Just got a camper van, looking for site recommendations/days out

[jenthehen]

Late in the season but we've just purchased a VW Cali van. There will be two adults and two teenaged children. Where have you been that you could recommend? A local walkable to pub serving food would be handy for our first trip whilst we get to grips with everything and we'd need a toilet/shower block. We probably won't take bikes for our first trip so walks/sightseeing places would be great. We're based in the East Midlands so a couple of hours travelling time would be about right. Any suggestions really welcome as I just need to decide and the head off, I'm spending too much time trying to find the perfect place so that it's a success ( and we don't regret spending the money on the van!)

Are all the van owners out in their vans?

Bumping because I'm also interested. We've had a van for a while but our toddlers are now old enough for us to get out regularly.
Unfortunately we're in the north and we've found a few campsites we love in the lakes but need some elsewhere.

We like the more natural sites with lovely views where we're not allocated a pitch and the kids can run about.

There are brilliant FB sites, start there.

Have a look at this website www.ukcampsite.co.uk/ You can search for campsites by area, facilities etc and read reviews. We have a campervan but live in the South East and tend to travel to North Devon, Dorset, New Forest so probably not much use to you!

Thanks peeps, I'd forgotten about UKcampsite. Sebumfillents are there any FB van sites you'd recommend?

Too far for your first trip but we love Firle Camp in Sussex. It's a large field with fab views of the downs, you can cook over a real fire, and there's a great pub nearby - and an amazing farm shop selling all you need for a barbecue including about 200 different ciders!

Facilities are petty basic and you have to take your rubbish away with you.

Go on 'Cheapest uk campsites' on Facebook. They have a map with pins for all sites under £25 a night all in.

We have a van, we have a few regular sites but it all depends on where you want to go, we live in Leeds.

That sounds a fab place Grumpy, noted for future tips, thanks.

We've just comeback from a two week tour of Dorset. We loved Norden Farm at Corfe Castle. We also loved Cummins Farm at Lyme Regis. We go to Lyndon Top at Rutland water a lot too, spectacular views and only £7 a night, but no showers. Walking distance to a couple of pubs though!

Thanks, I'll check those out , the Rutland one sound quite nearby😬

Hi - the Cali is lovely and will provide loads of good breaks all seasons. Petwood Campsite at Woodhall Spa is lovely with cafes, cinema, outdoor pool. Carsington Water in Derby and Clumber Park all good surroundings with good facilities. Also check vwcaliforniaclub forum as they also have good advice.

Hi User, thanks for the reply, really helpful. Carsington is on our doorstep so just a bit too close but Clumber and Woodhall sound perfect. Do you have any tips for Cali camping? We need to organise what bedding will be warm, compact and practical as space will be restricted and also how to store our clothes etc for easy access.

Yelp, would you mind sharing which sites in the Lakes you like please? We have friends up in the lakes so would be a good place to visit.

Hi,

Congrats on getting a VW. If you are free next weekend I would suggest you go to Busfest (www.busfest.org/busfest/) at the 3 Counties Showground near Malvern. It's the show to go to if you have a VW Camper. It'll have everything and anything for your VW including things you didn't think you need or thought of.
Unfortunately the camping is fully booked but there is day visitor entry. One of the highlights is the cooking competition on the Saturday, 3 course meal for 2 in an hour.

Thanks Bibble, we might just do that : )

We use fitted sheets and a duvet downstairs. I normally have the fitted sheet and duvet ready and folded so it's easy to fold down at night.
In the roof we have a fitted sheet which stays up there and use sleeping bags and a couple of extra blankets if cold. These all store on the back shelf on top of the duvet. It's easy to get the van ready when you arrive and have light to put front blinds on but it's really easy to do that. Have your shower stuff and change of clothes close to hand too so these can be accessed easily when the bed is down. I use travel hangers in the wardrobe and don't take too much but enough for 2 days and camping coats rolled up in the back near the water tank. It's great fun and usually just need to grab fresh food and go now. I chase the kids out in the morning to change it into day use and make breakfast but it's easy.

Lots of nice places to visit!

Woodall spa is lovely - we stop at jubilee park which is next door to the petwood site. Clumber park is good too (one site is NT the other is caravan club)

Tattershall lakes comes recommended by friends. We also stopped at a site in cleethorpes near the little railway. We alsonhad a nice weekend at fir pines next skegness last year.

My other favourite place to go is peak district although I can't remember for the middle of me what the campsite we sropped at outside buxton was called. Last October we went to matlock and that was a great site.

Weekends away I don't like to go too far away - mainly as I don't like hours and hours of driving on a Friday night and then back on a Sunday!

Excuse typos - too early for me!

I forgot to mention Donna nook for the seals - the seals come in to have their pups in the late autumn and you get see them ever so close up. My dc love a day out there

Thanks Colleysmill and User, that's really helpful, particularly like the sound of Donna Nook.