Motorhome travel: 12 campsites for friends and family

Looking for a camping holiday that appeals to all the family? These campsites have motorhome pitches but, if non-motorhoming friends or family members want to come with you, all offer alternative accommodation - such as glamping pods, wigwam cabins, static caravans or lodges.

Hidden Valley Park, Devon

West Down, near Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 8NU
01271 813837
hiddenvalleypark.com
Open: All year

Four miles away from golden sandy beaches and within a wooded valley you’ll find Hidden Valley Park. There are large pitches for motorhomes with electric, or you can choose a fully serviced pitch. Facilities include toilets, showers, family shower rooms, laundries and an on-site shop. There’s a restaurant open between Easter and the end of October that overlooks the ornamental lake. This lake, teeming with plants and wildlife, makes for a pretty place to walk.

Alternative accommodation here includes holiday lodges within the valley. Each lodge sleeps four with a double and twin bedroom and a large balcony for alfresco dining. There’s also a lounge area, shower room and kitchen diner.

There’s a bus stop at the site entrance and Hidden Valley is close to Woolacombe.

Sands Caravan & Camping Park, Highlands

Gairloch, Wester Ross, Highlands IV21 2DL
01445 712152
sandscaravanandcamping.co.uk
Open: 29 March to 4 November

If you want a family gathering with a fantastic beach location then look no further than Sands. Situated on the west coast of the Highlands, the site has stunning views of the Isle of Skye.

Pitches are nestled among sand dunes and some are raised with sea views. Facilities on site include a seasonal shop, a laundry, games room, play area and heated toilets and showers. There are some hardstanding pitches for motorhomes, electric hook-ups and a motorhome service point.

Also on site are wigwam cabins. These provide the experience of camping outdoors but within the comfort of a heated wooded wigwam. They all have electric, cushioned seating that can be made into one large sleeping area, free-standing table and kettle. Outside is a picnic table and fire pit. There is an indoor cooking and eating area close by with fridge, freezer, hob and microwave.

For group gatherings there is the Barn Café on site, while bikes and kayaks can also be hired.

Pakefield Caravan, Suffolk

Arbor Lane, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 7BQ
01502 561136
pakefieldpark.co.uk
Open: 2 March to 1 November

Located a stone’s throw from the beach and within easy walking distance of a bus stop, Pakefield has a small dedicated touring area with 12 hardstanding pitches. All pitches have 16-amp electric and are serviced by a modern toilet block.

The touring area is located next to the main holiday home site, which offers the convenience of a shop, bar and restaurant, as well as a heated outdoor pool. The village has a variety of shops and a supermarket is less than a mile away. Nearby Lowestoft has all the attractions of a traditional seaside town.

For non-touring guests, Pakefield has a choice of static caravan holiday homes including dog-friendly ones. Some of the statics have sea views and private verandas. The caravans sleep up to six people and all have a fully fitted kitchen and shower room.

Park Cliffe Camping & Caravan Estate, Cumbria

Birks Road, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3PG
01539 531344
parkcliffe.co.uk
Open: 1 March to 9 November

Park Cliffe is set in 25 acres of Lake District countryside close to Lake Windermere. Most of the touring pitches have views of Moor How (the hill at the back of the site) and this can be accessed through the children’s playground. This fairly small hill provides spectacular views over Windermere and is well worth a climb to the top.

On-site private bathrooms are available to hire and, in addition, one bathroom is available on an hourly basis for no charge. There are also the usual toilets and showers. The on-site bar and restaurant is perfect for a group meal or drink in the evening after a busy day exploring the area.

Any friends or family holidaying with you can choose from camping pods or static caravans. There are a range of pods, sleeping two adults or up to two adults and three small children. Some pods are basic with no bed, while others have single beds and fold-out foam mats. All have electric, carpeted floor and a small heater. The fully furnished caravan homes sleep up to four people. Dogs are welcome in some caravans and pods.

Old Oaks Touring, Camping & Glamping, Somerset

Wick Farm, Wick, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 8JS
01458 831437
theoldoaks.co.uk
Open: 1 March to 17 November

With views of the Mendip Hills and a path leading directly to Glastonbury Tor, this is an adults-only site so not for families with little ones - but could be ideal for friends wanting to holiday. The site is beautifully landscaped with a variety of pitches, and facilities include a shop, off-licence, games room and fishing pond. The site is dog friendly and has a large dog walk and dog shower.

The site provides free walking and cycling maps to help with exploring the area and takeaway food vans visit five nights a week.

As you’d expect from an award-winning site, the glamping options are luxurious. The cabins offer a king-sized bed, kettle and toaster. There are also shepherd huts with creature comforts including a shower room; one even has a hot tub. The most recent additions are mini cedar lodges. Sumptuously furnished, some also have hot tubs.

Fforest Fields, Powys

Hundred House, Llandrindod Wells, Powys LD1 5RT
01982 570406
fforestfields.co.uk
Open: All year

Located on a working hill farm, Fforest Fields is in a rural location with two lakes for swimming, kayaking and fishing. You can walk directly from the site through woodland and up to open moors.

There are two pitching areas to the site. One area is closer to the facilities with a small stream running through.

The pitches here are more tucked away and there’s a lot of natural planting. The other field is more open with valley views.

On-site facilities include showers, toilets and family rooms set around a central courtyard. Here you’ll also find a seasonal café and outdoor seating.

