camping: where to go?

cookiemonster

My deluded girlfriend wants to go camping; I've done everything I can - sat her through blair witch, fed her cold beans, poured buckets of cold water over her while she's in bed to recreate the experience, but its not putting her off.

So, given she's not falling for either the front room, back garden or regents park, where should we go?

We'd be leaving from central/north london on a friday night - I was thinking the brecon beakens, but it looks like a 4 hour drive, as is the Peaks. Anything closer to London that's interesting enough to worthy of sitting in a tent?

There's also got to be some interesting cycling, as the precondition is that I take the bike and spend sunday on it. Oh - also got to be a decent hotel/b&b close by

jon

guilliano

Dorset!!!!!!

I was there a week or so ago. Gorgeous site right on the coast in a village called Fleet, just outside Weymouth. Some stunning roads to ride round there, and loads of off road stuff too if you have MTBs

APIII

The Cotswolds? they're practically on your doorstep. Plenty of hill climbing practice for your goodself and scenery for the missus.
Camping is ace by the way. Embrace it and you'll be fine

the ferry

.....Dorset sounds nice...you can walk around the hills and fields linking each others arms...(does that scan?)

jimmcdonnell

New Forest - down the M3, you're there in an hour. Plenty of campsites, my favourite is Roundhill. Loads of good cycling too, just watch out for the deer, ponies, donkeys...

craker

http://www.pencelli-castle.com/ is walking distance to the biggest hills in the brecons, on the taff trail, cycle routes into the heart of the big hills too.

The toilets are immaculate, shop on site, pub outside the main entrance, 10 minute drive from Brecon for supermarkets and (good) outdoor shops. Whether that's your cup of tea camping wise I don't know. My favourite campsite (now defunct) was just down the road and had a standpipe and was frequently invaded by wandering sheep.

I think it's probably 3 hours from the M25 / M4 junction. Worth the trip though

BMX Bear

North Norfolk coast, plenty of camp sites, beautiful countryside.

Think about anywhere west of Sheringham.

Only a couple of hours up the M11/A11

Anonymous

Osmington mills outside weymouth. 2 good pubs nearby, hotels/B&B's in town, really good campsite with top banana facilities.

pottssteve

Isle of Wight has some good places. There's one just outside Ryde which has a pub next to it! Near Seaview on the B3330. Some nice walking/riding there and it's like being abroad 'cos you have to go by boat!

cookiemonster

mmm... thanks all, but there can only be one winner... (and its not me) So, the prize goes to bmx bear - seems we're angling for north norfolk cost. a soggy salmonella sausage is yours for the taking

And... for the cycling, its 126miles from home, so I'll just cycle home

pottssteve

Don't forget your mallet.

cookiemonster

pottssteve wrote:

Don't forget your mallet.

nah- should be alright, we're getting on ok despite the camping thing, I doubt it will come to that

pottssteve

cookiemonster wrote:

pottssteve wrote:

Don't forget your mallet.

nah- should be alright, we're getting on ok despite the camping thing, I doubt it will come to that

cougie

Take pics and let us know how you get on. I've never been to Norfolk yet.

Aggieboy

pottssteve wrote:

Don't forget your mallet.

He's decided on Norrfuuk - did you mean to write mullet?

Headhuunter

Ah, North Norfolk. I have many a happy memory of camping holidays at Wells Next The Sea..... I heard someone say that it is to London what The Hamptons is to New York, not sure about that, but good spot though!

markos1963

cookiemonster wrote:

mmm... thanks all, but there can only be one winner... (and its not me) So, the prize goes to bmx bear - seems we're angling for north norfolk cost. a soggy salmonella sausage is yours for the taking

And... for the cycling, its 126miles from home, so I'll just cycle home

And you'll be most welcome. Weather is supposed to be getting better through the week so some good riding is in prospect. Wells,Cley,Burnham etc are all great places and not too flat. Lots of nice places to walk arm in arm(sand dunes to hide in ) and some fabulous places to eat nearby will top off a good stay.

Have to say though when I was a kid we used to go camping near Weymouth every year and I have many happy memories. Lulworth Cove is so pretty but full of tourists nowerdays.

passout

I'd go for something more adventurous, either the Lake District or Regents Park would fit this criteria.

Special K

There's a Cool Camping campsite at Loughton, believe it or not. Has a fire field which is cool. It's really close to you, but will feel far enough away once you're under canvas and if it all goes tts up you could always jump in the car and go home. Epping Forest is lovely and takes about two minutes to get away from the crowds and get utterly and wonderfully lost for a bit. Good pubs and restaurants and you could even cycle there...

grayo59

The further North and West you go the more chance of rain - but the more chance of mountain and lakes!

+1 for Dorset here.