Okeh. You've hitched up, you've locked the house, got the kids and the missus in the car, and you're ready for the off.
But just where are you off to?
There are still some sites that accept the occasional 'weekend gypsy', but it's so much nicer to plan ahead and book a site. Site managers prefer it, and some demand it!
So, what are you looking for? Do you want a quiet site with just the bare essentials, or do you want everything done for you?
What kind of site is there? They are as varied as you want them to be, ranging from a farmers field, to a super-site with bars, clubhouses and access to all sorts of other entertainments.
Family sites cater for adults and children, and usually pets.
Adult sites usually only cater for over 18's, ie children are not welcomed, and usually neither are pets.
Rally sites usually just supply the site sometimes with a toilet (or well-cut thistles!) and a water supply, somewhere! This is when you need your own toilet and washing facilities!
If you join the Caravan Club (CC) or the Caravan and Camping Club (CCC), you will be offered access to sites that non-members don't, and also price reductions too.
Some of their sites are called CL (Certified Locations) and many generally only have licences for up to 5 units.
Some sites do not accept single-sex groups. Let's face it, if you were on holiday, would you want the boys from tent A fighting with the boys from tent B over the girls in tent C? Or even the boys in tent A fighting with the girls in tent C over the boys from tent B?
Having said that, on previous occasions, I have contacted 'no single-sex' sites asking if I can visit with my 9-year-old son, and encountered no problems!
9 times out of ten, the lady of the house doesn't get much of a break, as there's still washing up and a certain amount of housework to do. Even if the rest of the family mucks in and gives the lady a hand, there's still plenty to do!
I've heard of people that scour jumble sales for old clothes to buy, so they take those, wear them, and bin them afterwards! You could also take paper plates and disposable cutlery.
But, basically, if you want a holiday where you'll be waited on hand and foot, you'll be in a hotel.
But, I digress, where were we? Ah yes, where are we going! Just for the sake of it, I'm going to put in some info about a couple of sites that I know about, and then, delve into me sites book and find a couple more.
This site is based in the old railway station at Fangfoss. There are around 120 pitches for tents, caravans, and motorhomes. Of these, 60 or so are hard-standing (gravel) and the remainder are grass. Each hard-standing is big enough for a caravan, awning and the car, and the grass area is not marked out. This means that if a group travel together with a collection of tents and caravans, they can all pitch near to each other.
Most pitches have EHU (Electric Hook-Ups) and you'll only have to pass two pitches before you find a water stand-pipe. There is a single toilet/shower block, with hot water 24/7. Opposite the toilet block is a laundry room with washer, dryer and iron.
The site shop sells eggs, bacon, sausages, milk, basic cereals, a few tinned foods, maps, tin-openers (guess who left ours at home!) and a few souvenirs. There is a Post Office in the village, a mile or so away.
There is also a nice pub a couple of miles away, which serves some good bar meals as well as the Falling Down Juice (FDJ)
At night, the site is well lit, but the lights aren't obtrusive.
The centre of York is about 8 miles away.
This is an odd site. The site itself is quiet, and runs beside a fairly fast country road. If you have young children, you'll have to watch them carefully, because of that road.
The entire site is flat, and there are many trees that can be parked under, giving welcome shade during the hotter months. But, you may have to spend some time cleaning the roof of the 'van! Also, there will be the dawn chorus. What this will sound like directly above at 4 in the morning is probably left to the imagination!
All 60 pitches are grass, and some have EHU's. There is a toilet/shower block with hot water most of the day. There is a small site shop supplying the essentials.
Thurston village is about a mile away, and has two pubs, a filling station, post office, vet, bakery, hotel (excellent food) and recently opened chip shop.
Four miles away is Pakenham, with its two working mills, one wind and one water.
Beyton is a mile or so in the opposite direction to Thurston, and has a couple of nice pubs, and a big village green that may be picnicked on.
