Didn't use a single campsite last summer on the four weeks away. Managed to use the submersible pump shower a few times, blagged a shower at the ferry port, sink washes and a couple of beach showers. @Marzydj in a small VW you won't get any problems, more likely to get hassle in a bigger van, not that I've had any hassle.
One the best nights sleep i ever had was at the Taunton Deane services car park ...South bound right at the back . Bogs ,food and booze 24hr . I believe there is even showers 16 quid a night last time . Or maybe it was the 2 pints of Dunkertons black Fox cider .
I'm pretty much self contained for a night or two, and enjoy basic camping.... but a loo block of some kind is nice; it doesn't have to be a five star one, just a hole in the ground with some bog roll is fine. No need for hook up, and definitely no need to be in a neat line of caravans and motorhomes with all the doors opening in the same direction! I've got a 12v shower to hang off the open tailgate if a 'pits and bits' wash inside isn't enough, or if I'm not near the sea!
It’s all about the grass no gravel informal much preferred, but frequently with these farmer’s field type of site, people can tend to get to know them and a gang of inflatable campers turn up just to get rat bottomed. That’s the risk sometimes
I've been a Scout leader for nearly 30 years so I've been there done that with camping with basics. Now I'm enjoying my 'tin tent' and I'll happily camp anywhere but I prefer somewhere with clean toilets and access to a tap. Anything after that is a bonus. Definitely prefer pub car parks / wild camping to regimented lines, don't care either way about hookup 'cause I have enough power on board for what I need with a small solar panel.
The regimented lines is inbred I reckon. We used to sometimes camp with half a dozen vans in a circle in the middle of a field where it was made clear you could do what you liked and look out at everyone else lined up along the fence line.
Talking of having the opening doors all the same way, I remember staying on a Riverside site next to Stratford Upon Avon and the young lad who worked there had a panic attack and really didn't know what to do when I said I've got a sliding door on both sides
Can't see the appeal of pitching up in a bare field for more than a night, unless it's on the bank of a lake/river or a beach. All a bit boy scout for me.
We are in the C&CC. They have some really gorgeous sites, you’re not squashed in next to folk, the felicities are good and they’re quiet, which, at my age, I like . We usually mix it up camping on their their certificated sites, which are smaller and very basic. We stay on other sites too, but the bulk of our trips are C&CC. Not everyone’s cup of tea but we’ve never had any issues. Anyway, here’s some proper camping
We got told off on a C&CC site as we had parked on the left of the pitch. Apparently that’s for the car then the caravan goes in the middle with the awning on the right. When I pointed out that we didn’t have a car and if the camper is in the middle we lose a 1/3 of the pitch he threatened to kick me of the site. he nearly had a hart attack when the brother in law turned up in a left hand drive van with the door on the left
We’ve had the odd site where the staff have been a bit snotty, you can get that any site though. Not just C&CC. Our experience has been mostly good
