glamping

Soak up Scotland’s jaw-dropping scenery from a glamping wagon in the wilderness

Collage of glamping images, including a cream tea, two highland cows in a lake, and a glamping trailer.

SOAKING up the breathtaking Perthshire scenery in style is the perfect way to unwind.

Here, Janice Hopper goes glamping in a wagon and discovers some of the area’s best beauty spots.

The Pad

Monachyle Mhor’s restored 1950’s Pilot Panther showman’s wagon is unforgettable Credit: Supplied

With a wood-fired bath that offers sweeping views over Loch Doine and Loch Voil, an outdoor pizza oven and a wood-burning stove, a stay in Monachyle Mhor’s restored 1950’s Pilot Panther showman’s wagon is pretty unforgettable.

Set on a 2,000-acre working family farm within the stunning Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, it has a double bed, cute bunks and bucketloads of vintage charm.

At the estate’s blush-pink farmhouse, you’ll find your private bathroom and get a free cuppa as you sink into deep-green sofas beside the fire to play board games – just be sure to tuck into delicious, home-made chocolate cake, £4 a slice, while you do.

Explore

Hop in a canoe and paddle on beautiful Loch Tay Credit: Getty Images

Start your day with a bracing wild swim in Loch Voil, before warming up in Monachyle’s cocooning sauna, from £20 per hour.

ALL CHANGE

Abandoned WWII torpedo testing site to become massive holiday resort


COOL OFF

All of the best aquaparks in the UK from huge obstacle courses to glamping sites

Then stroll five minutes along the shore to discover the LookOut artwork – a mirrored cube reflecting the landscape.

Kids will love the hour-long farm tour, collecting eggs, meeting donkeys Jake and Mylo, and feeding lambs, £20 per family.

Or, ditch the clan to try apitherapy – lying in an “apipod”, listening to 60,000 bees buzzing away in the hives beneath you.

It’s surprisingly calming and costs £25 for one hour, including soothing lemon balm tea (Monachyle mhor.net/experience).

Just four miles away is the quaint village of Balquhidder, where you can check out the resting place of famed Scottish outlaw Rob Roy, buried in 1734.

Later, hop in a canoe to beaver-spot on beautiful Loch Tay with CAG Adventures. A two-hour tour costs £40 per person (Cagadventures.com).

Refuel

Quaint cafe The Golden Larches serves up tasty cream teas Credit: Getty Images

Combine seafood with the landscape at Falls Of Dochart Smokehouse.

As the roar of the waterfall surges in the background, tuck into a platter of hot and cold whisky-smoked salmon, cheddar, paté, plus oatcakes and blinis, from £22, while sipping gin infused with local tayberries, £7.40 (Fallsofdochart.co.uk).

Quaint cafe The Golden Larches serves up tasty cream teas, £4.75 (Thegoldenlarches.com).

Or join exuberant owner and chef of Monachyle Mhor, Tom Lewis, on a wine safari, combining walking Balquhidder Glen with nibbles and plenty of vino stops. Six-hour wine safaris cost £150 per person.

After a hiking pit stop? It’s got to be Broch Cafe’s suntrap terrace in Strathyre, where you can recharge with a generous BLT, £9.50 (Brochcafe.com).

It handily sits on the 79-mile Rob Roy Way, and the scenic stretch from Strathyre to Callander along Loch Lubnaig is a much more manageable nine miles (Robroyway.com).

Book It

Stays in The Wagon cost £170 per night for up to four guests Credit: Supplied

Stays in The Wagon cost £170 per night for up to four guests (Monachylemhor.net).

Source link

Britain’s best holiday campsites revealed from beachfront pods to £8-a-night pitches

Check out the full list below – and here on Campsites.co.uk.

