The perfect camp site....

[Tiredandtorn]

Hi,

We've only recently go into camping as a family and would love any recommendations for great family camp sites.

We don't mind not having EHU

We like a quiet site

Don't need or want evening entertainment- just a take away and little shop

A heated pool and kids play ground is a must and near the beach or a lovely lake is a bonus!

Happy to travel around the UK, any recommendations of little hidden jems would be great, thank you in advance 😊

Another vote for Dower House in Thetford forest, lovely heated pool and small shop and we’ve always found it nice and quiet and great walks from there.

@coldwarenigma

Cofton at Dawlish has indoor and outdoor pools. It is a big site but lots to do to keep kids busy. As others have said pools come hand in hand with 'family' sites and by nature will be busier.

I'm here right now! But staying in a lodge! It's a gorgeous site!

@SquirryTheSquirrel

We used to like Pentewan Sands in Cornwall, but we haven't been for donkey's years so not sure what it's like now. It fronts the beach directly, has a heated pool and a shop and there is, or was, a lovely pub next to the site.

It may not be as quiet as you'd like but I think you'll struggle to get the combination of the pool and a quiet site.

It's not dog-friendly (which is why we haven't been for years) but sadly our dog passed away during lockdown so we are thinking of going back next year.

I'll tell you what it's like now... bloody brilliant! Went for the first time last year, really great. And to be honest, while there were a lot of campers there, it wasn't NOT-quiet - pitch was a good size, facilities were plentiful, LOADS of space on the beach. And the beach was a nice beach too, not one of those where the tide goes out 4 miles. Unfortunately we can't go again, we got a dog a couple of weeks later!

We’ve just started at the crows nest in Filey, the pool is closed this year because of Covid but a lovely playground, shop and fish and chips, a sea view and a couple of mile walk or bus ride to local seafronts.

Unfortunately a heated pool and a quiet site don't go hand in hand.

Came on to say exactly the same. That's why we never choose sites with pools!

Pillaton Hall Farm in Staffordshire has a playground, zip wire, dog friendly, takeaway/ cafe, and amazing facilities.

No pool though, and the only lakes there are for fishing, but our friends daughter loved it.
Lots of space too, big fields.

Re: Pillaton Hall, it is in a village called Penkridge where there is a pub called the Swan that serves amazing food, and a playground at the back of it.

Stonehaven (Aberdeenshire) has a very quiet site right next to an amazing park, leisure centre and an outdoor heated saltwater pool with slide. It’s on the coast too. There’s pubs and shops in walking distance to the site.

The downside is it’s mostly caravans (hence why it’s so quiet - everyone else is inside) and you’re not allowed camp fires.

We are at Fforest Fields in mid Wales right now and it's a little slice of heaven (even though it's rained a fair bit!).

I read about it on MN and it's our first time here - so quiet, SO much space, a lake for swimming/paddle boarding/kayaking etc, spotless showers and facilities (a great coffee shop and pizza pop up on Fridays and Saturdays). Very child and dog friendly. No playground but that's the whole point - there are lots of woods and streams and fields to explore. Trails for walking and biking (all abilities) - it's secluded but easy to explore nearby towns such as Hay On Wye.

It's got a lovely vibe, it seems to attract a like-minded bunch of folk, everyone is friendly and respectful of the "whispers only after 11pm rule". Apart from that, the campsite owners are so kind and chilled, none of the officious jobsworth types you get at a lot of sites (Seaview in Cromer, I'm looking at you). Basically, pitch where you like, come and go as you please, let your kids run free but keep the noise down at night.

We will definitely return and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place for anyone looking to relax and recharge. Problem is, it's the sort of site you don't want to tell TOO many people about
https://www.fforestfields.co.uk

I’m currently at Higher Harlyn at Padstow. It ticks all your boxes.

Toms Field near Swanage is lovely. Well maintained clean site geared towards families rather then stag or hen dos. There is an onsite shop selling basics but plenty of larger shops nearby. Swanage beach is a few miles down the road as is fun kids stuff at Corfe Castle, steam railways, coastal walks etc. Best pub in the world nearby at the Square and Compass