It's the end of the camping season for 2024 and we're reflecting on the feedback over the year, so the comments below are intended to reply to everyone who has raised this issue regarding sinks to clean teeth.

We don't offer washrooms because we don't have planning permission for them. A sink in a toilet isn't a washroom and it's counter-productive because it causes long queues for toilets at busy times and is equally unhygienic.

Our consideration is whether to start the onerous process of requesting planning permission for a washroom and whether we are going to reinvest the money to do the work.

4 years ago our campsite offered portaloos and a mains water pipe in the field - that was it. Our occupancy was 3 times higher than it was this year and out of almost 200 reviews, no one commented that they would like a sink to clean their teeth. Our ratings were up in the high 9's.

As we've reinvested and developed infrastructure each year (whilst maintaining the same camping pricing), it appears like the more we provide - the more campers want - but campers affordability and budget isn't changing (understandably with the cost of living).

Please understand that planning permission isn't a foregone conclusion. Whilst the Yorkshire Dales National Park exists to give people space to enjoy the countryside, there is a small but vocal minority of residents who have paid a premium for their retirement homes and they want tranquility. Equally, local businesses enjoy the trade from our campsite, but this year more than any other, they've noticed an increase in rude and anti-social campers who have issues in queueing and using their manners in local businesses.

I explain all of this because I think these aspects are linked. The decision Grace and I are leaning towards is that we want to deliver a pure camping experience for families. Where we start to cross that line into glamping, we start to attract a very different camper and all of the attitudes and behaviours that go with it.

It's been suggested to me that we should increase our prices to filter people - I won't do that because it would marginalise the families who we run Farm & Fell campsite for. I'm not saying that wanting a sink to clean your teeth is the panacea, or the deal-breaker, I'm respecting and and listening to what you are saying whilst trying to explain that what looks simple is far from simple and we need to be careful that we don't make bad decisions with the best intentions.

Thanks again and I hope we see you soon.

Sincerely

Brian