Campsites

ClubMemberF392B75FE9
ClubMemberF392B75FE9 Forum Participant Posts: 8
edited September 12 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Hi, I am new to this but planning a trip to Utah, sword and Omaha beach. I want to stay close by each with 3 stopovers, just wondered if anyone can recommend sites to stay in my motorhome which is close by the beaches so I can cycle or walk  rather than drive to them. thanks, Peter

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  • RedKite
    RedKite Club Member Posts: 1,716 ✭✭
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    edited September 12 #2

    Camping car Aires would be the best for you and there quite a few in the Normandy beaches memorial areas.

    Other folk may be able to give you more details.

    We did the Gold beach new Memorial this year before 80th Anniversary on June 6th and it was very thought provoking.

    Enjoy your trip.

    Also a lot of camping sites close this month hence Aires would be more suitable as open all year.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 12 #3

    Peter, If you prefer campsites to Aires get to know UKCampsites.co.uk and use their campsite search facility. It will show you a map plus details plus reviews of all the campsites along that stretch of coast - but as RedKite has said check the sites closing dates carefully if you are planning for this year.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,381 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 13 #4

    Have a look at this web site, they list all types of stopovers for motorhomes. An App is also available for a small fee. We visited the Normandy beaches a long time ago in our  motorhome and at the time we stayed on the municiple campssite in Arromanches. There is an adjacent aire but it was full when we visited.  This is from my notes I hope it is not too far out of date:

    From here it was a short easy walk to the sea front to view what is left of the Mulberry Harbour and to visit the well presented "6th June 1944" museum.  A steep walk up the hill will take you to the war time positions overlooking Arromanches and Gold beach. A 360 degree cinema presents an interesting film about the invasion. There is also a large car park by the cinema so you can drive up to it if you cannot face the walk. A free 'road train' also plies the route  From here we visited the peaceful haven of the British cemetery at Ryes (not easy to find tucked away in the countryside) then on along the coast road to the American cemetery above Omaha Beach. Both very moving experiences. St Mere Eglise was next. We parked in the square overlooked by the dangling paratrooper which still adorns the church tower. We were not charged to visit the Airborne Museum.

    Have a good trip

    peedee

  • ClubMemberF392B75FE9
    ClubMemberF392B75FE9 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 13 #5

    Thats great, very much appreciated everyone for your replies. I am now retired from the forces, although still work a bit, intend to do a lot of travelling abroad, nice to do it on my own than for a job :)

    O'll be on here again asking for advice on travelling, then one day maybe I will be able to give some. Thanks again

    Pete

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 13 #6

    Pete, you can choose your own user name by visiting My Profile at the top of the page.

    Enjoy your travels.

  • ClubMemberF392B75FE9
    ClubMemberF392B75FE9 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 13 #7

    Thanks, I will do that :)

  • ClubMemberF392B75FE9
    ClubMemberF392B75FE9 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 14 #8

    One more question, can you book aires sites in advance or just turn up and hope for the best. Also anyone no a good website with a list of them... thanks

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,381 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 14 #9

    Mostly you just turn unless the Aire is part of Camping Car Park group If you down load their App you can see if the Aire has vacancy and I think if you pay a premium rate you can reserve a pitch. I have never found this necessary but for popular locations or in peak season it may be an advantage.

    peedee

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,297 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 14 #10

    I think if you pay a premium rate you can reserve a pitch. I have never found this necessary but for popular locations or in peak season it may be an advantage.

    You can by paying  29€ a year. However I  can’t see the point. Many don’t have marked pitches and you always get the greedy who take up more space than they should. At one popular site we frequent we always turn up early, by 6pm it is effectively full, although still showing 3 / 4 spaces available. Therefore anyone turning up with a booking would have nowhere to park.

    Best to pick a less popular Aire, there are plenty of them, or get in early.

  • ClubMemberF392B75FE9
    ClubMemberF392B75FE9 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 15 #11

    Thanks all, been doing alot of research now and planning on staying 2 cheap campsites and 3 aiers for the journey. Not sure which app is the best for aiers as there seems to be a few.

    Searcforsites and campercontact seem the most popular unless anyone else knows of a better one..

    Anyway, thanks for all your advice, its been invaluable.

     

    Pete 

  • ClubMemberF392B75FE9
    ClubMemberF392B75FE9 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 19 #12

    Hi all again, planned my trip now but i see some of the iiers require a ccp card. Is this something you have/use?

     

    thanks Pete

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 19 #13

    If you are going to an Aire run by the Camping-Car Park company you will need a card costing 5 euros to access that automated, unstaffed  Aire. You can buy that in advance or from the machine at the entrance barrier. You will then need to load that card with money to get out again.

  • ClubMemberF392B75FE9
    ClubMemberF392B75FE9 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 19 #14

    Thanks.if they run a lot of sites it will be worth me getting a card as I have plans to do quite a bit of touring 👍

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,297 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 19 #15

    They have about 500. Most just have services and EHU, however some the Mon Village variety also have loos and showers between specific dates, which are listed on the App. Most of these were municipal sites in there former life. We use them quite a lot, they are of consistent quality and are a bit more secure than most of the free or less expensive ones. The spacing between units is also a lot better. On some of the free ones it is little better than found in the average car park. The thought of a unit catching fire on one of those sites doesn’t bear thinking about.

  • ClubMemberF392B75FE9
    ClubMemberF392B75FE9 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited September 21 #16

    Thanks Steve, good to know :)

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