Top 10 farm campsites for motorhomes
c5c9223c-29cd-49d2-aa9a-6abd0ef09c33
Take some time down on the farm for your next motorhome holiday. Not only are these campsites rural retreats, kids will love seeing the animals.
These are ten working farms where you can camp and even get involved. Pitch up with your pitchfork, wade in with your wellies and get ready to coo over the baby animals ...
Cotswold Farm Park, Gloucestershire
Guiting Power, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5UG
Tel: 01451-850307 Web: cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk/camping
Open: 16 March – 3 November
Cotswold Farm Park is a tourist attraction in its own right, with the added bonus of a campsite accepting motorhomes, caravans and tents. Camping facilities include showers, toilets and waste disposal, and there’s an on-site shop and tea room. The real reason for visiting, though, is to interact with the great variety of animals in the park. Smaller critters like rabbits and piglets are to be found in the Touch Barn (a self-explanatory name), while bottle feeding, milking, and shearing takes place in the Demo Barn. This is an important centre for the conservation of rare breeds, including cattle, goats, pigs, sheep and horses. The park has a number of fun activities aimed at children, including a jumping pillow (not to be confused with a trampoline).
Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5DS
Tel: 01929-480098 Web: nordenfarm.com Open: 1 March – 31 October
Part campsite, part petting zoo, Norden Farm is a family-friendly destination where visitors can get up close and personal with farm animals including cows, sheep, pigs, llamas and goats. This working farm, on the Isle of Purbeck on the south coast of Dorset, is in an excellent location with much to offer the visitor. The site has three level grass touring fields, with electric hook-up but no hardstandings, a first-rate facilities block and a shop. There’s a bus stop at the entrance and a railway station close by. The wonderful Corfe Castle (NT) with its 1,000-year-old ruins is within walking distance, and if the animal lovers in your party need more stimulation, nearby Weymouth Sea Life Park has seals, otters, crocodiles, sharks and penguins.
Dulhorn Farm, Somerset
Weston Road, Lympsham, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS24 0JQ
Tel: 01934-750298 Web: dulhornfarmholidaypark.co.uk
Open: 1 March – 31 October
Untamed wildlife and domesticated animals are both to be seen at Dulhorn Farm, with its 10-acre campsite set alongside a further 130 acres of farmland. Among the farm animals here are impressive Highland cattle, while foxes and other native beasts are regularly spotted. The level, grassed touring pitches have the best views on the site, and this is a lovely area to explore. Electric hook-ups, showers, a decent shop and children’s play areas are among the facilities, while the surrounding area has many attractions. Cheddar Gorge, the Mendip Hills and the beaches at Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea are easily reached. There is great walking and cycling to be found here, while golf, swimming, fishing and sailing are all available within a short distance.
West Middlewick Farm, Devon
Nomansland, Tiverton, Devon EX16 8NP
Tel: 01884-861235 Web: westmiddlewick.co.uk
Open: All year
This self-sufficient dairy farm in the middle of Devon – between Exmoor and Dartmoor – has around 60 Friesian cows producing around 6,000 litres of milk each per year. Some of that is made into Taw Valley cheese, which is among many local delights in the shop. The farm grows most of its own animal feed and keeps a substantial flock of sheep, 100 chickens and a few pigs. Visitors can watch the cows being milked each morning and evening and help bottle feed calves or lambs. Chicken feeding and egg collection may result in a delicious omelette for breakfast. The animals have names rather than numbers, like Jellybean, the oldest cow in the herd, or Milo and George, the sheep usually found in Pet’s Corner. The site has 15 pitches in a level four-acre meadow and a children’s play area.
Woodend Farm Campsite, Lancashire
Austwick, Lancashire LA2 8DH
Tel: 01524-251296 Web: woodendcampsite.co.uk
Open: 1 March – 31 October
A small campsite on a traditional working farm in the Dales, Woodend Farm has nine hardstanding pitches, six of them serviced, plus an area of grass. Its recently refurbished shower and toilet block is 150m away, however, so remember to pack a torch. Just a mile from Austwick village, with a shop, post office and excellent pub, the site is well located for both the Dales and the Lake District and is just a few minutes from the A65. Dogs are welcome and children can play in the field. Look out for the new lambs around Easter.
Lagnaha Farm, Northern Scotland
Duror, Appin, Argyll, Scotland PA38 4BS
Tel: 01631-740282 Web: lagnaha.co.uk Open: All year
This 30-acre small holding is located on the west coast of Scotland, close to Loch Linnhe. Sitting beneath Glen Duror Forest there is direct access to miles of forest tracks and paths. It is also on the Caledonia Way and the Oban to Fort William national cycle track. One of the two camping fields takes up to five motorhomes or caravans on hardstandings (the other accommodates tents). Facilities include toilets, showers, free WiFi and free firewood. The farm keeps hens and sheep and breeds working Clydesdale horses. It also grows different varieties of willow for basket-weaving and has planted a small native woodland. Farm produce including eggs, lamb, fruit, and vegetables may be available for purchase, and guests are able to help with gathering the produce in.
Dol-llys Caravan Park, Wales
Dol-llys Farm, Llanidloes, Powys, Wales SY18 6JA
Tel: 01686-412694 Web: dolllyscaravancampsite.co.uk Open: Easter – end October
Some campsites on working farms prefer visitors to keep a safe distance, while others will enjoy the attention and even welcome help with feeding the animals. Dol-Llys is one of those and, when newborn calves and lambs arrive, it offers guests the chance to get involved. The kids won’t forget that in a hurry. This riverside site in mid-Wales offers a choice of pitch locations, with some hardstanding pitches with electric hook-ups near the facilities block or grass pitches among bushes down by the river (the stony riverbank is ideal for campfires). There is plenty to do here, with scenic walks, birdwatching, golf, pony trekking, clay pigeon shooting and cycle hire all nearby.
