The Camping Forum

[bluebenz1]

Hi all,

I am trying to start up a campsite and would like to use this forum as a way of gathering some information on what makes a campsite a great campsite.

I have been camping for most of my life, scouting, wild camping, arctic camping and weekend breaks, and have my own ideas of how a good campsite should be set up, but there's nothing like the input of the masses!!!

Comments please on the following
1. what should the shower and WC facilities be like, basic, functional, high spec.
2. what should the site itself look like, ie flat field, some trees to offer shade, trees and shrubs/low growing vegetation to create enclosed glades, or any other layout.
3. situated near a town with tourist attractions, secluded/rural, coastal or other?
4. fees, what might you expect to pay for a:- basic site, middle of the range and the perfect campsite(whatever that might be to you?)
5. How environmentally friendly should your ideal campsite be?

Any other ideas comments of input would be very welcome.

Regards

Simon

[Wayne]

Hi Simon and a warm welcome to the Forums .
(Out of interest, what part of the country are you looking to set up in, be interesting to follow how it goes for you and hopefully visit one day, good luck for the future with it.

Quite hard to answer, if I really think about my camping needs.
Whilst for a weeks holiday I like to book in somewhere nice, for long weekends I look more at price. I except the two don't really go together, but I'll try to answer with as much info as possible and hopefully it will help.

For long weekends:

1. what should the shower and WC facilities be like, basic, functional, high spec.
I expect the shower to be hot and I expect it to have an area where I can dress that's not in the direct wet area of the shower, somewhere to hang my clothes and keep them dry. I expect it to be a little warm in the room, but don't assume it will be nice and warm. I assume it will be basic and functional. Also if its really cheap (less than £10 to £15 a night, inc EHU) I accept I may have to pay for the showers, but I don't expect the owner to make a profit out of the showers (just cover there running cost)

2. what should the site itself look like, ie flat field, some trees to offer shade, trees and shrubs/low growing vegetation to create enclosed glades, or any other layout.
I always expect the grass to be cut to an expected length. I always steer clear of pitching on slopes if I can really help it and its always a bonus to have some trees and hedges to help break any winds and give a feel of privacy. I expect to see some slabs or similar laid around toilet blocks.
I don't expect it but its always a nice bonus to see a small shop and something like fresh eggs or home made cakes etc.

3. situated near a town with tourist attractions, secluded/rural, coastal or other?
I would never look for a campsite near a town personally, but I use campsite both rural/secluded and Coastal. I must admit I do tend to be wary of Coastal sites with no hedges and trees to break the strong coastal winds.

4. fees, what might you expect to pay for a:- basic site, middle of the range and the perfect campsite(whatever that might be to you?)
I find the best ones are the ones with free showers and let you stay for free
Seriously though if I was going for a budget site here are the last few payments I have made and considered fair.

£12.50 per night inc EHU (showers were 50p for 7mins)
£12.50 per night inc EHU (showers were £1 for 9mins)
£5 per night + £1 per person (it cost us £9) - we had no EHU (Showers were free)

5. How environmentally friendly should your ideal campsite be?
One thing I hate about most campsites is the lack of recycling for our waste, seems to be a problem with campsites
Anything that shows a lean towards environmental issues is going to score points with most decent folk as long as it doesn't hinder there holiday.


For Holidays of a week plus:

1. what should the shower and WC facilities be like, basic, functional, high spec.
For a week or more I expect the shower block to be really nice. I expect them to be tiled and cleaned often, I expect to find a free sink and mirror or shower without having to queue or at least not have to queue for long (i.e, nobody in front of me waiting for a sink or shower). I expect the lighting to be good and bright. I would not consider booking into anywhere that I would have to pay extra for the showers.

2. what should the site itself look like, ie flat field, some trees to offer shade, trees and shrubs/low growing vegetation to create enclosed glades, or any other layout.
The site should be level with good ground drainage and the grass kept short and tidy. I would expect bushes and hedges helping to divide the site up and offer a little privacy. I would expect to see some external lighting around the shower / toilet blocks.
I would be drawn to a site that offers the following:
A childrens play area (tricky one, some people will give a site a miss that offers this)
A decent little well stocked on site shop that is open for a good duration.
A small take away of some description doing chips pizzas hot dogs and jacket potatoes, you know the sort.
Maybe a club house, I don't expect to pay extra for this, I expect it to make its money from the sales of drinks and snacks. Not sure about entertainment at the club house, I wouldn't want to pay for it so I guess I don't really expect it.

3. situated near a town with tourist attractions, secluded/rural, coastal or other?
Same answer as above

4. fees, what might you expect to pay for a:- basic site, middle of the range and the perfect campsite(whatever that might be to you?)
I think with EHU I would be looking at £25 to £30 a night for a family of 4 or 5, maybe a bit more if all the boxes were ticked.

5. How environmentally friendly should your ideal campsite be?
Same answer as above


Any other ideas comments of input would be very welcome.
This is my camp diary and comments on some of the sites I have stayed at and a few pictures.

