How to mark out pitches and install service points

To get your site ready for guests, you need to physically mark out every pitch and install the services you plan to offer. This process turns your field or woodland into a functional campsite, ensuring guests know exactly where their spot is and that amenities like electricity and water are safe, reliable, and easy to access.

1. Marking Out Your Pitches

Accuracy is key. This step defines the physical product your customers will be buying. Start with your site plan and translate it onto the ground.

1. Gather Your Tools: You’ll need a long measuring tape (50m or 100m is ideal), wooden stakes or flags, and a mallet. For more permanent marking, you can use numbered posts or ground markers.
2. Measure and Stake: Following your plan, measure the dimensions for your first pitch. Hammer in stakes at each corner to clearly define the boundary. Repeat this for every single pitch, ensuring you leave the planned space between them for privacy and fire safety compliance.
3. Number Each Pitch: Once staked, give each pitch its number. Use a sturdy, weather-proof marker post that is clearly visible. This is crucial for booking management and for guiding guests to the right spot.

2. Installing and Testing Service Points

If you're offering services like electric hook-up (EHU) or water taps, they must be installed correctly and safely. This is where you convert a basic pitch into a premium one.

• Electric Hook-Ups (EHU): This is not a DIY job. You must hire a qualified electrician to install your EHU points to ensure they meet UK safety standards (BS 7671). They will install the bollards, run armoured cabling, and connect everything to your mains supply via the necessary consumer units.
• Water Taps: Shared water points are common, but individual taps can be a great selling point. Ensure all pipework is laid at the correct depth to prevent freezing in winter and that you have adequate water pressure across the site.
• Numbering and Location: Make sure each service point is clearly numbered to correspond with the pitch it serves. Position them logically so that a guest’s cables or hoses can easily reach their tent, caravan, or motorhome without creating a trip hazard.

Important Tip: Always get your electrical installation fully certified by a professional. Keep this certificate safe as it is a legal requirement and vital for your business insurance.

3. Mapping and Final Checks

With everything in place, it’s time to create the master document for your site's layout.

1. Walk the Site: Go to every pitch and check that the markers are clear and the services are working. Plug in a tester to each EHU point and turn on every tap.
2. Create a Final Map: Update your initial plan to create a final, accurate site map. This map should clearly show the location and number of every pitch, service point, amenity block, and fire point. This will be an essential tool for your website, for your reception area, and for emergency services if they ever need to attend.