The best UK campsites for winter motorhome holidays
Over the past year, many UK residents have rediscovered the fantastic holidays you can embark on without leaving our shores. Motorhomes have been an especially popular way for UK residents to holiday across the country. Last summer, campsite bookings were up 500% in some parts of the UK, with summer slots selling out the winter before. But why face the rush and expense of trying to book a campsite slot for the warmest weeks of the year?
Our motorhome experts have rounded up the best sites to book for a fantastic holiday this winter, in this year’s guide to winter campsites. They’ve ranked the sites by the proximity to attractions, the quality of winter weather, the price of a pitch, the number of things to do in winter, the number of all-weather attractions, and visitor reviews. The research compared both Camping and Caravanning Club and Caravan and Motorhome Club sites open in the winter months, ranking 71 sites in total.
1. Canterbury Camping and Caravanning Club Site, Kent
Overall, the Canterbury Club Site takes the top spot in the research. The site is next to Canterbury’s golf course and just a short walk from the historic city’s centre. As a UNESCO heritage site, Canterbury provides plenty of historically rich attractions to visit and tour, along with a host of cultural features to get stuck into.
Here are three of the best places in Canterbury to visit:
Canterbury Cathedral: Founded in 597, this is one of the oldest cathedrals across the globe and the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion. It’s designated a World Heritage Site and has been a key site for pilgrims to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket since he was murdered here in 1170.
Westgate Gardens: Take a stroll around this park where there’s something for everyone. The area incorporates Bingley Island Local Nature Reserve, home to diverse wildlife, and the Westgate medieval gatehouse, the oldest city gate in England. There’s even an area to keep younger family members occupied – a Roman-themed children’s play area.
The King’s Mile: The King’s Mile is a historic neighbourhood occupying a vast swathe of Canterbury’s city centre. The collection of streets is a haven for independent shops, pubs, and cafes. You will quickly find these hidden gems when strolling between the start of Guildhall Street and Northgate Car Park.
The Cherry Hinton site is the next best place to take your motorhome for a winter holiday. This site is within walking distance of many attractions and roughly 3.3 miles from Cambridge’s centre. While the area is slightly less sunny than Canterbury, holidayers here will experience some of the warmer weather that wintertime Britain can offer.
Here are three of the best places in Cambridge to visit:
Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits: Just on the doorstep of the caravan site are Cambridge’s chalk pits. The Cherry Hinton Chalk Pits were once a quarry for chalk and lime, but they’re now a harbour for wildlife and perfect for dog walkers. The steep white cliffs are picturesque, providing fantastic sites for walkers and cyclists.
The Cambridge Gin Laboratory: Ranked the number one thing to do in Cambridge by Tripadvisor, the gin laboratory is an interactive space in the city centre, run by Cambridge Distillery. Attending a tasting class in the cosy home of this world-class distillery is a must for lovers of gin.
Cambridge University Botanic Garden: The historic gardens comprise 40 acres of land, populated by over 8,000 plant species. Not only is the garden prized for its scientific value, having been created by Charles Darwin’s mentor, Professor John Stevens Henslow, but the gardens are renown among gardening enthusiasts. You can find this oasis between the city centre and the Cherry Hinton Site, near the train station.
The Brighton site is a fantastic spot for a motorhome tour this winter. The prime location on the south coast is the sunniest motorhome site in the comparison! The Brighton Marina is just on the doorstep of visitors to the club site, and a walk down the beachfront takes you into Brighton’s bustling centre.
Here are three of the best places in Brighton to visit:
The Royal Pavilion: Originally built as an exotic seaside palace for George IV, the Royal Pavilion is a Grade 1 listed palace built between 1787-1823. The grand ex-residence of royalty incorporates domes and towers associated with Indian architecture. The palace hosts many events throughout the year, and tours are available year-round. You can even skate on an ice rink at the front of the residence between October and January.
Kemptown: This iconic neighbourhood is just a couple hundred metres from the Club Site. Venture towards the seafront, and explore the lively bars, cafes, and independent shops that populate the area. Recently, Kemptown has been named one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods by TimeOut, owing to the area’s fantastic seafront, nightlife, and overall relaxed vibe.
Brighton Dome: This arts venue in the heart of Brighton provides fantastic events for all the family. To ensure everyone in your group is entertained, you can choose to see quality live music, theatre, dance, and many other events for the family.
The Rowntree Park site is the best connected of all sites in this top five, just a short stroll from York’s centre. Park up and enjoy the low cost of caravanning, with a city centre on your doorstep! According to TripAdvisor, there are 590 attractions open during the winter months in the vicinity of the site, providing plenty of diversity to suit any holiday.
Bridlington’s Caravan and Motorhome Club Site places fifth overall. However, it’s the most affordable spot for winter holidaying on this list and one of the driest during winter. For foodies, Brid may take the top spot on this list – the coastal town is known as the Lobster Capital of Europe, with more lobster landed here than anywhere else on the continent.
So, there we have the Buymymotorhome.com analysis of the best UK sites for a winter’s motorhome trip. This ranking goes to show that a motorhome isn’t exclusively for the sunnier months. There’s so much to visit and do across the UK during the winter, without the rush and additional expense of trying to book a prime campsite for the peak summer season. If you are looking to sell your motorhome, enter your reg to get a valuation from our expert motorhome team.