The historic town of Bury St Edmunds is about 8 miles distant, and boasts many fine eating and drinking establishments, museums, Abbey Gardens, cathedral, and Sports Centre.
Without going into town, the night-life consists mainly of bats, owls, and small woodland creatures.
Recently (1998/99 season) upgraded to include hard standings - some 20/25 pitches.
Apart from one corner, all pitches are level side to side and will need very little correction fore and aft. The remainder of the seventy five pitches are grassed and well drained. The quieter pitches (grass) are to the left as one enters the site, the remainder of the grass pitches are in the centre of the site. These are only really used when the site becomes full or nearly full, so there is plenty of room to manoeuvre on and off pitches.
The hard standings can prove a bit tight, for manoeuvring, if you have a large outfit of car and caravan but it is not excessively so. The pitches are wide enough for a large TA + car + awning, so there's no excuse for creating ruts in the grassy areas between pitches.
There is one toilet block maintained to the CCs high standards. The usual vegetable preparation area, chemical disposal point.
The Wardens for the past three years, George and Norma, are welcoming and have a good knowledge of the area. They will be able to inform you of local events and some of the best places to eat in the near vicinity. The nearest is Scott Skinners Restaurant & Pub, which is within a reasonable walking distance.
George and Norma are proud of the site and work hard to keep it that way for the members. They do not take kindly to people who are inconsiderate of others, but at the same time, will not interfere where it's not needed.
Both propane & butane gas can be bought along with milk, orange juice and various ices. Rolls and newspapers can be ordered from the Wardens on site.
The city of Aberdeen is within 30 minutes drive from the site, try the beaches in summer, or winter if you like 'wild'! There is a permanent funfair at the beach along with good eating places. The city is not cheap (on par with London) so be prepared!
Banchory is the closest village/town & this is only a ten minute drive from the site. The walk along the river is recommended and the Wardens will point the way. Try to visit the bridge when the River Dee is high and watch the peaty waters hurtle under the bridge.
The site is ideally placed for seeing both Royal Deeside and the North East of Scotland with the Whisky Trial within comfortable distance.
The Braemar Gathering is the highlight of the year on Deeside with members of the Royal family paying a short visit to hand out the prizes. There are usually 200/300 Bandsmen & women and several reels of film are recommended!
If you can find it - free whisky can be obtained! Contact AndyG nearer the time for more information!
Directions. From the south.
1. Turn off at signs for Fettercairn - follow the signs for there - then follow signs for Banchory. Not a road for the faint-hearted. Hilly and twisty with locals using it quite a lot!
Directions. From the south.
2. Turn off just prior to Stonehaven and follow the signs for Banchory. This is not too bad a road but it does contain a bridge with near 90 degree turns at either end.
Directions. From all directions.
3. To Aberdeen to roundabout - take first exit (don't go over the bridge) - then follow signs for Lower Deeside Road (B9077) - follow straight through until 'T' junction - Turn right - to next 'T' junction - turn left - follow road (A93) towards Banchory - site on left *immediately* past the BP filling station. Of the three this is by far the easiest!
(Editor note) Andy comments that this route is by far the easier. The Lower Deeside Road is a lot quieter, even in the rush hour, than the Upper Deeside Road. Directions.
From the North East
4.- to Aberdeen - follow signs for Dundee & South - keep straight on until the 7th roundabout across the bridge - turn right onto Lower Deeside Road (B9077) and follow directions (3) above.
An alternative, scenic, route from Perth is to follow signs for Braemar. This road will take you through some spectacular scenery, especially in winter, but it is a hard road for caravanners - if in doubt - don't try it. This takes you up to Glenshee and down the other side into Braemar and then along to Banchory and Silverbank. Just stay on the road, do not turn off and you will eventually come to Silverbank.
As of this season (2002) Silverbank is now all hard standings.
The newer ones are to the inside of the site.
