Why do people use campsites?

We stay mainly on aires. Nice ones with grass and trees not carparks. We do stay on sites, have been on three this trip but avoid sites that are not 'adult only' if the schools are off. I have had children myself so dont begrudge them their holiday, i just prefer them to be somewhere away from me.
The Victorians said they should be seen but not heard, I prefer not to see them either.
 
Reallyretired said:
We stay mainly on aires. Nice ones with grass and trees not carparks. We do stay on sites, have been on three this trip but avoid sites that are not 'adult only' if the schools are off. I have had children myself so dont begrudge them their holiday, i just prefer them to be somewhere away from me.
The Victorians said they should be seen but not heard, I prefer not to see them either.
Click to expand...
 
funflair said:
We have a 5 week trip coming up, a pub stop for a night on the way to a club site for 3 nights (it's where we want to be) then a THS for a few nights on Windsor racecourse, over (actually under) the water and it will be aires and stellplatz for 3 weeks closely followed by a couple of nights on a club site close to a friend we want to visit and most likely another pub stop on the way home, I would be very reluctant to pay £45 a night and certainly won't be this trip and never have, the "free" pub stop will most likely be the most expensive ;)

There are loads of options out there now so just make them work for you.
Click to expand...
You describe exactly what I don't like, having to book and worse pay in advance, something I never did in Europe. Only once in 20 years of touring for months at a time were we turned away from a campsite . Before we left the EU we didn't book the tunnel until we got to Canterbury, unfortunately impossible now with our dog.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Just stayed at Bridlington CAMC after 2 nights off grid trying out the new van (some leisure battery issues but thats all) and decided yesterday we wanted some luxury, £45 for the night and we just chilled. No problems with kids, dogs neighbours and it is completely full. So, only reason we used it was to effectively have a "luxury" night to offset the minor leisure battery issue and check hook up etc was all working.
 
ctc said:
You describe exactly what I don't like, having to book and worse pay in advance, something I never did in Europe. Only once in 20 years of touring for months at a time were we turned away from a campsite . Before we left the EU we didn't book the tunnel until we got to Canterbury, unfortunately impossible now with our dog.
Click to expand...
I would rather have a booking for where we want to be than turn up and find it full and end up 20 miles away, if we are touring and don't care where we end up we don't book and we much prefer it that way to be honest but sometimes needs must.
 
PaulC70 said:
Just stayed at Bridlington CAMC after 2 nights off grid trying out the new van (some leisure battery issues but thats all) and decided yesterday we wanted some luxury, £45 for the night and we just chilled. No problems with kids, dogs neighbours and it is completely full. So, only reason we used it was to effectively have a "luxury" night to offset the minor leisure battery issue and check hook up etc was all working.
Click to expand...
Each to their own.

After we have not used the motorhome for a while we always go for a one or two night trip close to home to make sure everything is still working properly. Especially if we had made some changes, as I just have.

We just pop down to Canterbury and use the Old Dover Road P&R. We use the overflow car park which has over 100 extra car spaces. Never had more than 5 or 6 motorhomes sharing it with us and never any cars. All on tarmac so no worry about soggy grass. And if it's sunny out come the chairs and nobody complains. And we use the free bus into Canterbury for a walk around and a meal. No EHU, but we don't want that because we always test the electrics without it.

We rarely choose anywhere to stop based purely upon cost, but it is still good to know that this costs us only £8 for one night or £12 for 2 nights. (y)
 
Last edited:
funflair said:
I would rather have a booking for where we want to be than turn up and find it full and end up 20 miles away, if we are touring and don't care where we end up we don't book and we much prefer it that way to be honest but sometimes needs must.
Click to expand...
The only thing we have ever booked is haven sites when they have an offer on, in fact they have an offer next week at Skegness 5 nights including electric and all facilities £59 all in for the five days, very tempted.
 
In 40 years of touring in Europe I never booked anywhere and was only turned away once, and that was becsuse they had closed the reception for the afternoon 5 hours and would not let anyone in. Found a better place less than a mile away.
I have several times decided not to stay once Ive seen the place though. Booking would have been a problem then.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
We would only stop at recognised overnight stop, whether site or aire or britstop etc. Safety I suppose. I can see the attraction of a spot in the back of beyond, wonderful views etc. But not fo me. I cannot see the attraction of Tesco car park!
Many of the annoyances for us are more associated with large sites, which we just try and avoid.
 
chaser said:
The only thing we have ever booked is haven sites when they have an offer on, in fact they have an offer next week at Skegness 5 nights including electric and all facilities £59 all in for the five days, very tempted.
Click to expand...
If it's cold enough you could use £59 in leccy :ROFLMAO: go for it.
 
Stealaway said:
We always select remote spots and are rarely disturbed by any one else.
That's the magic of being a FLT.
My wife hates being woken up in the morning - except by birdsong.
Click to expand...
HI FUNSTERS,,,,,,,,,,
NOW YOU KNOW WHO IS WHISTLING AWAY AT.... " SPARROWS !! " time. :ROFLMAO:
Shame on you Stealaway........." My wife.....except...... .being woken by Birdsong " I have heard it ALL now. :ROFLMAO:
Tea Bag.
 
hja said:
We would only stop at recognised overnight stop, whether site or aire or britstop etc. Safety I suppose. I can see the attraction of a spot in the back of beyond, wonderful views etc. But not fo me. I cannot see the attraction of Tesco car park!
Many of the annoyances for us are more associated with large sites, which we just try and avoid.
Click to expand...
Who ever would want to stay overnight in a Tesco carpark or any kind of layby.
When there's so many lovely isolated spots if you just take the time took.
 
