ONE Be a better caravan site neighbour
YOUR TOP TIPS!
We went on Facebook to ask for your thoughts on camping etiquette – here's what you said…
“Keep to the speed limits and one-way systems!”
Mo Bowes
“We normally use Caravan Club CLs, where it's often a case of site yourselves, so if we see a two-berth arriving, we get the children to play outside the awning, to let them know not to pitch too close. Trying to keep under-fives quiet knowing that others on site will be glaring at you if you don't is no fun for anybody!”
Mark Raven
“Just be respectful of others. Keep your children under control, keep the noise down, and no cutting through pitches as a shortcut, because your enjoyment doesn't outweigh anyone else's.”
Eileen Usher
“Don't squeeze through between car/caravan/awning on neighbours’ pitches – some find it intimidating to have strangers so close.”
Winnie Campbell
Most campsite visitors are friendly, well-behaved and considerate to their fellow campers, but it only takes a little thoughtless or inconsiderate behaviour to change the dynamics.
But establishing what is acceptable behaviour on a caravan site is not quite as clear-cut as you might think – one person's fun evening with friends could be another's disturbed night's sleep.
And while you might not enjoy the sound of children playing outdoors, no campsite can be expected to have library levels of noise. Nobody likes dogs barking, smelly food or banging doors… but a lot of us aren't that crazy about the imposition of rules, either.
Two words worth keeping in mind are ‘tolerance’ and ‘consideration’. We should all be able to tolerate fellow campers being a little noisier than usual on a Saturday night and hopefully, we can put up with a bit of barbecue smoke or even the occasional barking dog!
By the same token, show consideration for your neighbours and remember that campers are by nature early to bed and early to rise. Amplified music, raucous laughter and traipsing over other pitches can be disturbing and rude and should be avoided, especially late at night. In addition, remember to keep your driving speed within park limits at all times and to dim lights and torches at night, when other people are trying to sleep.
But first things first – begin by picking a caravan site that best suits you. Don't like being around children? Then choose an adults-only park; there are plenty of these available. Not crazy about dogs? Then look for parks that are dog-free or have dog-free areas. The same goes for space – look online or phone the site to find out how big the pitches are and if there are any limitations on party sizes or the use of additional gazebos.
Many sites prefer not to accept larger groups – if that's you, find a site that caters for larger parties. The same goes for fires and barbecues: some sites encourage the fun, communal element, while others recognise that other residents might find them disturbing.
You'd be forgiven for thinking that you should never camp with children or animals, given some people's reactions, but if you do, plenty of sites welcome them! Look for parks with playgrounds, children's activities, football fields and so on. And if you're touring with a pooch, a site with a dog shower and dog-walking areas is going to be more suited to you.
Dogs should also be tethered, where site rules require, and of course, you should clean up any mess immediately. But if you find campsite rules too limiting, perhaps think about going off-grid instead?
TOP SITES
Check out our Top 100 Sites Guide 2024, which comes with issue 477 (on sale 21 March), to find the site that best suits you!
2 Improve your cooking skills
You are unlikely to find a caravan with cooking facilities as extensive as those you find at home – unless you live in a tiny studio flat! So here are our tips on how to keep your inner cordon bleu going on site…
If you are in the process of buying a caravan, choose one with a worktop close to the table, and if possible on the same