East Crinnis Holiday Park – East Crinnis, Par, Cornwall

Park Cliffe Windermere Camping and Caravan Park – Windermere, Cumbria

Lee Meadow Farm – Lee, Woolacombe, Devon

Wooda Farm Holiday Park – Bude, Cornwall

Hill Cottage Farm Camping and Caravan Park – Alderholt, Fordingbridge, Hampshire

Highlands End Holiday Park – Bridport, Dorset

Harford Bridge Park – Tavistock, Devon

Barn Farm Campsite – Matlock, Derbyshire

Glen Nevis Caravan and Camping Park – Fort William, Highlands

Bank House Farm – Hartington, Buxton, Derbyshire

Lakeside Caravan Park – Brecon, Powys

Trwyn yr Wylfa Camping Site – Penmaenmawr, Conwy

Treloy Touring Park – Newquay, Cornwall

Skelwith Fold Caravan Park – Ambleside, Cumbria

Plas Gwyn Caravan and Camping Park – Llanrug, Caernarfon, Gwynedd

Wallace Lane Farm – Caldbeck, Wigton, Cumbria

Oaklea Camping and Glamping Park – Narberth, Pembrokeshire

Twll Y Clawdd Touring and Camping Park – Llanrug, Caernarfon, Gwynedd

Cheddar Bridge Touring Park – Cheddar, Somerset

Thornbrook Barn – Ingleton, North Yorkshire

Tollgate Farm Caravan and Camping Park – Perranporth, Cornwall

Lynmouth Holiday Retreat – Barbrook, Lynton, Devon

Pen y Bont Touring Park – Bala, Gwynedd

Back of Beyond Touring Park – St Leonards, Ringwood, Dorset

Cummins Farm – Charmouth, Bridport, Dorset

Glyncoch Isaf Farm – Llangrannog, Ceredigion

Tehidy Holiday Park – Portreath, Illogan, Cornwall

Burton Springs Holidays – Burton, Bridgwater, Somerset

Llys Derwen Caravan and Campsite – Llanrug, Caernarfon, Gwynedd

Parkgate Farm Holidays – Irton, Holmrook, Cumbria

Shieldaig Camping and Cabins – Shieldaig, Strathcarron, Highlands

Tregarton Park – Mevagissey, Cornwall

Laneside Caravan Park – Hope, Hope Valley, Derbyshire

Ty Cochyn Caravan and Campsite – Holyhead, Anglesey

Presaddfed – Druids’ Rest – Holyhead, Anglesey

Cwmdu Campsite – Crickhowell, Powys

Greenacres Campsite – Coleford, Gloucestershire

Gatton Waters Caravan Park – Hillington, King’s Lynn, Norfolk

Silver Sands Holiday Park – Lizard, Helston, Cornwall

Mena Farm – Bodmin, Cornwall

Manor Caravan Park – Happisburgh, Norfolk

Howgill Lodge – Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire

Little Acre Holiday Park – Crooklands, Milnthorpe, Cumbria
Brynawelon Caravan and Camping Park – Llandysul, Ceredigion
Catgill Farm Camping and Glamping – Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire
Thorpe Hall Caravan and Camping Site – Driffield, East Yorkshire
Waterrow Touring Park – Wiveliscombe, Taunton, Somerset
Cardinney Caravan and Camping Park – St Buryan, Penzance, Cornwall
Bonnie Park – Bonchester Bridge, Scottish Borders
Low Greenside Farm Campsite – Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
The Hen’s Dens at Orchard Organic Farm – Stokeinteignhead, Newton Abbot, Devon
Sherwood Pines Campsite – Edwinstowe, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Treveague Campsite – Gorran, St Austell, Cornwall
Somers Wood Caravan Park – Meriden, Coventry, Warwickshire

Westgate Carr Farm Caravan and Motorhome Touring Park – Pickering, North Yorkshire

Pomeroy Caravan Park – Pomeroy, Buxton, Derbyshire

Bryn Ednyfed Caravan Site – Holyhead, Anglesey

Bryndu Caravan and Camping – Llandefalle, Brecon, Powys

Coxhill Camping – Shepherdswell, Dover, Kent

Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park – Gower, Swansea

Bryn Ffanigl Ganol Caravan and Camping Park – Abergele, Conwy

Riverside Caravan Park – Bentham, North Yorkshire

Cobleland Campsite – Gartmore, Stirling and Forth Valley

Linwater Caravan Park – Newbridge, Edinburgh, Edinburgh and the Lothians

Woodovis Park – Tavistock, Devon

Old Oaks Touring Park – Wick, Glastonbury, Somerset

Plassey Holiday Park – Wrexham, Wrexham

Porthtowan Tourist Park – Porthtowan, Cornwall

Higher Trevaskis Caravan and Camping Park – Connor Downs, Hayle, Cornwall

Hallsdown Farm Touring Park – Barnstaple, Devon

Hartington Hills – Hartington, Buxton, Derbyshire

Haw Wood Farm Caravans and Camping – Saxmundham, Suffolk

Ael y Garnedd – Star, Gaerwen, Anglesey

Wildings Holidays – Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire

Eden Valley Holiday Park – Bodmin, Cornwall

Hale Farm Campsite – Chiddingly, East Sussex

Abbey Farm Rhuddlan – Rhuddlan, Denbighshire

Brick Kiln Farm Campsite – Campsea Ashe, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Balloch O Dee – Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway

