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Ok - Getting back into camping after about 20+ years away, and this time taking the family - loads of questions as things have changed quite significantly since the last time I went away! Will post different questions in different threads so please dont get annoyed with the same fella asking LOADS of questions - im not attention seeking, I would just like to know!

I apologise in advance for what most would probably consider a load of really stupid questions, but if you dont ask, you dont know -  right!? I also appreciate that most answers would probably depend on the individual campsite, but was wondering if anyone could, shed a little light on some (hopefully all) of the following......

• When going away, do you book your pitch in advance or just turn up on spec? Does it really matter?
• If you advance book, do you normally pay anything upfront? or just when you turn up? or when you leave?
• Do you get to choose your pitch when you arrive or are you normally allocated one and tough luck if you dont like it!
• Do Camp sites have an arrival and departure time?
• What is the sort of average site costs in the uk at the moment?
• Do you pay more for bigger tents - Do you pay more for side canopies and porches, which could almost double your living space? or are you allocated a plot and you can fill it with what you like?
• Is there normally much flexability in your booking? Ie if you want to stay an extra couple of nights or leave early etc?
• If you pre book, do you lose your cash or deposit if you cancel? or if the weather is so appauling you dont fancy trudging the kids through two feet of mud!

Sorry for the dopey questions, but as I say, if you dont ask, you dont know!

Thanks for your input!

All sites charge differently ie per head or per pitch, they also all offer different things and have different arrival depature times and deposit arrangements.

We personally charge £10 for 2 adults (no diiference for tent/motorhomes or whatever you've got) we don't have set arrival or departure times and only take a deposit for Royal Welsh show week (as its very busy that week) We don't tend to take deposits at other times as we are only a small site so aren't turning people away.

People who are coming for a short while tend to book, some as much as 12 months in advance, we however also get motorhome one nighters as they drive past. Everyone is different

Quote: Originally posted by Stubb-z on 08/2/2013

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Ok - Getting back into camping after about 20+ years away, and this time taking the family - loads of questions as things have changed quite significantly since the last time I went away! I apologise in advance for what most would probably consider a load of really stupid questions, but if you dont ask, you dont know -  right!?

When going away, do you book your pitch in advance or just turn up on spec? Does it really matter?

When I first started camping with my now-ex 16 years ago we would often just turn up somewhere on spec and never had trouble getting a pitch, in fact many sites didn't even have a booking system, but over the years I've come to realise that this is becoming a less viable option, especially with popular sites in popular areas, so unless you go to a site where you know for certain you can just turn up then it would be better to book in advance

• If you advance book, do you normally pay anything upfront? or just when you turn up? or when you leave?

Many sites ask for a deposit when you book, depending on the type of site could be as little as five or ten quid or as much as £25 or more,  and you will pay the rest on arrival.

Do you get to choose your pitch when you arrive or are you normally allocated one and tough luck if you dont like it!

I think most sites these days will allocate you a pitch, though the CC let you choose your own. If you're given a pitch and you don't like it for whatever reason then you may be able to change it if there are other pitches available but it would be at the discretion of the site owner/warden.

• Do Camp sites have an arrival and departure time?

Most do and these vary, but some sites don't. Some which do may allow you to stay later on the day of departure for an extra charge.

• What is the sort of average site costs in the uk at the moment?

How long is a piece of string??lol. I don't think there is any real average - a basic site may only charge £7 per night where a site with all the bells and whistles might charge £30 or more. It depends on what you personally want from a site and how much you are willing to pay.

• Do you pay more for bigger tents - Do you pay more for side canopies and porches, which could almost double your living space? or are you allocated a plot and you can fill it with what you like?

Most sites these days will charge more for larger tents, and will also add on extra charges for awnings, gazebos, pup tents, trailers, kids, dogs, grannies, extra cars etc, though you might be lucky enough to find some which won't. (I was joking about the grannies btw)

• Is there normally much flexability in your booking? ie if you want to stay an extra couple of nights or leave early etc?

There may be some flexibility especially if you want to leave early as they've already got your money, though some sites may be willing to give you a refund, but staying a couple of extra nights would probably depend on how busy the site was.

• If you pre book, do you lose your cash or deposit if you cancel? or if the weather is so appauling you dont fancy trudging the kids through two feet of mud!

With many sites yes, you should expect to lose your deposit if you cancel, though some sites may be willing to refund you or may hold your deposit for a booking another time.

Hope that gives you some answers so far, anything else you want to know then just shout, that's what this site is all about

Quote: Originally posted by Stubb-z on 08/2/2013

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Ok - Getting back into camping after about 20+ years away, and this time taking the family - loads of questions as things have changed quite significantly since the last time I went away! Will post different questions in different threads so please dont get annoyed with the same fella asking LOADS of questions - im not attention seeking, I would just like to know!

I apologise in advance for what most would probably consider a load of really stupid questions, but if you dont ask, you dont know -  right!? I also appreciate that most answers would probably depend on the individual campsite, but was wondering if anyone could, shed a little light on some (hopefully all) of the following......

• When going away, do you book your pitch in advance or just turn up on spec? Does it really matter?
• If you advance book, do you normally pay anything upfront? or just when you turn up? or when you leave?
• Do you get to choose your pitch when you arrive or are you normally allocated one and tough luck if you dont like it!
• Do Camp sites have an arrival and departure time?
• What is the sort of average site costs in the uk at the moment?
• Do you pay more for bigger tents - Do you pay more for side canopies and porches, which could almost double your living space? or are you allocated a plot and you can fill it with what you like?
• Is there normally much flexability in your booking? Ie if you want to stay an extra couple of nights or leave early etc?
• If you pre book, do you lose your cash or deposit if you cancel? or if the weather is so appauling you dont fancy trudging the kids through two feet of mud!

Sorry for the dopey questions, but as I say, if you dont ask, you dont know!

Thanks for your input!

 

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I always book in advance, as we go in school holiday, so sites tend to be busier. Also we prefer busier sites so booking is needed. Out of school holidays and some smaller sites it won't be so important.

The sites chargin varies, one site last yr took a deposit rest was paid when we arrived. But most the sites we use, take a deposit then want the rest X days before arrivals ( our sites tend to be bigger commerical so have same rules for tent/van bookings as they do for statics) Although one small site we visited had a man coming round each evening, collecting the pitch fee. So varies a lot.

the website of the camp you want to visit will tell you how they work their charging.

allocation of Pitches depends on the site, some let you camp anywhere, others have set ptches and you can choose, and yet again other decide and yes sometimes it can be tough luck esp if the site is busy.

Most sites have a arrival and departure time, this is to allow pitch maintenance etc but like how they clean the statics between guests. These timings vary from site to site, and can sometimes be flexible.

No idea on the costs, ours are quite expensive as we prefer bigger sites with entertainment and pool. I do know there are plenty of cheaper sites available.

again site charges will vary from site to site,some will give you a pitch and you put what you like, others charges for every little bit of extra kit. I know there was a thread on here awhile back mentioning a site that charged for windbreaks!!

Flexibilty will can vary from site to site. Will also depend on when you're camping too. Staying extra nights in teh school holiday wont always be possible.

In our case yes if dont go then we would lose the monies paid, but I know of other sites that only keep the deposit etc. But even the big site we prefer let us rearrange our dates last yr due to family commitments, and that was during the school holidays - although we gave them plenty of notice.

Many of the questions you raise will depend on each seperate campsite, Read the reviews and the camp sites web pages and you should find the answers you need.