Awning visitors- advice please

Cavalier Caravaners

We are new to caravaning (bought caravan in April this year, stayed at 2 CC sites) and we have invited my sister and her 2 kids to stay with us on a 2 night CC site this weekend.

We have a few questions about visitors that I can't find the answer to in the CC guide book. Can the visitors park their car on the site somewhere? It would not need to be parked on the ptich or even  near it. Our visitors will stay in the bedroom pod of
our pourch awning (when pod is added it will take up length of caravan like a full awning but not more). Do we need to pay extra for the bedroom pod part? We have a hard standing pitch and self inflating mattresses going in the awning- will they still feel
the stones of the hard standing? when we camped we were always on grass so I am not sure if the hardstanding ptich we have will work for visitors.

I also wondered if anyone had tips for visitors. We are a family of 4, our kids are 6 years old. we have one other adult and 2 kids staying with  us. All 4 kids will stay in our 6 berth caravan and the guest adult in the awning. We have never done this before
so any tips for how to get along with so many people in a small space?

Thank you so much for any advice experienced caravaners can provide.

JillwithaJay

Hi Humphrey Campers.

Firstly, you don't pay any extra fee for an awning or any extensions to it.

Secondly, as a general rule, only one car is permitted per pitch but the site staff will let you know where to park a visitor's car; usually on the site car park.

Thirdly, I'd suggest putting an old blanket or rug underneath the mattress, partly to ensure a more comfortable night and partly to safeguard any possible damage to the mattress.

Lastly, it might be a sensible idea to ensure that all your visitors are familiar with site policy and rules such as speed limit, not walking across other people's pitches, one way systems, where the bins and taps are.  If there are young children keep them
safe and everybody will enjoy their stay.

Just respect the fact that everybody is there to enjoy themselves.  CC sites don't have huge play areas so plan days out.  Be sure to take games, television etc for wet days. Most children are happy with a bike
or scooter on site but ask them to respect the speed limit and one way system in the same way that the do with adults and vehicles.

If you have any more queries, just ask.

DEBSC

We have a four berth van and if we take our two granddaughters away in the summer our daughter and the toddler sometimes joins us for a couple of nights. You will need to tell the wardens they are coming and pay the extra fee for them. They will also advise
where the visitor car can be parked, at some sites you will be given a visitor sticker for the car. Our daughter uses a blow up bed and it seems fine but we do have a thick ground sheet  for the awning floor. With so many children my tip would be to try to
eat in the awning or your caravan could suffer but then I am a bit fussy about it. Tip - If my daughter needs the loo in the night she is very considerate and comes into the van quietly so not to wake us. Best suggestion is to have a word with the warden before
you go, they will advise. Have a good time.

Cavalier Caravaners

Thank you so much. I will follow all these tips. Its so true to remind all of the rules. We have already taught our 6 year olds the rules of CC sites but as our guests we need to ensure visitors are aware too. Old blankets under the mattress on the hard
standing is another good tip.Eating outside with a big group is a must, and games for rainy days... all great advice. I have amended our booking onlline and will call the site to see where the visitors can park their car.

Thank you to a very helpful online commmunity...

any more great tips for visitors?

JillwithaJay

Make sure everybody takes their turn at doing the chores like fetching water and/or washing up.     Keep meals as stress free as possible
so you all have more time to relax.

 

huskydog

caraving is fun , so dont worry if things go wrong ,and sometimes they will ,but just laughe about it and work round it and remember it's a holiday not an exam

Bakers2

If you're catering for several you may want to use the veg prep area and dish washing area depending on catering arrangemens.  Make sure you take something suitable for transporting crockery and cutlery, such as bucket, washing up bowl or folding crate.
Most of all have a great time!!!

Cavalier Caravaners

Thanks for the help 

Cavalier Caravaners

We had our trip and it worked very well. I am amazed as that is a lot of people in a small space but it worked much better than a tent and having guests. I would not want 7 people for mroe than 2 nights but our kids loved having their cousins with them.
You pay more for the poeple on the ptich, which is fine, its sitll cheaper than 2 pitches. A serviced pitch was very handy as you do use more water.

Bakers2

So glad you had a good time. 7up is a lot in a small space but sometimes its fun.  Always better if the weather is reasonable, dry preferably ?

JillwithaJay

Glad it worked out for you all.  I think I'd struggle to feed and entertain seven people for a couple of nights in a confined space.