I camp in groups of families, with my son (who has his own tent) or on my own.
For me, and when camping with my son I prefer ‘per head’, but that gets so expensive for family groups. However, land needs to earn its keep.
Land for a playground (with attendant maintenance), land for a dog walk, etc etc.
And I do notice the extra wear and tear kids out on a site. Camping in family groups we generate huge amounts of rubbish, more per head than my low-key catering when I am in my own, and site owners pay a lot for rubbish collection.
Kids using taps to play, water fights, long showers (not Mucker’s efficient 4 minutes), wear and tear on the grass etc.
I went to one site year’s ago (I avoid these places now) where family groups had paddling pools, trampolines, all sorts outside their tents. Their pitches were wrecked.
Sites that make money from a bar, clubhouse, ice cream, pizza and chip sales etc probably do well out of a’stack ‘em high’ price per pitch: get lots of people in on the pitches and make money at the bar.
However basic sites tend to give you a lot more space (personally I value this more than anything) but have no other ways to increase profit. Maybe some eggs in an honesty box system, which isn’t going to make anyone rich.
Did anyone see Kathy Burke’s series about money? She interviewed the owner of one of the holiday park chains who sells cheap family holidays… he was a self-made billionaire from that business.
The most expensive sites I go to are woodland / eco / meadow sites with very low tent per acre density. Generally run by people trying to get by!
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Yes I can see there are arguments for either case, but I am inclined to think that a lot of a site's expenses are covered by the ludicrous amount they charge for EHU. That really came home to me when I went on a site that had metered electricity and we spent a total of £2.80 for two weeks. Some sites charge as much as £6 a night! That's £84 for £2.80 worth of electricity! We don't spend much more than £3 for a 24 hour period at home in mid-winter including all our gas and electrical appliances. In summer it's much less because the central heating is off.
With all due respect to the single campers among us, I am rather surprised that they aren't charged a single person supplement, like in a hotel, for occupying a pitch that could be occupied by a family of 6, on a site that charges per person. Think how much money the site is losing there. I can see the arguments against but I still think the fairest way is to pay for a pitch, but then since when was life fair?
I agree that when I am a single camper in a price per head rate, I am getting a good deal. But then this weekend I was on a site that was £13 pp plus £5 per car (one off). Compost toilets, no EHU. But I don’t begrudge it for the sheer space and lack of crowding.
Quote: Originally posted by DeborahTurner on 27/7/2021
I agree that when I am a single camper in a price per head rate, I am getting a good deal. But then this weekend I was on a site that was £13 pp plus £5 per car (one off). Compost toilets, no EHU. But I don’t begrudge it for the sheer space and lack of crowding.
I must admit I love a site that has plenty of space. The site we were on recently near Ringwood, Hampshire had massive pitches. We had ours laid out car, caravan, awning, but we could have had it any way we wanted. There was at least 6 feet between our car and that edge of our pitch, and we could have got another car alongside our awning and still had at least 6 feet between it and that edge of our pitch. Lovely! I really don't like being crowded in.
------------- Best Regards,
Colin
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Quote "Lovely! I really don't like being crowded in" - we're the same!
Some people set up camp and surround themselves with 200 feet of high windbreak presumably with archers on the ramparts and ready to drop boiling oil on passers-by, each to their own but that's not for us.
Quote: Originally posted by Mitchamitri on 27/7/2021
Quote "Lovely! I really don't like being crowded in" - we're the same!
Some people set up camp and surround themselves with 200 feet of high windbreak presumably with archers on the ramparts and ready to drop boiling oil on passers-by, each to their own but that's not for us.
I don't mind per pitch per day pricing, as long as I can get a single person discount!
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$$ on it and walk away!
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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 27/7/2021
I don't mind per pitch per day pricing, as long as I can get a single person discount!
DK
Do any sites actually do that? I'm surprised they don't charge a single person supplement like hotels do, knowing how money grabbing some sites are.
The prices at the site where I shall be going in August is based on 2 adults and 1 car/MH/van/etc., and they gave me a single person discount.
Not much, however, every little bit helps.
At 68 GBP for 4 nights in August, adult only site, with EHU, fresh water, chemical disposal and a compost toilet, no shower or washing up facilities, I believe it is very good even if I have to use my own facilities (can't see myself using the compost toilet).
Ooo, and I have to use fully compostable poo bags made out of starch which I bought soon after booking the site.
Aquaroll and Wastemaster at the ready, and I shall try out my new toy that is a Cobb during this trip.
DK
Edited to say I can appreciate why a single supplement may be justifiable in hotels, as a double room with single occupancy still requires the same amount of housekeeping and cleaning, with one less person spending money at the hotel restaurant or bar, etc. etc...
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Talk about add on prices for this and that I was looking at sites in Scotland and one site was reasonable at £25 pupn but if twin axle it was £30 pupn, and awnings were £10 per night extra
Quote: Originally posted by Mitchamitri on 27/7/2021
Quote "Lovely! I really don't like being crowded in" - we're the same!
Some people set up camp and surround themselves with 200 feet of high windbreak presumably with archers on the ramparts and ready to drop boiling oil on passers-by, each to their own but that's not for us.
You must have seen my setup
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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: Sites charging per head
via mobile 27/7/2021 at 9:36am
