20/11/2014

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Our favourite campsites from 2014

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Mevagissey harbour is just two miles away

The Caravan crew tours far and wide throughout the year. Here are our favourite sites from the 2014 season ...

Somerset, Waterrow Touring Park

This gem of a campsite is tucked away in a ‘hidden valley’ in west Somerset. The immaculate pitches of this adults-only park are cleverly obscured from each other with natural boundaries, and most have a spectacularly lush view across the valley. There’s a real sense of peace and tranquility on site, due largely to the rural setting and partly to the lack of noisy nippers! Waterrow has on-site secure storage, friendly staff and excellent washing and loo facilities in Portakabins inside a big Dutch barn. The towns of Wiveliscombe and Wellington are nearby. The West Somerset Steam Railway is just a John headshot

few miles away and is perfect for trips to the coast through some verdant rolling countryside. Beautiful Exmoor is a 20-minute-or-so drive away. One of our favourite local attractions is The Rock Inn (01984 623293), just a short walk down the road from the site. It offers a delicious and varied menu, featuring lots of local produce, and a fine range of wines and real ales. Remember to take a torch for the ‘stumble’ back!

John Sootheran, Caravan magazine editor

Devon, Dornafield Caravan Park

Whenever I think of Dornafield I immediately smile as I’m reminded of the warm welcome from the lovely owners, Simon & Peter – the perfect tonic after a long five-hour drive down to this peaceful oasis in Newton Abbot, Devon. The caravan park has a relaxing, home from home feel about it and it simply oozes quality, with every detail taken care of. The pitches are immaculate, with full services available, and the facilities are spotless. Added extras include an indoor games room, play areas and a fully-stocked shop offering everything you could require. Just half a mile away is a traditional country inn, The Two Mile Oak which I’ve eaten at many times whilst basking in the sunshine of its courtyard garden. Further afield you have a c Ashleigh

hoice of coastal resorts and stunning countryside to explore. I love everything about this site and the heritage behind it, as it is built around a 15th century farmhouse and outbuildings. Every time I visit Dornafield I’m sad to say goodbye and would recommend this site as a must to anyone going to south Devon.

Ashleigh Westbrook, Parks ad manager

Dornafield's lime kiln

Pembrokeshire, Mill House Caravan Park

Wind down from the A477 just outside Tenby and you’ll stumble across the stunning Mill House Caravan Park in the aptly titled Pleasant Valley. You won’t find many sites with this much beauty on tap and with so much to do nearby, too. Aside from the visual feast, Mill House is incredibly peaceful. During my stay, there were couples and families alike (the on-site facilities and activities are great for both) but I really felt close to nature, surrounded by serene flora and fauna for a Features editor

sensory treat at all hours. You won’t find Disco Dave and his karaoke catastrophe here. The valley is also home to remnants of Stepaside Ironworks and Colliery, where you’ll discover fascinating ruins of production processes dating back to 1949, that have all been reclaimed by the beautiful woodland. There are walks and hill climbs aplenty.

Ben Hackney, Features editor

The beautiful site

East Sussex, Horam Manor Touring Park

Anyone who knows me will tell you how much I love the South Downs National Park. A high quality touring park which puts me within easy access of this beautiful area (I live 3.5 hours away) is a winner with me, so I’m glad I discovered Horam Manor. Set amid wooded countryside on the Horam Estate, facilities include a heated toilet block with spacious showers, hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up, and a huge field where dogs can be exercised freely. A short walk through the estate grounds leads to woodland nature trails, which our dog loved exploring, and the Lakeside Café serving an array of Guidebooks editor

breakfasts and meals throughout the day. One thing you must do when you pitch here is take the 30-minute drive to the south coast where you’ll find both the Seven Sisters cliffs (park at the National Trust’s Birling Gap Visitor Centre and Café), and also Hope Gap at Seaford Head Nature Reserve. I challenge you to visit here and not be wowed by the dramatic coastal scenery.

Claire Tupholme, Travel & sites guidebooks editor

The Sussex coastline is stunning

Cornwall, Heligan Woods Caravan Park

Heligan Woods is a quiet caravan and camping park set amid rolling countryside, with views of the sea. It’s only two miles from the quaint fishing port of Mevagissey; you can walk there, following an ancient carriage drive. It is a quality park with heated bathrooms and showers, plus laundry facilities and a small shop. Pitches are a generous size and dogs are welcomed. The park is sheltered by the woodland of the Heligan Estate and shrubs and flowers abound. Heligan Woods adjoins Chief test editor

the fascinating Lost Gardens of Heligan; a small gate leads from the park into the Gardens’ estate. This is one of Cornwall’s best-known garden attractions, with many acres to explore. In the early years of the 1900s the gardens had become forgotten. They were rediscovered in 1990 and restored, in a huge project that took many years.

Val Chapman, Chief test editor

Sheltered woodland pitches

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