Search For Sites Sold

[MichaelT]

Just seen this on FB, hope it doesn't mean price rises but I'm guessing it will.


First of all, we hope you’ve all had a Merry Christmas and enjoyed your New Year celebrations, wherever you may be.

We (Ian and Jill Curtis) have a special message to kick off 2025.

Our motorhome journey began back in 2011, and from the moment we hit the road, we were hooked. On our first trip to France, we quickly realised there had to be a better way to find great stopovers than relying on the guidebooks of the time. And that’s how searchforsites came to life in 2013 — with one simple goal: to make it easier for fellow travellers to find the best stopovers across the UK and Europe.
What started as a little side project has grown into something far beyond what we ever imagined. Now, over 380,000 of you are part of the searchforsites community — some we’ve met on our travels and now consider as friends. We are so thankful for each and every one of you who’ve joined us, shared your experiences, and helped make the platform what it is today.

As some of you might already know, I (Ian) had a health scare last December, which really made us stop and reflect. Facing our own mortality reminded us of the importance of family, adventure, and, frankly, not getting bogged down in the day-to-day running of a growing business.

So, in 2024, when we were approached by Harvest Hosts, we made the decision to pass the baton and sell searchforsites. We made this decision after much thought, and we truly believe they are the perfect fit to look after searchforsites and take it to the next level. Rest assured, we have been working closely with the new team to ensure a smooth transition. And, we're also thrilled to introduce Elena White as the new face of searchforsites.

Elena is a passionate camper van owner from the southeast of England who’s travelled extensively across Europe. We’re confident she’ll bring the same enthusiasm and dedication to the community that we’ve always strived to maintain. We hope you’ll all give her the warm welcome and support that you’ve given us over the years.

And just to reassure you – we are not disappearing! we’ll still be around, travelling and sharing our favourite stopovers on searchforsites and social media, just as we always have but as Ian or Jill and not as searchforsites.

It’s been an absolute privilege to be part of this community, and we look forward to continuing our adventures with you. Thank you all so much for your ongoing support. We’re genuinely grateful for each and every one of you.

Happy travels,
Ian & Jill Curtis

 

[Mr porky]

Good luck in retirement, you created a great resource. Thank you.

 

[Tombola]

So, Harvest hosts (american setup) have now took over britstops and now S4S

 

[Lenny HB]

Hope it continues without too much change as its good fot the UK, never rated it for use abroad.

 

[Stoosal]

I’ve always used it abroad. It is more for a ‘site’ rather than a parking spot/wild camp type thing but I’ve always found it good.

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[Langtoftlad]

So, Harvest hosts (american setup) have now took over britstops and now S4S

Let's hope they [Harvest Hosts] don't mess it up like they have with BritStops

Enjoy your retirement & keep healthy.

 

[scotzsue]

Have always used abroad, hope it doesn't go the way of other sites taken over by bigger businesses.

 

[chaser]

How many remember when he was a member on here when trying to get it off the ground , and had so many knockers he eventually left.
I used it and added a few to it but when he started charging I left for p4n.
Anyway good luck to him for sticking it out and wish him and family a good future.

 

[Langtoftlad]

How many remember when he was a member on here when trying to get it off the ground , and had so many knockers he eventually left.
I used it and added a few to it but when he started charging I left for p4n.
Anyway good luck to him for sticking it out and wish him and family a good future.

I was one Charlie - because, ironically, he ripped off the Britstops database at the beginning.

 

[bigtwin]

Let's hope they [Harvest Hosts] don't mess it up like they have with BritStops

Well, the main gripe from those who were displeased with them dropping the book, won’t apply in this case so it should be plain sailing for them.

How many remember when he was a member on here when trying to get it off the ground , and had so many knockers he eventually left.

Yes, and I’ve never forgotten their plagiarism of all the Britstops that Steve(?) put time and effort into recruiting for Britstops.

Ian

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[Langtoftlad]

Well, the main gripe from those who were displeased with them dropping the book, won’t apply in this case so it should be plain sailing for them.

Not to mention the price hike & the technical glitches

 

[bigtwin]

Not to mention the price hike

I’ll give you that one.

& the technical glitches

The technical glitches existed before the takeover.

Ian

 

[MichaelT]

Yes, and I’ve never forgotten their plagiarism of all the Britstops that Steve(?) put time and effort into recruiting for Britstops.

Ian

but surely advertising the stops on another app clearly showing them as britstops would be a good thing? Many people would not know about them so it would make them more popular and better known?

 

[bigtwin]

but surely advertising the stops on another app clearly showing them as britstops would be a good thing? Many people would not know about them so it would make them more popular and better known?

Not if it devalues the brand and makes those stops available to those that haven’t subscribed to the service (which funds the identification of further hosts, without which the concept dies). Britstops hosts (and subscribers) agree to a set of conditions as part of their inclusion/membership.

Ian

 

[chaser]

Not if it devalues the brand and makes those stops available to those that haven’t subscribed to the service (which funds the identification of further hosts, without which the concept dies). Britstops hosts (and subscribers) agree to a set of conditions as part of their inclusion/membership.

