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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.

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Original poster

Week long camping vs weekend - please tell me it's more relaxing...

22 replies

MisSalLaneous · 27/06/2010 13:56

Firstly, I do love weekend camping, but with a toddler (not even sure if that makes any difference!), it's usually more in the "adventure" than "relaxing" category.

We've got a week's camping coming up: Lovely small campsite, basic, nearish home. Everything I like. But the closer we get, the more I start to worry - will we rest at all???

We really need to rest on this break, as we're exhausted as it is and the months after that would be very busy.

I've been looking at cottages as an alternative, but nothing quite grabs me. As I've never camped for longer than a weekend, does longer camps make it more relaxing?

We have easy tents - half an hour max for set-up, so I can't really save hassle there.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

OP posts:

3rdnparty · 27/06/2010 17:10

week long is def better mainly for us as sleeping seems to work out better for all of us as ds gets more knackered however not sure holidays with toddler are ever a rest...

our best when ds toddler was a cottage as at least could take it in turns for extra sleep and walls meant less travelling sound

also switching completely to child timescales for eating/resting etc and eating lots of takeaways/salad or really easy stuff helped us...

Original poster

MisSalLaneous · 27/06/2010 17:39

Uh, thanks 3rdparty. I think.

Well, it is at least a relief to hear longer might be easier, but I'll keep an eye out for the magic cottage then.

My problem with finding a cottage is that I want the camping feeling (within 2 hours of SE London, close to nature, basic but clean, some privacy - we're always staying in tiny sites), but with heating... Hmm, obvious why I still haven't found the ideal place, isn't it?!

We HAVE to go away though, otherwise we always end up doing house jobs.

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Lucycat · 27/06/2010 17:50

I hate to say this but have you thought about >> a static caravan? A lot of the campsites that we've used just have a couple of them - I'm not talking Haven here but a campsite with a static - that way you still get the campsite but with walls...and heating... and an oven for pizza!

Then next year when your little one is a bit bigger head back under canvas (or nylon)

Original poster

MisSalLaneous · 27/06/2010 17:58

Lucycat, I can't. I know it makes no sense, but I just can't bring myself so far.

I doubt dh would fall for it anyway, as I once made him sleep in booked a weekend in the red bus at Blackberry Wood, going for some of your points. Ds didn't sleep at all (although I suspect that was because of the excitement of being IN the bus...), so I had to promise not to do that again!

OP posts:

Original poster

MisSalLaneous · 27/06/2010 18:03

Really appreciate the advice though - it does make sense. I think my other issue with statics are that you are so close to other people. All the campsites we've been to have been very small, so you had the option to hide away a bit.

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LadyBiscuit · 27/06/2010 18:04

Heating? In the summer?

2 hours from SE London is difficult because it's so overpopulated in the SE and you can't get out of it really in 2 hours. Can't you stretch to 3 for a week's holiday? You're much more likely to find somewhere more remote then. Or have you looked at Cambridgeshire?

Original poster

MisSalLaneous · 27/06/2010 18:10

Yes, yes, I know, but I'm not trusting this weather at all anymore. We went camping last weekend, and had to use our hot water bottles... (Blackberry Wood, so normally nice this time of the year!)

LadyBiscuit, you're right though, it's less of an issue for a longer break. So would you recommend Cambridgeshire then? I'll do a quick search - haven't thought of looking there.

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Lucycat · 27/06/2010 18:13

I understand completely.. I was thinking more of this type of set up rather than this

I just don't do cattages I'm afraid - I have a severe 2nd home phobia for a million reasons.

Original poster

MisSalLaneous · 27/06/2010 18:20

Hahaha, yes, your second link is the stuff of my nightmares! LOVE the first one though! If it just wasn't so far, I'd try that. Will rethink my mobile home ban.

I'm freaky about where I stay - more than happy to rough it in my own tent and not shower for 2 days if needs be (thinking remote field, not me being randomly filthy at home...), yet I can't stay in a suspect hotel. I imagine an army of bed bugs attacking me etc etc...

Not that we can go there (way too far and expensive anyway), but purely for holiday porn purposes, have a look here. Drool.

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BaronConker · 27/06/2010 18:21

We just camped for a week in France with three DSs, aged 7, 4 and 2. It wasn't restful, as such, but we all got enough sleep if, and only if, we all went to bed at the same time, ie about 9pm-9.30pm. Then all slept in till past 8am. It worked out because you can't do much in a tent after your kids are asleep anyway, and there's no possibility of anyone getting a lie-in in a tent either. Means that if you want to do the sitting drinking wine and eating olives thing that I like on holiday, you have to do it at about 5pm, which makes you look like a bit of a lush. But it's worth it to ensure you're not sleep deprived and haggard by the end of what was supposed to be a holiday!

Original poster

MisSalLaneous · 27/06/2010 19:21

BaronConker, if I'm honest, that's probably why weekend camps are lovely but tiring - it's such a nice excuse to just chat around the fire for hours, that we never go to sleep until very late. Ds asleep around 9-ish, which is obv later than home, but still leaves us with plenty of quiet time.

