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Been toying with the idea of staying in the UK this year rather than driving all the way through France.

We have never been disappointed with the French campsites we have chosen with facilities like indoor pools, flumes, kids clubs etc. so thought I'd try to find similar in the UK.

Came across Parkdean and on the face of it the facilities look exactly what we are looking for - but I am a bit concerned that in the main school holidays they could be noisy and overcrowded?

The sites we go to in France generally have large pitches and although they are quire lively with lots of activities during the day, they are quite pernickity about the noise stopping at 11pm... feeling the UK sites might not be the same?

Any comments?  should we stick to what we know?  we don't have passports at the moment so apart from ferry and fuel, France would also cost us an extra £200+ for passports... but then again, can't think of anything worse than lying in a tent trying to sleep listening to some boozy brit f'ing and blinding till the early hours as happened last weekend at River Dart.

Christine

We have booked with Parkdean - first time was at Wemyss Bay where we stayed in a static caravan - unfortunately they don't have camping facilities at Wemyss.

We have also been to Sundrum Castle and found it lovely. Everyone naturally seemed to quiten down by 10pm with the odd giggle or quite talking heard until about 10.30pm.

On the whole campers are a considerate bunch who respect the site rules for quite during certain periods.

We have found that camping during the school holidays usually means lots of families on site so they are happy to get their children to settle at a reasonable hour.

Hiya only stayed at Southerness (dumfries) and we are booked for Grannies in July, was quite impressed with Southerness, was huge tent field and loads of caravan pitches too. Hopefully grannies are just as good! Facilities good too.

Jubilee TBA-
July - Blue Dolphin

Hi

We had a good look at their site at Croyde in Devon (Ruda). Excellent location but personally I would only stay in the Burrows section, the main fields were packed and I have heard you have to pay extra for the pool and its always packed?

Would you be taking the tent or staying in a static?

Sorry to hear about River Dart, we are supposed to be going there for my birthday but having 2nd thoughts before I read your comment above. Think we'll look elsewhere.

Hi

I didn't realise you had to pay for the pool.   We would be taking the tent.

River Dart was great, but because the pitches are on an open field it did feel quite busy when we arrived.   We were told by the staff that had we complained the warden would have come down on them like a ton of bricks - apparently earlier in the week a group wouldn't shut up so he came and unplugged their EHU after two warnings.     It certainly wasn't a very noisy site - we just happened to be unlucky to be camped next to caravans - I think caravanners sometimes forget that their awning is just a tent, and so the noise carries.

Certainly wouldn't be put off going to River Dart, the kids loved it - but if you are taking a tent I would go for the pitches round the edge rather than on the main field.  If you are going in a motorhome the hardstanding pitches are more seperated.

Christine

thanks Christine. We will be in the motorhome (using camping cheques which they have let me pre book without a deposit).

I'm not 100% about paying for the pool, I've got the Parkdean brochure, I'll have a look. We hope to go to Ruda in September. Friends of ours went last September and it was quieter and alot cheaper. Have you seen the prices in high season?

We've saved money this year on our French sites, the main site we are using camping cheques (bought 10 off a ukcs member recently for £100) and staying in municipals on the way there and back. Its costing us approx £425 for 17 nights in August).

Had to apply for 2 new kids passports today. £46 each!! Plus the £4 each for the photos.

Hi,We've been to Nairn Lochloy a couple of times and had the same experience both times. Staff and entertainment facilities excellent, can't fault them.

The touring area however is tiny and cramped. But the biggest problem for us was the state of the toilet / shower facilities. Dirty smelly dark and horrible. I tried to leave a review but " somehow " it didn't appear. I also mentioned it a few times to reception during our stays and on our " satisfaction " questionnaires.

It would be based on these experiences that I wouldn't / couldn't consider Parkdean again.

Hopefully this problem is restricted to Nairn.

Cheers, Alex.

I bought camping cheques this year with a view to going in August - but can't find sites I fancy - I think maybe I am 'Franced' out after 4 years on the trot.

Have to say though haven't found a UK site that seems to tick all the boxes... maybe we need to go on a 2-week package hol this year to Greece for a change and use the spare week for long weekends in the UK camping.

Christine

I know what you mean about "Franced" out. We did France twice a year for 6 or so years then got fed up and went all inclusive in Dom Rep and mexico three years running but then felt drawn back to France. Now three years later we are still loving France but tiring of the cost over there. We had a long weekend in Barcelona last week and couldnt believe drinks were cheaper in central Barcelona than a campsite bar. We are thinking of heading to the Costa Brava in Spain next year for our main holiday either flying and renting a static or driving down in the motorhome. We're off to northern Cyprus in October and have booked a villa with its own pool (bliss) as we fancied somewhere outside the euro zone and our friends are moving out there permanently next month.

I know what you mean about not finding a site you fancy, we eventually settled on L'Oree du Bois as its not too far, great value and has everything our 10year old wants. if she is happy we get a holiday!!

Hi Christine,

Its been a few years now since we have stayed at Ruda in Croyde Bay, actually it was the previous owners but not a lot changes at Croyde and that is one of its many good points. The location is great with a beautiful safe sandy beach literally on the doorstep (its actually owned by the park)

The burrows is normally a touring site but I have seen some tents. The main camping fields have some electric hook-ups on pitches around the edge next to the hedges. It can get busy at peak times but there are quiet areas where it is family orientated, the youngsters tend to camp in the field near to the enterance.

I believe you have to pay for the pool but residents get a special reduced price.

Dave.