Expensive UK Campsites

[Coachella]

Just with the view of interested to know where / what is seen as expensive for a UK Stopover.

Witnessing for example Ruda in North Devon (Croyde) was a gem to visit when it was a Park Dean. Typically the same stuff in any other Park Dean park - but the added bonus with its super close to the beach. Now its changed hands and its a John Fowler park - still called Ruda, price has gone up. Of course.
And I have to be fair to the Park owners - they have tided it up and made it look nicer - was needing it.
But how about this as a starter - just for 3 nights from a Thurs night - it was before about £110 - now for this summer under John Fowler ----- £309 for 3 nights.
So over £100 a night !!!!!
Now that's a steep increase.

Any other stories of camp site increase - or just in general costly per night ?

 

[dspuk]

A big meh from me on site costs. Literally every man and his dog comments on how it used to be 50p in a bucket back in the day and now it’s sooooooo expensive.

We stayed in Croyde earlier this year on the Ocean site (in the middle of Storm Dave), and it was around 160 mark, so 55ish a night. We walked through that Ruda park, looked nice - nicer than the chalets for sure. Ocean was better.

Bideford is the nearest Premier Inn, currently showing about 100 a night. I know where I’d rather be.

It’s relative to time of year, location and site. Up on the NC500 it was about 30 a night most, 20 for some sites.

We did Sandringham club site not long after (End May), that was 150 for 3 nights.

I make the comparisons, but I don’t actually care the cost.

 

[WelshGas]

Just with the view of interested to know where / what is seen as expensive for a UK Stopover.

Witnessing for example Ruda in North Devon (Croyde) was a gem to visit when it was a Park Dean. Typically the same stuff in any other Park Dean park - but the added bonus with its super close to the beach. Now its changed hands and its a John Fowler park - still called Ruda, price has gone up. Of course.
And I have to be fair to the Park owners - they have tided it up and made it look nicer - was needing it.
But how about this as a starter - just for 3 nights from a Thurs night - it was before about £110 - now for this summer under John Fowler ----- £309 for 3 nights.
So over £100 a night !!!!!
Now that's a steep increase.

Any other stories of camp site increase - or just in general costly per night ?

Agree, but you explained why. The site under the old owners needed refurbishment. The new owners bought it, refurbished it and now have to charge increased prices to cover the cost + all the additional costs imposed on businesses. They will charge what the public will pay to keep the site as full as possible.
If you wish to pay less then you have to compromise. Less facilities , further from the beach etc. The choice is yours.

 

[Perfectos]

I bet Ruda will be flat out over the summer, full to bursting!

Been going to Ruda since I was a kid, before the site extended to both side of the road.

There are other sites whom cater solely for touring vans etc , no entertainment, limited facilities etc within a stones throw of Ruda.

I'm actually shocked that Park Dean sold it , it must have been an absolute gold mine. They charged for absolutely everything they could as an extra. Including pool access and entertainment!

Last time I was there, (5 years ago) we were in a mobile home (static caravan ) at Half term.
I dare not remember how much it cost. (I bet the wife could quote the exact figure)
the Caravan was in need of a very good clean and various bits of proper maintenance, including broken seating and leaking water.
Similarly there were people playing loud music at stupid o clock until security were called.
The campsite was rammed , when a plot became empty in the morning it was filled later that day.

Why had we revisited ?
#1 Location
#2 Park Dean had given us a voucher for our previous onsite debacle with lots of issues where the manager actually agreed the caravan did not meet the standards or price tag !

Unfortunately the location is fairly unique and commands a premium, let's hope the punter now gets what they are paying the premium for.

Regardless it will be full !

Edit just had a look at 4 night -
August camper van £590
Same date in a Static Carvan £650

 

[acer]

I think that I’m lucky in that the majority of the expensive sites tend to be the same places that you’d have to pay me to visit.

 

[Coachella]

A big meh from me on site costs. Literally every man and his dog comments on how it used to be 50p in a bucket back in the day and now it’s sooooooo expensive.

We stayed in Croyde earlier this year on the Ocean site (in the middle of Storm Dave), and it was around 160 mark, so 55ish a night. We walked through that Ruda park, looked nice - nicer than the chalets for sure. Ocean was better.

Bideford is the nearest Premier Inn, currently showing about 100 a night. I know where I’d rather be.

It’s relative to time of year, location and site. Up on the NC500 it was about 30 a night most, 20 for some sites.

We did Sandringham club site not long after (End May), that was 150 for 3 nights.

I make the comparisons, but I don’t actually care the cost.

Ocean Site is the strip of field right next to Ruda - it looks good enough - and has its own food truck.
Not a bad price in comparison - i am sure that will get mega busy. Great for access down to the beach for surfing.

