By: Blonde Two
Not all challenges are outdoors. I have one here, right now, at my fingertips. I’m a middle aged woman, with a blog full of readers, trying hard not to moan about something that has annoyed me.
In other words, I’m trying to avoid a stereotype!
But campsites! Oh my goodness, what has happened to them?
It used to be that camping was a quiet gentle affair during which you shared a field with quiet gentle people, uttered a quiet gentle ‘good morning’ when you passed, then got on with your own quiet gentle day.
Camping isn’t like that anymore.
And yes, I have noticed that I’ve just failed my challenge!
But I’m going to stop moaning now. The truth is that we all have different expectations of our outdoor experiences but no way of telling before we arrive at a campsite, how well our expectations are going to match those of our temporary neighbours.
I want peace and quiet.
They want to let their kids scream.
I want peace and quiet.
They want to play loud music.
I want peace and quiet.
They want to arrive late and leave their engine running.
I’m doing it again aren’t I!?!
In truth though, with more campsites and camping fields opening up, it is (hopefully) possible to find a campsite to suit each of our tastes. I guess the secret is to do lots of research.
Here are a few tips on how to find your perfect campsite.
Full-on fun family campsites in the UK
If you want action and entertainment, go for one of the bigger camping parks. You’ll be with lots of people but your kids will find plenty to do and plenty of other kids to do it with.
Advantage: Happy kids
Disadvantage: Likely to be noisier than some campsites
Atlantic Bays Holiday Park in Padstow offers play areas, a games field and family entertainment in high season.
Hafan y Mor Holiday Park in Gwynedd has an adventure village, entertainment, a pool with flumes and even multi-terrain driving.
Advantage: Adrenaline seekers’ paradise
Disadvantage: You have to hire a lodge or caravan
Quieter family campsites in the UK
Of course, your idea of quiet might not be the next persons but there are campsites out there that want to encourage family fun but perhaps with more back-to-nature types of entertainment.
East Creech Farm in Dorset is set on a family working farm with plenty of animal residents to keep curious children happy. For the grown-ups there are three fishing lakes and a cafe with plenty of lovely to Dorset to explore nearby.
Advantage: Plenty of quiet distractions for youngsters
Disadvantage: Not right next to a beach
Glenmore Campsite near Aviemore is a favourite of ours. Who wouldn’t love a beach, ancient forests, a loch and mountains right on the doorstep?
Advantage: Natural fun for all the family
Disadvantage: This one’s changing management for 2023 so it remains to be seen if its previous excellent record for peace and quiet continues.
Wilder campsites in the UK
We all have a different definition of ‘wild camping‘. And there are alternatives to wild camping on the side of a hill with no loo and only the sheep and ticks for company.
If a field, a tap and a self-composting toilet is your thing, you’ll find it. If you prefer a few touches of luxury such as a fire pit and a pub, you’ll probably find that too.
With the post-pandemic increase in smaller campsite numbers, there are plenty to choose from here but for really wild experiences we have used and recommend Nearly Wild Camping and for slightly more salubrious accommodations that still take a natural approach, we’ve enjoyed the Greener Camping Club.
Advantage: Peace and quiet almost guaranteed
Disadvantage: Both membership only
There you go. I managed almost a whole blog post without moaning about noisy campers with hordes of late-night screaming children who arrived in a big group and played loud music.
Well I very nearly did!!!
