I’m planning my family’s summer holiday. We want to stay in the UK to avoid flying, and will probably drive in our reasonably fuel-efficient Citroen Picasso diesel to make getting around easy, and we’d like to camp partly to keep costs down, and partly for the adventure of it. Here is our short-list of 5 possible holidays:

1. Keveral Farm – Keveral Farm is an organic farming community near Looe in Cornwall. They have a small, sheltered campsite in their orchard (maximum of 6 tents) and they have yurts and tipis for hire. There is a compost toilet and solar shower, and the campsite is a car free zone. There are plenty of walks in the local area, as well as the beach, and a Monkey Sanctuary just over a mile away from Keveral Farm. Camping in August will cost you £4 per adult, £2 per child, and vehicles £3 per day. Please see the website for yurt/tipi hire prices.

2. Sharpham Barton Family Camp – For this year (2007) the Sharpham Barton Family Camp runs from Saturday the 4th of August until Sunday the 12th of August, on a bio-dynamic farm near Totnes in Devon. The camp happens once a year, and you are encouraged to camp together as families in small village groups around a large communal camp fire. There are workshops and activities for adults and children, as well as supervision for children while adults are taking part in workshops. The facilities are basic (toilet and hot and cold water, but no showers) and firewood is provided. The cost for the camp is £130 per adult and £70 per child over 2.

3. South Penquite Farm – We’ve stayed here before and can thoroughly recommend it. South Penquite is an organic sheep farm on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, with a low-density campsite and solar showers made from recycled plastic bottles and yoghurt pots. There is a lovely walk on the farm, and it’s ideally situated for cyclists. £5 per adult and £3 per child per night (under 5’s free).

4. Huntstile Organic Farm – An organic farm in Somerset with a small campsite (only 5 pitches) with solar shower fed from the stream. Camping costs £7.50 per night for 2 people, £2 per extra person. There are ECOTENTS available for hire through the summer in a separate car-free nature area complete with composting toilets, solar showers and purpose built wood burning barbecue area. ECOTENT hire is around £550 per week and each tent sleeps between 5 and 12 people.

5. The Big Green Gathering – The biggest, greenest gathering in Europe.  It runs from 1st to 5th August 2007 and costs £110 per adult and £30 per child over 5.  Green travel is encouraged, so if you are driving, make sure you lift share with others.  There’ll be lots of entertainment and lots to do.  Sounds like fun!  Oh, I nearly forgot to say it’s near Cheddar and Weston-Super-Mare.

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