Ok - Getting back into camping after about 20+ years away, and this time taking the family - loads of questions as things have changed quite significantly since the last time I went away! Will post different questions in different threads so please dont get annoyed with the same fella asking LOADS of questions - im not attention seeking, I would just like to know!
I apologise in advance for what most would probably consider a load of really stupid questions, but if you dont ask, you dont know - right!? I also appreciate that most answers would probably depend on the individual campsite, but was wondering if anyone could, shed a little light on some (hopefully all) of the following......
When going away, do you book your pitch in advance or just turn up on spec? Does it really matter?
If you advance book, do you normally pay anything upfront? or just when you turn up? or when you leave?
Do you get to choose your pitch when you arrive or are you normally allocated one and tough luck if you dont like it!
Do Camp sites have an arrival and departure time?
What is the sort of average site costs in the uk at the moment?
Do you pay more for bigger tents - Do you pay more for side canopies and porches, which could almost double your living space? or are you allocated a plot and you can fill it with what you like?
Is there normally much flexability in your booking? Ie if you want to stay an extra couple of nights or leave early etc?
If you pre book, do you lose your cash or deposit if you cancel? or if the weather is so appauling you dont fancy trudging the kids through two feet of mud!
Sorry for the dopey questions, but as I say, if you dont ask, you dont know!
Thanks for your input!
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Every site has it's own rules. Generally we would pre-book especially in high season as many sites will be full.
If we book we expect to pay a deposit and expect to lose it if we do not go.
There is no such thing as an average site cost. It depends if you just want a field or you expect toilets, electric, entertainment, clubhouse etc. Also how many in your party.
We don't use a tent but I know some sites will charge more.
All sites charge differently ie per head or per pitch, they also all offer different things and have different arrival depature times and deposit arrangements.
We personally charge £10 for 2 adults (no diiference for tent/motorhomes or whatever you've got) we don't have set arrival or departure times and only take a deposit for Royal Welsh show week (as its very busy that week) We don't tend to take deposits at other times as we are only a small site so aren't turning people away.
People who are coming for a short while tend to book, some as much as 12 months in advance, we however also get motorhome one nighters as they drive past. Everyone is different
------------- Visit Llandrindod Wells! Great scenery, walks, cycling, red kites. Ideal for exploring Mid Wales.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Ok - Getting back into camping after about 20+ years away, and this time taking the family - loads of questions as things have changed quite significantly since the last time I went away! I apologise in advance for what most would probably consider a load of really stupid questions, but if you dont ask, you dont know - right!?
When going away, do you book your pitch in advance or just turn up on spec? Does it really matter?
When I first started camping with my now-ex 16 years ago we would often just turn up somewhere on spec and never had trouble getting a pitch, in fact many sites didn't even have a booking system, but over the years I've come to realise that this is becoming a less viable option, especially with popular sites in popular areas, so unless you go to a site where you know for certain you can just turn up then it would be better to book in advance
If you advance book, do you normally pay anything upfront? or just when you turn up? or when you leave?
Many sites ask for a deposit when you book, depending on the type of site could be as little as five or ten quid or as much as £25 or more, and you will pay the rest on arrival.
Do you get to choose your pitch when you arrive or are you normally allocated one and tough luck if you dont like it!
I think most sites these days will allocate you a pitch, though the CC let you choose your own. If you're given a pitch and you don't like it for whatever reason then you may be able to change it if there are other pitches available but it would be at the discretion of the site owner/warden.
Do Camp sites have an arrival and departure time?
Most do and these vary, but some sites don't. Some which do may allow you to stay later on the day of departure for an extra charge.
What is the sort of average site costs in the uk at the moment?
How long is a piece of string??lol. I don't think there is any real average - a basic site may only charge £7 per night where a site with all the bells and whistles might charge £30 or more. It depends on what you personally want from a site and how much you are willing to pay.
Do you pay more for bigger tents - Do you pay more for side canopies and porches, which could almost double your living space? or are you allocated a plot and you can fill it with what you like?
Most sites these days will charge more for larger tents, and will also add on extra charges for awnings, gazebos, pup tents, trailers, kids, dogs, grannies, extra cars etc, though you might be lucky enough to find some which won't. (I was joking about the grannies btw)
Is there normally much flexability in your booking? ie if you want to stay an extra couple of nights or leave early etc?
There may be some flexibility especially if you want to leave early as they've already got your money, though some sites may be willing to give you a refund, but staying a couple of extra nights would probably depend on how busy the site was.
If you pre book, do you lose your cash or deposit if you cancel? or if the weather is so appauling you dont fancy trudging the kids through two feet of mud!
With many sites yes, you should expect to lose your deposit if you cancel, though some sites may be willing to refund you or may hold your deposit for a booking another time.
Hope that gives you some answers so far, anything else you want to know then just shout, that's what this site is all about
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
When going away, do you book your pitch in advance or just turn up on spec? Does it really matter?
Depends on the site and how busy they get
If you advance book, do you normally pay anything upfront? or just when you turn up? or when you leave?
Again varies from site to site
Do you get to choose your pitch when you arrive or are you normally allocated one and tough luck if you don't like it!
Again varies from site to site. Some will have allocated pitches but will be willing for you to move if you can. Others will make you stay put and then others will have a 'free for all' pitch system
Do Camp sites have an arrival and departure time?
What is the sort of average site costs in the uk at the moment?
Most do but as you can see from keigf's post not all do. There is no 'average' price each site charges what they feel is applicable for their site and the facilities offered.
Do you pay more for bigger tents - Do you pay more for side canopies and porches, which could almost double your living space? or are you allocated a plot and you can fill it with what you like?
