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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

Campsites with campfires - have you been to one?

27 replies

Doozle · 07/07/2009 20:44

Went camping last week and can't wait to go again.

We went to a lovely place in Kent that allowed campfires and am thinking this is definitely the way forward.

Has anyone been to any sites which allow fires - particularly in the south east, within an hour or two or London?

I'm looking at Manor Court Farm, Upper Morgay Wood or Mellow Farm on Ukcampsite so if anyone has been to any of these, it'd be great to hear from you.

But equally happy to hear of new places too.

Ps. Have done Blackberry Wood and loved it but find it impossible to get in at short notice.

OP posts:
PenguinProject · 07/07/2009 21:22

Wowo.co.uk?

Loved Blackberry Wood too, but it's now booked up for next year!

kalo12 · 07/07/2009 21:26

breck farm in norfolk

Original poster
Doozle · 07/07/2009 21:49

Penguinproject, ah now did look at Wowo ... but was wondering if it might be noisy? Did you like it? Such a shame about Blackberry wood as it is the perfect site.

Thanks kalo12, will check out Breck Farm.

OP posts:
kalo12 · 07/07/2009 22:00

also look on happycampers.co.uk gives list of campsites with real fires

MrsMcCluskey · 07/07/2009 22:04

Peachy went to one near Tenby cant remember what it was called though.

MrsMcCluskey · 07/07/2009 22:04

Peachy went to one near Tenby cant remember what it was called though.

fluffles · 07/07/2009 22:11

www.happycampers.co.uk/ doesn't work

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 07/07/2009 22:54

www.thehappycampers.co.uk does.

OldieButGoldie · 07/07/2009 22:59

Fisherground campsite at Eskdale in the Lake District allows them. Lovely site with adventure area for kids. Not too handy for London though

zebedeee · 07/07/2009 23:41

Hurst View, near Lymington and the New Forest is a great unpretentious site that allows campfires. (And I'm sure would be much less than a couple of hours from London) You are free to park up and pitch in one of the three large fields and have a fire where you like. There are also great car free walks/cycle rides with views across to the isle of wight, to be had directly from the site. And it is not under a flight path or near a main road, so is lovely and peaceful. The big wide skies were great for stargazing.

I have been to Manor Court Farm which is also good. The children loved the wandering ducks and hens. But it is under a flight path which seemed relentless and you do have to be lucky to pitch up near a fire and/or be prepared to share.

Would def. recommend Hurst View over Manor Court.

janinlondon · 08/07/2009 09:14

Eweleaze Farm in Dorset. Only open in August though.

Original poster
Doozle · 08/07/2009 23:42

Thanks again everyone for links and suggestions.

PS. Zebedee, that's interesting about flightpath over Manor Court Farm, didn't realise that.

OP posts:
MagNacarta · 09/07/2009 10:46

Agree with Zebedee about Hurst View, we went recently and at first I wasn't sure as the showers are very old fashioned. However we really enjoyed it and although the 'facilities' are dated, they were clean. Lovely to have a fire and of course it has the obvious advantage that you keep warm at night sitting out - for some daft reason I hadn't thought of that.

Anyway, I'm just about to book to go back, so definately recommend.

twinklylights · 09/07/2009 14:28

At the risk of sounding terribly thick-do you need special equipment to have a campfire e.g a fire basket or something?

Original poster
Doozle · 09/07/2009 22:10

No, it's usually all provided for you when you get there. We just took firelighters.

The last place I went to, each pitch had an old washing machine drum set up on bricks. You then just build your fire in it with kindling and logs which they provide too. Worked very well.

OP posts:
coppola · 09/07/2009 22:12

mellow farm is a good spot, we had fun there.

Original poster
Doozle · 09/07/2009 22:32

Ooh, good to hear Coppola. I noticed they don't allow reviews of Mellow Farm on UKcampsite and I started to think there was something dodgy about it! Anything else you can tell me about it?

OP posts:
coppola · 09/07/2009 22:39

it doesn't have set pitches, you can chop your own fire wood, I think they charge a bit but not much, there are animals, our dc fed the pigs.

the owners parents were looking after it whilst we were there and seemed a bit exasperated - as if they'd been overrun, but were amusing more than difficult.

umm, showers and toilets basic. that's about it!

FlappyTheBat · 09/07/2009 22:44

was going to post about a couple in the north west of scotland, then saw you wanted them to be close to london.

could be slightly further than an hours drive away!

Original poster
Doozle · 11/07/2009 12:17

Thanks Coppola, I may give this place a try as it's our nearest site that allows fires.

OP posts:
louiserogers · 11/07/2009 16:37

we just came back from Wowo, it was lovely, though you have to bring yr rubbish home, which is impossible for us as the car so jammed, so ended up doing rubbish trips - defeats the idea of being eco friendly!!

nikkid21 · 12/07/2009 16:50

Have been to wowo which is great in the week. However it did get busy and noisy on Friday & Saturday night. Large groups of Boden types with those floral cath kidson teepess and no clue about camping.

benicegirls · 12/07/2009 19:52

We only did during the week at Wowo, so we loved it! Know what you re Boden types though in our case it was all Joules!!

kaz33 · 12/07/2009 19:58

Ah well we are off to Wowo for the August bank holiday. My boys are noisy so we will fit in well and I am afraid dressed in mini boden .

nannyL · 12/07/2009 20:22

I have stayed at uppermorgay wood on bank hol weekend.

it was lovely.

you can have fires but you do have to have them in a metal fire pit dustbin like thing (as opposed to campfire directly on the ground)

it is seriously lovely and small (10 pitches) the facilites are just like an en suite shower room, as good as in any home and the super hot power shower was better than mine. (1 for each sex so not great if you are desperate for the loo and someone is in the shower!) £1 for the shower lasted a good 15 mins so can easily take in child and have a good shower each.
also has a shed for washing up (as immaculately clean as the shower room)

It is essentially a small holding and the owners are lovely. The chickens / ducks / geese roam free (and tbh the geese could be a bit scarey as they sometimes would hiss at and chase you if you went too close) they also have donkeys (that eyeore occasionaly durng the night and early morning) and when we were there they had a baby donkey. They sell there eggs cheaply and they are fantastic.. from the chickens who roam free (a few DID ENTER our tents so beware) they own another field as well and you are welcome to walk on it (lovely views)
they have dogs who are frienldy and roam free. they are well behaved but like to lie right with you while you eat but dont actually beg for food, they just lie there.

its a lovely small site just as a small campsite should be!