Machrihanish Holiday Park – Machrihanish, Campbeltown, Argyll

Rydal Hall Campsite – Ambleside, Cumbria

Dwell On The Moor – Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, York, East Yorkshire

Wallsend Guest House and Glamping Pods – Wigton, Cumbria

Ravensdale Glamping Retreats – York, North Yorkshire

Cliff Farm Holidays – Pickering, North Yorkshire

Quarry Park Camping – Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire

The Galloway Steading – Newton Stewart, Glenluce, Dumfries and Galloway

Folly Farm Holiday Park – Begelly, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire

Pods Pwll Coch – Amlwch, Anglesey

Little Kelk Glamping – Driffield, East Yorkshire

Wold Meadow – Wold Newton, East Yorkshire

Gaerhyfryd Caravan Site – Corwen, Denbighshire

Eden Valley Glamping – Armathwaite, Carlisle, Cumbria

Balloch O Dee – Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway

Carrock Glamping Pods – Hesket Newmarket, Wigton, Cumbria

Cragg Farm Camping Pods – Cockermouth, Cumbria

Gambledown Farm – Sherfield English, Romsey, Hampshire

Newbourne Woodland Campsite – Newbourne, Woodbridge, Suffolk

East Thorne – Bude, Cornwall

High Oaks Grange – Pickering, North Yorkshire

Cwmllwyd Getaways – Carno, Powys

Source link

Escape the heat with these last minute breaks to UK holiday parks

WHEN the temperatures hit above 30C, there’s only one thing to do – make use of the sunshine and book a staycation.

So, to escape the heat, why not head away this weekend to a nice shady holiday park?

There are a number of holiday parks that still have availability this weekend including Hedley Wood, Cornwall Credit: Hedley Wood

Here are some of the best last- minute deals from across the UK this week with cool pools, shady woodlands and even some with direct beach access.

Hedley Wood, Cornwall

Fancy a Cornish staycation?

Hedley Wood Holiday Park is just a short drive from the popular Cornish seaside town of Bude – previously named the best coastal town in the UK.

At the holiday park, you can choose between caravans, lodges or camping pods.

Read more on travel inspo

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals


CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

The park boasts a heated indoor swimming pool, as well as a hot tub and a sauna.

But if you want to soak up the sunshine you can head to The Woodman Bar and Restaurant, where you’ll find a raised outdoor terrace.

To keep kids occupied, there is an adventure play park as well as a craft room and nature trails.

A three-night stay from June 26 to 29 costs from £129, working out at £10.75 per person per night, based on a family of four – book it here.

Or you could head to Blue Dolphin in Yorkshire that has a multi-lane waterslide Credit: Blue Dolphin

Blue Dolphin, Yorkshire

Haven’s Blue Dolphin Holiday Park near Filey in North Yorkshire sits on the cliffs above Gristhorpe Bay.

At the holiday park guests can either stay in a caravan or camp.

When it comes to things to do at the site, you can head to an indoor heated pool which has a multi-lane waterslide.

There’s also a heated outdoor pool.

For dry activities, you can go climbing or have a spin at the roller disco.

A three-night stay from June 26 to 29 costs from £215, working out at £17.92 per person per night, based on a family of four – book it here.

Appletree Holiday Park has a nine-hole golf course as well as a splash pad Credit: Away Resorts

Appletree Holiday Park, Lincolnshire

Found in Boston, Lincolnshire, Appletree Holiday Park sits in the countryside, with a nine-hole golf course and a splash pad for little ones.

While at the park, you can also have a go at the driving range or even explore by hiring a bike.

Little ones needing to burn off steam can also drop by the play area.

