Campsites - The hidden gems

[Parvus]

Hi,

I'm currently looking for some recommendations in Lake District or alternative coastal areas for short breaks in 2021. I've been trawling the internet and see lots of the larger sites and obvious 'Top 10 Campsite <insert location here>' and really looking for the alternatives people have discovered and would recommend on their travels, perhaps even local places they often use, nice pubs, good food and base to enjoy the surrounding area, cycling, walking etc...

I'm based in Wiltshire and just starting out with my Vanlife, these are a couple of nice options I've discovered within 30 minute drives:
- The Golden Swann - Nice Pub, Campervan hook-ups, options for walks and near the canals (Log in to Facebook)
- Blacklands lakes - Nice spot with a couple of small fishing lakes to entertain the kids (Blackland Lakes - Fantastic Camping, Fishing and Leisure Facilities in Calne, Wiltshire, England)
- Ye Olde Swan - Camping / Glamping, on the river Thames, nice pub and location (Home - Ye Olde Swan)

A fan of the smaller locations, good local businesses and obviously a nice pint

Matt

 

[Jimer]

Hi,

I'm currently looking for some recommendations in Lake District or alternative coastal areas for short breaks in 2021. I've been trawling the internet and see lots of the larger sites and obvious 'Top 10 Campsite <insert location here>' and really looking for the alternatives people have discovered and would recommend on their travels, perhaps even local places they often use, nice pubs, good food and base to enjoy the surrounding area, cycling, walking etc...

I'm based in Wiltshire and just starting out with my Vanlife, these are a couple of nice options I've discovered within 30 minute drives:
- The Golden Swann - Nice Pub, Campervan hook-ups, options for walks and near the canals (Log in to Facebook)
- Blacklands lakes - Nice spot with a couple of small fishing lakes to entertain the kids (Blackland Lakes - Fantastic Camping, Fishing and Leisure Facilities in Calne, Wiltshire, England)
- Ye Olde Swan - Camping / Glamping, on the river Thames, nice pub and location (Home - Ye Olde Swan)

A fan of the smaller locations, good local businesses and obviously a nice pint

Matt

Hi Matt,

We stayed at a small site in the lakes last summer (Coalbeck caravan park) only about 6 pitches from memory, hard standing and grass. Interesting wildlife park just down the road and a very characterful site owner. No local pub but the lakes gin distillery is just up the road.
Fairly local to you in Somerset is the Tuckers grave inn, a truly unique gem of a pub, no bar just barrels in the window and a campsite in the back field.

 

[DXX]

Account Suspended

Convenient free overnight stop in car park across the road and the beer slides down easy.
Good views the following morning while nursing what felt like a skull fracture, must have been the effect of drinking at altitude.

 

[$immo]

Hi Matt,

We stayed at a small site in the lakes last summer (Coalbeck caravan park) only about 6 pitches from memory, hard standing and grass. Interesting wildlife park just down the road and a very characterful site owner. No local pub but the lakes gin distillery is just up the road.
Fairly local to you in Somerset is the Tuckers grave inn, a truly unique gem of a pub, no bar just barrels in the window and a campsite in the back field.

We did Tucker's Grave Inn last year, I can remember the first 2 or 3 pints of the cider then I can't remember anything else. Quirky place but great fun.

 

[Jimer]

We did Tucker's Grave Inn last year, I can remember the first 2 or 3 pints of the cider then I can't remember anything else. Quirky place but great fun.

Definitely messy if you get on the cider.

 

[JonriceT6]

I like Park Cliffe , good location
And good facilities . Close to bowness

 

[Murdoch]

for the lakes try this one

Lake District camping: Sykeside Camping Park and Brotherswater Inn - welcome

In the heart of the Dovedale Valley, surrounded by Dove Crag, Hart Crag and Fairfield and with Brotherswater nearby, Sykeside is an inspiring location for Lake District camping, offering stunning views wherever you pitch.

sykeside.co.uk

 

[cgtmiles]

We stayed a night at the old swan on the Thames last year. I thought it was great with a pub next door and SUP and kayaks for hire but the pub wasn’t probably open because of covid and the site had festival style portaloo loos and showers which were in a right state after one night. Very rule free camping meant music and shouting into the night. A couple had a massive argument and abandoned their tent and equipment in the middle of the night and to top it off my son was violently ill everywhere. I thought it was a great night but the wife won’t go back

They have yearly dubs at the bridge vw weekender there too which I think they were planning for last week in May.
Here is the view from the back of the van

 

[Ricardo T]

Heres a couple to note from my neck of the woods so to speak.....stayed at them both but a fair while ago now...great locations!

Cliff House Holidays | Camping and Coastal Holiday Homes in Suffolk

Based in Dunwich on the pristine Suffolk coast, Cliff House Holidays offer high quality camping, glamping and touring, as well as luxury holiday homes for sale.

www.cliffhouseholidays.co.uk

Great coastal and forest walks/tracks with 'The Ship' nearby.

Forestry England Camping

Gather your friends and family, snuggle up in your sleeping bag and take in the beautiful night sky with a stay at one of our campsites.

www.forestcamping.co.uk

Great forest walks and tracks with the excellent 'Viking Trail' 10 mile MTB track.

 

[Ricardo T]

PS..dont tell everybody!!