Most disappointing camping trips were decided at booking time, not at the campsite. The pitch was next to the sanitary block, the site turned out to be a parking lot with hedges, or the quiet lakeside spot was forty minutes from anything to do. Here is what to look at before you book.
Location beats facilities
A modest site in the right place beats a five-star site in the wrong one. Start from what you want to do each day, walking, swimming, cycling, and pick a site you can do it from without driving.
A pool and a pizza truck do not compensate for being parked beside a main road.
Learn to read pitch descriptions
Pitch size, surface and separation matter more than the site’s star rating. The vocabulary is fairly standard once you know what each term implies on the ground.
| Pitch type | What it suits | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Grass with hedges | Tents, families, anyone who wants privacy | Drainage after rain, and whether pegs go in easily |
| Hardstanding | Campervans and caravans | Distance to the neighbour, since there is rarely anything between you |
| Open field | Big groups and hot weather | Shade at midday and wind exposure in the evening |
| Sloped terrain | Views, usually the best ones on site | Ask explicitly for a level pitch, in writing |
| Near the entrance or the block Avoid if you sleep light | Late arrivals, families with toddlers | Expect passing traffic, doors and lights all night |
Judge the season, not just the site
The same campsite is a different place in July and in September. High season brings animation teams, full pitches and booked-out weekends. Shoulder season brings space and quiet.
Check the practical details that ruin trips
Recent reviews mention these more reliably than the site’s own photos. Go through them before you pay.
One more practical point for remote sites: phone coverage is often weak, and offline maps plus a working data plan make arrival day much easier. Our guide to the best eSIM for international travel covers how to stay reachable past the last town.
