We have been away in the caravan for the past week. We are now on a site with hardly any shade. TBH it’s so crowded it’s beginning to look like a caravan storage site. I’m not very good coping with hot weather so we are off back home four days earlier than planned. I’m looking forward to sitting in the garden, in the shade of an old apple tree, reading a book.
Bah! Humbug!
Thats a lack of research mate. While anywhere can get 'full', its how full is full. You need to have an idea of pitch size, and the size of the site in general. If you choose a site that has lots of amenities, the chances are this is going to get busy. If the pitches arent great, its going to be purgatory. We try and stick to 'five vanners'. Usually the pitches are sizeable, and you know you arent going to get the world and his dog booking in.
I got banned from one site in York for reviewing it less than favorably. Basically, the owner reduced pitch sizes depending on how many people knocked on his door. We had a tent less than 4 feet away for 3 nights. It was a toss up who kept who awake by snoring. He said he didnt like turning people away. But the truth was he didnt like turning their wallets away.
I learnt my lesson a couple of years ago when I pitched a tent on a site with absolutely no shade, so the tent was in full sun from early morning until dusk in temperatures of over 30c and there wasn't even a pub nearby I could take refuge in. I stuck it out the first day but when I woke up the next morning to full sun again I couldn't face another day and quickly packed up and went home. I have never been so relieved to be home and sat in front of a fan.
It really annoys me because I always loved the sun and could stand any heat but at my age now it makes me feel ill. Unfortunately my camping trips have become fewer because the weather has to be just right. As the old saying goes, 'The mind is willing but the body is weak'
Fortunately today we have a nice cooling breeze blowing through the house so it is quite pleasant indoors.
Quote: Originally posted by Bob61 on 30/6/2018
I learnt my lesson a couple of years ago when I pitched a tent on a site with absolutely no shade, so the tent was in full sun from early morning until dusk in temperatures of over 30c
I've just recently learned this the hard way. This last weekend I found a nice sunny south-facing pitch on a campsite. BIG mistake! I ended up making a makeshift shade awning with my car doors and a bath towel which was nice to sit out under but I couldn't go to bed until gone 11pm when the sun had finally gone down and my tent had cooled down enough. Needless to say, I was wide awake and boiling hot at 5.30am as the cycle started again
I've noticed that some of the 5 van sites (which we tend to prefer too) open their doors to others, not necessarily c&cc members.
A couple of sites we use do this and because there's no markings (usually enjoyed) people pitch anywhere. I know the owners should be telling people where to pitch but they don't always.
Some campers don't get or ignore the 6 m rule. We found that to our cost once when we came back to tent to find a caravan with its a frame within our guy lines.
------------- 2026
Various weekends, weather and time permitting
April - Yorkshire and Yorkshire
June - Wiltshire and Oxfordshire
Autumn - North and Scotland
We chose a corner last week at Wirral Country Park which nobody seemed to want. It was lovely, shade when we wanted it and sun when we wanted it, very private too.
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: Too hot for me
