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Subject Topic: Campsite says no groundsheet on grass
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via mobile 27/6/2020 at 11:24am
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Hello,
We have been camping for a few years now and we are really looking forward to campsites opening in July!

We found a campsite that we liked the look of and that had put in lots of safety measures for Covid but when I was about to confirm the booking I noticed that it said 'only breathable groundsheet on grass'.

I emailed the owners to clarify and was indeed told that, since we have a sewn in groundsheet, we would have to use a hardstanding pitch. She even went on to say that doing so would mean having to use extra equipment and rock pegs and that we're probably better off looking elsewhere! I felt so unwelcome! I have never heard of this rule before and can't imagine there would be many people that would want to camp with no groundsheet.

To be honest, I wouldn't normally read through all the small sprint so scrupulously but, luckily, I did this time. Has anyone else heard of this rule? It sounds crazy to me.


27/6/2020 at 11:59am
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I have come across this in the past, and also sites that have a limit of 7 nights with non-breathable groundsheet before the tent has to be moved to another pitch, so as to preserve the grass.

Personally, I would be put off when I arrive at a grass pitch to find there is hardly any grass left! Don't mind if the grass is going yellow as long as there is grass.

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via mobile 27/6/2020 at 12:19pm
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Are these sites that primarily take tourers and vans?

I think the owner is right: it doesn’t suit you.

Ridiculous to advertise sites like this as tent-friendly.


27/6/2020 at 2:02pm
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This is why I tend to avoid sites with marked pitches. Much better if you can choose where to pitch.


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28/6/2020 at 12:01am
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our local campsite allows tents with sewn in ground sheets as long as it is put on to of a breathable ground sheet and yes it does help in prolonging the grass life as the site has been doing it for about 6 years now


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28/6/2020 at 12:45am
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Do they still sell tents without a sewn in groundsheet?

I thought the ruling that some campsites have regarding breathable groundsheets referred to caravan awnings. You can buy breathable caravan awning carpets.

Since most tents these days have a sewn in groundsheet they are obviously not breathable. I have never come across a campsite yet that takes tents but won't allow them on grass pitches but as already stated, some campsites might insist on you changing pitches if you are staying for longer than a week in order to allow the grass to rejuvenate.


28/6/2020 at 10:56am
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I am still to be convinced that a breathable groundsheet would be of any benefit to the grass.
I can sort of see some benefit if used in a caravan awning but putting it on the ground and them completely covering it with a tent, where no daylight or air would get near it seems a waste of time?

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28/6/2020 at 11:01am
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"I am still to be convinced that a breathable groundsheet would be of any benefit to the grass."

We use eco mat ground sheets and the grass grows through the gaps.


via mobile 28/6/2020 at 5:00pm
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With a sewn in tent groundsheet on top? And beds and sleeping mats and heavy gear on top and no light or air?


via mobile 28/6/2020 at 5:04pm
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Might seem a daft rule but it's their business and they set the rules so the advice to choose somewhere else sounds correct. I would try another site that's a better fit to your style of camping equipment. I have noticed though that more and more sites which offer grass camping are imposing this rule.


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29/6/2020 at 7:59am
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Quote: Originally posted by DeborahTurner on 27/6/2020
Are these sites that primarily take tourers and vans?

I think the owner is right: it doesn’t suit you.

Ridiculous to advertise sites like this as tent-friendly.



Take your business elsewhere, DT and the respondents above are right.
There's no way if I was camping on a site, I'd pitch up on a car park........

And yes Bob 61 (I'm sure you were tongue in cheek!) a lot of tents are sold without g/sheets, from Dutch pyramids to technical tents



Post last edited on 29/06/2020 08:04:26

Post last edited on 29/06/2020 08:05:24


29/6/2020 at 9:51am
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Quote: Originally posted by Caligula on 29/6/2020
Quote: Originally posted by DeborahTurner on 27/6/2020
Are these sites that primarily take tourers and vans?

I think the owner is right: it doesn’t suit you.

Ridiculous to advertise sites like this as tent-friendly.



Take your business elsewhere, DT and the respondents above are right.
There's no way if I was camping on a site, I'd pitch up on a car park........

And yes Bob 61 (I'm sure you were tongue in cheek!) a lot of tents are sold without g/sheets, from Dutch pyramids to technical tents




Actually I was serious. I thought all modern tents had sewn in groundsheets and even tents with loose groundsheets in the living area/porch have a sewn in groundsheet on the bedroom pod.

I wouldn't know about those expensive posh dutch tents and technical tents though...sound a bit draughty to me



29/6/2020 at 3:22pm
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My apologies !


29/6/2020 at 7:58pm
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Quote: Originally posted by VangoMan02 on 28/6/2020
I am still to be convinced that a breathable groundsheet would be of any benefit to the grass.
I can sort of see some benefit if used in a caravan awning but putting it on the ground and them completely covering it with a tent, where no daylight or air would get near it seems a waste of time?



I was speaking from experience with the above mentioned campsite it definately helps the grass to recover to the extent the site offers breathable sheets to campers that dont have them (for a returnable deposit or we would end up with non) of course not all breathables are born equal we think the reason they help is they stop the grass sweating and then rotting so quickly



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