The best motorhome campsites for visiting National Parks
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If you like nature, walking and fresh air, then your next motorhome touring holiday should be one of these campsites near a National Park ...
Ravenglass Camping & Caravanning Club Site, Cumbria
Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1SRTel: 01229-717250
Web: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/ravenglass
Open: 1 February - 30 November & 23 December - 5 January
The Lake District offers a multitude of visitor attractions and activities, with endless opportunities to explore hills and lakes, plus historic houses, castles and museums. The National Park also has a coastline and Ravenglass is the perfect place from which to explore it. The campsite, which looks out over the Irish Sea, is within walking distance of the beach and the historic hamlet of Ravenglass, which has a lovely harbour, craft shop and pubs. What really makes the campsite special is its proximity to the 130-year-old miniature railway which links the mountains and the sea. For the adventurous, Scafell Pike, England’s highest peak, is within striking distance and so are the mysterious and murky depths of Wastwater, England’s deepest natural lake.
Waterrow Touring Park, Somerset
Waterrow, Wiveliscombe, Taunton, Somerset TA4 2AZTel: 01984-623464 Web: www.waterrowpark.co.uk
Open: All year
Wooded valleys, streams, hills and coastal scenery – these are the ingredients that make up Exmoor and Waterrow is a walker’s paradise. All pitches of this adult-only campsite are hardstandings and have views of the surrounding countryside. Peace, waymarked footpaths, riverside seats and the Rock Inn just yards away all add to the appeal. The site is set in a woodland valley with riverside walks. Fishing is available as well as painting courses during the summer. Modern facilities are available as well as basic provisions stocked in reception. As Waterrow is set in the area surrounding the Exmoor National Park you can easily reach Dulverton, the gateway to the park. Popular visitor attractions include Lynton, Lynmouth and the Doone Valley.
Long Meadow Campsite, Hampshire
The Showground, New Park, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7QHTel: 01590-622489
Web: www.newforestshow.co.uk/website/long_meadow_campsite.aspx
Open: 1 April - 31 October
The beautiful New Forest offers meandering streams, leafy paths and open heathland. At Long Meadow campsite, visitors can walk or cycle the miles of trails available or just sit and watch the forest ponies and other wildlife. Long Meadow campsite has an open environment in 19 acres of grassland and a choice of electric hook-up, grass or hardstanding pitches and modern facilities. There is direct access from the campsite onto the ancient woodlands. Despite being set in the countryside, Long Meadow is still within walking distance of the restaurants, shops and pubs of the village of Brockenhurst. It is also just a short drive to all the facilities of Lyndhurst, the capital of the New Forest, and the sandy beaches of the Solent.
St Helens in the Park, North Yorkshire
Wykeham, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO13 9QDTel: 01723-862771 Web: www.sthelenscaravanpark.co.uk
Open: 11 February - 11 January
St Helens is situated on the edge of the North York Moors just six miles from Scarborough. The campsite is split into terraced areas and has family pitches, plus an adult-only area. There are six acres of country park for walking, with sheep, pigs and alpacas to see. The facilities include a shop, café, toilets and showers, laundry, play area and three-acre dog run. St Helens is within walking distance of pubs and a restaurant and on the bus route to Scarborough, Pickering and Helmsley. The North York Moors are home to stunning moorland, coast, ancient woodland and historic sites. Attractions nearby include Forge Valley Wood Nature Reserve, Ayton Castle and acres of woodland for all the family to explore.
Buckle Holiday Park, East Sussex
Marine Parade, Seaford, East Sussex BN25 2QRTel: 01323-897801 Web: www.buckleholidaypark.co.uk
Open: All year
This campsite is on the coast at Seaford, making beach access easy. As the nearest campsite to the Seven Sisters Country Park, part of the South Downs, it’s an absolute must. A three-mile walk along the coast, or a short walk and a bus journey, takes you to Seaford Head Nature Reserve. The views from here of the Seven Sisters white chalk cliffs are amazing. If you fancy a longer walk then head across the top of the Seven Sisters themselves, which is as exhilarating as it is demanding. The campsite has two amenities blocks and a laundry and the town of Seaford has a wide range of restaurants, pubs and shops. It is also handy for the Newhaven ferry if you are planning a trip to France.
Clippesby Hall, Norfolk
Clippesby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 3BLTel: 01493-367800 Web: www.clippesby.com
Open: All year
The Norfolk Broads are a network of waterways and lakes to explore on foot or by boat. Think leisurely days cruising the waters, watching the stunning scenery float by. Clippesby Hall is in
a great location for exploring the Broads and has good links to the city of Norwich and the coastal resort of Great Yarmouth too. The site offers a booking service for bike and canoe hire making it easy for you to enjoy the National Park. Clippesby’s pitches are set around the perimeter of various areas of the woodland and facilities include toilets, showers and a family bathroom, an outdoor pool and mini golf. For added convenience there is a coffee shop and a pub and restaurant on site.
Rivendale Caravan & Leisure Park, Derbyshire
Buxton Road, Alsop-en-le-Dale, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1QU Tel: 01335-310441 Web: www.rivendalecaravanpark.co.uk
Open: 1 February - 5 January
Rivendale lies within the Derbyshire Dales part of the Peak District, known as The White Peak, due to the limestone rock which makes up the gorges, cliffs and caves of this area. For walkers and cyclists the Tissington Trail is just 100 metres from the campsite and footpaths from Rivendale lead to the dramatic scenery of Dovedale. The Peak District also offers cultural and historic sites like Chatsworth House and Buxton Opera House. Rivendale is set within an old quarry with cliffs on three sides. Guests have a choice of pitch surfaces, a heated shower building, laundry and children’s play area. Converted stables house the superb pub, restaurant and café, complete with roaring log fire.
Border Forest Caravan Park, Northumberland
Cottonshopeburnfoot, Otterburn, Northumberland NE19 1TFTel: 01830-520259 Web: www.borderforest.com Open: All year
Border Forest is a secluded park in the heart of Northumberland’s National Park. Direct access over Border Forest Bridge lands you in to Kielder Forest making the campsite ideal for dog walking, mountain biking and fishing. The Pennine Way runs parallel with part of the campsite and Kielder Water is only 12 miles away. The campsite’s facilities are housed in converted outbuildings and include wet room-style showers for the ladies. The nearest shop and pub is several miles away so we’d recommend you arrive with some provisions, and then escape to this haven for a while.
Grantown-on-Spey Caravan Park, Highland
Grantown-on-Spey, Highland PH26 3JQTel: 01479-872474 Web: www.caravanscotland.com
Open: All year
Grantown-on-Spey is a Caravan Club affiliated campsite in the heart of the Cairngorms which is home to many walks, the Whisky Trail and Speyside Railway. The quiet and peaceful campsite is set in woodland and is within walking distance of the town which has many shops. On-site facilities include a heated toilet block and spacious pitches, some fully serviced, laundry rooms and a large outdoor play area. The Cairngorms National Park is a vast expanse of mountains, forests, rivers, lochs and moorland. There are a variety of things to do from outdoor activities for the more adventurous to leisurely paths and trails for the more sedate.
Feeling inspired?
Why not read our choice of the best motorhome campsites for dogs, here.
See our pick of the top campsites for mountain bike enthusiasts, here.
Take your motorhome to one of these extraordinary campsites, more details here.
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