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Having never been camping in our lives, last October we went to stay at Fron Farm for 2 nights.  We borrowed a tent which was very basic and bought airbeds for about £10. each and then I ended up sleeping on the damp grass because mine had a puncture.  Anyway, I learnt from that experience what I needed to enable me to enjoy the camping experience.  With the recession, camping is our holiday whether we like it or not.  I have bought a Vango Tigris 600xl and two queen size airbeds, as well as great chairs to sit on.  Now I just need to know where and when to go camping.  And how long do you go camping for.  I have no idea.  Do you book in advance and go regardless of the weather?  Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Depends on where you are and how for you are willing to travel? I find this site excellent for site reviews etc, just take your time and think carefully about what you want out of a camp site.British weather is unpradictable to say the least but when we have good days it`s well worth the effort. I usually go in the summer school holidays and then at least you may get a bit of fine weather BUT most sites have a low,mid and high season chart for their tarriffs so be warned it can work out expensive especially if you go for a week in high season.   

Hi forbes70,

First thing to remember is that everyone has been a "newbie" at some time and you have the advantage with this site of picking peoples brains for all the advice we wish we had when we started camping.

Notice you are from Liverpool and said you love the Lakes and Wales. If you are limited to school holidays i.e. July/August you may well have to book no matter where you want to go.

if you can take a long weekend before then can I suggest you look at the Camping and Caravan Club site at Eskdale in the western Lakes. Its a beautiful site and location and is away from the most "touristy" areas of the eastern lakes such as Windermere and Ambleside etc, yet has has some lovely places to visit and a couple of great pubs in the village which are just a short walk into the village from the site. Check the reviews on this website and you will see what I mean.

Just to tempt you further I attach a couple of photos of the site and the nearby dales to whet your appetite. First is the site itself, second is the Eskdale to ravenglass railway (within easy walk from the site) and third Wastwater which is the next "dale" to Eskdale. 

Whatever you decide I hope you enjoy camping for many years to come.

John

It's not too far to Anglesey from you, it's a lovely area and there are quite a few campsites to choose from. You could maybe try Bodewran Bach or Valley of the Rocks, both a bit on the basic side but have loos and showers.

Anne

Dear newbie

The majority of people on here would probably make you laugh at their stories of their '1st camp' Ours was rediculous to say the least.Were invited by other family members who were experienced.

Beautiful day when we set off, lovely and warm ( when was that day!!), didnt even take a coat!!   Huddled together in a small tent on a single airbed frozen. No sleep, so cold, and  NEVER AGAIN,but did we learn fast! Now have all the camping equipment and love it. We laugh about that 1st time every trip we go on.

Good luck

Thanks guys!!

I'm already enjoying 'camping' just by the sheer enthusiasm of you all on here.

I didn't want to book in advance because couldn't guarantee the weather but got a kick up the bum before after one of you told me not to be a fairweather camper.  You're so very right.  We would never go anywhere if we waited for the good British summer and, in a way, guess it adds to the fun???

So, I have now booked:

Easter holidays: Manorafon Farm, Abergele

Last week of August: Fforest Fields, Powys

I also intend to book this week, for the first week of August, Eskdale, Lake District.

The rest of the year is, indeed, in the hands of the weather and I will be in the hands of God as to whether we have some weekends away.  

BUT.....3 holidays booked/about to be booked, for £300 - why isn't everyone camping!!!   It is amazing and I cannot wait - :)