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Caravan site etiquette

Caravanning affords you great freedom - but there are a few unwritten rules which govern behaviour on a caravan or camp site.

The following tips should help you, and everybody else staying at the caravan park, enjoy a happy and sociable holiday.

• When walking around the site, try not to cut across anybody else's pitch. It may provide a shortcut to the showers, but some caravanners will see it as an intrusion on their privacy.

• If you have been allowed to take a pet, make sure they are under your control at all times. Just because a caravan park is pet-friendly, don't make the mistake of thinking every visitor will be an animal-lover.

• If you're using an awning, make sure you lift the ground sheet on a daily basis to let the grass breathe underneath. Many sites will request this of you.

• The vast majority of caravan sites will have dedicated areas for ball games, purposefully set away from the caravans. If you and your children want to play, it's best to use these areas - or at least make sure you are suitably far away from your neighbours that you won't disturb them. On many sites, ball games are forbidden on pitching areas.

• Be aware of your noise levels while other caravanners are trying to sleep. Try and keep the noise down after 11pm or so.

• Whatever the time of day, be considerate with your use of the television or radio. Neighbours sitting outside may hear more of your programmes than they really want to.

• Nearly all sites will have laundry and washing up facilities. If the washing up sinks are all in use, wait in line or return to them later. It isn't considered good practice to take your washing to the sinks in the toilet block.

• It almost goes without saying, but don't leave rubbish cluttering your pitch. Even if you fully intend to clear it up before you leave, it detracts from the beauty of the area - and could ruin the view out of your neighbour's window.