I do wonder why it is that we seem to have two extremes when it comes to the issue of noise levels on campsites. Many seem to be in the "tucked up in bed at 10, absolute silence" camp or the "Let's party to the early hours" camp. Surely, there is a middle ground here. I find the person waking up at 7am and expecting everyone else to be, just as annoying as those who drink and talk to the early hours. As I am always on holiday when caravanning it is pleasant, every so often, to have a few glasses of wine and a chat with fellow campers. On another evening it may be an early night with a book. Surely camping and caravanning is about respecting others and realising that we are all slightly different in what we like to do.
With the best will in the world a group of people drinking & chatting outside will be loud enough to disturb campers who want to sleep. Unfortunately the later this goes on, the more alcohol is drunk & the louder they tend to get.
Theres no middle ground, its just as annoying to get woken up early as it is to be kept awake late, the 'happy medium' is for the 'drinks parties' to finish around 11pm & the early risers to get up at 8am if thats what you do mean.
But tbf, its often the drunken revellers going on till 2am that disturb folk early mornings getting up for the bog a couple of hours after they went to bed.
I think its tolerance which varies over the actual noise. OH and I can sleep through anything, so we are never woken/disturbed by noise and can sleep through anything. Probably more likely for us would be a pain to be woken up early morning (when sleep is lighter) by a barking dog, or someone closeby running their car for age etc. We were at Shell Island in August in a tent and omg there was a group in the field behind us who were playing music so loud it was like a concert - closest I have ever come to complaining. I was annoyed for a while (as it was outrageous but being in dunes area not patrolled so much)5 mins later I was asleep. However we met many upset campers the next day. I guess its all in the individual ear really.
Last experience while staying at Hereford CCC site (very nice) was 'Barking dog & owner continuously telling it off with radio volume turned up for favourite songs then down again from 6.45am every morning'.
Very annoying as we like to lie in (asleep) on holiday passed 7am!!
We didn't complain just felt sorry for dog. Beautiful Weimaraner who looked like she was going to explode with pent up energy, they bought her back from a walk to bath her after only a half a mile because she jumped in a stream!! then wondered why she wouldn't settle.
Nice people overall except for morning routine.
Yes tolerance does vary and many folks carry on as normal/let their hair down while on holiday while forgetting that there is a few millimetres of tent or caravan & empty air separating them from their neighbours.
The trouble is the walls on camp sites. Canvas, polyester and aluminium have little sound insulation and if one group want a party everyone else is going to suffer/tolerate/enjoy depending on your point of view.
Like the 11pm quiet rule
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Often take the chance to sleep late as well. We seem to sleep better and longer when we're camping . Even my husband who is very rarely in bed past 7am at home will happily sleep to after 9 or even 10 at times.
Obviously we don't expect people to be quiet at 9/10 in the morning but if i see my neighbour appears to be still asleep at whatever time in the morning, i try to keep things as quiet as possible.
We like sites that have an 23.00hrs noise rule. I think its quite late enough for loud noise. Like Wendle stated we also like to sleep in a little later than normal when camping but aren't bothered by other people getting up early in the morning. We find that airline eye masks work quite well for keeping out the early morning light as its day light that seems to wake us rather than noise.
I avoid camping during busy period nowadays, as my tolerance for noise and unruly behaviour has decreased with age.
I carry and wear ear plugs too.
DK
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In the sack at 10, no radio, telly or noise……up at 5 or 6 but quiet as a mouse and I cook outdoors. I remove the whistle from the kettle and close the door quietly. Thing is when it’s dead quiet I notice the tiniest minute sound, sounds like thunder. My wife wakes about 7 to a nice cuppa. I personally don’t care about other people’s noise unless it’s a yappy dog.
Quote: Originally posted by millermicm on 26/9/2013
The trouble is the walls on camp sites. Canvas, polyester and aluminium have little sound insulation and if one group want a party everyone else is going to suffer/tolerate/enjoy depending on your point of view.
Quote: my tolerance for noise and unruly behaviour has decreased with age
/\ this!
we go to bed early and get up early, and we try to be quiet as we can at all times. Just been camped next to a continually barking dog last weekend, occasionally the owner joins in with an ineffective "shut up".
I don't think there is really a middle ground for noise. We all have different likes and dislikes. I quite like to hear and see other campers sitting outside chatting until around midnight - or even later, I'll just sleep through it if I go to bed earlier but I detest hearing music or drunken shouting. I get mildly annoyed being woken before 7am by children (usually) talking at normal volume as they wake and make their way to the toilets. Most of all, I dislike being near families who tend to shout to each other (at any time of day) rather than getting off their backsides and getting close to the person they want to talk to.
I find some VERY quiet sites a little like eating dinner in an empty restaurant, lacking in atmosphere.
Intolerant? Probably, but with my small tent and 'non booking' holidays I'm always prepared to move to a different part of the field or another site.
I found many of these comments interesting and it's obvious there are many different points of view. As I suggested in my original post I think it comes down to how much you respect your neighbours. I personally find ultra-quiet sites dull, but don't expect revelry to midnight every night. Most sites who expect an 11pm curfew and stick to it, seem to me to have it about right.