Just to say I've struggled to find sites which allow and have facilities for hammock camping in England, found this one, and loved it. Recommended. If others have more to add... please do!
A question for Joe the toad please. How big (how many pitches) is the Haggs bank site? We tend to choose smaller sites and it doesn't say. Looks lovely and as it's a midway point for us, our daughter and my cousin, I'd quite like to go. Thank you!
We only saw one of the wood areas as I've a disability, so we stayed at the one by the lower car park (it has a brook at the bottom). Had everything we needed (there's an upper car park too and field beside it, and believe there's a second wood up there. No idea how many pitches they have. The owner is more 'camp where you're comfortable' type. I'd give the site a call. The owner is lovely. It's a small site with a family feel and very relaxed but spotless. My daughter loved it... she was woken up by red squirrels playing with our water bottle in the early hours :)
------------- If only they would invent collapsing washing up bowls... OMG, they did!
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Thanks Armchaircamper... can't do sleeping on the ground anymore as it wrecks my back. Hammock camping this week was a first, and can honestly say it felt like I'd been in a bed all night. Absolute heaven after three years of aching!
We wanted the 'wild camping' experience, but I like a proper loo and a decent shower! Also, I don't want to have to carry everything for miles. This was the perfect balance and I've been hunting for a site for ages. Seen a couple where you pitch your hammock from poles, but it seems a bit 'plastic' to me. There are midges at this time of year wherever you go, but I find the Scottish beasties climb through the smallest netting!
Like Fiznlil, we wanted a smaller site which isn't 'commercialised' but is still well run. Good quality basics without the entertainers dressed in tiger suits offering activities ;)
------------- If only they would invent collapsing washing up bowls... OMG, they did!
Joe, try treating your netting with permethrin, should kill the little beasties on contact. Keep it away from the cat though , it is highly toxic to them.
Not sure about the top field, but if you want to camp in the woods next to the tourer car park, the ehu are next door to the woody bit. Again, call the owner and he's the type where if it can be done, it will be.
Just decided we're back there on Tuesday for a couple more days, my daughter's nagging me lol.
Thanks for the tip chappers about the spray, will check it out when I'm next over the border. Live pretty much on Hadrian's wall and love Scotland and we often camp there. Only once had a bad midge experience where we woke with clouds of them in the tent lol.
------------- If only they would invent collapsing washing up bowls... OMG, they did!
Red Squirrel place looks good by the way. Tend to creak up if I have to drive more than an hour or so, and journey wise, that's close enough. Love Dumfries and Galloway and tend to go there at least once a year, so you've solved a problem as I'm not using a tent again... hammock convert!
------------- If only they would invent collapsing washing up bowls... OMG, they did!
The Red Squirrel is excellent, Joethetoad. A few of us often meet there. If you keep your eye on the meeting up section for any organised DSG (Dead Squirrel Gang!!) get-togethers you can time your visit either to meet or to avoid us, as the case may be!
I'd be interested to follow your progress with the hammock. I've only had two nights in mine so far but slept really well both times, so this could be the way to go!
Happy hanging!
------------- Sarah
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
I saw the Hennessy hammocks and then cobbled together my own rigs from ebay. £11 each for the hammocks from China. Camouflage tarps for £6 each from another site. Mosquito nets £15 hung from the ridge line. I bought decent sailing rope to attach the hammock to the tree straps as I don't trust the stretchy nylon stuff. Not sure if you've seen the set up using two steel rings to run the suspension rope through instead of using carabiners but worked really well. Final thing was black netting pram bags for £0.99 each! Think each set up cost me £45 including paracord for guy lines, mini carabiners to hang torches etc from the guy line. All cosy, everything to hand. We survived the torrential rains on Thursday night and didn't get wet.
Top tip... tie a small piece of paracord on each rope the hammock hangs from which acts as a wick so rain water runs down that rather than into your hammock. Worked!
Loved it. No crouching about in tents, no hard ground, no zombie walking first thing, no waking on hot mornings sweltering.
Next time you're at Red Squirrels, give me a shout. Lovely invitation :)
Setup I'm using is in the pic below (hopefully if it links ok?)
------------- If only they would invent collapsing washing up bowls... OMG, they did!
Gosh, I'm impressed! I bought a hammock and underblanket from DD Hammocks. I already had the 3x3 tarp. There's so much gear for hammocks that it's like learning a new language to begin with - whoopie slings, dutch buckles, ridge line, etc!