Personally I would rather pay a bit more for a less crowded campsite. We've just come back from a weekend away and the site felt very crowded, the pitch we were given for four tents was long and thin, bumpy, with fruit trees either end, which made it very difficult to find a good place to pitch. I ended up having to pitch very close to the tent on the next pitch - the guy ropes were practically crossing - I did try and angle our front away from theirs so it wasn't too obtrusive, but there wasn't any other choice.
I do have a large tent (Outwell Montana with awning) as we are a family of 5, but I agree with tentaddict, I expect to pay more for this, it's my choice to have 3 children and a big tent! Although most sites I have stayed on recently have charged per person, so I am paying more anyway.
Personally the close proximity of the other tents is one reason for me not returning to that particular campsite. When everyone left on the Monday I suddenly realised what a beautiful site it was, but when it was so crammed you just couldn't tell, we could have been camped anywhere.
Earlier in the year we camped on a site where the centre of the field was deliberately left empty to provide a playing area, it was lovely, lots of families were having games of cricket and football, and you felt that the kids could play without having to constantly worry they would kick a football onto someone's tent or car. There was a huge gap (probably about 4 tents worth) between our group of tents and the next. It wasn't that the site was just not booked up, as when I booked he said ours was the last booking he would take for that weekend. I would happily return to that campsite. It was more expensive so I guess you are paying for the extra space.
1 was told at a new forest site that the legal rule is 3m between tents, but they ask for 6. I will need to research other sites carefully as Dh is a bit of a snorer so I really need a site that lets me put some distance between us and others.
This is why I love the more 'wild camping' style sites where you camp where you like and there is acres of space. But they are often surprisingly expensive for the low level of facilities provided - see the CampingUnplugged sites and WoWo for reference on costs.
And will never camp at a festival with everyone overlapping and no clear gangways between tents - shudder!
Camping is about getting away from it all in the heart of nature - for me, at least. But it is good that we don't all want the same kind of sites.
I know this is an old thread but thought I'd add, I think it all depends on county as to licence rules a site we went to in Suffolk insisted on a 6m rule due to their licence rules.
Last weekend we went to a site (us in the green tunnel tent) and these were our only neighbours:
Quote: Originally posted by Tynxuk on 26/8/2015
I know this is an old thread but thought I'd add, I think it all depends on county as to licence rules a site we went to in Suffolk insisted on a 6m rule due to their licence rules.
Last weekend we went to a site (us in the green tunnel tent) and these were our only neighbours:
Now this is my kind of site where I don't have to worry about my flatulence waking the neighbours!
Caravan & Camping Club rules are...
5.3.1 - for your safety, we have a "six metre rule" which means that units (excluding guy ropes) must be 6 metres apart from adjacent units in order to protect against fire;
5.3.2 - the unit (along with any ancillary equipment) must fit within the confines of your pitch whilst maintaining the 6 metre rule. If this cannot be achieved you may need to purchase an additional pitch (if available) or remove the ancillary equipment.
For further C&CC rules see - https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/clubsitepolicies/
To add to my last post this UK government leaflet updated 2015, states "Ensure caravans and tents
are at least six metres apart
and away from parked cars,
to reduce the risk of fire
spreading."
Probably worthy of note that we have an 8 man vis a vis and without the porch it'll easily fit on most sites but we prefer it with the porch so book sites accordingly . When we bought the tent we didn't know sites have such requiremens - wouldn't have changed the tent we bought but we did buy a five man over the weekend to give more versatility - sites and erection time.
We stayed at a lovely and spacious site near St Austell a couple of weeks ago and just before we left someone turned up with a massive tent - airbeam , expensive - brand new, with lots of new kit inside - just made me think that sometimes the camping shops can be so alluring - when we bought our 8 man five years ago we only went in to browse and came out with a boot full !
Not sure how many shops say to people "oh there's xxx of you of course you'll need a 12 man "
Suggestion the existence of large tents actually helps over-all as if you are in a smaller tent on a site that takes bigger tents you could end up with a cricket pitch all of your own.
Oh, what I wouldn't pay, to have you guys come and pitch near us! Just someone to talk to! To raise a cheery hand to of a morning, or a hot tin mug, as dawn beckons.
Is it that you fear your academic inferiority will show up in my company? Do you envisage my obvious wit would literally tear your sides asunder? Embarrassed that my sheer handsomeness would make you all seem a bit... meh?
Why, in the name of God, will nobody ever pitch beside us... or even on the same site, in many instances!
Oh, how I live for the day that somebody... ANYBODY!... would just come and make us feel that tiny bit hemmed in!
Oh wait... I wonder whether this 1979 three gallon bottle of Blue Stratos has anything to do with it? Does aftershave have a use-by date, does anybody know?
Stayed at Ace Adventures campsite in the Findhorn valley for 2 nights last week; beautifully spaced out individually named pitches amongst mature larch trees. Campfires allowed too!
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: Distance between tents
