Who would like to help me find a campsite - within 2 hours driving (B/H traffic?) of Reading....

[Milliways]

looking for somewhere where you can camp freely - not rigid pitches as we have up to 12 families going together.

Near (walkable) to sea or lake or river, as kids get endless free fun skimming stones/paddling etc.

Fires allowed a real bonus!

Allows groups of people.

Not too fussy re facilities, flushing loos & proper showers are preferred though. Nothing else required.

We LOVED Bracelands(Forest of Dean) but is quite a trek in holiday traffic, and has become very expensive for B/Hol weekends.

We need to find somewhere before they all book up for May!

Thanks!

[Surfermum]

This ticks all bar the walkable to water

Rowlands Wait

[Surfermum]

Oh, hang on they don't allow fires. I'm sure they did when we were there.

[ChippyMinton]

this place?. i haven't been for a few years but it still sounds as relaxed as ever. Close enough to check out beforehand.

[Milliways]

Ooh, that one looks fab! Thanks.

I now have a least one more idea to show the troops!

[CarGirl]

Have no idea what it's like but there is one on the Thames at Chertsey or Laleham (not sure which area it's in technically)

[Surfermum]

I used to be a lifeguard at the picnic spot opposite the campsite CarGirl! I had a very drunken night at that campsite one weekend, and a dip in the river early next morning to sober up before we started patrolling.

[CarGirl]

do you still live locally?

[Milliways]

My Original "Fab" was for Surfergirls site.

Just looked at ChippyMintons - good but reviews say only 1 loo (+ 1 small shower)?? There are sometimes 50 of us, so could get cramped?

We stayed at Britchcome last year - had 2 loos + portaloos & teenagers would have appreciated a better shower. Site was beautiful though.

Thanks everyone, keep them coming.

(I will email Surfergirls link to my fellow campers tomorrow)

[mrspnut]

How about this one

We've stayed here on a UKCampsite rally and taken over the whole rally field which is huge and has some electric hookups on one side of it.

The river is at one end of the rally field and there are some nice places to go in the surrounding area. I'm not sure how far Stourport on severn is from reading though because I live at the other side of the country.

[Milliways]

Mrspnut: Thanks, it's a lovely site! Maybe a bit fat (says 2hrs 10 so more on a B/Hol), but I will let my fellow campers take a look & decide.

[Milliways]

Oops! FAR (not Fat!)

[PeachesMcLean]

We had a nightmare at Lickhill. There are two parts to the site, one near the river complete with Canada geese. The other part is the field at the top of the hill. If you do go there, do NOT book the lower site near the river. The geese shit everywhere, which is a real problem if the weather is slightly damp. DS's trainers were caked in it. Gross.

[Milliways]

Bleurgh! Thanks for that anyway, best to know!

[mrspnut]

We stayed in the lower field and didn't have a problem. It was june though when we went.

[Milliways]

We would be looking for May so could be ok, oit does look lovely but probably a bit far for this time.

[CotswoldTigger]

I couldn't recommend FisherGround in the Lake District highly enough - really family friendly, allows fires, even has a steam train that runs through it. We love it. Not 2 hours from Reading though.

[Madlentileater]

I second the Fisherground vote- also has adventure playground and washing machine iirc.

[Surfermum]

No Cargirl I don't anymore, I'm on the South Coast now in Poole. Are you?

Milliways - we've been there a couple of times with a big group (4 families). It's very freeform camping and we generally have room in front of us for a game of rounders. The people who own it are lovely and really helpful. It is first come first served on where you pitch though, so if you're thinking bank holiday I'd get there early.

If you want I could email you some photos.

Hopefully I've now paid you back for putting us onto Matthews Holidays - I've never forgotten .

[CarGirl]

Yes I live near there still, have been around here for over 11 years now. I'm a northern girl by birth I still miss the penines, Lakes etc

[Surfermum]

I'll bet. The M25 and Thorpe Park isn't quite the same as the Lake District is it .

[CarGirl]

I get excited when we drive to Ripley and see cows in fields and also at work they have sheep but yes walk over the m25 every day and see how slow it's all moving....

[Milliways]

Surfermum, we usually send someone in advance with a few tents to spread about.

One year DH & friend put up 8 tents in an afternoon, so we all arrived after work to a fully built camp!!

Now, when will Matthews add a few more Southern France sites to their portfolio???

[Surfermum]

I know, we want to venture further south too!

[Milliways]

We went with Canvas last year, to 2 sites. The first site the sadly could only accommodate us in a huuuuge van with Air-con & Dishwasher + outside gazebo! Twas very hard moving to the other site & normality.

It has spoilt us for life! The Matthews Focus just doesn't quite do it anymore

[Surfermum]

I love the way with Matthews how there's a handwritten sign "Matthews Holidays this way" and you find an old caravan tucked out of the way with a note from the reps saying "gone to the beach, you're in caravan A7". All the others are big banners and branding.

I think I said this before, we want to be Matthews reps when we retire!