Dear Champing,
This is my second year champing. What I love about this adventure is that it’s the anti-tourist experience of England. Instead of scurrying from one site to another (elbowing other tourists out of the way), this provides a chance to just sit, and take in a wealth of history in an intimate setting. I have a hard time leaving those sites, consequently.

I’m telling all my friends about this experience, including the English who are completely unaware, yet interested in this wonderful option in their country. (I’m from the US.)

Our ChampBot, Kay, provided a wonderful “tell-everyone-back-home-about-it” breakfast and great conversation. It made our stay. Kay’s hospitality is especially worth promoting on the site. Also, her dogs were fantastic.

It would be worth communicating that although the site is accessible via bus, the country roads aren’t quite conducive to travellers arriving on foot. The steady stream of large farm equipment dodged us easily on the roads without shoulders. However, if someone didn’t check the Google Maps street view ahead of time (especially if they’re unfamiliar with English roads), they may be in for a shock, especially if they try to pack in rolling suitcases instead of backpacks.

There also seemed to be a communication gap between our host and the Champing organisation. She was expecting us to arrive via car. We stumbled upon each other by mistake. It worked out, but there were a few moments of panic on the traveler end, looking for an absent picnic basket of food, unsure of where to get the food.

Also, for the sake of polite travellers who aren’t used to Champing, it would be useful to unfurl the the sleeping bags on the cots, instead of leaving them in a duffle bag. If I hadn’t Champed before, and knew that I should forage around for the supplies, I wouldn’t have touched the duffle bag, thinking it was someone’s private property.

Thank you for a lovely stay! I’ll do this again.

Best, Amy Neises