Choosing a Campsite
It's a question of personal taste. Some campers want full comfort, sports facilities and all-night entertainment; others like to stick close to nature, and don't care if shower-block is primitive. Here are some pointers to help you choose.
What do you want?
Camping offers a fantastic range of choices. You can shape your holiday exactly how you please. Picture your ideal, then see where you can best hope to find it. Do you want:
- To visit a particular region?
- Coast, lake or mountains?
- A beach holiday or walking holiday?
- A large camping site, or a small one?
- Nearby visitor attractions?
- Top-quality bathroom facilities, or just adequate ones?
- A swimming pool on site?
- Sports and games facilities?
- Electric hookups?
- Wifi or other internet access?
- A laundrette?
- To be able to light campfires or barbecues?
- To take your dog?
- To go fishing?
Listings
There are numerous guides and websites that list campsites. These will contain the basic details, from which you can deduce what to expect: electrical facilities, showers, the existence on an on-site shop etc. Some independent listings also give midge/mosquito ratings. A key factor is the number of pitches: some people prefer the intimacy of small campsites, with very few pitches (under 50), but the facilities may be basic. The presence of a large number of static caravans for hire has (to some minds) a negative effect of the character of a site. But statistics are one thing: the charm (or otherwise) of the site, the warmth (or otherwise) of the welcome, and the conviviality (or otherwise) of other campers are also going to play a major part in your enjoyment. Such things are difficult to glean from listings alone, so listen out for the recommendations of friends and other campers, and study the comments of selective, independent guidebooks, or reviews in the press, or websites - some of which include evaluations (and criticisms) by campers who have used the sites.
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Price
The cost of a campsite, per night, is usually based on the number of tents, people and cars. Expect to pay around £12-£20 pounds for two people with a tent and a car, and about £2 each per night for children.
Book ahead
Note that in the summer months, the most popular campsites get booked up well in advance. Book early to avoid disappointment!
Pitching your tent
Choose a piece of flat ground, free of stones. Ideally, you want to be at least 10m from your nearest neighbour. Find a place that is not too near - yet also within easy walking distance of - the shower-block/toilets. If pitching on a slope, face the door down the slope, provided that this is not also into the prevailing wind.