The best sites for National Parks

 

 Exclusively for adults, Woodland Springs is set within Dartmoor National Park surrounded by trees and farmland. The campsite provides a natural setting to encourage wildlife, so you may see a variety of birds as well as rabbits, deer, foxes and stoats. The site boasts fully serviced and standard pitches, plus award-winning facilities. 

 

These include toilets and showers, a laundry and shop. Woodland Springs welcomes dogs and there is one acre of open land for exercising dogs off the lead. A 10-minute drive away is the moors, where there are many walking and cycling routes and different Tors to explore. Not forgetting the Dartmoor ponies and their foals that you can see in the spring. It's also only 18 miles to the cathedral city of Exeter, where you can walk the canal towpaths or enjoy a coffee in one of the cafés in the quay. 

 

T 01647 231695 W woodlandsprings.co.uk

OPEN All year PRICE £23.50

 

 

Situated beside Horner Water in the Horner Valley and with a view of Dunkery Beacon, this site is in the heart of the Exmoor National Park, which is ideal to explore with its wooded valleys, streams, hills and coastal scenery. The touring pitches have 16-amp electric and facilities include toilets and showers, a laundry and well-stocked shop.

 

The farm buildings have been converted to riding stables and escorted rides are available. You can leave the car on pitch here, with many walks leading directly into the woods and onto open moorland. You can also access stretches of the South West Coast Path. The stream and woods provide a natural playground for children, too.Porlock is one mile away offering three pubs and a variety of shops, cafés and restaurants. Porlock Weir is a delightful little harbour where children can go crabbing and sea fishing trips can be arranged. Minehead is just five miles away with a sandy beach. 

 

T 01643 862463 W burrowhayes.co.uk

OPEN All year PRICE £23

 

The Lake District offers a multitude of visitor attractions and activities, with endless opportunities to explore hills and lakes, plus historic houses, castles and museums. The National Park also has a coastline, too, and the Ravenglass Club site is the perfect place from which to explore it. 

 

The site, which is set in six acres of woodland and only 500 metres from the seafront, is hidden away on a wooded bank looking out over the Irish Sea. The historic hamlet of Ravenglass is also within walking distance where there's a natural harbour, craft shop and pubs. The facilities at the Club site include hardstandings with electric, toilets, showers and a shop. There's a pub within one mile, too. What really makes the site's location special is its proximity to the 130-year-old miniature railway which links the mountains and the sea. For the adventurous, Scafell Pike – England's highest peak, is within striking distance and so are the mysterious and murky depths of Wastwater, England's deepest natural lake.

 

T 01229 717250  W campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

OPEN 8 February to 2 January PRICE £28.20

 

Rivendale lies within the Derbyshire Dales part of the Peak District National Park, known as The White Peak due to the limestone rock which makes up the gorges, cliffs and caves of this area. For walkers and cyclists the Tissington Trail is just 100 metres from the caravan site, following the route of the former Buxton to Ashbourne railway line.

 

Footpaths from Rivendale lead to the dramatic scenery of Dovedale and there is access to the Trails Triangle, formed by the High Peak Trail and the cycleway around Carsington Reservoir. The Peak District also offers cultural and historic sites like Chatsworth House, Alton Towers and Buxton Opera House. Pitches on site are hardstanding or hardstanding with grass and have electric hook-up. Fully serviced pitches are available. The usual facilities such as toilets, showers, a laundry and play area are on site. There's also The Stables Café and a pub and restaurant. If you really want to spoil yourself why not hop in the sauna, plunge pool or hot tub that are located on site!

 

T 01335 310441 W rivendalecaravanpark.co.uk

OPEN 26 January to 30 September PRICE £29

 

 

The beautiful New Forest offers meandering streams, leafy paths and open heathland. At Long Meadow visitors can walk or cycle the miles of trails or just sit and watch the forest ponies and other wildlife that roam freely. The site has an open, peaceful environment with 100 spacious pitches set in 19 acres of grassland and a choice of 10 electric hook-up grass pitches, or 18 hardstanding pitches with electric. Modern buildings house clean toilets and hot showers, along with disabled facilities. There is direct access from the site onto the ancient woodlands that will leave all ages spoilt for choice of outdoor activities. Bike hire can be arranged with bikes delivered to and collected from the site. This campsite is set in the countryside yet within walking distance of the restaurants, shops and pubs of the village of Brockenhurst. Here, ponies and donkeys still roam the streets. It is also just a short drive to all the facilities of Lyndhurst, the capital of the New Forest, and nearby to the sandy beaches of the Solent.

 

The Showground, New Park, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7QH
T 01590 622489 W longmeadowcampsite.com
OPEN 26 March to 31 October PRICE £32

 

 

Nestled in the heart of Kielder Forest, within the Northumberland National Park, Kielder Village campsite claims to be the remotest site in England. The forest is ideal for long quiet walks, cycle rides that can keep on going, and many miles of dog walking. The Kielder Water and Forest Park has an art and architecture trail that follows the 26-mile walking and cycling route around the reservoir and the Tower Knowe Visitor Centre is only a 15-minute drive away.

