Campsites open this weekend - who’s going where ?
- Thread starter Pete C
- Start date
Well that’s 4 hours we are never going to get back.
Short version:
Earlier this week, we decided to get out in the van on a campsite this weekend - somewhere fairly local.
Made some enquiries, and a campsite at the foot of the Black Mountains in Wales said they had space.
Checked it out - 2 hours away, basic, remote, but apparently plenty of space - so booked it. We knew we would be somewhere in a field, rather than allocated plots, but we aren’t fussy campers.
Turned up - absolutely rammed. Short queue to check in, with cars queuing behind us. Owner said they were “overwhelmed”, but didn’t appear to be turning away people without a booking.
They were too busy to take money off us, saying they would be around the next day.
Cruised around the fields to find a space - couple of options but all the vaguely flat pitches were long gone.
What scared us was the ratio of people to toilets, and the number of plastic portaloos rather than real facilities. Plus the inability of the site to keep those portaloos anything like clean. It would be a nightmare in normal circumstances, never mind with COVID-19 all around.
Having camped twice already this summer, we know what a decent Covid-19 cleaning regime looks like. If an inspector visited this site, they would shut it down immediately.
So we made the decision to go home. We looked at a couple of other sites close by, but they were closed or full.
Anyway, delicious late meal at home, and a lesson learned.
Pete
Short version:
Earlier this week, we decided to get out in the van on a campsite this weekend - somewhere fairly local.
Made some enquiries, and a campsite at the foot of the Black Mountains in Wales said they had space.
Checked it out - 2 hours away, basic, remote, but apparently plenty of space - so booked it. We knew we would be somewhere in a field, rather than allocated plots, but we aren’t fussy campers.
Turned up - absolutely rammed. Short queue to check in, with cars queuing behind us. Owner said they were “overwhelmed”, but didn’t appear to be turning away people without a booking.
They were too busy to take money off us, saying they would be around the next day.
Cruised around the fields to find a space - couple of options but all the vaguely flat pitches were long gone.
What scared us was the ratio of people to toilets, and the number of plastic portaloos rather than real facilities. Plus the inability of the site to keep those portaloos anything like clean. It would be a nightmare in normal circumstances, never mind with COVID-19 all around.
Having camped twice already this summer, we know what a decent Covid-19 cleaning regime looks like. If an inspector visited this site, they would shut it down immediately.
So we made the decision to go home. We looked at a couple of other sites close by, but they were closed or full.
Anyway, delicious late meal at home, and a lesson learned.
Pete
Sounds like a wise decision. So far we have managed 3 short stays at fairly nearby campsites - first two excellent, third not so good. There seems to be quite a different approach from site to site but can certainly recommend Waterclose Meadows at Houghton Mill & Three Rivers Parc at Geldeston. A few more little trips booked so we'll see how they work out.
Had a couple of nights at Burrowhayes Farm, not far from Minehead, all the facilities are open and well maintained, including Covid requirements, couldn't get an EHU though, all fully booked for months ahead, fridge lasted for a couple of days which was just enough, highly recommended.
Church Stile Farm Wasdale.
Good pitches, relatively private, remote, clean toilets, great views, 2 minute drive to Wast Water, no phone signal.
Good pitches, relatively private, remote, clean toilets, great views, 2 minute drive to Wast Water, no phone signal.
Love Wasdale, normally stay on the NT site and love the fact it's so remote you don't get a phone signal their either.
I’m not sure what I’ve posted so I’ll start from the beginning of our summer tour...
T6 Forum (failed entirely to get a decent picture!)
Slapton Sands (great site, close to village with pubs and shop)
Tregurrian (Newquay)(pissed it down saved by facilities in site next door!)
Ashbourne(pissed it down!)
Windermere (superb when weather was good)
Cromer (close to beach, pub and chippy)
Gloucestershire (Winchecombe, one of our favourites)
Oxfordshire (Radcot on the Thames but terrible site, made us appreciate the ccc sites!)
T6 Forum (failed entirely to get a decent picture!)
Slapton Sands (great site, close to village with pubs and shop)
Tregurrian (Newquay)(pissed it down saved by facilities in site next door!)
Ashbourne(pissed it down!)
Windermere (superb when weather was good)
Cromer (close to beach, pub and chippy)
Gloucestershire (Winchecombe, one of our favourites)
Oxfordshire (Radcot on the Thames but terrible site, made us appreciate the ccc sites!)
Booked up for a week at Knights Folly campsite, Bitton. Looks like it's a handy location for the cycle path mid way between Bath and Bristol. Any recommendations on thing to do/places to visit in the area welcome.
Another adult only site for the BH, Wheathill Park in Shropshire Hills
tranquilparks.co.uk
We've been doing every other weekend, the bits in between don't half drag!
Adults Only Caravan Parks & Touring Parks | Tranquil Parks
Welcome to Tranquil Parks, a collection of over 40 independent, family-operated, adults only caravan parks and touring parks across the UK
tranquilparks.co.uk
We've been doing every other weekend, the bits in between don't half drag!
Couple of nights spent at Wallingford to meet up with the youngsters. Really must have that chat with step son the 3rd. His pimped up Range Rover makes us look like the campsite drug dealers. Simply won't do you know.
That’s one way to feed a Wheel habit
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