hello all, first post on the forums so please be gentle with me.
we (my wife and 10yr old son) have decided to take up camping, after much deliberation i have purchased a eurohike sandringham tent from millets for 2 reasons, 25% off and they are local to me so i can go in the shop if i have any gripes. Anyway our first trip out we intend to stay local and probably just do 1 night to get a feel for things. my concerns are about the actual camp sites and etiquette etc. for example if we are pitched on a site and want to go off somewhere on foot do you just leave you stuff in your tent....is it safe or do you lock it in your car ?
another question.....can you if you want pitch your tent on the sea front (not the sand) without the threat of been moved on ? ie you get tired of driving and stop on the coastline. where can you legally pitch a tent other than on a camp site.
thanks
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Hello chili and welcome, expect a lot more replies, a talkative lot on here. Anyway campsites are normally very safe but I leave valubles locked in the car, tv's, music players etc. We leave stuff outside of our tent, tables, chairs, bbqs never had any problems. As for camping anywhere hmmm. Think every square inch of land belongs to somebody, think you just have to use a bit of common sense. Saying that I've camped unofficially on the Ayrshire coast and we had to hang on to the tent to stop it going to the east coast of Scotland, common sense?. If you enjoy camping half as much as we do you will be ok. Where abouts are you. Ray
Hi and welcome to UKCS - beware its a very addictive site. On our first trip out, we did local, about an hours drive away, we worked on the theory that if the kids (then 2 & 5) didn't like it was easy enough for us to run them home, and then go back to collect the stuff. No need to worry they loved it.
Remember on site to treat other campers in a way you would like to be treated.
The atmosphere on a campsite is usually very open and friendly - help is usually freely offered/accepted. If somebody offers to help you put your tent up, odds are its not because they want to show off their superior skills, its because they have seen that you need a hand, and are willing to help. On our first trip out, OH helped other campers who were struggling with their tent, and our airbed pump made the rounds. Somebody saw that it was quicker than their foot pump and asked could they borrow it - and then they were asked by somebody else.
With regard to safefy of valuables, just use some common sense - lock it in your car when you're not their, and possible at night. Campers again tend to look out for one another. I've had my tent zipped up for me, after going out and forgetting. Chap came over, and apologied for looking in my tent, but he saw the car had gone, the tent unzipped, so had checked that nobody was in the tent and zipped it up. I take things like my mobile phone and money into the sleeping section with me. Never had a problem with any of my camping gear.
I can only confirm the other posts. On a whole campers are good people and look after themselves and those around them. Camping for many people isn’t only about holidays; it’s about a lifestyle. They tend to love the good things in life – fresh air, simple pleasures, the outdoors and a glass or two of wine.
I don’t take anything valuable away with me apart from a mobile phone, a Tomtom and this year my iPod. We don’t have TVs and DVD players, so theft is less of a concern.
Take the precautions that you consider sensible.
I tend to put chairs away when we leave site because of the constant threat of rain in this country and it keeps the pitch looking tidy.
Relax and enjoy.
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If you remember what the UK was like over 25 years ago...... that is what campsites are like now. Generally people look out for each other, have respect for other peoples pieces of kit and are willing to help.
You will get the odd scumbag but they are few and far between.
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I think the reason you don't get many scumbags is that camping involves a bit of work i.e. pitching, cooking, packing away etc which is beyond most of them. Their terrain is places where they can just hang around with nothing better to do.
I have been camping over 25 years and only once been broken into and that was last year at Billing Aquadrome.Everyone is very freindly and must like a good natter.
I agree with what the others have said, just use your loaf. Dont leave valuables in the tent, but clothing and everything else is fine. Not alot of people take anything of great value away with them anyway, however saying that all your camping gear comes to a pretty penny so if you're worried then get it Insured! Camping Insurance doesn't cost alot and at least you get something back should the worst happen, You're also covered for Fire too which can be handy when camping in the summer and you leave aerosoles geting hotter and hotter in your tent Yes this has happened to someone we know! Came back from a day out to find a black mark on the ground where their tent was
If it's just the theft you're worried about, I'd say dont worry people are very trusting and incidents happen very occasionally.
I wouldn't just pitch up anywhere though, my parents took their TT down the park to pitch it for the first time, by the time they'd put it up the police where on the scene moving them on as they thought they were travellers
Enjoy your first camp!
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hi chilli after 18 yrs of camping and 7 yrs of caravaning and enjoyed every minute of it just be prepared to get cold, get muddy, get wet , ruffing it is what makes it all the more fun forget the creature comforts it great the 10 yr old will want to take a mate and make friends on site as you will, the best thing i think is when you go to a camp with a clubhouse but end up sitting up till the early hours outside the tent drinking with others pitched up around you, enjoy it we have so have the 5 kids great wy of life your child will remeber the breaks for years
regards
------------- why is it that peeps into caravan and camping have no problems with the peeps next door never a problem we pull onto our pitch to be offered tea or help ercting the awning /tent maybe if the country lived in caravans and tents there would be no problems in life ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
I have to agree with what everyone has said. In 20 years of Camping then Caravanning we have never had a problem. Just take sensible precautions.
My son has grown up camping with us and now goes on his own, with his friends or Girlfriend, he still loves the life. He used to instantly make friends on the Sites whether in the UK or abroad. The biggest problem is that you miss having them around when they have flown to pastures new. Camping remains a big influence on his life and has made him a much more open person than many of his age.
Have to join in and confirm the consensus of opinion. Campsites - especially the familly oriented ones - NOT Billings Aquadrome.... but that's another story - are generally safe and secure for property. If you treat others as you would wish to be treated - keep an eye on their gear if your around etc. yours will be kept an eye on too. Valuables either stay at home or wear them or lock them in the car.
As for can we camp anywhere.... no..... just ask our 'friends' the travelling fraternity - then check all your wheels are still on your car.....
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 etiquette
Yes this has happened to someone we know! Came back from a day out to find a black mark on the ground where their tent was 
