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Original poster

Would you go on a 'Eurotent' holiday...... in the UK?

29 replies

unicorn · 14/06/2005 14:47

We have to decide by tomorrow whether to book a weeks holiday in The New Forest(AUG)

It would mean staying in a Eurotent with dh, dd (age 6) and ds (3).

Given that we have never been camping before, and it is this country...

should we do it?

OP posts:
pinkmama · 14/06/2005 15:04

Unicorn, I would say yes. We often camp, but with our own tent. Last 2 years we have had awful weather tbh, but I dont think our kids noticed! They had a fantastic time. DD (7) and DS (3) love it, and ds was only asking the other day if we could go soon. The only thing that got me down last year in Cornwall was that our living space was restricted if we were all forced inside if it was raining, and it was quite hard to manage, so I fancy a bigger tent now. Having said that, if the Eurotents are the same as the ones I have seen in France, I think you get quite a lot of living space in them, and personally think you will find it fine!

SaintGeorge · 14/06/2005 15:08

If you are camping novices, Eurotent is probably a good way to try it out.

It is pretty much 'luxury' camping as you have stuff like foam beds, fridges, kettles! Not the sort of stuff you would think of investing in the first time you go camping.

As for the age of the kids - my two were 6 & 3 the first time they went camping (and we were roughing it ) and they loved every minute. The only problem we had was persuading them to come home.

crunchie · 14/06/2005 15:10

I would go for it, what campsite? Is it sandyballs by any chance

Original poster
unicorn · 14/06/2005 15:26

It's the Shorefield group..Oakdene Forest park... anyone been?

dh is wimping a bit about the privacy etc...and our kids are very loud...

but I may just book it anyway!

OP posts:
seb1 · 14/06/2005 16:35

Someone was there recently and we are going in the summer

oakdeane

Original poster
unicorn · 14/06/2005 21:39

ooh thanks for that.. will try and find out from hmb if she enjoyed it.

OP posts:
Janh · 14/06/2005 21:42

I definitely wouldn't pay Eurotent prices for a UK holiday, unicorn. (What are they asking for a week in a tent in the new Forest, out of interest?)

Have a trawl round UK sites' own deals.

Original poster
unicorn · 14/06/2005 21:45

oh Janh I don't think it's real Euro prices... it'd cost us 375 pounds for the week..

(almost as cheap as chips!)...

it's just the thought of freezing to death at night that is putting me off... plus the lack of facilities and lack of privacy!!!!!!!!

OP posts:
sallystrawberry · 14/06/2005 21:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

happymerryberries · 14/06/2005 21:49

I've just come back from a trip to Oakdene. It a nice park, not 'quiet'. There is a disco each night for the kids, there are two pools (small but fine) and a nice playground. there is a bar , cafe and returant. It is fine. just to put things in perspective for you we had 4 nights there in the whitsun half term in our tent for £140.

the tends are of a good standard and are about a 5-10 min walk to the main facilities, about 1-2 mins to the wash block, (temoparaty but spotlesly clean).

TBH I'd be tempted to nip over to France, lots of choice, Canvas are good. French realy know how to 'do' campsites and the chance of good weather is better.

Milliways · 14/06/2005 21:50

Agree with Sally. We pay £20-£30 per weekend to take our tent out. But I would pay to have one in Sunny France as it saves room in the car for bringing home the wine

Original poster
unicorn · 14/06/2005 21:59

hmb.. just messaged you on travel thread!!!

abroad won't happen this year.. cost of travel etc...
Having never been camping before I'm not going to buy the whole package unless I know we will do it again.
so,to book or not to book, that is the question?
am I brave enough to brave the British weather, facilities etc?????????????????????????????????????
.

OP posts:
Janh · 14/06/2005 22:01

Actually £375 isn't as bad as I thought it would be, unicorn, but you are risking a lot with the weather...

Original poster
unicorn · 14/06/2005 22:04

ahhhh... but we can always come home!! That is my one saving grace here... we aren't far away!!!

Basically if I don't book something pronto..it'll be nothing.
Well the car is up for MOT soon.... so bang will go the holiday....

OP posts:
misdee · 14/06/2005 22:05

[snigger] at sandyballs.

Original poster
unicorn · 14/06/2005 22:05

It truly exists misdee!!

OP posts:
sallystrawberry · 14/06/2005 22:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

misdee · 14/06/2005 22:07

i know it does, we used to go past it on the way to hoborn in christchurch.

Original poster
unicorn · 14/06/2005 22:09

ss..caravans are twice as expensive.. + money is sadly lacking.

OP posts:
sallystrawberry · 14/06/2005 22:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Milliways · 14/06/2005 22:13

Mathews hols have some good offers on caravans in France in August < £600 per week all in, ferry included etc. We got 2 weeks in August crossing on a Portsmouth Cherbourg Fastcraft for < £900!

happymerryberries · 15/06/2005 13:17

Unicorn, it is a great idea to try it out first to see if you like it. We did then, and have now bought our own tent and kit.

We were on holidays in a very nice Canvas caravan last year on a beautiful site in France. We all had a wonderful holiday, the kids had some freedom, we chilled out. We decided to go back to the same site next year. When I looked into it I realised that if we went in our own tent we would save over a Thousand pounds for the same basic holiday! And the kids love camping.

For about £700 we are having 12 nights on the campsite in the Vendee, the Eurotunnel crossing and a night either end of the camping in a rather plush farmhouse B & B, so that we can break the drive! And that is the price for 4 of us in the peak of the summer holidays. That is hard to beat.

We had our first camping trip with our own kit in Oakdeane at half term and had a great time. two days of beuatiful sun, one of drizzle and one of showers. Don't worry too much about the weather , there is lts to do on site (including a kids club if you want it) and masses to do in the area around.

You'll have a great time.

Original poster
unicorn · 15/06/2005 13:25

After today's weather I am having big doubts about this country and sleeping for a week in a tent!

I don't want it to put us off camping for life... so it may be more sensible to do it another time.... abroad.

OP posts:
Tortington · 15/06/2005 13:32

weststarholidays.co.uk - am sure they are cheaper.

also we just booked 9 days camping in france for under 500 squid - so when camping in france always use venue holidays never use eurocamp they are a rip off.

eurotent have beds with mattresses, fridge, cooker and sometimesa telly - but having a telly is wrong, sometimesa microwave.

every one had kids - kids are kids and everyone will wonder how other people will deal with their kids- remember your kids would have to be a fking nighmare for anyone "british" to complain.

eurotents are fab and cheapo holiday based on a tent not per person which when you have an odd number of people in you family is very important as when flying yu have to pay suppliments for eveything and suddenly everyone is an adult at 12??

remember when going to france use venue holidays - they do not have the great expanse of choice - we went just outside paris. for more choice use leisure directions - but you will pay more - how ever you will not pay as much as themainstream holiday companies - who despite all having different names i think have merged into one big company anyway - rip off bstards.

tobe frank this is the only way we have been ble to have a holiday for the last 9 years.

also in england you can take a pet so no dog sitting charges or arrangments, and there will be no language trouble - unless your going from upnorth to down south or visa versa. if so don't bother going to a chip shop.

hope it all goes well

Tortington · 15/06/2005 13:34

do it - get a holiday - if it rains you wont melt - you just get wet. is there a kids club for your 6yo?