Just after a bit of advice about hard standing pitches.
I've just booked a 7 night holiday and was offered either a grass or 'round gravel' type hard standing pitch. Have requested grass but am now wondering if hard standing might be a better option as we may have to move the tent after 5 days to save the grass. On hard standing we could leave it for the full 7 nights (and as our tent is a bit of a pig to put up I'm now tempted to change my mind!!)
We do have a footprint so ground sheet should be OK + a carpet.
Has anyone camped on a hard standing pitch? Can they be quite uncomfortable?
I think I'd probably take the hardstanding option, although I prefer grass. Much too much chance of being cancelled because of a muddy grass pitch given the weather of the last few years.
We camped on a grass hard standing (kingsbury water park) which would be great for a tent, no sharp stones to go through your ground sheet! Thats the only issue I would have, as some of the gravel ones have sharp stones.
I camped on hard standing (pea gravel) last year and found it fine, didn't really notice any difference underfoot tbh, draining is better also. We took a thick tarp and also have a groundsheet underfoot.
The only thing I would say is if you see any lumps to flatten them before pitching - one lump drove me nuts for a week lol
You will have to excuse my ignorance, this is our first year of camping (just brought a tent and are currently buying all accesories ready!), but how do you pitch tent on hard standing, are they concrete or gravel? how do you put the pegs into hardstanding?
sorry if it seems a dumb question, but i've only ever been camping once before, many years ago and that was on grass!
we plan this year to get away a lot in our tent and have booked a fortnight on the isle of wight in it.
Hardstandings can vary, but if offered to tnters would assume they are probably gravel type. These tend to be just a few nches deep so pegs penetrate through to the ground underneath and grip fine.Would always use a footprint or an additional ground sheet, plus a tent carpet to ensure your comfort, otherwise don't suggest you walk round your tent barefoot!
First time we used hardstanding/all weather pitch was a couple of years ago at Fforest fields, and have to say were converted - no muddy mess in the tent and easy to pack up at the end of the holiday - in fact if it's dry you can pack the tent up in confidence. Would now choose an all weather pitch out of choice - yes it is harder on the feet and you do have to watch out for sharp stones - but you can get them in the grass too. Oh and the other benefit is that hardstanding pitches tend to be flatter, unlike some grass ones!