LifelessTrel Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 (edited) Hi All, Fingers crossed we will venture beyond our shores this year (July) for 3 weeks to France. Catching the Ferry into Cherbourg. Not interested in driving way down south as this is our first trip thinking perhaps 2-3 hour drive or so once we disembarked from Ferry & spending a week or so before moving on. Would be keen to hear others thoughts on where we should focus our searches at - We have a 10 & 12 year old (Boys) who will be coming with us both like outdoors, sports, swimming usual stuff . Ideally camps not too manic but with other Children as our boys like to play footy and socialise Does anyone have any advice on sites we should take a look at & also regions which we should look at Appreciate any ideas which will help us plan out first trip. We’re excited Trel Edited March 21, 2020 by LifelessTrel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The road toad Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 You will certainly get some suggestions from members on this forum but I'm not sure we will be able to cross the channel anytime soon let alone find a site open on the other side. We have abandoned hope of our usual 6-8 week trip this year! Quote Hyundai Santa Fe Premium SE 2015 with Lunar Clubman si 2011 Tattoos - who would want to make their body look like the wall in a public urinal - they are going to look amazing on a 75 year old - not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteG Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 I take it you haven't been watching the news the past couple of weeks?? While I have to admire your optimism I don't think I would be planning a trip abroad this summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifelessTrel Posted March 21, 2020 Author Share Posted March 21, 2020 Oh yes keeping an eye on the news but you will note I said “Fingers Crossed” Here’s hoping... Trel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Plodd Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 July is still 4 months away so no harm in doing a bit of planning, just be a little cautious about paying any deposits as it’s likely your holiday insurance will NOT cover anything booked after a certain date for Corona based issues. I’m with Nationwide and they emailed to say exactly that for any bookings after 18th March. Depending on when exactly in July you are going you might be able to use my Brittany Ferries Club Voyage discount code (on its way via a PM) to get 10% off (Every little helps) Its fun to plan, France is simply brilliant place for camping , once sampled you won’t be interested in the U.K. PM to follow A dy Quote Experience is something you acquire after you have an urgent need for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifelessTrel Posted March 21, 2020 Author Share Posted March 21, 2020 1 minute ago, Mr Plodd said: July is still 4 months away so no harm in doing a bit of planning, just be a little cautious about paying any deposits as it’s likely your holiday insurance will NOT cover anything booked after a certain date for Corona based issues. I’m with Nationwide and they emailed to say exactly that for any bookings after 18th March. Depending on when exactly in July you are going you might be able to use my Brittany Ferries Club Voyage discount code (on its way via a PM) to get 10% off (Every little helps) Its fun to plan, France is simply brilliant place for camping , once sampled you won’t be interested in the U.K. PM to follow A dy Thanks Andy trying to be optimistic BUT I know... Yeah I got that email also from Nationwide as this week. Thanks for the PM much appreciated. We are really excited and hope it happens In terms of first trip does 2-3 hours drive off the ferry sound like something comfortable with options Trel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Plodd Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 (edited) The ferry leaves Poole at 08:30 and gets in just after lunch, 2-3 hours drive is easily do-able, it’s a good road going south out of Cherbourg (dual carriageway) so it’s easy to make decent progress. There’s a very nice municipal site at St Mere Englise (famous fror the D day landing where a parachutist got “hooked up” on the church spire, there’s a mannequin that replicates it now! ) Might be worth booking a pitch rather than just turning up as it’s a popular stop off for the ferry. one thing you will learn is that there are a LOT of campsites in France so you are spoiled for choice. Enjoy your planning, it’s part of the fun! Andy Edited March 21, 2020 by Mr Plodd 1 Quote Experience is something you acquire after you have an urgent need for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteG Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 39 minutes ago, LifelessTrel said: Oh yes keeping an eye on the news but you will note I said “Fingers Crossed” Here’s hoping... I'll keep my fingers crossed for you as well - for all of us in fact! Hopefully you will make it there this year, but if not you can still plan for next year, and as said but Andy, you will enjoy it. All the best Pete 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moorgate Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Trel, plan