Camping is a popular hobby in the UK, whether in a touring caravan, motorhome or tent. Couples, families and friends alike enjoy having a break from their busy lives and there is no better place to escape to than the great British countryside. If you’re booking a summer holiday or planning lots of weekends away throughout the year, camping is definitely worth considering.
As camping becomes more and more popular, campsites are popping up all over the country. It’s important to make sure you’re choosing the right location for your holiday, but the choice can be quite overwhelming. There are several different factors to consider when choosing a campsite, as well as the type of pitch to book. To help anyone planning an upcoming holiday, here are some useful tips to help you narrow down the options.
Tips for Choosing the Best Campsite
Your needs and preferences will likely change every time you book a holiday. So, when narrowing down the many campsites in Suffolk, Essex, Kent and East Sussex, think about the following to ensure you make the right choice;
- Visit Somewhere New – It might be tempting to stay close to home or revisit somewhere you’ve enjoyed in the past, but one of the best things about booking campsites is they enable you to explore a new area. Visiting somewhere you’ve never been before is always a great choice for a holiday and there are so many incredible places in the UK. When you opt for a town or village you’ve never been to before, you definitely won’t get bored during your trip and you will have lots of exploring to do.
- Choose a Campsite Near Local Attractions – Some campsites are situated in the middle of the countryside and whilst immersing yourself in nature is a big benefit of camping, it’s useful to have things nearby to see and do. When you’re choosing a campsite for your next holiday, look for somewhere that’s close to lots of attractions. If you don’t plan on relaxing on the campsite your whole holiday, having attractions nearby will prevent you from having to spend hours in the car every day.
- Book a Spacious Pitch – The size of touring pitches can differ quite considerably from one campsite to another and you don’t want to be squeezed onto a small pitch whilst you’re on holiday. Whether you prefer a grass pitch or a hardstanding pitch, it should be big enough to accommodate all of your camping essentials and you should be able to put up an awning or canopy if you want to. Having enough space to enjoy the great outdoors is crucial to a good holiday.
- Find a Campsite with Useful Amenities – Having a range of amenities on-site is always beneficial, especially when you’re planning a longer holiday. From toilet and shower blocks to laundry facilities and dishwashing sinks, these amenities can make your camping experience more convenient and comfortable. Of course, having fun amenities, like children’s play areas and swimming pools, will help to ensure the whole family has a good time on-site.
- Look For a Destination with Country Walks – As mentioned above, one of the benefits of camping is being immersed in nature and the fresh air makes this type of holiday so much fun. When choosing a campsite, somewhere with lots of public footpaths and country lanes is ideal. This means you can enjoy walks in the countryside during your stay. Having the option to start your walks from the campsite is really useful too and again, it will prevent you from having to drive.
Deciding Which Pitch to Book on a Campsite
Booking a good pitch will help ensure you have a comfortable stay and you’re not going without anything you need. To help you choose between the different options offered by campsites, here are some of the most important things to consider;
- Grass Pitch or Hardstanding Pitch – The best campsites will have both grass and hardstanding pitches available, and there are advantages to both of these options. Generally, most people with tents will choose grass pitches as these tend to be the most comfortable, whereas hardstanding pitches are a popular choice amongst motorhome owners who will come and go during their stay. Look into both options and think about which would best suit the type of holiday you’re planning.
- How Much Space You Need – Not all campsites will have the same sized pitches and you may find there are different sizes available to book throughout the campsite. It’s important to ensure the pitch is big enough for your needs and ideally, even if you put up an awning or a canopy, you will still have space to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine.
- Additional Costs – In addition to the price per night, some campsites will have a few additional costs. You will often have to pay extra for things such as; additional guests, extra cars, gazebos, pets and day visitors. Sometimes hardstanding pitches can be more expensive than grass pitches too. When choosing your pitch, it’s beneficial to add up any costs you’re likely to encounter to make sure your holiday is still budget-friendly.
- Whether you Need Electricity – The majority of campsites will offer basic pitches and premium pitches. Their premium pitches will include electric hook-up, so you can use electricity as and when you wish during your stay. Consider whether you would like to have electric hook-up for your holiday or whether you’re happy to go without it.
- Future Holidays – Depending on how frequently you plan on visiting a campsite, it might be more beneficial to book a seasonal pitch rather than a touring pitch. Seasonal pitches are available to use from March to January and you can leave your camp set up during this time. This can be a convenient and cost-effective way to have lots of holidays throughout the year, and if a campsite has plenty of facilities to use, you will enjoy returning to your pitch time and time again.
Searching for the Best Campsites in Suffolk, Essex, Kent or East Sussex?
When trying to find the best campsite for an upcoming holiday, hopefully the information above will help you narrow down the options. Whether you’re looking for somewhere in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with lots of local walks or somewhere on the Suffolk coast with a wide range of local attractions, take a look at the Sellers Leisure website today.
We have privately owned campsites in some of England’s most beautiful counties and we pride ourselves on the quality of our holiday parks. We are known for our detailed attention to lifestyle and will do all we can to ensure your stay with us is as enjoyable as possible. The facilities at our campsites are second to none and you will have everything you need to have an unforgettable holiday when you choose to stay with us. If you have any questions about our campsites in Suffolk, Essex, Kent and East Sussex, explore our website or contact us today.