the trip we had booked now. Im really quite sad about it, hopefully we can go next year instead.

Is an EHU not an option? If it is, Id buy a portable induction hob or a tepanyaki grill or george forman type thing.

Our campsite has no EHU, same as the OP's I think.

They aren't wrong. Because this is an "event beyond their control" they are not liable and as the pitch is still available they do not need to refund.

So no one on Forestry England sites is getting a refund? What is everyone expected to do? Some people go camping by public transport, or with four teenagers, or are in other circumstances where eating out is not in their budget, and if it was in their budget they might not have chosen to camp. That is outrageous. I hope everyone clubs together to put in a huge complaint to complain and get refunded.

Then you have extra payments like booked non refundable trains, pet boarding fees, for some people this is a financial disaster.

Three cooked meals while camping ... I am sure my family and everyone around did it /not UK/. Tea /coffee for breakfast, plus lunch and supper would be usually cooked.

We use a induction hob ( obviously electrical hook up) we used this last week in Devon as the grass was like dried hay!

How far to the nearest shop or pub/cafe? Not many places are so remote there’s absolutely nothing within 30 mins. Option to buy battery operated coolbox and/or check deliveroo ranges. Not the campsites fault either. Hoping you find a workaround OP and enjoy the break.

I thought that was just fires and BBQ’s.

gas cookers should be ok as they are controllable and can be turned off.
also when using a gas stove you are attending to it all the while.

where a fire or bbq remains hot and can get out of control.

OP should have a strong practical case for a refund, even though the campsite is acting responsibly due to safety risks. Because she’s booked in on a pitch without electricity or alternative cooking facilities, it’s physically impossible to prepare hot food or clean safely. This is a significant change to the contract and renders what is essentially a self-catering holiday unviable. The ‘Force Majeure’ or safety clause in their terms and conditions might protect them from paying extra compensation, but it rarely allows a business to keep 100% of a customer's money while failing to provide a viable service.

OP needs to establish a paper trail before the check in date - the company are not answering emails, which is avoidance, but OP will still have the emails she sent asking for a refund even if they are not responded to. She just needs to make sure she details what she wants the company to do - in this case a refund or reschedule of the dates.

You absolutely cannot "easily make coffee with cold water and milk".

If it's instant coffee it won't dissolve, and if it's ground coffee it won't brew.

I daresay I'm not the first to point this out.

Does it have plugs in the shower blocks? Lots do for hair dryers etc.

They are not trying to inconvenience you. They are trying to make sure you don’t all die and go up in flames because of irresponsible people. How much will you lose? Cannot be that much.
just change the dates

Tbf the New Forest has just had a hideous fire, it is really sad. Started last weekend and the main road through is still shut until late next week. Be warned OP there is a lot of gridlock in the surrounding areas due to the A31 closure.

Thats how I make my cold coffee (instant), its better in a lidded cup as it dissolves a bit quicker if you can shake it. I’m too tight to buy ground coffee.

Just go for a much shorter time

We're on a site right now in the Lakes, no bbqs but have been using our stove. It's contained and safe as so chance of embers etc.

Which campsite are you going to? It depends when you are there, but if not too far from me you'd be very welcome to use our facilities. Or use your camping stove etc in our garden instead. :)

Take a flask and pay for a fill of boiling water at a pub or cafe when you are out during the day. Or even schmooze a friendly caravan or motorhome owner on the campsite. Then you can have a hot drink in the evening (and morning coffee if you have 2 flasks).

Well judging by what I've seen of next weeks forecast, most areas are going to have rain and thunderstorms, so probably wouldn't be cooking outside anyway.

Yeah that would be a no from me. I think everyone is right, if there was an electric hook up you could have coffee (essential) and anything made with hot water and then I'd definitely be able to cope, plus you'd have a fridge so the cold things would be nice. Without any electric or any gas/fire then everything is just going to be lukewarm.
I'd speak to the site - can they not meet in the middle? It seems harsh that the government alert impacts you 100% and them not at all. During covid (I run a guest house) we refunded or moved dates and it's basically the same thing.