Just wondering, we are a young family with 2 kids, 1 1/2 and 3 years old. When is the earliest time of year to go camping, keeping it sensible weather for doing things. Does that make sense? lol! Dont want the experience to put the OH off camping forever. But dont want to have to wait till Summer. Any comments?
I've been before a couple of times in April, once with EHU and once without. I don't think I'd go without EHU again that time of year, the days were fine but we all struggled keeping warm during the night.
think it would depend on where you plan camping too. If you are going to a site that has things to do in wet weather e.g a pool or a bar/club house, attached to a family friendly pub etc you may be able to camp earlier as you have somewhere to go in a chilly evening. Or Havens and various holiday parks tend to be quite cheap in March/April outside of the Easter hols (and quiet too) so may be worth the risk even if you dont particulary like those style of camps. If going very basic then end of April onwards can be quite warm some years.
Easter is usually (not always) too cold, May bank holiday might be ok. I usually say the back end of May is the best time to start if you want to book ahead. Long daylight days. My stategy for weekends is to check the weather forcast a few days before then, if it is OK, book about Wednesday. The best sites might be full but I personally think it is better to have a second choice site with good weather than a good site with rain. If you avoid bank holidays you can usually book late.
Fred.
We went at easter once, the days were lovely, sunny and fairly warm but the nights were freezing, frost in the mornings too.
Now we have a canvas tent and ehu, fan heater, so I would go again that time of year but i think it should depend on what kit you have.
You can always find stuff to do in the day, its the keeping warm over night is the hard part, have to take care with little ones but its not impossible if you have good kit and are well prepaired.
As others have said, the weather in April can be lovely in the day but so cold at night. We only did April once as we feel the cold lol. Been away quite a few times first week in May and its mostly been lovely.
------------- Always Kate unless Jay is looking over my shoulder :) x
We have camped on the first May bank holiday twice and it was really cold at night. The second time it went down to -1 and after that we decided that Mid/Late May was the earliest we would start our camping season!
I am itching to get the tent out already but even in August in this country it can get cold at night.
The Haven tip is a good one btw. I am not a fan of Haven but you can get some ridiculously cheap holidays off season (we have paid £11 for a family for 3 nights including all the entertainment). It is generally very quiet in May and early June, unless you get a scorching weekend.
Quote: Originally posted by bigmaz on 10/2/2011
Hmmmm, the Haven option sounds good. As there is indoor things to do. Might do the Lakeland Haven site in May.
Rather you than me! the Lakeland site might put your OH off camping for life. Sardines in a can comes to mind and the most disgusting showers i've ever seen.
I'd say that from the May B/H onwards its a bit easier on the body during the night as the nights are a good bit warmer than the easter months - although its a late Easter this year, so you might be lucky and get some heat. We gave up Easter camping 2 years ago as it was just far too cold - even with EHU.
------------- Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on
Cool campers use Delta Pegs.
The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have
I'm off to Stonehenge Touring Park tomorrow, I can't wait! Not that hardcore really, going to wear loads of layers and taking EHU / fan heater :-) Plus the weather is pretty mild at the moment, wouldn't have done it back in December!
Primrose Valley is a nicer Haven but not sure if they take tents. Would not expect any to be too busy in AprilMay unless it was the school hol. Another reasonable place in the Lakes area is Stanwix Park, a bit smaller than Havens but then a bit less busy and has good toilets/showers etc
easter this year is at the end of April, it will be our first outing and our first go at putting up our new tent, to say i'm excited doesn't even cover it lol , any time of year can have horrible weather, i guess you just have to suck it and see !
Quote: Originally posted by morgz84 on 10/2/2011
I'm off to Stonehenge Touring Park tomorrow, I can't wait! Not that hardcore really, going to wear loads of layers and taking EHU / fan heater :-) Plus the weather is pretty mild at the moment, wouldn't have done it back in December!
True, people really need to check the forecast. Around Warwick (where I am), it's hovering around 8 - 9 C tonight. Perfectly reasonable for camping with a decent tent and sleeping bag.
Quote: Originally posted by bigmaz on 10/2/2011When is the earliest time of year to go camping, keeping it sensible weather for doing things.
Hi Bigmaz, if you search through recent threads in this section of the UKCS Forums, you will find several discussions of this particular topic. For example this thread and this thread too.
Quote: Originally posted by Road_Hog on 11/2/2011...Around Warwick (where I am)...
Ah, not far from me then RoadHog
Quote: Originally posted by Road_Hog on 11/2/2011 ... it's hovering around 8 - 9 C tonight. Perfectly reasonable for camping with a decent tent and sleeping bag.
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: Earliest time of year to go camping
