Everywhere is full!

[UnderTheStars]

OK, so earlier this year we took the plunge and invested in tent etc. Took our first 3-day trip, went fine (though will put more effort into making sure airbed is pumped to the max next time). We were hoping to grab another long weekend somewhere this summer, but oh no - we find we have jumped on the biggest bandwagon in the country. Everyone, but everyone is going camping this summer. It doesn't seem possible to find a quiet campsite near the coast that is not fully booked until September. I was dreaming of a free and easy ability to go off for a few days whenever we chose. What to do? Anyone any ideas?

I've not been here, but it was recommended to me by someone on MN

www.shellisland.co.uk/

We're off to here
www.manorfarmcaravansite.co.uk/availability.htm
tomorrow for a week- they have spaces available through the week next week,although not for weekends.

They are very helpful give them a ring.

Stars, you just need to keep looking. Have you done a search through the ukcs site?

Costal sites with facilities amundo will be full. Go inland a bit and look for a small site with just a few loos and showers and you should still be able to find something.

The camping and caravan club have lots of tiny weeny v basic sites.

Shell island in august though.... Never been but the reviews on ukcs are awful.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Moonmother - I have already tried Manor Farm. It looks lovely, but there are no weekends available that we can do.

SlubdeG and Butterfly - I will keep looking at the CCC sites. As we only want basic facilities, it might provide the answer.

Is it possible to search ukcs for specific dates? I have been looking there but it is a slow process!

Anyone else have any suggestions?

What youc an do is post a request for advice on UKCS as last time we did that a site owner emailed us back

We're staying here in a couple of weeks and only booked a couple of weeks ago. I phoned another one too that also had vacancies just up the coast the other side of Barmouth that also had vacancies. I'll just see if I can find it.

this one on the beach near Shell Island. It also has a sister site down the road.

I panic booked a couple of weeks ago, figured that part of Wales would be less booked up cos it is pretty hard to get to for most the country.

wereabouts do you want to go? We are going to cornwall on Tuesday, basic site, price includes showers - she said just turn up it will be fine! You can pitch wherever you like basically

Oooh I had this trouble trying to book for 23rd Aug through to bank holiday. I'm going to Manor Farm though- yay!

Thank you - I will check out those suggestions. And thank you that nobody has said "What do you expect? You've got no chance at this late stage!"

Maybe I'd better book something for October half-term at the same time, and next Easter and summer while I'm about it...

Forgot to say - we are open to most locations within striking distance of the coast, though Scotland would be too far to travel on this occasion. Was originally thinking of Devon or Norfolk, but couldn't find anywhere with weekend availability.

I think Longthorne farm had some spaces but no eletric ones.
Aslo look at wehn your children go back. Mine dont go back till the 6th September so we are away that very last week which is less busy

North Morte Farm in north Devon near Woolacombe don't take bookings, & there are several large campsites around there if they did happen to be full when you turned up...

Hi well we are going here where she said to just come, will be fine!! If that is any use to you!

I was in this situ last week so every site in the area we awanted we emailed via ukcampsite and we got lucky there was a few and we even got in a pod a night.

Thank you one and all. I think we may try our luck with North Morte Farm. I also like the look of where maxybrown is going, but it's a bit further to drive.

well we go early tomorrow underthestars for 12 nights then on to Devon so will report back we are travelling from near Manchester

Have fun - I look forward to hearing about it.

We went here this weekend, I booked it a couple of days in advance, but there were loads of spaces.

Great location, 10 minutes walk down to a stunning sandy beach, loads of stuff to do in the Gower.

Site was nice, lovely new toilet and shower block. The reviews on UKCS mention noise, but we didn't find it a problem. There were a few people playing music, but it was all quiet by 10 pm.

I have booked Tyddyn Adi nr Blackrock sands and Tregavone Farm nr Padstow this week, both basic sites but with toilets and showers, no electric though cos we don't use it don't know if you need it.

steeple leaze farm in dorset doesn't take bookings.... look under ukcampsite to find it. Very rough and ready but great if you like that kind of camping. Near swanage which has kid friendle beach and monakey world etc....

Thanks, I am checking out all your suggestions. All we want is toilets + showers, while a small play area would be an added bonus. Don't need electric. I will probably still be looking at suggestions up until the night before we go!

Have you tried Nethercourt Touring Park in Ramsgate. They are hardly ever full. About 1/2 hour walk from the Ramsgate beach or about 5 mins in the car. There is a lovely council play area just across the entrance road that you will be able to see from your tent and the owners are lovely.

OP, if you had posted in AIBU, you probably would have a received the "Well, what did you expect??" reply

Hope you find somewhere.....

this is another place where you just turn up. Don't know if Norfolk is too far for you, but it is surrounded by woodland and about a mile or so to the sea (better beaches within a few miles). The big plus is that you get to have a real fire if you want, which is great.