Staycations, Local Knowledge, Horses Mouth

[Jim]

As you can see from the thread heading I'm not sure what to call it yet... But I want to build a definitive database of your local area. This information would be seen by subscribing funsters only. Initially it will be UK based but I might spread it wider, we'll see.

Essentially we will have every county of the UK as different categories. Into that county you will be able to add your local knowledge. You will be able to enter, text, photos, map locations etc.

So if you live in Yorkshire, you will click on on Yorkshire and be able to add your local knowledge. You will be able to add things in sub categories like

Campsites
Parking
Places to eat

Etc

So if a Funster is going to Cornwall say, looking here she will have lots of info about where to go, what to see, best places to eat etc. all of it supplied and updated by locals.

So, do you think it is a good idea?
What sub categories should we have under each county?
Would you be prepared to contribute?

Cheers

 

[The Wino]

Sounds like a good idea. It might be worth asking people using it not to tell people outside fun about the information so places don't get swamped with motorhomes and the information becomes less useful.

 

[tacr2man]

Would/should this include wild parkup/overnight stops ?

 

[The Wino]

Would/should this include wild parkup/overnight stops ?

Thats just the sort of thing I meant!!!

 

[clanjones]

I think it is a great idea. We would be interested in areas for cycling as well.

We could certainly contribute on that front for France and Northern Spain.

Abandoned our planned cycling trips abroad this year so heading south in September from the frozen north hoping for slightly warmer and sunny weather!

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[Kirsten]

Love the idea...could add weighbridges, if any - as we have found them to be few n far between....and if on route and there is one that would save sep. journey .
Tricky roads alert might also be helpful... and a guide of how to download maps might also be helpful

 

[Steve and Denise]

Sounds useful even places to avoid

Ps I didn’t know you had a horse

 

[Wendo55]

Most large sites have an information room with what to see or do in the area. A lot of it is miles away and involves driving. It's whether to walk left or right out of the gates to see things that I want to know. Also if it's safe to walk/cycle on the local roads.

 

[Phill D]

We sort of do this in a very informal way already but it's difficult to find the information a while later when we need it.

So to have a fixed place for this sort of info is a great idea.

 

[Gaston aires]

On the face of it a great idea. I would contribute to it relative to my county, Suffolk. It would be interesting to see how places like London and other bid cities fare.
Phil

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[g3cwi]

Campsites
Parking
Places to eat
Etc

Looking at the responses and ideas so far it could end up as and a lengthy rather indigestible thread where information gets dated and not so valuable. Maybe some way to focus it more would help? I can see posts stimulating discussions about the price of fish and other matters - which might not be what you want.

 

[SuperMike]

Water taps, including those where they charge a few shillings
Waste disposal
Public Toilets
Disabled Toilets
Any toilets
More Toilets

What we need, because you have nothing else to do, is a google map with it all on. Click on a marked spot and up it all pops. You could do an App as well to keep on our phones, tablets etc whilst travelling. And, as you say, subscribers only. There that'll keep you occupied.

 

[steve 6644]

As Gandalf said, "keep it secret, keep it safe"

 

[Coolcats]

As Gandalf said, "keep it secret, keep it safe"

Once its on social media its 'out there' and you will never get it back, even a closed area here someone will copy and paste.. (that's my glass half empty realist view)

 

[joe and sue]

Brilliant idea,

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[Rosemary1]

I would appreciate nice places to eat, parking with space for motorhomes and LPG garages to be included?

 

[Detnor]

Why is it when I read this it takes me back to the 'facts campsite database.

 

[The Dotties]

Water taps, including those where they charge a few shillings
Waste disposal
Public Toilets
Disabled Toilets
Any toilets
More Toilets

What we need, because you have nothing else to do, is a google map with it all on. Click on a marked spot and up it all pops. You could do an App as well to keep on our phones, tablets etc whilst travelling. And, as you say, subscribers only. There that'll keep you occupied.

And Jim will need an assistant!

 

[Brains]

Good idea, but ......

Campsites.
Typically locals don't know anything about campsites within 10 miles of where they live as they never go there!

Using your example, you would be better off asking Londoners about Cornish campsites, as they are the ones that use them.
I've yet to meet a Cornish person camping on a Cornish campsite.

To a smaller degree the same applies to many local attractions. When did you last go to your local castle, museum, fun fair, etc.

 

[RubyOptics]

Agree that this is a fantastic idea!! If you go ahead with this, please add Poland to the list! I know it's not as popular as other European countries but would love to share some of the great places I have been to with other Funsters.

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[buttons]

On the face of it a great idea. I would contribute to it relative to my county, Suffolk. It would be interesting to see how places like London and other bid cities fare.
Suffolk is the duel in the crown of the south east, would you want hoards more caravans setting up home on your pleasant homeland. Mum's the word.

 

[sciac2001]

Parley Glade, Church Lane, Parley, Dorset.

Officially a C&C CS site but other areas open to non-members.

 

[Mickthemove]

 

[HugoBNB]

Great idea. Yes, I will contribute for Northumberland.

 

[Spriddler]

Much of the general info is already available on a multitude of searchable websites e.g. overnight/wild parking, pub stops, LPG garages. To be of any practical benefit the Fun version will need to be regularly updated by the OP or by visiting Funsters when height barriers appear at car parks, overnighting banned, anti-Traveller trenches dug, cafes or restos close or deteriorate, or when LPG pumps have been removed etc.

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[SteveJ]

Great idea, we regularly see posts asking for advice about various areas people are visiting/passing through and I have spent quite a lot of time searching for old posts that I thought may have given details on a good spot to stop etc and never finding it again, so having some sort of regional database, based on actual members knowledge, would be brilliant.

 

[joe and sue]

Good idea, but ......

Campsites.
Typically locals don't know anything about campsites within 10 miles of where they live as they never go there!

Using your example, you would be better off asking Londoners about Cornish campsites, as they are the ones that use them.
I've yet to meet a Cornish person camping on a Cornish campsite.

To a smaller degree the same applies to many local attractions. When did you last go to your local castle, museum, fun fair, etc.

But we are more likely to know about pubs, farm shops, car parks etc where over-nighting is allowed, for a casual stop-over.
I can think of 3 straight away, around Bury St. Edmunds.
This is what i believe we, as motor-Homers need, as we tend to tour, stopping at different places each night instead of setting up on a camp site for a week or so.

 

[Sandancers]

I would suggest that you have it as say a County and within that County all info that people can put on about their own town.

For instance, Northumberland, we'd say go to Seahouses, there is a high cost but great campsite with everything called Seafield, but right next door is a ccc site, take your choice.

But for our own town we could say which is the easiest supermarket to get your van into, same with pubs and places you should see and can get to either walking or via public transport.

 

[berni109]

If u can stop the usual wandering off topic it would be useful.
I usually spend ages 'searching' through old posts if going to a new area.

 

[Garfields]

Good idea but
I keep telling irnbru about Hawick and she still wants to take folk back

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