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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

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Original poster

Camping at Haven. Anyone know how expensive food is on site? And what essentials do i need to take?

25 replies

tortoise · 10/08/2007 22:05

I am taking my 4 children camping on a Haven site for 4 nights. 1st attempt at camping!
I have no transport so we are travelling by train (station 15 mins from our house,bus the other end for 3 miles).

How are we going to carry everything? And what are the essential items to take with us?

No way i can cook on site, can't carry cooking stuff! So are the shops/food places reasonably priced? I have my doubts!

OP posts:

Original poster

tortoise · 10/08/2007 22:34

OP posts:

teejay · 10/08/2007 22:51

we had a caravan on a Haven site in June and the shop was OK but only basics- like a village spar. Most are near other shops tho- which one are you going to

Original poster

tortoise · 10/08/2007 22:53

Going to Weymouth-Little sea site.

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Yurtgirl · 10/08/2007 22:55

Can you not carry a camping stove - ours is tiny, a gas cannister and a camping set of saucepans

That would enable you to cook at least a few bits
Admittedly tricky with four kids but couldnt they help carry some of the stuff?

Original poster

tortoise · 10/08/2007 22:58

Yurtgirl- I doubt we can manage them as well as sleeping bags,mats,tent,clothes etc.

I am not confident about cooking on one either.

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Yurtgirl · 10/08/2007 23:04

You have a point of course - It was only an idea

I have been reading a book about family backpacking and am feeling inspired - hence a thread I have just started!

Worrying about going on holiday with kids and no car is what puts me off altogether tbh! For the moment anyway

I hope you have a fantastic time

Aimsmum · 10/08/2007 23:05

Message withdrawn

Original poster

tortoise · 10/08/2007 23:07

Thanks yurtgirl. I hope it will be ok. I am worrying about it all at the moment but whatever happens the children will have fun.

Thanks aimsmum too. The DC will love all that crap food lol! I don't know what i will eat. Have to have low fat due to gall stones!

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Skribble · 11/08/2007 00:54

The minimarket is open at 8.30 am and has a bakery, they probably sell BBQs great for bacon butties. Can you go without a hot drink in the morning?

What about the very small stoves so you can atleast boil water for coffee, hot chocs at night.

Skribble · 11/08/2007 00:56

Oh check out if they have a shuttle bus to train or bus station, some do and it does say on their site buses every 30mins, save you a 3 mile walk.

Skribble · 11/08/2007 01:08

Info from other websites.

"There is a bus service that will take you from Littlesea to Weymouth Seafront for £2.20 return. (502)"

"Yes, the camping pitches are at the top of a hill and it was windy but Haven can't be held responsible for the unusual weather we are having. The pitches were a decent size and some were not in use as they are undertaking a re-turfing project. We did not experience any problems with rocks below ground and we did not ruin our tent pegs."

"The campsite is situated next to a nature reserve which provided a beautiful backdrop. All of the staff were very friendly and helpful. I felt secure enough to let my children have an almost free reign to entertain themselves, park and sports facilities were secure and excellent. Access to the nature reserve and "fleet lagoon" a natural sea inlet were easy but not unsafe. The entertainment programme and kids club were comprehensive, but we were too busy enjoying the lovely scenery too use them!"

"The site itself is set at the edge of a nature reserve and if you like walking, you can walk along the cliff paths in either direction. There is a bus service that comes right onto the site to take you into Weymouth, which is a lovely seaside/harbour town."

"Go to strikes for breakfast, very good value for money and at 9.30 am the have the characters go in for a meet and great."

debbie26pet · 11/08/2007 13:22

we just come bk from a haven and had the take away on site 1st night never again it was awful and so dear for 2 adults and 3 kids it cost us over £24 and it was the basic tea like sausage and chips and a burger chips nothing to flashy.
the shop was so so some bits were good money, some very dear i bought a tin of meat balls for kids diner it was 1.09 nearly double than tesco.
if u can either go of camp to a chippy we did, or cook simple foods.
disposible barbeques were used alot by other campers we used them. alot grt out doors in the sun

WestCountryLass · 11/08/2007 18:37

Food is not that expensive but it is not great, a bit like Brewers Fayre type menu.

If you do decide to cook, it is not jsut the gas and the pans you need but cutlery, cups, plates, stuff to wash up with etc etc.

If you took sharp knife you could do sandwiches/disposable bbq.

Cos you are there 4 nights I would take/buy brioche/croissants/fruit/yoghurt for breakfast. Sandwiches/salady stuff/fruit for lunches and one night do disposable bbq, another have fish and chips at the beach, maybe go for a pub tea another and use the Haven or the Brewers Fayre nearby another night. That way you are not eating complete crap all the time!

Original poster

tortoise · 11/08/2007 20:35

Skribble I don't drink tea or coffee. And only occasional hot choc! Yes i checked there is a bus. We will catch it from Weymouth when we arrive. Thanks for info.

debbie26pet Thanks. Doesn't sound to promising!

WestCountryLass I am taking small plates and a knife for sandwich making. I really don't think we can manage all the rest. Was thinking of mini multi packs of cereal for the DC to eat dry for breakfast and maybe cereal bars.

I have never cooked on a BBQ so am wary of using one on site. Might poison us all!

I am sure we will muddle through.

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WestCountryLass · 11/08/2007 23:03

You will be fine, you are so brave doing this, I am sure many in your situation would jsut not bother. Have a great time, make sure you enjoy yourself!!!!

Original poster

tortoise · 11/08/2007 23:04

Thanks westcountrylass.
Whatever happens we will have a great time. DS1 and DS2 are so excited. Its the 1st time we have ever been on holiday.

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Mercy · 11/08/2007 23:13

I think Westcountrylass has got good ideas re food.

Which tent did you buy in the end? And when are you going?

Weymouth is lovely for family hols. I really hope you have good time!

Castle Cove beach(?) is very nice. You can/could get decent pizzas etc on the beach

Original poster

tortoise · 11/08/2007 23:18

Mercy- I got a Vango Venture 500. It arrived this morning and i put it up in the garden. Looks great.We go on the 21st.
I will have to look where castle cove is.

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Mercy · 11/08/2007 23:24

Brilliant!

I'm off to bed now - iirc its a bus ride out of central Weymouth. I'll have a look for it too - but if you can't get there, maybe next time!

I'm really excited for you all

Original poster

tortoise · 11/08/2007 23:26

Thanks Mercy.

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burstingbug · 11/08/2007 23:33

Torty, shout me if I can help at all

Original poster

tortoise · 11/08/2007 23:38

Thanks bb .
Maybe meet up on one of the days we are there?

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burstingbug · 11/08/2007 23:40

Monday & Tuesday are my days off. At least you miss the mayhem of carnival week!

Original poster

tortoise · 12/08/2007 09:46

DC would of liked to see the carnival! We don't arrive until Tuesday.

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Sylvray · 13/08/2007 14:04

We went camping to Littlesea in May. Can Recommend strikes for breakfast. Quite expensive to eat there all the time though. There is also a chip shop on site but very expensive and it gets very very busy. Chipshop just outside the site is nice though. Plenty of cafe's, mcDonalds etc if you go into town.

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