Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Camping

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

Original poster

Dh wants to camp this summer, I'm not sure. Can you please convince me that it is fun?

37 replies

FrazzledFairyFay · 21/02/2009 18:14

Dh wants us to go camping with some friends this summer. Our DCs will be just turned 2 and 3.8. The friends' DCs are similar ages.

I camped loads as a young adult, around India, the middle east, North Africa, Asia, etc so I'm not a camping-virgin but I'm worried how it'll be with the DCs. What worries me most is:

  • what happens if it pees down with rain all week?
  • do most campsites now have clean loo blocks, hot water, etc?
  • will the DCs be bored or will they love every minute? My DD is not very out-doorsy, but DS loves being out all the time

I would like to give it a go - can anyone give me their experience and persuade me that it will be fun? Thanks a million

OP posts:
chocolatemummy · 21/02/2009 18:17

we have recently bought a tralier tent and I can't wait to use it. Thats if we manage to erect it lol

I think if you get the right site it can be great and as for the weather, its a gamble? There are some great sites, Park Resorts have some parks with touring fields and there facilities are good for rainy days, good pools, playgrounds, entertainment (if you want it)

There are also some lovely sites in the Forest of Dean (Christchurch) is a lovely site in the forest with good showers and a little log cabin shop with a mini Costa Coffee!

bigTillyMint · 21/02/2009 18:22

We have been camping in France every summer for 6+ years, and so far so good on the weather front Ours were the same age as yours when we first went.

We choose sites in France with good pools near or on a beach, and the kids have always LOVED it, and if they're happy....

The showers always have plenty of hot water, they are cleaned regularly and it is very relaxing.

We take our own tent, etc, but you could try the ones that are already up, etc if you are worried.

Mercy · 21/02/2009 18:30

For my dc it is the highlight of their year in many ways. But they are city kids so the contrast is probably what appeals to them most.

It can be hard work with young children tbh. 4 days or so is plenty ime.

We don't stay on site the whole time - we usually stay where there are interesting places to visit nearby (whether we are s/c or camping)

TheyCallMePeachy · 21/02/2009 18:42

Welove it, we were back under polyester within 5 weeks of ds4'sbirth last year.

The trick is that camoping without kids and with are very different ballgamesd generally.I've done the backpacking thing and loved it,and I've done the family camp and loved it but they are wildly different!

Family camping is about equipment, relaxing and being ready to chuck everyone in the car and head somewhere if it rains. Or go stream splashing in wellies.

Choclotaemummy is clearly a stalker as she just listed our two favourite sites LOL- Park Resorts Nodes and Christchurch.

twinsetandpearls · 21/02/2009 18:45

We love camping and dd and I are both quite spolit divas. Take your wellies, some wine and some cards it will be great.

Every campsite I have stayed at has had clean loos etc but I do my research. If you tell us where you are going we will recommend somewhere

ABetaDad · 21/02/2009 18:48

Well - last time we went camping was a very long time ago on a proper campsite in Italy.

The tent flooded, me and my wife got bitten head to foot by mosquitos, we had the biggest row of our pre-married life and I ended up in tears.

Luckily there were no small children involved.

We vowed and declared never again.

muffle · 21/02/2009 18:53

It's great, I love love love camping BUT -

  • don't go for ages, go for a weekend or a few days - for a longer trip combine camping with the odd B&B etc.
  • with kids you're better going by car and take loads of luxuries - nice comfy airbeds and lots of proper duvets and pillows.
  • let them stay up late and have bbqs with you, then all sleep later in the morning.
  • take board games and colouring etc for it it rains (a really big tent with a "living room" is best for this reason).
  • go somewhere with attractions nearby eg beaches, museums etc so you have things to do in the day.
chocolatemummy · 21/02/2009 18:53

theycallmepeachy-lol

Well we havent been to Nodes! ? but have ben to Thorness bay on Isle of Wight, we love the Carmarthen Bay site in Wales but its not got a touring field so we hire a static, if you like Park resoprts you must go to that site as its lovely, gorgeous beach and lovely surrounding area

beanieb · 21/02/2009 18:55

Oh they will love it. The only thing I found boring as a kid while camping was being left outside the pub with a bottle of coke and a packet of crisps!

