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what is the latest time you can arrive on sites, generally? We have a small motorhome.

As you may know we are reasonably new to this and find that we ask ourselves this question again and again when browsing the site guides planning our trips.

As we work full time, leaving for a weekend trip on a Friday night at 5pm after work means we are a bit restricted on how far we can get before it's too late to arrive on site. The camping and caravanning club stipulate 8pm, requesting that later arrival times are by arrangement and at the discretion of the site manager. Also, a lot of sites won't allow you to stay only one night during busy periods so that would sometimes restrict us from an overnight stop on the Friday on our way to somewhere.

I acknowledge that you can't have people arriving late at night on sites disturbing everyone else but wondered if many sites allow you to park just outside the gates when arriving late, and then check-in in the morning? Obvioulsy you would pay for that night. I am sure i have heard of something like this but would be interested to hear of other members experiences with this before i broach it with any site managers!

A lot of sites do have a late arrivals area, generally its a small parking area outside any barriers and won't therefore have any facilities such as hook up. Sites such as cc and ccc usually stipulate 8pm, but on commercial sites I  would check when booking after all if they live on site and know to expect you it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Stayed at  a site where the barrier was closed at 10pm but as we where badger watching till later they left it open for us, other places will give you a key or pass card once your there.

Agree with the one night thing, we often go away just for a saturday night, but haven't found any problems so far, but haven't tried during summer season. The other bug bear is not arriving before 12. OK if your travelling some distance, but if touring an area means you can't park up and go off for the day.

I've generally found most wardens/owners to be fairly ammenable if you explain your circumstances

Hello Vicki

I think you will find a wide variety of arrangements for late arrivals.  As you say, some sites do have a late arrivals area.  I know of one, at Oban where the late arrivals area is the pick of the site for me.  I think you would need very careful forward planning though to rely on them as they are by no means universal.

Personaly, I think that the situation you suggest is a perfect time for an overnight wild camp.  I do realise though that this is not acceptable or appropriate for all.

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Steven 

I know I will get lots of moans over my views on this.

Can someone please point out why I can't arrive in our campervan at 8.30pm for example on a CC site (we will have water on board when we arrive late) BUT a caravan with 4x4 who arrived before earlier can go out and in as many times as they like.  On many occasions arriving back late evening but this is allowed.

The only difference is that the wardens will not be around but if we have paid by card when booking why can't we arrive later.

The main reason Jana, is because you wouldn't be able to get past the barrier without a card/key (unless you followed close to the rear bumper of Mr 4x4 on his way back in), but on a CC site with a late arrivals area then you could turn up at 2 a.m. if you wanted, and I've been on a few CC sites that do have EHU at the late arrivals area.

Having said that, I agree with rozinante, it's a good excuse for a wild camp.

Phil

Jana, the point is that Mr 4 x 4 has already booked in & set up. Most sites (unless there are height barriers) don't have a problem with you booking in and pitching, and then going off to the local town for a drink or meal and coming back to site before it closes for the night - usually 11ish. My parents used to do that at lots of sites, had a signpost thing they stuck in the ground to mark "their" pitch so no-one nicked it while they were up the pub. Mr 4 x 4 simply leaves his caravan behind to keep his pitch. 

We've turned up quite late at lots of sites, smaller ones are normally more accomodating, just check it will be ok when booking. And ring ahead if you get stuck in traffic & explain you are going to be later than planned, the site owners are usually alright about it if you explain.