Busfest camping? Anyone camp off site?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Merlin Cat, Aug 9, 2014.

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  1. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    Greetings campers :)

    This year after about a 10 year break we decided to go to Busfest (as it coincides with my birthday and I want to show off/camp in my new van)

    However...... Johnny come latelies that we are we completely missed camping tickets dead line :oops:

    I have seen some on ebay, but we have also seen camp site at a pub a few miles away and thought we may stay tbere and go as day visitors.

    Does any one else do this? If so, where? (Please)
    :)
     
    Merlin Cat, Aug 9, 2014
    #1
  2. Pod

    Pod

    Can highly recommend the Marlbank Inn a few miles away as we stayed there a few years back for vanfest. Perfect for dog owners too as they even allow them in the bar and restaurant and the shower/toilet facilities are excellent. Regularly go back to camp as it's such a great area.
     
    Pod, Aug 9, 2014
    #2
    Merlin Cat likes this.
  3. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    Cheers @Pod :)

    I shall check it out. Was it ok staying off site or did you feel you were missing the 'buzz' of being on site?
    I'm torn between wanting to stay on the camp ground and being able to come back away from it all and sit in a pub with a nice pint :)
     
    Merlin Cat, Aug 9, 2014
    #3
  4. Pod

    Pod

    Was fine for us, depends what you want from the day. For me it's a good look round the buses and then relaxing with a good meal and plenty of beer in the evening :beer:
     
    Pod, Aug 9, 2014
    #4
    Merlin Cat likes this.
  5. rickyrooo1

    rickyrooo1 Hanging round like a bad smell

    staying offsite vs onsite will probably pay for the pub and a few nice pints in price difference, plus the loos will be less minging
     
    rickyrooo1, Aug 9, 2014
    #5
    Keith.H and Merlin Cat like this.
  6. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    Have booked in at the marnfield inn :)
     
    Merlin Cat, Aug 9, 2014
    #6
  7. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    Oops! Marlbank inn :)
     
    Merlin Cat, Aug 9, 2014
    #7
  8. Bernard Fishtrousers

    Bernard Fishtrousers

    We always camp off site for vanfest.
    Normally in Cornwall.
     
    Bernard Fishtrousers, Aug 9, 2014
    #8
    1973daisey, Jack Tatty, The Bobdogs and 7 others like this.
  9. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    Now then. I've seen some busfest (I liked Vanfest better) camping and entry tickets on ebay and am having 2nd thoughts about camping on/off site. As I'm so indecisive and peer led I'm unsure which I would prefer, so im putting the question out there! The idea of sitting in a nice pub on an evening with my van 30 ft walk away is v tempting :)
    Will I get on busfest as day visitor and immediately wish if stayed and been part of the vibe?
    Not sure how stay up and party I am any more so don't know if I will be up for latey stuff anyway.
    What a quandary!!! Also due to lack of camping interior and pop up we need to use the awning and seem to be on hard standing at the pub camp site.
    The 1st time we went to vanfest it was all new and wonderful and just seeing other vans was v exciting, but I'm not sure if I'm a bit jaded and used to it all it now :)
     
    Merlin Cat, Sep 1, 2014
    #9
  10. baygeekster

    baygeekster

    Vanfest for us was always made by the people we were with. The best years have been when we've been with good friends, had a laugh, and not necessarily needed to go anywhere near the big tent evening cheese ball entertainment. The rubbish times were when we just went on our own, without knowing anyone else there. As no-one we'd normally go with actually goes to Busfest anymore (usually because its too expensive) then we knocked it on the head about 3 years ago and haven't gone since - it also got too expensive for us. We're not party animal-clubbing types, and 90 quid to camp in a field for the weekend is a bit much.

    You have to think about what you normally get out of it, and that will give you the answer to the onsite/offsite dilemma.
     
    baygeekster, Sep 1, 2014
    #10
  11. Beaver

    Beaver

    I quute fancy camping off site if you don't mind a tag along
     
    Beaver, Sep 1, 2014
    #11
  12. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    Hey @Beaver

    You are v welcome to tag along with us :) we are going fri pm but will prob not go in to busfest site til Sat. Not sure what doing Sunday as its my birthday and the Mrs may have plans :) (prob not tho! :( )
     
    Merlin Cat, Sep 3, 2014
    #12
  13. Beaver

    Beaver

    Thanks Alex, I'll look them up and give them a call when I get home from work. Hopefully I haven't left it too late
     
    Beaver, Sep 3, 2014
    #13
    Merlin Cat likes this.
  14. Beaver

    Beaver

    it's fully booked :(
     
    Beaver, Sep 3, 2014
    #14
  15. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    :( maybe you could go and then accidentally have a beer too many in the pub and have to stay in the car park? :)
     
    Merlin Cat, Sep 3, 2014
    #15
    Beaver likes this.
  16. Beaver

    Beaver

    I tried another campsite a bit further away but couldn't get through, I think it'll just end up being a daytrip for me on Saturday.
     
    Beaver, Sep 3, 2014
    #16
  17. Bernard Fishtrousers

    Bernard Fishtrousers

    Just back,
    Missed B'fest completely, but Cornwall was nice.
     
    Bernard Fishtrousers, Sep 7, 2014
    #17
  18. Dicky

    Dicky

    I camped off site - at home - the drive was a bit long tbh!
     
    Dicky, Sep 7, 2014
    #18
  19. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    Thought we didn't need to go in Sunday so set off this morning deciding to stay some where en route sheffield tonight. However, we passed by a sign for Prescott hill climb today, so decided it would be rude not to go in :)

    It made up for a good weekend :) we then stopped at a couple of pubs @Top Banana Racing you may know these
    The Greedy Goose and The Gate Hangs High. Both of whom have camping. However, as we are so close to my dads we are free loading at his and off to the village for dinner and beer :)

    @Beaver good to see you, hope the roof rack stayed on ;)
     
    Merlin Cat, Sep 7, 2014
    #19
    Top Banana Racing likes this.
  20. Beaver

    Beaver

    Lovely to see you @Merlin Cat

    Really sorry I had to run off so quick to sort out passing stuff on, it all got a bit complicated for a few hours after that and I don't know where the rest of the day went. Who would have thought finding a Mexican man would be such hard work! Then the ticket shuffling started.

    Thank you both for helping with the roofrack, you saved my bacon :) I remembered I had a bottle of threadlock in with my tools so used that on the nuts and it stayed firmly put.

    Prescott hillclimb is lovely, hope you had a good time too.

    Did you manage to get the bits you were buying when I had to run off?
     
    Beaver, Sep 7, 2014
    #20
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