Best holiday site then cross to le Havre?

[pcatterall]

We are planning to sail from preston to the South coast in April 2012, then towards the end of April crossing to le Havre and the canal system.
Looking for a good spot to depart from but from where we could have around a weeks holiday ( rest of familly in their camper van) and longer if waiting for weather window.
crossing could be direct or Via Cherbourg I guess.
Most of the really good holiday sites look a bit far west but I would appreciate some local information/ideas.
Thanks

 

[Tranona]

Are you talking South Coast UK or North Coast France for the camper van holiday?

 

[VicS]

Poole area should offer lots a of sites for a camper van and a good slant to the wind to cross to Cherbourg esp if the camper van does not sail to windward very well ...

Otherwise Eastbourne, Brighton ( esp Brighton if wanting a big town nearby) or Solent area for a good slant on Le Havre

 

[pcatterall]

Well the boat does sail a bit like the camper van! The camper van holiday is for the South coast. I guess we could holiday well to the west then sail up to Solent area for departure to Le Havre,

 

[PeteE]

I guess it depends on what you mean by "best holiday site" - implies on-site spa, kids playground, amusement arcade, greasy spoon caff etc. If not and you are looking for a quiet site within sight and easy walking distance of the sea and the Smugglers Inn, and within walking distance of Weymouth then you could do worse than check out Rosewall camping at

http://weymouthcamping.com/camping.html

It has level (terraced) pitches and, from memory, takes tents and campers but not caravans (another bonus!). As far as I recall there is not much of a beach (never got much further than the Inn) but ok for fishing off the rocks.

 

[ripvan1]

Southsea Marina, and five minutes walk away

http://southsealeisurepark.com/our_location.php

Look at them on google earth to see how close they are - should suit

 

[Tranona]

Eastern Solent is best starting point for Le Havre. Poole Cherbourg is a shorter easier crossing but a long way along the French coats to the Seinne.

You will be spoiled for choice for good campsites east of Portsmouth - do a bit of research, after all it is a major holiday area and good marinas to wait for weather window.