One of Wales’ great campsites

Overlooking the sea

Caerfai Farm is somewhere that anyone who loves camping should try and visit if they love pretty coastlines and tiny cities…

The campsite is located a 5 minute walk out of St Davids, Britain’s smallest city, containing a couple of decent pubs and excellent restaurants as well as a helpful variety of shops, banks and tourist information. The cathedral is incredible and huge in comparison to the city itself, befitting its importance as a key place of medieval Christian pilgrimage.

The campsite is on a very well maintained organic farm south-east of town, with decent, if not luxurious, facilities, its own farm shop stocking the incredible Caerfai Caerphilly cheese (try the garlic and leek one…) and friendly owners running both farm and campsite. However, its trump card is that it sits right on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path above the gorgeous Caerfai Bay.

If you camp in the field nearest the beach you can wake up to stunning cliff-top views and be on the coast path within 2 minutes. If you are wondering why a path is so exciting, I’ll briefly explain: it showcases the Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park which can be walked in its entirety taking in some of the most stunning cliffs, beaches and natural harbours in the UK, if not Europe. You can expect to see plenty of seals (and pups at the right time) as well as rare birds, beautiful flora and if you’re lucky, dolphins.

Caerfai Bay itself is a pretty beach swelling in size at low-tide and holding some decent surf in the right conditions. The Glan Y Mor pub, just up the lane from Caerfai Farm, serves food and a decent pint of local Felinfoel Beer. If Caerfai is full, you can ask to camp behind their beer garden. Whilst in the area, be sure to go on a boat trip to Ramsey Island and if you like surfing, Whitesands Bay is the best spot around here (8-10 min drive) where you can also hire equipment.

This site, unsurprisingly, is becoming ever more popular and the owners do not allow it to get crowded so booking is essential during the summer months. Despite its popularity, it always manages to feel like you’ve really escaped somewhere special…

Site information

Caerfai Farm is open from Whitsun until late September

St Davids, Pembrokeshire
SA62 6QT

www.cawscaerfai.co.uk
01437 720548

Caefai on Google maps

One of Wales’ great campsites, Caerfai Farm is from Campr - Everything Camping

But is it?

Many amazing campsites are open all year round and winter or off season camping can provide a unique camping experience, that with a little planning is as rewarding as any summer trip. Most campsites are quiet at this time of year, so any unseasonably warm weekend is an opportunity to try some late season camping.

We’ve put together a list of beautiful campsites that are open throughout the winter months. It may be cold and sometimes bleak, but imagine the amazing solitude as the heaving masses huddle indoors contently adding a layer of winter fat.

Hooks House Farm

Based within the North Yorks Moors National Park, Hooks House Farm is situated on a working farm half a mile from Robin Hoods Bay and five miles from Whitby. With panoramic sea views you may need to huddle up but as consolation you can bring your own horse with DIY livery and stables.

Site info:
www.hookshousefarm.co.uk
01947 880283

Thornton’s Holt

Based in the pleasingly named hamlet of Stragglethorpe, Thorntons Holt is a few miles south east of Nottingham. With a friendly ‘farm atmosphere’ you may find a free range chicken pecking at your tent.  Note: From 1st November to Easter the shop and swimming pool are closed.

Site info:
www.thorntons-holt.co.uk
camping@thorntons-holt.co.uk
0115 9332125

Ayr Holiday Park

Ayr Holiday Park is the only campsite in St. Ives itself and less than half a mile from the town centre.  With award winning facilities Ayr Holiday Park will make winter camping a little easier and if it all gets a little too much head to the Tate.

Site info:
www.ayrholidaypark.co.uk
01736 795855

Troytown Farm

Perched on the western age of St. Agnes, Troytown Farm runs right down to the foreshore.  The remote island boasts panoramic views of the Atlantic and is only a mile across, so winter camping is probably the best chance you’ll get to pretend you’re a mad hermit surviving on your own (served by a handy shop selling seasonal produce).

Site info:
www.troytown.co.uk
enquiries@troytown.co.uk
01720 422360

Syke Farm

Situated near Buttermere village in the Lake District, Syke Farm is surrounded by mountains and a lake. Although the location looks remote the site is only a three minute walk from the Bridge Inn and Fish Hotel. With a tea shop for winter scones in the local village. Be warned! No advanced bookings (But probably most applicable if you fancy the site in summer)

Site info:
www.lakedistrictcamping.co.uk/campsites/northwest/syke_farm.htm
017687 70222

Gwern Gôf Isaf Farm

Another farm based site, Gwern Gôf Isaf Farm nestles between Capel Curig and Llyn Ogwen, close to the base of Tryfan. If the location appeals but the temperature doesn’t there are two bunk houses sleeping six or sixteen people.

