New to caravanning

KathleenB
KathleenB Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited December 2019 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Hi we are new to caravanning ( picking our new caravan up on the 2nd January) we would like some advice on sites to visit for our first trip which we plan to do in February. We live in Kent  don’t want to travel to far on our first trip we have 3 children that need something to keep them occupied, would like a clubhouse for evening drinks and maybe a spot of bingo!! Any help would be appreciated. Can’t wait to start our caravanning journey. Thanks 

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  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #2

    Hello and welcome 😀.

    Best advice for 1st trip, stay fairly local, you can pop home for anything vital you forget! Don't overload your caravan, check your payload by weighing at weighbridge dont take the salespersons word! weigh the stuff you put in, it's incredibly easy to overload 😱. Take what you need from home, keep your hand in your pockets until you're sure things are essential - we all have shelves/cupboards/sheds with things purchased which were considered vital and aren't!!! Pop a small fan/oil radiator in just in case your heating fails in view of the time of year. Wear a SMILE, try not to get stressed - it's supposed to be, and is FUN! It will get easier with practice, give the kids a job, like filling the aqua roll, that's age appropriate. Dont be frightened to ask fellow campers for assistance, most are happy to help but don't want to appear pushy. Tell the wardens it's your first outing, their usually very experienced.

    There are very few club sites with club houses, but for your first outing I'd suggest board games, cards etc.

    Do tell us about your trip and continue to ask questions we're a friendly bunch. Response could be slow because of the time of year.

  • KathleenB
    KathleenB Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited December 2019 #3

    Thank you for your reply and advice really useful. Can’t wait to start. Do you have a favourite place to stay? 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited December 2019 #4
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited December 2019 #5

    After 40 years I still use a tick off list for packing and unpacking the caravan. There is one for the start of the season and then one for clothes, perishable food, cameras etc which is all we need to add for individual trips.

    With your requirements for evening entertainment I would suggest that maybe club sites are not for you as most of them are very, very quiet in the evenings with most people retiring to their vans, and I don't say that as a criticism as that is what we like to do!

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2019 #6

    We don't retire early to the caravan if weather is good but certainly in December wink 

  • Sumitra
    Sumitra Forum Participant Posts: 154
    edited December 2019 #7

    Another thing is look for campsites with easy access for the first few times.If you are not used to towing you don't want to be towing down very narrow roads and campsites with tight entrances.Try the caravan club towing courses (there are others) as they are very good.

     

  • Hakinbush
    Hakinbush Forum Participant Posts: 286
    edited December 2019 #8

    Hiya Kathleen, not sure where in Kent you live but Broadhembury near Ashford is a really nice site, every thing you need for the kids and adults I'm there myself in March, check it out on google...

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