Campsites open all year: our pick of the best

All-year-round campsites: what you need to know

UK campsites that are open all year are a great option to extend your touring and camping season. Many campsites across the UK are open all year round and some of the most popular places for open all year campsites include Cornwall, Devon and Scotland.

If you're wondering where you can camp in winter, the answer is all over the United Kingdom. There are a range of open all year campsites including those that are dog-friendly, ones for adults only, and open-all-year family campsites.

Campsites that are open all year normally have hardstanding pitches so that the ground isn't boggy in wet weather, and heated facilities so that you can feel warm and toasty in the colder temperatures.

Reasons to book a year-round site

While summer holidays are great, there's something quite magical about holidays in autumn and winter. The countryside looks beautiful in all the golden and red hues of autumn, and imagine waking up in the morning and opening up your tent, or stepping outside your caravan or motorhome to a fresh blanket of snow, or the ground sparkling with a dusting of frost.

Outside of school holidays and the main touring season, campsites are generally quieter, along with places and attractions. There are less tourists in the off-season so you can enjoy a relaxing getaway. If you're holidaying on a budget you'll also find that both campsites and attraction entry fees are sometimes cheaper in the autumn and winter months, so you can enjoy a holiday for less.

Another bonus of an open-all-year campsite is that you could take a holiday over the festive period. Maybe you'll visit a Christmas market to stock up on gifts, or spend Christmas in the great outdoors. How about welcoming in the new year away from home with other campsite guests and enjoying a different location for the start of January?

Best campsites open all year in the UK

(Photo courtesy of Clippesby Hall)

Winner of the East of England Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year, Clippesby Hall is an Independent camping and touring park set over 34 acres of woodland. Offering a range of pitches from fully serviced all-weather ‘superpitches’ to secluded woodland camping pitches.

Nestled in the beautiful Norfolk Broads National Park and close to some of the finest sandy beaches of the east coast, Clippesby is perfectly placed to explore some stunning countryside and wildlife. In the winter months, cosy up around the wood burner in the BASECAMP bar and restaurant and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or an evening meal.

Find out more: Clippesby Hall 

(Photo courtesy of Beaconsfield Holiday Park)

This wonderful campsite nestled beside the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal is one of our favourites for visiting the Cotswolds and stunning scenery of the Severn Vale. With 16A hook-ups available on hardstandings and grass pitches, the environmental award-winning David Bellamy campsite is ideal for motorhomes, caravans and tents.

Adjacent is the dog-friendly Tudor Arms pub/restaurant, well known for its CAMRA awards, or you could sit beside the canal and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat from the Black Shed Café. There's lots to do within walking distance of this quiet countryside campsite, making it the ideal choice for those who prefer to pitch up and not drive.

Whilst on the campsite, keep an eye out overhead for migratory birds making their way to the popular visitor's attraction, Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Just a short walk from the campsite, the nature reserve is home to a vast array of birds.

Find out more: Tudor Caravan Park 

(Photo courtesy of Parkland Site)

Especially for adults in the heart of the South Hams, an ideal base for exploring the stunning area including Salcombe and the South West Coast Path. A traditional, warm Devon welcome awaits you at Parkland, a premier AA five gold pennant adults only site, set within three acres of mature landscaped grounds backed by Devon hedgerows abundant with wildlife.

Standard, premier (private facilities) and deluxe extra large pitches (private facilities) are available for touring and camping. All pitches are fully serviced with electric hook-up, water and drainage along with your own picnic bench. Parkland also offer a variety of glamping options, why not try a pod, cabin or shepherds hut. The site has high quality modern amenities, a coin operated laundry and a campers kitchen. A licensed shop offers a variety of produce including local ciders, beers, dairy, bakery, and of course everyday essentials.

Find out more: Parkland Caravan, Camping & Glamping Site 

Tucked away in a wooded valley, close to the picturesque Ilfracombe Harbour and Woolacombe Beach. The campsite is a secluded retreat perfect for rest and relaxation. The valley is flanked on both sides by mature trees, with plenty of walks through the wooded areas. A bus stop can be found at the site entrance.

On the campsite you’ll find a shop, bar and restaurant area serving hot food, cream teas and drinks. The elevated position of the bar and restaurant gives great views over the ornamental lake. Hidden Valley has 100 pitches, most of which are hardstanding, all have hook-up, and Premium pitches come complete with full services. The amenities are underfloor-heated with showers, a laundry room and facilities for the disabled.

Find out more: Hidden Valley Touring Park  

Offering 450 grass pitches, some hardstanding and serviced, Lady’s Mile is a family-orientated campsite in Dawlish, just a short distance from the M5 junction 30. It offers indoor and outdoor pools with large water flumes, a licensed mini-market, takeaway, restaurant and bar. The campsite also has a sauna, steam room, gym, hot tub and tanning, a hair and beauty salon, plus a large games room and an impressive outdoor play area.

The pitches feature electric hook-up via top-up cards. All are serviced by brick-built shower blocks. Also on the campsite are two launderettes and a dog walk area. Just a 20-minute stroll from the campsite is the Blue Flag beach at Dawlish Warren, while Dawlish itself is a pretty little town to visit.

Nearby Brixham is a quaint harbour village, while Dartmouth is slightly further afield and an excellent place to visit.

Find out more: Lady's Mile Holiday Park 

(Photo courtesy of Bath Chew Valley)