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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.

Original poster

Would I be getting my hopes up too much to book a campsite late July?

46 replies

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 27/05/2020 14:55

Our favourite campsite in Wales is taking bookings from 4 July.

We're all desperate to go - somewhere - anywhere.

How realistic is it, do you think, to book for later than month?

OP posts:
AIMD · 27/05/2020 18:05

Hmmmm no idea. I would have thought camping would be a fairly low risk activity as long as toilets and showered are cleaning frequently. Interesting ask.
I will follow the thread as I’d like to know people’s thoughts too!

profpoopsnagle · 27/05/2020 19:33

I would book it but be prepared not to go. I think if there's a relaxation of overnight stays/more movement, a lot of the UK is going to get booked up very quickly- campsites, caravans, cottages, hotels etc.

And you have to factor in that people who were planning to go earlier on in the year, might have had to move their holiday to July/August so there may be less chance of getting a pitch than normal.

NCTDN · 27/05/2020 21:30

I think Wales May be later than England.

bigchris · 27/05/2020 21:38

If it's refundable go for it!

CMOTDibbler · 27/05/2020 21:48

We've booked a week in July at our fave site in Wales. They've said they aren't sure on what might happen with shared facilities, so we've bought a camping loo and a rechargeable shower just in case. I'm totally willing to do that just to go and swim in the lake, sit round a fire, and stare at the stars.

Original poster
Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 27/05/2020 22:39

CMOT is it Nant Gwynant?

OP posts:
funmummy48 · 27/05/2020 22:52

We've booked a week at the end of July and another at the end of August. We want to do both but if we can only do one, at least we have something booked in. We have a caravan with loo and shower so can be self sufficient.

CMOTDibbler · 28/05/2020 08:51

No, Fforest Fields, though I've been eyeing up Nant Gwynant for the swimming Grin

Original poster
Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 28/05/2020 13:53

Oh I've never managed to get to Fforest Fields but love the look of it @CMOTDibbler. Gwynant is amazing, we go every year.

OP posts:
profpoopsnagle · 28/05/2020 21:32

What shower have you got @CMOTDibbler? We have been thinking the same as you, in getting self sufficient at facilities for the same reason.

IdblowJonSnow · 28/05/2020 21:35

Just book somewhere that does refunds and watch and keep your fingers crossed.

CMOTDibbler · 28/05/2020 21:43

I got this one. I've tested it on the dogs, and it has a pretty good flow. We intended though to get the Colapz one, as it had very good reviews, but was out of stock everywhere. And is now back in stock irritatingly. But I'll use the one I've got for a few weeks at outdoor swimming to rinse off as the showers are shut and see how it goes before spending more

NCTDN · 28/05/2020 22:27

@CMOTDibbler are outdoor swimming places all allowed now? If so where in the uk are you?

SoloMummy · 28/05/2020 22:57

We'd hoped for camping for the summer as usual, but there's apparently a high risk due to the communal areas. So it's not for us this year. Even the cleaner sites have busy footfall of campers at key tines and won't be cleaned "quickly enough" to reduce potential spread, be that the water taps, showering areas, toilets, washing up areas etc.

SoloMummy · 28/05/2020 22:58

Unless if course totally self sufficient?

Scrowy · 28/05/2020 23:05

We have been receiving booking requests for mid June onwards since a couple of weeks ago (obviously we have said no unless there's some kind of global miracle) but clearly there's people out there who are more optimistic.

For what it's worth most of the people who have been forced to cancel with us this year are repeat bookings for us anyway and have simply moved this years booking to the same dates next year and are going to take their chances with whatever dates that are eventually allowed this year when they can.

We are bracing ourselves for a flood of booking enquires in the next few weeks...

Campervan69 · 28/05/2020 23:33

We have booked a couple of sites for July but only in England because we're not sure what's happening with Wales. Would much prefer to go to Wales as it is much more beautiful but they seem to be be more cautious than England so it feels unlikely.

JustMarriedBecca · 29/05/2020 08:41

We have had end July booked since about Christmas. Desperate but doubt it. Shared facilities likely to be an issue but the govt do seem to be moving more swiftly out of lockdown so who knows.

We were thinking August in Cornwall but that is probably beyond optimistic. Sites are saying they are not confirming bookings - too busy.

cptartapp · 29/05/2020 08:50

We have ends of July booked near Harrogate and August in Wales through 'Cool Camping'. I've been working in ppe for eight weeks and the teens are desperate for a break. Risk v benefit for us, more than happy to go armed with a bottle of bleach!
We get to rebook within 18 months if it can't go ahead due to Covid.

Original poster
Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 29/05/2020 10:28

I booked it. We'll go any time this year or next if it gets cancelled. Kids desperate to go somewhere/anywhere. Want to camp because of the feeling of freedom I think.

Might risk a self contained out on its own glamping thing - but much happier in a field and washing in a river tbh!

OP posts:
Tentatively · 29/05/2020 10:32

I think tent camping will be the last part of "Campsites" to open. It's most likely that sites where there are also static caravans for hire will be able to open those first. Then some time after that, motorhomes and touring caravans with their own facilities, with the shower and toilet blocks remaining closed. Finally tent camping areas and shower/toilet blocks will open.

profpoopsnagle · 29/05/2020 10:34

@CMOTDibbler thanks, we had done a bit of research and wanted the Colapz one too, I emailed them last week and they said it would be back in stock the end of this week so have just ordered one. I liked how small it was. We already have a loo, and have bought a small utility tent that can now act as a full bathroom. Just need a bathroom cabinet, full length mirror, heated towel rail and we'll be sorted.... Wink

Glad you have gone ahead and booked @Ihatemyselffordoingthis I think it's good to have something to look forward to, and if you're flexible all the better.

CMOTDibbler · 29/05/2020 15:54

@NCTDN all the lakes can open if they show sufficient distancing etc in England. I'm in Worcestershire, and my local venue opens June 8th but I know of quite a few which are now operating

@profpoopsnagle I'll be interested to hear how you find the Collapz one. Did you get the water carrier too?

Which utility tent did you get?

profpoopsnagle · 29/05/2020 18:32

@CMOTDibbler Yes, we thought about using the fire bucket but DH was quite interested in the carrier. Finding a bathroom tent was quite tricky, the pop up ones are fine for just a loo, but not to hold a shower. I got a Quest elite one in the end. We can use it either as a bathroom tent, or a handy storage tent, or even a sitting up tent if we do a trip with just the mountain tents.

IAmReportingYouForBBQing · 29/05/2020 18:38

Our favourite is Llyn gwynant and we just love swimming in the river and lake. Last tuner I checked their website it was late June they were taking bookings from and prices had gone up. I don't care, I'm going as soon as I can. Don't even care about the weather! Will be taking s as porta Potty and having all over washes.