We've had 5 years of very, very wet camping for our main holiday in the south west (2+ weeks at a time). Family of 4 (boys now 11&8).
Taking a break this year as naff weather has taken its toll but I'm already twitching about camping next year!
We haven't taken our dog yet as he seems too tying in the naff weather but we miss him a lot when he's not with us and being in the outdoors is just plain weird without him.
He's a crate trained springer. He's very easy going and well behaved. He's hyper on his walks but not at any other time and he's not a barker. If he barks I'm worried.
I think we are scarred from our previous summers of camping as the weather in August in the south west has been truly horrendous. Yes, we've made the most of it but I worry that with a solid week of rain (I don't think 2 weeks of solid rain is feasible with a dog) we will be climbing the walls as we aren't the types to split up with some of us off to the cinema whilst leaving somebody behind to dog sit.
I know people say just get togged up and head out whatever the weather and we do that and are happy to do that (we have a dog!!) but 7 days of that would be pretty miserable with nowhere to get anything dry.
We are obviously tied to school holidays so it's not really an option to wait for weather forecasts. I'm thinking a week at may so it'll be busy and we will no doubt need to book in advance. And we have no last minute dog kennels or dog sitters if the forecast is pants.
We must be the unluckiest campers with weather. I would love to know what it feels like to be too hot in a tent! Sadly we only know damp and cold!
I don't have children now but I do understand your predicament. We live in Scotland so damp and wet camping is the norm for us. It's a hard one to advise on as you have both dog and children to consider. If it were me though I'd take the dog unless it is easy for you to have him looked after at home. For us having the dog forces us out even when we least feel like it and we always enjoy it when we do.
What about looking for somewhere that has doggie day care in the area and that way you could still manage "indoor" days if the weather is bad?
Geocaching or Pokemon hunting (don't know anything about either lol) seems to be an interesting pursuit in all weathers that could include family and dog.
Do you have to camp in the SW ?? The eastern side of the country is considerably drier and Norfolk and Suffolk are great for holidays. Or its easy these days to get pet passports you could take your pooch to the Dordogne - the likelihood of good weather is greater and if it does rain it's warm. Your spaniel would love the river swimming, canoeing, etc - plenty of dogs, even English woofing ones when we were there a few years ago.
That's exactly what I was going to suggest, Katieep!
Norfolk beaches are fab and it tends to be quieter than the SW.
We've had some appalling weather when camping, the worst being rain for 12 days out of 13 in the Peaks. The dogs have always been fine in their crates in the car on wet days, so we go to stately homes and stuff if it's peeing down. They get a good walk morning and evening, rain or shine, and that's the same if we're at home or away. The only downside to having a dog with you during a wet camp is that things start to smell a bit damp-doggy!
I can't imagine not taking a dog camping, they really seem to love it.
It's one of the many things you have to consider when getting a dog. Bailey always goes camping with us, now it's just the two of us most of the time as the kids have grown up it means we do a lot of research before we go anywhere, find dog friendly attractions, dog friendly pubs and places to eat, etc. When the kids were younger we would do what you suggest, I would take the kids in somewhere while hubby took Bailey for a nice walk, or vice versa.
Can't imagine going camping without Bailey, he loves it just as much as we do and our sites are chosen with him in mind.
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
Our last 3 main hols have been in France and although in Normandy we have always had great weather and always take our dog rain or not, but no kids to worry about.
East Anglia is meant to be one of the driest areas.
The beaches are fabulous, Brancaster, Holkham are just two with endless sand and sea, never too crowded as they are huge.
Definitely a good place to camp we only live just over an 1hr away and have camped loads of times and never had a wet camp yet!
OP I see you are in Doncaster, the south west as you have found is a long way to go for rubbish weather !! Other poster are correct over here in East Anglia is indeed quite dry, the only downside being the roads over the school holidays can be very busy..
I would consider Northumberland coast. The beaches are superb and if you come inland a bit the walking is brilliant. It can be a bit windy sometimes but no worst than anywhere else, even in high season it remarkably quiet. We have stayed in the Seahouses area a couple of times and apart from the lack of surfing waves I actually prefer in to Cornwall, Devon etc..
What about Anglesey or Pembrokeshire? might be a bit far but the weather can be good and the beaches are great. Sorry, I don't like wide open long stretches of sand as in Norfolk.
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 18/8/2016
What about Anglesey or Pembrokeshire? might be a bit far but the weather can be good and the beaches are great. Sorry, I don't like wide open long stretches of sand as in Norfolk.
They weather will be just as bad - need the east coast for more sun, there are a variety of beaches in Norfolk and Suffolk not just ones like Holkham - Suffolk is beautiful and has great Beer!
Quote: Originally posted by feeblecat on 18/8/2016
Quote: Originally posted by Frog on 18/8/2016
I would consider Northumberland coast. The beaches are superb and if you come inland a bit the walking is brilliant.
Hi, can I ask where in particular just inland you're referring to? We're always looking for new areas to walk with dog? Thanks
The Seahouses area, up past Bamborough and then south down towards and beyond Beadnell is very nice and dog friendly. Going west inland To the area around Alnwick is very nice with both forest and moorland.
Last time we were up there we camped at Springhill Farm which is about a mile and a half (easy walk) west of Seahouses.
Quote: Originally posted by feeblecat on 18/8/2016
Quote: Originally posted by Frog on 18/8/2016
I would consider Northumberland coast. The beaches are superb and if you come inland a bit the walking is brilliant.
Hi, can I ask where in particular just inland you're referring to? We're always looking for new areas to walk with dog? Thanks
The Seahouses area, up past Bamborough and then south down towards and beyond Beadnell is very nice and dog friendly. Going west inland To the area around Alnwick is very nice with both forest and moorland.
Last time we were up there we camped at Springhill Farm which is about a mile and a half (easy walk) west of Seahouses.
Hi
Myself and oh are camping at the moment with our two huskies in Devon, they come with us all the time, taking them out in the rain or sunny days just takes being organised, we have a box for the dogs for every type of weather which we keep at hand, so if it's raining then they have their rain coats on, towel to dry off when they get back mainly paws and belly. Travel bottles for water for the hot sunny weather, bowls, poo bags toys, treats etc.
They love to go on their holidays with us
------------- Vix & Ty my better half plus our 2 huskies who love camping:)
Quote: Originally posted by tyvix on 21/8/2016
Hi
Myself and oh are camping at the moment with our two huskies in Devon, they come with us all the time, taking them out in the rain or sunny days just takes being organised, we have a box for the dogs for every type of weather which we keep at hand, so if it's raining then they have their rain coats on, towel to dry off when they get back mainly paws and belly. Travel bottles for water for the hot sunny weather, bowls, poo bags toys, treats etc.
They love to go on their holidays with us
Raincoats for huskies, this dogs are obviously not spoilt