Hi all, we are a family of 5 (3 children, my wife and myself) and go camping each year. We have a foldable caravan (Rapido Export from 1979, vintage indeed) which as an awning. My children sleep in a separate pop-up tent, which we place on the same pitch next to the caravan.
Normally this is a very common setup, and no issue in The Netherlands, France, Czech republic etc.
But now that we are looking for a campsite in the UK, I see on almost every site that pop-up tents are not allowed. So where would I let my children sleep? I called a campsite and they stated that on each pitch, all persons should be within 1 accommodation due to Health&Safety regulations.
Is this a general rule in England or UK?
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Quote: Originally posted by Flipje on 11/4/2024
Hi all, we are a family of 5 (3 children, my wife and myself) and go camping each year. We have a foldable caravan (Rapido Export from 1979, vintage indeed) which as an awning. My children sleep in a separate pop-up tent, which we place on the same pitch next to the caravan.
Normally this is a very common setup, and no issue in The Netherlands, France, Czech republic etc.
But now that we are looking for a campsite in the UK, I see on almost every site that pop-up tents are not allowed. So where would I let my children sleep? I called a campsite and they stated that on each pitch, all persons should be within 1 accommodation due to Health&Safety regulations.
Is this a general rule in England or UK?
Bumping this one up a bit in the hope that somebody with more knowledge than me will answer.
I suspect that one reason may be that sites want to avoid the risk of somebody booking a pitch for xx people, then inviting several additional friends/family to come and spend the weekend there at no extra cost.
You may have more luck with some of the smaller sites if you explain the reason in detail, as they may be more likely to be flexible.
Welcome to the weird & whacky UK. I guess you are from Holland. Yes? Some UK campsites do tend to have odd rules unlike continent where you can camp with whatever equipment you like.
Not all UK campsites have these rules though. Some are more laid back. If you state what area of UK you want to visit I’m sure we can point you towards campsites that can accommodate.
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Hi Billy, yes I am from The Netherlands.
I am looking around in the Devon/Dartmoor area, so south west of England. And a campsite with some facilities for children (like a swimming pool) is preferable.
Hi Flipje. Try Coftons at Dawlish. Very large site with all facilities including pools & resturant. We have been there a few times & they seem to allow all sorts of equipment vans several tents on 1 pitch & so on so you should be ok. Depends when you go but they do take ACSI card out peak season. https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=2819
I did a bit of phoning around for you. Appledore Park near Okehampton told me they are ok with your set up. If you are going July August they still have space but if it is ok I suggest you book soonest as sites in the area get full at that time of year. https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=14521
Coftons would be something I'm looking for, as it has facilities like a swimming pool, etc. I gave them a call, but the explanation for not allowing extra tents is the same: Fire & Safety regulations. So basically the rule is: 1 sleeping unit per pitch. If tents are connected or if you would sleep in the awning than it's all fine. But as soon as you put an extra tent on your pitch, it's not allowed.
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I’ve given you 2 sites in the area that do allow pup tents. If you search online “campsites Dartmoor” there are others. The sites with the least rules generally have the least facilities.
I have been to Coftons & they don’t really enforce their own rules. If you pitch your pup tent behind your caravan they probably won’t notice it.
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Topic: Rules of popup tents and awnings in UK
via mobile 13/4/2024 at 5:24pm
