Our opinion of the camping sites that we have visited

Because of the increasing popularity of this page, we now include information about public camping sites.

(Y) = Youth site - Open to Scouts and other youth organisations only

(P) = Public site - Open to the General public

Click here, if you believe any information on these pages to be wrong.

El Delfin Verde (Public site)

Situated a few miles from L'Estartit. A large, quiet site on level ground. Pitches available for touring vans and tents. On site facilities include Trampolining, Crazy Golf, restaurant, three bars, one with occasional live evening entertainment, one by the sites sandy beach and one by the swimming pool. Toilets and showers are of a very good standard. Excursions to local tourist attractions are available from the site.

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Castel Montgri (Public site)

Situated by the small resort of L'Estartit, about 60 miles from Gerona, Spain. A large site built on the side of a hill about 1 mile outside of the main town. Pitches available for both touring vans and tents as well as many static vans, chalets and frame tents which can be hired through the many holiday companies which operate from the UK and the rest of Europe. On site facilities include Toilets and showers maintained to a very good standard, trampolining, crazy golf, two swimming pools (one is the largest on the Costa Brava), open air cinema by the lower pool (with Bar and waiter service), Nightly live entertainment by the upper pool (with bar and waiter service), Karaoke bar, Disco, chill-out bar!, several take-away's, supermarket and Restaurant. Well worth a visit but book in advance during high season.

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Sandy Balls (Public site)

Situated in Godshill, near Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Pitches for touring vans and tents. On site facilities include well maintained toilets and showers, an indoor pool, restaurant and games room. Also some nice country walks and a private stretch of the river Avon (fishing by day ticket). Close to several other fishing venues (river Avon and lakes) and loads of tourist attractions including the New Forest. A nice peaceful family site - shame about the name!

Home Farm Park (Public site)

A Large, well organised site situated in Edithmead, near Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. On-site facilities include well maintained toilets and showers, club house and bar that offers live entertainment during the peak season, a small fishing pond and cycle (with 4 wheels and carries several people!) hire. Well positioned to explore the many tourist attractions of Somerset and North Devon.

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Old Down Touring Park (Public site)

A fairly small site situated in Radstock, near Bath, Somerset. On-site facilities include a well maintained toilet block with hot showers and a small shop where you can buy a few essentials. There a some hard standings and a large, mostly level field for tents. Opposite the site is a 17th Centuary Coaching Inn which serves very good food.

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Biblins youth site (Youth site)

Last visited by us - May 2003

Situated on the banks of the river Wye, in the Forest of Dean.   Well maintained by the "Ranger" who lives on site. All pitches are level and open. Open fires are allowed by advanced booking and there is a plentiful supply of wood (logs). There are miles of footpaths in and around the forest which are ideal for walking or cycling (cycle hire available locally). On the site there is a cave, climbing and raft building facilities and a canoe launch point.  The Ranger is available to assist with some activities. There is a swimming pool nearby in Monmouth. Toilets, washbasins and showers are kept very clean and a chemical disposal point is available for those who just love the canvas. You can reserve your own "trap" in the chemical toilet building which is situated at the opposite end of the site to the main toilet block. The nearest shops are in Monmouth (about 5 miles away) although there is a garage at the bottom of the hill (1½ Miles) which has a small shop.

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Broadstone Warren (Youth site)

Last visited by us - January 2002

The largest scout site in the UK and situated about half way between London and the East Sussex Coast. A well maintained site mostly wooded with level pitches. Open fires are allowed but wood must be found around the site. On-site activities include rifle shooting, archery, climbing tower, an outdoor swimming pool, caving tunnels, sledging, pioneering and raft building in the muddy duck pond (didn't see any muddy ducks though). Accommodation huts are available. Toilets and showers are basic but kept clean. They can be a bit of a hilly stroll from you pitch, and be careful not to get lost! Chemical disposal points available. Nice providore with drinks and ice cream available throughout the day. During our Summer visit mosquitoes were a nuisance.

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Buckmore Park (Youth site)

Last visited by us - Easter 2001

A reasonably well maintained site with both wooded and open  pitches, not all being level. Run by the Scouting Association and Situated about halfway between London and the Kent coast. Open fires are allowed with a good supply of wood. There are many facilities including swimming (2 indoor pools), rifle shooting, archery, a gym, an excellent indoor climbing facility, Go-Kart track and a restaurant. Nice providore which seemed to be open all of the time. Accommodation huts are available and of a very high standard. Toilet facilities around the site were basic and (during our stay) not at their best. On some pitches the go-kart track causes considerable noise pollution during daylight hours.

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Downe (Youth site)

Last visited by us - July 2003 A well maintained Scout site with mostly level pitches in both wooded and open areas. Situated just outside of London it is ideal for sight seeing. Also close to Biggin Hill airfield. Open fires are allowed with a good supply of wood. On-site facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, rifle shooting, archery, climbing tower, assault course, pedal cars and a storm hut. Accommodation huts are available. A nice providore  which has the look that suggests old Baden Powell might just be behind the counter.  Check out the photos around the walls!

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Frylands Wood (Youth site)

Last visited by us - March 2003

A well maintained Scout site with mostly level pitches in both wooded and open areas. Open fires are allowed with a good supply of wood. Situated just outside of London, it is ideal for sight seeing. Also close to Biggin Hill airfield. On-site facilities include a climbing wall, assault course, petrol and pedal karts, a splash pool, mountain bikes, archery and rifle shooting. The providore is open most of the day during weekends where tea and coffee can be purchased. Toilets are basic but well maintained.