TheyCallMePeachy · 21/02/2009 18:56

Oh willr emember that

Can heartily recommend nodes, right on the most gorgeous beach, but ahev just booked a little site called ty parke in Pembrokeshire, sandy balls (a great love of ours for the big twoweeker) and will be at Christchurch often as quite near.

bigTillyMint · 21/02/2009 18:57

Oh, we've always gone for 2 - 3 weeks (even when the DC were 2 and 3).

It's no more demanding than being at home. Infact less so at times as LO's love sand and water, and there are loads of other LO's to play with.

But we have never had more than a spot or two of rain.

And muffle's right - let them stay up late and sleep in (they get it after a couple of days!)

Ivykaty44 · 21/02/2009 18:58

Luckily there were no small children involved

no small children envolved

ABetaDad · 21/02/2009 19:17

Ivykaty44 - good one .

chocolatemummy · 21/02/2009 19:26

I think carmarthen bay is almost in pembrokeshire and Fprest of Dean is closest to us too! so the stalking thing.........well er...

TheyCallMePeachy · 21/02/2009 19:31

Ah well are you in England or Wales? We're in wales, about 40 minutes away- so fine for a post school dash.

We tend to go for afther's Day, all peaceful and lovely.

chocolatemummy · 21/02/2009 19:33

England.Although we love Wales and are seriously contemplating moving there in a few years. Really want to get to grips with this nrew trailer tent and then we will be nipping off for short breaks too!

Original poster
FrazzledFairyFay · 21/02/2009 19:34

Oh thank you so much everyone, you have really reassured me . We are thinking probably Devon or Cornwall, or possibly Dorset. Any recommendations gratefully received

OP posts:
TheyCallMePeachy · 21/02/2009 19:34

We're from Somerset and moved here LOL- we'rein caerleon, so near dh'swrokplace (Bristol) but still lovely. Only came to study but have settled in now so who knows?

TheyCallMePeachy · 21/02/2009 19:35

What'syour criteria frazzled?

happy to suggest but also try uk campsite- campers bible that is

Original poster
FrazzledFairyFay · 21/02/2009 19:38

I suppose our criteria are:

nice bathrooms
playground/play area on-site for the DCs
Plenty to do in the area
Easy access to beach, or pool

We are thinking of going in the first week of July btw

OP posts:
chocolatemummy · 21/02/2009 19:40

we really like it and property seems to be more reasonable, we like Carmarthenshire and also mid wales, Aberystwyth and Powys areas?

I dont know many sites in Cornwall and Devon I am afraid, if I go there I stay at my mums pcottage in Bude. There are a couple of nnice holiday parks there?

TheyCallMePeachy · 21/02/2009 19:45

Aber is lovely,looked at an MA there but dh pops back to somerset for the carnival scene. Ands till would from Aber .

Pentewan in cornwall worth a look- wood farm in charmouth gorgeous- book soon though as they fuill rapidly (Wood Farm short drive from beach and has pool; pentewan has own beach and a pool but is very holiday campish,prob good for a first timer)

We ahd our first camping trip as a family at wood farm- lovely,both have internet sites and good toliets LOl

Original poster
FrazzledFairyFay · 21/02/2009 19:47

thank you

OP posts:
chocolatemummy · 21/02/2009 19:47

have you been to a Hoburne site? I think that is how you spell it, I havent been but they look quite good on the websites
But I still think if you want lots to do, you can't beat Park Resorts for value for money

duckyfuzz · 21/02/2009 19:49

we enjoy camping, have been taking DTs since they were about 8 months. I would recommend east fleet farm near weymouth, v civilised (pub on site!) best showers ever and bus from site to beach