I always like the sites where the owner goes the extra mile by being friendly and accommodating, cost's nothing but good manners
I'm sure I'll think of some other stuff and as I do I'll add it, hope that helps a little to be going on with.

[anniemac]

Hi
I can't possibly offer as much input as Wayne, but there are a few things I look for as a must on a campsite.
1: toilet/shower facilities can be basic, but clean, and open 24 hours (we've stayed somewhere they locked them until 6am - not good!). As Wayne says, somewhere to dress while not being in the wet area, and plenty of hooks!
2: Will you have caravans too? I always hate it when the caravans area is closest to the loos, and tent campers have to walk sometimes quite a way, when caravans come with their own "facilities". So siting tents within sensible distance of loo block.
3: A shop for at least a few hours a day, nothing fancy, just essentials. There's always something you forget or run out of, and I don't really want to get in the car and head out to the town while I'm camping.
4: Reasonably near a pub - not right next door, but again, nice not to have to drive!
5: Choice of shade or not, if possible, and flat pitches.
6: Ability to park next to tent, and good defined space between pitches.
7: Big one for me is being really clear and informative when you market the site, so if it's going to be really attractive for families for example, make that clear so a: families come and b: people who don't want that type of site know what's in store. And local weather info like, it can get a bit windy, bring a wind break
8: Being green. Whether it's recycling facilities for the rubbish or eco-showers, green puts a site on my list!

Hope this little bit of input from a "light" camper helps!
anniemac

[coachandy]

1. what should the shower and WC facilities be like, basic, functional, high spec.

Shower and WC facilities are top of the list (because of 'er indoors you understand.. ). If we read reviews of a site and a number of the them are critical of the facilities cleanliness - then its a no go straight away, regardless of cost, amenties or anything else.

2. what should the site itself look like, ie flat field, some trees to offer shade, trees and shrubs/low growing vegetation to create enclosed glades, or any other layout.

No real preference for this, think what would swing things for us, if tents and caravans didnt use the same pitch, not nessecarly seperate fields, but designated tent or caravan, as we found this weekend - flat field, but the pitch was uneven because of the ruts left by what I can only assume to be caravan wheels in bad weather. Having kids a site that was enclosed what be more preferable.

3. situated near a town with tourist attractions, secluded/rural, coastal or other?

Coastal, definately for us, kids and beaches = a day of fun a little cost for mum and dad

4. fees, what might you expect to pay for a:- basic site, middle of the range and the perfect campsite(whatever that might be to you?)

Still working this out, paid £60 a night for 3 adults and 2 kids at what I would describe (and others have) as a top quality site with no negative factors for us, but we are benchmarking around £16-20 a night for sites that meet our requirements

5. How environmentally friendly should your ideal campsite be?

Being honest, not on our radar really and would not be a factor in our decision making process.

[Rob-merlin1973]

Comments please on the following
1. what should the shower and WC facilities be like, basic, functional, high spec.
2. what should the site itself look like, ie flat field, some trees to offer shade, trees and shrubs/low growing vegetation to create enclosed glades, or any other layout.
3. situated near a town with tourist attractions, secluded/rural, coastal or other?
4. fees, what might you expect to pay for a:- basic site, middle of the range and the perfect campsite(whatever that might be to you?)
5. How environmentally friendly should your ideal campsite be?

I have to admit mate that Wayne has mirrored my answer to a tee so rather than bore you by saying it all again,
I agree with Wayne

[ukmgranger]

Comments please on the following
1. what should the shower and WC facilities be like, basic, functional, high spec.
2. what should the site itself look like, ie flat field, some trees to offer shade, trees and shrubs/low growing vegetation to create enclosed glades, or any other layout.
3. situated near a town with tourist attractions, secluded/rural, coastal or other?
4. fees, what might you expect to pay for a:- basic site, middle of the range and the perfect campsite(whatever that might be to you?)
5. How environmentally friendly should your ideal campsite be?

1. We like warm, basic showers and loos. We are always wary of campsites that are too 'corporate'.

2. The more trees and bushes the better. flat areas for pitching is always good, but interesting land is great for the soul!
We don't like to see caravans if possible, but don't mind seeing the cooler small Vdub camper types.
As we have a small porta-loo, we don't mind being further away from the utility block, just because we like our area to look more rural. We pretty much just need water more often than not close to our actual pitch these days.
We also like to see the site selling/supporting local produce. We love getting local food to cook with!

3. It's always nice to have some interesting circular walks about. If they go through a small town even better (so we can check out the local produce).

4. For a really good campsite we would be happy to pay about £20-£30 per night for the two of us. That money is really only reflected in a great location rather than flashy toilets and EHU etc.

5. We like a good balance. We don't like to feel that there is any preaching going on, but equally, we like to think that the site is not frittering resources.

We also pretty much only go to camp sites that allow campfires now, and preferably 'proper' campfires that can be made on the ground. There is nothing like cooking your dinner on one!!

Hope that this helps