I just stop where I want at what time suits me which is usually late. In the Uk i either use friends & families land to park on or parking facilities where i need to be . never a problem.

eddievanbitz said:
living with the blinds up
Click to expand...
In 5 years with the last coach built the blinds were only ever raised to clean the windows. I kept the screens down all the time.
this one I only put 2 x windows in the rear & both have tint, mosquito blind then a curtain -To stop the wife opening them I have a ladder over one:LOL:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Unfortunately a lot of us get like Victor Meldrew as we age forgetting we were once young and free spirits playing chase between the vans and discarding our cycles so that blind people and the inferm can fall over them. I don't believe it Margaret!
 
chaser said:
Over this last month or so we have had various posts about campsites.
In no particular order.
Folks walking past your van.
People whistling.
Kids playing.
Dogs barking.
Dogs shitting.
Dogs on long leads.
Dogs with no leads.
People playing music after 10 pm.
People making a noise having breakfast outside.
Folks using the wrong emptying hole.
Folks using the wrong hose.
Whoosh bang doors.
Folks running over your hook up cable.
Wardens.
Vans parking in your view.
Grey dribbling.
Arriving and leaving times.
And loads more I can't think of at the moment.
Now the question is why do we hear of people paying upwards of £45 a night for these dubious pleasures?
Click to expand...

I have just gone over the list again and can say that in 14 years of wildcamping and Aires I cannot recall any of that behaviour.
 
Cos I need to empty the loo and fill up with water (UK only)

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Lenny HB said:
I can't find any listing for that, the boss wants to go to Windsor.
Click to expand...
I said THS, really I should have said "pop up site" as it's just a few days for the horse show, might be full now but you can try it.

www.buckscaravan.club

Buckinghamshire Centre of the Caravan and Motorhome Club

The Buckinghamshire Centre is a member of the Home Counties Region of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, we are a group of about 600 members. Our Centre holds about 30 rallies a year and is attended by all ages in their caravans and motorhomes.
www.buckscaravan.club www.buckscaravan.club
 
funflair said:
I said THS, really I should have said "pop up site" as it's just a few days for the horse show, might be full now but you can try it.

www.buckscaravan.club

Buckinghamshire Centre of the Caravan and Motorhome Club

The Buckinghamshire Centre is a member of the Home Counties Region of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, we are a group of about 600 members. Our Centre holds about 30 rallies a year and is attended by all ages in their caravans and motorhomes.
www.buckscaravan.club www.buckscaravan.club
Click to expand...
Don't do that lot.
 
peterc10 said:
Each to their own.

After we have not used the motorhome for a while we always go for a one or two night trip close to home to make sure everything is still working properly. Especially if we had made some changes, as I just have.

We just pop down to Canterbury and use the Old Dover Road P&R. We use the overflow car park which has over 100 extra car spaces. Never had more than 5 or 6 motorhomes sharing it with us and never any cars. All on tarmac so no worry about soggy grass. And if it's sunny out come the chairs and nobody complains. And we use the free bus into Canterbury for a walk around and a meal. No EHU, but we don't want that because we always test the electrics without it.

We rarely choose anywhere to stop based purely upon cost, but it is still good to know that this costs us only £8 for one night or £12 for 2 nights. (y)
Click to expand...
We were there last night with shunter, it was very busy. Between the two areas Alan counted 35 units.
 
Stealaway said:
Who ever would want to stay overnight in a Tesco carpark or any kind of layby.
When there's so many lovely isolated spots if you just take the time took.
Click to expand...
Hi Stealaway.
Have been tempted in France,i think one " Super U store " was in an Aires guide. Handy if its on your route somewhere else,fuel up vehicle, fridge and occupants and be away next day for some big miles rested up.
However,i have resisted the call so far,but its allways in the memory bank. Take care out there.
Tea Bag
 
Lenny HB said:
I can't find any listing for that, the boss wants to go to Windsor.
Click to expand...
They allow overnight mh parking in the overflow car park between the alexandra gardens car park & the coach parking in Alma Road, Windsor. It is behind the office for the parking &the coach park for the castle.If you arrive during the day you have to pay whatever the fee is until 7pm ,I believe. from 7pm until midnight it is £2 .
Midnight to 9am is free . water is available behind the mobilty scooter hire shop near to the car park office. No dump but toilets available down by the station entrance & shops in the coach park. Adjacent to the river.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/W...m2!3d51.4840091!4d-0.6138597!16s/g/11clzjqf5s
 
We do use sites in the U.K. but rarely when in Europe.

We prefer Aires/Stellplatz etc but do use the occasional one if nothing else is available in the area we want to visit.

We tend to avoid sites as we use our on-board facilities and don’t need to pay for showers/toilets etc. but each to their own.
 
Tea Bag said:
Hi Stealaway.
Have been tempted in France,i think one " Super U store " was in an Aires guide. Handy if its on your route somewhere else,fuel up vehicle, fridge and occupants and be away next day for some big miles rested up.
However,i have resisted the call so far,but its allways in the memory bank. Take care out there.
Tea Bag
Click to expand...
I seen that some French supermarkets allow overnight stopovers but I've never yet been tempted.
There are so many other nice places - especially in France.
It's a shame our supermarkets don't offer the same.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top