[plumseverywhere]

Bit of a project going on here, we bought a vintage 1970's (same vintage as me!) 4 berth caravan a few weeks back. In good condition structurally but needs a bit of TLC and lots of cleaning! I've scrubbed inside and out and am currently decorating it to make it a unique 'peace mobile' with crystals and wooden heart bunting, rag rugs, new curtains, crystal tie backs and crocheted cushions etc.
Anyhoo...looking for somewhere to take it at end of plum harvest (last week august?) in Devon/Cornwall for surfing and nice beach.  Looked at a few sites today who are asking £15 pitch plus extra for each child/adult, awning/dog/hook up etc (be cheaper to stay in a hotel that rate!)
Any recommendations for nice places to stay that are fairly cheap, quiet, near beach, rural, basic and friendly would be well received   

[Lesley Silvester]

We stayed on a lovely site a few years ago near St Austell but I can't remember the name of it. I have had a quick look on line to see if anything jogs my memory but nothing so far. You really want the north coast of Cornwall for surfing though.

[Q]

Are you a caravan club member? 
If you are then this opens up a whole new list of sites to use that are CL's and much cheaper than the main sites.   They usually have electricity but wont normally have a shower or toilet facilities on site.  'orses for courses etc.

I joined recently and got 2 nights free ( even at a normal site like the one you have looked at is a 30.00 saving).

[plumseverywhere]

No, we're not yet but it sounds like its a good idea. Will look into it, thanks.

[Eastling]

Have a look at this link http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/ you do have to be a member but if you look for certified sites they offer the basics and are a bit cheaper.

[Q]

Eastling - I have been a member of the camping and caravanning also and you have to look at the way they price because they do add things in for extra adults and children where the caravan club are per night pricing for the van.
At least it was that way a couple of years ago - depends on the site obviously.  I may be wrong so best to check.

[waddy]

Woolacombe is a gorgeous beach and great for surfing. Other good surfing beaches nearby. Illfracombe also nearby. Woolacombe has an old fashioned unspoiled feel to it. There is a campsite on the front just behind the beach and to one side of the town but I don't know details having never stayed there. CL's (certified locations) for either the caravan club or caravan and camping club will certainly be cheaper. The club site allows you to search near your chosen location. School holidays can get booked up though so best to book early if possible.


 


Helen

[plumseverywhere]

Thanks all    Well I've been researching all afternoon (while putting the asda order in!) and came up with this little beauty -

http://www.littleroadway.co.uk/node/1

A picture of a white saanen goat on the home page started to persuade me but when I saw my other love - gypsy wagons - that was it! magic 

[waddy]

Looks like you have found our next holiday as well  .
Please let us know how it goes Plums.




Helen

[Lesley Silvester]

That looks lovely. Still not cheap when you add everything up but there's no fee for the pitch as well. Do you have electric hook up in your van?

[john and helen]

I hold a big kayak fishing meet in september at ladram bay near exmouth..it is a little expensive, but its hell of a site, also you have Exmouth just around the corner facing west, budleigh beach facing south and ladram facing east, so always a good spot to get the best weather / wind conditions

http://www.ladrambay.co.uk

[shygirl]

we stayed in a caravan at Par once (near ish to looe/polperro), but the place really stunk of sewage. apparently they pump out to sea there, maybe it was a one-off but it did damper our holiday a bit.
i just love polperro, so cute.

[cloddopper]

Are you a caravan club member? 
If you are then this opens up a whole new list of sites to use that are CL's and much cheaper than the main sites.   They usually have electricity but wont normally have a shower or toilet facilities on site.  'orses for courses etc.

I joined recently and got 2 nights free ( even at a normal site like the one you have looked at is a 30.00 saving).

 Once you get the CC's hand book  you'll like as not find loads of places that also have decent shower and toilet facilities as well though there will still be grass fields on top of hill places .
 We have had some fantastic accredited places as well as simple CL's with outstanding facilities .  All found in the hand book
 We've also found lots of brilliant well set up places on line as well that have not been caravan club involved places .

[SallyintNorth]

Thanks all    Well I've been researching all afternoon (while putting the asda order in!) and came up with this little beauty -

http://www.littleroadway.co.uk/node/1

A picture of a white saanen goat on the home page started to persuade me but when I saw my other love - gypsy wagons - that was it! magic 

I used to live and work less than 5km from there  .  Beautiful area - but busy with tourists during the season.  If you get a chance to go on one of Mary or John Breeds' walks on Braunton Burrows ^(*), take it - stunning flowers, and those two are incredibly knowledgeable about them and the environment.  Mary is a botanist and John used to be the warden on the Burrows.  They're dog-friendly people too  .  There will be other led walks there too; Liz Lilicrap does a herbal one, I think, and someone else does a butterflies one.  (And if you do see John and/or Mary, please send them my love - they were incredibly kind to a stranger when I moved back to the area 9 years ago.)

^(*)The Burrows is the dune system behind the long Woolacombe sands, it's a globally important ecothingywotsit.  I think I remember that more than a third of all the UK's rare plant species are found there.  I may be selling it short, it may be more than 40%.

[plumseverywhere]

Sounds perfect    Hubby has decided he wants me to try harder to find somewhere with a swimming pool on site...am going to strangle him....will tell him I couldn't and that this place was the only one with places I think