Site info:
www.gwerngofisaf.co.uk
01690 720276

Vale of Pickering Caravan Park

Close to the famous Yorkshire Moors the Vale of Pickering Caravan Park boasts nearby attractions ranging from Dalby Forest to Flamingo Land. The site is more focused on caravaners but if you don’t mind sleeping next to some middle lane hoggers the site is a great winter destination.

Site info:
www.valeofpickering.co.uk
01723 859280

Beautiful Sites for Winter Camping is from Campr - Everything Camping

The majority of the site is level ground and well drained with shallow gullies in most areas to channel rainwater away. As a David Bellamy, Gold award winning site for Conservation, Roundhill is about as unspoilt as it can be with the forest bordering the site on all sides and just enough woodland and hedgerow on site to offer a degree of seclusion if required, yet plenty of open space for children to play as well as a fishing lake which is available to fish from mid June.

Modern and very clean facilities

Once we had found our spot and pitched the tent we took a short walk to one of the three shower blocks on site to freshen up. The wooden clad buildings offered modern and very clean facilities with enough showers that even on a busy weekend meant that you didn’t have to wait for one to become free. On the end of each of the shower blocks is a washing up room, oh and be warned the water is HOT believe what the signs say.

Night fell on our first evening and sat outside our tent with the log pit burning down and one more glass of the red stuff left in the bottle to finish off the pony’s and donkeys that wander around the site even seemed to step it down a gear before finally wandering off into the forest for the night. Unlike most other larger sites, Roundhill does not offer EHU points and so it seems to attract a different type of camper and very few tin snails, which in turn seems to result in a much quieter site where everyone respects everyone else’s space and there is very little disturbance after dark.

Ideally located

The following morning and its off for a walk with the dog to the site reception hut before breakfast to check out the information board. There are Ranger Activities for the children on site and a local bike hire company that will deliver their bikes to your tents door as well as a wealth of local information and tour guides for the New Forest. Roundhill is ideally located within the forest for when you want to explore the area with just about every village, town and place of interest worth visiting being no more than 20 minutes drive away.

To sum up our Roundhill experience, a wonderful site, excellent facilities, relaxing and very friendly, well worth a visit.

Book now with Camping Ninja

Roundhill details

Roundhill Caravan Park and Campsite
Beaulieu Road
Brockenhurst
Hampshire
SO42 7QL

Roundhill Caravan Park & Campsite Review is from Campr - Everything Camping

Shiel Bridge Caravan Park and Campsite

Sheil Bridge Caravan Park and Campsite is set in a Scottish Glen at the foot of the Five Sisters mountain range in Kintail. This site is great for hill walkers of varying levels of ability with a vast range of walks within a stones throw of the site.

Other attractions include the Skye Bridge connecting the mainland to the Isle of Skye, Glenelg Broch a collection of Iron Age ruins and Eilean Donan Castle built by King Alexander 2nd to name just a few. The site has an amenities block with hot water all day, dish washing area and there is a shop and petrol station close by.

Shiel Bridge, Glenshiel, Kyle of Lochalsh, IV40 8HW

Nantcol Waterfalls

Nantcol Waterfalls is situated at the foot of the Rhinog Mountain range in Snowdonia National Park and is just a stones throw from the river Nantcol and its waterfalls. There are plenty of local attractions nearby, Shell Island is just two miles from the site and offers beautiful beaches. The site offers facilities including toilets, showers, washing up facilities and electrical points for hairdryers in the ladies and the gents have shaving points.

Llanbdar, Gwynedd, LL45 2PL

Stowford Manor Camping

Stowford Manor Farm is a family run farm located in the Frome Valley near Bradford-On-Avon. The River Frome runs along side one of the camping fields where you can pitch your tent allowing you to paddle, swim or fish in
the river. The site is a short distance from many of local attractions including Longleat House and safari park and Farleigh Castle a 14th century castle offering many hidden treasures. The site is also in a perfect location to enjoy some of the popular local walks. The site offers facilities including toilets, showers, sinks, washing-up facilities with hot water and electrical hook-ups.

Do bear in mind that as the field is next to a river the ground may get a muddy around the bank and this can be added to by the weather, there may also be a small charge to get the hot water in the showers of 50p.

Wingfield, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 9LH

Upton Manor Farm Camping Site

Upton Manor Farm is located near the sandy beach of St. Mary’s Bay and is close to the surrounding areas of Dartmouth and Dartmoor. The park has plenty of facilities including showers, baby change area, dishwashing and power points, in addition to this there is also a laundrette on site.

