Hi. I do an area search first, then a quick skim of the website to see if it looks roughly right, then a careful check of the reviews eg if I am going in a tent out of main season then I don't read ones from caravanners that went in August! Then if its still looking good I go back and read the website more carefully.
I also take more note of reviews, or mentions in posts, from people who are regular posters on here and who I think might appreciate the same sort of things from a campsite as me.
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
I read as many reviews as possible, even from different sites, then visit their own website and also do a multimap search to see how long it would take me to get there
------------- If you Get the Weather you Cant Beat Camping in Scotland
Allways look up the area, check the beaches on `live search maps` look for sites with good reviews then finally the websites to check facilities, from there check other sites nearby and make up a shortlist, and like others have said, ignore reviews from caravanners as their requirements are different from ours.
I have been known to spend a week on the computer looking for a new campsite in an area we have not been to before and for the most part it has paid off, touch wood !
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
First thing is check what is on site. With two kids that get a tad mucky, showers are essential. I also tend to go for a site with a kids play area - tends to mean that there is a good chance of other kids being on site.
Then it depends - sometimes I will read the reviews first, and others I will visit their website. I look at the tarrifs, as by the time you add everything up, some can be horrendous.
I do read the reviews carefully, as one man's meat...
If it is a family site, I can ignore somebody complaining about the fact that there were kids on site.
Things I look for are what the showers were like - basic is fine, just so long as they aren't minging.
I don't totally ignore reviews from caravanners, because they can provide good import as to things like the childrens play area. Also not all caravanners have their own facilities.
Does anyone else zoom right in on the google maps and check out the size of the site, the terrain , if there's a factory next door, a short cut across the field to the nearest pub , etc.? Have you ever managed to suss out the make of a tent?! Have you ever spotted your OWN tent on a site? Freaky.
I use google maps as we stay on CLs/CSs a lot, like to know what we are in for! I always ask about access when I book as well, had some narrow scrapes with the Swift that we used to have, and our current van is bigger.
Anne
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
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: read reviews first or check website???
