Motor Camping in the UK

Granted, we check in to a holiday park or caravan site only about once a week. The rest of the time we are at car-parks or lay-bys or county parks or wherever looks quiet and safe and without obvious prohibitions. And often with an incredible view and no expense. Nonetheless, over the years, we have acquired considerable experience in staying at UK campgrounds, and I thought I'd share at least a few pix from our most recent stay, at a modest park in West Sussex. It's fairly typical--probably 100 pitches--if not as large as some of its fellows, but it has most of the relevant and common facilities. Although they differ in lay-out and amenities, all share the same (pseudo-military) culture, lingo, even personalities.

Reception, the command and control center; typically, the

smaller campgrounds are husband-and-wife operations

(something we could never do), she taking bookings over

the phone or internet, checking people in, explaining the

rules, selling whatever candies/pops/magazines they have

(larger parks have whole stores, liquor licenses, etc)...he

puttering about on a golf-cart, cleaning this, fixing that,

explaining how the electricity works to stupid Americans;

entry is by an electric gate, the secret code to which you

get after check-in; typically, the park is locked tight at

11PM or so

The landscaping is generally owner/manager-designed

Main Street, circular, around the park, other areas radiating

off...

The Toilet Block--toilets, showers, lavatories, but also a

launderette and a kitchen area (sinks, but no stoves,

refrigerators, as in some other countries of our acquaintance);

admission requires a key or secret-code; showers, etc.,

are exceptionally clean

Hooking up to the mains; the Caravan Club

even has a pamphlet on this (and other topics);

can't watch football without electricity

A typical pitch--at least in mid-October; in summer, there

would be two or three tents or awning-houses attached to

every caravan (trailer) or motorhome; the British have no

concept of roughing-it, at least in these types of facilities



"Charles?"

"Yes, My Love?"

"Charles, whatever is that odour?"

"Yes, My Love?"

"Charles, the cassette is nearly topped up"

"Yes, My Love?"

"Charles, the effluent is evident!"

"Yes, My Love?"

"Charles?!"

"Yes, My Love?"

"Dump the shitter!"

"Yes, My Love"