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Hi all

Me and the family are looking to buy a tent for the first time and take advantage of some cheaper holidays.

About us, We have four children 3 of which are under five, The tent we are looking to buy is an Outwell vermont XL, We are looking to use the tent on a couple of short breaks not too far from our base which is the Notts/Derby border and wondered if anybody could recomend a few family friendly campsites and if any of you good selves could give us a few tips as all but one of us are camping virgins.

Thanks for listening

Mick

Treat your fellow campers in the same way as you want to be treated by them.

Don't be afraid to ask for help, or accept help that is offered - it will be genuine, and not because they want a laugh a the newbies when they get back to their own tent/caravan/whatever.

With regards to the kids, - forget routine.   You will find it impossible to get your little ones to bed when they can hear ever other kid on site still playng out.   Just take stuff to keep them amused.      Once or twice my two have fallen asleep fully clothed - at most I insist on teeth before bed.      OK as the have got older it has been easier to get washed/teeth/pjs - but when they were younger I just made sure that teeth were done.    A shower and clean clothes in the moring and they were good as new.

Definately ensure that the tent has an area to sit in if the weather is bad - not only this year but as your kids get a bit bigger.
Our first tent, altough a decent tent, did not have a living area, and after one very wet weekend were we spend the time falling over each other we got a bigger tent with a decent sized living area.     Looked great in the showarea - and was fine the couple of times when it was dry.    
You also have to remember when looking at tent displays that the tents may have that table and a couple of chairs in them - what they don't have is your clothes, food, kids toys and other bits and pieces - think about these before you buy.
Over the years you will get the odd break were the weather is absolutely beyond the pale - the other year we got better weather on our October break than we did in August, when we just had t make the best of the break in the wind and rain.
Poundworld/Poundland is a good source for stuff like eating/cooking stuff.   Also for things like colouring stuff and toys for the kids.

Over the years we have all bought that must have piece of equipment that after the first use had been consigned to the back of the cupboard - thread running on this in Equipment.  

hi mick

we live in eastwood and have used the site at teversal (camping and caravanning club) but they take non members. really good clean site with very good toilet block etc,also a big country park opposite with trails and a couple of ponds. site is close to j28 m1. any advice you need just ask.

hope this is help ful

laine

Thanks all for your replys, Someone  i work with has offered me a outwell tent never been used and she no ideaof model. hopefully she will be bringing it over next couple of days. Other than that what do you think of my choice of tent in the outwell vermount XL, mainly the wife feels comfortable in this at the camp show.

Again thanks for your help know and in the future.

Mick

Hi Mick and welcome to the site, theres loads of friendly people on here who are always willing to give advice to a new camper, so i hope you will enjoy your new hobby for many years to come

If you google The Pudding room at Carsington water you will find a very nice site at reasonable pitch prices, there are several others in the area to chose from as well, but the big attraction for kids is that its near to the Carsington water visitor centre, with its free playpark, miles of safe bike tracks, Bike and watersports hire, cafes and gift shops set in beautiful scenery. the Pudding room is owned by a lady who also runs a bakery business nearby, and fresh bread, pies, cakes and puds are sold from the site along with basics of eggs, cheese, milk ect. the site is also within walking distance of the Knockerdown pub and restaurant, nearest towns are Wirksworth and Ashbourne, with Matlock Bath and all its attractions being about a 20min drive away.

Julia   

that sound like a nice place Julia thanks, Will have a look into that one, wonder if the bakery would cater for a coeliac as my youngest has just diagnosed.

also sounds good for kids.

Mick

Quote: Originally posted by romany girl on 26/4/2011

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<!--bmi_SafeAddOnload(bmi_load,"bmi_orig_img",1);//-->Hi Mick and welcome to the site, theres loads of friendly people on here who are always willing to give advice to a new camper, so i hope you will enjoy your new hobby for many years to come

If you google The Pudding room at Carsington water you will find a very nice site at reasonable pitch prices, there are several others in the area to chose from as well, but the big attraction for kids is that its near to the Carsington water visitor centre, with its free playpark, miles of safe bike tracks, Bike and watersports hire, cafes and gift shops set in beautiful scenery. the Pudding room is owned by a lady who also runs a bakery business nearby, and fresh bread, pies, cakes and puds are sold from the site along with basics of eggs, cheese, milk ect. the site is also within walking distance of the Knockerdown pub and restaurant, nearest towns are Wirksworth and Ashbourne, with Matlock Bath and all its attractions being about a 20min drive away.

Julia   

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Quote: Originally posted by rugbymadmick on 26/4/2011

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that sound like a nice place Julia thanks, Will have a look into that one, wonder if the bakery would cater for a coeliac as my youngest has just diagnosed.

also sounds good for kids.

Mick

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You can ask her Mick, shes a really nice lady and very helpful,and its a brilliant area for kids to explore and enjoy the facilities of Carsington water.

Also if you get the chance to visit Chatsworth House farmshop, and ask in their bakery deparment, I believe they stock a range of gluten free foods suitable for Coeliac sufferers, although their foods are all top quality, they are also a bit expensive, but very good for a special treat..

If your children like Swimming, both Wirksworth and Ashbourne have indoor pools that are open to the public, and the fish and chip shop on Ashbourne market place has won a top award for being the best in Derbyshire in our Evening Telegraph.

Julia  

Mavis, my Hubby was Wirksworth Born and Bred lol, he lived there for over 40yrs until we met, and hes now just reached the ripe old age of 70

We still have family living there today, its a nice quaint old town where everyone knows eachother just about, theres a chance that hubby may even know your brother!

My late Brother in law used to own the haulage yard in Cauldwell St before he died several years ago, his wife Joan was my hubby's sister, small world when you get to know it lol .

Hubbys just asked if you could possibly be Mavis Roper? a bit of a long shot, but he knew the family well lol.