by Damien Sharkov
A good caravanner knows early planning is the best way to keep a hold on your favourite plot once springtime comes frolicking onto the calendar.
With the AA’s announcement of their Campsite of the Year awards, we’ve been taking a look at five of the best destinations you should take note of when you sit down to decide which corner of Blighty you plan to set your next holiday in.
Polmanter Touring Park, St Ives, Cornwall
“From the moment you pass through the gate at Polmanter Touring Park you now you have arrived at a top quality park,” says the AA.
Caravanning and Cornwall go hand in hand, but if you have your mind set on taking to the western shores with your home away from home in tow, it seems there is one destination which towers above the rest.
Awarded both the Best Campsite in England, as well as Best Overall for 2014, Polmanter Touring Park is a great experience all round.
Seaside views and anything from horseback riding and fishing, to golf within a two mile radius, Polmanter Touring park is certainly a stand-out campsite.
Prices range from £15.50 – £30.00 per night for unserviced pitches, though the priciest multi-serviced pitch does not exceed £40.00.
Spaces are going fast so make sure to check availability early on if you are keen to find out what makes Polmanter Touring Park so special.
Grouse Hill Caravan Park, Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire
Deep into Robin Hood territory in North Yorkshire and within driving distance of Scarborough and Whitby, Grouse Hill is rightly dubbed the “perfect base for walking, cycling and touring”.
Steam train hobbyists and fanatics will have two nearby steam lines to pick from, as both the Yorkshire Moors and North Bay Railways are nearby.
The park is tucked tightly between North York Moors national park and Robin Hood’s Bay, so there will be no shortage of activities at Grouse Hill.
The recently installed wooden wigwams provide a cosy touch to the campsite’s atmosphere, while leaving plenty of touring space for caravans.
Standard grass pitches range between £16 – £25 per night, while electric pitches are available for as little as £18.00, depending on the season.
Fields End Water Caravan Park & Fishery, Doddington, Cambridgeshire
Here is an alternative for the caravanners who want to get a taste of nature on their break. “Situated on a bank of clay above the surrounding countryside, skilful use of natural contours resulted in the construction of three wide terraces accommodating 38 fully serviced pitches, each with very spacious gravel hardstandings and fringed by varied and colourful shrubs,” the AA guide informs us
A three-acre fishing pit on site will delight those with a penchant for catching their own dinner, while there is also a fishing pool, stocked with carp, chubb, barbel, ide and tench.
Fully serviced pitches range between £15 and £19 per night and dogs are welcome.Fields End is a wonderful location for those who like to let their hair down surrounded by the Cambridgeshire flora and fauna.
Woodclose Caravan Park, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
“Set in nine acres, with stunning rural views, this mature, well-equipped park that has been upgraded after major investment to ensure a memorable holiday experience,” says the AA.
Plenty of walks are organised for the active caravanner, while on-site bike hire is also an option. There is also the small matter of the park being situated on the doorstep of the Lake District.
What’s more, “touring areas, located on tiered fields, shielded by trees and flora are serviced by the main amenities block; these offer excellent standards and privacy options with unisex shower rooms that also contain a toilet and wash basin.”
The most two adults will pay for the standard pitch with electric and TV hook ups and running hot water is £25.00 per night. If you are looking for a place to set up camp is Cumbria, Woodclose might just be what you are looking for.
Tyddyn Isaf Caravan Park, Anglesey, Wales
Beating out all other parks in Wales to the AA award for the country’s best campsite in the land of song, Tyddyn Isaf “benefits from direct access to an award-winning beach”.
The campsite has been run by the Mount family for years and the courteous service and homely atmosphere make the park a great setting for a stress-free getaway.
“The touring and level camping areas have neat, lush grass and are surrounded by shrubs and wild flowers, the result of a dedicated planting programme, in order to attract an amazing variety of wildlife; the only sounds to be heard are birdsong and the waves as they break on the sandy beach,” says the AA.
During the high season a pitch with electricity will cost you £30.00 a night, although the cheapest grass plot only cost £9 a night, there’s plenty of choice at AA’s Welsh campsite of 2014.
Which camp is your heart set on once the winter gales subside? Did we miss out on a site that has a special place in your heart? Tell us in the comment section below.