Again this varies from site to site. Some have bigger pitches that they charge for, others smaller ones that you have to fit everything in and yet others who will charge you extra if you put anything other than your tent and vehicle on the pitch
Is there normally much flexibility in your booking? Ie if you want to stay an extra couple of nights or leave early etc?
Depends how busy they are
If you pre book, do you lose your cash or deposit if you cancel? or if the weather is so appalling you don't fancy trudging the kids through two feet of mud!
Some sites you would loose your deposit, some will give it back and others may offer you the chance to rebook at a different date
So as you can see as stated there is no set answer to your questions it really does depend on which site you go to and what their policies are.
Decide where you want to go, use the camp site searchon here and then look at the reviews and decide where you want to go based on your requirements.
It's been pretty much answered, but as a rule of thumb turning up at a site at peak times, school holidays or bank holidays will be a no go. You need to book in advance, you'll have to give a deposit, and sometimes you have to pay in full in advance too.
Of three sites near me, all of them are book and pay in full in advance, with specific pitch numbers and no flexibility to move if you don't like your pitch. I always choose wisely, refering to a site plan and/experience of the pitches or go for a scout about well in advance.
A fourth one I often go to is an open field with no marked pitches, and bollards with several sockets on them for EHU. Its a free for all. It is still pay up front over the phone though!
One of those first three sites I refer to is booked out generally a year in advance for bank holidays, peak times especially school holidays, and Halloween also. It's a large family site with kids facilities, but a small simple campsite will not book out as quickly and more often than not you can turn up without booking.
I keep a list of favourite campsite phone numbers in my mobile, so if the Friday is promising weather wise and a weekend camping looks like it could be possible, I can do a quick ring round and see which has space.
Ok - Getting back into camping after about 20+ years away, and this time taking the family - loads of questions as things have changed quite significantly since the last time I went away! Will post different questions in different threads so please dont get annoyed with the same fella asking LOADS of questions - im not attention seeking, I would just like to know!
I apologise in advance for what most would probably consider a load of really stupid questions, but if you dont ask, you dont know - right!? I also appreciate that most answers would probably depend on the individual campsite, but was wondering if anyone could, shed a little light on some (hopefully all) of the following......
When going away, do you book your pitch in advance or just turn up on spec? Does it really matter?
If you advance book, do you normally pay anything upfront? or just when you turn up? or when you leave?
Do you get to choose your pitch when you arrive or are you normally allocated one and tough luck if you dont like it!
Do Camp sites have an arrival and departure time?
What is the sort of average site costs in the uk at the moment?
Do you pay more for bigger tents - Do you pay more for side canopies and porches, which could almost double your living space? or are you allocated a plot and you can fill it with what you like?
Is there normally much flexability in your booking? Ie if you want to stay an extra couple of nights or leave early etc?
If you pre book, do you lose your cash or deposit if you cancel? or if the weather is so appauling you dont fancy trudging the kids through two feet of mud!
Sorry for the dopey questions, but as I say, if you dont ask, you dont know!
Thanks for your input!
I always book in advance, as we go in school holiday, so sites tend to be busier. Also we prefer busier sites so booking is needed. Out of school holidays and some smaller sites it won't be so important.
The sites chargin varies, one site last yr took a deposit rest was paid when we arrived. But most the sites we use, take a deposit then want the rest X days before arrivals ( our sites tend to be bigger commerical so have same rules for tent/van bookings as they do for statics) Although one small site we visited had a man coming round each evening, collecting the pitch fee. So varies a lot.
the website of the camp you want to visit will tell you how they work their charging.
allocation of Pitches depends on the site, some let you camp anywhere, others have set ptches and you can choose, and yet again other decide and yes sometimes it can be tough luck esp if the site is busy.
Most sites have a arrival and departure time, this is to allow pitch maintenance etc but like how they clean the statics between guests. These timings vary from site to site, and can sometimes be flexible.
No idea on the costs, ours are quite expensive as we prefer bigger sites with entertainment and pool. I do know there are plenty of cheaper sites available.
again site charges will vary from site to site,some will give you a pitch and you put what you like, others charges for every little bit of extra kit. I know there was a thread on here awhile back mentioning a site that charged for windbreaks!!
Flexibilty will can vary from site to site. Will also depend on when you're camping too. Staying extra nights in teh school holiday wont always be possible.
In our case yes if dont go then we would lose the monies paid, but I know of other sites that only keep the deposit etc. But even the big site we prefer let us rearrange our dates last yr due to family commitments, and that was during the school holidays - although we gave them plenty of notice.
Many of the questions you raise will depend on each seperate campsite, Read the reviews and the camp sites web pages and you should find the answers you need.
------------- Shelli
Campers do it in the mud!
Hubby says we can
Hi
I can only speak for the sites which we have visited in South West England.
For family camping in School Holiday periods and using an EHU then I would say its a very good idea to book in advance and if you have a big tent then well in advance. Its always nice to know that when you arrive you have a pitch ready and waiting for you. I booked in early February last year for the June Jubille week in Dorset and had the last available pitch. If do go to a campsite you really like make a note of the decent pitch numbers then if you book in advance you will most likely get to choose your pitch. During busy periods its unlikely that you will be able to extend your stay on the same pitch.
Also something to bear in mind with children is they will need things to do both on and off site so sometimes it works out cheaper in the long run to pay extra for a
site with a pool, play area,entertainment and within walking distance of a beach/shops rather than one in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do and you have to drive everywhere and pay out on fuel and parking charges
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
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: Campsite Etiquette