The site is perfect for a family holiday as the tourist attractions within the surrounding areas include Paignton Zoo, Dame Agatha Christies home and Kents Cavern a prehistoric cave which is believed to have been home to ancient humans. Brixham harbour makes for a great day out there many tourist attractions close to the harbour as well as many unusual shops and restaurants.

St. Mary’s Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 9QH

Side Farm Camping

Side Farm Camping is located in the Lake District and has stunning views towards the Helvellyn range. There are many great walking routes in the area for you to explore. There are also activities such as mountain biking and fishing to keep you entertained.

Within the local area there are many natural beauty spots to explore for example Helvellyn the third highest peak in the lake district, Thirlmere a beautiful conifer clad reservoir and Lake Windermere the largest natural lake in England. Do bear in mind that this site is not a holiday park and it is not as luxurious as others. Pitches are not always level so take care when pitching your tent and the drive down to the site is along a farm road so take it slow as there are a lot of pot holes to contend with.

Patterdale, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0NL

5 camp sites to visit in 2011 is from Campr - Everything Camping

La Teste-de-Buch in the Arcachon Bay area of the South West of France boasts Europe’s largest sand dune, Dune du Pilat (also known as the Dune du Pyla) a truly awe inspiring natural feature served by numerous camp sites nestling alongside it’s sandy peaks.

Late season camping

Last month I camped at Le Petit Nice,  picking it on a whim from the range of camp sites that sit metres from the Middle Easternesque beaches in Archachon Bay.

The nearest major airport to the Arcachon Bay area is Bordeaux, giving you an opportunity to spend a day in the vibrant French city, unfortunately we chose to fly into Bergerac airport as it was cheaper. This backfired when we had to spend the first night of the holiday in the French equivalent of a Travel Lodge. However Bergerac Airport could be worth a visit for the hilariously low-fi arrivals lounge that is literally a metal shed with hand powered baggage belts.

Arriving at Arcachon

After a pleasant train journey we arrived at Arcachon station and quickly found a bus that connects to the camp site. One disadvantage of out of season camping in this area is the local bus service terminates a few stops short of the camp sites near Dune du Pilat.

Several bus drivers suggested hitch hiking to the camp site, an hours walk up a fairly steep road. But feeling nervous about our lack of French we decided to walk it. This was hard work! Particularly as Le Petit Nice is one of the last camp sites along this section of the Route de Biscarrosse.

Le Petit Nice

Le Petit Nice

The effort of the walk was softened by the sight of the towering dunes with para-gliders drifting overhead so we were relieved to finally arrive at Le Petit Nice. The staff are friendly, speak good English and allowed us to choose our pitch. The site is part of the Franceloc scheme so if you’re staying more than a few nights it works out cheaper to buy a membership card.

Le Petit Nice is situated on a gently sloping hill leading down to the beach with each pitch having it’s own platform built into the hill, the effect is like a rice paddy of tents. The site also caters for motorhomes and there are a variety of static caravans to rent. Be warned the ground is extremely hard in places with the pitches consisting of hard packed rocky sand, so a mallet will be useful (or a good sized rock).

Facilities

The site boasts a swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court, table tennis tables, restaurant and shop.

The shop is the only disappointing facility with a fairly poor selection of food, sundries and expensive, slightly dubious looking vegetables. This was a highlighted when we snuck into Le Petit Nice’s neighbour to find a much larger supermarket and bistro, however it is a few Euros a night more expensive.

Sand and nudity

The main draw of Le Petit Nice and it’s rivals is the beach and dunes. The beach is a few minutes walk from the site with a large dune that must be traversed to get to the sea (this is fun!). There are steps and walking mats installed on the dunes but it’s hard going climbing back up.

The beach seems to be popular with ‘older’ nudists so if you’re adverse to wrinkly bottoms you may prefer to sunbathe in the dunes. The area has a healthy population of mossies so remember the insect repellent. Visiting in September the temperatures were in the high twenties with a gentle breeze from the sea. The beaches were quiet with most activity coming from the paragliders launching themselves off the dunes.

The site has several BBQ areas and bringing the charcoal back from Arcachon we decided to try hitch hiking and were surprised to find cars stopping within minutes. It seems to be an accepted practise in this area of France so if you’re travelling in a couple I can highly recommend it as a method of travel.

Outside of the camp site,  Arcachon Bay is a regional centre for water sports and paragliding with equipment available for hire in Arcachon Town.

Overall

Le Petit Nice comes highly recommended, the location is the star feature and there are plenty of alternative sites in this area but you won’t be disappointed.

