Holiday Help

[Claripup]

Hiya,

I'm hoping for some advice on holidays this year - we are looking to go away, hopefully the first week in june, BUT... have very little money, three dogs and a nine year old child. Most campsites refuse to take us unless we have 2 tents/pitches and the campsites we can afford have little in the way of kids areas... most of them seem to be either empty or mainly have people there who live in the caravans/tents.

So far we have an offer of a farmers field (Lincolnshire) - lovely place but completely empty, only has a toilet which is a good 20 mins walk away... on the plus side there is no one to get annoyed at the bored child and three dogs, but it's hardly relaxing

Or a lovely little campsite who's owners specialise in home brewing (Peterborough) Which I love, but don't really want to take a child to as he will be very bored... it's more of a adult escape for when we are on our own.

Does anyone know anywhere that is slightly child friendly/has children visiting and will allow dogs and isn't £20 a night!?!

I know it's a long shot but I really can't cope with the above mentioned farmers field again!!!

Ideally looking in the midlands area, but anywhere in the UK will be considered

Thanks
Clari - The Desperate One!!!!!!!

[citizentwiglet]

Check out the National Trust - we stayed at a lovely site in the Lake District (across Windermere from Ambleside) called Low Wray. It's quite 'basic', but there was a lovely mix of people - lots of families (with children of a similar age to yours), but also lots of serious walkers and mountaineers. IIRC it was only for tents, and you couldn't park right up to your tent, so you didn't have to worry about people reversing into your children. I'll be honest though - I can't remember if you could take dogs. I'll google it just now and check....

[citizentwiglet]

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w- ... w_wray.htm

Yes, you can take dogs. But you don't half pay for them - £1.50 per night! Looking at the page, it's changed quite a bit when I was there, which was 5 years ago. They've got yurts and everything!

[Green Aura]

When our daughter was little we were members of the Camping and Caravaning club - can't remember the membership, although as we were students and flat broke I can't imagine it was much. As a member you get reduced rates

They send you a map and sort of catalogue listing all their approved sites with info on each place (whether dog friendly, what facilities etc) and events. I remember taking the gal to a weekend folk music camp - very family orientated and friendly - although there were a couple of knobs there who thought they were Martin Carthy

[thesunflowergal]

I am having a similar problem. Everywhere is so expensive, and hubby will not camp!!! We have not been away for a couple of years so we will see what turns up.

Good luck in finding something hun.

[Claripup]

Thanks all for the replies,

The national trust is definately out! £4.50 a night just for the dogs!!!!!!!!! But it does look lovely... maybe when we win the lottery *makes note to start playing the lottery*

Green Aura - I'll definitely look into the caravaning and camping club... although I expect with the recent trends towards camping/UK based holidays they will be far above our price range too... however I will investigate

Thesunflowergal - if you don't have dogs you can rent static caravans quite cheaply (next to nothing outside of school holidays) and some of them are lovely. Even if you have a dog there are places... so long as you don't have more than 2 of them!!!!