04/02/2013

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Ideal campsites for active caravanners

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These campsites are perfect for an active touring holiday

From a relaxing walk and round of golf, to kayaking and rock climbing, these campsites are perfect for an active touring holiday

Bingham Grange Touring & Camping Park, Dorset

Binghams Farm, Melplash, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3TT
T: 01308 488234
W: binghamgrange.co.uk
Open: 13 March - 4 November
Price: From £18.00 (2 adults, pitch, electric)

This adults only campsite is located in the grounds of a Victorian grange farm, just five miles from the Dorset World Heritage Jurassic Coast. Head to the coast and you are on part of the South West Coast Path - a 630 miles of walking routes of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty. The area surrounding the campsite incorporates rolling meadows, woods and riverbanks, perfect for walking routes direct from the campsite. Dogs are welcome here too, Bingham Grange has its own woodland dog walk. The River Brit is also located on the edge of the park and beyond the woodland walk is access to a network of public footpaths, leading to picturesque villages or the market town of Bridport with traditional shops, cafes and street markets. Almost all pitches are fully serviced hardstandings with five-star facilities with underfloor heating, private shower rooms and laundry. The top floor of a former hay barn is home to Buzzards Bar which serves food and drink in a room with exposed beams and vaulted ceilings, and takeaway is available too.

Hidden Valley Touring Caravan & Holiday Park, Devon

West Down, Near Ilfracombe, North Devon EX34 8NU
T: 01271 813837
W: hiddenvalleypark.com
Open: All year
Price: From £9.00 (2 adults, pitch, electric)

As the name suggests, this campsite is nestled in a wooded valley and set amongst the North Devon hills, close to sandy beaches and seaside resorts. For those who like to be active, there are miles of walks in the surrounding woodland, and plenty of cycle routes too. You can pick up route number 27 and ride to Ilfracombe or on to the Tarka Trail using the old railway lines through the countryside. For a more relaxed pace the ornamental lake and stream running through the campsite provides a great backdrop for a morning stroll and spot of wildlife watching. There are also bus routes from the campsite entrance with routes to Ilfracombe, Barnstaple and Bideford. On-site facilities include a licensed shop, coffee shop and lounge area which is elevated and overlooks the ornamental lake. There’s also children’s play parks along with luxury bathroom facilities and a laundrette.

Castleton Caravan Club Site, Derbyshire

Castleton, Derbyshire S33 8WB
T: 01433 620636
W: caravanclub.co.uk
Open: All year
Price: From £15.60 (2 adults, pitch, electric)

For more walks than you can shake a (walking) stick at then head to Castleon Caravan Club Site, which is situated at the heart of the Peak District National Park and boasts panoramic views. The campsite has easy access to all kinds of outdoor activities such as rock climbing, biking and horse riding. Each year in April and May there is the Peak District Walking Festival which features over 100 walks and events like rock climbing, caving and abseiling. Peak Walking Adventures (www.peakwalking.com) offer walks in the Peak District and take part in the Festival. Many walks are offered to suit every level and ability and are a great way to see this part of the country at its best. Being open all year, each campsite pitch is all weather and the local shops open all year too with the Christmas period seeing the streets awash with festive lights. Castleton village has plenty of places to eat and is within walking distance at half a mile away. This Club site also has toilets and a laundry and a bus stop close by.

Pencelli Castle Caravan & Camping Park, Wales

Pencelli, Brecon, Powys LD3 7LX
T: 01874 665451
W: www.pencelli-castle.com
Open: 4 February - 27 November
Price: From £16.80 (2 adults, pitch, electric)

Located amid the Brecon Beacons National Park, midway between the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons, Pencelli Castle is an ideal campsite for the mountain bike enthusiast. There are over 1,250 miles of trails and 14 single track mountain bike routes through forests, over mountains, through streams and open commons. The graded routes are colour coded and range in difficulty from simple up to the Black Mountains Classic - 52km of extreme level riding (mtbbreconbeacons.co.uk). There’s also the Beacons Bike Bus with several stops where you can load and unload your bike. The campsite, which is set in beautiful grounds with floral displays, has bike hire available and also a handy bike wash, along with the usual facilities such as toilets, showers and a children’s play area. There’s also a Koi carp pond on site and a pub within 100 yards. The Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal runs alongside the site and is great for walking or cycling along as is the nearby Taff Trail. You can fish on parts of the canal or hire boats for a leisurely day cruise. If you have your own canoe or kayak you can also take to the canal.

Cashel Campsite, Scotland

Rowardennan G63 0AW
T: 01360 870234
W: campingintheforest.co.uk
Open: 1 March - 29 October
Price: From £21.20 (2 adults, pitch, electric)

Cashel campsite is located on the shores of Loch Lomond with views of the loch and the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. There are plenty of activities available and campers can launch their boats directly from the site, or rent a boat nearby, to explore the loch and many islands. There are also footpaths in and around the site, with the West Highland Way passing the entrance. For the more adventurous, the distinctive mountain of Ben Lomond is nearby providing endless exploration. A 30-minute drive away is Loch Lomond Shores where you can shop, eat and enjoy an array of leisure and shopping facilities, along with the Sea Aquarium which is great for the whole family. If golf is more your thing then 10 minutes away is Buchanan Castle Golf Club set in the Buchanan Castle Estate. Facilities on site include toilet, showers, a children’s playground and a shop. Balmaha is just three miles away with a traditional village pub as well as a boatyard with boats for hire.

Stanwix Park Holiday Centre, Cumbria

Greenrow, Silloth, Cumbria CA7 4HH
T: 01697 332666
W: stanwix.com
Open: All year
Price: From £12.90 (2 adults, pitch, electric)

This campsite is perfect for those who enjoy a round of golf. Right next to the campsite is Silloth on Solway Golf Club (01697 331304). The Solway Firth is the backdrop for this course which is sprinkled with heather and gorse. This adds challenge to the layout but also, during the summer months, is full of colour. Views from the course are out to the Galloway Hills, the Lakeland Fells and the Isle of Man. Being in a coastal location on a breezy day the wind will add a challenge to your round. There’s also a clubhouse and pro shop for after your game. For on-site fun and games, Stanwix has a host of facilities - a leisure centre, a heated outdoor pool, amusements, bowling lanes, pool tables, café and shop. There’s also tennis, crazy golf and bike hire. For evening fun there’s a family showbar, a pub and a cabaret bar. All the pitches are hardstanding, with electric, and there are toilets, showers, bath cubicles, along with a laundry.

Pakefield Caravan Park, Suffolk

Arbor Lane, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 7BE
T: 01502 561136
W: pakefieldpark.co.uk
Open: 1 March - 31 October
Price: From £17.50 (4 people, pitch, electric)

Pakefield Riding School (01502 572257) has a great location for horse riding - close to the countryside and Pakefield beach. They offer a range of activities for all riding levels and ages including beach riding (or, for beginners, a walk while staff lead the horses), hacks to the woods, various lessons and an ‘own a pony for a day’ experience. Pakefield Caravan Park is in a peaceful and tranquil coastal setting a stone’s throw from the beach. The waterways of the world famous Norfolk Broads are within a short distance of the park as are the Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park and the Africa Alive experience. There are 12 hardstanding pitches with hook-ups and the campsite facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool, a laundrette, children’s playground and a small shop. Pakefield village offers a variety of shops and Lowestoft itself is a traditional seaside town. An added bonus is that the beach at Pakefield is dog-friendly too.

To search over 5,800 campsites for caravans, motorhomes, tents and holiday homes, try our Campsite Finder.

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