Where to go?

Choosing a campsite is obviously a very personal thing and some of it is obvious, such as which country and what part of that country. However, there are a number of other things to consider – and now that most sites have at least some presence on the internet checking out the details is pretty easy (albeit somewhat time-consuming).

Of course, one option is to drive around and find a site at random but that’s quite risky during peak season and at weekends as the most popular sites are likely to be full. If your motorhome has all the facilities you need there is always the fall-back position of parking up in a layby if you’re stuck, but I’m not sure what the legality of that is. Nor is anyone else from discussions I’ve seen on the internet so it’s up to each person to make their own decisions.

The other thing about checking sites in advance is that this is relatively easy at home with a reliable internet connection. But if you’re already on site and wondering where to go next – and it’s a site without a ‘phone signal or WiFi (of which there are many), that won’t be so easy. So a little planning before leaving home will pay dividends.

Pricing

I’ve found huge variation in prices, from £5.50 a night for a very basic site (a field with a toilet block) to £25 a night for a better equipped site. I’m told there are even more expensive sites but they won’t be seeing any of my money.

When working out costs look out for extras. Some sites charge per adult, per child, per dog etc, and there may be charges for parking a car (if you tow one behind your van) or erecting a ‘pup tent’ (small tent for kids).

It may also be tempting to join one of the member organisations that offers a discount to members. However, bear in mind that the sites that are certified by these organisations may well be more expensive than non-club sites, so that the discount brings their prices in line with others – or may still prove to be more expensive.

What’s allowed?

The first thing to check is what’s allowed on site – the most obvious being do they allow motorhomes or is it just tents, or just caravans etc.

Additionally, some don’t allow dogs, some won’t let you attach an awning to your van, some demand a minimum two-night stay at weekends. There are also adult-only sites, though this doesn’t mean they are encouraging X-rated behaviour, simply they are catering for people who don’t want to be surrounded by noisy children.

So you need to check out the details that are relevant to your requirements.

Site layout

Some sites are quite regimented

Site layouts can vary considerably. Some are quite regimented with all of the standings aligned in rows and potentially quite close to neighbours. Others are less formal and more spread out. Pictures on the site’s website should give you an idea of how the standings are laid out.

While other sites are less formal

It’s also worth checking the types of pitches available. Some have only hardstandings, some only grass pitches and some offer a mixture. Where there are hardstandings these tend to be in regimented rows, though there are exceptions.

Also, some sites only offer mains hook-up on and intend their grass pitches for tents.

Facilities

The facilities to look for on site will depend on how long you’re staying and what you have on your van. As with every other aspect, facilities vary considerably from just a field with no facilities at all to everything you would find in a holiday park.

Most sites have toilets and basins at the very least and showers are pretty ubiquitous – ideally with free hot water. If you’ve got a toilet onboard, and you don’t mind using it for everything (some people only use theirs for peeing during the night) you might not even need the site to have toilets.

Also, if you are using a chemical toilet it’s handy to have a chemical disposal point on site, or you’ll need to take the waste home with you.

Mains hook-up is useful as it means you’re not running your leisure battery down or using gas to run the ‘fridge. All of the sites I’ve stayed on so far have included electricity in the price, but some charge extra.

A source of potable water for topping up your water tank is also handy.

Other facilities that you may want to look out for include:

Washing up area for the dishes.

Laundry facilities.

Sales of gas on site.

Shop with basic provisions.

Dog walking area.

Children’s play area.

Creche.

Restaurant/bar.

Waste recycling facilities.

Getting connected

I’ve already mentioned WiFi and most sites indicate on their website whether they have it or not – and whether it’s free or not. For instance, Caravan Club sites have WiFi but it costs £2.50 a day and you can only connect one device at a time.

Also, where there is WiFi don’t expect the high speeds you might get at home; getting a strong signal across a field with trees waving in the wind can be quite a challenge.

If there isn’t WiFi across the site there may be ‘hotspots’ where you can get a signal, or a nearby pub or café with WiFi that you can pop into to check what’s going on. I recently stayed on a site where the camp WiFi was very erratic but once I’d logged into the WiFi at the pub next door I still got their signal when back in my van.

The alternative is 4G so that’s something else to check out but the fact that most sites are away from conurbations means that most have quite a poor signal – varying with which network you’re on. If the website doesn’t mention this, it may be worth a ‘phone call.

I have found it useful to have a cheap pay-as-you-go mobile ‘phone on a different network from my usual one, so I have more choice of networks when I’m on site.

Of course, you may want to be ‘off the grid’ so a site with no connectivity may be just the ticket!

Other facilities nearby

It is often useful to be aware of the other facilities in the local area. For example, are there pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops within easy walking distance? And what other leisure facilities or interesting sites are in the area?

If you have a dog with you, it’s also worth checking if the local pubs will let you take your dog in. This information may be available on the pub’s website or a quick ‘phone call will put you in the picture.

In summary, the more thoroughly you check the less likely you are to be disappointed.