The best UK campsites for winter stays
WHEN it comes to camping we usually think of it as a summer activity, but camping in the winter can be equally as fun.
Think countryside walks with scenic views and sites close to seaside resorts.
Sun Travel spoke to the Caravan and Motorhome Club about its best campsites for winter stays across the UK.
Membership costs from just £66 per year and allows members access to the largest network of campsites across the UK and Europe.
York Beechwood Grange Club Campsite
Located in York, North Yorkshire, the York Beechwood Grange Club Campsite features 109 touring spots and 10 tent pitches.
And the campsite is open to non-members as well as members.
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The campsite is surrounded by trees, making it super peaceful, but it is also perfectly located to easily explore the city of York.
The site is good for families too, as there is plenty of space to run around and play, as well as a playground.
Barbecues are allowed at the site, as are your four-legged furry friends.
The site costs from £32 for two adults, on a hardstanding pitch, per night.
Brighton Club Campsite
Located just two miles from Brighton, the Brighton Club Campsite sits within the South Downs and is not too far from the Marina.
The campsite itself features 153 touring spots, 23 tent pitches and two pods and is open to both members and non-members.
There is also a playground on site, and barbecues are allowed as well.
With the beach close by, as well as the countryside, it is the ideal spot for nice walks, as well as a mooch in Brighton through the historic lanes.
The site costs from £35.50 for two adults, on a hardstanding pitch, per night.
Meathop Fell Club Campsite
Found in Grange-over-Sands, Meathop Fell Club Campsite features 113 touring pitches, which is open to both members and non-members.
And it isn’t too far from the Southern Lake District.
There is also the option to stay in one of the two two-bedroom cottages on site or four apartments.
The site is good for families too, with a playground and barbecues also allowed.
Nearby, guests can head to Brockhole, the National Park Visitor Centre, which sells a range of books about the lakes.
It is also a great spot to head off on a scenic walk or participate in some water-based activities like sailing at the nearby Lake Windermere.
Then there is the seaside resort of Grange-over-Sands too, with a long, stretching promenade.
The site costs from £32 for two adults, on a hardstanding pitch, per night.
Bridlington Club Campsite
Set in 30 acres of East Yorkshire countryside, Bridlington Club Campsite has 149 touring spots and six tent pitches, open to both members and non-members.
From the campsite, visitors can take a 30-minute walk through a golf course and woodland to reach the beach.
And fresh produce can be picked up from the farm shop, which is a 10-minute walk from the campsite.
As for facilities, the site boasts a play area, as well as a playground, and even has a golf course.
Barbecues are allowed too, as are dogs – and if they get mucky, there is a pooch washing area.
Two miles away, visitors can also head to Sewerby Hall, which is a Grade I listed country house, sitting on the top of a cliff and surrounded by landscaped gardens.
The site costs from £32 for two adults, on a hardstanding pitch, per night.
Hunter’s Moon Club Campsite
Found in Wareham, Dorset, Hunter’s Moon Club Campsite has 122 touring spots and 11 tent pitches – but be aware that it is mostly for members only; however, campers are welcome.
The campsite sits on the edge of Wareham Forest – an area of famous heaths and miles of woodland paths.
The campsite also has a play area and plenty of space to walk your dog.
Visitors are also allowed to have barbecues, and there are laundry facilities on site.
As for the surrounding area, it is known for being loved by famous author Thomas Hardy, and the cottage he was born in is located a short distance away in Higher Bockhampton.
The site costs from £33.20 for two adults, on a hardstanding pitch, per night.
Ashridge Farm Club Campsite
Located in Baldock, Hertfordshire, Ashridge Farm Club Campsite has 39 touring pitches – though it is only open to club members.
The site is dog-friendly and great for family stays as the site is peaceful but also easy to access, being only a few miles from the A1.
The village of Ashwell is also only a short walk from the campsite and is home to a 14th-century church and a handful of 15th-century cottages.
Many of the lanes around the site are ideal for keen cyclists too.
And if you wanted to head further afield, Cambridge is only a short drive away.
Barbecues are allowed at the site, and there are laundry facilities as well.
The site costs from £31.50 for two adults, on a hardstanding pitch, per night.
Southport Club Campsite
Just a short walk from the Victorian seaside town of Southport, you will find Southport Club Campsite with 172 touring pitches.
Though this is another site just for members.
This spot is particularly great for dog owners, as there are numerous walking trails in the local area, as well as beaches to explore, such as Formby Beach.
And if you don’t mind a drive, nearby are other popular spots, including Blackpool, Liverpool, and even the Lake District.
The site costs from £34.80 for two adults, on a hardstanding pitch, per night.
Strathclyde Country Park Club Campsite
Found just a 20-minute drive from Glasgow is Strathclyde Country Park Club Campsite with 107 touring spots and 45 tent pitches.
With non-members and members welcome, the spot is ideal for those who either want to escape the city or those who want to experience both Scotland‘s city life and countryside beauty.
But there is also plenty to do on and around the site as well, such as woodland walks and a play area for young children.
In the country park, visitors can spot a variety of wildlife, and if they want to, head off on a bike ride on one of the many routes.
Barbecues and dogs are allowed at the campsite too.
The site costs from £30 for two adults, on a hardstanding pitch, per night.
Lickpenny Matlock Club Campsite
Located in Derbyshire, Lickpenny Matlock Club Campsite has 122 touring pitches and is open to both members and non-members.
Sat above the village of Tansley, the 16-acre campsite is found on the site of an old nursery.
Every pitch features a 16-amp electric supply, and there are a couple of electric car charging points.
And in the centre of the site, there is a children’s play area.
A 20-minute walk from the campsite and visitors will find themselves in Matlock, which has a number of cosy pubs to grab a tipple in, such as The Thorn Tree Inn and The Newsroom.
For a family day out, Gulliver’s Kingdom Matlock Bath is just a 14-minute drive away as well.
Dogs are allowed at the campsite too.
The site costs from £32 for two adults, on a hardstanding pitch, per night.
Hawes Club Campsite
Located in North Yorkshire, Hawes Club Campsite has 119 touring pitches that are only available to members.
The campsite has the Dales right on its doorstep, making it the ideal spot for pretty walks.
And of course, the market town of Hawes is close too.
In fact, it is one of the highest market towns in England, sitting at 850 feet above sea level.
The campsite has its own games room; barbecues and dogs are allowed, and there are laundry facilities as well.
The site costs from £36 for two adults, on a hardstanding pitch, per night.
In other camping news, the UK’s best campsite has been named, with adult-only zones and £24 pitches.
Plus, here are the best European campsites for winter sun – with stays from £23 a night and 20C highs.
