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Original poster

Tips for dealing with noisy camping neighbours?

23 replies

chicaguapa · 13/08/2013 13:03

We usually stay in temporary sites so when we stay on commercial sites I'm always amazed by how noisy they are.

This weekend our tented neighbours had their campervan stereo on all afternoon. At 9.45pm they started singing and thought it was hysterical that they were being loud. In the middle of the night the two teenage kids started having a fight and shouting at each other. Even the mum joined in and told them they were fucking pathetic. Then in the morning, they had the engine running, presumably to warm it up inside.

WTF is wrong with people?

So any tips or stories about what you do when there are noisy campers around?

OP posts:

NineteenForever · 18/08/2013 07:55

We had what we refer to as the Jeremy Kyle Road show camping next to us one night in July. Horrific, fighting, swearing, shouting from 11pm to 5.30 am. We were too knackered/ worried to leave the tent. Was about to go to the desk around 8.30 when the owner walked by, asked if there had been any noise last night. I said yes, lots. He immediately told the group to leave, now. They did, hangovers and all. When I spoke to the owner later, someone had told him v early that morning. I said it started at 11pm- he said if he'd known, he would have made them leave then. He said don't hesitate to ring the desk anytime. I think there was also a mobile number on the leaflet. Worst camping night I've ever experienced,and I camped all over France for years with my parents, but we would not hesitate to ring the main campsite number now.

NineteenForever · 18/08/2013 07:58

We tend to choose sites that state no loud music and no noise after a certAin time, we then feel confident that the owners will do something if there are any problems. Happy to recommend Hidden Valley in north Devon, riverside in Pontarddulais, and Erwlon in Llandovery as nice quiet sites.

Budgiegirlbob · 19/08/2013 22:55

We've only ever had one bad night with noisy teenagers in the tent next door, shouting and swearing until 3 in the morning.

It's not a solution I'd recommend, but I did get a certain amount of satisfaction when our Labrador escaped from our tent at 5am, went into next doors tent - queue lots of screaming teenagers !

reelingintheyears · 19/08/2013 23:08

If they're having a bit of a party, go and join in, if they're fighting and swearing speak to the management.

We had neighbores who complained about our radio at 9.00 pm, it was still light and the no noise thing was 10pm.
Our radio wasn't loud but the madwoman went INTO our tent and turned it off...she was lucky not to get water bombed.
And before anyone says she might have small DC, she didn't, her DC were in their teens but went to bed at 9ish.

Some people think when they're in tents no one can hear them.

Pixel · 23/08/2013 19:07

We had a camper van right next to us the other night and the people decided to do the washing up at about 10.30pm. This apparently meant dropping a whole load of cutlery from a great height into a metal sink and then rattling it around for ten minutes while carrying on their shouted conversation (with all doors and windows open). They then settled down to watch a very loud football match. I was so relieved that someone else came to complain before we dh had to!

WeAreSeven · 23/08/2013 22:40

LOL Budgie, did you maybe help her escape just a little?

Supertrooper88 · 24/08/2013 01:13

We had to listen to a couple engaged in some sexual actvity one night.

Could here all the slurping and kissing and then a lad saying suck it yeah yeah suck it. (and repeat X100 probably more) This was his favourite phrase throughout.

It went on for ages. It was awful. I was dreading one of the kids waking up. Thankfully they slept through the whole ordeal.

We did the coughing and switiching on the tent light and unzipping - but they were oblivious and just kept on until he very loudly climaxed. Someone else in another tent starting clapping immediately after and shouted "thank fuck for that and perhaps we can now get some sleep".

WeAreSeven · 24/08/2013 01:32

LOL at the applauding fellow-camper!

AngelsWithSilverWings · 24/08/2013 11:56

I think you have to be prepared to put up with a bit of noise before curfew on a campsite but if you think the noise is ridiculous as we did on a few of our recent trips then you have to say something.

Last week a group of campers decided that the rest of the campsite would enjoy it if they parked their car in the middle of the space between their two tents ( which were pitched on different rows) , open up all the doors and play the stereo really really really loud. This was at 9pm so well before the 11pm curfew but unreasonable none the less.

We put up with it for 30 mins before DH went over and politely asked them to turn it off as we were trying to put our DCs to bed. They complied immediately and we didn't hear a peep out of them for the rest of our stay.

I think most people will turn music down or quieten down if asked nicely and if they don't you call the warden.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 24/08/2013 11:57

Supertrooper - that's brilliant!

Pixel · 24/08/2013 17:30

There was a very loud snorer at Holmsley a couple of years ago, keeping everyone in a large area awake (goodness knows how his daughter slept a wink). Lots of people were shining torches at his tent to try and make him turn over! I don't know if it worked or if he just woke up because of all the people whispering outside but he stopped anyway. Not really something that you can report to management though...

dreamingofsun · 24/08/2013 19:36

we've experienced most problems with people waking at 6am and talking really loudly to their children. a bit of noise at 10.30 wouldn't worry me but who wants to wake at 6am by amelia's parents?

stubbornstains · 24/08/2013 19:40

Earplugs are always good.

