A Tale of Two Campsites

Barry and Margaret Williamson
October 2012

It might be thought that German campsites would be regimented, rule-bound and tightly controlled. It might also be thought that English campsites would be more relaxed and friendly: indeed a major provider of sites calls itself the 'Friendly Club'. Let's compare typical sites: one in the UK, where we have often stayed, and the one we are currently staying on in Germany (D). We emphasise that both are typical of campsites in their own country.

Here are the comparisons:

UK: you have to book in advance with a credit card payment, stating how long you aim to stay. Fees are paid in advance and are not refunded. D: if you think they may be busy you can phone to reserve a place by giving your name, otherwise just turn up. Stay as long as you like and pay on leaving.

UK: Commercial vehicles can only book in person and not online: their entry may be refused. Single sex groups of more than 3 are not allowed entry or even to form within the camp. D: no such restrictions apply.

UK: on arrival you are given a written copy of the campsite rules and regulations and allocated a place. D: on arrival you are made welcome, asked to choose a place and let them know which one.

UK: you must park your caravan or motorhome in such a way that your door or awning will always be to the right as you face the pitch. For a caravan there may be no space for the car. D: you park in a way that suits you.

UK: for each gender there are only two showers and four very public washbasins, all with push- button taps which give a brief spurt of water. The temperature of the shower water cannot be adjusted. D: there are several showers and private washbasins with taps and the temperature and flow of water can be adjusted.

UK: apart from the small ablution block, there are no other facilities except a laundry/washing up room. D: there is an outdoor swimming pool, children's playground with swings, ping-pong tables and climbing equipment, a bar/restaurant open every day, a cosy sitting room with TV, books and a computer connected to the internet, a laundry and a separate kitchen for washing up, with free use of kettle, microwave, electric hotplate and oven, fridge/freezer and pans, glasses, crockery and cutlery.

UK: customers can stay long-term but must leave for at least one night every 28 days. No structures are allowed other than the motorhome or caravan and (with permission) an awning. D: much of the campsite is taken up with permanent caravans and motorhomes with awning, a roof over the caravan/motorhome and awning, parking space, a fenced or hedged garden, a hut, lights, flags, garden gnomes and ornaments, etc!

UK has no drive-over dump for grey water and only the usual cassette emptying points. D has an easy drive-over dump by the gate for both grey and toilet waste, as well as a cassette emptying point.

UK is privately owned, whereas most campsites in the UK are operated or supervised by one of two 'clubs', a very British institution. The clubs tend to be even more bureaucratic and controlling. D is typical in Germany by being privately owned and managed, most often by a friendly family.

UK: the ACSI off-season discount rate of €16 applies, but at an exchange rate of their choosing (presently £14 rather than the current £12.80) and with 5 different periods of exclusion throughout the year. D gives the full ACSI discount rate of €16 for the whole year except July and August.

UK: has no shop or anything for sale. D: a shop sells basic food and toiletries; in the season it also sells fresh produce and bread.

UK: the website is in English. D: the website is in four languages including English.
We stress that these are typical differences and it's not a matter of scale or position. UK is a much larger and very busy site, situated between a motorway and a city. D is at nearly 2,000 ft (600 m) in a remote part of the Black Forest and quite difficult to access.

Overall, it seems that British camps are run on military or even prison lines (club sites employ 'wardens' working in 'teams'); Germany has learned from its history.