Recommendations for a campsite that will allow a group of 8-10 16yr olds in within 4ish hours from London by train / coach.

[joyfulohjoy]

Just that really. Dd and her friends want to go camping but it’s proving hard to find somewhere where they don’t need an adult with them. I’m not a camper at all so I’m a bit stuck when trying to help other than using trusty Google.
Any ideas would be gratefully received.

Not sure many sites take this kind of group. There is surf lodge type accommodation in some coastal areas - also youth hostels with group rooms. Or someone has to go with them and have their tent on the other side of the site…..

I don’t think that campsites generally allow this type of group. Some YHA youth hostels have campsites, but I don’t know about the age range permitted.

FWIW I remember not being allowed to go on a similar trip and thought that my parents were deeply unreasonable. Now I tend to agree!

Could you find a site that also has glamping tents or caravans? Then you take a glamping tent and put the teens in regular tents ( across a field from you).

My kids both went on this kind of trip but site owner said she was only ok with it because they were local and she had numbers of parents who all lived about fifteen minutes drive away. One DC also went with group to youth hostel at this age. Maybe you can find somewhere local to you (unless you’re middle of very big city) or stay somewhere nearby.

ps just saw London in the title. So how about youth hostel in swanage eg, or if they really want to camp and you can’t find anywhere to take them with one or two people staying nearby/no-ones got the leave, maybe see what there is in countryside nearest to your part of London

Likely to struggle here.
Youth hostels will take 16 year olds as long as they are in private rooms. They have to all be 16 tho.
My DS2 didnt turn 16 until late Aug after GCSEs so couldnt go with his mates until after then..

It's a shame this isn't easier considering how lovely it is to get teens out camping

You may need to call the campsite and say you will be nearby? In case of trouble noise or emergency?

I think an adult is going to need to go. The glamping suggestion is a good one.

Maybe try Blacklands Farm Outdoor Centre.

They are run by an independent company that bought the site from girlguiding. Their focus is on young people.

They may still need an adult though. Suggest you drop them an email or call. They are used to young people and also offer activities on site for family campers

https://share.google/KgSilNg0LyWcrotzK

I live in the Isle of Wight and we have a lovely campsite here that will take teens if parents ring up and book, give their contact info and are happy to take responsibility for them x

https://share.google/sD7oc7LULjkYmKT2V

Waverley Park Holiday Centre

Can a couple of parents go along also - like “at the same time” but give the kids independence- camp at the other side of the field for example?