The perfect campsite

[DiplomaticDecorum]

Would have what? We're thinking about starting one, so obviously can't change the location, but it's level and sheltered. Would be Caravan Club with 5 vans, or Caravan and Camping Club with 5 vans and 5 tents, do people tend to be members of both? Or do you have a preference?

Facilities would be water, waste point, electric, and a portacabin type thing with toilet and shower in. Other things would be picnic benches, a couple of whirly clothes dryers (with pegs). There's also a small dog walk (must be on lead).

We were wondering about fencing off a small area in the centre of the site - would farm animals be welcome there? Or a decent fence for a dog area, or keep at as a safe play area for small kids? Also would day kennels interest anyone? Probably away from the site in case of barking.

Anything else that would make it a better camp? Or any things to avoid? A gin bar and free childcare would be a bonus, but can't really manage it for £10/night!

If you decide to have locked facilities as some sites do, please issue families with more than one key. I can't begin to tell you the mayhem that can cause!
And yes please - be nice and appear welcoming. Some site owners are grim and treat their guests as though they are there to be punished

I think the fact you're on a farm is a huge selling point, I would just make the implications clear. You could perhaps do a twice weekly 'tour' which would be a big sell but manageable. I'd try to squeeze in some chickens so you can sell eggs - I like a couple of things to buy and an honesty box works well, perhaps a local butcher could make up frozen bbq packs (no waste), local ice cream and local beer/cider?

I'm not fussed for fires at all, and many families I know aren't either.

The big things for me are:
Clean shower rooms (huge bonus to have a family cubicle with a playpen)
Decent washing up facilities
Rules enforced about noise

What takes it to special is:
Little touches like your forgotten cupboard
Decent space between tents
Somewhere for kids to play (If no equipment then the space needs to be bigger)

a portacabin type thing with toilet and shower in.

No!!!

I want a decent shower and it HAS to be warm enough. It can be utterly miserable if you set up ready to camp, the heavens open and the toilet blocks are damp cement full of daddy long legs, or just a portaloo and not enough space to balance your loo roll.

Decent shower/toilets, clean, warm, with enough pegs & benches to keep clothes off the floor etc. will make me come back every year. A portaloo type thing would see me packing up my tent and heading for the hills.

The kennel thing would put me off massively because I would be concerned about noise unless it was a really long way away - like a mile or so.

Noise on campsites is my number one priority. Clean facilities and fire pits come next.

Very clean showers and toilets, well spaced water taps, level ground and well kept, informative staff (info re walks, bike routes, running routes, places of interest etc), a shop or even a shelf in the reception with basics - milk, bread, eggs.

Campsites can be as simple or as grand as you like, but the basics are important to get right. Cleanliness is a BIG deal breaker for us.

I have been a member of the caravan club for years - plus I like camping!
So- a 5 van site in a popular area? You should be full throughout the season if you get it right.
Loos: spotless of course, good showers, no coin operated things.
The site we have been staying at recently had two "shower rooms" each with a good shower, loo and wash basin with a heated towel rail.
Lots of room, smart looking and clean.
An easy to use chemi loo emptying facility.
Consider having some hardstandings - the motor home market is growing and for year round use you need hardstandings. A motor home costs £££££&£
So they have money to spend for the right place!
Obviously picnic tables (1 for each pitch).
Little things like bird tables and hanging baskets might sound twee but people like them.
Make sure you accept dogs, and a dog walk is an excellent idea. Provide dog waste facilities of course. Best one I saw was a dust bin with the bottom cut out sunk in the ground - the lid clipped on/off and shovels were provided. The owner covers the "contents" with a layer of grass clippings.....
Fire pits are fun, but not if you are too close to next door's! If you have space for them you could hire them and supply logs- at a price.

Here is one we really like. Bookings all year, very nice:

www.caravanclub.co.uk/certificated-locations/england/shropshire/shrewsbury/woodville/

For something completely different, this is a local very popular camp site. They allow fire pits, the toilets are "ok" in portacabins, but not much in the winter due to the wet ground. They have more land than you, b www.browfarmcampsite.co.uk/

But you can see the idea.

I think it might be a good idea to stay on a few to see things from the ground up as it were.

I like smaller sites on farms, provided they have

• clean, warm toilets and showers in a permanent building, not in a drafty portacabin. And yes to hooks and somewhere to put stuff down that stays dry
• either good phone reception or WiFi - I like to check what’s in the local area and the weather
• decent sized pitches
• EHU

A honesty box with some basic provisions sounds lovely, as do fresh eggs. And please keep an eye on your emails, it’s frustrating when there’s a ‘contact us’ form or email address on a website that doesn’t ever get looked at or answered

Good luck!

We are members of both clubs.
Our favourite certified site has no EHU but has a small campers kitchen undercover ( with the washing up sinks) with fridge freezer to keep your stuff in, a kettle and microwave. It’s brilliant for the backpackers who have their own bit of the site with picnic tables etc, but anyone can use this kitchen.
It also allows firepits :).
We look for well drained land so no chance of sinking- or hardstanding available.
Toilets and showers can be basic as long as clean, with soap and paper. If possible, no push button showers are best.
Access to public transport or walkable to shops/pubs is great.
Discounts for Mumsnetters ...

How exciting OP.
We have a caravan and like the CLs more than bigger sites. You'd need a chemical disposal place but don't mind walking across the yard to empty it. We stayed at one recently where the owner gave tours of his llamas - not as easy with arable! I'm shocked at people who book two sides and choose the better weather one
I agree about not too many rules - caravan club are so particular about how to park etc. I'd appreciate no extra cost for awnings as it stops us putting up our porch awning for a few nights away.
Definitely clubhouse