Easthope Caravan and Camping, Shropshire
Easthope, Much Wenlock, Shropshire TF13 6DN
Tel: 01746-785434 Web: easthopecaravanandcamping.co.uk Open: March – November
There’s nothing like a nice cup of tea when relaxing on a campsite and what could be better to accompany a hot drink than a biscuit made from wheat grown right there? The farm at Easthope Caravan and Camping has 100 acres devoted to wheat for the biscuit bakers, and also produces high-welfare pigs and breeding ewes. Just four miles from Much Wenlock and with wonderful views over the Shropshire Hills, the site offers brilliant walking. There is a pub 10 minutes away on foot and a restaurant not much further. The heritage attractions of Ironbridge are a short drive, while Much Wenlock itself offers swimming and quad biking. Horse owners can even bring their own mount to the on-site livery.
Waterside House Campsite, Cumbria
Howtown Road, Pooley Bridge, Cumbria CA10 2NA
Tel: 017684-86332 Web: watersidefarm-campsite.co.uk Open: 1 March – 31 October
Right on the shore of Ullswater, for many the most attractive of the lakes, this family-friendly campsite takes campervans and small motorhomes as well as tents, but check in advance if you’ve a larger motorhome. This is a working farm with a flock of Swaledale sheep and visitors may see these being dipped, sheared or even being born. Cattle are also reared here. The site offers electric hook-ups, laundry, showers and loos. Boats can be launched direct onto Ullswater and rowing boats, canoes and mountain bikes are all available for hire. The fells of the north-eastern Lake District are accessible or, for more leisurely walking, it is only a mile into the town of Pooley Bridge.
Birchwood Farm, Derbyshire
Wirksworth Road, Whatstandwell, Matlock, Derby DE4 5HS
Tel: 01629-822280 Web: birchwoodfarm.co.uk
Open: 22 March – 31 October
Set on a working farm above the Derwent Valley on the edge of the Peak District, this campsite is in an excellent location for Derbyshire’s many attractions including Crich Tramway Village, Carsington Water and Chatsworth House. It has a well-stocked shop including newspapers and ice cream, accessible showers and toilets, and an excellent children’s play area. Some hardstanding pitches are available. There is brilliant walking around here, with woodland walks direct from site – the place is a riot of bluebells in the springtime – as well as the almost unlimited outdoor potential of the Peaks. The campsite is on Midshires Way, which leads to the High Peak Trail, and is popular with both ramblers and cyclists.
Find Russ on Google+
Recent Updates
Engine management lights: all you need to know
What is the engine management light? What does it mean, and what do I have to do? ...
Motorhome air suspension: all you need to know
Motorhomes are heavy and the additional weight of equipment and height of the bodywork can increase the loads ...
Motorhome WiFi: how to get better motorhome internet
Staying connected on the move is more and more essential, so relying on campsite WiFi isn't an option – here ...
A class of their own - our guide to A-class motorhomes
Thinking of trading up to an A-class, or even going straight to the top of the motorhome tree? We guide you ...
Explore overseas on a motorhome dream tour
Enjoy exotic travel in a campervan or motorhome by hiring, swapping with someone else or exporting your ...
Motorhome water systems: everything you need to know
On-board water is an important part of every motorhome – here’s everything you need to know ...
Campervanning in Europe: what you need to know
Whether you're planning a leisurely drive through the French countryside, navigating bustling city streets in ...
Campervan security: all you need to know
With thefts on the increase, it’s important to know how to keep your campervan secure and prevent campervan ...
Campervan furniture: everything you need to know
Our campervan experts guide you through all the essentials for your campervan, including tables, chairs, ...
Campervan finance: how to fund your purchase
Here we look at the different types of campervan finance available, to help you decide what’s the best option ...
Other Articles
Britain’s best used motorhomes
Want a great motorhome without paying the premium for a new one? Here's a guide to the best you can get in the pre-owned market for each layout, ...
Which motorhome? Choosing the perfect motorhome for you
Choosing a motorhome or campervan is one of the biggest buying decisions you’ll ever make, so it's important ...
Campervan washroom essentials: stay fresh on the road
Our guide will take you through the campervan washroom essentials you'll need so you're well-prepared for ...
Dogs in campervans: all you need to know
Follow our advice and your dog will enjoy campervanning as much as you do ...
Electric campervans: all you need to know
Our guide will take you through everything you need to know about electric campervans and what the future ...
Motorhome electrics: a complete guide to your motorhome electrical set-up
Motorhome electrics can dramatically enhance the convenience and comfort of your vehicle – but they can be ...
Lighting for campervans: all you need to know
We guide you through all the lighting options available for you and your campervan, including interior ...
Electric bikes for motorhomes: our ultimate guide
Read our comprehensive guide to electric bikes for motorhome owners, helping you add electric power to your ...
Our guide to 'cheap' motorhomes in 2024
If you're on the hunt for an affordable new motorhome, this is the best place to start – we've rounded up a ...
Campervans in winter: all you need to know
Here's your guide to preparing your campervan for the colder months, whether you will be using it or putting ...