Site information

Le Petit Nice
Route de Biscarrosse
33115 Pyla sur Mer

Tel: 05 56 22 74 03

Main image courtesy: Marynolan.
Side image courtesty: Panayotis

Camping at Dune du Pyla is from Campr - Everything Camping

Now the 2009 camping season is coming to a close it’s time to recognise those amazing sites that made our summers.

What was your favourite campsite of 2009? Did you find a hidden gem you’d love to share or did a big commercial site give you a dream holiday?

Launching on November 2nd 2009, the Campr 100 will be a permanent directory of the 100 best campsites in the UK and Ireland. Simply nominate your favourite site of 2009 to win a stay at your pick of the Campr 100.

Your Nomination

Tell us your favourite campsite of 2009 and why you think it should be included in the Campr 100. Was it stunning location, amazing customer service or just special? We’ll pick one random person to win a stay at their choice of any site in the Campr 100.

T&Cs

1. This free prize draw is open to all UK residents aged 16 or over. You do not need to buy anything to enter.

2. All nominations must be submitted before 1st November 2009 to be valid entries in the draw.

3. Submission of a campsite nominations to Campr.co.uk will gain automatic entry into the prize draw.

4. Third-party registrations will not be accepted.

5. The draw will be made on 1st November 2009.

6. There is one prize of one (1) nights stay at your choice of any site from the Campr 100 campsite directory.

7. The winner will be drawn independently and at random from all valid entries received and will be notified by email within 72 hours of the actual draw date.

8. No alternative prize is available and the prize is not transferable.

9. For winner’s details please send an email to info@campr.co.ukwithin 28 days of the draw date.

10. By entering the free prize draw, entrants agree to be bound by the rules and by any other requirements set out in promotional material.

Launching the Campr 100, the best campsites in the UK in 2009 is from Campr - Everything Camping

Shell Island – A Stunning Site with Lots of Dirty Secrets

Shell Island suddenly seemed to be on everyone’s radar this summer so, having decided to stay local (ish) this year we headed off with the kids and the dogs for 10 days to what is described as Europe’s largest campsite.

Expectations were high having checked out the official website and on arrival we weren’t disappointed. Stunning scenery, beautiful location just north of Barmouth and amazing views of Snowdonia. The sun was shining, we found a magical pitch close to the huge sand dunes and all was good with the world.

But sadly Shell Island is not all it first seems. Certainly it is an amazing place. Huge, gorgeous beaches with fabulous rock pools for crabbing and giant sand dunes for rolling down. But so many site rules are simply not adhered to. Campers are not supposed to pitch within 20 metres of each other but within the first 24 hours we had four other tents within a 10 metre radius. Single sex groups are apparently banned – but the party boys in their Bench and McKenzie tops were everywhere, swigging their WKD. Dogs are supposed to be kept on leads – but our own little hounds took huge offence as plenty of other dogs came sniffing around our tent where they were happily tethered outside.

Shell Island takes dogs

We took the kids bikes expecting them to be able to cycle around safely but with so many drivers ignoring the 20 miles per hour rule I just couldn’t let my 7 year old loose on his bike.

And then there’s the rubbish. Shoes or Crocs are a must for the kids when playing in the dunes, littered as they are with broken bottles, cans, dirty nappies and all manner of rubbish. Not only did the wardens show no signs of clearing up this hidden dirt, they also seemed happy to drive past the more obvious piles of bin bags, bottles (and in one case a completely abandoned camp) and abandoned barbecues which dirty, lazy campers had simply abandonded when packing up. This rubbish remained where it was for days on end.

How very sad that such a wonderful place is being ruined by thoughtless campers and lazy owners/wardens who simply don’t enforce their own rules meaning that an area of outstanding natural beauty is being slowly destroyed. What should and could be a truly magical experience for so many is being ruined by the few – and the owners who could and should do more to preserve the beauty of this magical place.

Will we return? We’d love to say yes – it has the potential to be an incredible site, but to be honest we doubt it. Old timers told us things were never this way before. Shell Island it seems has become Chav-on Sea.

Further Details

Shell Island is the biggest campsite in the UK and does not take bookings. Campers are admitted between 8am and 8pm (9pm on Fridays).

March – June Sept & October (excluding Whit week & Firework weekend)
Adult £6.00 per night – £35 adult weekly rate.

