Lost most of this summer due to work (again). Fancy a few long weekends if possible with the family.
#1. Are there many campsites open in this off season? (South West and South / Boarders area of Wales.
#2. Any tips? Would love a family camper van but can't justify that level of cost as we already have a van (mine) and a car (partners). I almost feel it would be easier in a proper cold country rather than a wet one!
#3. Stupid idea?
If you use ukcampsite.co.uk, double click on the map and use the 'Open all year' filter that is usually pretty good at finding places in 'normal circumstances'. There are a few campsites that didn't bother opening this year so you will have to do some leg-work on looking at their web pages.
Do you have good warm camping gear your yourselves and particularly for the kids? I don't think a van is necessarily much help if it rains the whole time, so finding somewhere near a town so you can have a warm up in a pub / restaurant before bed. Hot water bottles and lots of layers, particularly underneath the bedding, warm base layers to sleep in, woolly hats and gloves. I would say look for somewhere that allows campfires if the weather will be dry, but as soon as it goes dark it will get cold, so you need to be prepared for early nights.
Obviously the lockdowns across most of South Wales (and the possibility of similar measures being brought in at little notice to the rest of Wales) means although you can visit Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire (except Llanelli) and the Brecon Beacons at the moment, you should be at least aware you could have to cancel. But at this time of year I would look for bargains from people renting cottages. At least you can warm up and dry stuff out. (Not personally a fan of 'glamping' as it costs as much as a cottage but is colder and damper.) If cost is an issue what about a family room at a youth hostel? £40 per night for a private room with shared bath or about £70-75 per night for an ensuite somewhere like Cheddar or Manorbier.