by all means, dream too if you wish, but pay nothing now - not a ferry, not a campsite, not any sort of deposit, and not travel insurance. Sit tight and see how things work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValA Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Put Camping Le Cormoran on your 'planning list' - not only a great campsite but adjacent to the WW2 Normandy landings beaches, so plenty for a 10 and 12 year old to look at, and witness for themselves. Further down the Cotentin peninsula is Bayeux and the tapestry, and the other side of the peninsula is Mont St Michel - both places they may have heard of and be interested in visiting. Then of course, you could possibly include Disneyland Paris if they are that sort of children, or if not travel further down and find a riverside site in the Dordogne, with plenty of lovely river activities, and a nice swimming pool Camping Le Bouysse might fit your bill. In these somewhat cheerless times I think we all have to pursue our dreams to a certain extent, and planning costs nothing and can always be fast forwarded to happier times when things are normal again. Keep dreaming and keep planning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiffy176 Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 I've made the Loir Valley from Cherbourg in one hit. Domains Dr la Breche near Saumur will keep the kids entertained and it's an easy if not long drive but worth it. First time we stayed at Le Grand Large 30 mins from Cherbourg and right on the beach, ok pool but no slides. Domains Dr Ormes in Caen is also very popular and active. The only gamble with staying North is the weather, if you're happy to do a couple of hours longer you should have better weather. A lot of people will say don't book but I'd you want slides and an activity park they will be full, depending on how things pan out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benfica Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 If all goes well bear in mind that July/August is French holiday time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuningdrew Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 We’ve got 16 nights booked at Port du Limeuil,Dordogne in June into July. Been booked since November so deposit paid. I really don’t hold out any hope of getting there but I’ll risk the €100 in case a miracle happens. As others suggest, plan your trip but don’t part with any money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankBullet Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Camping Port’land is a wonderful site, only an hour or so away so deal just before you return for a few nights - as for the bulk of your holiday, I’d be venturing to the north Vendée, only about 4 hours from Cherbourg and worth it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silversurf Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 5 hours ago, Mr Plodd said: July is still 4 months away so no harm in doing a bit of planning, just be a little cautious about paying any deposits as it’s likely your holiday insurance will NOT cover anything booked after a certain date for Corona based issues. I’m with Nationwide and they emailed to say exactly that for any bookings after 18th March. Depending on when exactly in July you are going you might be able to use my Brittany Ferries Club Voyage discount code (on its way via a PM) to get 10% off (Every little helps) Its fun to plan, France is simply brilliant place for camping , once sampled you won’t be interested in the U.K. PM to follow A dy Hi Andy, I don't go touring in France , my van stays in Wales so I'm not able to give LT any hints and tips. However, it might be an idea if you and others who do tour, could let LT know what other things they need to legally take for example first aid kit, hi viz vests, bulb kit, spare specs, breathalyser ? documents and so on. Similarly hints on driving i.e. motorways, speed restrictions tolls ? etc. would i think be appreciated. When I first drove in France, well rode a motorbike, the only thing to worry about was where to get petrol. ? I do remember petrol pumps used to be in odd locations, one in particular, I think around the Folies Bergère , was just a couple of pumps on the pavement in the middle of a row of shops. ? 1 Quote Common sense isn't a gift, it's a punishment because you have to deal with everyone who doesn't have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Medes Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 I would head for the Loire based on your timing, it is a beautiful area with lots to do and see Quote Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babstreefern Posted March 26, 2020 Share Posted March 26, 2020 Well first of all. Good luck in getting there. Hope you do make it. All campsites (99%) have a swimming pool. But you could head for the Vendee where you can also have the sea to play in. The Loire is great for chateaux and lots of wine (and wine tasting). If you're not too far from Cognac, you can try Brandy tasting. Or you could try Brittany. Lovely for inland and coastal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.