Christmas caravanning

Chuckle55 replied on 02/10/2016 17:09

Posted on 02/10/2016 17:09

Hi

My husband, dog and I have only been away 4 times in a year of having our van.  We are thinking of having Christmas on a site.  Can anyone give me pointers?  Is it bleak, lively, friendly, etc?  Also ideas on eating as we usually have brekkie then go out for the day, which would not work Christmas Day.

 

Thanks this is my first post x

AEGB replied on 02/10/2016 17:41

Posted on 02/10/2016 17:41

It can be what you want it to be, just choose the right site.  We have been away on Christmas day for the last two years and for us it is about getting away from all the Christmas stuff although there are some celebrations on site we don't join in, quite happy doing our own thing enjoying the peace and quiet.  We cook in but nothing special although there are usually lots of turkey dinners with all the trimmings going on around us! hope you find something to suit you.

replied on 02/10/2016 17:53

Posted on 02/10/2016 17:53

We also go away but for around 15 nights from mid December and come back before new year. For us we want a quiet time. If we stayed at home we would do little on most days. As we go away we tend to go out in the mornings after 9.30 and head back for 3pm. I do all the cooking as at home. A number from the site that we use go out for Christmas Dinner but I tend to cook half a leg of lamb, and probably cook breast or spatchcock some poussins over Christmas and Boxing days. We don't venture out on Christmas and Boxing day except for a stroll. As per the previous post it depends what it is you are looking for. If you can define that and for how long then folk that know your neck of the woods can make suggestions. I am too far north I suspect.

Chuckle55 replied on 02/10/2016 18:10

Posted on 02/10/2016 18:10

We want to get away from the celebrations, no internet, no TV. We have only a 2 berth as we are new to it and find it cramped, but we just didn't want to go and find it noisy and too many festivities. Just want to walk dog and relax xx

Vicmallows replied on 02/10/2016 20:04

Posted on 02/10/2016 20:04

We spent last Christmas at the Setthorns Camping-in-the-Forest site (New Forest). This is a large (235 pitch) site but is 'basic' in the sense that it does not have toilets/showers/anyother facillities.  It does however have EHU to most pitches. Heavilly wooded, and pitches are randomly located and well seperated amongst the trees.

Occupancy was about 3/4 over Christmas itself, and higher still for New Year.  Many 'vans were decorated, and everyone you met 'at the water tap' was in pleasant Christmassy mood, but otherwise everyone kept themselves to themselves. Absolutely no roudiness or noise.  Santa (the site team) did drive around on the decorated tractor on Christmas morning; and I beleive there  was mulled wine and  minced pies at reception on Christmas eve ..... but that was the sum total of any activities.

Being the New Forest, walking opportunities are limitless; and wild deer and horses are always likely to pay you a visit.

You mention that you are cramped in your 2-berth. We also have a (very small, Elddis 362) 2-berth, but do put up a full awning which makes a huge difference just as a storage area.  We string up an 'inner tent' and then dump all the bedding etc in there - much easier than packing away under seats every day!

 

 

nelliethehooker replied on 02/10/2016 20:13

Posted on 02/10/2016 20:13

We want to get away from the celebrations, no internet, no TV. We have only a 2 berth as we are new to it and find it cramped, but we just didn't want to go and find it noisy and too many festivities. Just want to walk dog and relax xx

That's just what we do, and have been doing it for 20yrs or so. Pick a CL with H/S & EHU, somewhere quiet but near an area that has good walking, pack a lunch of Smoked Salmon sandwiches, mince pies, & Mulled wine in a flask, and go out for the day. Return mid afternoon and cook a good meal, pheasant or spatchcock or the like with all the trimmings, for our evening meal. Can't wack it!!Laughing

replied on 02/10/2016 23:30

Posted on 02/10/2016 23:30

Certified Location. The caravan Club is able to issue certificates to land owners to provide 5 caravan pitch sites without the need for planning. I have not used any for a long time but, when I did felt priveledged to do so. H/S or HS - Hard standing, stoned pitch as on many CC site pitches.

EHU - Elwctric Hook up to allow connection for mains which will be either 10 amp or 16 amp generally. 

Some sites, including commercial are limmited to 10 amp on the pitch bollards which gives about 2.3 KW so electric heating is likely to need restricting to 1KW. CC sites are generally 16 amp as are many commercial sites and some CLs and provide for over 3.5 KW per pitch

Navigateur replied on 03/10/2016 20:18

Posted on 03/10/2016 20:18

What you describe of Christmas Chuckle has got me thinking I might do the same - but without any hassle.  I'll just spend the holiday in my caravan parked in my yard and leave the house looking like I've gone away.

near Malvern Hills Club Campsite Member photo by Andrew Cole

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