Family without a motorhome or campervan can choose from yurts and a holiday cottage. The yurts are situated in their own area beside a lake, and they have a double bed and pull-out futons, a log-burning fire and little kitchen hut. The holiday cottage sleeps five people (and accepts pets) just a short walk from the campsite.

Vale of Pickering Caravan Park, Yorkshire

Carr House Farm, Allerston, Pickering, North Yorkshire YO18 7PQ
01723 859280
valeofpickering.co.uk
Open: 4 March to 2 January

For non-touring accommodation, Vale of Pickering offers luxury bell tents that can sleep two adults and up to three children. They are furnished with beds, matting, rugs, throws, basic cutlery, a kettle and gas stove.

Motorhomes up to 27 feet are accepted on hardstanding, electric pitches and there is a motorhome waste point. As well as the usual facilities there is a new café on site open throughout the day (times vary during the season).

The site is set in 15 acres, close to Dalby Forest, near the market town of Pickering and close to the seaside towns of Scarborough and Whitby.

The North York Moors Railway starts in Pickering if you fancy a day on a steam train.

Concierge Camping, West Sussex

Ratham Lane, West Ashling, West Sussex PO18 8DL
01243 573118
conciergecamping.co.uk
Open: All year

This multi award-winning site, near Goodwood and the South Downs National Park in Sussex, has 27 hardstanding fully serviced pitches. There are also unique Emperor pitches, which have day living safari tents on them, housing a fridge/freezer, dishwasher, sink, log-burning stove and dining area, so you can pitch in luxury if you wish.

Any non-motorhoming guests travelling with you can also sleep in luxurious accommodation as Concierge Camping has superb safari lodges with en suite facilities, sleeping either four or six people. On the outside they resemble the kind of safari lodges you might find in Africa.

Inside, there’s underfloor heating, a range cooker, remote control window blinds, a bathroom, outdoor seating, dining table and proper beds… the list goes on.

In the area you can visit Arundel Castle, Petworth House and Chichester with its harbour.

Broadhembury Caravan & Camping Park, Kent

Steeds Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NQ
01223 620859
broadhembury.co.uk
Open: All year

Located close to the coast and Canterbury, the great thing about Broadhembury is that it offers both a family park and separate adults-only meadows for both touring and glamping, each with their own facilities. These include family bathrooms, privacy cubicles and a laundry.

The site offers glamping in bell tents that are lined and have matting on solid wood floors. Real beds and mattresses are provided and there is electric, lighting and heating, along with a gas BBQ, pots, pans and crockery. The adult area bell tents have their own personal toilet in a separate tent, too!

Fishguard Bay Resort, Pembrokeshire

Dinas Cross, Newport, Pembrokeshire SA65 9ET
01348 811415
fishguardbay.com
Open: 1 March to 1 January

Set within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Fishguard Bay Resort could lay claim to one of the most stunning locations. The resort is right on the coast, with many pitches having the best sea views. All pitches have electric, with a choice of hardstanding or grass. The site has toilets and showers, and there’s a laundry, kitchen and dishwashing room. If you want to treat yourself there’s a pamper pod where you can get a luxurious treatment!

The resort boasts a range of accommodation. There are glamping pods equipped with sofa beds, heating, mini-fridge, TV, kettle and table, and static caravans and cottages for hire. For the ultimate in luxury there are various lodges, some with hot tubs so you can soak while taking in the glorious views.

This site is a great choice for a family group who enjoy walking and nature, since the coast path can be accessed from the resort.

St Ives Bay Holiday Park, Cornwall

73 Loggans Road, Upton Towans, Cornwall TR27 5BH
01736 752274
stivesbay.co.uk
Open: 19 April to 2 November

St Ives Bay is located on one of Cornwall’s finest beaches, a massive expanse of sand with plenty of room for all. Rolling dunes lead down to three miles of beach, and the site is surrounded by acres of dune land.

There’s plenty here to keep all members of your group happy – arcades, crazy golf, a swimming pool, shop, bistro, bars, tennis court, surf school… the list goes on (although some of these will not be open all season). There are pitches with hook-up for motorhomes, serviced by five toilet blocks.

Other members of the group can choose from static caravans or chalets or, for a more traditional but comfortable camping experience, there are camping pods with beds that sleep four people, TV and fridge.

St Ives Bay does not accept pets.

Tattershall Lakes Country Park, Lincolnshire

Sleaford Road, Tattershall, Lincolnshire LN4 4LR
01442 508850
awayresorts.co.uk
Open: All year

Tattershall Lakes is the perfect choice for family groups who like to be active. There are eight lakes offering a range of watersports and an aquapark, along with a golf course and adventure golf. There’s also an indoor pool with spa facilities, plus outdoor splashpad. When it comes to meal times and evenings choose from the Spitfire Restaurant and Bar, a second bar and an entertainment complex.

Motorhomers have a choice of hardstanding pitches either in a main area at the heart of the site or a woodland retreat set in a secluded meadow surrounded by trees.

There are various other ways to stay on the site. These include safari-style tents or static caravans and lodges. For the ultimate in contemporary luxury there’s the Tribeca holiday home – merging a Manhattan loft theme with a caravan holiday home. The outside is clad in colourful stripes, while other features include panoramic sliding doors and a 55in TV. The other funky option is the Rockstar – a holiday home fit for a rocker. Think retro plush furnishings meets hotel room opulence.

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