Mr Fran has just added a couple more suggestions to addto your bursting ideas book.
A cubicle with a bath, as it's much easier for those with small kids and for soaking away the aches after an over-strenuous walk; and an adults only field or area.
There's a pub site at Ford in Sussex that has a "quiet field" - no children, groups or EHU - and it's blissful.
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We have just returned from inside park at blandford forum and it is an extremely good example of a well run campsite.
We were in the dog free area, dogs can spook our small kids.
There were quiet areas on the site and more social areas.The toilets and showers were very clean and in abundance.They had a small wifi hotspot where there were also sockets you could charge a phone etc all within the games room.
What struck me about this site was the fact they offered secure caravan storage onsite.We worked out they had about 500 caravans stored there at i think £5 per week bringing in a nice passive income throughout the year.They also charged for the caravans to be towed to your pitch before you arrived for your stay if you wanted.This seemed a very popular idea so worth considering for a boost to your out of season income.
We dont do EHU so cant comment on that but it seems a lot of people need it.From a parents point of view we liked the fact the site was well away from main roads so our kids could wander safely.
The well maintained kids play area was a hit with our kids and gave them somewhere to hangout and make new friends.Its nice being able to let a 4 year old go off to make friends safely with his older sis.
For us its the little touches decent sites put in like the free maps of local paths and walks,discounts or freebies at local butchers or bakers.They dont cost a lot but make your stay that little bit more enjoyable.
Congratulations on making the decision You will not regret it. its the best thing we ever did!
One of the major problems you will face is planning. We have a site on the Lleyn in North Wales.[www.the-willows-abersoch.co.uk] ..and planning is our largest contention. You cant just build this there, and put caravans here and tents there...planning is very very tight and refusal high.[ we have just put a shed up to store our mowers and are having massive problems with planning ] So our largest advice would be do your homework with the council regarding prospective planning prior to purchasing anywhere.
We bought our site in 2005. In short it was just a field with two old toilets ,run down and in need of huge TLC. It has taken us 8 years to get our site to where it is today, and still there are things to improve and develop.
Some further advice would be:
Develop the Park as YOU would like it ie imagine your the customer ]Remember you will never please everyone.
Have a target market, it will be part influenced by location
Location, location, Location is vital.[ beautiful views, nearby beaches or attractions etc ]
Yes working hours are long, it is not by any means a stroll in the park . You will be working 24 /7 for 8 months and in closed season when its cold,dark short days it is the only time to undertake developments.
Calculate expenditure /running costs. These are much larger than we anticipated. There are many hidden costs , its not just toilet paper, water and an electric bill. There are site council rates, normal rates, you will need a website, site insurance, advertising, waste,signs,annual electric testing, fire points, fire testing etc etc etc the list is endless.
Check PLANNING success rates of sites near or in the area
There are of course many many other things to consider before purchase or setting up [too many to discuss here ]
If we can be of any help or assistance please do not hesitate to contact us. Best wishes and enjoy.
Have a look at www.caravanparkproducts.co.uk [our website for camping and touring park owners ]
Large spacious pitches
peaceful surroundings
Clean facilities - but basic is fine
Undercover washing up area
Noise curfew - which people stick to
Dogs allowed and free
Other than that not too bothered. If pitches are large there is room for kids to play, so no playgrounds necessary.
Good luck with the site, keep us posted on progress and dont forget to let us know when we can book in!!
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I agree with a lot of the views above but mostly I want to wish you good luck in this exciting time
A family friendly site with ehu and spacious pitches
A well stocked shop do you don't have to leave the site if u don't want
I have heard of one site that has a lending library.
Basically a room that people can donate books and board games that they have finished with for people to borrow.
Hi,
My dream campsite would have private family bathrooms that could be rented out for the duration of our stay. Being able to relax in my own bathroom in the evening without worrying about somebody else waiting would be heaven.
( I know probably not practical, but i can dream )
Another bonus would be a takeaway meal of the day you could buy if you couldn't be bothered to cook ie: a lasagne, curry, pie and mash ect.
Apart from that. Lovely setting with nice walks, spotless showers regularly cleaned, a friendly welcome and good local info, mobile phone charging (dont mind paying a fee)and fires allowed.
My kids always love a shop with penny sweets and cheap toys.
Good Luck,
Mandy
------------- Camping is like playing with dolls houses for big girls!
Pricing per pitch per night whether its 3 people or 5 people and whether with or without dogs/children.
Level pitches and well defined pitch areas, good drainage, EHU and toilets/water and stunning countryside.
A seperate parking area for cars vans etc so our view isnt spoilt by looking at a ford mondeo estate over the way, yes allow cars etc to park near pitches but for loading and unloading only.
Any lighting is going to detract from the wonderfull night sky (light pollution) so please look into floor level red lights (ask any amature astronomer) if you must have them.
We have a 9 year old and nature provides his playground so dont worry about it too soon, kids always find a way to play.
I hate the "must depart pitch by 11am" rule, I have a site near me and the pleasure in taking your time to decamp rather than the panic of got to get off before 11 made it so much more an enjoyable experience.
Everything else will take care of itself, people will either like it or not. (their funny like that) one persons heaven is anothers hell etc....
but the basics of level site,Price, drainage and ehu availability is what we all look at 1st.
Phil
------------- Phil + Shirl
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separate disabled toilet. My mum comes camping with us and can't manage ordinary toilets from her wheelchair. It's not fair when she has to wait an hour for the family bathroom to empty before she can use the toilet.
When we stayed at flamingo land they had a block of kennels. You could hire one for the week and it made a great difference. It meant if we wanted to go swimming for an hour or go offsite somewhere that dogs weren't allowed we had somewhere safe to leave them. We did have to produce their vaccination certificates and had to keep the kennel clean ourselves but it was a big difference to our holiday
------------- Good cakes aren't cheap. Cheap cakes aren't good
Having noticed how many of the things people want are contradictory, I'm beginning to think good location, level pitches and good showers etc are the only things there's agreement on!
Phil wants pricing per pitch, as someone who never camps with more than 1 other person, I resent paying the same as a family of 5.
I also don't like sites where you can't park your car by your tent. The car can become a useful windbreak if the weather gets up, we often leave stuff in there to save cluttering up the tent and it's often handy to be be able to pop the dogs in there, eg to dry off or when you're pitching/packing up in the rain.
Just goes to show you can't please all of the people all of the time.
You won't be able to be all things to all people. I would advise you to decide what sort of site you want to run then research that type of site to see if they are in demand.
What you provide may also be dictated by where you provide it. For example a site close to a motorway or channel port may atract more overnighters whereas one close to a beach in Devon will attract weekly stays.
One thing you will not be able to change as you progress is where it is. What do you want vs what is/will be in demand. Fuel is not going to get cheaper. In10 years time will folks still be towing caravans long haul to Cornwall. We don't now.
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: Brand new campsite!
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