Camping is meant to offer a slower, more peaceful break from everyday life, but loud neighbours, barking dogs and parties running past midnight are pushing plenty of UK campers to the edge.
"I'm on a tiny site in the middle of nowhere and last night a group of tents and a motorhome had a party until 1.30am," one camper fumed in a Facebook group. "Dogs loose and barking, shouting, driving around etc."
The frustration is widespread. On Reddit, another user wrote: "Growing up I remember there being an etiquette about quietening down once people start going to bed but that seems to have gone out the window with music blaring and little consideration for others. Maybe people's experience of camping is based on what they've seen at festivals now?"
One camper described pitching up in Epping Forest only to be joined by two carloads of people with no tent, who sat playing music and drinking until the early hours. Around 3am, another camper confronted them aggressively, and police were called. "Apparently they do most weekends," the camper added.
According to The Great Britain Tourism Survey, 5.8 million camping, glamping and touring trips were made in 2024, with tent holidays alone accounting for two million of those trips.
Start With a Friendly Word
Alice Pace, founder of slow-paced campsite Bert's in Wales, says greeting neighbours early can prevent most problems before they start. If noise does become an issue, she advises a calm, good-humoured word first rather than escalating straight away. "It works far more often than people expect," she said.
If a polite chat does not resolve things, Pace urges campers to report the issue to campsite staff rather than suffer in silence. At Bert's, staff carry out a check at 11pm to make sure everyone has settled down for the night.
Mel Savage, head of underwriting operations at Ripe Motorhome Insurance, recommends gathering as much information as possible before acting. She advises campers to consider whether the behaviour actually breaks campsite rules or is simply a minor annoyance, and to confirm who is responsible before approaching anyone.
"In many cases, campers enjoying themselves simply don't realise they're disturbing others or how easily sound travels outdoors," Savage said. She cautions against passive-aggressive comments, recommending a polite, direct request to stop the disruptive behaviour instead. "You never know, introducing yourself politely could even result in making a new camping friend," she added.
If talking directly to the other campers fails, speaking to campsite staff or requesting a pitch move are the next steps. "If relocation isn't an option and the situation continues, your choices are limited to trying to ignore the noise, using earplugs or, ultimately, leaving the site," Savage said.
Choose Your Site Carefully
Much of the trouble can be avoided before arrival, experts say. Pace advises researching and booking the right kind of site, noting that family-friendly, adults-only and festival sites attract very different crowds. "Check before you go," she said. She also encourages campers to trust their instincts on arrival and, if the atmosphere feels wrong, to ask about the site's noise policy or request a pitch change.
David Scotland, owner of camping equipment retailer Outdoor World Direct, recommends booking through a reputable provider and opting for sites registered with the Camping and Caravanning Club. Members-only sites tend to attract more serious campers, he said.
The Unwritten Rules
The Camping and Caravanning Club lists ten unwritten campsite rules it considers essential to a shared, respectful experience.
- Reduce your movement around the site, especially by car.
- Do not cross other pitches; stick to paths.
- Keep pets on a short leash and manage excessive barking.
- Observe quiet hours in the evening.
- Leave communal facilities clean after use.
- Avoid overloading shared electrical circuits.
- Stay within your allocated pitch.
- Be friendly and say hello to fellow campers.
- Follow Leave No Trace principles and take your litter.
- Read and follow the rules of each site you visit.