Guests can choose to stay in either a lodge or caravan, with the premium lodges boasting hot tubs as well.

A two-night stay from June 26 to 28 costs from £189.60, working out at £23.70 per person per night, based on a family of four – book it here.

Glendale Holiday Park has easy beach access Credit: Glendale

Glendale Holiday Park, Cumbria

In Cumbria, you could stay at Glendale Holiday Park, which overlooks the Solway Firth – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The park has both the countryside and coast to explore.

At the site itself, there is a swimming pool, an entertainment bar and an onsite restaurant as well.

There is also easy beach access.

A three-night stay from June 26 to 29 costs from £139, working out at £11.59 per person per night, based on a family of four – book it here.

At Broadland Sands, you can head to the indoor heated swimming pool Credit: Park Holidays

Broadland Sands, Suffolk

For a Suffolk break, you can head to Broadland Sands Holiday Park, sitting on the East Coast border.

Near Lowestoft, the holiday park is home to a heated indoor swimming pool with its own water flume.

There’s also a dinosaur-themed adventure golf course, as well as more sporty activities including a climbing wall.

For those wanting to spend some time outdoors, you can also head on a nature trail.

Then in the evening, sit back and enjoy some of the entertainment, including cabaret and live bingo.

A three-night stay from June 26 to 29 costs from £179, working out at £14.92 per person per night, based on a family of four – book it here.

Tarka Holiday Park Devon is just a short walk from the beach too Credit: Tarka

Tarka, Devon

Tarka Holiday Park is less than five miles from the popular Devonshire town of Barnstaple.

The holiday park focuses on being a more peaceful retreat, so instead of pools, you’ll find a paddock and children’s play area.

Ideal for enjoying the warm weather, there is also an onsite picnic spot.

And for adventures outside of the park, you can head to the Tarka Trail, which stretches 180 miles and follows the steps of Henry Williamson’s Tarka the Otter.

A three-night stay from June 26 to 29 costs from £159, working out at £13.25 per person per night, based on a family of four – book it here.

South Bay Holiday Park in Devon is about 10 minutes from the beach Credit: South Bay

South Bay Holiday Park, Devon

Set on the English Riviera in Devon, you can head to South Bay Holiday Park.

The Brixham-based holiday park is home to an indoor pool, an outdoor pool and even a toddler pool.

There’s also a host of entertainment at the park, including a kids’ club and evening shows.

From the park, there is a direct path to the beach, which takes about 10 minutes to walk.

A three-night stay from June 26 to 29 costs from £199, working out at £16.58 per person per night, based on a family of four – book it here.

Summerfields Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth has a soft play area for little ones Credit: Summerfields

Summerfields Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth

Close to Norfolk Broads National Park, you could stay at Summerfields Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth.

The holiday park boasts a heated indoor pool along with a sauna and for a bite to eat, you can head to The Boathouse.

If it gets too hot outside for the little ones, inside you’ll also find a soft play area, as well as arcades.

A three-night stay from June 26 to 29 costs from £160, working out at £13.34 per person per night, based on a family of four – book it here.

Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire is a great spot for water sport-loving families Credit: Supplied

Tattershall Lakes, Lincolnshire

Set across 360 acres, Tattershall Lakes Country Park features woodlands and lakes.

The holiday park is a great spot for water sport-loving families, with activities including jet-skiing, water-skiing, wakeboarding and even an inflatable Aqua Park.

If that wasn’t enough water-based activities, there is also an indoor and outdoor pool and spa.

In the evening, you can head to the clubhouse as well for entertainment.

A two-night stay from June 26 to 28 costs from £199.20, working out at £24.90 per person per night, based on a family of four – book it here.

Lower Hyde Holiday Park has both an indoor and outdoor pool Credit: Parkdean Resorts

Lower Hyde Holiday Park, Isle of Wight

Lower Hyde Holiday Park in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight is a great spot if you want to feel like you are travelling abroad but without the long-haul flight.

At the Parkdean site, you can head to the outdoor pool, which has its own flume, as well as another pool inside.

For some entertainment, there’s Squires Showbar.

And if that all wasn’t enough, the park is also only a 20-minute walk from Shanklin Beach.

A three-night stay from June 26 to 29 costs from £189, working out at £15.75 per person per night, based on a family of four – book it here.



