Hi all - now i know this is somewhat subjective, but we are pretty new to camping and we are looking for a decent campsite around the Midlands and as far south as Devon and Cornwall. This is what we have seen so far:
1. Sites that look like the back of Moss side or similar housing estates, crammed in with various large beer bellied males barbecuing while their large bleached blonde tattooed females swig down cans of Tennents Super while they have no idea where their kids are. However the site is rated between 7-9 out of 10!! WT*?
Now if this is what camping is all about then ok - its probably not for us.
I won't name the sites because our opinion my be unfair - but when i called one site and asked for a large plot (we have a very large tent 12 man) in a quiet location, for which the manager assures me he has many - then we get there and it looks like Beirut on a quiet day - I'm somewhat inclined to call him a four letter word of the variety that is definitely frowned upon in todays world!
Then on the way HOME we visit another site that happens to be on the way, and that one happens to be Beirut on a busy day with some neanderthal giving me the evil eye, attempting to intimidate me with his car and asking me if i was looking for anyone?! WT* TWICE!
So - what we would like please is the following:
1. A site that has PLENTY OF ROOM where we are not 5 meters away from the next person or persons.
2. A site that accepts dogs and preferably not with the ridiculous rule of AT ALL TIMES MUST BE ON A LEAD! My children are well brought up and so is my dog.
3. A toilet block that is clean - that's all, we don't even care about showers!!
4. A play area would be nice for our WELL BEHAVED CHILDREN - Oh and our dog.
5. Nice walks and maybe a river.
6. Reasonably well behaved socially adjusted adults would also be nice.
If this is too much to ask please do tell - then i will get all my camping gear up on eBay.
Kind regards
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Were the sites you visited in the midlands? We've been to lickhill manor and its a nice site mostly. Its quite expensive tho I think but we've haf some nice weekends there. You can get some people as you describe but if they're noisy after 11 they get a visit from the warden.
Last year we were there next to the kind of family you described, they were all outside the tent but had the eurovision song contest on the tv full blast. Then they had a kids film on really loud. The warden came over at 11 to tell them to turn it off and they did but carried on drinking and laughing. The warden came to tell them again and it went quiet, the second night they were no trouble.
You get these kind of people everywhere but its nice when you know they will be dealt with.
The sites were in the Midlands yes - but it's not just the people, but the way the sites are managed. I know by law there has to be a certain space between pitches, but the sites we saw today were seriously like housing estates - one pitch crammed next to another. I don't see why anyone would want to leave a concrete suburbia to go to a canvas one!!
We want some ROOM fgs!
The last site we stayed at was Blackmore by the Malverns - which was ok - but again a little cramped. At about 11pm we had a knock on our tent - (if there is such a thing) and it was a bloke in a caravan complaining that my wife and I, and our 2 young children were making too much noise.....we were playing Monopoly on the ipad FGS!!!
We were far from noisy but it was just too cramped!
I think you have been unlucky, however most sites will have the 'Dogs on lead ruling'.
Why not try CL's/CS's the smaller sites may suit your requirements.
------------- Ang
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This is a lovely site with plenty of dog walks, however i agree that no matter how well behaved your dog is accidents can happen - we have witnessed a lovely dog break his lead chase, knock down & bite a young girl -it was very scary
CS's (Camping & Caravan Club) / CL's (Caravan Club) - both are sites that are permitted to only have 5 pitches you need to be a member of one of the clubs to use these sites. They can be on a farm / at a pub / someone with a bit of land but they are all basic sites that only have to be able to supply Water and emptying point. Years ago that's all they ever did have but now these sites can sometimes offer hookup and other extras as well.
------------- Ang
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
You can use the search facility on here to find sites that might suit. Many CLs/CSs may have a toilet, but that's often your lot, one loo which might be a bit popular on holiday weekends. You could try Marlbrook Equestrian Centre at Welland in Worcestershire, it's a small basic independent site with a loo and shower and is very nice. Not sure if you can let your dog off the lead, but there is a huge common on your doorstep, and the Malvern Hills.
If your not a member of one of the clubs I would say give them a try first.
A few people think they are for oldies or boring . But I don't think so it depends on what you want.
Also look at cl,s cs,s as well. Not always easy to get to but again have a look.
We use the sites near Malvern quite a lot . Just for short breaks . Ten charmouth c&cc site is nice.
Lots in Cornwall.
Look at their web site and check out the reviews on here.
Good luck
Come to me, I'll restore your faith in camping we don't have dogs off the lead on the site, but the field next door is only 2 mins away and you can run around in there to your hearts content!
------------- 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!
You should take a look at Perran Springs (in Cornwall), you'll need to keep the dog on a lead at all times, but they have a lake (not river), dog walks just below the campsite, recreation and play area for the kids, and extremely clean showers. And lots of space between tents.
The first site I ever stayed allowed peeps who attended a car rally to break up wooden pallets to burn on a campfire, at 02:00h!!!
I was part of the group that attended the rally and had a pitch away from the main group as I had EHU and the others did not, and was very ashamed of the behaviours by some.
There was a warden on site allegedly, however, he/she never intervened once to tell peeps to quiet down.
And the facilities were to be desired.
Only 1 sink in the washing up area had a plug.
Kids emptying the loo rolls and chucked them on the wet floor for fun.
The facilities could do with a good scrub, high level cleaning non-existence.
Etc. etc...
Joining C&CC and stayed at one of their club site was a revelation.
OK, they have rules, however, rules are needed in order to make sure everyone enjoy him/herself, and not be spoiled by the selfish few.
The cleanliness of their facilities are second to none.
There are sites as good as C&CC club sites, and I have been to a few myself, based on the recommendations by fellow members on UKCS.
So yes, camping can be very relaxing and enjoyable, just need to choose the sites and when to camp wisely.
After a rather unpleasant trip at my favourite site last year over the Diamond Jubilee weekend, when it was almost full with plenty of critters and ankle bites who were not well-controlled by their parents, and the site running out of hot water at peak times, I decided to avoid school and bank holidays as much as I can, except for Easter.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
The sites we visit tend to be of the working farm type. We avoid sites with clubhouses and without the want to offend those without statics.
I understand your feeling about dogs on leads but my 6 year old daughter is irrationally petrified of them after a couple of incidents.For her peace of mind I believe they should be on a lead at all times.
Good luck in your search, Im sure you have already used the search facility on this website, just refine it to your needs as much as possible.
I would be wary of any sites that allow dogs to roam free, no matter how well behave their owners claim them to be.
The only time my dog is not hooked up to the tether is when he is zipped up inside the tent. I would hook him up to a lead before I open the tent door to let him out.
It is for his own safety as well as the safety of fellow campers and their dogs.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
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: A decent site
we don't have dogs off the lead on the site, but the field next door is only 2 mins away and you can run around in there to your hearts content!
