I'm struggling to find the right camp site and I'm limited to how far I can travel so thinking maybe I've missed one and thought I would ask you guys.
I normally camp in a tent for 14 days in the Summer holidays and need it to be within 1 hour drive from Portsmouth ideally as have pet obligations and need to run back a few times.
I'll be with my 12 year old daughter on one pitch and my mum and her partner will be in another.
If I needed to stay close to home like this year, we have often stayed in a small site called Nunnington Farm in West Witterings as my daughter loved it there when she was younger but it's no longer suitable/fun for tent camping and has changed a lot in the past two years. This one had farm animals to feed and a park, free bikes for the local bike trail and very close to sandy beach etc. Don't really fancy others nearby and wish to go somewhere different.
If I'm able to travel further, I always head to Devon and Cornwall.
Last year we stayed at Ninham Country Park on the Isle of Wight which was perfect for us as small, well laid out, quiet, lovely location with walks, some entertainment like ping pong tables and a climbing wall etc and even had a little swimming pool. I love to be near the water somehow just for those hot days you can't stop dreaming about jumping in water whether beach or swimming pool etc so short walk to either is perfect but not a must I suppose if all else perfect. However, Isle of Wight is too much hassle to get back home if needed and ferry costs are extortionate in Summer holidays so don't really want to go back there this year although it's the perfect place for us.
I don't tend to like chain/commercial sites for one reason or another so prefer to stick to family run places as they just care more. For example, if I want to go stay in a caravan somewhere, I will always go to Welcome Family Holidays in Devon as it's family owned and amazing and they take so much care plus in a lovely spot.
Want to avoid places with booming music until 1pm or groups of annoying teenagers running amok so very strict rules is generally the places we are happiest in.
I was thinking about somewhere around the New Forest would be best but struggling to find the perfect spot. Those in Lepe area near water are just not available and I'm worrying that 14 days five metres from the shoreline with zero shelter might just be asking for it in regard to storms as we always have one bad 50-60mph one every time we camp and barely survive lol.
There's various basic field only types but don't know the different areas so well and it would be nice to have something extra whether it be farm animals or bikes etc so I'm struggling to work out the difference between them.
I did come across a family run place called Shamba Holiday Park which looked ideal - very similar to Ninham Country Park with a little swimming pool but it's seemingly been bought out towards the end of last season and owned by larger chain now so hesitant on booking there and can't really go by the reviews.
As mentioned, don't really need a pool though and happy with more basic if in a lovely place with places easy to walk to.
Also like a chilled atmosphere, not crammed in where you have space to play ball games on the grass etc. Also very clean toilets/shower blocks is a must have.
Don't need onsite shop or local dining as we're allergic to everything anyway so pretty useless to us but I suppose somewhere walkable for milk and basics always good.
EHU is useful as we would run a cooler in one of our tents mostly for the milk etc but I suppose not necessary as there's ways around it.
Don't particularly care about Wifi - whole point is to get away from screens and be outdoors lol.
Also don't want to be the only tent in a sea of caravans/motor homes neither!
Any ideas?
Many thanks in advance, Sarah :o)
------------- Wynnster Eagle 6 tent also but never used as too big for most sites we've been too and were too happy with our other tent.
Plus a SunnCamp Breton 500 Deluxe for shorter camping trips which we bought at the end of 2019 but have yet to use it due to lockdown!
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Yes I did and reviews, but I'm struggling to see the ideal one or decide which. Normally I know the right one when I see it but that's not happening this time so thought I would see if anyone can give a more personal recommendation that might help :-)
Cheers, Sarah
------------- Wynnster Eagle 6 tent also but never used as too big for most sites we've been too and were too happy with our other tent.
Plus a SunnCamp Breton 500 Deluxe for shorter camping trips which we bought at the end of 2019 but have yet to use it due to lockdown!
To narrow the choice, just look at sites with the full 10/10 score. That’s what I do if there’s a lot of choice. (I print off the map of the sites that fit my criteria within the radius that I’ve set, and scribble on it.) Maybe look at the satellite map too, to see the site’s context.
I am guided by reviews because if one person raves about how brilliant the site’s Saturday karaoke was, I’ll know that’s a site I’ll avoid like the plague (just my choice).
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: Tent Site One Hour from Portsmouth?
via mobile 01/3/2023 at 9:29am