Source link

Abandoned WWII torpedo testing site to be turned into massive holiday resort with hotels, glamping and playparks

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Illustration of the proposed holiday resort at the former Ministry of Defence testing station, featuring modern black buildings with large windows, a wooden pier, and translucent figures representing people, Image 2 shows Abandoned and dilapidated former torpedo factory

A HOLIDAY park with glamping pods and lodges could be built on an old torpedo site in Scotland.

The former testing area for missiles has been derelict for 40 years, but could soon be completely transformed and become a go-to staycation spot.

An abandoned torpedo site could be completely transformed Credit: Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
A holiday park with glamping pods and lodges could be built on the site Credit: Framed Estates

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

On the shores of Loch Long in Argyll & Bute is an old Ministry of Defence site that was used been 1912 and 1986.

It was predominantly used during World War Two, and as many as 12,000 torpedoes were fired down Loch Long.

Since its closure 40 years ago, the site in Arrochar has been abandoned and left derelict.

TRAVEL TIP

The £2.99 SIM hack that can save Brits HUNDREDS abroad


TOP PARKS

The MEGA UK holiday parks with water worlds, Wetherspoons and more – from £3 pp

A planning application to redevelop the area was first submitted in 2023.

Three years on, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority has approved a mixed-use tourism development by Ardnagal Estates.

Former proposals for the site included 14 holiday homes, 34 holiday lodges, and a 34-bedroom budget hotel.

Also included in the initial plans was a cafe, shop, a 40-bed bunkhouse, six motorhome pitches and 20 glamping pods as well as parking, composting toilets and shower block.

Another proposed feature was to revitalise the pier so that the public and community could access the loch.

Leisure on the site would include a play park that will add “family-friendly amenity for residents and visitors”.

Proposed plans are for a holiday park to be built on the former site Credit: Framed Estates

Previous plans were to build a 130-bedroom hotel although it isn’t clear if this is part of the current plans.

Claire Chapman, the park authority’s planning and access committee chairwoman, said: “The approval of this long-standing derelict site’s redevelopment is a significant step forward in addressing what has been a blight on both the local community and the environment.

“The site has been identified in both the existing local development plan, which guides new development in the National Park, and in the community’s local place plan.”



Source link

All of the best aquaparks in the UK from huge obstacle courses to glamping sites

AS THE hot weather continues, you might want to find somewhere to cool off and what better place to do it than an aqua park.

Whether you want one that features tonnes of obstacles and adventures or something a little calmer with splash zones for younger kids, the UK is home to many spots ideal for a refreshing day out.

There are a number of aqua parks in the UK including ones with huge obstacle courses such as Sheffield Cable Waterski & Aqua Park in South Yorkshire Credit: Sheffield Cable Waterski & Aqua Park

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Aqualand, Cliff Lakes near Birmingham

Around a 25-minute drive from Birmingham, you’ll find Aqualand at Cliff Lakes – often considered one of the biggest inflatable courses in the UK, with eight parks in one attraction.

And a new attraction has just been launched at the site – a mega-slide, which is “officially the UK’s first tower of its kind”.

Called The X Tower, it stretches 12 metres tall and has six slides ideal for visitors to race each other.

Read more on travel inspo

STAYCAY

Our travel experts’ best-kept-secret UK holiday spots for summer – from £37 a night


HOL YES

I’m a travel editor & mum-of-3… my favourite family holidays from just £3pp a night

At Cliff Lakes, there are eight different inflatable courses Credit: Cliff Lakes

Across the eight inflatable obstacle courses, visitors can experience climbing walls, crossings and more slides.

Part of the course is also called Aqua Chimp, which features 14 obstacles and a bell that visitors have to ring at the end.

Admission costs from £25 per person and visitors get 80 minutes to explore the attraction.

Plastic Playground, Wake Park near Windsor

Found not too far from London, Plastic Playground features a number of different water-based experiences including knee-boarding, water-skiing and wakeboarding.

At Plastic Playground near Windsor, visitors can head knee-boarding, water-skiing and wakeboarding Credit: Plastic Playground Wake Park

And it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a pro.

Sessions cost from £35 per person.

Aqua Park Rutland, East Midlands

Aqua Park in Rutland features a number of different attractions for visitors to explore including the Rutland Mammoth, which is the UK’s tallest inflatable obstacle with a 5.5 metre drop slide.

