With stay-cations becoming increasingly popular, we recognise there’ll be many first time campers out there not quite sure what to expect from their campsite. We’ve created a handy guide to ease you into the outdoor lifestyle and help you plan your holiday at home.
When you think of camping in the UK, you might imagine just you and your camper van surrounded by the Great British countryside. Usually, the set-up at a campsite is far more sophisticated than this and there are plenty of facilities to make sure your stay is as comfortable as possible. Although you’ll have your own pitch and room for your outdoor camping furniture, it’s likely that you’ll have some other happy campers as neighbours. Many campsites will also have games facilities including table tennis tables, pool tables and children’s play areas – perfect for keeping the kids entertained for a few hours.
We always recommend booking a pitch with Electric Hook Up (EHU) as campervans and motorhomes especially are not designed for wild camping, so if you do not have an EHU we can’t guarantee that the lights, fridge and heater will have enough energy from the leisure battery to work for the entirety of your trip. If you choose to book a pitch without EHU we cannot be held liable if you run out of power.The most popular type of pitch is a fully serviced, hard standing. Fully serviced means that your pitch will have an electric hook-up and a water connection. Sometimes, this will also include a grey waste disposal point. Hard standing pitches tend to be gravel or tarmac and are great for rainy days. Grass pitches are also very common on some sites and can still come with electric and water hook-ups. If you decide on a grass pitch, we’d recommend you take some indoor footwear to help keep the inside clean in case of bad weather.
The arrival process differs between campsites but generally, there’ll be a reception area to welcome you to the site. Some campsites might have an entrance barrier operated by a key card. If this is the case, just park up before the barrier and head to the reception where someone will give you either a key card or code for the rest of your stay. Occasionally, you may have been allocated your pitch before arrival but if not, the receptionist or warden will assign this for you. You might even be given a choice of the pitches available. To find your pitch, you could be given a site map or, for larger sites, a warden might guide you to your plot for the week. It’s always worth checking the terms and conditions of your campsite with regard to their late arrivals procedures.
Although the prospect of shared shower and toilet blocks may not sound particularly appealing, we can assure you that most campsite facilities are extremely well maintained. Some sites will have separate shower and toilet blocks while some will just have several cubicles fit for all purposes. We recommend you take a shower bag full of mini travel toiletries – the less you have to carry with you the better! Most communal showers will have some cleaning items for after use so please make sure to leave the cubicle clean and tidy for the next camper. Don’t forget your flip-flops!
Just because you’re out exploring nature, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to take your favourite tech. If you have a pitch with an electric hook-up, the 3 pin sockets inside the campervan will allow you to use or charge any of your normal 12V appliances. If you don’t have the luxury of an electric hook-up then not to worry! All of ours vans are fitted with a leisure battery that will power the USB charging ports in your vehicle.
Here at GOAT Roadtrip, we love your furry friends and completely understand that, as a part of your family, they also enjoy a holiday. When choosing your campsite, always check their pet policy.
Although many campsites are pet-friendly, the majority do not accept breeds or crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dog Act and/or the following breeds: Staffordshire Bull terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, any type of Mastiff or Tosa.
On the majority of campsites, pets aren’t permitted inside any of the facilities or static caravans and must be kept on a lead at all times around the site.
Of course! We offer packages including campsite accommodation for those who want to take the stress out of organising their holiday.
If none of our set routes take your fancy then you can submit a custom quote, or email info@goatroadtrip.com and we’ll help you create your dream roadtrip itinerary.
We always aim to provide the highest standard of campsite as close to your desired destination as possible, so all you have to do is relax!