Totally aware its in perspective - and sites are not for everyone.
Was just getting a chat going on what was the most that someone has paid for a night.

I believe Concierge Camping is about £100 a night - but then you get your own private hut on ur pitch with loo shower - and hot tub.
That def isnt my thing.

 

[Blue Yonder]

Just with the view of interested to know where / what is seen as expensive for a UK Stopover.

Witnessing for example Ruda in North Devon (Croyde) was a gem to visit when it was a Park Dean. Typically the same stuff in any other Park Dean park - but the added bonus with its super close to the beach. Now its changed hands and its a John Fowler park - still called Ruda, price has gone up. Of course.
And I have to be fair to the Park owners - they have tided it up and made it look nicer - was needing it.
But how about this as a starter - just for 3 nights from a Thurs night - it was before about £110 - now for this summer under John Fowler ----- £309 for 3 nights.
So over £100 a night !!!!!
Now that's a steep increase.

Any other stories of camp site increase - or just in general costly per night ?

Simple economics. Price charged will be what the demand can support nothing to do with cost + “a reasonable net profit margin”. Seems sites with easy access to a nice beach can and do charge a premium

 

[sidepod]

Not much different form VW charging a crazy lump of £ for a van with a bed in the back but we all pay it!

 

[stoobthealien]

Certified sites are the way to go if you want to save cash and don't mind it being a bit rough and ready - £10 for this place 40 minutes down the motorway from Glasgow

 

[dspuk]

Ocean Site is the strip of field right next to Ruda - it looks good enough - and has its own food truck.
Not a bad price in comparison - i am sure that will get mega busy. Great for access down to the beach for surfing.

Totally aware its in perspective - and sites are not for everyone.
Was just getting a chat going on what was the most that someone has paid for a night.

I believe Concierge Camping is about £100 a night - but then you get your own private hut on ur pitch with loo shower - and hot tub.
That def isnt my thing.

Yup, that’s the one - my sister goes every year at least twice. Great couple who run it and great food options with easy access to beach. The strip is narrow but a lot less narrow when on it - we were midway up on the right and had a great view of the beach. As mentioned, we walked through yours and looked good. We also went to the evening entertainment on the main park as my other sister was staying there. We’ll never be doing that again.

 

[Ayjay]

You pays your money and takes your choice. If you want to or have to stay in Blighty, and particularly Cornwall / Devon then be prepared for a big bill and take a pillow to bite into while they give it to you. On the other hand, if you want lower prices for far superior campsites then venture over the channel. Oh and don't go anywhere in high season - we're lucky in that we have a choice and, in any event, a packed campsite in high season with p1ssed up Brits and their screaming kids with no discipline is our idea of hell. Only joking with the last bit (or maybe only half joking!). I've noticed that VW camper van people tend to be a bit more civilised than most when it comes to camping etiquette though.
In my experience, peak camping value in terms of facilities, proximity to top notch uncrowded beaches (albeit without surf!) food, drink and culture is to be found in Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and (best of all) Greece. Closer to home Brittany and Normandy are good as well, albeit subject to the same weather hostages to fortune as UK.
Also, and at the risk of making myself even more unpopular, don't spend north of £75K on a VW campervan and all there bits and then bitch about £100 per night to park it somewhere.
I'll get my coat.

 

[DragonFae]

Just with the view of interested to know where / what is seen as expensive for a UK Stopover.

Witnessing for example Ruda in North Devon (Croyde) was a gem to visit when it was a Park Dean. Typically the same stuff in any other Park Dean park - but the added bonus with its super close to the beach. Now its changed hands and its a John Fowler park - still called Ruda, price has gone up. Of course.
And I have to be fair to the Park owners - they have tided it up and made it look nicer - was needing it.
But how about this as a starter - just for 3 nights from a Thurs night - it was before about £110 - now for this summer under John Fowler ----- £309 for 3 nights.
So over £100 a night !!!!!
Now that's a steep increase.

Any other stories of camp site increase - or just in general costly per night ?

 

[DragonFae]

I have been going to Ruda for the past 20 years staying in a static caravan, paying under £100 for 3 nights with the Sun Holidays promotion when it was Park Dene. Ruda is not on their list now i believe.

I bought my T6 earlier this year and was looking at Ruda for a midweek break Monday to Thursday in August and too was surprised that it was £100 a night. I ended up booking Bude for £78 for three nights. A bit further down but still by the coast and a nice town.

 

[myvanrodney]

Just with the view of interested to know where / what is seen as expensive for a UK Stopover.

