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

Original poster

just found out i'm a campsite snob. help me avoid further mistakes, please.

72 replies

noonar · 13/04/2009 21:58

just had a long weekend at a site in kent that was wrong in every possible way (the only thing rougher than the pitches was the other campers.)

can anyone recommend some peaceful sites with clean facilities in the south/ south east that are have pitches in a lovely scenic location with no riff- raff

OP posts:
Original poster
noonar · 14/04/2009 17:16

ah, shame. norfolk is just to far for our aging camper.

OP posts:
helsbels4 · 14/04/2009 18:21

Dh doesn't really want to go so far because we have a trailer for our enormous tent and all the gubbins!!!

I'm still working on him

messymissy · 15/04/2009 13:05

Yes it does have different areas, so you never feel crowded by other tents.

can't remember the children's attraction, but the norfolk broads and coast are only a short drive from there so plenty to do.

Yep,it a long drive, but we stopped on the way for lunch and so on, so it didn't feel that we were in the car so long.

There are peacocks and rabbits all over the site - very entertaining for dd!

helsbels4 · 15/04/2009 18:49

I mentioned to my dh that a mum on MN had said that Clippesby Hall was lovely and he rolled his eyes but didn't say a definite no, so I'm still working on him!!!

We have a large tent, so I'm hopint they would be able to fit us in somewhere!

usernametaken · 16/04/2009 12:12

We have a few of the AA and RAC camping guides. We tend to pick the sites which have a field, a shower and a toilet block.
We've tried the BIG flash campsites with laid on entertainment and they just don't work for us. The smaller ones are quieter and I feel much happier about DD just playing by the tent quite happily.

MrsVW · 16/04/2009 21:04

Hi, I love camping in YEW TREE PARK near Canterbury. We have been there many times for a short break. The facilities are clean and modern, and they also have a swimming pool. And it's very quiet at night.

MoreSpamThanGlam · 16/04/2009 21:09

There is a campsite near Whistable called Seaview, its fab and right on the beach.

Nothing wrong with being a camping snob, in fact I wish there was a campsite for people that dont leave litter, swear like fishwives at 1 in the morning, keep a bit of an eye on their kids, dont leave the showers in a vile state etc etc. In fact, just generally have a bit of respect for others...it's not hard is it?

MoreSpamThanGlam · 16/04/2009 21:11

If you go to Cornwall can I suggest Heligan Woods? Its quiet and clean and beautiful with a fab farm shop next door. PLUS you get all the benefits of nearby Pentewan Sands Park with private beach, pool and club house, but none of the noise!!

TsarChasm · 16/04/2009 21:16

Ah noonar I am the same when it comes to camping.

Whitemead in the Forest of Dean fits the bill in terms of being v nice, but isn't in the area you wanted. Good though.

Washersaurus · 16/04/2009 22:28

OOOh we're booked for Clippesby Hall this year , am really looking forward to it. I am definitely a snobby camper . We are also off to the Isle of Wight.

Bracelands in the Forest of Dean is lovely.

IME if the site has a shop selling organic produce you'll be OK

Washersaurus · 16/04/2009 22:30

Sorry that last post was a random collection of thoughts

messymissy · 17/04/2009 09:55

Clippesby hall

Oh - the best bit for me (i know this will sound very sad) was that the launderette had a big sofa and a tumble drier - i left dd with dad and headed off with a book - its also next to the tea room, so armed with a steaming cuppa and my book - it was 1 1/2 hours of heaven!!!!

helsbels4 · 17/04/2009 10:06

I WANT TO GO TO CLIPPESBY HALL!!!!!

We were going to go away for the weekend in a few week time but it looks as if that might have fallen through, so I think I'll try and work on my dh a bit more and go for the sympathy vote and hope he gives in

musttryharder · 18/04/2009 19:37

I would also recommend the cool campsites book, I've used it for both camping trips I've been on this year, both sites were lovely and exactly as described/photographed in the book, I've just been on to their website and they've just published 'cool camping kids' which is a book entirely full of sites that are great for kids, it also has ideas for campsite games and stuff - I might have to get myself a copy..... www.coolcamping.co.uk/

Heated · 18/04/2009 19:43

It'll be an MN rally then - we too are off to Clippesby Hall

oregonianabroad · 18/04/2009 21:08

i also bought the cool camping book. Didn't know they have one for kids... must check that one out.

Agree that it can be tricky to pick a nice site -- I have actually made dh drive to a site in the pre-departure phase just to check if it's decent!!

stellsie · 18/04/2009 22:41

helsbels4, we went to clippesby for 3 nights at Easter, it was brilliant, my favourite campsite so far (been to 4). But, when i got home I phoned up to book a week in the Summer (school) holidays, and they are FULLY BOOKED the whole of the 6 weeks!

So I am gutted, I (and my husband and dcs) dont want to go anywhere else.

I hope you get a late deal or something similar at Clippesby, the woman I spoke to said they put any cancellations on their website.

helsbels4 · 19/04/2009 12:05

Oh no, they can't be booked up for the whole six weeks surely I really wanted to go and dh has just said that I was so slowly convincing him too!

Am trying to see if we could go in term-time but tbh I don't really agree with doing that. Do you think ds' headmaster would mind me putting on the holiday form that he must be released from school because it's a really lovely campsite?

I could make it educational - honest!

sarah293 · 19/04/2009 12:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

helsbels4 · 19/04/2009 14:55

Thanks for that Riven. I live about an hour or so's drive away from Chichester so that's quite do-able, I'll look into it!

We have a fairly noisy neighbour, so we also crave peace and quiet on the rare occasions we can get away and listening to other people's music and shouting drives me wild!!!

milkysallgone · 20/04/2009 22:18

What's this? Clippesby hall fully booked???? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

I just found this site on UK campsites today and was so excited about going in August bless me .

Oh feck! Are you sure?

higgle · 21/04/2009 15:09

Join the camping and caravan club - the club sites are lovely, clean , in nice places and the managers ensure there is no noisy rabble.
The toilets and showers are always immaculate, also special offers for family groups etc. We go to Minehead and Rhandirmwyn most years, and had a wonderful week at Scarborough 2 years ago. They also have lists of tiny "certified" sites that are often on farms, but you usually need your own "facilities" for these.

helsbels4 · 21/04/2009 15:54

Do the camping and caravan club not like large tents though (or have I dreamt that )?

Our tent is large and so I've never bothered to look into becoming a member.

scotagm · 26/04/2009 22:20

Went to Clippesby last year - brilliant. Going again this year - but book a year in advance for the summer holidays.

Place in the woods nearby is called Bewilderwood. Didn't go last year as DS too young but can't wait to go this year.

Is a very fab place. Usually a total nightmare last minute/never book type of person so very pleased we got our Clippesby act together.

bosch · 26/04/2009 22:30

You mention New Forest as possible destination - dh would recommend Roundhill campsite - toilets and showers only by way of facilities but lots of space - is old airfield. Have only been once myself. Lovely setting, quiet and safe. Between Brockenhurst and Beaulieu. Might be Forestry Commission run.

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