I view my camping(among my other hobbies)as an escape from work and the madness around me on the estate where I live...
Family all long grown up and doing other things...Though I have been through the doing the sums and penny pinching thingy that most folk with young kids do when they consider an outing or holiday....So can see where Fay is coming from on the overpricing thing...And agree some places can be a bit extortionate with their pricing and add ons etc...
The last 5-6 yrs for my main holidays (Camping)...I have had a hang the cost attitude to getting away...and even on weekend trips have gone over the top with the "Spends" sometimes.. Having to juggle other commitments about a bit to get away for a few days...Which I have managed without too much hassle....No transport so a van hire had to be vectored in to the cost of a few days away as I took the tunnel tent and all the gear even just for a weekend....
One wage coming in to cover everything so something had to give this year....Only once have I had the big tent up(as a test pitch) Rest of the time I have been backpacking(on the bus) with everything I need(Not want) on my back and managed 5 trips away.. though other hobbies(fishing) have suffered in the process....
Like many other posters on here I am always looking for ways and means to get off out into the green stuff...I think Fay's OP is one of those sort of posts...Current restrictions and belt tightning are playing their part in so many areas of life....Not least in the camping part....
Jelboy.
------------- Campers of the storm,Into this world are born
Some days are Diamonds...Some days are stone...
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We stayed at a wonderful site last week in Cornwall... superb location (not on cliffs, but 10 mins. walk to a doggy-friendly beach and 20 mins. to another one). Site is well-equipped with all facilities, even a very quiet bar for adults only. Lovely level pitches, not close together, views over the rolling heathland where the kestrels and buzzards wheel about hunting, barn owls quartering the nearby field, bunnies hopping about in the early morning. No bad behaviour, no mean noise or unnecessary harrassments. Lovely owners, lovely campers, chilled, brilliant atmosphere.
We were staying in one of their statics, but my son and his fiance came for five nights (without a hookup), for which they paid £77. They thought that was a lot, as they usually stay on much more basic sites, but I think that was good value in midsummer in Cornwall right by the sea. They only used their car once, to get to Heligan on the opposite coast. Everything else, pubs, shops, tea rooms etc. were in walking distance or on site.
I rarely pay more than £7.50 per night per person, and I would usually want a loo/shower block and decent, level pitch. We never needed a playground for the kids, as we took turns rambling them round the field, looking for bugs or spying on the little birdies. My son is now a countryside ranger, and I often wonder how much of his passion for nature was born on those little rambles around the campsites...
I tend to be of the same opinion as Mucker, that people are lucky if they can have two holidays. And not because I want to have a go, I just think people should be thankful for a holiday. I didn't have many as a kid and don't seem to get that many in the last few years. Last year I didn't get one at all because of illness and at the start of this year, I lost my job so it was looking like 2 years of no holidays whatsoever. I've just got a job again and MAY be able to go somewhere for a few nights at the end of August. But that depends on a few things and the max spend will be about 60 quid including site fees. I'll still be getting back on my feet by then.
You are right about the prices though, it's become far more expensive. I thought while I had no job, I could cycle up to Hollingworth Lake and camp there for a night or two as it wasn't too far away. 16 quid a night he wanted for me and a 4-man dome tent, robbing basket. You can't do that when you're on 71 quid a week.
If you get just one holiday, be glad. A lot of kids and adults don't get any these days.
I wanted to book Falmouth , Cornwall and the site I fancied was about £23 a night for 4 of us unfortunately they were full but recommended somewhere else I went on their website and had to email them to make sure I hadn't mis read how much as was £43 a night for 4 of us.
I luckily found a place bit down the road fir £15 a night
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Again...at the risk of sounding argumentative...the fact that we can have two (or more) camping trips per summer isn't 'lucky'. We work our arses off in low paid jobs to afford it - there's no 'luck' involved.
We work hard, we save a little, we go without other things, and we budget.
I will not thank any site owner or manager for overcharging us, because we are 'lucky'.
I do understand what folks mean when they call zen...but it's very easy to be zen about other people's money isn't it?
That wasn't aimed at you really Heaton - I can see you know what it's like to scrape it together for a wee holiday.
I just don't like to think that eventually, the best locations could become the privilege of the well off, as prices in these places rise. We love those mountains too! Our kids deserve a warm shower after a good day's trek, as much as anyone's!
I know I'm fighting a losing battle...camping is no different to anything else as has been pointed out on here...but I don't see that a shower and a pot to p**s in is expecting much.
Campsites used to be first come, first served...but it's slowly sliding into something far more grabby. In my opinion.
Quote: Originally posted by dizzy debs on 06/7/2013
I am one of those huge set up type people with bikes and kayaks but its took me years to get everything I need and I spent many years with just the basic set up.we go camping most years for 2 weeks or more and we like campsites with just the basic facilities so I try to take everything to make us comfortable , though I still dont quite get the tv and microwave brigade !!!!
Totally with u here. No microwaves or tv's will ever cross our camping threshold but EHU with kettle n cool box, definately. Made move to this after very difficult camp in St Andrews many a yr ago... dd1 was 2 yrs old and I was 10 mths pregnant with dd2 & the campsite wouldnt always let us freeze ice packs as she 'had a big order coming in' (week before British Open). Really difficult to ensure we could keep essentials fresh n cold.
Kayaks we haven't got YET, lol.