At Aqua Park Rutland, daredevils can try a 5.5metre drop slide Credit: Aqua Parks Rutland

There’s also Tornado Tower – a 3.5 metre tower that visitors can flip off of into the water.

Other features of the aqua park include launch bags and slides.

A one-hour session costs from £22.44 per person.

Sheffield Cable Waterski & Aqua Park, South Yorkshire

In Sheffield, visitors can enjoy both a aqua park and water-skiing in one place Credit: Sheffield Cable Waterski & Aqua Park

The Aqua Park in Sheffield features one massive inflatable obstacle course.

Visitors can explore the inflatables across a 50 minute session where they will experience giant trampolines, inflatable climbing walls, launch bags and a loop design to race around.

There’s also a Wake Park where visitors can try out knee-boarding, water-skiing or wakeboarding.

Sessions at the Aqua Park cost from £22 per person or a session at the Wake Park costs from £20 per person.

Adrenalin Quarry, Liskeard in Cornwall

At Adrenalin Quarry in Cornwall, there are a number of attractions for all age groups.

Down in Cornwall, Adrenalin Quarry has a water obstacle course as well as dry land activities Credit: Adrenalin Quarry

Visitors over the age of six can head to the aqua park where they will be able to climb, slide and bounce on obstacles on the water.

On dry land there is also a go- karting track and a zip wire that runs for 490 metres.

Sessions at the attraction cost from £25 per person.

North Yorkshire Water Park

North Yorkshire Water Park has different water obstacle courses for different age groups Credit: North Yorkshire Water Park

One of Yorkshire‘s largest lakes is ideal for those who want to extend their time in the water as not only does it boast an aqua park but a campsite too.

On the campsite, there’s a mix of hard-standing pitches, grass pitches, glamping pods, a lodge and even two helicopters that have been converted into glamping accommodation.

When it comes to the lake though, visitors can try out three different aqua parks.

The first is The Warrior Aqua Park, which has climbing walls, slides, balance bars and trampolines.

It also has a campsite, with glamping pods, you can stay at Credit: North Yorkshire Water Park

The second is The Wipeout Aqua Park with stepping stones, jumps and swings.

And thirdly, there’s Splash Kingdom, which is ideal for smaller kids.

Other water-based activities include stand up paddleboarding and kayaking.

There are many activities on dry land too, such as laser tag, escape rooms, climbing walls and axe throwing.

The Wipeout and Warrior aqua parks cost from £20 per person and Splash Kingdom costs from £15 per person.

Camping costs from £20 per night.



Source link

UK’s best campsites for families with outdoor pools, on-site bars and pizza ovens

Holiday park’s across the UK have been ranked by the best for child-friendliness and the top 10 showcases sites with incredible facilities from outdoor heated pools to highly rated kids’ club

Fresh rankings have unveiled the top family campsites across the UK, and their locations hidden in the most peaceful corners of the countryside make them a tempting treat.

As more families ditch overseas holidays in favour of budget-friendly breaks closer to home, outdoor getaways have surged in popularity. But with young children in mind, not just any campsite will do — parents often seek out sites with top-notch facilities and plenty of entertainment to make the trip that little bit smoother.

A standout site in Pembrokeshire has been crowned Britain’s finest, according to new data from Pitchup.com, which analysed nearly 200,000 verified customer reviews to compile its top ten list.

The rankings reveal that the highest-scoring site for ‘child-friendliness’ is Trefach Holiday Park in Mynachlog-ddu, Clunderwen, Pembrokeshire, which earned an impressive 9.3/10 from guest reviews.

READ MORE: Simon Calder warns holidaymakers to check as new emails being sentREAD MORE: Three ways all-inclusive resorts in Europe are fighting the sunbed wars

One delighted visitor wrote: “I was recommended this site by a friend and we were not disappointed. It has a heated pool which we all thoroughly enjoyed on our stay. Fantastic food there. The whole site was so clean and tidy, and it was a very peaceful site. I would highly recommend it, and we will definitely be returning next year for a stay.”

What sets the park apart as a premier destination is its outdoor heated pool, where parents can unwind on the terrace with a cold drink while watching the kids splash about. For those looking to keep little ones occupied, there is also a highly regarded kids’ club alongside a wealth of entertainment facilities, including a play area and games room.

