A selection of campsites for a quiet break

Sometimes it's nice to choose to take a relaxing break on a smaller, more exclusive site with less pitches. We've chosen our selection of smaller sites for a quiet break. Sites range from stunning rural retreats with just toilet and shower facilities, to one with an outdoor pool. Some of the sites are open all year so you can make the most of touring, and several cater to adults only.

Keal Lodge Touring Site, Lincolnshire
This is an adults only site in a great rural location with the touring area overlooking farmland and fields. Pitches are set within a ¾ of an acre level lawned paddock with three side of trees and shrubs, and one side open to country views. Each pitch is fully serviced with mains tap, mains waste and electric hook-up. Your own sanitation is required. A dog exercise area is available on site, with plenty of country walks nearby.,Keal Lodge is located down a quiet lane, 15-30 minutes’ walk to pubs, shops, public transport and a leisure centre. Market Deeping is a larger town, only two miles away, with a selection of shops, supermarkets and places to eat including takeaways and fish and chip shops.

Penmarlam Caravan & Camping Park, Cornwall
Penmarlam occupies a great location above the Fowey Estuary with panoramic views of the surrounding rural area. The caravan and camping park is divided into two areas. The front field has a country style, with wild bankings whereas the rear field has a cosy, more landscaped feel. Both fields have hill and valley views, with a generous sized pitch and electric hook-up. Some pitches have hedge borders and the fully serviced pitches have their own fresh water tap and grey water drain. A short walk from the park is Penmarlam Quay where you can fish or take to the water. The ever popular Polperro and Looe are within easy reach to the east and The Eden Project is just a short drive away.

High Thorn Farm, Cumbria
If you’re after a secluded location to relax and unwind, then High Thorn Farm could be just the place you’ve been looking for. After all, what could be better than watching the world go by beside the banks of a wild, natural pond, with stunning Lake District scenery all around. High Thorn Farm is a family run-business, with an enviable position nestled between the Lake District National Park and the Howgill Fells. The farmland hosts just four hardstanding pitches with optional electric hook-up, surrounded by trees and fields with lake views. Facilities have purposely been kept basic as to protect the ecological balance of the secluded area, so you’ll only find toilets here.

Tehidy Holiday Park, Cornwall
This is a tranquil site in the wooded surroundings of the Tolskithy Valley, between St Ives and St Agnes. Tehidy is a special and unique park set within a World Heritage Site. There is a mix of flower-beds, hedges, trees, a small orchard, wildlife areas and wild flowers throughout the site, enabling it to blend into the Cornish countryside. There are several woodland walks from the site and there’s easy access to many cycle trails, including the coast-to-coast Tramways Route. Even though this is a small site there is still plenty to keep you occupied – for children there is a play area with trampoline, swings and slides, as well as a games room. You also have WiFi and a small licenced shop on site. A point to note is that this site does not take pets.

Knockalla Caravan Park, Co Donegal
The key to this site’s appeal is its prime location – just a short walk from Ballymastocker Bay, which was voted the second most beautiful beach in the world by Observer Magazine travel writers. Of course, with its elevated position, the views from the caravan park across the sands are spectacular too. Knockalla has hardstanding and grass caravan pitches. With mountain views in one direction and Ballymastocker beach in another, what could be better than that? Knockalla is located below mountain slopes and enjoys a rural location. It is ideal for walkers and also fans of watersports, with surfing being a popular activity and available locally.

Greendale Farm Caravan & Camping Park, Rutland
In the smallest county in England there’s an idyllic adults only caravan park with just 13 pitches. Surrounded by farmland and rolling countryside this park is like pitching up in someone’s beautiful landscaped garden. And just because the site is small, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s short on facilities – Greendale Farm has even got a heated outdoor swimming pool! Pitches are hardstanding and surrounded by grass, shrubs and floral displays. This is a rural site and that is part of its charm. It is however only a short walk from the village of Whissendine where you’ll find several pubs. A must visit while staying at Greendale Farm Park is Rutland Water, which at only six miles away is easily accessible.

Wheathill Touring Park, Shropshire
The market towns of Ludlow and Bridgnorth are popular among visitors to Shropshire – Ludlow for its historic town centre with fantastic architecture, castle ruins and annual food festivals, and Bridgnorth for its lovely location alongside the River Severn and with the steepest, inland electric funicular railway. Adult only Wheathill Touring Park has the great fortune to be located in-between these two historic towns – eight miles from Ludlow and 12 miles from Bridgnorth. The caravan park is situated off the B4364 in the south Shropshire hills and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site’s slight elevation means you can make the most of far-reaching countryside views from your pitch and feel like you are in the middle of nowhere.

Beecraigs Caravan & Camping Site, West Lothian
Beecraigs Country Park stretches to 913 acres, in the Bathgate Hills, just over three miles from the town of Linlithgow. The area is bordered to the south east by the dramatic Pentland Hills; to the north by the Firth of Forth and, beyond, the hills of Fife. The park has just 28 pitches, all hardstanding, arranged in a number of small clusters, within a country park with views across to the distant hills. The forest park has plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, including walking, fishing, and cycling. It also has excellent wildlife credentials. This site is an ideal base for exploring the central Trossachs, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Seaward Caravan Park, Dumfries & Galloway
Seaward Caravan Park is a small, exclusive park with wonderful views over the River Dee Estuary and out towards Ross Island Lighthouse and the Irish Sea. The majority of pitches here look out over the Estuary and the beach of Dhoon Bay, which is only a few minutes away. The pitches on site have electric and fully serviced pitches are also available. Facilities include a toilet block and a laundry plus a licensed shop. Younger members of the family will find plenty to do here as there is a games room, play area, pitch ’n’ putt, mini football pitch, and an outdoor pool.

Bron Derw Touring Caravan Park, Conwy
There are three touring sites at Bron Derw – a main touring park, an adults only touring park and a Caravan Club CL. The main touring park has 20 multi-serviced pitches with electric hook-ups, plus an amenity block, utility room, WiFi and a dog walking area. The site is in a secluded setting for a peaceful holiday, with views of the surrounding fields and hills. The site’s location is just on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park, four miles from Betws-y-Coed. The local market town, Llanrwst, is less than half a mile away. Here you will find pretty Tu Hwnt l’r Bont Tearoom set on the west bank of the River Conwy.

Belleek Park Caravan & Camping, Co Mayo
This is a beautifully kept caravan site, set in lovely secluded grounds, with several individual bays for privacy. For recreation the site has a games room, play area, tennis court, basketball area and space for football. Belleek is just three kilometres from Ballina town, set on the River Moy and famed for its salmon fishing. The town has a selection of restaurants, a cinema, large indoor swimming pool and sports complex, and scenic 18-hole parkland course. There are many walks from the caravan park, particularly in the adjacent dense Belleek Forest Park surrounding Belleek Castle. The peaceful woodland stretches for six miles and is one of the largest urban forests in Europe.

South Wales Touring Park – Llwynifan Farm, Carmarthenshire
The hardstanding touring pitches at adults-only Llwynifan Farm are beautifully landscaped on three tiers across the hillside to make the most of the countryside views. Pitches are a mixture of standard with electric hook-up and fully serviced. Located on the edge of Llangennech (one mile from the M4) and just 15 minutes’ drive from the lovely Carmarthen coast, Llwynifan Farm provides an excellent base to explore the Gower Peninsula and the Brecon Beacons, including Carreg Cennen Castle. There are a large number of local cycle paths from the Millennium Coastal Park, passing through some stunning scenery, to mountain biking trails in Afan Forest a little further away.