Ok, so we're totally new to camping having just bought our first tent - a Breton six air. We've put it up in our field behind the house (we have a farm) and spent one night in it. We've learnt what we need more and less of (more blankets and cider, less dogs roaming around the field at night). We're now going to go out into the big wide world and go to a proper site!
What would you recommend? We have two children (7 & 3) and are looking to go in mid-September. Do we go for a big site with lots of caravans and tents (I.e. There might be people to help us)? My biggest fear of this is screaming families and big queues for toilets. Or do I chose a small site which will give some peace and quiet to figure things out?
If it helps I'm torn between Little Kings and Dews Lake Farm, both near Tenby in Pembrokeshire.
Thanks
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For a start, most school children will be back, so apart from toddlers, there shouldn't be many on the site.
Can't help with the choice of site though, I would always go for the adult only one!
"....some peace and quiet to figure things out?...."
Respectfully suggest practising numerous times on your home facility where you have everything at hand. When you feel comfortable with all your procedures / equipment, then you are ready to go anywhere.
PS
One Tip: always preserve a dry set of clothes to sleep in.
If all your clothes get wet, this usually means getting into your sleeping bag whilst wet, so preventing a good nights sleep. Keep this discipline even if this means putting your wet ones back on in the morning.
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Thank you so much. I certainly learnt the "plenty of layers" lesson on Saturday night so am stocking up on plenty of blankets and the like and will definitely be putting them under and over us. Also looking at a heater to take the edge off (what can I say, I'm more of a glamper than a camper ;-) )
In my experience, screaming kids are less of a problem than noisy adults. We don't have children, but we've not felt the need to seek out adult-only sites.
Generally, the kids on sites we've been to have been well-behaved and go to bed relatively early, leaving an hour or so's adult time. Our biggest issues have been groups of teenagers leaving facilities in a state, urinating in the open and playing loud music, plus groups of self-important adults pitched a few feet away (on a busy site) and talking utter drivel all evening :-(.
For me, key things to look for would be banning of music, quiet time after 11pm, sufficient space between pitches, clean facilities. Read the reviews (on this site, Cool Camping, Tripadvisor etc.) to check all rules are enforced. Be wary of sites that take the laid back, 'we don't like to have too many rules' approach. That can result in a free-for-all where anything goes.
I've only been to small sites (non-C&CC and less than about 50 pitches) so can't comment on more commercial places. I'd be up for using larger sites out of season, but would steer clear over the school holidays.
My biggest tip would be to try and get as much information about the site prior to booking or turning up. Unfortunately, many campsites seem to have terrible websites and you are left reading between the lines, looking at reviews and user photos. Several times, I've had to scout round the internet to find out what the arrival/departure times are, whether a firepit will have a grill for cooking on it, whether you can buy logs there, what type of facilities there are. I went to one site the other month that was meant to have drop loos, showers in horseboxes, sinks to find out that there was 1 portaloo, 1 makeshift shower and an outside tap. I didn't mind hugely (at least not until the teenagers decked the loo), but it would be good if sites could be more upfront and honest as to the extent of facilities.
Anyway, that said, there are loads of great sites out there. You won't know what you like though until you've visited a few. I think you hone your requirements over time, realising what you need and what is less important.
------------- 2019 trips booked so far:
Easter - Red Shoot, New Forest
May - Secret Campsite, Sussex
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
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: First time site
