Recommend a 'do not miss' site for when we retire
well, retirement beckons early next year. So far,most of our caravanning has been weekends and bank holidays, which by definition, have limited us to a couple of hours drive from Peterborough. Now we will have more time, which sites would be recommended
as "do not miss"? (Taking into account not only the site, and it's setting but also the surrounding areas, places to visit etc). We prefer sites with ehu and full toilet facilities, and like NT properties, pubs, interesting villages, coastal and inland scenery.
We want to get planning for when 2017 bookings open next week.
Comments
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Exebridge Lakeside CC Site. Beautiful site, local pub within 5 minute walk, close to NT properties (Killerton, Knighthayes and Dunster Castle). Exmoor on your doorstep. I think that this site must tick all the boxes. Enjoy your retirement.
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We decide how long we want to be away and pick an area of the country to tour. Can't think of any area with nothing to offer for our usual 5 nights and move. So for us, it is not a case of a site not to miss. Simply a case of deciding where in the UK to
visit on our next trip. We normally have 3 breaks of 7 weeks, and 5 weeks between mid April (ish) and late July. Not necessarily in that order. At the nd of August we usually have another 4 week hop. The only site that we use annually is Southport for 2 weeks
over Christmas. There are very few sites that we have visited 3 times in the last 10 years and so no favourites.0 -
Stourhead estate has a great CL attached, there are also other NT properties with camping. Some that we like near villages are Hawes, Castleton, Exebridge , North Morte Farm, Minehead, Chapel Lane, Lydford , Hillhead plus many others.
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IanTG, enjoy your upcoming retirement.
For us it allows us to look for gaps when we don't have medical or hospital appointments, when the children are not moving house or having babies, or inviting us to join them in holiday houses or hosting big family birthday parties. When we spot those gaps we start looking at prices at the ferry port 25 miles down the road, usually about a fortnight ahead, but not booking Club sites (however special) six months in advance.
Retirement is different. Do make the most of it.
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Ian
I suppose we all do things in different ways but we tend to look for an area we are interested in and then look for sites within that area. As motorhomers we tend to pay more attention to how near a site is to things like towns and villages and public transport.
Not sure if you have any other commitments but have you thought of touring abroad?David
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Yes, David, we have. In fact, in the last couple of years, we have been on two trips of a fortnight each (Lake Como and Royan area), and will of course consider more.
Its just that it's a bit like a kid in a sweet shop, to start considering the whole of the UK (and indeed Europe) when previously the main criteria for the vast majority of our trips has been 'how far can we get on a Friday late afternoon?'. I agree we will target general areas, and then find sites, but as it's such a blank canvass, a few tips will be welcome.
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One of the things we've enjoyed over the few years we've had a van (caravan, then motorhome) is getting to places we've only seen briefly in the past. So visiting some places off the mainland UK has been good, places like the northern islands off Scotland,
Eire and NI, all areas that need time to visit and explore.0 -
For us it allows us to look for gaps when we don't have medical or hospital appointments, when the children are not moving house or having babies, or inviting us to join them in holiday houses or hosting big family birthday parties.
Life, as Mark Twain observed, is what happens while you are trying to do something else.
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We like Northumberland, Yorkshire and Cumbria. For us its an easy drive from home, arrive late lunch - mid afternoon depending on how early/late we leave home. Berwick Seaview is one of our places as is Whitley bay, because we can see the sea from the site
and we can walk or cycle straight from the site. If the weather is nice warm and sunny I don't mind just sitting outside and watching the sea. If we are toring in Scotland then I agree with New England Bay, also Oban North Ledaig, Dunnet head and Stonhaven
all of them by the sea and good sites.0 -
If you like walking then Yorkshire has a few good sites: Hawes, very close to the centre with a few pubs and other eateries, and also the cheese factory with free tastings. Lots of footpaths in every direction. Grassington has Wharfedale site, a bit further
to walk to the village, but again, also lots of footpaths to walk. Then Bolton Abbey, although that is not within walking distance of any village, it has great scenery and walks from the site. The walk along the river to the ruins of the priory is lovely,
and the whole area there is lovely.1 -
Visit your library, or local charity shops, and find a few tourist guides to various parts of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales - and highlight those regions you think will most interest you, then narrow it down to areas - mountain or coast, flat cycling or hill walking, lazy days or action packed! Then you'll have an idea of where to look for sites.
At the end of the day a site is only somewhere you park up whilst seeing the area - and you could spend forever and a day searching for ideal when 'good enough' will do as a base!
In Europe you can even move on where and when you like, so if you get fed up of stunning Alpine scenery, you can move down to the Cote d'Azur, or even go to Italy or Spain on a whim! All without booking (except peak season, seaside sites, in popular tourist areas!). Have a look at the ACSI Card website (www.campingcard.co.uk) for a scheme which may help you save on site fees in this country as well as the whole of Europe. There are sites from as little as 12 euros per night including pitch, two adults, car and caravan - or motorhome or tent - awning, and electricity.
PS - and living in Wharfedale, I would second everything InaD and Tammygirl say about Yorkshire!
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Kinlochewe has the best views in my opinion!!
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New england bay is beautifull , and bunree too , lovely views over the water: when i retire id like to go abroad
enjoy your retirement best regards mrs bc 0 -
"Willow Cottage" ,see the .elevant post ,not far from you !!
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The North Coast and the West coast of Scotland including the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland-----Great Wildlife, Full of historic interest, Gorgeous Scenery. Every outdoor activity. Wonderful friendly and laid back people. And much more ....
If you ever come to Scotland to tour,--- bypass the uninteresting bits and head for the North And West of this Fantastic Country. . .
Cheers...............K
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Have to agree the sites on the West Coast from Oban up are probably some of the best for location and views although we might be biased. Only point is in summer do not. Forget the midge repellant.
At the other extreme the view from Plymouth Sound takes some beating and there is plenty to do in the area.
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As your so close. Hop onto the HofH ferry and visit Holland, maybe do the Keukenhof gardens
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Sunrise gives you a good idea - Keukenhof will be open from late March to late May.
But if you still want a Club site not to be missed there is always Wyatts Covert - the picturesque uphill approach road, the flying birds across the road once you are settled in, the resident neighbours over the hedge, and the cheery walk back from the train station late at night.
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For us the real surprise has been sites and areas which were, for several reasons, never on our radar whilst working. As motorcaravaners we do tend to go to places where you can walk out from or catch public transport.
On the other extreme we now don't object to using all our onboard facilities so can go to never before remote places too!
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You'll have plenty of time to get down to the South West. Places like Salcombe and Falmouth. There're plenty of CLs to choose from. Also the Dorset Coast path and the Purbeck hills.
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