riruanti Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Hi - we are newbe Motorhomers - a family of 2 adults and 2 pre-teenage girls - who are hoping to spend the last week of October 2010 touring in our Compass Avantgarde 400. This may sound a little strange to some, but could anyone give their thoughts and advice on an itinerary for Saturday to Saturday either in the UK, Ireland or (are we daft?) Europe. We don't mind driving, but do not want to spend all half-tem on the road. Ideally a mixture of sights of interest (towns, countryside, things to do etc). Have thought about touring Southern Ireland (expensive ferries and probably bad weather) or France (cheaper ferries but long driving times from the Midlands), or even somewhere beautiful in the UK (probably bad weather!). We are really keen to get out and use it - any ideas would be much appreciated - let's see what you guys think. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Welcome to the forum. If you want helpful answers then you have to ask the right questions and give the right information! Like Where are you starting from? What form of holiday keeps the girls happy as a happy family makes for a happy holiday? What do you prefer - mountains - flatlands - coast - inland - cities - towns? How many miles do you envisage per day or in total? Do you prebook sites or just wander? Be aware that some sites may not be open in October - although most will probably to the end of the holiday week? The whole point of a motorhome is to be independent and do your own thing so unless you say what your own thing is you will end up with someone else's thing! Whatever you decide take warm and waterproof clothing and pray for sunshine! If you want an itemised itinerary go on an accompanied tour! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandyAndy Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Organiser: Central Yorkshire DA Event type: Temporary Holiday Site Dates: 21-31 October 2010 Site Name: Lighidioter Valley Vill. & Theme Park, Ripon, North Yorkshire More details Organiser: Huddersfield DA Event type: Temporary Holiday Site Dates: 22-31 October 2010 Site Name: Spital Farm, Staxton, Yorkshire More details Organiser: Yorkshire DA Event type: Temporary Holiday Site Dates: 22-31 October 2010 Site Name: Ripon Racecourse, Ripon, Yorkshire More details Organiser: BCC - Ribblesdale Section Event type: Temporary Holiday Site Dates: 22-31 October 2010 Site Name: St Annes Cricket Club, St Annes on Sea, Lancashire More details If you are in the C&CC the above are all available without booking so you could do a mini tour, I am sure there would be something for all of you among these. Have a great time Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Hi riruanti & welcome to the forum. As Tracker already posted, some more information of likes & dislikes would help. Which do you prefer, wild camping, the "Rally" scene ?, through to all inclusive Sites with entertainment included ? Based in the Midlands you have such a wide scope available within a few hours driving time. Bearing in mind, that as it will be the School Holidays, you would be wise to Book chosen Site(s) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riruanti Posted September 9, 2010 Author Share Posted September 9, 2010 Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. To give a more concise answer; We live near Lincoln, do not mind travelling for say 3-4 hours per day, grown-ups like quiet and beautiful places (members of National Trust, like walking the dog, like country pubs, old towns, places of interest, history etc. Kids like shopping, adventure, theme parks, watching tele (all the usual things 9 & 12 year old girls like which their parents don't understand) although we can drag them out for walks and sightseeing for short periods. We are members of the Caravan Club and used to own a caravan, so have experience of what is involved in sites and travelling with kids. The difference with a Motorhome for us is the potential freedom to wander from place to place without being tied to one site for a week. We like to be sponateous, but are concerned as you have mentioned about having to pre-book sites due to their popularity ( we thought we could have a night at Clumber Park one weekend this month only to find the CC site there is fully booked every weekend in September!). We have not done 'wild camping' before, but are willing to give it a try with some advice. Do you recommend keeping to these shores for such a short (7 night round trip) holiday, or would you consider venturing further afield? All constructive advice (and heads up on great places/sites) would be much appreciated. Thank you again. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 My suggestion would be to pre book a couple of club sites for a couple of nights each in locations that give both parents and daughters some entertainment - but perhaps biased towards keeping the girls happy -and then travel between them using CL's unbooked for the odd night. Wild - or 'off site' as we prefer to call it - camping is great if you know what you are doing and maybe having two girls onboard is not the right time to try it because there is very rarely anything for them in the quiet spots that make the best overnight locations? May I add that perhaps it may be best not to jump headlong into adventurous Motor Caravanning - try different things to build up experience and confidence first and that way hopefully avoid any disasters? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riruanti Posted September 9, 2010 Author Share Posted September 9, 2010 Good advice Tracker - many thanks for your thoughts. I think you are suggesting we err towards the UK and don't catch a ferry? I personally prefer CLs to big club sites, and am concerned about there being 'no room at the inn' wherever we end up, so booking ahead seems sensible (although looses much of the spontinaeity of the appeal of being footloose!) Any suggestions on interesting areas to visit - we have not been to Herefordshire or Hay on Wye area which sounds good, and know very little about the South coast of England (Surrey/Kent/Sussex, but worry they may be busy). Thanks again, and any other suggestions will be very gratefully received. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_C Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Well, if you are going to Hay on Wye you might like to know that you can stay overnight in the Oxford Road car park. Powys is one of the few 'motorhome friendly' councils in the UK and allows motorhomes to stay for 1 night in 7 on many of its car parks. