I don't know about Ireland, but in England campsites have to be licensed.
That would be the first thing I would look into.
If you are providing showers, toilets, Chemical Disposal Points, then you will have to look into sanitation.
If you are providing Electric Hook Ups (16 amp), and water, then you will need to involve the energy and utility companies.
As for the site itself, the majority of campsites in the Camping and Caravan Club and the Caravan Club have a 6 metre rule. Six metres between units.
Hard standings for caravans and motor homes need to be in the region of 11 metres X 9 metres, ideally. A lot of sites skimp on this and visitors feel hemmed in.
With regards to pricing, I personally avoid sites that charge £20+ a night; I feel that is extortionate. About £10-£12 a night would be reasonable, if you offered basic facilities.
It would be a good idea to offer discounts to people who are 50+ during off peak periods, to keep your campsite ticking over.
Those are my initial thoughts. I will get back to you if I think of any more.
Eddie
My advice to you is that it would be really helpful if you spent a season camping around various sites to see what is necessary. You don't need much just a tent.
You could come a real cropper setting this up with no experience of ever using a site, as people have such different needs/wants. If you put everything in you will be bankrupt.
Good luck
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Hi Eddie. I expect now you are completely put off. As ex Managers my OH used to make sure there were 6 large strides between each unit. Should work out at 20ft. (I don't work in metres) When we retired the C&CC pitches were 11x11metres in size if they were marked out. Main thing is that each unit should have space. Nothing is worse than having another unit close enough to hear what they are saying or to have to listen to someone elses music of TV. As to facilities, just look through all the campsites on here and check what they have and also read the reviews to see whether they have got it right or wrong. Good luck to you in your venture. It sounds a beautiful spot. Keep us informed as to what you do.
The one thing we and our friends struggle to find is something other than a field lined up with tourers/motorhomes I would so love to find somewhere that has fishing for hubby, a indoor pool with optional massage etc and a bar with a meal at night.............sadly that seems too much to ask.
To me that sounds like a holiday camp, not a campsite. Have you tried Haven or that type of site?
No thank you we are not into that type of thing and there are plenty of campsites that offer one thing or another you only have to look in Cades etc we are not into big complexs and I was only trying to help the member that posted the question, I know money obv is a big issue but if I had the money to design and open such a place possibly somewhere relaxing in the country I would, and I am sure it would be very popular
------------- 'A motorhome is for life, not just for Summer'
The one thing we and our friends struggle to find is something other than a field lined up with tourers/motorhomes I would so love to find somewhere that has fishing for hubby, a indoor pool with optional massage etc and a bar with a meal at night.............sadly that seems too much to ask.
To me that sounds like a holiday camp, not a campsite. Have you tried Haven or that type of site?
No thank you we are not into that type of thing and there are plenty of campsites that offer one thing or another you only have to look in Cades etc we are not into big complexs and I was only trying to help the member that posted the question, I know money obv is a big issue but if I had the money to design and open such a place possibly somewhere relaxing in the country I would, and I am sure it would be very popular
Oh my goodenss I could not think of anything worse than stopping on a Haven Site LOL Great if you have children and are looking to keep them amused and entertained but when your kiddies have all flown the nest you tend to look for the more sedate sites and as much as I love children I very much like the peace and quiet these days.
I think if someone opened up an Adults Only campsite out in the countryside which housed a small lesiure club onsite, where you could book in for a bit of pampering eg massage, sauna, facials etc plus an indoor heated swimming pool with jacuzzi and sauna a lot of people would really appreciate such a campsite and my guess is that it would be fully booked throughout the whole year. What a lovely get away treat that would be for those of us that appreciate such things and if there was a fishing lake on site like Briarose suggested in her post - then the keen fishermen could sit and fish whilst their wives could really enjoy some genuine pampering and relaxation.
A nice onsite restaurant/bar with good home cooked food would be another added bonus and I think such a campsite would appeal to many of us who want more than just a basic campsite once in a while but who don't want to be stuck on a large, noisy and crowded 'hi de hi' type of place.
I really believe that a campsite like this would prove to be a great success and the revenue gained from such a business venture I feel would prove to be financially far greater than just relying on letting their touring pitches alone.
I think during the winter months, especially when a lot of sites close a campsite such as this would be wonderful to visit and I am sure before long a lot of other campsites would realise the advantages of offering an Adults Only site like this.
Now money and planning permission are probably the biggest reasons why this idea may prove a difficult one to realise but If ever I win the lottery then I think you might see myself and my best friend Briarose forming a partnership and we may just open such a place for all you UK members to enjoy!
Sooh
------------- The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.
Put the tent field close to the shower and toilet block, or put another block in the tent field. You usually find that the pitches nearest the loos are for caravans and motorhomes, and the tent field is quite a distance away. Caravans and motorhomes have their own facilities anyway, but tenters don't, so I'm sure they would appreciate not having to walk a long way to the loo - I know I would!
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
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: Designing a new campsite
Great if you have children and are looking to keep them amused and entertained but when your kiddies have all flown the nest you tend to look for the more sedate sites and as much as I love children I very much like the peace and quiet these days.
