I really want to start camping, but DH is quite specific about what sort of site

[MamaG]

He really wants something very rural, stream, woods type of place with no club house/on site shop etc. A real back to basics place where you won't be 5 feet from the next tent.

Is he living in cloud cuckoo land?

Any advice much appreciated

Whereabouts are you hoping to go? Dinas Farm campsite in Halfway Bridge, just outside Bangor in North Wales, exactly as you describe, it's fantastic!

Bracelands - loads of us on Camping threads have been there. You have to drive back to reception / shop, surrounded by Forest of Dean, huge rolling site, fab walks & Forestry Commission places to visit, pitch where you like as long as not too close to anyone else. Even when fully booked you have space.

I've just been bought the 'cool camping' book and Bracelands is in there - guess what I'm reading in bed tonight - sad, moi?

Lucky you

We found a nice sight about 1/2 - 3/4 hr away this weekend - great for a 2 night trip. (Hurley Riverside)

ooh sounds wonderful, can you light your own fire?

At Bracelands? Sadly not

But we take a portable charcoal BBQ and fill it with sticks & charcoal to sit round at night - still toasts Marshmallows!

Park Farm campsite in Kent nr Bodiam

farmer's field .. there's a shower block and toilets and a couple of swings (tyres) for the kids .. there's a stream with a rope swing for the kids .. a 20 minute walk to a pub and Bodiam Castle

you just turn up and pitch your tent where there's space .. there's no pitches marked out

apparently the "fire thing" is a must for DH - caveman

MamaG - you DH has the right idea, that's our idea of blissful camping too! Someone recommended a site in Shropshire to me today called Small Batch at Church Stretton (nearer to you than me but we might go in August as we have a week off then). Google it or have a look in UKcampsite. I am reliably informed that you can camp where you like, it's £10 a night all in, there's a little stream running by and a pub nearby for great meals.

Alternatively, where we go in Scotland is equally quiet and rural and unspoilt. here .

Blackberry Wood encourages campfires! I haven't been but it gets rave reviews.

here?

DH says Park Farm not rural enough .. but you can make your own fires and pitch where you like and there is a river

ooh where is Blackberry Wood? Just going to have a look at your site KBear..

We are thinking tents KBear - eek! Does look lovely though

you can camp there too, doesn't it say?

Whilst all you campy types are around have you got any good tips for the Peak District? Something along the same lines as MamaG suggests...altho we don't mind a few facilities.
Thanks

sorry had a Big Bro break - no I didnt see anything about tents, but I'll have a proper look tomorrow.

Am interested in Blackberry Wood though!

1973magpie - North Wales is do-able for us, do you know if they allow fires?

I read that book in bed too, Lucy...

Blackberry Wood for MamaG

lots of sites are like this. esepcially in Wales, the Lakes, Yorkshire, Scotland.

all our favourite sites are rural stream-flowing woody sorts.

Eweleeze farm near weymouth. thats where we're heading this August

Gillside Farm at Glenridding in the Lake District (south end of Ullswater).
No fires, but you can pitch under the trees right by the stream. The owners are very good about not letting it get too crowded.

We went to Eweleeze last August bank holiday. Absolutely lovely setting, but they had seriously underestimated the demand on the toilets, with VERY unfortunate consequences. And we queued for 45 minutes for our one hot shower. But a lovely setting!