Touring at Home vs Travelling in Abroad (1 Viewer)

[vwalan]

I was asked whether I prefer to motorhome in the UK or across the channel.
I answered that question.
I didn't ask for some smart arsed snotty snide comment like yours.
You don't know anything about me or about why I choose to live here so back off with your "advice"

i did make the comment it was not about you as in person . read it again it was a general advice open for many .
i know nothing about you other than you do seem angry.
do calm down it wasnt ment to be personal.

 

[MikeandCarolyn]

Abroad cos we live here.

er,doesn't that make UK 'abroad' for you ?

 

[Baldeagle7470]

Deleted post!! Not worth joining in yet another slanging match!!

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[elamessa]

er,doesn't that make UK 'abroad' for you ?

See post 9.......

 

[elamessa]

Surely it isn't "abroad" if it's home?

See post 9......

 

[elamessa]

err you mean at home don't you, unless you come to the UK or Africa for your hols, hee hee

See post 9....

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[MikeandCarolyn]

See post 9.......

D'you know I never knew the posts were numbered thx for that.

 

[ABZSteve]

We enjoy touring in both the UK and abroad, just been round Scotland again. Our problem is that Dover is 500 miles away.

Over 600 miles for me to get to Folkstone so for now, The UK is where we will tour. Made it to the Cotswolds last week then toured back up to ABZ, approx 1200 miles in total. Would like to try France next year but could waste so many days travelling there and back. Needs a bit of planning methinks.

 

[Carol]

For us we are quite happy doing eigher, just being out and about in the van is good.

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[GJH]

So far this year we've had 66 UK nights in the van and it would have been more if we didn't have other calls on our time. Not one night has been on a site (apart from a couple of rallies at/adjacent to a site). We've never had a problem finding somewhere, never had to use 2 parking bays or beware of height limits. We've always been within walking distance of amenities and/or public transport and it's averaged out well under a tenner a night.

Seeing as I've never had any inclination to go abroad when there is so much to enjoy in this country (and Jill agrees with me) I can't see any reason to change

 

[big bertha]

We've only had MH 3 years and haven't ventured abroad in it yet but truth be told no great inclination to do it. Still many places up here and England to visit and haven't touched Wales or Ireland yet, maybe helps that I don't crave the sun.

 

[WillH]

Steve, this year, to save on traveling days , we took the ferry from North Shields ( Newcastle ) and toured Holland instead of France or Germany. Had a great time, lovely place, but the ferry was very expensive compared to the channel. You could save a couple of days by using it and start your holiday a day early.

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[Puddleduck]

Have done a lot of overseas touring in the past but are staying in the UK at present due to circumstances...... maybe France or Benelux next year, will have to see what next year brings.

We will probably use the ferry from Newcastle or Hull

 

[Speve]

Abroad in winter months and at home for summer,have just bought LHD because we are doing more in Europe than home and intend doing Finland to arctic circle next summer

 

[kglblue]

We leave for an 8 week tour of Europe, France, Belgium and the Netherlands next week. We did Germany and Luxembourg in April. Last year we did much the same but never tire of it. Once we cross the channel almost everything is cheaper than the UK, fuel, food, wine and beer, eating out is cheaper too. Motorhoming is the best thing ever, especially if you are retired, our dogs love it too. We did a year of holidaying in the UK but it is so expensive, the caravan club charge about £25 a night in Europe we pay €14 a night with our ACSI card. We also use Aires often at no cost most often costing no more than €5 a night. I've asked this question before, why does it cost an arm and a leg to camp overnight in your own van at most UK campsites? Is it the cost of land or as I suspect rip off Britain.

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[GJH]

I've asked this question before, why does it cost an arm and a leg to camp overnight in your own van at most UK campsites? Is it the cost of land or as I suspect rip off Britain.

As posted previously, 66 nights so far this year at less than a tenner a night.

Arm & a leg? Rip off? Not at all, it's simply a matter of finding the right places.
Oh, and there are also no ferry costs and no extra diesel for driving so far

 

[scotjimland]

I've asked this question before, why does it cost an arm and a leg to camp overnight in your own van at most UK campsites?

simple.. supply and demand.. capitalism at work..

year on year the number of pitches is reducing, coupled with the rise in popularity of camping and more people staying in the UK for holidays.. prices will inevitably rise.. Campsites are businesses, not a public service, so owners will charge whatever the market supports..

Also, we need to compare like with like.. an Aire is not a campsite

In the high season, continental sites are just as expensive if not more so than UK sites and popular Aires are not cheap.. for example, Mimizan Plage is now 14.50 for what is basically an overcrowded car park with vans almost touching.. as is Honfleur.. an expensive and crowded dusty car park..

The best value sites in France are Municipals, but they are gradually being closed or bought by private developers for up-market campsites ..

Many sites both here and abroad are out of our budget.. but there are still CLs/CSs and small sites that are reasonably affordable..
I draw the line at £15 per night with EHU or £12 without.. but can see the figure being revised.. sooner rather than later

I think many buy a van thinking it will mean endless cheap holidays .. they soon get a reality check..It's not a cheap hobby..