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Nowhere is likely to be that busy in October and the biggest issue with CL's that time of year is finding firm ground to park on. Where ever you are about mid afternoon simply get the book out, locate a CL that sounds good (cheap) and phone to book before entering the postcode in the sat nav and going to it. I strongly suggest that you get sited before it gets dark as faffing about in the dark on a wet field looking for firm level bit is not for the faint hearted! I'm not going to suggest where to go - why not make that part of the planning and ask the girls where they would like to visit? Happy kids = happy holidays! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riruanti Posted September 10, 2010 Author Share Posted September 10, 2010 Thanks again for your replies - you really are giving me confidence all round. We are hatching a route which may start first night at Much Wenlock CC site, then heading down towards the Malvern Hills and then around to Ross or Hay on Wye and the Forest of Dean, perhaps stopping at some CLs. Unsure whether heading for Brecon may be a little too much for the balance of the trip. Any tips on places of interest/kids' fun/sites/good pubs which allow Motorhomes in any of these areas would be much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 The Brecon Beacons are very scenic and the hills steep but being high ground it can be very wet, cold and windy at any time. Brecon town is interesting with the canal nearby and you used to be able to park overnight in some of the town car parks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 Hi and welcome to the mad house! One thing to resist with a motorhome is the temptation to keep 'travelling', knowing when to stop is important so you enjoy where you are, rather than feeling you have to keep moving on every day. Don't be too ambitious, keep the distances reasonable and just enjoy yourselves. I wouldn't bother about Ireland etc, or any places far away, just for a week - remember the nights will already be drawing in then so daylight will be more limited (and remember that the clocks change at the end of October too). If you end up travelling too much during the day, you'll be using up your precious 'play time'. :-S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_C Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 Tracker - 2010-09-10 5:25 PM Brecon town is interesting with the canal nearby and you used to be able to park overnight in some of the town car parks. Still can: The Watton, the coach/lorry park, and the Promenade car park are all quoted by Powys CC as being suitable for motorhomes to stay overnight (1 night in 7). See http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/ukaires.shtml :-) Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riruanti Posted September 21, 2010 Author Share Posted September 21, 2010 Many thanks to all who have helped. We are very much looking forward to our trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Hi riruanti If going to Hay on Wye area, don't forget Ross-on-Wye, Symonds Yat & Forest of Dean, as palces of interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 I know that you prefer to stay on CL's but there is a very good CC site on the outskirts of Brecon. Your girls would probably appreciate the warmth of a heated shower block especially in the current climate. It aslo has a reasonable on site shop. Brecon itself is a lovely walk either along the canal or by using the road (footpath). Within Brecon there are plenty of things to see and do and lots of pubs, cafes and restaraunts. Lots of easy walking/cycling along the canal towpath with villages (and pubs) en route. Tewkesbury is also another good place to visit, not that far from Brecon. You have the quiet camping area but if you need to stretch your legs the town itself is within a very easy walking distance (5-10 minutes). From there you could pop down the M5 to Bristol and stay on the 'All Year Site' very close to the SS Great Britain and again the town. from there just a short drive to Bath Marina (and Campsite), you can walk/cycle in to Bath along the towpath or 5 mins walk from site you can get the bus 'Park & Ride' into Bath. Back then into the wolds to Moreton in Marsh 'All year site' which is within a 10 minute stroll into lovely Cotswold town or turn right out of site and 30 minute stroll to the Falconry Centre, I guarantee all the family will enjoy watching the birds of prey flying freely in the sky above their heads :D Think that would be a very good weeks tour if you didn't mind staying on sites ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 Big Momma - 2010-11-21 3:23 PM I know that you prefer to stay on CL's but there is a very good CC site on the outskirts of Brecon. Your girls would probably appreciate the warmth of a heated shower block especially in the current climate. It aslo has a reasonable on site shop. Brecon itself is a lovely walk either along the canal or by using the road (footpath). Within Brecon there are plenty of things to see and do and lots of pubs, cafes and restaraunts. Lots of easy walking/cycling along the canal towpath with villages (and pubs) en route. Tewkesbury is also another good place to visit, not that far from Brecon. You have the quiet camping area but if you need to stretch your legs the town itself is within a very easy walking distance (5-10 minutes). From there you could pop down the M5 to Bristol and stay on the 'All Year Site' very close to the SS Great Britain and again the town. from there just a short drive to Bath Marina (and Campsite), you can walk/cycle in to Bath along the towpath or 5 mins walk from site you can get the bus 'Park & Ride' into Bath. Back then into the wolds to Moreton in Marsh 'All year site' which is within a 10 minute stroll into lovely Cotswold town or turn right out of site and 30 minute stroll to the Falconry Centre, I guarantee all the family will enjoy watching the birds of prey flying freely in the sky above their heads :D Think that would be a very good weeks tour if you didn't mind staying on sites ;-) Oooops Sorry, just read the post again and realised that I am nearly a month too late with my recommendations. Never mind, a useful mini tour for a future trip eh :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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