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Camping

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

Original poster

Camping, do you like it? If so please tell me why! Plus any suggestions about where to go (UK)?

52 replies

WideWebWitch · 27/04/2005 10:45

A friend has suggested we all go camping at some point in the summer holidays with her children (8,7,2), mine (7, 18mos) and my dp. Ds loves the idea, I like the idea of the seaside and buckets and spades and country walks but I'm not so sure about being uncomfortable sleeping, lack of a loo (toilet blocks, the idea mades me shudder!), sleeping in a field etc. So, those who like it, why?

If we do go we'll probably go to Dorset or Devon, not far, just near a beach. Anyone know of any farm type camp sites, i.e. NOT with club rooms, nasty entertainers and all that stuff. If we go I'd like the simple camping experience of my childhood. TIA for any suggestions.

OP posts:
cod · 27/04/2005 21:27

Message withdrawn

otto · 28/04/2005 13:05

www I'm not quite sure what you mean about the showers. There are usually several showers in a block and you always have your own shower cubicle with a lock on the door.

Marina · 28/04/2005 14:56

Yes, but you can hear other people soaping their bits and rummaging about otto. All a bit boarding school-y for me, I know exactly what www means.

Fennel · 28/04/2005 15:09

we always loved camping til we had kids. but the last few summers with two and then three under 5 has ruined it - now I dread it. kids don't sleep cos it's warm/noisy/windy, everyone gets grumpy. am I the only one to have stopped enjoying it since having children?

otto · 28/04/2005 15:24

We haven't taken ds camping yet. He's a rubbish sleeper and is always far worse away from home. We've taken my stepdaughter loads of times and she always sleeps OK, so not been a problem.

I must admit Marina that the idea of other people soaping is a bit yukky, but I don't think you can really hear much because of the running water. I always try and get the shower that's in the corner furthest away from other people.

dropinthe · 28/04/2005 15:27

Have you read the Camping tips thread?

tarantula · 28/04/2005 15:38

Im waiting to see how things go this year. It was ok last year as dd was only about 6mnths but this year shell be mobile and thatll make it much harder work. Hopefully shell sleep ok tho but can see us having to get up very early in the morning with her Hate early mornings. No way Im missing out on my yearly camping trip tho.

otto · 28/04/2005 16:15

Hair in the shower plughole. Now that makes me shudder

Also hate it when people leave sachets behind that contained shampoo. Or plasters or bits of tissue or anything else that should go in the bin. Somebody once left a used tampon on the floor of the showers in Brixton Rec. I steered my stepdaughter away from it and I don't think she noticed.

Dahlia · 28/04/2005 16:23

I love the camaraderie of camping - strolling to the shower in the morning with your towel under your arm, everyone calling out 'morning!' as they sit outside their tent/caravan with a big mug of tea and a bacon buttie, kids just running around having a blast. And the freedom of it is the best thing. We used to have a camper van and they were the best holidays of my life. Have hired one since when we just had dd1 and she thought it was completely epic. Scotland is gorgeous for camping, provided you are somewhere breezy - keeps the midges away.

Original poster
WideWebWitch · 28/04/2005 20:47

Marina, it's exactly that, lol at 'rummaging,' yes! Dahlia, you make it sound like Carry on Camping! Hmm. No, I haven't seen the camping tips thread, where is it?

OP posts:
Original poster
WideWebWitch · 28/04/2005 20:47

Thanks for all of this, it's great!

OP posts:
Marina · 29/04/2005 11:33

What you need is one of these , as approved by cod

darlingbud · 29/04/2005 11:35

I hate camping - can't do tents at all. Can't do shared showers and loo's. can just about manage 4 days in a caravan but it has to be a decent static with heating in each room and hot water and own loo/bath etc.

Give me a hotel anyday. I cook, clean and wash every day at home - don't want to do it on holiday too!

tarantula · 29/04/2005 11:38

PMSL at that tent its fantastic. Hmmmmm dss has been dropping really big hints about wanting his own seperate tent. evil

Marina · 29/04/2005 11:42

Tarantula, do it. Won't it go down well at Thingvellir or whatever you guys call your Viking meets? Look, here comes Gunnar, Flower-Arranger of the Gods!
We missed you at Hall Place but one of ds' classmates went and had the time of his life!

Original poster
WideWebWitch · 29/04/2005 12:02

I love that tent Marina but can't imagine ds would be that enamoured of a flowery tent, I can just imagine his look of disdain! A friend is going to lend us a 3 bed tent and I think we're going to do it just for 3 days and see what we think. Another friend pointed out last night that camping = 5am starts as it gets light, hmmmm.

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tarantula · 29/04/2005 12:34

lol Marina not sure dss would live it down Hes jsut getting to that self consious age. Could I be so cruel???? Hmmmmm probably

Has there been a reenactment at Hall Place thsi year? we didnt go didnt see anything on our website.Maybe our group wasnt invited this year Pity tho cos its a lovely palce to go for a weekend.

Marina · 29/04/2005 13:07

There was, and the little boy in question said there were Vikings. Don't tell me you have competition!

ggglimpopo · 29/04/2005 13:18

Message withdrawn

Hovegirl · 30/04/2005 13:32

top tip for camping wees - just get an ice cream tub or similar with lid. Great for potty use in the night for both adults and children!

Also definitely the blow up matress idea and duvets where possible.

We bought an enormous three room tent last year. It's fab - room for us, room for kids and room for all the clothes etc

anchovies · 30/04/2005 13:40

Sorry to barge in but has anyone got any tent recommendations (where to buy from etc?) Also would it be a nightmare just me, dh and our 18 month old ds? This thread has got me all excited (have blanked out the bit about the tampon!!)

Pagan · 02/05/2005 14:06

Just back from camping on Isle of Mull on the west coast of Scotland. I usually don't mind camping but I'm definitely a fairweather camper. The site was on a farm. the toilet block was a portacabin next to the cow shed, miles from thr tent. Yhe views were spectacular, the bonfire was great, the weather was keck. Had so much stuff in the car, packing it was a military operation. DS ( 3months up half the night so I got little sleep and a stinking cold. DD 20 months loved it and plodded around until 10pm when she collapsed in a wee heap.

I'm trying to persuade DH that a caravan with an awning would be more fun

Pagan · 02/05/2005 14:06

Just back from camping on Isle of Mull on the west coast of Scotland. I usually don't mind camping but I'm definitely a fairweather camper. The site was on a farm. the toilet block was a portacabin next to the cow shed, miles from thr tent. Yhe views were spectacular, the bonfire was great, the weather was keck. Had so much stuff in the car, packing it was a military operation. DS ( 3months up half the night so I got little sleep and a stinking cold. DD 20 months loved it and plodded around until 10pm when she collapsed in a wee heap.

I'm trying to persuade DH that a caravan with an awning would be more fun

Original poster
WideWebWitch · 09/05/2005 12:20

Have just read an article in Eve magazine, and got some ideas for Camping, but not as you know it, here, in a gypsy caravan or in a vintage airstream here , all looks much more the kind of thing I've got in mind but we're still not sure if we'll do it.

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Original poster
WideWebWitch · 09/05/2005 12:22

Or there are Yurts! here!

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