Good campsite for Grand Cali 600 first outing - starting from New Forest

[Zoe]

We pick up our Grand California tomorrow and plan to take it away for a few days from Monday. We are camper van virgins (yes I know we should have rented one first) and have only camped a couple of times. We are happy to drive up to 3 hours and would like a campsite that is walkable to a pub / shop. I realise we will be 'all the gear and no idea' so wifi or good signal would be good for when we get stuck on how to do something. Thanks in advance for any input

 

[ArunAlec]

We pick up our Grand California tomorrow and plan to take it away for a few days from Monday. We are camper van virgins (yes I know we should have rented one first) and have only camped a couple of times. We are happy to drive up to 3 hours and would like a campsite that is walkable to a pub / shop. I realise we will be 'all the gear and no idea' so wifi or good signal would be good for when we get stuck on how to do something. Thanks in advance for any input

Cirencester CMC site is a good starter, easy walk into town.

 

[Jester]

We pick up our Grand California tomorrow and plan to take it away for a few days from Monday. We are camper van virgins (yes I know we should have rented one first) and have only camped a couple of times. We are happy to drive up to 3 hours and would like a campsite that is walkable to a pub / shop. I realise we will be 'all the gear and no idea' so wifi or good signal would be good for when we get stuck on how to do something. Thanks in advance for any input

Hi you could try a lovely campsite at Burton Bradstock, short walk along the riverbank to the pub 1 with big garden easy walk to West Bay also Hive beach Cafe, it’s more than a cafe really and it’s on the beach.

Camping in Burton Bradstock at Graston Copse Holiday Park

Close to Hive beach, Graston Copse is a friendly, peaceful & tranquil holiday park for Jurassic Coast camping holidays.

wdlh.co.uk

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Camped in the Freshwater Beach Holiday Park alot over the years, when my parents had use of a static van there.

Nice walk along the beach (or over the golf course) to West Bay. Or follow footpath to Burton Bradstock. Go the other way over the cliffs to the Hive cafe. Lots of nice walks / bike rides to good pubs, excellent seafood. Bridport also nice for a wander.

Nice spot for paddle boarding.

 

[Loz]

Tudor Caravan Park in Slimbridge Glos. (where was have club meets) is a good starter site as it's close to Attwools camping leisure store for all the bits you forgot you needed and loads you dont.

 

[Zoe]

Thanks all, we have opted for Slimbridge as my husband cycled there as a teenager and likes the idea of going back.

 

[Ting Tong]

Thanks all, we have opted for Slimbridge as my husband cycled there as a teenager and likes the idea of going back.

Nice cycling along the canal from there too, either north to Frampton or south to Sharpness. Look to seeing pictures of the 600.

 

[Zoe]

Thanks everyone we have survived our first night, a great choice of campsite. We walked along the canal today and found a great bakery but the pubs in the next village were closed today.

 

[66tim99]

Thanks everyone we have survived our first night, a great choice of campsite. We walked along the canal today and found a great bakery but the pubs in the next village were closed today.

Good to hear (except the closed pubs)
How did you find your Grand California?

 

[Zoe]

Good to hear (except the closed pubs)
How did you find your Grand California?

We have never stayed in a camper van or motorhome and have very rarely camped. We enjoyed it, made the mistake of turning the heat off when we went to bed on the first night. We were snug in bed but the van was chilly! We had made up the bed with a wool topper (that I already owned) a fitted sheet and the duvet and pillows from our home bed. We also had a thin bedspread on top. My husband is over 6 foot and was okay with the bed length. We have the 600 as no extra seatbelts and our younger family members not having the licence to drive it put us off the 680.
The loo/shower room was very warm and worked pretty well as a wet room (better to leave your towel outside).
It was great being able to eat our pub food in our warm van rather than the cold marque.
We were very lucky with the weather and could eat breakfast outside.
I love to visit car boot sales so I think we will sometimes be taking a car too, I need to find campsites that don't lock us in at night.

 

[The Merle]

We have never stayed in a camper van or motorhome and have very rarely camped. We enjoyed it, made the mistake of turning the heat off when we went to bed on the first night. We were snug in bed but the van was chilly! We had made up the bed with a wool topper (that I already owned) a fitted sheet and the duvet and pillows from our home bed. We also had a thin bedspread on top. My husband is over 6 foot and was okay with the bed length. We have the 600 as no extra seatbelts and our younger family members not having the licence to drive it put us off the 680.
The loo/shower room was very warm and worked pretty well as a wet room (better to leave your towel outside).
It was great being able to eat our pub food in our warm van rather than the cold marque.
We were very lucky with the weather and could eat breakfast outside.
I love to visit car boot sales so I think we will sometimes be taking a car too, I need to find campsites that don't lock us in at night.

Always nice to see pic of camper on its travels