Quick help me find a site to persuade my husband that camping is not hell on earth!

[nikki1978]

I have finally managed to find a way to bribe my husband to come on a camping trip this summer. We half own the Vango amazon 600 with Mil so tent wise we are set. Also have bedding, stove etc. So we can hopefully be in a bit of comfort although if I can find some sort of sofa type chair it would be good!

Anyway we live in south london and he has agreed to go away for a long weekend this summer. I doubt he would want to drive more than 2 hours. Where can we go that will be a little bit luxurious - maybe a pool, nice showers, kids play area, places nearby for family days out etc etc.

Help!

Oh and wifi plus electric hook up is essential!

Where do you want to go ? This year I'm going there, it is really cheap and very children friendly, I know the area as I have been living there almost all my life !

Ooops sorry didnt see the not more than 2 hours drive !

Yeah I need to do something close to home to try and get him to get a taste for it without the stress :)

if its not too late go out and buy todays guardian - there is a free booklet of 100 best uk campsites - that should help you find a few really awesome places.
(i haven't checked but the list may be on the website for the guardian too)

I would recommend Wilksworth campsite in Dorset. I don't know if that's more than 2 hours away from you?

It's go underfloor heating the beautiful shower/toilet buildings, an outdoor pool, sports field and play area. The camping area is lovely, too. There's loads to see nearby - Durdle Door, New Forest...

Sorry, meant to add that you should definitely make sure you can put up the tent before you go. Have a trial run somewhere. You don't want to get to the site and it takes you 3 hours to put up. That's enough to put anyone off! Also, take chairs that you can sit on and make sure you've got enough bedding so you won't be cold at night. I hope the weather's good for you on your first time as that's more likely to get him on your side.

Wilksworth looks lovely but you have to book a minimum of 7 nights in summer hols :( Maybe another time if he enjoys it.....

I have found a few which I like the look of :-

www.ecclesden.co.uk/index.html

www.camping-caravaning.co.uk/index.php

www.caravanclub.co.uk/caravanclubapps/applications/uk%20sites/Site%20Details.aspx?csid=21969

www.sandwich-leisurepark.co.uk/faqs.htm

www.twochimneys.co.uk/index.htm

www.romneyfarm.com/

camping.forestholidays.co.uk/camping__caravan_holidays_at/our_sites__locations/england/new_forest/holmsley.aspx

www.wellington-country-park.co.uk/

All in driving distance - New Forest one a bit further out but doable.

They all look really nice. Just go on the ukcampsite website to look for reviews, etc.

Nicky, I haven't camped there but Wellington country park is lovely with loads to do for the kids.

I have to say the thing that turned me on to camping was.... FIRES! Trying to make camping be "like self-catering" with electricity, underfloor heating etc just doesn't work for me.

It's the "other"ness of camping that I love. And I really didn't think that would be the case.

If you can go somewhere and let your husband burn stuff, that may be the thing that gets him.

The other thing is try and find some friends to go with - drink wine, laugh at the tribulations, let the kids stay up til it gets dark etc.

Nikki, Two Chimneys is not far from Minnis Bay which is a lovely beach, and Broadstairs, etc also not far away. It has a big field for DC to play footy, etc and some playground areas as well as a small pool. The showers and toilets are warm and clean, and it has a "club" with bar which might be useful in cold weather [buwink]

I think we have bee to the Sandwich one too, but I can't remember much about it!

What kind of camping do you want? Get away from it all, fires and hardly anyone about, (but maybe rougher showers, etc), or on a busy site with mod-cons, caravans and mobile homes? Both the above are the second type.