I am looking for a campsite in the South, around a 2 hour drive from Reading which ideally has access to a river for canoeing and allows fires. Posh facilities are not necessarily required, but may be a bonus.
We have previously been to Hollybush Campsite in Hay-on-Wye and loved it and something similar would be great.
All recommendations greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Barbie
------------- Barbie
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Barbie, can't help you with England but my son and I have a 16ft open canoe and we have spent a week on Loch Lomond canoeing and camping wild.There is a no fires policy as the loch is situated in a National Park,we did light fires some evenings and we were approached by one of the rangers, who to be honest was really nice.He said we were ok with the fire as we kept it low and near a sandy shore ,so no real threat to the woodlands. My reason for telling you this is the same may apply to certain areas you may plan to go. I think if you are sensible and respectful when outdoors, people will come and go with you...all the best for your trip
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
I haven't camped there (might fdo this year) but have often used it as a start / finish point for a kayak or canoe trip on the river.
If you are part of a youth organisation (school, scouts, cadets, etc) then Biblins near Symonds Yat is nice http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-78HDTR- I stayed there as a helper with a support group for divorced/single parents and their children a couple of years ago. It has 'proper' loos and wash facilities. They provide fire pits, and you are allowed to go into the woods to collect fallen wood to burn.
Quote: Originally posted by VangoMan02 on 16/3/2008
Barbie, can't help you with England but my son and I have a 16ft open canoe and we have spent a week on Loch Lomond canoeing and camping wild.There is a no fires policy as the loch is situated in a National Park,we did light fires some evenings and we were approached by one of the rangers, who to be honest was really nice.He said we were ok with the fire as we kept it low and near a sandy shore ,so no real threat to the woodlands. My reason for telling you this is the same may apply to certain areas you may plan to go. I think if you are sensible and respectful when outdoors, people will come and go with you...all the best for your trip
That sounds great!
How much canoeing experience would be needed to tackle that safely? Following the course of a river sounds good too. Although you wouldn't get far in the rivers near here. :)
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I would recommend a bit of basic training,the local council ran an 8 week course in kayak use and my son and I attended,mind you that was a few years ago and if memory serves me well I think we paid about £20. We had kayaks to begin with and then changed to the Canadian open canoe which is easier for trips where you want to carry all your gear.We carried our tent/food/clothing etc,enough for a week and had an absolutely brilliant time.We have and continue to do a "big trip " every year. Lochs and rivers are different,lochs are deeper and can have high waves and various currents going on at the same time,a river can be fast flowing with rapids and sometimes obstructions just below the surface and they can run dry. Thats obviously a very basic description but there are loads of books and clubs which are never really expensive. I would recommend that you have a go...its great.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.