Farm machinery noise!

[SameKeyThough]

Currently staying on a gorgeous campsite in Dorset. Only 3 pitches for tents, no caravans/hook ups, and 4 unfurnished bell tents. We've stayed before several years ago. It's a beautiful setting and the owners have an organic farm next door. So there is a lot of (entirely acceptable) sounds of nature - geese, chickens, cows etc. Occasional tractors. It's very much advertised as a haven of peace and tranquility - no music, quiet activity after 8.30pm, no noise after 11. Eco and organic etc etc. Lots of rules about this.
BUT. From 6.30am this morning LOUD farm machinery in neighbouring field. Continuous droning noise for 2 hours now, sort of busy city road level. London bin-men loud. Even with ear plugs it's loud. I accept that camping does not equate to quiet. I've stayed at a few campsites here and in France and not had anything like this. But can I say anything to the owners without sounding like an idiot townie? It's not their field so I know not their responsibility. But they must know and I feel a bit, I don't know, misled? cheated? I'm tired and cross so may be over reacting! I'm thinking I'm more concerned for teen DS and his friend in the other tent who have been completely quiet and respectful and loved chilling out in nature but now have this!!! I don't know if I can face it for 2 more nights.. Talk me down!

How would they be ‘misrepresenting’? No one booking a rural campsite in August can be guaranteed silence. Even if the site isn’t adjacent to fields being harvested, machinery is moving around on the roads at all hours.

I was staying at a friend’s last week, and a field being harvested at night was a good half mile away, but, on a still night with the windows open, the sound was still quite loud, and the combine’s headlights were shining in, even at that distance.

You do realise that the harvest doesn't happen on the exact same dates every year?

Harvest is totally weather dependant. Because of the drought it’s very early this year. It’s very difficult to predict when and where will be harvested, it would be almost impossible to warn people, even a week ahead as if it rains plans have to change.

We used to camp in an area of Dorset where there is an army camp near by you would be woken by the sound of tanks and sometimes helicopters and weapon fire that was a bit unnerving during the night, I laugh at your combine harvester 😀

FML, they really do walk among us🤦🤦.

The owners should warn their guests? FFs that is ludicrous. As many have already said, this is near farmland. In the country. At a time when harvest might be happening.

everyone has access to Google maps. They can easily spot that there are fields around the campsite they’d are trying to book - and hence farmers, farming.

Next time book a campsite surrounded by forestry.

If it was the campsite owners field then I’d complain but as it is a neighbour I can’t see what he could reasonably do about it anyway . I should imagine the campsite owners field is as cross about it as you as it’s likely to be reflected in his reviews . Hopefully it will be quiet tomorrow morning .

" It's very much advertised as a haven of peace and tranquility" I know the reality. I have lived rurally in various places for most of the last 50 years but its a fact that not everybody does. I have never lived anywhere in the countryside that is a haven of peace and tranquillity. I do know of campsites and glamping sites that are but none of them are adjacent to working farm fields.

I’m lost for words.

They go all night here at Harvest time. It's probably best to pick a site that isn't surrounded by farmland in the summer months if you can't tolerate the noise, it can be very loud and they are governed by the conditions, weather, etc so not always predictable when they will need to work.
You can't say anything, you will look a bit silly!
Earplugs?

As I've said twice now upthread, I completely take on board everybody's comments. I asked a light-hearted question (I think that was clear from my tone, even calling myself an idiot townie!) and openly acknowledged that I was probably over reacting. I have now been made fully aware of harvest etc, and do appreciate anyone who works hard, whatever industry that may be in. I don't think blanket insults are very helpful. I don't feel the need to pile into all the education threads where people are asking questions about schools and insult them, ranting about cuts to education and how dare anybody even ASK if something is ok or not. I have my perspective, which is based on decades of experience, and they have theirs. I am a teacher, not a farmer, and as such like to think I am capable of asking a question, listening to answers and taking feedback seriously. Please don't act like a keyboard warrior because you don't have exactly the same thoughts as me. It serves no purpose and actually makes people more divisive, not less.
Thank you to everyone else for your comments. The sun is shining. I'll enjoy my few days away before I go home to my unemployed husband and shit job.

I feel sorry for you because no one wants their break interrupted!

The campsite owners are also in a tricky place because if they warn potential customers in advance that harvesting is a possibility in August, few would book for the month, or may demand discounts, even if the disruption was only for a day or so.

I would politely ask the harvesting team what their plans are, or if that’s difficult, ask the campsite to ask them. Then you can decide whether to stay put or find somewhere else.

You may find that they will finish today and move on to fields further away. It is in their interest to bring the crop in so it is safe asap. 🤞

@SameKeyThough I'm not sure that comment is really aimed at you.

Love him or loathe him Jeremy Clarkson with his farm programme does highlight how a farmer's income is so unpredictable and relies on many factors including the weather. It is an education for anyone outside the industry.

I wish the council would do something about the seagulls, squawking and strutting about, and giving holiday makers the evil eye.
They (the seagulls) should only be able to do this, I think, betweem 10:00 am and noon, and then from 14:00 and 17:00. That way it would also stop them stealing chips at lunch time.

(RSPB have been no help on this matter either - waste of a stamp, that was.)

No! Crops are harvested when they're ready to harvest and according to weather etc. A field won't be harvested the same week every year. There's no way the site owner would have known in advance that they'd be harvesting during your stay!

And in comparison to the smell of shit we have been putting up with for the last few weeks after muck spreading, the sound of a combine would be heaven!

You’ve put it better but this is exactly what I was going to say- the disconnect between the average person and food production is terrifying, and is presumably behind the government’s total lack of understanding of the industry. My DB is a farmer - works round the clock and this year’s harvest is absolutely terrible so it is for little reward.
I am glad that the OP has recognised her/their lack of knowledge but it does illustrate the wider situation graphically - it is very depressing being in farming at the moment

Are They’re advertising the campsite as peaceful with their no noise policy etc, not the surroundings. Also, it’s not all day.

Harvest could be at any time in a 2 or 3 week period, depending in the weather. So are you suggesting that for half of the summer holidays they don’t have any income, just in case?

And as a farmer, the campsite probably brings in more money than the actual farm. They are not going to close up shop during average harvest time (even if it is their neighbours doing the harvest) which corresponds with the busiest time for campsites

Harvesting...its what happens in the summer!

I'd love to see the harvest.

If you are interested the harvester might take your kids for a ride in the cabin. There are usually two seats.

Oh my good god 😂😂

You are on a camp site, on a working farm, you have to expect farming noise. It’s August, prime hay making time. A spell of good weather forecast so they’ve a window of opportunity to cut, dry and bail. They could be bailing all through the night.

If you complain, you’ll look a total idiot. Maybe camping isn’t for you. Let the farmers get on with their work, they’re not going to top toe around just because you’re on holiday! 😂

I'm sure the people who have booked would be delighted to receive an email telling them their reservation has been cancelled. Due to assuming the booked guests can't cope with generic countryside noise.
Five star reviews guaranteed 😆

Do campers often get a long, peaceful sleep? When I was forced to do it as a kid it was awful.