Just thought I would check this one by you all, as I have only been camping for a few years!
Tried to book a week at http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=3243 which looks just the job for me (single mum with 3 kids!) loads to do and see and a great location for all the fossil hunting...Pukka I thought!
However, I was told by the receptionist that I was not allowed to book in the high season a tent that is over 7x4 meteres! eh? durrrr!
The site we originally planned for this year wouldn't take tents the size of our Anglesey but we liked the tent & decided to buy it anyway & find another site. I think sites which have tight size restrictions must lose out as family tents are growing nowadays!
I've just booked the West Bay (direct not through Park Dean) and my Outwell Montana 12 at 7m x 4.05m was accepted without question - they told me the pitches were quite large at 9m x 7m IIRC, but gave me an end pitch which has some extra space to the side.
They were very helpful on the phone so all is not lost.
as far a West Bay, they were having none of it, although if you look at the feeback, it states that people had to move trailers/cars etc to allow thier neighbours to drive out... thankx anyway
I had a phone round this year because I wanted to try somewhere different to our usual haunts. There were quite a few that said they couldn't take tents over 7m. We have had much bigger tents than that in the past and have never experienced problems. There are plenty that will take big tents.
Yeah, I couldn't believe the fact that Newlands wouldn't take a big tent. This seems to be the fashion now, bigger tents. I think sites need to catch up with the times...
Sorry Steve I meant to say Newlands rather than West Bay. When you said you booked directly with them rather than through Parkdean...was it cheaper? and if so could you post me the link? Cheers
I know there is a link on here regarding sites that will take large tents which is very useful BUT you would be advised to ring and check before booking for the peak season as I have discovered some sites will only accept large tents in low and mid-season - and not in peak.
Pain in the butt I know, I've a 9-man Breckenridge Deluxe and having the same problems!
------------- Claire x
Jan 2013 - Skiing, Kühtai, Austria
May - Swiss Farm
Fforest Ffields
Aug - Saumur, France
Oct - Somewhere...
Jan '14 - Skiing, Les Houches
I think it's a bit unfair saying that sites need to catch up with the times. Most sites I imagine have a set amount of space and coupled with a fairly short camping season presumably need to get as much revenue in as they can to enable them to keep their facilities up to scratch etc. etc.
If they are giving more space to big tents then they aren't going to get as many tents in OR they are going to be squishing people closer together OR charging more. Personally I don't want to pay more because they are getting less income and I don't want to be squished closer to the person next door!!
The problem with the bigger tents isn't the interior size of them it's the configuratin which makes them take up a lot of space on a pitch - my Sunncamp Magnum is an absolute pig to get on a pitch with a car as well because of the Y shape of it and all of the dead space between the pods. In the days when we had big frame tents we had lots of space but the compact rectangular footprint meant that they didn't take up a lot of space.
I agre that the campsites need to adapt but if that is at the expense of getting fewer tents in then we are going to have to expect to pay more to compensate. I don't think charging per person is the answer as there isn't always much correlation between the tent size and the size of the party.
There's something like that at the haven sites over 22 feet i think you can't book online you have to ring them direct before you got your answer.we had a vario 5 and a annex which exceeded 22 feet but they allowed us on but it was at a weekend which wasn't very busy.well theres another site if you have one near you sooty41.
I would agree with piglet except for one thing "in the days when we had big frame tents"
We still have ours! I don't know why they have gone so out of fashion when almost all of the problems that people associate with their tents on UKCS you never had with a frame tent???
Now the tunnels have steel poles the weight isn't that disimilar and you had all the space you wanted - plus the canvas means much nicer in hot weather and the costs are fairly similar but your frame lasts years longer so the cost of ownership is far less.
Always makes me laugh those Satellite style tents where you pack the kids off to get away from them and end up right next door to someone elses kids who you can't tell off!
BTW Sooty41 have you been to newlands yet? the tents are packed so tight already that you will be on top of each other. Given that some pitches have EHU to re-organise the site for people with huge tents would cost thousands - then we'd all have to pay more to cover the cost of the work and fewer pitches.
Seems really unfair to blame the site owners for a not being able to accomodate a few extra large tent owners. Bit like blaming Wimpey cos your new car doesn't fit in the garage!
------------- A wise man learns from his own mistakes - a genius learns from the mistakes of others
Now the tunnels have steel poles the weight isn't that disimilar and you had all the space you wanted - plus the canvas means much nicer in hot weather and the costs are fairly similar but your frame lasts years longer so the cost of ownership is far less.
Winhill, this had occurred to me too. Looking at the published weights of the new 2006 tents they are so much heavier even than last year that the weight advantage of polyester/nylon is getting less and less. Of course canvas is bulkier and needs more care, but it has its advantages too. Well, I hope it has because I've just bought my first ever canvas tent! Just a little one though, a touch over 20 kilos as it has lighter weight poles.
Always makes me laugh those Satellite style tents where you pack the kids off to get away from them and end up right next door to someone elses kids who you can't tell off!
Yes, some of them really sprawl. MT
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
Last year it was a toss up between the Montana 12 or 6. This is another good reason on exactly why I went for 6. I rang a number of sites I was interested in and many said they would not take the 12, but 6 was fine in all cases.
I think this is a definite watch out for anyone looking to buy a large tent!
I would agree with piglet except for one thing "in the days when we had big frame tents"
Good point! My former parent's in law that I used to borrow one from still have theirs! I'd love a frame tent - it's the aftercare with wet canvas that scares me - I used to be able to take it back and F-i-L would sort it out!
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: Cant book a site...me tents too big!
