Booking ahead for touring?

[CrewOVtwo]

Further help / advice required regarding setting off on our travels.........

We are lucky enough to be able to go when we want and come back when we want, but don't yet know how easy it is to get in sites throughout the UK.

We used to caravan regularly about 15 years ago and from memory didn't really consider it being difficult to get in anywhere; is it still the same?

We are going to sit down and make some general plans this weekend which at the moment will include some very very general areas (IE southern Scotland, the south east, Wales, the Highlands).

Does this sound ok, or have things got so busy that it is important to book specific sites?

All tips greatly appreciated.

 

[RogerL]

It all depends how choosey you are on location and/or site facilities - if you're particular it's best to book in advance.

 

[Mr Plodd]

If outside the school holidays or Bank Holiday weekends it's highly unlikely you will find a campsite with no spaces. A rough plan of where you want to go in any area should be sufficient, then telephone the campsite you fancy stayng at a couple of days prior to your planned arrival. If they are full (unlikely but nit impossibke) then simply widen your search area little using Mr Google.
Can't beat spontaneity when caravanning!

 

[CrewOVtwo]

Yes, should have mentioned - no CL's or alike - full 16 amp and heated shower blocks, or that kind of thing.

 

[CrewOVtwo]

And yes, we would generally avoid school holidays.
I should have provided more information.
Thanks for for your patience.

 

[Hutch]

You can find Cl/C's sites that are fully serviced, I much prefer our own shower in the caravan.
Popular sites can get quickly booked up, at weekends, so worth booking ahead, during the week not so busy, except a lot more retired folk getting away mid week.
It's a pain to get to a site and find you only have three nights and have to move, and then spend another day phoning around to find another site.

UKcampsites.co.uk is great for hunting for sites.

 

[IanB1485]

I found since retiring that we travel on tuesdays , Fridays and Mondays are out and we avoid school holidays , It takes about 2 years to realise weekends don't count to rush away or back, and with the CAMC handbook in hand if one site is full we just move on to the next nearest one,

 

[RogerL]

I found since retiring that we travel on tuesdays , Fridays and Mondays are out and we avoid school holidays , It takes about 2 years to realise weekends don't count to rush away or back, and with the CAMC handbook in hand if one site is full we just move on to the next nearest one,

We now travel on Wednesdays normally although we still travel Saturday/Sunday if we're going long-haul, which in our case is up to the North-West Highlands or using Scottish ferries.

 

[Dustydog]

Yes, should have mentioned - no CL's or alike - full 16 amp and heated shower blocks, or that kind of thing.

Three of our favourite CLs are fully serviced pitches with fabulous views, one even has two showers, we always use our own now.

As Hutch said U.K. campsites is a great tool. You can select your own search criteria narrowing down to your choice.

I prefer certainty these days and usually book in advance choosing our pitch where possible. Google maps earth is good for this especially any restricted access or too many high trees blocking the view.

 

[Beachball]

We also like C/Ls fully serviced some have tv hook up toilet and shower facilities like some one else UK campsite , Pitch up and Tranquil parks Adult Only caravan parks are a great tool . Our favourite day was a Thursday when we use to book .for a weekend .

 

[birdman101]

After being caught out by a site saying no need to book many years ago, have always booked ever since. Particular site said no need and after travelling to it 100+ miles arriving Friday after work,7 O’clock in the evening,was turned away as said they had a Rally, taking the whole site. Spent the evening driving back home again as phone calls all failed to other sites, Now January each year,we book a site for every month of the year from March to end of November. So all is planned and deposits paid.

 

[otherclive]

We found that particularly CMHC sites became difficult to book for a full week or two weeks when they opened the free for all no deposit booking system as unless you booked early they were effectively blocked out by weekenders. Spontaneous trips away were virtually impossible if it included a weekend.

 

[Dustydog]

We found that particularly CMHC sites became difficult to book for a full week or two weeks when they opened the free for all no deposit booking system as unless you booked early they were effectively blocked out by weekenders. Spontaneous trips away were virtually impossible if it included a weekend.

Ah, the legendary Chatsworth problem. In 40 + years never stayed there.
Far better places.
Plus with CAMC you normally have to find your own pitch once checked in and go back and tell them your pitch number!

 

[ProfJohnL]

I think its true that years ago it was generally possible to set out without booking ahead, but certainly at peak holiday times these days if you don't book ahead you could become a cropper.

During our last few yeas of caravanning , we always booked ahead which avoided disappointment and anxiety about being able to have a site.

 

[Mel]

In our case we carve out dates across the calendar, book ahead and tell our offspring. Otherwise they will sign us up for childcare and we will never get away. BTW on the rare occasion that we have come back early we hide in the house and don’t tell them. 🤫
Mel