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Kingsdown (Youth site)

Last visited by us - September 2004

A well maintained Scout site with open pitches mostly on a varying gradient. Open fires are allowed with a good supply of wood*. Situated on the white cliffs near Dover, this site is very useful if you are considering a day or two in France (equally useful for a day or two FROM France). Spectacular views of the English Channel and an unrestricted view of the sky (great for astronomers). There is a stony beach which is great for beachcombing and swimming. On site activities include a Games area, abseiling/climbing tower, bolus, ecology room, fitness trail, grass sledging, pedal Karts, rifle shooting, volleyball and indoor games room. Also good for hikes with spectacular walks along the cliffs (with adult supervision). Toilets are good and well maintained. The providore is quite small but well stocked with goodies.

* At the time of our last visit, ground fires were not permitted. Large iron troughs were available but these proved difficult and potentially dangerous for our scouts to carry. 

Sadly, this site closed down in early 2005. 

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Thriftwood (Youth site)

Last visited by us - May 2002

A well maintained Scout site with mostly wooded level pitches, some adjacent to the lake. Open fires are allowed with a good supply of wood. Situated just outside the town of Brentwood with easy access to the town centre and transport into London. There is a small parade of shops at the entrance to the site. On site activities include swimming (in the lake) fishing (before swimming!) an assault course, archery, a climbing tower. Toilets and showers are good and well maintained. The providore is small but well stocked.

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Hope Hill (Youth site)

Last visited by us - March 2003
 

A small, well maintained site with open level pitches on two fields and situated a few miles from Gravesend. Open fires are allowed and at the time of our visit there was a plentiful supply of wood.
Facilities are of a high standard and include hot showers and indoor accommodation suitable for Cubs and Beavers. A providore is on site although during our brief stay we did not visit. 

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Cottington Lakes (Public Site)

The perfect site for those who like fishing!

Pitches for tents and caravans as well as several static caravans (available for hire). On site facilities include 5 lakes catering for course, fly and carp anglers and some drainage ditches which I am told hold some rather large Pike. Very clean toilet and shower facilities, tackle shop, cafe, bar and restaurant (restaurant opening late summer 2003). The site is close to the Kent coast especially the towns of Deal and Dover (both have good sea fishing). Ideally situated for visiting the many tourist attractions available in and around Kent including the historic castle of Dover. About 1½ hours drive into London.

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Perran Sands Holiday Village (Public Site)

Last visited by us - August 1996

A very large site situated just outside the Cornish village of Perranporth and surrounded (almost) by sand dunes. Pitches for tents and touring caravans as well as many static caravans for hire. On-site facilities include toilets and showers kept to a very good standard, gift shops, supermarket, hairdressers, bookmakers several fast food "take-away's", a pub and two club houses which, during both day and night offer various forms of entertainment from wrestling to disco's and live bands. Cycle hire is available on site and pony trekking close by. A sandy beach which is good for surfing and swimming is a short walk down (and back up!) a very steep hill. Excellent beach and cliff-top walks. Ideally positioned for touring around Cornwall and South Devon.

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Westward Ho (Youth site)

Last visited by us - August 2004

A well maintained Scout site with open level pitches. Open fires are allowed in the camp-fire circle and at the time of our visit there was a plentiful supply of wood. Situated on the West coast of Jersey the site is a short walk from the very large sandy beach. Toilets and showers are very good and well maintained. Indoor accommodation is available suitable for those with disabilities as well as Cubs and Beavers The providore is small but well stocked.

A word of warning. The ground is sandy, the metal skewer type pegs will not hold!

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Wilberforce (Youth site)

Last visited by us - January 2005

A well maintained Scout site with open pitches mostly on a slight gradient. Open fires are allowed in the camp-fire circle and at the time of our visit there was a plentiful supply of wood. Situated on the Downe Road, Keston, Kent. Toilets and showers are very good and well maintained and available in the main building. Indoor accommodation is available and is suitable for those with disabilities as well as Cubs and Beavers. Sweets, ice creams and drinks are available in the main building. There is also a small hut available which looks to be quite comfortable - watch this space for more news!

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Larch Hill (Youth site)

Last visited by us - April 2006

A large, well maintained Scout site with open pitches some on a slight gradient. Situated on the outskirts of Dublin Town it is ideal for sight seeing. Open fires are allowed. On-site facilities include a providore,  Toilets which are well maintained and shower facilities which are limited and at the time of our visit, non functional. Indoor accommodation is available.

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Hedgerley (Youth site)

Last visited by us - January 2006

A small well maintained Scout site situated in Buckinghamshire. Comprising of a fairly large field on a slight gradient, a wooded area and a well equipped hut. Fires are allowed and there was a plentiful supply of wood. Toilets and showers are very good and well maintained. Indoor accommodation is available but those with disabilities may require some assistance in negotiating  the steps at the hut entrance. Shops are a short drive away. At the time of our visit this was one of the best value for money sites that we have been to.

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Wilverley  (Youth site)

Last visited by us - January 2007

A small well maintained Scout site situated in the New Forrest. Comprising of a fairly large, level field and a wooded area (as well as most of the New Forrest!). Fires are allowed and there was a plentiful supply of wood. At the time of our visit the toilets and showers were being renovated. Indoor accommodation is available and seemed quite suitable for those with disabilities. Shops are a short drive away.

The only concern is the proximity of the site to the main road. Traffic noise would be a problem to those sleeping in a tent.

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Biggin Hill airfield - Flights can be arranged as, so we are told, can visits - Top of page

Lord Baden Powell - Founder of the Scouting Association - Top of page

Providore - The Scouting name for a shop - Top of page

P & O Ferries - 08705 980980. Le' Shuttle - 0990 353535 - Top of Page

Rifle shooting - Make sure that you comply with Scouting regulations - Top of page

Incorrect/outdated information.

Please feel free to contact us via our guestbook and update the information contained on this page.

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