Site for a big group for camping Oxford/Bucks/Northants

[Slyjoe]

Hi, basically my gang of old mates, all 40ish y/o started to meet once a year with all of the kids in tow for an annual family camp. You know the type of thing; huge game of rounders, big BBQ's and guitars and singing in the evening. (number about 30 of us)
We used a place in Standlake near Witney last year, trouble was they got really shirty at 11.30 ish when we were still going. Not unfair, but a little tight.

Can anyone reccomend a campsite that is a bit more free and easy that would fulfil our needs, without being too rough, as above Oxford/Bucks/Northants ish area?

Thanks.

[JQ]

In all honesty I'd imagine most campsites would get upset. Pretty much every site I've ever been to has been no noise after 10:30pm and I've seen several groups thrown off site for ignoring said rule. It's pretty unpleasant to try and sleep in a tent with small children while someone else is having a party in close proximity, the sound insulation of tents tends to be quite poor, hence the rule.

If there are such sites, I'd imagine you'll be sharing it with gangs of teenagers and drunken idiots as most sensible campers would avoid any sites that permitted late night parties and large groups. Somewhere like Newquay might have some suitable sites.

Would one of the "Family Music Fesitvals" not be more appropriate?

[GAjon]

As written above, most commercial campsites have quite strict noise policies.
Have you thought about about attending, say a BTCC event, at one of the tracks that have on site camping facilities.
These tend to be more relaxed but do still have quiet areas so you need to check them out first.
The on site camp areas I've been on, Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Donnington and Silverstone looked to me to have enough area for you to find your own patch for a large group.
Get to see some racing as a bonus.

[Slyjoe]

I guess thats the problem.... we are a bunch of hard working familys, who want to let it all out for one weekend, don't want to be seen as a rowdy bunch, but simarlarly don't want to be mixed in with some real rough-arses.
We are respectful of other people, but want to go mad a bit ourselves.

[JQ]

Slyjoe said:

I guess thats the problem.... we are a bunch of hard working familys, who want to let it all out for one weekend, don't want to be seen as a rowdy bunch, but simarlarly don't want to be mixed in with some real rough-arses.
We are respectful of other people, but want to go mad a bit ourselves.

Ultimately campsites are not a place for parties because you can't avoid impacting all the other campers. They have no way of escaping the noise. Pre-kids we'd always go to the pub if we wanted to be noisy into the early hours and then just go back to the campsite to sleep.

I do think one of the family music festivals might be fun - we certainly intend to go once our kids are bit older and can appreciate it.

Alternatively, have you looked into renting a camping barn - they can be just as cheap as camping and usually come with some grounds so you can play games and bar-b-que, but most importantly you'll not have any neighbours. I've stayed in loads and they're great fun as they generally provide very baisc accommodation, so not that dissimilar to camping. However, you'd need to hire one exclusively, as if there are other guests the rules and regs can be worse than campsites. This is the kind of thing :
http://www.discovercumbria.co.uk/Lake-District-Cam...

[Slyjoe]

Thanks JQ - I didnt realise there were things like camping barns.
The music festival thing would be ideal, and we have Cropredy and the Henley Rewind, but I have 4 kids and that works out to be a massive expense.
We do have a private music festival which my family are going to, however I can't invite the whole gang.

I'll look out for a camping barn down here.

[Matt172]

you could try Billing Aquadrome in Northampton, I know the SXOC have had a few gatherings there, and there have also been big car show type meets in the past too.

Probably not in the right part of the country, but a few years ago there was an unofficial Pistonfest at the 2CV 24hour race at Cadwell park, I think there was about 30/40 of us and we basically took over a corner of their campsite, certainly no issues there

[Slyjoe]

Matt172 said:

you could try Billing Aquadrome in Northampton

That did come to mind, and its in the right aera - Does anyone know what its like?

[Matt172]

Slyjoe said:

Matt172 said:

you could try Billing Aquadrome in Northampton

That did come to mind, and its in the right aera - Does anyone know what its like?

It's like a caravan park I've not been for years so can't say for sure what it's like now. You could stick a post in the Northants forum on here to see what people think

[Nickyboy]

Slyjoe said:

That did come to mind, and its in the right aera - Does anyone know what its like?

Its very good, huge field for camping as well as all the caravans. They do tend to be similar re noise etc but it depends on how busy they are. If you can get a fiueld on your own then you'll probably be ok. I've not been since they changed owners a couple of years back however.