Camping

I have been looking at camp sites in the UK, most seem to just be putting tents in a field... im from washington state, and used to the campgrounds there, trees, maybe a lake or river, you know? Is there anything like that in the uk that you have been to?

We camp quite a bit in the summer and often use this website to get reviews and descriptions of various sites.

Honestly, we far prefer the "tents in a field" type of camping. Once there are too many amenities, you wind up getting more and more families. And, no offense to those who like to camp in a family-friendly environment, but for a couple wanting a quiet getaway, that's not really what we're after.

We generally find somewhere near pretty places, then go off for the day to nearby beaches, towns, scenic spots, etc., before coming back to our quiet campsite in the late afternoon. As long as the shower blocks are clean, we're happy!

But check out the website! It's good! 

No, I have never seen anything even remotely like a national park campsite here. If you are planning a camping trip you may be surprised; as with everything here, space is at a premium.

The best campsites I have been to here have either been farm fields or forestry commission campsites. Very basic facilities, and if I recall correctly some forestry commission campsites have no facilities at all, but much more space than the camping and caravan club sites tend to have. One CC Club site we visited actually measured the distance between our car and the next to make sure they squeezed in enough campers!

or has anyone found any nice campsites like that in france or ireland?

The best campsites I have been to here have either been farm fields

I don't think we've even been to a crowded campsite! But we always go for remote farm fields out in the countryside, so perhaps those spots don't attract too many people.

We camp a lot and the past few times we've been, I've been really annoyed with the amount of noise in the campsite.  There have been some late-night party-ers and it wasn't pleasant at all.  On one occasion we had a confrontation and then the next day we had to move campsites due to the dirty looks we were getting.  It was terrible and very ackward.

That is one big disadvantage of camping in a field where sometimes you are really packed in.  Otherwise I have no problem with it and do enjoy a bit of camping!

I've found that camping is much different in the US and the UK. The 'National Park' feel that you'll get in the US doesn't really exist (with picnic benches, mulch, bbqs at your site, lakes to swim in, hot humid nights w/crickets chirping  , etc.)

However, camping in the UK can be great! DH and I hiked for an entire summer once (about 500 miles) with our tent on our back -  so I know of many beautiful and gorgeous sites in England and Wales. It's just different from the US.

I don't think we've even been to a crowded campsite! But we always go for remote farm fields out in the countryside, so perhaps those spots don't attract too many people.

You are so lucky! Every campsite we went to at first was horribly crowded. DH finally found a campsite review website similar to the one you posted and now we just go to the ones with good reviews. TBH, I don't even require the best toilet facilities, I just want to get close to nature and have a bit of peace and quiet.

ETA: sevans that is my dream holiday!

I just want to get close to nature and have a bit of peace and quiet.

That's my main goal, too. (But I also do like sparkly clean showers) 

ETA: sevans that is my dream holiday!

That was our honeymoon! Seriously!

I can recommend he Old Oaks in Glastonbury

http://www.theoldoaks.co.uk/

Its on route to a walk to the Tor.  You can people watch all the crazies in the Town Centre - believe me...if you want to see grown men dressed as Gandulf and women as witches..its a real eye opener! The town is small but has funky and odd little shops.  You can get in the car and your a short distance away from Weston Super Mere and other areas.

This campsite is run by a oldish couple.  It is strictly adults only. Amenities are clean and fairly new. You can take your dog as there is certain dog walking areas and its near a lake.

Very chilled.

Also - hubby and i have been looking at forest camping....

http://www.forestholidays.co.uk/camping_and_caravanning.aspx

For France try

http://www.flowercampings.com/uk/holidays-camping-france.htm

I would appreciate if any of you campers could describe the differences between your camping trips in the US versus your camping in the UK.  My family has not been camping much because in Virginia, camping with children has been restricted a bit by the following:

1.  No visibility, lots of underbrush, poison ivy.
2.  Very hot and humid.
3.  Lots of gnats and ticks.
4.  No campfires.
5.  Park fees.

I would appreciate if any of you campers could describe the differences between your camping trips in the US versus your camping in the UK.  My family has not been camping much because in Virginia, camping with children has been restricted a bit by the following:

1.  No visibility, lots of underbrush, poison ivy.
2.  Very hot and humid.
3.  Lots of gnats and ticks.
4.  No campfires.
5.  Park fees.

I never camped much in the US, so I can only really comment on the UK side of things. But in my experience over here, 1, 2 and 3 have never been issues at all.

Most places will not allow you to just have a campfire anywhere you want, but some places have little bricked enclosures and it's fine to use those.

Fees will vary. We don't usually pay very much - generally about £4-10 a night, depending on how "posh" the campsite is.

If you use a campsite review website (like the one I posted above) you should get information about fees, campfires, etc. 

or has anyone found any nice campsites like that in france or ireland?

There are loads of different sorts of campsites in France, from the most basic to those with every facility. We used to go Eurocamping a lot when our children were young - you could use the Eurocamp brochure as a sort of starter to give you some ideas. We found some good sites in Holland as well through them.

The National Trust also have some lovely sites in the UK.