Definition of an awning

I think that would depend on the park itself - Some parks term a wind out as a sun canopy & charge say £2 a night extra. Basically if you want to put anything on the side of your van then an 'with awning pitch' may well be larger or have grass at the side of the hardstanding.

Anyone else's experiences?

On a CAMC site there is no definition. On the one hand, you can book an awning pitch and not use an awning and, on the other, you can use a wind out canopy on a non-awning pitch (with certain restrictions). 

There is no difference in price but on some sites the non-awning pitches might be cramped and in dark corners. A few sites, such as Bunree, don’t permit awnings on the front row overlooking the loch or sea.

We always booked awning pitches which are the most plentiful even though we had no awning other than a wind out which was rarely used.

As above no definitions as such, apart from if you have an awning that is bigger than 2.5m away from your caravan you may not be able to erect it on certain sites if it won't fit on your pitch. Up to 2.m will always be catered for.

Generally awning pitches are bigger but sometime not, sometimes you'll find them the same size. Awning and non awning are defined by the distance between adjacent walls of outfits and the distance between parts of your outfit. On some sites they are narrower than the traditional caravan + car space as the car would be parked in front.

Glad its not just me that finds it a tad confusing! Have stayed on a park that is  "hardstanding with awning" that uses type 2 for hardstanding.... absolutely no chance of even getting screw in pegs in that! 

I don’t find it confusing really but more a case of being free and easy with the few restrictions being centred around fire breaks and spacing regs. 

Pitch surfaces vary but there’s the grass option usually.

Fairly straightforward on club sites, book an awning pitch with either HS or grass, pitch nose in or reverse in between the two line posts and put up the awning.

On club sites on HS there a few inches of gravel but earth beneath, sometimes the ground is soft and other times slightly harder but get a good lump hammer and rock pegs and you should be OK. We've never failed yet and we're getting on a bit now. Never found those screw in pegs any good really but others have.

Thanks for all your comments very interesting. Funny you mention Bunree, I am at that site at the moment and yes you are correct regards the front row, no awnings. I was told here the official definition of an awning is if it has sides on it and if you put out the top cover (awning in my world) it is classified as a sun cover and you can go on the front row???

That sounds as if it’s a specific to Bunree definition. I may be wrong but I think the no awnings in the front row is about blocking the view from others in which case the no sides rule would make sense🤷🏻‍♂️

Enjoy your stay but, personally, I prefer North Ledaig where the pitches are staggered, awnings are allowed, the views are amazing, and there are less midges. 

Things re awnings are as TW says. There are a couple of other sites, certainly White House Beach (Suffolk) and I think Garlieston (D&G) where you cannot use an awning on certain front row pitches.

We think of a roll out sun shield, no sides, as a canopy. Agree regarding North Ledaig as well, nicer site and location😁👍

There are some sites who don't allow awnings on certain pitches as they may be more exposed to the wind and weather. Bunree is another site that you cannot use an awning on the front pitches, as the wind is quite damaging when the site is exposed,