Well we're back! Thanks so much for all the detailed replies, I printed them off and was reading them all in bed the night before we went!! (although there have been more replies after we went, but thanks anyway, it all helps)!:hug::hug:
We found a lovely campsite at Lyme Regis, it was really nice, we were in a lush valley and the views of the surrounding hills were fab. Just for the record we saw from our tent: squirrels, a sheep, a mouse in a bush, bats flying round at night, and a shooting star (yep we all made a wish:lol:!
For a first camping experience I don't think we could have done any better. The people running it were really friendly, we had a level pitch not far from the shower block/water, the kids made friends with other kids there, and best of all the sun shone every day (thank goodness because of all things we could have forgotten to take, we forgot to take any coats/macs, not even an umbrella between us!! :o Plenty of fleeces, and tbh most other basic stuff that we needed (and a lot of that we would have forgotten if it hadn't been for all your help on here :hug::hug
We are DEFINITELY going again, I was eyeing up what equipment etc other people had. . . I think a trip to the camping shop will be in order before we go again
especially for those inflatable mattresses! I borrowed my m-i-l's, it was lovely & comfy at bedtime but by 2am it had totally deflated and my bones were sticking in the ground :irked: - the kids slept on the padded cushions from the garden loungers and hubby bravely said he was ok on the floor but now admits that those inflatable mattresses will make such a big difference!!
Anyways, just thought I'd update, I'm waffling now . . . thanks again all