Coastal caravanning at its best
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We've all gone a bit bonkers for the beach recently, so we've compiled a list of some of the best caravan sites for holidays with sun, sand and sea in the UK. And you don't need the odd but interesting Sealander (right) to get close to the wet stuff on holiday.
Check out the Summer issue seaside special of Caravan magazine to find out where we love to laze about on the UK's golden sands and tell us where you like to visit too!
Also, while we're on the subject of holidays – make sure you head to our Competitions page for the chance to win a superb stay at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton along with plenty of other competition options that are updated regularly!
PORTH BEACH TOURIST PARK
Newquay, Cornwall TR7 3NH
T 01637 876531
W porthbeach.co.uk
E [email protected]
Open 3 March - 3 November
Price From £15.00 (2 adults, pitch, electric hook-up)
Directions Turn off the A30 on to A392 signposted Newquay and Indian Queens. At the roundabout take the A3058 to Newquay. At Porth turn right on to B3276, the coast road to Padstow. You will find Porth Beach Tourist Park approx. half a mile on the right.
Porth Beach Tourist Park is situated in a tranquil valley amidst open countryside and only 100 metres from the beach – ideal for fun with the family. The sandy beach is in a beautiful bay with rock pools – perfect for building sandcastles, swimming or hunting for sea life and is regarded as one of the safest beaches for swimming in the Newquay area.
The park is quiet and relaxing, but still within easy reach of all the amenities that Cornwall has to offer, such as the Eden Project, Newquay Zoo and Flambards Theme Park. The immaculate, modern, on-site facilities include disabled amenities and a laundrette. The pitches are level and on grass, some being hardstanding. The premium pitches are on the banks of the small, meandering river on one side of the park.
Click here for more information on Porth Beach Tourist Park
GARREG GOCH
Black Rock Sands, Morfa Bychan, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales LL49 9YD
T 01766 512210
W garreggochpark.co.uk
E [email protected]
Open 1 March - 31 October
Price From £13.00 (4 adults, pitch, electric)
Directions Two miles west of Porthmadog. From the A4971 take the turning for Morfa Bychan. Follow this road, pass the BP petrol station and then turn left into the park.
Garreg Goch is situated just a few minutes’ walk from the wide open beach of Black Rock sands, which affords fantastic views across to Harlech with its famous castle. It has a rocky headland and a backdrop of sand dunes. When the tide recedes you can explore rock pools, caverns and the multi-coloured rock face. The beach stretches for two miles and cars are even allowed on it. The sea is ideal for swimming, and there are certain areas of the beach that also allow dogs for a seaside game of fetch!
This park is also perfect for exploring the scenery of Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula. The park is also close to Porthmadog, which offers shops, restaurants and amenities. Garreg Goch is predominantly a static caravan park but also has touring pitches on two areas of the park. One area is adjacent to the children’s play area and another in a quieter area. The toilet and shower block is heated and has four new family rooms plus a dedicated disabled wet room. The park has free wi-fi, a laundrette, children’s playground and a small shop.
Click here for more information on Garreg Goch Caravan Park
LADRAM BAY
Otterton, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 7BXT 01395 568398
W ladrambay.co.uk
Open 10 March - 4 November
Price From £15.00 (2 adults, pitch, electric)
Directions Leave the M5 at Junction 30 and take the A3052 signposted Sidmouth. At Newton Poppleford take the B3178 to Budleigh Salterton. One mile after Colaton Raleigh, turn left at the brick monument that is signposted Ladram Bay. Once in Otterton, follow the signs to Ladram Bay.
One of the appeals of this site is that it has its own private pebble beach, set in a secluded bay. As well as relaxing on the beach or swimming in the sea, you can also hire a kayak, a rowing or motor boat, either for fun or fishing, day or night. To make things even better there’s the Sea View Shack serving drinks and snacks.
The fully-serviced touring pitches are all are on level tiers with views across the bay. Facilities include a heated indoor pool, a shop, evening entertainment, a games room and a play area. The on-site restaurant provides a varied menu, including take away. The Waves Bar overlooks the bay, so you can dine alfresco, enjoy the views and watch the sunset.