Witnessing for example Ruda in North Devon (Croyde) was a gem to visit when it was a Park Dean. Typically the same stuff in any other Park Dean park - but the added bonus with its super close to the beach. Now its changed hands and its a John Fowler park - still called Ruda, price has gone up. Of course.
And I have to be fair to the Park owners - they have tided it up and made it look nicer - was needing it.
But how about this as a starter - just for 3 nights from a Thurs night - it was before about £110 - now for this summer under John Fowler ----- £309 for 3 nights.
So over £100 a night !!!!!
Now that's a steep increase.

Any other stories of camp site increase - or just in general costly per night ?

I never knew, but now I do, I wouldn’t be surprised as the popularity of campervans increases, the uk starts take direction from the more mature European market:

Friend of mine stayed at a (premium) site in Normandy. Cost just under €200 per night!

 

[The Fockers]

If the cost of a park-up is heading towards £50/night, I'd be heading to a hotel.
Then again, "park4night" has some good places all over Europe.

 

[Cali Phillip]

You pays your money and takes your choice. If you want to or have to stay in Blighty, and particularly Cornwall / Devon then be prepared for a big bill and take a pillow to bite into while they give it to you. On the other hand, if you want lower prices for far superior campsites then venture over the channel. Oh and don't go anywhere in high season - we're lucky in that we have a choice and, in any event, a packed campsite in high season with p1ssed up Brits and their screaming kids with no discipline is our idea of hell. Only joking with the last bit (or maybe only half joking!). I've noticed that VW camper van people tend to be a bit more civilised than most when it comes to camping etiquette though.
In my experience, peak camping value in terms of facilities, proximity to top notch uncrowded beaches (albeit without surf!) food, drink and culture is to be found in Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and (best of all) Greece. Closer to home Brittany and Normandy are good as well, albeit subject to the same weather hostages to fortune as UK.
Also, and at the risk of making myself even more unpopular, don't spend north of £75K on a VW campervan and all there bits and then bitch about £100 per night to park it somewhere.
I'll get my coat.

Or in school holidays

 

[Ayjay]

@cali Philip. We're both right. Sorry, my mistake if I wasn't clear enough - I assumed high season and school holidays were synonymous.

 

[Ayjay]

@Cali Phillip. See above - apologies for typo in original!

 

[myvanrodney]

If the cost of a park-up is heading towards £50/night, I'd be heading to a hotel.
Then again, "park4night" has some good places all over Europe.

I would say the same, BUT after getting our Cali, I think hotels are horrid. And massively overpriced when you actually look at what you are getting and for how long...

Im sure there are some fantastic ones, but generally I now feel more comfortable in my own van with all I need, than someone else's bed and having to make sure I pack everything I need only to be chucked out before Im ready to leave

 

[Jenny H]

I would say the same, BUT after getting our Cali, I think hotels are horrid. And massively overpriced when you actually look at what you are getting and for how long...

Im sure there are some fantastic ones, but generally I now feel more comfortable in my own van with all I need, than someone else's bed and having to make sure I pack everything I need only to be chucked out before Im ready to leave

I agree nothing like having your own bedding & comfortable bed with everything "just in case" packed in too - home sweet home on wheels - Id probably pay double for a couple of sites I visit so no hotels for me!

 

[Ayjay]

I would say the same, BUT after getting our Cali, I think hotels are horrid. And massively overpriced when you actually look at what you are getting and for how long...

I know an ex-Cali owner who thought his van was horrid and massively overpriced after it started giving major problems a month in and which weren't fixed properly by the dealers. In the end, he formally rejected the vehicle and VW gave him a new one which he's had for just over a year now and has been more or less trouble free.

 

[Coachella]

I would say the same, BUT after getting our Cali, I think hotels are horrid. And massively overpriced when you actually look at what you are getting and for how long...

Im sure there are some fantastic ones, but generally I now feel more comfortable in my own van with all I need, than someone else's bed and having to make sure I pack everything I need only to be chucked out before Im ready to leave

And hotels / bed bugs ! Not that I am saying every hotel has them.

 

[Ayjay]

@Coachella. About 15 years ago, I was staying at The Burj Al Arab in Dubai (at the time, I think the world's only 5 star hotel - It was work and I wasn't paying !). Whilst waiting in reception, I witnessed a very irate guest complaining about bed bugs to the reception staff. The manager arrived and seemed convinced that the guest was trying it on so threatened to call the police. I had to go before anything else happened so don't know haw it all finished.

 

[The Fockers]

I agree nothing like having your own bedding & comfortable bed with everything "just in case" packed in too - home sweet home on wheels - Id probably pay double for a couple of sites I visit so no hotels for me!

Yeah but the beds in the camper aren't that comfortable. Which is why there are numerous threads on matress toppers.

 

[Jenny H]

Yeah but the beds in the camper aren't that comfortable. Which is why there are numerous threads on matress toppers.

You easily personalize your bed to your liking which you can hardly do in a hotel!