 

On site there are hardstanding pitches for caravans, with toilets and showers and a laundry. There's also a play area on site. Kielder village is a five-minute walk away where you'll find a dog-friendly pub, tea rooms and bike hire. However, grocery outlets and shops are quite a drive away, so do go prepared! The area is also renowned for its lack of night-time light pollution and the campsite is located in the centre of a Dark Sky Park with clear views of the night sky from your pitch. The famed Kielder Observatory is just on a hill near the site, 10 minutes' drive away.

 

Kielder, Northumberland NE48 1EJ
T 01434 239257 W kieldercampsite.co.uk
OPEN March to October PRICE £25
 

Hawes Caravan and Motorhome Club site is situated within the stunning scenery of Wensleydale, where the famous cheese has been made for nearly a century. Situated between the River Ure and the market town of Hawes, the caravan park offers attractive views and was redeveloped in 2017. There are 10 serviced pitches with a total of 119 touring pitches, a games room, laundry and toilet block.

 

Hawes Club site is set within in the northern part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. With the Dales right on the doorstep of the site, walking enthusiasts will have hours of captivating landscape to explore. The Pennine Way is another must - it still carries tracks made in previous centuries, so you can literally feel you are following in your ancestors' footsteps. Also within easy reach from the caravan park is Hawes, one of the highest market towns in England. Hardraw Force - the highest single drop waterfall in England is close by, too. Other attractions include the waterfall at Aysgarth, Ribblehead Viaduct, White Scar Cave, Bolton Castle and the scenic Settle to Carlisle railway. 

 

Brunt Acres Road, Hawes, North Yorkshire DL8 3PS
T 01969 667338 W caravanclub.co.uk
OPEN 16 March to 3 January PRICE £34.70

 

 

Trossachs Holiday Park is a 40-acre landscaped park with oak and bluebell woods on the edge of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Cycling, hill walking, fishing and golf are all available nearby. Both parks offer walking routes galore, a magical atmosphere and lots of wildlife. For those looking for a little action and adventure, Aberfoyle is just a 10-minute drive away where you'll find Go Ape Treetop Adventure – a high wire adventure playground for all ages.

 

Trossachs Holiday Park holds the accolade of AA Campsite of the Year for Scotland 2017/18. All caravan pitches are fully serviced on hardstanding with individual water supply, grey water drain and TV hook-up. Facilities include toilets and showers, along with family shower suites, a games room, play area, laundry, site shop and WiFi café. Pets are welcome and there is a dog exercise field and woodland walk. 

Gartmore, Stirling FK8 3SA
T 0800 1971192 W trossachsholidays.co.uk
OPEN 1 March to 31 October PRICE £26
 

 

 

Situated in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, and close to nearby Norwich and Great Yarmouth, Reedham Ferry Complex offers an idyllic setting with plenty of facilities on site. The park has a rural aspect, next to the River Yare. The Reedham Ferry is a vehicular chain ferry (the only remaining one in Norfolk) which crosses the River Yare. It crosses the river near the village of Reedham forming the only crossing point between the city of Norwich and Great Yarmouth. 

 

The site is a landscaped four acres, with flat and spacious pitches and uninterrupted views over the local marshes. There are electric hook-ups available, toilets, showers and a barbecue area. There are also two on-site fishing lakes and the Reedham Ferry Inn. The surrounding marshes are a haven for birds and the Norfolk Broads offer leisurely days of messing about in boats. Other local attractions include Pettitts Animal Adventure Park, Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens, and Wroxham Barns with its craft centre and junior farm. 

 

Ferry Road, Reedham, Norwich NR13 3HA
T 01493 700999 W reedhamferry.co.uk
OPEN All year PRICE £21

 

 

Located within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, this site has to offer one of the best views from a pitch ever. Set on the coastline there are a choice of hardstanding and grass touring pitches with electric. On-site facilities include toilets and showers, a laundry, play area, games room, shop and bakery. Walkers and nature lovers can explore many paths and trails that are directly accessible from the park or you can simply sit back and enjoy the views.

 

The coastal path runs directly through the resort or there is also a gentle circular hour-long walk giving great views. There are several hidden coves and beaches located on sections of the path that are accessible from the park. Alternatively, head north or south along the coast for about 30 minutes and you can visit stunning Ceibwr Bay or Abereiddy Bay. 

 

Two unique features of Fishguard Bay are the luxury hampers you can pre-order for your stay – there's one that covers all things breakfast, or cheese and biscuits and a selection of Welsh goodies. The other on-site treat is the Pamper Pod where you can relax and enjoy a facial or a massage

 

Dinas Cross, Newport, Pembrokeshire SA65 9ET
T 01348 811415 W fishguardbay.com
OPEN March to January PRICE £31