If we do camp though, I'll try and sleep earlier.

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SeaShellsOnTheSeaShore · 27/06/2010 19:55

We've just survived 4 nights with a 20mth old he was down at 7 as normal, which REALLY surprised me, but was up 5-5.30am. The neighbours were too with their kids so it didn't feel too bad.
I attach black out blinds like a mosquito net which helps a bit, and seems to keep the warmth in at night.
Definately more relaxing to go for a bit longer hope you have fun!

Original poster

MisSalLaneous · 27/06/2010 20:08

Thanks SeaShellsOTSS. Please tell me more about this black out blinds of yours. I'm thinking of taking our bell tent (vs the other option, our Vango Orchy 500), but an obvious downside is that you notice the light earlier. Fantastic in the day, of course, but I'm all for ideas on how to have a longer lie-in!

Actually, I can't really complain - ds slept in until 8 (shock horror, he never does that, not even at home) one morning last weekend. The next night was not great though, or else I'd have moved into a tent on a permanent basis!)

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SeaShellsOnTheSeaShore · 27/06/2010 20:46

You can get blackout lining cut to order from fabric shops etc, I got mine from bargain shop with a fabric section. Just got a huge sheet, and use a carabiner to fix it to a loop in the fly sheet, then drape it over his travel cot. It's not perfect, but it helps and definately wasn't chilly on his cot in the morning.

I also put him in his normal 2.5tog sleeping bag as it was hot in the evening then cover him with a duvet when we went to bed.

I was self conscious the first morning but next door (childless) only heard him at 7am, which isn't bad (I was all apologetic and asked )
Live saver was to upload his favourite cartoonsonto iPod touch to watch in the morning-kept him quiet!!
L

Original poster

MisSalLaneous · 27/06/2010 21:01

Thank you so much for that, I'll make something similar.

Until now, I've never used a travel cot, as he sleeps ok on his self-inflating mat (Wee Airic). I think travel cot with blackout combination might be better for a long period though, and he always sleep in a travel cot in hotels, so I know it would work fine.

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SeaShellsOnTheSeaShore · 27/06/2010 21:25

I hope the weather holds for you! It would have been to hot for us this weekend, but last week was perfect

Original poster

MisSalLaneous · 27/06/2010 21:27

Thanks!

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DownyEmerald · 27/06/2010 21:30

Just read Lucycat's suggestion of a static. As keen campers in need of a total relax at Easter we tried a static for the first time. It was good in many ways, but totally not like camping. Possibly because it was cold, so no hanging around outdoors. But we really missed that camping vibe.

Original poster

MisSalLaneous · 27/06/2010 21:52

Yes, I think that's why I like Lucycat's link (the first one, that is!) - it's almost like a cottage anyway - relatively private, but perfect location. So yes, I wouldn't see it as camping as such, but it would at least give you access to the area without being on a road.

I fully appreciate that you won't find many like those though - the ones I've seen before is not really my thing.

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Lucycat · 27/06/2010 22:15

A static is a real stop gap until little ones grow a bit iyswim. There is no point having a holiday if it is more stressful than being at home.

Just a thought.

specialmagiclady · 28/06/2010 22:17

Last year I had 5 nights under canvas with DSs - aged 2 and 4 AND 7 nights in a nice but not amazing cottage. Camping was much more relaxing. Partly because the weather was better when we were camping, we were really glad to be in stone building for our longer holiday.

I would say that when you're in self-catering accommodation it can be stressful as you're always saying "don't touch that" and "hands off this" and because it's exactly like being at home - beds need making, washing machine needs emptying, table needs wiping etc etc.

Also, while it's nice for you to seek seclusion, actually wouldn't it be lovely if there were other kids around for your little one to play with, and a playpark on site? When DS2 was 18months old we went to a chalet park with a pool and a playpark. It was not our most glamorous holiday but it was EXCELLENT. The chalet was pretty grotty so we didn't care if the kids trashed the joint and everything was on hand.

I always think I want total seclusion and removal from civilisation but actually with small kids it's great to have stuff on hand to DO without having to make a big deal out of it.

Original poster

MisSalLaneous · 28/06/2010 23:10

It's great to hear your experience with both options and children that age, specialmagiclady. I think I am probably over romantisising (sp??) the whole cottage idea, with reality being different anyway.

Re camping - I hear what you're saying about children's activities and interaction, but because I normally make quite an effort for him to play with his friends often (beach trips with friends the same age, garden "play dates", meeting in the park etc), and perhaps crucially as I know he won't be so impressed with us for very much longer, it is rather nice that we can still do something boring, with him playing with his little cars or paging through books etc. when we're not walking / biking / running / complete as appropriate. I saw a fab / horrid (pre-ds it would have gone through as horrid in my eyes) campsite in Holland the other day, and I can see myself trying it out in a year or so. For now, and probably the last time in a very long while, it would be nice not to have to endure experience soft play when on holiday though.

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