July & August (including Whit week & Firework weekend)
Adult: £7.00 per night -£40 per adult weekly rate
Child: £3.00 per night -£18 per child weekly rate (3-15 years old)
Dogs (max. 2): £2.00 each per night

Tel: 01341 241453
http://www.shellisland.co.uk/

Shell Island Campsite Review is from Campr - Everything Camping

Hollands Wood Campsite

Ok, so with the weather forecast predicting some of the best temperatures of this summer to date for the weekend just past, we decided it was time to try out some camping in the New Forest.

We set off from the in hope of setting up camp at Hollands Wood Campsite which is situated on the A337 road near the Balmer Lawn Hotel, on the northern edge of Brockenhurst. However even with their 600 pitches, it looked as though pretty much ever campr in the country was intent on making use of the good weather, and sadly we were turned away.

This was to become a frequent trend, as we rather desperately used the satnav to locate alternative campsites using the ‘points of interest/save our bacon’ feature.

After a handful of rejections by what looked like large campsites we felt it was almost time to turn home, (or perhaps look for a hidden away bit of land for a spot of wild-camping – not that’d we do that of course… that’s illegal don’t you know).

Making bacon (eggs)

Chapelfield Campsite

However our prayers were answered by the lovely, wonderful, owners of Chapelfield Campsite, near Fordingbridge. They thankfully managed to put us up for the night even though they too were very much full.

So – Chapelfield Campsite? Although the people were wonderful and answered our calling, the campsite was relatively ‘basic’. I guess you would probably say it was lacking in atmosphere, and had an air of carboot sale field, rather than camping field.

Saying that, the campsite did have a good number of portaloos and hot showers for that morning freshen up, so it covered the basic needs of your every day campr, but certainly couldn’t be described as luxurious.

So, I guess the summary would be, a nice little campsite if you just want to pitch a tent and survive, but if you want a bit more adventure, and perhaps the odd wild horse poking his head into your tent during the night there’s one thing to remember… book in advance!

Further information

Chapelfield Campsite
Pitches from £5 a night

8-10 Whitsbury Road
Fordingbridge
Hampshire
SP6 1JZ

Tel: 07807 471621

Camping in the New Forest is from Campr - Everything Camping

Well hidden...

Wild Camping

Feathered or not it wasn’t rare birds we were seeking when we headed For Studland Bay (even the name is a little risque) but somewhere to spend a night wild camping.

Nestled a few miles along the coast from Poole, Studland Bay is a beautiful stretch of National Trust managed coastline with blue sea and three beaches to explore. You can get here by car ferry from Sandbanks, Poole adding nicely to the sense of adventure. As soon as you alight you’ll see signs warning no overnight parking that are almost obscured by the number of motor homes parked along the Ferry Road.

Being canvas lovers we could afford to be a little more discreet, so after driving up and down the road a few times we found a nicely secluded spot overlooking some kind of  bay (or so we thought). After a peaceful night we woke to find we’d camped opposite some kind of ‘inlet’ that smelled a little ‘fresh’ in the morning sun. But it was still nice enough to start a little fire and cook some breakfast.

After packing up we headed over to the other side of the peninsula to enjoy the real beach before heading down the Ferry Road and found a pub for some plaque stripping local cider.

Studland Bay is thoroughly recommended for wild camping or a day out,  just be mindful of the no parking signs, reading Wild Camping seems the authorities like to issue the occasional parking ticket.

Further information:

Heres the approximate spot on Google Maps.

View Larger Map

Wild Camping at Studland Bay is from Campr - Everything Camping

If you’d like to get involved with Campr send us your cool camping reviews or equipment low-downs and we’ll send you a Camping Essentials Pack if we use them! More info

Stoke Barton Farm

If you’re a real outdoor camper then you will love the area and the camp site. It’s a working farm but you aren’t in a danger of being hunted down by a moo cow!

The showers are pretty basic and aren’t in the camping field but they have toilets in the main field which are always spotless. This site is absolutely huge, you can honestly pitch 100 metres from your neighbour! There is also a small park area for the kids along with a football pitch.

Colin (site owner) is probably the most helpful site owner you will ever meet along with the rest of his family. Other facilities include, tea rooms where you can buy the tastiest cakes and real Devonshire cream teas and relax in a beautiful farmhouse or outside in the sun. Packed lunches can be made to order.

All of this looks out across the sea and on a clear day you can see Lundy perched elegantly on the horizon.

Being right on the North Devon coastline there are miles of scenic walks to enjoy or pop just down the road to Hartland Quay for a paddle. You can even take your horse or pony on holiday with you!

Booking information

For more information on Stoke Barton Farm visit the website or call 01237 441238.

Camping is £5.50 during the high season electric hook-ups and firewood is available. Dogs are also welcome.

Camp on a working farm at Stoke Barton is from Campr - Everything Camping