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

[noonar]

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

Hi, we're looking for good campsites in Hampshire / Dorset / Kent / Sussex. Any suggestions and recommendations? We have 2 small boys and a GIANT tent. We like the idea of a few amenities eg. pool, playground etc but snobs that we are, no bingo or would-be children's tv presenters doing the Birdie Song ..... :0 Cheers everyone!!!

Hurley Riverside near Marlow was nice. Right next to the Thames with locks, walk etc, great facilities and well kept. Bit pricey but probably puts off the wrong types

Was the attraction in the woods in Norfolk Bewilderwood? Its fab, was ther the other week.

Agree about joinging the Caravan and Camping club as well. Love their CL sites.

I've been to Clippesby Hall and while it was lovely and clean and terribly organised I found it a bit... much? Maybe I just prefer slightly wilder camping. The pitches were very close together so it just felt a bit cramped and hectic - depends what you want really. Highly recommend Deepdale in Norfolk - very relaxed in a beautiful area.

Xigris - this one in Dorset near lovely Lyme Regis is fab.

The Forestry Commission run some - few facilities, but might be worth a try. I think there is one near Savernake Forest

barba/xigris - i'd only go to hook farm if you have children who don't need space. its a lovely setting, and pitches good but there's no space to kick a ball, just a tiny climbing frame. we had to walk to the village so the kids could play and got kids running around the tent the whole time

We have just been to "Bedgebury camping" and had a great time,the children are allowed to run around in safety and then have lovely campfires in the evening.....also lots of lovely pubs to visit for lunch/supper and numerous Nation Trust properties inc the Famous Sissinghurst Gardens/Castle.Amazing.
Will go back next year.only open for the month of August.
www.bedgeburycamping.co.uk/index.html

We went to Stubcroft Farm and it was definitely not quiet - lots of groups and ipods playing until v late. But it was August bank holiday.

There is a fab one in Kent called Forgewood Camping. Field and forest camping, campfires, clean loos and showers,and a great tea shop that also sells wine and beer

We are off to Wowo this weekend but I think it's going to be really chilly!

It's only open in August but I would recommend Bedgebury in Kent - we had a lovely time there last year.

Just had a 1 nighter at Blacklands Farm near Brighton (Henfield?), it was a very nice site with hardly any facilities (small shop, playground, they do do bike hire though) but they do cram people (luckily quite nice people!) in a bit. We went to Brighton for the day having been careful to pitch with the regulation 6m on either side and when we returned people had pitched on both sides of us so close we couldn't get the car back next to the tent!

Avoid Trevornick in Cornwall like the plague - we made that mistake last year, lovely site, shame about the other campers...

Love your blog hz. Lovecat - Bedgebury is my wish list for this year although we also love forgewood.

Off to Norfolk this weekend and SOOOO excited - first trip of the year. Staying at Breck farm - a little nervous as mixed reviews but at least we can have a campfire.

hz - any recommendations for North Norfolk coast sites?

I've been trying to add Brimpts Farm as a place to stay on the 'reviews page, but it just isn't working. So here's what I tried to write becasue I promised the owners I would:

Had a great time with a whole bunch of friends august 2011. brimpts farm is about 20 mins from ashburton and they offer group camping beside the river dart. It's rustic, proper camping and non-commercial paradise. There's no shower block yet and the loos are a trek up the hill but don't let this put you off if you don't mind an alfresco wee or two. There's no artificial lighting either. 2 campsites in stunning riverside fields. Walks, paddling in the river, marshmallow roasting and no need for hushing / worrying about disturbing other campers. If you love your creature comforts, need mirrors, showers and civilisation, this isn't the place for you. No mobile signal in the valley but if you are desperate you can climb a tor or something. A four year old and 4 teenagers and they loved it. We'll be there again this bank holiday!

Oh - and canvas campers - Ayr Holiday Park St Ives in Cornwall - ask for the overflow field. Wonderful - private viewing of dolphins across the bay in the morning 3 days on the trot. I work in hotels - the loos and showers are as good if not better than many 4 star hotels!

Yet another vote for Clippesby in Norfolk, we went for the Royal Wedding weekend. Tried to get in for the Jubilee LAST JUNE but they were fully booked back then for it - crazy! Have managed to get in (by the skin of our teeth, got the last pitch!) for the first 5 nights of the summer hols, had to book in January for those! Can't wait.

Moral of the story - get your act together for Clippesby, it is so so popular & with good reason. Our joint favourite site, together with Carlyon Bay in St Austell.

Try "Tiny Campsites" one of the cool camping books- sounds exactly the kind of thing you're looking for. We've used a few of the sites in Cool Camping, and they've been wonderful-quiet, and close to primitive but clean loos and decent showers.

Ha Lovecat I was just coming on to say avoid Blacklands Farm

We went once Bank Holiday weekend and it was full to the rafters. Too many tents, no consideration of space between and the loo's are pretty basic.

Washington camping and caravanning park is nice, back from Worthing with views of the Downs. It's better when it's not too busy, but can be lovely. There is a stream running behind which is really nice. It's also within walking distance (across a busy road) of the South Downs Way.

Crowborough camping and caravan club site is great, but not when it's windy. It's very high up and the second time we went it was really windy. Great facilities though and you can walk into crowborough. There is a park next-door too.

Grafham camping and caravan club site is also good but not great for huge tents, pitches aren't a great size as its all wooded. Good base for a visit to Petworth House though which is lovely.

2nd vote for Hook farm in Uplyme.
Had a great weekend there last year.

I just had to suggest Chestnut Meadow in Bexhill. Lovely freindly site, pitches big enough for our big tent plus all the gubbins we take (worried I tend to go glamping instead of camping!). Only about 75 pitches and space to play in centre of site. Lovely restaurant on site, does mean banoffee pie!

Thanks HillBilly, hope it was useful. Don't know much about North Norfolk but i have come across Breck Farm before. Looks good to me, let us know how it went!

People talk well of Deepdale in N Norfolk.