I predict there will be problems for some tuggers with big TAs as the road around the site is rather narrow. Should you wish to make it easier for yourself, ask the Warden if he will assign you (NOT book!! because he won't!) one of the 'corner' pitches and explain the size of your outfit.
Trees have been planted in the middle but will take a few years to mature, as will the plants which have also been put in.
There is also an extra chemical disposal point in the larger area of the site (to the right as you enter)
Three WCs, four showers and five shaving cubicles - pointless going before ten am when the site's busy!
You will experience the sound of the reversing bleeper from the timber yard next to the site, unavoidable.
Still a nice pleasant site and handy for Royal Deeside, Aberdeen and points north.
The site is situated within 20 minutes walk of Delft and we really enjoyed our 10 days there last year.
It is a large site with an area set aside for static's owned by Dutch residents and also several static's for Eurocamp (they also have tents erected there)
Pitches are level and the ones for vans and motorhomes are semi-hardstanding, 2 or 3 units with plenty of space between on pitches which are separated by hedges. There is ample space for tents too.
We parked the motorhome up for 10 days and used public transport to get around, it was nice for Graeme to have a break from driving after 2 weeks in England and with another week to get down to St Malo for our return to Jersey.
The site has a good information point, a well stocked shop a decent size pool and kiddies pool, play area etc
A restaurant, take away and bar with good food and friendly service. There is ample entertainment laid on for children too. Most important is that it is quiet after 10pm. The toilets and showers (including disabled) are first class and thoroughly cleaned every day. Water points are ample and rubbish is deposited into shutes which take it to underground containers. There is a chemical disposal point and refill point for water tanks.
Loads to see and do from this site, a lake closeby with a small beach area, loads of interesting walks and of course the inimitable cycle paths. Wildlife abounds on site with rabbits, ducks and moorhens all calling round for breakfast!! The rabbits love McVities wholemeal!
Catch the bus into Delft (better than trying to find a parking space) Two markets weekly, a large one Thursdays where you can taste all the cheeses etc., and a smaller one of Saturdays which also has a variety of 'bric a brac' stalls. Plenty of places to eat in Delft but we recommend Cafe de Waag, the food here is excellent and inexpensive. Some of the corner cafes are good also but you can get quite 'high' depending on which one you frequent and that applies to non smokers as well!!
Visits to Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Den Haag and Scheveningen are a must whether by your own transport or by public, if you are using your own transport then don't forget Kinderdijk and the windmills - its time stood still!
We could ramble on for hours about this site, we enjoyed our stay so much and we are returning this year!
We visited this site as part of a CCC rally at Easter, and it is situated about 15 min walk from Delft town centre. Delft itself is only 15-20 miles from Hook of Holland ferry port.
The site is in partial woodland with around 300 pitches all good size. The site does back onto a fairly large lake.
Restaurant, bar, shop, kids play area, and a modest size swimming pool all on site.
Delft town centre as I mentioned before is a 15 min walk away or 5 mins on the regular bus service that stops outside the site. You can buy a strip of bus tickets (recommened) from reception. It is is very pretty town to visit, home of course to the Delft pottery which we thought was very expensive!!!!
Other tourist places are Rotterdam 30 m The Hague 7 miles with a superb beach nearby, but I have forgotten it's name.
Amsterdam is about 40 miles away so we caught the train which took about 35 mins.
We drove to the Keukenhof gardens (open march-may) and made a day of it, we drove back via sea route.
We stopped on this site for 6 nights and I found this was just not long enough to see everything.
I'm pleased to read you enjoyed Delftse Hout Mick. We have stayed there the last three years, we park up the camper and use the efficient public transport (gives Graeme a break from driving!) The name of the beach resort by Den Haag is Scheveningen - definitely worth a visit, there is a special ticket for the bus/tram you can buy at reception, it costs 15 guilders and allows up to 5 people to take a return trip there - darn good value for money. They also have static's to rent and grass bungalows.
