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Hi all, I have been reading the posts on this forum for quite a few months now. I've never been camping before but I am interested due to the cost being much lower than taking a family of six on a package deal.

I bought a tent two years ago quite impulsively as argos had some bargains at the time, it's a pro action tundra 9 person tent. Should be more than adequate for my lot. I've been picking up bits of camping gear here and there, boot sales, ebay and even the pound shops are great for bargains for 1st timers.

Now all I have to do is convince the family that it'll be a good idea, usual reservations, having to walk to toilet/shower blocks, insects, weather (which isn't looking very promising) etc. My three boys are fine, they don't care as long as they get a holiday, Daughter, who's 14 is more concerned about where she can plug in her hairdryer/straighteners/phone charger. (I haven't got EHU lead).

I am still trying to decide where to go for our 1st trip. I live about 10 miles north of birmingham and don't want to be travelling for 5-6 hours for our 1st experience. I am looking for a place with facilities for adults and children though as we usually go to the Haven type sites and they will be lost in the middle of a field with just the cows for company!! Entertainment, a bar, a beach and nearby towns are a must, no remote locations.

I have looked at a few places like http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=2589 which look very good for us but this one is a little pricey for our first camping venture and I don't want to spend a fortune if the rest of the family are going to hate it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, the sites don't have to have as many facilities as this one but it has to be fun for the kids.

Sorry for the long 1st post and hope to talk to many of you on these boards in the future.

Stu

Hi Stu and welcome to UKCS. I'm sure some of the Haven sites have camping facilities aswell. There is a campsite search function at the top of the page which you could plug your requirements into. Maybe choose areas of the UK that your family are already used to and then it won''t be such a shock to them!

I'm sure you will all be hooked after you're first trip.

North Wales, Norfolk (Great Yarmouth) & Lincolnshire would all be about 3 hours drive for you and offer some great campsites.

You could also try posting on the UK Campsite Message board and you'll get loads of adice there.

Good luck and hope you enjoy your first camping trip!

Welcome sturose to the world of tents. and to UKCS .As you have been reading all the tips that seasoned campers have put on this site , you will realise there is a lot to digest, as you have to have the right gear and know how to use it. Each tenter has his own ideas ,and you are no exception. What is right for you and what is right for someone else may vary. With no EHU for eg you have a choice of lighting, cooking and heating. this is up to what you think is easiest or cheapest .With 3 boys a wife and a daughter . it's not going to be easy to please all of them at the first camp. And where you go should be a family choice from a number of sites you should already have a list of  .And if you have any questions to ask before you go , ask them in UKCS, you'll find a great bunch in here who will answer all your queries. You have a good choice of coastline either east or west being not far off the centre of the country as i  have in Nottingham ,Make your mind up and go for it .Then come back and tell us how you went on.

Hi and welcome to UKCS!

Your family unit sounds much like ours - though we are only 5. We have young teens too and I really would recommend you invest in EHU - ours would be lost without it. It means they can takes their Nintendo DS's etc and have somewhere to charge phones, plug in hair straighteners etc. The initial lay-out for such things can end up setting you back a bit - but if you compare it to what you'd spend on a one-off holiday to the Costa's it's nothing.

How about you try this site near Aberystwyth in Wales. A nice straight run....Birmingham -> Telford -> Shrewsbury -> Welshpool -> Newtown -> Llangurig -> Aberystwyth. Not too taxing for you. One tip though, ask to have a pitch down with the touring caravans - the loo's are excellent there - but the loos up on the main tent field are Portakabins and not very nice - otherwise the site has everything - right on the beach, bar, club with nightly entertainment, pool tables, mini-bowling alley, indoor heated swimming pool etc. Only a few miles from the town of Aberystwyth.

Most of us are a friendly bunch here.... In case you haven't already found out, there is a fab little  tab to search by area. There is also  function within the message board forum - it's always a good idea to look there first before you post any questions - as you can almost guarantee some other newbie has asked it before, especially relating to all things to do with EHU.

Anyway, that's my two-penneth worth! I can't help you after tonight as I am off to France tomorrow - YIPPEE!!!!!

See you all on the 13th August!!!!

Welcome to the world of camping - you've picked a good year to start, the weather will probably put the kids off for life.

Thanks for your replies and for welcoming me to the site. I have had a browse through the search facility and will be looking in more detail over the next few weeks.

Hopefully the weather will be much better by the end of August when I am planning to go. I will bear in mind the comments about investing in EHU.

Quote: Originally posted by big b on 25/7/2007

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try Cornwall they have a lot of really nice site there and it wouldn't be too far 4 u, Eve somerset is nice. look on the camp site search and read the reviews

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I went to cornwall on my last holiday two years ago but the travelling was a little too much for a couple of my family, admittedly we did go to almost the greatest distance we could have. (Hayle).

I have been looking at somerset and it looks OK but I need to have a look at some sites, I'll start searching later.

I'll let you know how it all goes.

Stu

Don't forget  Stu you have EAST on your compass lol Skeggy aint bad for the kids