Frequently asked questions

A wide range of things – from face painting and treasure hunts for young children, to climbing and canoeing for older ones, to karaoke evenings and family discos for all. In France, these events are known as animation. Some sites organise just a few, or no, activities a week; others have a full daily programme. The staff will generally be chosen on the basis of their ability to work with people (especially children) and for their proficiency in the languages of the majority of their customers, so only some sites provide English-speaking entertainment teams. Activities and entertainment are usually arranged in July and August only. Events are normally over by about midnight but on more lively sites they can continue until much later, especially in high season. There may also be  similar off-site events going on near camp sites in popular resorts or at peak times. Please ask if you need further details.

Many sites have further low-season tariffs that we can’t fit into our price panels, but you will always be charged the right tariff. Read more about our low season touring option CampingCard ACSI.

Most sites have been created in the existing natural landscape, so pitches are often not perfectly flat or even. Many pitches are bounded by shrubs or hedges. Some sites offer all-service pitches (often called grand confort or tout confort in France), each with its own electricity, water and drainage point. These may be no larger than standard pitches. In site descriptions, our definition of an all-service pitch is that it has an electricity supply, a water supply and grey water drainage. It usually does not include a hardstanding. Water and drainage may mean simply a tap and a drain on the pitch. The “All-service pitch” supplement shown in the price panel is for water and drainage and does not include the cost of electricity. In some cases a direct connection may be possible to the water supply and/or drainage.

Rarely. The vast majority of sites operate their full facilities only during the peak local holiday season, which doesn’t always match British holiday dates. Shops, bars, take-aways, pools and other services on and off site may be closed outside these dates. Please ask for further details on specific sites if particular facilities are important to you outside high season (and please see the next question).

Pitches are generally booked for one unit, which is either a car accompanied by a tent, caravan or trailer tent; or a solo motorhome. If you’re bringing an awning, pup tent, second car or pet please tell us when booking, so that we can let the site know and inform you of any relevant charges. Camp sites will allocate you a pitch to accommodate your unit’s total length and width, which we send them with details of any additional equipment you have. With extra equipment space on your pitch may be restricted, especially if your unit is big. In this case, or if you want to bring even more equipment, book sites where pitches exceed 100m2, or book a second pitch. We indicate in the site panel the maximum unit size that we guarantee can be fitted on or can access a pitch. Where a camp site has a limited number of larger pitches we can request one for anyone with a longer unit than the maximum indicated in the site panel. 

It’s up to each site to decide. If dogs are allowed and are covered for travel to that country under the PETS Travel Scheme, the price is given in the price panel in the Carefree brochure. You must keep dogs on a lead and clear up behind them. Certain breeds, such as pit bull, rottweiler and Staffordshire bull terrier are, by law, not allowed on camp sites. Please ask before considering taking these or similar breeds of dog. Please note that dogs are not usually allowed in site accommodation such as mobile homes and chalets. Certain legal procedures must be followed when taking your pet abroad and in particular when bringing it back. However, Carefree partner dogs away, can make the whole process go smoothly. For more details on their services and to avoid any unnecessary problems please see the Travelling with Pets section in the Carefree brochure.

Many are within easy access of golf courses, horse riding and watersports. Please ask for further information if you need it.

Where indicated, yes, but it is best to assume that these must be on legs and well off the ground. If sites allow gas or electric barbecues only, the site entry will state this. For everyone’s safety, local restrictions or bans may be imposed at any time and these must be observed.

Not usually. Site managers allocate pitches; and their overriding responsibility is to fit in all their bookings without anyone having to move pitch during their stay. However, we will pass on special requests to the site (eg. a shady pitch, a pitch away from the washblock, pitches next to friends) if we are given them when you book. (At the present time, no bookings with special requests can be made on the internet). Site managers will do their best to oblige, but a site’s bookings can change daily, so you may not know if your request can be met until you arrive on site. It follows that booking early doesn’t guarantee a certain type of pitch or that requests can be met, though it may help. All pitch types are always subject to availability.

Nearly all the sites here do have these, at or next to a washblock, often with a hose. A few sites don’t, but set aside a designated toilet cubicle instead. This can be less satisfactory, so we urge you to check this with us if it is important to you.