 

[simsy56]

At home or abroad? Mmmmmm, let me think. At this very moment, we are pitched in Derbyshire, it's dark, it's raining, it's cold, and it's expensive.........................

Craig

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[Chockswahay]

I think the matter of cost depends on how often you go away in your van and why. If you only go away 2 or 3 times a year for fortnight each time then quite frankly the cost of sites really does not matter.

If only the other hand you spend long periods away then it all adds up

We don't like campsites and take the view that with all our own facilities on board they have nothing to offer us. Also we 'tour' in our van, rarely stopping more than one night in the same place so the idea of spending £20 to £30 just to sleep in our own van is simply unpalatable

The UK is indeed expensive however we still manage to find quiet places where we can discreetly 'night stop' for free If we can't do this then next best is either cheap CL's (must be under a tenner maximum) or a Brit Stop if one is nearby.

In France touring is SO much easier, less stressful and considerably cheaper. We simply stop at a convenient Aire which is nearly always free

I do like the UK (recently completed a 4 week tour of Cornwall) but..........................

We're off to France in a couple of weeks or so

Nuff said??

 

[swidy]

I like Britain and rarely pay more than £10 a night and will not entertain the sites that charge extra because you over 21 ft in length but my friends with 18ft caravans and a car get charged less, but I suppose thats another thread lol.
We set off in November on a 12 months career break most of it abroad where its warmer and motorhomes recieve a warmer welcome.

 

[Reallyretired]

Usually abroad, but have been back in UK for 8 weeks now after 8 weeks abroad, and have a new puppy without a passport yet, so crossing the channel will wait till next spring. Off to Glastonbury week after next (If I get my van back from Johns Cross - fridge problem) and New Forest in December.

Even staying in the less expensive places I do find it costs a lot for basically a parking place with water and a dump point. Never use site showers and rarely toilets so prefer places without facilities as see no point in paying for something we don't use.

Aires are great, and although the popular ones can be expensive, we tend to avoid those, because they are popular and full of people. A bit of solitude is what is needed.

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[Langtoftlad]

I'm loving the comparisons between "ripoff" Britain full amenities Club Sites and the wonderful limited facility but cheaper Euro carpark... Not exactly comparing like with like .
Now I don't have a wealth of experience but my Britstops have been free, a CL was only a fiver, Lyndon Top £7, a football club in the heart of the Cotswolds £10, and the two Caravan Club Sites (which were chosen for location location location) were under £20 & offered discount on attached attraction.
I don't feel in any way exploited.

There may very well be reasons (weather?) that funsters prefer Europe to the UK, but the cost of pitching up shouldn't be one of them.

Comparing Apples & Oranges .

 

[Charlie]

I was mulling this very question over when lay by the pool this afternoon in 29 degrees at La Rochelle after sitting in the van in the UK watching it rain Saturday and Sunday.
Better weather. It cost 55 quid to fill the van rather than 90.... Food is cheaper..

I love most of the UK but the weather was just so bad this year it drove us over the water. Time is the most precious and vital commodity we have. Why waste it..

Have fun wherever you are.

 

[Chockswahay]

And another thing! In France you can stop (reasonably speaking) anywhere on a public road/space and sleep in your camping car overnight............ it is a divine right!

Here in the UK you can NOT do that legally ................ France....more laid back = more fun

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[Chockswahay]

Actually, whilst I am having a rant..... The roads in the UK are often busy and congested. Fuel is expensive. Alcohol is exorbitant ..............

and NOTHING beats French bread and cheese (err and the butter's damn good too!)

Yup! I'm ranting! ..... FRANCE IS BEST for motorhome travel

 

[GJH]

And another thing! In France you can stop (reasonably speaking) anywhere on a public road/space and sleep in your camping car overnight............ it is a divine right!

Here in the UK you can NOT do that legally ................ France....more laid back = more fun

Oh yes you can. Overnighting at the road side is only illegal where restrictions have been put in place, the default is legal. See http://www.motorhomeparking.co.uk/roads.htm

 

[DBK]

Oh yes you can. Overnighting at the road side is only illegal where restrictions have been put in place, the default is legal. See http://www.motorhomeparking.co.uk/roads.htm

That rambling link doesn't tell me anything other than you didn't get a clear answer. But if there was clear answer hidden in the blow by blow account a summary of it would be helpful.

Having had a knock on the door from the police in the early hours the reality is the practice is generally frowned upon here in my experience.

We are off to France tomorrow!

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[GeriatricWanderer]

60% of my UK overnighting is street parking. It suits my circumstances and needs. Often in residential areas and ideally flank wall parking. I don't need a site with facilities, just somewhere to park. Arrive late and depart early works for me. Never been knocked up or moved on.
However, it's so much more unregulated across the Channel.

 

[DiggerJon]

Now regrettably single,UK for me at the moment. I explore my own country speaking my own language and meet up with many folks on varied sites rarely more than £12 a night. My wife and I toured Europe extensively and her language skills were invaluable. Me, on my own, with rusty schoolboy French only, is disadvantaged. Yes, I have done "foreign" spending six weeks in Spain and Morocco but I did miss that relaxing wine chilled evening over a good meal reflecting on the day's events.

 

[GJH]

a summary of it would be helpful.

Read the bit at the top above the line again.

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