How do you choose quieter family campsites after a difficult first trip?

[PaperLanterns]

We’ve just been on our first camping trip as a family of four - I’ve got 2 DS (7 and 5) and it was a nightmare. We’ve hired motorhomes around Scotland and Norfolk and glamped in a couple of places and really enjoyed the vibe so I bought a tent off eBay (Berghaus 4XL) and kitted up.

The problem wasn’t the kit.

It was the other campers. People were staggering about drunk around the play area, smoking, the amount of shouting and swearing that was going on (from the adults and even more alarmingly, the young kids) made me cringe - my kids aren’t used to this. People just camped where they liked, ignored the rules about gas and bbqs due to the drought and a dog in the field behind barked all day and all night. We paid for four nights and we stuck with it - going for big days out on day 2 and 3 but it’s made me really concerned about going again.

I know this makes me sound snobby but I’m a DDSL in a school and spent the whole time wondering if I should be reporting people.

I guess what I’m asking is - is there a hack to choosing campsites? We went for this one because it had a play area, electric (first time campers making it easier) and walking distance of a National Trust and heritage railway. There was also a 10pm noise shutdown (didn’t happen) and wardens were meant to patrol.

It was just disappointing as it took loads to convince DH to come along with this and then was a disaster!

https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk

Have a look through here.

If your're a teacher you may find your people at the YHA. You can camp in the grounds of some and its probably the exact vibe you would enjoy even though god forbid the YHA serves alcohol!

We recently stayed on a very nice camp site with a bar that was empty in the lakes and I was so suprised at the amount of weed being smoked. Posh tents niace cars and the strong smell of green.

Not sure OP, a safeguarding lead, would be taking her dc to a site where being naked in the pool was mandatory 😅. Unlike many others I don’t avoid amenities as I like certain comforts. Have been to some lovely small sites in Scottish Borders and East Lothian with good facilities that there has never been any trouble - you maybe need to go more remote/further afield but can keep the showers and hook up! It’s probably time to upsize your car.

I think I know that campsite you were on; we had an awful experience. As mentioned look for:
No bar
No pool
small playground
Good loo awards prizes ( I’m very particular but this shows pride in campsite from owners),
Trip Advisor reviews

we always have EHU so that hasn’t impacted us.
This was our most recent one in Kent- it was lovely and quiet apart from the farmers tractor!
https://www.paintersfarm.co.uk

I think I know which one you mean, we stayed there at the beginning of the summer holidays. First few days were ok as it was before any of the local schools finished and it was fairly quiet. Last few days were exactly as you described. It’s a shame as we liked the location in general and being walkable to national trust ect but will not be going back.

Read reviews from different sites. I always do carefully.

@Seagulldancing Camp fires should be banned now. Scotland has banned them I think. Wild fires started by people wild camping are not acceptable.

I’ve been on sites with facilities and no issues. The worse one we ever had wasn’t noisy at night after late but was all day. It was dirt cheap and off grid on a farm. Only about 20 pitches. But several tents had TVs in and loud in eve. (never seen this before). Lots of loud kids running wild from 6am - 11pm - on the camping bit as no where else to go. We were only there two days but was glad of that

Join the caravan and motor home club. A wide variety of sites for most tastes. Never stayed on a rowdy one in 30 years.

We stayed in a campsite on the Norfolk broads once. No clubhouse or facilities but crows woke us up squawking and shrieking at 4.45am every morning, it was deafening . I know its back to nature but....🤣

This is true - it’s a shame - I’ve only had this role for a year now but I see creeps everywhere!

Agree about the car - got my eye on a Volvo, but, you know, expensive….

Thanks - so many good reccs and advice. The campsite I went to sounded like Lark Barm..

Haha, annoying but better than Steve shouting at everyone in his family about how pathetic they all were!

Absolutely this. I could give you loads locally, Scottish Borders. Give an area and MN great for stuff like this.