Click here for more information on Ladram Bay caravan park
BAY VIEW HOLIDAY PARK
A6, Main Road, Bolton Le Sands, Carnforth, Lancashire T 01524 732854
W holgates.co.uk/bay-view/home
E [email protected]
Open 1 March - 31 October
Price From £14.00 (2 adults, pitch, electric)
Directions Exit the M6 at junction 35 and take the A601 for Carnforth. In 1 mile turn left at the roundabout (J35a) for Carnforth (Truckhaven on the left, Pine Lake on the right). In 1 mile continue through the traffic lights towards Lancaster and Morecambe. After a mini roundabout, 500m on the right, is the sign for Bay View Holiday Park.
The rural setting of Bay View on the Lancashire coastline offers dramatic views over Morecambe Bay. The site is on the outskirts of the coastal villages of Arnside and Silverdale, with rolling fields leading down to the shore. The location of Bay View means it is only a ten minute drive to Lancaster and Morecambe and half an hour from the Lake District, Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales. A short walk along the canal path leads to the village of Bolton-le-Sands which has a varied range of amenities.
The holiday park itself has toilets and showers, a laundrette, playground and games room. The original farm buildings have been converted into a 100 seat bar, restaurant and shop. They feature natural stone walls, a full height, oak-beamed ceiling and a wood burning stove. The restaurant menu ranges from traditional breakfasts to evening meals. The licenced bar has an outdoor seating area so you can relax with a drink and enjoy the sea views.
Click here for more information on Bay View Holiday Park
INCLEBORO FIELDS CARAVAN CLUB SITE
Station Close, West Runton, Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9QGT 01263 837419
W caravanclub.co.uk/escape
Open 30 March - 5 November
Price From £16.35 (2 adults, pitch, electric)
Directions Turn left off the A148, about 5 miles past Holt onto the A1082, signposted Sheringham. In Sheringham turn right onto the A149, signposted Cromer. Turn right in West Runton at the signpost for Shire Horse Centre. Immediately past the railway bridge turn left at 30mph sign into Station Close (narrow lane). Site entrance is 600yds. (Note: no CC sign). It is essential to drive with extreme caution along the approach road from Links Hotel to site entrance. Do not approach from A148 via minor road signposted West Runton as the road is too narrow for caravans.
Incleboro Fields nestles snugly in a hillside area of 21 acres and is terraced to offer some spectacular views of the sea. There are plenty of woodland and coastal landscapes to explore in this area. It is only a mile to the sea and you can cycle to East Runton and on to Cromer with the views being heart-melting. The must-see attraction of this area has to be Holkham Hall and Estate, an 18th Century country house situated in a deer park, home to about 800 fallow deer. Nearby is the stunning Holkham beach – four miles of white-gold sand backed by pine woods. There’s also a nature reserve, where you will find a maze of creeks, miles of dunes, green pastures and marshes.
The site has the usual Caravan Club facilities and West Runton village is conveniently close and has a restaurant, a tea room and hotel. The nearby railway station is ideal for trips to Norwich and Sheringham. There is also a nine-hole golf course right next door should you fancy playing a few holes. You are also close to Norfolk Shire Horse Centre and nearby Sheringham with its Priory Maze and Gardens.
Click here for more information on Incleboro Fields Caravan Club Site
ROSEMARKIE CAMPING & CARAVANNING CLUB SITE
Ness Road East, Rosemarkie, Fortrose, Highlands IV10 8SET 01381 621117
W campingand caravanningclub.co.uk
Open 29 March - 5 November
Price From £26.35 (2 adults, pitch, electric)
Directions Take the A832. In Fortrose turn down Ness Road, then left onto Ness Road E. Site is on the left.
On the shore of a half moon bay, this site is all about the view. From your pitch you can see across the Moray Firth to Fort George and Chanonry lighthouse. The beach is part pebbled and sandy and if you’re lucky, you may see seals or dolphins here. The beach is public, meaning dogs are welcome on it and if you feel so inclined, you can have a barbecue while watching the sun set. The campsite is actually set in the heart of the pleasant small town of Rosemarkie and just a few hundred yards away from where you pitch, is a restaurant on the seafront.
There are also pubs serving real ales within walking distance of the site. A few hundred yards further along the seafront and you’ll find a beach café which is open in the summer, with a children’s playground nearby. Cromarty is well worth a visit, offering old-fashioned buildings, tea shops and a quaint old harbour.
Click here for more information on Rosemarkie Camping and Caravanning Club Site
• Be sure to check out our Campsite Finder for hundreds more coastal caravanning locations both here and abroad. Or, if you've been to any sites not listed here, tell us about them here.
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