The majority of campers arriving at their campsite intend to leave again. Therefore, the best campsites have everything you might need and nothing you don’t. The best ones are clean, safe, well lit and quiet with a range of top-quality facilities including showers, toilets, washing, water supply, waste disposal services and electric hook-up points. We list the most important features of any camping site and advise on what to look out for when choosing your next camping spot. You should check that you have all these things in place before pitching your tent or caravan.
Showers
There is nothing worse than being very hot in the daytime and then being unable to have a cool shower in the evening because there are no showers available on site. Always check that showers are available on the site before booking your pitch. If you have children, you need to know where the children’s showers are located. You also need to know if any of the showers are outside, which they frequently are. Having an outdoor shower can be a little scary if you are alone, so it is always worth making inquiries about this when you are booking your pitch. If you are on a very low budget, you may have to accept that the only showers on offer may be coin-operated. Alternatively, you may have to make do with having a shower in your camper van or tent using a portable shower. If you are staying in a static caravan, you are likely to have a shower, but you should always check that it is working properly and that the water temperature is not too hot.
Toilets
The cleanliness of toilets is something you can easily check when visiting the campsite before you decide to book. It is quite common to have communal toilet blocks with a men’s toilet and a women’s toilet and possibly a disabled toilet as well. There is usually a cleaning schedule and all toilets are normally vacuum flushing loos with several wash-hand basins in the vicinity for people to wash their hands after using the toilet. If the toilets are outdoor loos, they are normally the long drop variety with a wooden seat over a deep pit. These are cleaned regularly but it is always advisable to choose a pitch that is as far away from the toilets as possible. There is a much greater chance of contracting a stomach bug when using communal toilets.
Washing Facilities
Having washing facilities on a campsite is very important. These are likely to consist of washing machines and tumble dryers, but it is always worth checking exactly what facilities are on offer. There should be a notice board on the site with all the details of the washing facilities so that you can easily check what they have available before booking. If the washing facilities are in a central location and there are no washing machines, you can always hire a portable washing machine to do your washing in your caravan.
Water Supply
Always check that the campsite has a good water supply. The water supply on a campsite will be connected to the water mains supply. If the water mains are connected to a water treatment works, then the water will be perfectly safe to drink. If the campsite draws its water from a well or a stream or river, then it is likely to be drinking water and not for washing or watering your plants. If the water supply is for drinking, then you will notice signs on the taps advising that the water is safe to drink. If the water is not safe to drink, then you will see signs on the taps advising people not to drink it.
Waste Disposal Services
Check that there is a waste disposal service on the campsite where you are planning to stay. Some campsites have their waste disposal service, others will use the local authority service and others will rely on you to take your rubbish off the site. If the campsite has its own waste disposal service, it will be signposted on the site. If the campsite relies on the local authority waste disposal service, then you will see signs at the entrance to the site advising you of this. If the campsite relies on you taking your rubbish off the site, then you will see signs telling you where to take your rubbish and what to put into each bin.
Electric Hook-up Points
If you are staying in a camper van or a caravan, you will need to know where the electric hook-up points are located on the campsite or you may be able to hire an electric hook-up point if it is a really basic site. Generally, you will find the electric hook-up points are located in a corner of the site, near the water supply and the waste disposal. You will normally find a notice board with details of where to find the electric hook-up points when you arrive at the site. When you are booking your pitch, always make sure that your chosen pitch has an electric hook-up point. If the pitch is not fitted with an electric hook-up point, you can hire one, provided that the site has the facility to do so. Alternatively, if you are in a camper van, you could use a portable electric hook-up point.
Security and Safety
If you are staying on a site that is open and unsecured, then you need to know that there are security patrols that regularly visit the site. If you are staying on a site that is fenced and has gates, you need to know that the gates are locked at night. Always make sure that you have written confirmation that the site is fenced and gated and that there is a security patrol that visits the site regularly. Always check that the site has proper first aid facilities, including an ambulance service on call. You may also want to check that there is a fire extinguisher within easy reach of your pitch. Finally, you need to know where the site’s public toilets are located. You will probably be asked to use these toilets when you arrive at the site and be expected to use them again before you leave.
Conclusion
There are many good reasons for choosing to go camping, and it is a great way to spend time with friends and family. The best way to start is by choosing the right site, and with our guide, you can pick the best camping sites and have a great time. If you are visiting the site before the camping season begins, make sure you visit in the daytime and not in the evening when it is dark, as you will be able to see much more and know exactly what the site has to offer.