Where to Motorhome This Winter: The Best UK Winter Campsites

Where to Motorhome This Winter: The Best UK Winter Campsites

We all know that overseas travel died down over the course of the pandemic. This was just as true for motorhome owners as for anyone else, with significantly fewer people choosing to take ferries abroad. Many of us began opting for staycations instead, choosing to make the most of the many idyllic settings on offer in the UK.

Nowadays, it’s apparent that we’re on our way to returning to pre-pandemic levels of international travel. For instance, this is reflected in sea passenger statistics published by the Department for Transport. These show that as of October 2022, there’s been a yearly increase of more than 96% in the number of departures to Europe, which currently total 5,312,000.

Yet it isn’t certain that European motorhome holidays will reach the same levels of popularity they once held. The significant gap between the number of sea passenger departures to Europe as of October 2022 and 2019’s yearly total of 9,312,000 is an indication of this.

Moreover, the growing appreciation that many Brits have for domestic touring may dampen Europe’s demand. And since UK touring typically costs less, requires less hassle, and is more dog-friendly, it’s easy to understand why so many find it the more appealing option. We’ve already published a guide to the best UK motorhome routes, detailing the many scenic areas of the UK. And now, in this guide, we’ll be giving you an in-depth look at some of the UK’s best winter campsites you can enjoy this season. Keep reading to find out where they are and what you can expect if you choose to visit them.

Sykeside Camping Park, the Lake District

Address: Brotherswater, Hartsop, Penrith, CA11 0NZ

Situated at the northern foot of the Kirkstone Pass in the picturesque Dovedale Valley, Sykeside Camping Park is the perfect base for exploring the beauty of the Lake District.

Surrounded by mountains and hills, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to experience the great outdoors, enjoying stunning views and walks around Brothers Water just 10 minutes away. Dogs on leads are welcome on the campsite and in the Brotherswater Inn – the local country pub and bed and breakfast. You’ll be able to get lunch here at the weekend, as well as dinner every day of the week except Monday – just make sure you book in advance.

Facilities

The campsite is open all year round except the week up to and including Christmas (reopening the day after Boxing Day), featuring a total of 19 motorhome pitches and 100 pitches for tents. During your stay, you’ll also enjoy:

− Shower and toilet facilities, cleaned several times a day

− Laundry room with washers and dryers

− 25 electric hook ups

− An on-site shop, grocery shopping in Windermere (10 miles away) and supermarkets in Penrith only 18 miles away

Pricing

Hardstanding pitches cost £20.85 per night during the winter. If you want to bring your dog with you, you can do so for the additional price for £2.20.

Bargoed Farm, Wales

Bargoed Farm, Llwyncelyn, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0HL

Bargoed Farm is situated in the heart of the countryside in the Welsh county of Ceredigion. With numerous beaches and historical sites nearby, you’ll have plenty of activities to choose from using this site as your headquarters. If you want to venture beyond your pitch, the village of Llwyncelyn and the Ceredigion stretch of the Wales Coastal Path are both easily accessible by footpaths nearby. Alternatively, you can fish in the local Bargoed Coarse Fishing Lake. Moreover, the nearby Cardigan Bay is the best place to spot dolphins in the UK, having a population of more than 250 bottlenose dolphins – the largest in Europe.

Facilities

Bargoed farm is open 12 months of the year. Offering visitors 50 fully serviced hard-standing pitches. Each pitch comes with its own:

− 16-amp electricity supply

− A private water tap

− Grey water discharge

− Lawn area

Additionally, 20 of these pitches have private hot tubs – perfect for staying nice and warm on cold winter evenings.

Visitors can get free hot showers in the excellent washing facilities, which also include accessible bathrooms, hair dryers, washing machines and, yes, a custom-built dog wash!

Your dog can get mucky beforehand exercising in a one-acre, securely fenced dog walking area. There’s even a dog-friendly area in The Moody Cow – the local bistro and farm shop that’s open seven days a week, offering you a wide selection of local and homemade produce.

