Admittedly winter might not be everyones first choice for a holiday vacation, but it really is one of the best times to get away and enjoy the open road.
You’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of campsites open all year round throughout the UK, with plenty of activities to keep you entertained alongside some pretty amazing scenery.
Before we get started on our top 10 though, let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to motorhome travel during the winter.
Can you stay in a motorhome in the winter?
Absolutely! Camping out of season most definitely has its advantages, such as fewer people, quieter campsites as well as quieter roads.
On the other hand, camping during the winter has its disadvantages too such as many places may be closed for the winter, there are fewer hours of daylight and, as you expect, it may be a little bit chilly. However, as long as you are well-equipped you can still enjoy a winter holiday.
What should I take with me when camping in the winter?
Before you go anywhere though, it is definitely worth making sure you have all the essentials to ensure your trip is as comfortable and warm as possible. Recommended items include:
- Thermal Blind
- Portable Heater
- Thermal Clothing and plenty of Big Jumpers
- Extra Blankets
- Hot Water Bottle
Where should I stay in a motorhome in the UK?
There are campsites aplenty across the UK with a lot of them staying open for not just the summer holiday season but for the winter period too. So without further ado, here is my list of some of the best holiday motorhome sites for you to visit this winter…
Top 10 Best Winter Holiday Sites:
10. Loch Ness Shores, Scotland
Kicking off our list today we have the stunning Loch Ness Shores Camping and Caravanning Club campsite, offering breathtaking scenery right on the banks of Loch Ness, near the quaint village of Foyers.
Accommodating caravans, motorhomes, campervans, and tents, this site comes equipped with electric hookups, water and waste drainage, heated toilet and shower blocks, as well as dishwashing and washing machine accessibility.
It goes without saying that Loch Ness is truly a beautiful place to visit, surrounded by a variety of designated dog walk trails, fishing ponds, boating, and a child play area on site, there is plenty to do and keep both yourself and the kids entertained. Further afield from the site, you can even visit the Urquhart Castle, the Falls of Foyers as well as the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition.
Upon research, you’ll also be pleased to know that this site does a mean roast dinner on Christmas day as well as a New Year's Eve party if you fancy taking your celebrations on the road this year!
Cost: £40.40 (nonmembers) or £32.70 (members) per night
Address: Loch Ness Shores Camping and Caravanning Club Site, Monument Park, Inverness, IV2 6YH
9. Braemar Caravan Park, Scotland
Located in the village of Braemar, Braemar Caravan Park is at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Operated by the Invercauld Estate, the site manages over 200 square miles, the perfect amount of space for their 86 hard-standing touring pitches.
Catering for touring caravans, motorhomes, and tents, this campsite offers electric hook-up, heated toilet and shower blocks, dishwashing areas, laundry, boot wash and drying room, chemical disposal points, and a drive-over motorhome service point.
There is plenty to see and do too. Surrounded by mountains, rivers, and forests, you can walk the dog, hike, or cycle to explore the area. You can even play a round of golf on their 18-hole course or take a short drive to the Glenshee Ski Centre and enjoy some winter sports.
To explore the area further you can embark on the 90-mile journey from Blairgowrie to Grantown-on-Spey. Called the ‘Snow Roads’, you’ll travel through the landscapes of the eastern Cairngorms. They have been given this name for a reason though - so take care when driving.
It is worth noting that the TV signal is intermittent, and a booster or digital aerial may be needed if you don’t already have a satellite dish. Also, electricity is not included in your per-night charge, instead, there will be a payment meter at the cost rate.
Cost: £28 per night + outstanding electricity charges
Address: Braemar Caravan Park, Glenshee Road, Braemar, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5YQ
8. The Quiet Site, Ullswater
Next on our list, we have the Quiet Site, a carbon-neutral holiday park, situated between Little Mell Fell and Ullswater.
Facilities offered here include Wi-Fi, a motorhome service point, a chemical disposal point, gas sale and exchange, an electric hook-up, and a laundry room. Also available on site is a zero waste shop, café, bar, and game room.
Their fully serviced terraced pitches are open for motorhome and caravan use and spread across two fields. Both can accommodate VWs, motorhomes, caravans, and tourers but the first field is smaller, quieter, and closer to the facilities and the second is larger and home to their other accommodation options.
Speaking of those, the Quiet Site also offers possibly the cutest named accommodation you’ll come across. Their gingerbread houses are sustainable little huts with basic facilities whereas the hobbit holes are underground and would impress even Bilbo Baggins!
Cost: £30 per night
Address: Ullswater, Cumbria, CA11 0LS
7. Skyeside Camping Park, Lake District
Next up is the Skyeside Camping Park, offering 5 hard-standing pitches all with electric hookups - located in the Lake District’s Dovedale Valley.
This dog-friendly site is definitely one for the walkers out there. From short strolls to hikes, the surrounding footpaths are ideal for exploring the Lake District and Cumbria. Alternatively, if you are someone who likes to relax, then you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of surrounding pubs for you to sample a few beers in such as the Brotherswater Inn.
Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that due to their location, there is no phone signal, and the TV signal isn’t very reliable – what a good excuse to keep all technology switched off and enjoy your surroundings!
Cost: £21.25 per night
Address: Brotherswater, Hartsop, Penrith, CA11 0NZ
6. Castle Howard Lakeside Holiday Park, North Yorkshire
Moving on swiftly to the stunning countryside of North Yorkshire, we have the Castle Howard Lakeside Holiday Park, located very close to the pretty village of Coneysthorpe, within the Howardian Hills.
