I would have to agree with Rex on recommending tunnel tents over pod tents. I have seen a couple sites that wont even consider taking pod tents and quite a few that have higher prices for larger tents and some will charge a double pitch.
Some of you say that you haven't had any problems, but that is yet and as someone said this has been a bad year weather wise and most camps were accepting anything.
Just a few years back these campgrounds were full of normal size tents, now we have house size tents which means that camp owners have to take in less campers to acommodate them. If you've seen the new 2008 line coming out, there are even bigger tents coming out. Something's got to give and the campsite land isn't going to grow so they are going to have to make up for tarrifs lost because of having to acommodate larger tents.
I had a bit of a wake up call when a young lady on this site did the math for me showing what my footprint was compared to my acutal tent. I had the Nebraska XXL, huge footprint needed to pitch it, but not as much tent. I now have the Vermont L which is under 5m. With the XXL, I was prepared to just stay away from camps that wanted to charge extra or a double pitch fee, but then I would have to settle and maybe miss out on a great site. Seems like most farms accept big tents, but there's a lot to see out there and I wouldn't want to miss it because my tent was too big.
I feel it's ok to recommend a pod tent if you also share the cons as well. I was a newbie here and both the pros and cons were needed in deciding on a tent.
Mamabear that is of course pure speculation. When someone on here asks an opinion about a large tent I speak from my own personal experience which is that I have not had a problem HOWEVER I always give the footprint of my tent at the time of booking.
I have never had a problem booking, never not got onto my first choice campsite and never paid a higher rate.
I think that some campsites are becoming greedy and trying to jump in on the popularity of camping. For example there has been talk on these forums about campsites wanting to charge extra for kitchen tents and trailers for goodness sake, how an earth can they justify this when you are still on your pitch space.
Furthermore you have no idea where people are going to do the majority of their camping as in general I have found piches in France to be far bigger, for example my pitch in the Dordogne this year was 22 metres x 13 metres and the rate for this was exactly the same as the rate for every other pitch on that site.
My dome tent in my opinion offered the best use of space of any tent that we looked at and we looked at a lot before buying.
I love our Monty and would recommend it to anyone but I think it would be sad if we all end up with basically the same tent in order to meet arbitrary pitch size constraints, when different campers have such different needs and preferences.
We went to Trethem Mill last year and saw all kinds and sizes of tents and caravans etc, some really huge, some with pup tents, day tents etc, they all seemed to fit onto their pitches okay. I know the owners were planning to make changes to convert more grass pitches into all weather ones, I hope its not to actually discourage tents in favour of caravans/motor homes ?
Alison
hi we've recently got back from a great camsite in derbyshire called golden valley there is no problem about the size of your tents there were all makes and sizes and the site well its got the best washroom facillitys ive seen new and very modern they have a cafe bar a bar a jaccuzi, games room, gym 3 large kiddies adventure playgroundsand a fishing pool and for only £15 per night well worth a visit.
Quote: Originally posted by Dripping_Wet on 06/9/2007
Mamabear that is of course pure speculation.
I speak from experience as well and we just started camping in the UK in July. We narrowed our search down to 5 sites in Wales and 2 of them wanted to charge us a double pitch fee. One was Fishgaurd Bay and can't remember the other so that's nearly half. We're going to Bracelands in Forest of Dean run by Forest Holidays and they will charge more if your tent is over 6 berths. Forest Holidays has camps all over the UK. I see more charges for larger tents than not. Don't get me wrong, I loved my Nebraska XXL, but in terms of ease of camping, in my experience, I would have been charged more.
I think that some campsites are becoming greedy and trying to jump in on the popularity of camping. For example there has been talk on these forums about campsites wanting to charge extra for kitchen tents and trailers for goodness sake, how an earth can they justify this when you are still on your pitch space.
I couldn't agree more with you on that one. You get charged extra for everything. I truly believe that if it fits on the pitch, it should be allowed. As said, camping is getting more and more popular and you have to wonder if more sites will follow suit. In the end, if they do follow suit, choices will be limited on where you camp.
Furthermore you have no idea where people are going to do the majority of their camping as in general I have found piches in France to be far bigger,
You're absolutely right, I have no idea where people are going to camp but I have seen them spread throughout the UK and different types of campsites. I wouldn't assume anything but wouldn't be honest if I didn't share what I am seeing and what I have experienced myself. I'm not going to say buy a larger tent because sites are larger in France. It would be one thing if the author of the topic asked about tents for France, but that's not the case here.
Personally, I don't have a problem with large tents, I love them just as much. However, if someone is looking for advice then I think it's only proper to share both the pros and cons of larger tents.
Please note I only put some of my reply in bold to highlight my response to your comments. I promise I'm not yelling or taking a tone.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: just back from trethem mill
