Camping- how do you like yours?

[busta]

It's that time of year again, when the tents and sleeping bags are pulled out of the cupboard under the stairs, the kids and pets rounded up and the car is pointed towards a remote patch of grass somewhere far from anywhere.

So what makes the perfect pitch for you?

I like things basic- somewhere rural with lots of space, somewhere to light a fire, toilets and perhaps a shower. I try to avoid places with swimming pools, thousands of caravans, miles of tarmac and a big list of site rules that confronts you before you've even got through the gate.

[RVVUNM]

France, no tacky sites.

[condor]

I only camp at motorsport events nowadays. Usually because it's the easiest and most cost effective way of being close to the track and also means you can enjoy a drink and evening entertainment.... MotoGp being next up
Toilets and easily available hot water score very highly as basic facilities.

[ewenm]

For me on my own - somewhere high and remote, all kit carried by me.
For family - B&B/Gite/Hotel

[miniman]

Any "campsite" listed here will do for me.

http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/

[Lady Summerisle]

95% of our camping is a race tracks when we're marshaling and at Other times it's festivals. When we want an actual camping holiday, somewhere rural, quiet with plenty of things of interest near by. Facilities wise, we can cope perfectly well with a tap and a CDP, but a hot shower is a nice luxury.

[smifffymoto]

Full.

[The Tea Boy]

quiet, not many kids or brits, basic but clean and working toilets and showers and ideally somewhere warm. Best site i ever found was on one of the islands (D-Oleron) off la rochelle which was in a pine forest over looking the beach with good toilets/showers and no kids and just french/belgian and dutch.


Matt

[Bungleaio]

We went camping for the 1st time in years last year. We race radio controlled cars so the tent was picked so that we can pit in the tent as well as sleep. It only cost us £150 and that included the carpet.

Can't wait to get it out again this year!

[H_Kan]

For me, I look for 3 things- in this order

1. Flattish pitches without large stones, tree roots etc. Nothing worse then something digging into your back and damaging the groundsheet or the feeling of awakening and realising you've slowly slid down the tent!

2. Clean toilets and clean HOT showers. I like nature etc but I need these creature comforts. Also, in the UK, you need hot showers, cold ones just make me miserable. Strange as I've camped in France etc and had cold showers, but there I don't seem to mind them.

3. Chilled out atmosphere where people can relax and have a laugh without being frowned upon.

I stayed at a place called South Lytchett Manor near Poole last year, which I really enjoyed. Little bit more formal then I'd have liked, but people were pretty friendly and left us to enjoy ourselves. However, I had a look and a standard grass pitch for 4 people this summer is coming in at close to £50 a night, which seems like a lot. Will need to hunt somewhere else out I think.

[Bill]

smifffymoto said:

Full.

Uncrowded pitches, nothing worse than being wedged in.
Shade, more important on the continent admittedly. In the UK shelter from the prevailing winds is good.
Good water pressure, I hate limp-wristed showers. And a dryish bit in the shower to get dressed again, why UK sites don't provided squeegy mops like they do in the continent I don't know.
A good view is always a bonus.

And rough camping in the middle of nowhere is best of all, although it's nice to have company when there are lions about

[Agoogy]

Private-ish pitches with plenty of shade and foliage...
Fantastic views from each pitch
well kept toilet/wash areas
level with no big stones, roots
Not more than 100 pitches

tent, mattress, sleeping bag, stove, bike, car, clothes, toilettries, good book, iPod

ideally here everytime....- http://www.eze-riviera.com/eze/romarins/

[Macey]

Just spent two nights at this place, adults only so no noisy kids and pitches limited to 10 so plenty of space.

http://www.hedgehogcornerexclusivecamping.com/

[ehonda]

busta said:

I like things basic- somewhere rural with lots of space, somewhere to light a fire, toilets and perhaps a shower. I try to avoid places with swimming pools, thousands of caravans, miles of tarmac and a big list of site rules that confronts you before you've even got through the gate.

This. I also avoid places with clubhouses.
We've a camper van and reasonably large awning, so somewhere with few, spaced out pitches is perfect. Also I prefer not to drive if going away for the weekend only, so somewhere with beaches/places of interest within walking/cycling distance.

I love getting home from work on a friday evening, jumping straight in the van and heading off for a weekend away from it all.

[neilsie]

5* hotels exist.


kennels are for pets.
activity holidays are for kids (or Aunts).

[condor]

I should have added to my post...how I hate late night noise.
I'm camping at Woodlands for the MotoGP next weekend...and even though I've picked the quiet part, there's still music till midnight ( OK with that) but going to be a load of generators buzzing all night long

[ehonda]

neilsie said:

5* hotels exist.

yep and I'll be jetting of at the end of september for 2 weeks in one, I still like my camping though.

[Pints]

Usual set-up of the Pints camping outfit (2 years ago) :

[busta]

condor said:

I should have added to my post...how I hate late night noise.
I'm camping at Woodlands for the MotoGP next weekend...and even though I've picked the quiet part, there's still music till midnight ( OK with that) but going to be a load of generators buzzing all night long

I hate generators on campsites! There really isn't any need to have them running all night.

[hondafanatic]

As long as I'm in walking distance of a decent pub with decent ales and a pleasant atmosphere, I'm not that bothered about anything else.

Even the crazy Dutch mud wrestling mullet styled techno hard house listening weirdos couldn't put me off a thoroughly enjoyable few nights in the local pub when I go to Spa.