I was wondering whether it is better to arrive Friday afternon or Saturady afternoon at your campsite?
Last year we arrived about 4pm on the last sat in July (Holmsley Wood New Forest) and although we had booked we were short of choice as to where to pitch.
This year may be even worse as we now have aDiablo 900 so need a bigger pitch. Can't see us getting there much earlier as it a 4-5 hour drive from home & OH doesn't do mornings when not at work and won't pack the car th night before!!!! [he will be at work until 7pm though so let him off that bit]
Any way I have suggested we go a day earlier this year i.e. Friday and try to get there before the "weekenders" does this sound a good idea or will it not really manke much difference?
We arrived at a campsite on a Friday afternoon and had the pick of the campsite, but by late evening and certainly Saturday there was no choice left.
If you've got a big tent you want to make sure you can pitch with space around you, rather than having to squeeze yourself into the spaces that are left.
We've got to camp on a Sunday this year so hopefully the weekenders will have gone when we arrive and we will have plenty of space.
I also prefer Friday early afternoon arrival. There des seem to be more choice in terms of pitches but also I have can set up and look forward to the weekend.
------------- JMGA
Everyone brings happiness to my life, some when they arrive and some when they leave.
Does this weekend rush still aplly in the school holidays?
Have just persuaded DH to go for our first night in a fortnight's time. He is working on the Friday so we were going to go for the Saturday night. I am a bit concerned now...
Maybe I should go with the children in the afternoon and he can join us for dinner?
I live right by the New Forest and try to go at least once a month through the summer season. I would recommend arriving on a friday as early as possible the twelve o clock rule does not seem to apply to the forest sites. I went the first week of the school holidays and arrived at ten and had no problems getting on. Holmsley is a popular site because of the toilets and showers so it normally is full every weekend through summer. The weekend rush in the forest does still happen in school holidays if not more so. Have a lovely time and arrive as early as you possible can. im going to a different forestry commission site next week and going to arrive on sunday see how that goes
------------- Easter: Forest Edge
May Bank Holiday: Southbourne
May Half Term: Verwood
August: Setthorns New Forest
August Bank Holiday: Arundel
and many weekends in between