Supertrooper88 · 25/08/2013 00:41

We have had the misfortune to stay on a few sites in the past where the site has let new arrivals that have turned up early on to their pitch stupidly early. The new arrivals are so excited to arrive that they don't even think about their noise levels. Slamming car doors shouting at kids and discussing loudly how or where to pitch.
The simple fact its pre 8am amd the site os quiet seems to completely pass them by.
The worst we had was early ccaravan trying to reverse onto a steep pitch with the woman shouting above the loud revs with directions anf instructions.
I have complained to the site wardens every time in the hope they realise how unfair it is on existing campers despite them trying to do the new arrivals a favour.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 25/08/2013 17:10

We once had a couple turn up at 8pm to pitch up next to us. They were still at it at 2am! Shouting instructions about where to put this or that before finally announcing very loudly that they were going to bed.

I couldn't help it but I shouted out " thank god for that! "

The next morning when my DCs woke up at stupid o'clock I let them play right next to their tent instead of bribing them with biscuits to stay quietly in bed. Naughty I know but I was so annoyed and we were leaving that day anyway.

MissWimpyDimple · 26/08/2013 22:43

I'll admit to gently encouraging the kids to play energetically around the late night reveller tents when they are up at 6.30am.

As long as DD is sharing an inner with me (she panics easily) I wear earplugs. I'm not comfortable wearing them if she is at the other end of the tent so end up suffering

dreamingofsun · 27/08/2013 08:32

missw - i would hardly call us late night revellers - we are always quite by the time you are supposed to be. i feel very sorry for anyone sandwiched between you and the relevelers. this is one of the things that has put us off camping.

Supertrooper88 · 27/08/2013 09:06

I am quite laid back about noise at night. I am usually tired when camping so usually tucked up in bed by 10.30 with my book and lights 11ish. I can tolerate noise up until mid night (even later if its calm muffled chatting)if its just people sat around chatting and not car doors slamming, music and shouting.

Its when the noise gets progressively worse and you can tell they are getting more and more drunk, chatting louder and louder, laughing stupidly loud etc etc. I have no problem reporting people like this.

I do tend to now (due to bad experience) ask on check in or soon after what do if noise late at night. Although usually there is a notice on the reception door sometimes with a telephone number to call if there is a problem.

On the other end of the scale are people with small kids who let them out pre 8am and dont seem to have a problem with it. They let their kids play stupidly close to other tents or up the play park with sod all consideration for the poor sods still in their tents asleep enroute to the play park or those camped right by it or again dont stop to think about the windows open in the shower block and think once they are in there can sing loudly nursery rhymes at 6.30 am whilst showering with their kids.

I know its not easy to keep toddler quiet etc but some people dont even try. I camped with my DC since they were babies. Mine had it drummed into them that morning time everyone had to be really really quiet until 8. or 8.30 am. For that cause pre my EHU days I packed a box of quiet activities and star chart for being quiet. Stuff like reading books, colouring books, magic painting books (once I had ehu - DVD player and head phones). Everything in our tent was kept low key (much as you do for a night feed with a baby) to reinforce the message.
I am sure we failed misrably as a family some mornings in being quiet enough not to disturb our immediate neighbours. But I can say I triend my best and never once let my kids shout, scream or play outside. I think if you are camping with young kids then before your trip you need to seriously think and plan how you will deal with early risers (if you have them) and actually talk to the kids about whats expected etc etc.

Its about give and take but sadly some people just take the piss with the "its my holiday and sod everyone else" attitude.

Its about consideration all around from everyone. Lets face it when you stop and think about it camping is insane - living in close proximity to lots of other people in a field!!

NervyWervy · 27/08/2013 10:13

Wished ther was a like button for supertrooper

NervyWervy · 27/08/2013 10:14

Wishes, there

MummyPigsFatTummy · 27/08/2013 11:25

If you can wear them (some people hate them) earplugs are definitely essential on camp. I sleep like a log as a result. Our only problem is that DD can't keep them in and ends up waking when the screaming children start up (usually about 6am), and that is that for us, pretty much.

Pixel · 27/08/2013 18:53

I've worn earplugs a few times (like when our neighbours fell asleep with the telly on in their tent all night ) but I don't like not being able to hear what ds is up to. Besides, I'd have missed my recent treat of watching deer at 4am because I wouldn't have heard them outside! My sister is livid because she had her earplugs in due to her husband's snoring (they were in tent next to us) and she was the only one who didn't wake up and creep outside.

Original poster

chicaguapa · 27/08/2013 21:27

I do tend to now (due to bad experience) ask on check in or soon after what do if noise late at night.

Great idea! I think that would make a big difference to my blood pressure.

DC are also very quiet in the morning so it does irk when others aren't. But I have a better view from the moral high ground.

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