I read posts on here and I am sometimes perplexed at reviews of campsites I thought were alright get slated. So as a straw poll I was just wondering what members think makes a good campsite?Is it the size of the pitch, the reception, the toilet/shower block, etc….
My number one is do campers talk to each other!Or like some of the campsites I’ve stopped in lock them selves in their tent or caravan and watch (Sky) TV- sounds like home!
------------- Up the Wolves
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
I often wild camp, so am not totally familiar with what "site campers" expect. After all, when you dig a hole to do your business in, anything else is luxury.
However, I do use sites too. My idea of a good site is one where people appreciate that their neighbours might be having their only holiday of the year, so are prepared to be a little tolerant. That is not to say that rap music at 3AM is tolerable, but having a glass of wine and chatting 'til around midnight isn't a crime. After all, these same people might be in bed by eleven for 48 weeks a year when they are working, so they deserve a little bit of fun. In other words, I don't support sites that are too regimented. I get 14 weeks a year off work to camp - most people don't.
There has to be at least a loo and a water tap. Anything else is a luxury. Great walks from the site is an absolute must. A pub within walking distance serving real ale is essential and (being a backpacker) a local shop is appreciated as I often have to carry food to wild camps, so when I am paying to camp I expect a little less effort to be involved.
I live in a town of about 50,000 people in a massively populated part of Britain (about two and a half million people within a twenty five mile radius) so have to put up with the sound of traffic as a matter of course. Therefore, a site away from any main road, where I can actually hear the sounds of nature rather than the rumble of traffic is a must.
Good weather, flat pitches, dry ground, good toilets & shower facilities a shop & somewhere to eat on site.
Do campers talk to each other, we started camping this year after a long break, 3 days on site, we didn't talk to anybody, that suits us, we like to keep ourselves to ourselves. We intended to stay a wek but the weather beat us.
As for a good campsite, I asked for recommendtions and tried one that was recommended, only facilities were toilets and showers, a nice site but not for us.
After camping this year with wet ground, sloping pitches, permanently feeling dirty due to mud, I am yet to be convinced and travel lodges with their £19 or £29 rooms if ou book long enough in advance, (yes they are available because I've stayed in them for £19) look very appealing. They are warm, dry and you feel clean.
Being allowed to pitch where you want , not marked out pitches . Clean toilets , though can remember having to dig a hole when i was a child . Would prefer showers , but can survive without them for a weekend .Uuuum thats about it .
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Same as above really, good weather, good pitch sizes (we have a large tent), a nice big park (for the kids if we take them!), EHU, a nice shop (but not essential!), very clean toliet faciltites. For me and my husband a place where we are not going to be bombarded with foul language and drunken louts (So a place without a club house!) and surrounding nature is always nice. We always head to 4-5 star campsites only now after a bad experience at a campsite near Filey. Don't ask for much do we
I was on a site recently that had two shower/toilet blocks. One was in the 'family field' (big tents and carvans) while the other was for the remoter 'tents only'. It may have been only on that weekend but the difference in cleanliness was very marked.
The 'family' block was disgusting where un-supervised children were allowed to play. Toilet paper everywhere including complete rolls stuffed in the loos. The 'tents' block was imaculate at all times and I noticed some of the families coming into the 'tent' field with their children raher than use the one nearest to them. So, it's not always the site warden's fault as it negligent campers leaving their children to run riot can destroy a site's reputation. This could explain differing reviews.
Other than that I would appreciate views, widllife (not brats!) and, if not a free pitch choice, a warden with experience and listens to the needs of his client when allocating pitches. Being able to go none-hookup helps as you get to be able to avoid the 'mass' pitches.
------------- Mavericks don't get to lead the herd - not that they want to!
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
A flat, water drained spacious pitch with EHU. Clean toilets and warm free showers with onsite shop and kids playarea. Location is a priority too, somewhere with plenty to do nearby whilst still retaining that country feel. Oh and good neighbours! Makes the world of diference. And finally, somewhere that's actually cheaper than the aforementioned travel lodges. Campsites that charge more than the local travel lodge are surely taking the p***? Think I'll start a new thread for that one!
------------- If you have a problem stressing you, sort it. If you can't, there's no point worrying about it coz it won't make a blind bit of difference!!!! Jules
Quote: Originally posted by Fidgad on 07/9/2008So, it's not always the site warden's fault as it negligent campers leaving their children to run riot can destroy a site's reputation.
Yes, when I am looking at the reviews, I tend to overlook the "toilets were filthy" comments as I tend to camp during the week and clear off before the weekenders turn up. As a result, I rarely find filthy amenities, as it isn't the site owner who doesn't bother flushing the loo, leaves stubble and washes dirty boots in the wash-hand basins, etc. - it is the users of the amenities who make no effort to clean up after themselves. As I am in a position to camp outside the bank holidays and the July fortnight, I don't have to suffer the mess.
Hi all
Campers normally camp for the love of the country side and nature and it is very hard to find that peace you seek on commercial sites today to be on your own in a site with 100 other campers in high season sounds a little too much to ask,and to also have the very best of facilities to go with it is beginning to sound impossible. Well it is not.If you do not mind very dark nights and the hooting of owls and squeaking of wood mice at night. Then Join the C&C Club and spend some time Here
And this is what our members say about itHere
Rex.
------------- "Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)
Quote: Originally posted by rexgrant on 07/9/2008
Hi all Campers normally camp for the love of the country side and nature .....
Rex, one thing (of many) I have learned from reading this website is that we can't assume that campers "normally" anything! People take holidays in tents and caravans for all sorts of reasons.
One person's perfect camp site is another person's waking nightmare. That is why its important to read the reviews on here with understanding eg if you are going in a caravan in peak time with three children, try to look for a review posted by someone who went there under similar conditions. And then read again to see if the things they thought were good or poor about the site were things that matter to you. MT
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
Quote: Originally posted by rexgrant on 07/9/2008Hi all
Campers normally camp for the love of the country side and nature .....
Rex, one thing (of many) I have learned from reading this website is that we can't assume that campers "normally" anything! People take holidays in tents and caravans for all sorts of reasons.
One person's perfect camp site is another person's waking nightmare. That is why its important to read the reviews on here with understanding eg if you are going in a caravan in peak time with three children, try to look for a review posted by someone who went there under similar conditions. And then read again to see if the things they thought were good or poor about the site were things that matter to you. MT
Hi MT.
Yes Quite true. I suppose it is my short sightedness to think that anyone could want to live under canvas for anything else
Rex.
------------- "Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: What makes a good campsite
This could explain differing reviews. 
