Keycamp / Eurocamp etc

[Ciaran]

Starting to this about next years holiday and want to try one of these type of holidays. I've no experience of them to be honest so I'm looking for a few pointers.

Two adults, a 4 year old and 18 month old twins. I'd like to go to France and will probably fly drive, would prefer mobile home / cabin. Any suggestions on where to go would be much appreciated!

[louiebaby]

I worked for them on site the summer of 1999, so some things might have changed.

They DIDN'T provide sleeping bags or towels. You were renting a tent or caravan with mattresses on the beds, but no linen at all. I think this was down to lack of washing facilities for the staff to get them cleaned, and keeping costs down.

I wouldn't fly-drive because of this. Make use of the Brittany ferries if you don't want to drive miles, or do Dover - Calais for cheaper crossings.

There are a lot of sites, with various facilities, but the brochure is pretty helpful. Feel fre to ask, but Eurocamp doesn't operate at the two sites I worked on any more.

[blueST]

Have a look at Camping Castels http://www.camping-castels.co.uk/

I think they have rental tents/cabins/caravans. Very pleasant places.

[Ciaran]

blueST said:

Have a look at Camping Castels http://www.camping-castels.co.uk/

I think they have rental tents/cabins/caravans. Very pleasant places.

I like that look of that.

[Si 330]

Ciaran said:

blueST said:

Have a look at Camping Castels http://www.camping-castels.co.uk/

I think they have rental tents/cabins/caravans. Very pleasant places.

I like that look of that.

The likes of Keycamp/Sebu etc all use the Castels campsites they are excellent. We went several times with a company called French life and a few with Keycamp. We opt for there top of the range accommodation which have all the comforts you require. The kids love it and mine any way always opt for this type of holiday over a hotel in the med.

[thenortherner]

As a kid we did countless holidays with Eurocamp.

We mostly stayed in tents though which are probably more roomy than a mobile home in terms of floor space. And to be honest, for what they were, they were pretty comfortable too.

Whether staying in tents or mobile homes it's quite a social experience too.

I'd request a brouchure from them, pick out some sites you like and find some reviews of them online. Most of the bigger sites will have their own website too.

The longer the ferry crossing the bigger supplement you will pay. Dover - Calais being the cheapest. Crossing departure times also matter. I think the back of the brouchure will detail how much you'll pay.

Hope that helps.

[smifffymoto]

Eurocamp,Keycamp,Canvas,Siblu,Vacance Soleil,Castel,Kawan,all do the same thing.

My advice is use their brochures to choose a site the contact the site direct.You will save alot of money.

Also,us small independants are usually cheaper.

[Road2Ruin]

We have done keycamp a few times and again this year. We tend to only go to ones that you can drive to so as to make full use of luggage. They have all been very good. Clean, cormfortable and loads to do for the children. We have usually had a cabin (static caaravan with pitched roof) and whilst compact it certainly had everything we needed. You can pr-book linen if you don't want to take your own.

[SunnyD]

Growing up we went to France every year on a Eurocamp holiday staying at a different site each time. Only experience is from a kid’s point of view, but I loved it. The tents were great (we preferred the tents to the mobile homes as there was more space) and there were tons of activities and things to do, I can still remember some of the kids club leaders, and the things we did and the friends we made in other tents (and that was 20 years ago!). I know your little ones are pretty young but I’d def. recommend it. Wouldn’t fly though, take the ferry and then at least the kids can bring all their toys too.

I’m sure it’s probably changed a lot since I used to go, but I’d recommend getting a site that has individual bathrooms on the pitches so you don’t have to walk up to the toilet block in the middle of the night – not handy when you have young ones. Maybe it’s changed and they’re all like that now, I don’t know.

[chopper602]

I can't believe the prices that these companies are charging for their tents and caravans - £800 to 1k a week? We've used most of these companies in the past but the last couple of years we've stayed in Gites instead which actually are cheaper than a canvas or tin home!

Have you thought of investing in a tent of your own and all the kit and booking a site on one of the Castels sites linked to above? It would work out a lot cheaper and you get to keep the tent etc at the end of the holiday (for next year?).

[sawman]

We have used keycamp a few times over the last 10 years or so.

On balance they make for a pretty straightforward and easygoing trip for young families. we have stayed in sites all over france and for the most part they are good sites, so far the only one I wouldn't go back to is one near amsterdam - too packed in and noisy.

If you go slightly out of season it is pretty cheap, but as with everything else prices go stupid in school holidays.

Personally I wouldn't go all the way south in high summer as those caravans get pretty hot and the kids will complain.

We have always arranged travel via ferry or shuttle and the rates are better than booking yourself, on this basis booking your own accommodation as smiffymoto suggests may not end up much cheaper(although I have never really looked at this option too closely) and make take you a good few man hours to sort out, esp if you are doing multi sites.

The way we have arranged previous trips is that we may have a main destination in mind, then arrange stopovers with keycamp on the way there so out of 10 days trip we might have 5 at main destination and the rest of it going and coming back.

If you head to south france, consider the ferry routes to northern spain and then drive through pyrenees, this ticks some PH boxes.

[johnfm]

Surprisingly good fun.

I took our kids twice in the last few years - and they enjoyed it as much as any villa type holidays - probably more because they meet more kids their age to play with.

Not as cheap as you might think for a small patch of land in a campsite - but supply and demand is what it is!

[tozerman]

Me and the wife did eurocamp (for the 3rd time) this year, all I can say is "brilliant", 6 days in the Italian lakes and 4 days in the French Alps for £800 !! including ferry etc, someone tell me that isn't a good deal.

Cheers.....Tony..

[Naga]

chopper602 said:

I can't believe the prices that these companies are charging for their tents and caravans - £800 to 1k a week?

I thought this too - Out of school holiday periods they are much better value.

I've used Canvas Holidays first with parents in the late 60s and then myself from the 80s onwards - Can't fault them and as has been said, great for families....

[Ciaran]

Excellent, thanks everyone!

[zetec]

As a teenager I went on a couple Eurocamp holidays with my family, Brittany Ferries Portsmouth - St Malo, then a couple hours drive to Carnac. Accomodation was a tent, a big one though, I got served beer in the bar and had my first grope of a female breast, fab times!!

[RVVUNM]

We have just returned back from a twelve night stay in two different Canvas holiday sites in France, first six nights at Les Biches http://www.canvasholidays.co.uk/campsite-overview.... and the second six nights at St Catherine de Ferbois
http://www.canvasholidays.co.uk/campsite-overview.... and I have to say it was great. Both sites were clean, well maintained and with plenty to do. The tents are basic but do include beds (take your own bedding), a fridge, electric socket (take an extention lead), gas cooker and all crockery/pans and cutlery. You have to use the communal washing/showering and toilets but the were very clean at all times. I would recommend them all day long.