On orginal thread though, it is getting costly to pitch in certain campsites but like others have said, if u look (& may take time over number of yrs to seek out) there are some gems out there. We have paid near £35 a few yrs ago in New Forest for large pitch with electric but can also find lovely site in Scotland (Drumroamin in Dumfriesshire) that charge atound £25 for same pitch. Dont give up as they are out there...what about Strathfillan Wigwams near Tyndrum....cheaper, no ehu but can have open fires and in stunning location. Again one for our smaller set up as less 'big' flat areas but fantastic.
Sorry gone on abit and will finish there....
Aviemore in particular is tricky as not many sites. Stayed at Glenmore many yrs ago and would love to stay at Rothiemurchies but would have to take our smaller set up for that...something we will do eventually.
We are curently at Delftse Hout in Holland and think its a lovely site both in position & amenities. It does ahve a restaurant, kids club & pool but we are in a lovely quiet area of site. Came here for 2 reasons, kids wanted a pool & first venture abroad meant I wanted to stick to a site with lots of recommendationx. Next time would try to seek out smaller & cheaper sites as a contrast but cant fault this for what we wanted this time.
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rather than start a whole new thread shouting about how great the contact has been with my previous mentioned site I will quietly update here for those that may be interested .
My email contact with the site has been faultless, from email confirmation of receipt of £14 cheque to answering a few minor queries I had such as cost of washing machine & use of camp fires & BBQs. The answers to these were 'the washing machine is there for you to use along with the dryer( no charge)' and 'We do normally allow and chimneas or log burners although at the moment
due to the very hot weather we have been advised not too, due to the trees and very dry grass.
Bbq are fine just need to keep a very close eye on them.'
The poor review of the site here seems a little unfair as they marked it down due to having more than 5 pitches which is clear from google sat view (more like 15 so not loads), getting really excited about going now not so about doing review as that will mean holiday over but will make sure I do a fair review
Quote: Originally posted by Fay Fife on 06/7/2013
Thanks for your reply Autopilot!
We like places that allow campfires too, but they are few and far between. We have always avoided commercial sites with onsite bars and entertainment completely! These places I'm talking about, are just pitch and facilities, and nothing else. It's location that floats our boat, not amenites...if a place looks chavvy, we're not going...simple as.
It is quite difficult to find places in desirable locations that allow campfires and cost less though.
We're just back from there. Four nights in Glenmore and 8 days at Rothiemurchus (we couldnt get the full time at Rothiemurchus). Had a wonderful time and you are right, they are not cheap. For us it is also about location, location, location and in this respect it would be hard to beat this part of the Cairngorms for walking, scenery, cycling and as many other outdoor pursuits than you could shake a stick it.
However, if any enterprising person was to open a CS/CL there you would never be short of custom and I'd be first in the queue - if Rothiemurchus Estate and the Forestry Commission havent got it all tied up!
Just read through this post and I do agree with Faye - for families, especially with older kids, the price seems to be going up a lot. Our needs have changed with 4 teens to keep amused and we have just returned from a Sun Holiday Voucher holiday in a static for 5 of us (the oldest has gone to Lakes on his first holiday with friends, missed him). It cost £105 (we took our own linen and saved that extra charge) for 4 nights. The site, Wild duck, was not totally all singing/dancing (I researched least singy dancy one) but with pools and a sports pitch the kids were happy and we were able to walk and enjoy the wild ducks! When they were younger we did tent camp with a basic set up and enjoyed our nights by the campfire but as I said needs change. 4 nights camping in Cornwall cost over £100 for the 6 of us the other year due to paying extra for all 4 kids.
We are not well off, struggle daily and work hard and I will go without mostly everything to afford holidays, they are my prozac. The two of us will camp on our own in France later this year (euro tunnel courtesy of Tesco vouchers) which we have done for the last two years and it is so much cheaper for just the two of us using Municipal sites where we can (5 - 15 euro per night). I hope campsites here will realise they can not go on upping the prices - and Faye and her family will enjoy many more holidays
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Quote: Originally posted by big b on 06/7/2013
Loch Morlich used to be a very cheap site it was very basic but my kids loved it it's only since the Forestry Commision sites changed to Forest Hoidays and went up market that it has become very expensive.
Brenda, I can remember when the road was single track and had heather growing up the middle. I also loved it and was really sad to see how it changed over the years since Mr Fraser was the warden. I found a capercailzie nest within quarter of a mile from the site and there was a wildcat and her family spotted not 100 yards from Glenmore lodge.
------------- " When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"
C&CC temp holiday sites, we are just home, its a blast and the price...........£6 per night, no not per person, per unit, any unit tent or caravan, cant understand why any one would pay daft prices like £30 a night, I'd be expecting them round to make my diner every night for that price.
The issue as I see it is that (and we see it on here) people want fur lined toilet seats, heated toilet blocks, toilets cleaned 10 times a day, washing machines, tumble driers, unlimited hot water in the showers, shops, tarmaced roads and paths, park lighting, play areas etc. etc. etc.
Well that's lovely but someone has to pay for that and that's likely to be the camper. There is a cost in providing the facilities, cleaning, maintaining and repairing them plus the ever increasing cost of water and electricity (especially as some campers seem unable to stop their children trashing the toilets and showers at every opportunity)
As others have said, we have a very limited budget and we camp within that, we use C&CC Certificated Sites and our favourite CS this year is £8.50 a night, it's on the Dorset coast with wonderful views and walks and we love it. We all work hard for our holidays and getting into the pee'ing competing of who works hardest and who is skinter isn't really helpful.
Enjoy what you have within life, don't spend your time worrying about what others have and what others can afford, it only ever leads to discontentment.
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: Camping....not for the likes of us!
not so about doing review as that will mean holiday over but will make sure I do a fair review 