Also featuring on the list of the UK’s finest family-friendly campsites is Jubilee Camping in Hampshire at number two, and Panoramic Camping and Glamping in Swansea at number three. The Swansea site is a peaceful, rural retreat just a 10-minute stroll from a local pub, offering a back-to-basics camping experience. It also features its own bar and pizza oven on site.

Another standout, on the other end of the UK to the winners, is Riverside Holiday Village in Somerset at number 10, with a score of 8.7 for its child-friendliness.

The campsite is beloved for its tranquil setting along the river’s bend in Bleadon, and its convenient location, set a mere 10 minute drive from the bustling seaside town of Weston-super-Mare. Another being the huge amount of fun and entertainment for children with a games arcade and a heated indoor swimming pool on site.

It’s evident that the UK is brimming with outstanding camping destinations, with family-friendly sites spanning the length and breadth of the country — from Somerset and Devon to Swansea, Cheshire and Wiltshire.

Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, said: “Camping and glamping holidays continue to be a popular choice for families looking to spend quality time together outdoors, particularly as more people seek flexible and affordable UK breaks. The sites featured in these rankings stood out for creating welcoming, family-friendly experiences that give children the freedom to explore while helping parents relax and unwind.

“We’re seeing families place increasing value on outdoor space, nature and simple shared experiences, whether that’s wildlife watching, campfires or easy access to beaches and walking routes. The variety of sites featured across the UK also shows there’s strong demand for family-friendly stays in every corner of Great Britain.”

The UK’s best family friendly campsites

  • Trefach Holiday Park, Pembrokeshire
  • Jubilee Camping, Hampshire
  • Panoramic Camping and Glamping, Swansea
  • Little Thornham Holidays, Wiltshire
  • Magical Malpas PYO Farm, Cheshire
  • Auchingarrich Wildlife Park, Perthshire
  • Puddleduck Glamping, Lancashire
  • South Ford Farm Camping, Devon
  • Poplar Grove Farm Caravan Park, Lancashire
  • Riverside Holiday Village, Somerset

Source link

Old RAF Sea King helicopters turned into £130 a night glamping pods – and they are fully booked

Inside, you will find a double bed, bunk beds, and a kitchen equipped with a microwave, toaster, kettle and fridge

Two retired RAF helicopters have been transformed into stunning glamping pods – and they are already fully booked. The yellow Sea King aircrafts have found their forever homes being stationed at North Yorkshire Water Park, at Wykeham Lakes, near Scarborough., after long careers saving lives across the UK.

They now add to a believed four other Sea Kings which have been transformed into liveable accommodation in Britain. Their specialist interiors have been ripped out and replaced with a double bed, bunk beds, and a kitchen, equipped with a microwave, toaster, kettle and fridge.

Some parts of the cockpit – including the controls and switches – are still intact, but stunning images show how it has been reworked into a dining area.

Its sliding door acts as the main access point and when opened leads onto a gravel landing pad, with a picnic bench. The water park says the helicopters offer a “unique and “memorable” stay which were designed for couples, families to enjoy.

The helicopters were originally built for the RAF for Search and Rescue, according to North Yorkshire Water Park.

READ MORE: Ex-RAF couple left in caravan after building firm’s collapse ruins their £100k renovationREAD MORE: Mum’s ‘intuition’ told her something was wrong after seeing photo of her daughter

Both the ZE369 and XZ589 offered decades of service at the forefront of life-saving missions across the UK, carrying out daring rescues in all weather conditions.

The pods were available to be booked from Friday, May 1 – the first four weeks are fully booked, according to Airbnb. Prices start at £130 a night.

James Whitehead, operations manager at North Yorkshire Water Park: “We are incredibly excited to welcome the new Sea King helicopter glamping pods to our stay on-site offering.

“Both helicopters have an extraordinary history, having spent decades carrying out life-saving search and rescue missions across the UK.

“It was important to us that the original character and charm is preserved as much as possible while making them a cosy place to relax after a day of fun.”

North Yorkshire Water Park is one of the UK’s largest spanning a huge 250 acres. The outdoor adventure destination features massive inflatable aqua parks, lakes for kayaking, paddleboarding, and open-water swimming.

Source link