Which pitch is right for you?

Where you choose to park your campervan can make or break your holiday. If the great British weather takes a turn for the worse, the right pitch will help your trip stay on track.

Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as the ‘best pitch’ as it will depend on a host of variables such as its location in the campsite, views, the weather and any physical characteristics of the pitch itself.

Indeed, depending on the time of year and location of the campsite you might have little choice when it comes to choosing your pitch.

A good idea is to scope out the campsite beforehand online to work out the best place for you – and to read our guide on the different pitch types and factors you might need to take into consideration.

Remember, choosing the best insurance for campervan before you climb aboard means you’re fully prepared for any eventuality.

Which pitch is right for you?

During your travels, you may encounter a wide variety of pitches. Here are the main ones:

Grass pitch – A grass-only pitch with no electric hook-up or other services is the cheapest option and the one most associated with traditional camping. However, if you are camping in your campervan then check it’s a well-drained and solid spot. If the weather turns bad you don’t want to get stuck in a muddy quagmire. Indeed, many grass pitches are unused in the winter owing to weather problems. Some grass pitches can include an electric hook-up for an extra cost.

Hardstanding pitch – A hardstanding pitch can come with or without an electric hook-up or other services. It’s more expensive than a grass pitch. Benefits include the fact they tend to be level, they are cleaner in the wet and better drained than grass. However, they can be hard on bare feet and you’ll need special pegs if you want to put up an awning (unless you opt for a multi-surface pitch).

Serviced pitch – The most expensive pitches will provide an all-weather surface, electric and water hook-up. They generally have an individual ground level inlet to accept grey water waste. They can also sometimes include a booster TV aerial outlet, facilities for sewage disposal and even privacy hedges between pitches. A fully-serviced pitch provides an experience most akin to being at home.

Looking for the ideal location

Once you’ve decided which type of pitch you want then you’ll need to look at pitch location.

Campsites can be found throughout the length and breadth of the UK in a wide variety of terrains. The following are worth thinking about before setting up:

• Bathrooms and amenities – How close you are to the service block is a matter of personal preference. While it’s great to be close for ease of use, they tend to be the areas with the most foot traffic. You need to balance convenience against the possibility of disturbance during the night or early in the morning.
• Other facilities – From children’s play areas and swimming pools to bars and games rooms the range of facilities on offer can be a big draw to campers. It can make sense to be close by if you think you’ll be using the facilities often. However, you might have to forsake a bit of that precious peace and quiet.
• Drainage – Particularly if you’ve opted for a grass pitch, you’ll need to consider how the pitch will change if it starts to rain. A brief shower is fine but an all-too-common torrential downpour might leave you with a small river flowing through your pitch! Also, be aware that insects often congregate around water. So, that crystal clear pond might look beautiful but it could be the source of many pesky biting insects later in the day.
• Shelter – Being in the centre of a field can give you a great feeling of space. But if the wind and rain gets up or the sun starts to beat down, you might find yourself feeling exposed. Hedges, bushes or other natural windbreaks can give you some respite from the weather. However, while parking under trees can give some great natural cover, sap and bird droppings could play havoc with your camper’s paint work!
• Level ground – Even a small slope can soon disrupt your enjoyment. Fridges often don’t like the slope and there can be a host of other niggles that might just take the gloss off the experience. And if you have a vintage camper, be careful of relying on the handbrake – they have been known to fail. Invest in some chocks at least!
• Neighbours – Camping is a great activity and a good way to meet other campervan enthusiasts. However, if you’re not careful in your choice of neighbours you and they might end up unhappy. When choosing a pitch check out your neighbours and see if they fit in with your style of camping. You don’t want to annoy them or have them annoy you.

Ask for guidance

Just like when you’re searching for the right campervan insurance provider, it’s often useful to ask the opinion of other campers.

If they’ve been there for longer, they might have a useful insight into the great and not-so-great spots. And if you plan to revisit a site you love in the future, note which pitch suits you best and request it on booking.

Campervan insurance for all seasons

From first-timers to long-term enthusiasts, thousands of campervan owners contact Motorhome Protect to find them the right cover.

Our dedicated team of insurance specialists will always find the best policy suited to your particular needs and budget.

Campervan insurance policies arranged through Motorhome Protect and our panel of leading insurers can include the following benefits:

• Cover for up to 365 days a year which can include foreign use
• Cover of camping personal effects for up to £3,500
• Up to 6 months to complete a self-build conversion
• Cover for campervans with a value up to £150,000
• Quotes available for customers with claims and convictions

Get a quick quote today.

Policy benefits and features offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.