Pricing

For two adults to stay with a motorhome on serviced hardstanding for one night, should cost between £30-40 depending on where on the site you want to park.

Walnut Farm, Norfolk

Walnut Farm, Waxham, Norfolk, NR12 0EG

Located just 1km from Waxham Beach, Walnut Farm is an ideal site for exploring the whole of the Norfolk coast AONB. You’ll have easy access to long walks from Walnut Farm – including a 1.5-mile dog-friendly walk that loops around the perimeter of the surrounding farmland.

Adding boating excursions, seal watching, and plenty of other fun, outdoor activities close at hand, there’s no doubt you’ll have lots to do off the pitch while staying at this camping site.

Facilities

Walnut Farm features a selection of hardstanding pitches specifically for motorhomes up to 3,500kg to camp on during the winter season. Each of Walnut Farm’s winter hardstanding pitches has 16-amp electricity hook-up and nearby water supply. Additionally, the site offers grey water and chemical disposal points.

Walnut Farm offers a variety of amenities, situated in a dedicated block. This features four shower rooms with a toilet and basin, plus one toilet. Washing machine and tumble dryer facilities are also available with the use of smart cards.

Pricing

If a stay at Walnut Farm takes your fancy, you’ll need to pay a basic price of £28 per night for four people to stay on a single pitch. Additionally, you’ll need to pay for any add-ons you want, including:

− £3 per extra vehicle

− £2 per extra guest

− £1 per 10-minute shower credit

But you can bring your dogs with you at no extra cost.

Lady’s Mile Holiday Park, Devon

Exeter Road, Dawlish, Devon, EX7 0LX

Lady’s Mile Holiday Park is open 365 days a year and located just a stone’s throw from the Devon coast, giving you easy access to picturesque countryside and Dawlish Warren Beach nearby.

Plus, with historical sites like Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves and Compton Castle all a short drive away – not to mention countless on-site activities – you’re guaranteed to have a fun-filled time if you choose Lady’s Mile Holiday Park as your winter campsite. And at this pet-friendly site, your dog will have a pretty good time too!

This holiday park offers a selection of electric grass pitches, as well as higher-end meadow pitches closer to the main complex, and pitches with views. It’s a relatively luxurious camping site, offering visitors access to an on-site swimming pool, spa, and gym. Moreover, it’s dog-friendly – featuring a dedicated dog-washing facility and an on-site dog walking field, as well as Dawlish Countryside Park nearby.

Facilities

Lady’s Mile Holiday Park has three amenity blocks, each with toilets and shower cubicles. Some of these shower cubicles also have baths, operated with tokens you can get from reception. There are also family bathrooms with baby-changing facilities and disabled bathrooms, each featuring its own toilet and shower.

The campsite has a laundrette with card-operated washers and dryers. It will cost you £5 for a full-load wash and £3 for a dry. Additionally, there are sink-washing stations and grey water deposit points throughout the site.

You’ll benefit from an on-site convenience store, packed with food and camping equipment. And you can also visit the local Sainsbury’s, just a 10-minute walk away. If you fancy eating out, you can dine at the on-site Oceans Restaurant & Bar – which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a carvery every Sunday.

Pricing

Two adults staying one night at Lady’s Mile costs £19 for a grass pitch and £23 for a Meadow Super Pitch during the winter.

Safeguard your motorhome this winter

Hopefully, our selection helps you narrow your search for the best UK campsite for you this winter. Whichever campsite you decide on, remember that winter weather can be extreme, even when you’re well provided for at one of the UK’s best winter campsites. That’s why it’s important you know how to stay warm in your motorhome during winter.

Taking care of yourself and your motorhome means covering all your bases. And to achieve the peace of mind that comes with having done this, you need to have a motorhome insurance policy you know you can depend on. If you’d like to find out how we can help protect your prized possession, contact us by telephone on 0208 9840 666 or by email at info@comfort-insurance.co.uk.