Top 10 open all year campsites for motorhomes
Colder weather doesn't have to mean an end to touring in your motorhome. Most campsites offer heated facilities throughout the winter and many tourist attractions become quieter, allowing for a more relaxed pace of exploration.
We've selected our top 10 sites which are open all year, meaning you can enjoy autumnal colours and frosty sunrises at your leisure...
The Quiet Site, Cumbria
Ullswater, Cumbria CA11 0LS
Tel: 07768-727016 Web: www.thequietsite.co.uk
We love this campsite not only for its location with views over Ullswater but for its cosy and atmospheric pub, which is perfect for holing up in on a cold, wintry day. The Quiet Bar is housed in an old barn with a log fire and serves the campsite’s own brew – The Quiet Pint. If you can drag yourself away from this rustic inn, attractions nearby include Aira Force waterfall, Penrith and Keswick – a town which has plenty of indoor attractions for rainy days. Facilities on the campsite include family bathrooms, a shop, dog walk and children’s adventure playground.
Deer’s Glade Caravan & Camping Park, Norfolk
White Post Road, Hanworth, Norwich, Norfolk NR11 7HN
Tel: 01263-768633 Web: www.deersglade.co.uk
There’s an abundance of wildlife in and around the aptly-named Deer’s Glade Caravan and Camping Park. The campsite is set in a woodland clearing in north Norfolk so you may well spot wild deer and a variety of birds while walking in the surrounding woods, and various waterfowl on the site’s fishing lake. Deer’s Glade is ideal for visiting the coast at Cromer or heading into the vibrant city of Norwich with its historical castle and cathedral. The campsite has some hardstanding pitches, a play area, two toilet/shower blocks and a shop. In addition there’s an animal paddock and dog walk.
Brighton Caravan Club Site, East Sussex
East Brighton Park, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 5TS
Tel: 01273-626546 Web: www.caravanclub.co.uk
This Club campsite, with a regular bus service, is only two miles from the seaside resort of Brighton with its famous grand Pavilion. In low season, wrap up warm and take a walk along the seafront, enjoying the crowd-free beach. Then to warm up, head to Choccywoccydoodah’s café (www.choccywoccydoodah.com) on Middle Street and indulge in a hot chocolate and cake. Afterwards head to its famous shop on Duke Street and marvel at the most intricate and amazing celebration cakes you’ve ever seen. The Brighton site has hardstandings, and toilets/showers.
Cosawes Park, Cornwall
Perranarworthal, Truro, Cornwall TR3 7QS
Tel: 01872-863724 Web: www.cosawestouringandcamping.co.uk
Cosawes Park offers a central location from which to explore the delights of Cornwall’s coastline and villages. The nearest towns are Falmouth and Cornwall’s county town – Truro. Head for the latter in the run-up to Christmas and enjoy the market and late-night shopping. Falmouth hosts its famous Oyster Festival as well as a beer festival in October (not at the same time) and, in August, the port area becomes a hive of activity as the largest sailing regatta in the south west takes place. Pitches at Cosawes include 25 premium all-service hardstandings, complemented by a first-rate heated amenities block with family shower rooms.
Delamere Forest Camping & Caravanning Club Site, Cheshire
Station Road, Delamere, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 2HZ
Tel: 01606-889231 Web: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Cheshire’s largest area of woodland surrounds this site, where outdoor activities include walking, cycling and, for those with a head for heights, the Go Ape Treetop Adventure. 20 minutes from this Club site is Marbury Country Park, which has an arboretum, ancient woodland and lime avenues – these are especially stunning when the trees’ full autumn colours are on display or on a frosty winter’s morning. The Delamere Forest campsite is sheltered by trees and has the usual facilities expected of the Club, plus a parent and child shower room, laundry and on-site shop.
Erwlon Caravan & Camping Park, Carmarthenshire
Brecon Road, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire SA20 0RD
Tel: 01550-721021 Web: www.erwlon.co.uk
Erwlon is a family-run site with lots of first-class facilities, located a short walk from the town of Llandovery which has a castle, pubs, cafés and a supermarket. The site has a heated amenity block with family rooms, and pitches include fully-serviced hardstanding super pitches. Erwlon is handy for exploring the Brecon Beacons and the campsite’s website has details of many cycling and driving tours which take in the attractions of the area. These include a castle tour, garden tour and a circular route which takes in Wales’s capital city, Cardiff (which has motorhome-friendly park and ride services), and the mining valleys.
Cambridge Cherry Hinton Caravan Club Site, Cambridgeshire
Lime Kiln Road, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge CB1 8NQ
Tel: 01223-244088 Web: www.caravanclub.co.uk
The landscaping of the Cherry Hinton Club site gives the impression of being in the countryside, yet you are only a ten-minute bus ride from the city centre of Cambridge. For those feeling more active the site is ideal for picking up a cycle path and riding into the city, or taking a guided walking tour of the medieval colleges of this beautiful and ancient university city. The campsite is set in ancient quarry works and has hardstanding pitches, toilets, showers (including facilities for the disabled) and WiFi access.
Kippford Holiday Park, Dumfries & Galloway
Kippford, Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire DG5 4LF
Tel: 01556-620636 Web: www.kippfordholidaypark.co.uk
One of the major draws of this site is its private woodland and breeding red squirrel population. Kippford village is a 15-minute walk away and consists of a waterside street with shops and pubs, plus two sand and pebble beaches. Stargazers will be attracted to Galloway Forest Park, a designated Dark Sky Park, most easily reached from here at Clatteringshaws Vistor Centre, 40 minutes away. Pitches at Kippford are set in small groups, all have electric and most have hardstanding. The toilet and shower block is heated and the well-equipped shop is open for most of the year.
Canterbury Camping & Caravanning Club Site, Kent
Bekesbourne Lane, Canterbury, Kent CT3 4AB
Tel: 01227-463216 Web: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Visitors to the C&CC’s Canterbury site can take their pick of city, coast and countryside. The seaside towns of Whitstable and Herne Bay are 20 minutes away, while Canterbury city is a couple of miles north and can be reached on foot, bike, or bus from outside the campsite. The city is packed with history and culture, along with an assortment of specialist shops, bars and restaurants. The campsite is a mix of grass and hardstanding pitches and the toilet blocks were fully refurbished earlier this year.
Padstow Touring Park, Cornwall
Padstow, Cornwall PL28 8LE
Tel: 01841-532061 Web: www.padstowtouringpark.co.uk
In summer, Cornwall is awash with visitors but in quieter seasons you’ll be able to explore without the crowds. This campsite has direct access to a footpath that leads to the heart of Padstow – a historic fishing harbour with great views and plenty of walking and cycling opportunities. Padstow is also the place for foodies, with Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant and Café and Michelin-starred restaurant No 6 both here. The campsite has three amenity blocks (one heated in winter) and a heated coffee lounge that’s open all year. There are also hardstanding pitches and a bus route passing the site entrance.
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