Ian

So sfs just said there is a Brit stop here so if everyone abides by the britstop rules you have to be a paid up member, can't see anything wrong with that.

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[MichaelT]

So sfs just said there is a Brit stop here so if everyone abides by the britstop rules you have to be a paid up member, can't see anything wrong with that.

Exactly, it's up to the site to ask for proof of membership same as any club.

 

[chaser]

Anyway it's a by the by now as they are all one.
Britstops can put them on themselves now

 

[LesW]

Love S4S, my go to app, not at all interested in staying in laybys etc so rarely use P4N, Camper Contact doesn't have as many stops.. Just hope Harvey Hosts don't bugger it up.

 

[Lenny HB]

Love S4S, my go to app, not at all interested in staying in laybys etc so rarely use P4N, Camper Contact doesn't have as many stops.. Just hope Harvey Hosts don't bugger it up.

I find the opposite, far more stops on Camper Contact, S4S is good in the UK but I find it not very good in Spain/France/portugal etc.

 

[LesW]

I find the opposite, far more stops on Camper Contact, S4S is good in the UK but I find it not very good in Spain/France/portugal etc.

We'll have to disagree there Lenny, my (limited?) experience has been the exact opposite, have found sites on S4S across Europe that looked OK, tried to find the same on CC to read reviews but no joy, no Idea why, though I don't pay to use Camper Contact.

Camper Contact doesn't even show the sites near where I live...

The other thing I like about S4S is that I have all the sites loaded into my Sat-Nav.

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[Lenny HB]

Camper Contact doesn't even show the sites near where I live...

I assume you live in the UK, I wouldn't use it in the UK, over 90% of our camping is abroad I've never found S4S very good there & not worth reading the reviews all seem to be by Brits expecting an Aire to be like a campsite.

 

[LesW]

I assume you live in the UK, I wouldn't use it in the UK, over 90% of our camping is abroad I've never found S4S very good there & not worth reading the reviews all seem to be by Brits expecting an Aire to be like a campsite.

Most of our mileage is done across the channel, like you very little is done in the UK.

 

[Bertilak]

In my mind these lists function at three levels:
a) there is the core data of where sites exist -these are simple facts and can't really be subject to copyright
b) there is investment in the media to disseminate the data (servers, software etc), and to add useful depth to it, e.g. cross reference what services are there.
c) there are active community of users who write reviews, corrections, and maintain the confidence in the data.
These are the lifeblood without whom the app dies. If the purveyors of the platform get greedy, it doesn't take long for a & c to go somewhere else.

In Australia we found WikiCamp brilliant, giving far more detail than CC, P4N or SFS; and at a one-off app price <£6, it's a no brainer. However in the UK there simply wasn't the uptake to have filled out the data to make it work. I hope SFS's American investors remember that, and don't just milk it....
(unless I'm out of date, and Wikicamp is now complete enough?.. Anyone use it?)

 

[Nanniemate]

I'm sure something else will come along to take its place if the harvest group are not careful

I wish anyone well who can create something so popular and then move on good luck

Let's see who/what takes the baton and runs with it next and how long it takes 'a good fit' to come along, I hope there were loads of £'s fitted that into the bank account just right

 

[Minxy]

Love S4S, my go to app, not at all interested in staying in laybys etc so rarely use P4N, Camper Contact doesn't have as many stops.. Just hope Harvey Hosts don't bugger it up.

You're not using P4N correctly then as there are a heck of a load more stops than just laybys. If you get the paid version you also see a load more than the free one.

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[Minxy]

there are active community of users who write reviews, corrections, and maintain the confidence in the data.

That's the issue we have with S4S as the owners admitted that they didn't do updating much, hubby emailed them about it and they actually said that in response! An app is only as good as the accuracy of the info so we're sticking with P4N.

 

[LesW]

You're not using P4N correctly then as there are a heck of a load more stops than just laybys. If you get the paid version you also see a load more than the free one.

I may consider the paid version it doesn't seem to expensive, the thing that puts me off a bit is that it doesn't show any of the small sites around where I live, regardless of settings/filters... but it does show some sites others don't.

 

[MichaelT]

That's the issue we have with S4S as the owners admitted that they didn't do updating much, hubby emailed them about it and they actually said that in response! An app is only as good as the accuracy of the info so we're sticking with P4N.

SFS is free on web.

 

[hja]

Didn’t like what Harvest Hosts did to britstops, cost increase, Americanisation of web site etc. use s4 s a lot in this country to find sites. Obviously reviews are crucial. We always leave a review. I always feel slightly guilty just using the free version, but I think if the new people make it only subscription it will fall into disuse.

 

[Minxy]

I may consider the paid version it doesn't seem to expensive, the thing that puts me off a bit is that it doesn't show any of the small sites around where I live, regardless of settings/filters... but it does show some sites others don't.

It won't show all the sites unless you have the paid version so it is most definitely worth the small cost as there are lots on there that you'll miss out on otherwise.

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