The Castle Howard Lakeside Holiday Park comes fully equipped with heated shower and toilet blocks, hairdryers, washing machines and tumble dryers, as well as a large designated dog walking area, prime spots for fishing and boating, and plenty of cycle paths and hiking routes.
Outside of the park, you are perfectly located with easy access to York city centre, North York Moors, and North Yorkshire Coastline, as well as a 20-minute walk away from Castle Howard itself - which has a vast range of activities scheduled for the Christmas holidays!
Cost: £24-£32 per night
Address: Castle Howard Lakeside Holiday Park, Coneysthorpe, York, North Yorkshire, YO60 7DD
5. Bargoed Farm, Wales
Having only opened in 2017, the Bargoed Farm is located between the seaside town of Aberaeron and New Quay.
It’s home to 50 pitches, each coming well-equipped with its own 16 amp electric, water tap, grey water discharge, and lawn area. If you really are feeling the cold, or just want to add a touch of luxury to your trip then 20 of these pitches come with a hot tub. So whether you need to warm up or spice things up, you can treat yourself.
Onsite is a farm shop, butchery, and bistro as well as access to a footpath that avoids the main roads and leads you to the local village of Llwyncelyn and the Welsh Coastal Path. It’s also a completely dog-friendly site with a one-acre securely fenced dog walk and dog washing facilities.
Cost: £30-£35 per night + refundable deposit of £20
Address: Bargoed Farm, Llwyncelyn, Aberaeron, Ceredigion SA46 0HL
4. Celtic Camping, Wales
Celtic Camping is an open-field coastal camping site set on 250 acres of farmland.
With 3 large camping fields, motorhomes, caravans and campervans of all sizes are welcome. Here you’ll find access to water facilities, fixed toilet and shower blocks, electric hook-up, and washing-up areas. Additional satellite fields are also available for those looking to pitch away from everyone else.
It’s a traditional site so it could be perceived as quite basic compared to the bells and whistles of some of the others. However, you’ll find nothing but open space so it’s the perfect place to disconnect from the rat race and find space to breathe.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that you are advised to book your electric hook-up points early in busy times.
Cost: £35 per night
Address: Celtic Camping, Pwllcaerog Farm, St David’s Pembrokeshire, SA62 6DG
3. Valley Farm, Suffolk
Up next and located in one of the UK’s most beautiful counties, Woodbridge’s Valley Farm, Suffolk is a riding school that doubles up as the perfect place to take your motorhome.
The camping site itself is a large meadow that’s fenced in by hedges with lovely views of the ponies and their meadows. It’s family-friendly with the pitches leaving way for a large space for children’s games and activities. 20 pitches are available with 10 offering electric hook-up. Facilities here include an on-site café, toilets, showers, a washing-up area, and a chemical disposal point.
Here you can partake in activities such as farm and woodland walks, riding lessons, bird watching, and you can even walk alongside an alpaca. Another bonus is that the Suffolk Heritage Coast is also only a short commute away!
Cost: £37 per night
Address: Valley Road, Wickham Market, Woodbridge, IP13 0ND
2. Walnut Farm, Norfolk
Moving on swiftly and into the heart of Norfolk, we have Walnut Farm - a great place to base yourself and explore the Norfolk Coast!
The site comes equipped with 20 grass pitches with electric hook-ups available and offers unlimited access to a selection of facilities including shower rooms, toilets, chemical toilet and grey water disposal points, and an indoor washing-up area. This is another more basic site but it’s a great way to switch off and take a minute to enjoy the sea air on your face.
With walking, boating, canoeing, bird watching, and seal watching on offer, there is so much to do when staying at this small, family-run site. They also have direct pedestrian access to the nearby beach and a picturesque 1.5-mile dog walk around the perimeter of the farm.
It is worth noting that this site only accepts driving licence category B vehicles, up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass. Shower cards are available from the office at £1 for 10 minutes and a washing machine and tumble dryer are available to use but require smart cards.
Cost: £28 per night
Address: Waxham, Norwich, NR12 0EG
1. Broadhembury Caravan and Camping Park, Kent
Since opening its doors in 1988, the family-owned Broadhembury Caravan and Camping Park sits on the Kentish Coast with Ashford and Canterbury not too far away.
You’ll have the option of either a flat-level grass, hard-standing, or fully-equipped pitch. All pitches have access to the following facilities – showers with under-floor heating, a camper’s kitchen with everything you need to store, prepare, and cook your food (in case you don’t have the space), and a laundry room.
Broadhembury Park offers both a family and adult park. The family park has access to the playground and games room, whereas the Meadows is the quieter option and is set aside for adults and couples. Both areas have separate facilities.
Cost: £28-£33.50 (Adults) & £24 (Family)
Address: Steeds Ln, Kingsnorth, Ashford, TN26 1NQ
The Last Stop!
So there you have it, I hope you enjoyed my rundown of just 10 of the best Motorhome sites across the UK perfect for a winter holiday getaway!
For more travel inspiration, read through our guide on the Top 10 UK Motorhome Routes, as well as our Winter Motorhome Destinations in Europe article.
Last but not least, if you have your very own motorhome you need to insure to get you travelling this winter - make sure to get a motorhome insurance quote direct with Lexham!