Wide roads, easy access coastal sites
We are planning to buy a tourer next spring. Being the planner that I am I'm keen to start looking for places to stay, particularly during the summer months when I will be in charge of towing. Never towed before, car is medium size max towing weight 1300. Worried about driving to a site down tricky narrow, windy roads, meeting oncoming traffic and having to manoeuvre accordingly! Of course, my towing skills will become more proficient as time goes on but keen to find sites that will build my confidence.
So lovely people, what sites would you recommend for a newbie? Sites where the access roads are wide, enough for cars/caravans to pass. Love the coast and being near a beach, that said, lakeside sites do appeal too. any advice most welcome.
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Give us a clue to area, please? It’s no good us suggesting a Scottish site for a first trip if you’re based in Kent.
Bear in mind that most sites are in rural settings where access roads will be narrower than main routes.
Have you got yourself booked on a towing course to give yourself a confidence boost?
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Apologies, too keen to explore the UK! I'm based in Cheshire. Definitely booking onto a towing course in the new year. Sites 2/3 hours from me initially. Totally love Cornwall and Devon, so that would be my target once I'm confident, plus the Northumbrian coast.
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We have just completed a 5 site tour of Cornwall, and as TW said very few have easy access, that said, everyone manages to get on site, so get towing and learn the ropes, we all start somewhere, normally sites are off main roads so the hard bit is at the end, good luck.
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As Malc suggests, many Cornwall/Devon sites have issues but folk cope. Carnon Downs is an exception with access immediately off a roundabout on a main road.
I’m having difficulty in thinking of easy access sites anywhere, tbh. Perhaps, Lady Margaret's Park, Chirk or the Malvern site. I’m sure others will have suggestions.
Meanwhile, why not hitch up and get some experience around your own area. Industrial estates on a Sunday often provide good practice grounds.
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Wirral site is at the coast, access looked OK the one time we were in the area. Beewick-on-Tweed. Old Hartley. All the sites in North Norfolk and the Lincolnshire Coast.In Scotland.....Ayr......Stonehaven.......Edinburgh......North Ledaig......Bunree.....Morvich.....Garlieston.....New England Bay.
Other easy access ones we may have used, but not necessarily coastal.....Tewkesbury......Chapel Lane.....Troutbeck Head......Meathop Fell.....Whitewater Park......York Beechwood......Black Horse Farm.......Battle Normanhurst....Cadeside at Wellington.....Banchory Silverbank......Melrose Gibson Park.......Strathclyde Park and Durham, both too near busy roads for our liking.
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MamaS, my advice-don’t run, first walk👍🏻. Some South West roads have seasoned campaigners clenching at times. Try closer to you to build up a head of steam confidence wise, then further afield when you’re happy, it’s a lot to take in but perfectly doable👍🏻. The van will be your home away from home & needs to be respected-just like the Cornwall & Devon roads/lanes. You’ll get there for sure👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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Southport is a nice easy access site, close to the sea and should be easy for you from Cheshire
Always worth checking google maps if you can, use the street view to check the site entrance and approaching roads
Have fun and enjoy, try not to get stressed out you will not believe some of the driving you will witness on site, we had a great couple of hours last weekend watching people arrive and pitch at Moreton in Marsh, better than carry on camping
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When you’re planning, check out the website…. comments like “don’t follow satnav” are usually a give away. However, the directions provided usually mean alternative access is ok via that route. Site reviewers almost always comment on difficult access. If it’s not mentioned you can reasonably assume it’s not a big issue. A good example is Start Bay Club site in Devon. The section from Kingsbridge to Stokenham is the sort of route best avoided for the inexperienced and anybody doing a bit of research will be suitably warned.
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The section from Kingsbridge to Stokenham is the sort of route best avoided for the inexperienced and anybody doing a bit of research will be suitably warned.
I drove this route yesterday but without a caravan behind me and was glad that there wasn't one, even if I am used to narrow roads as we prefer C.L.s to sites. That route, like a lot of routes in Devon and Cornwall, will tax any driver with a large outfit, be it Motorhome or caravan.
I agree with AD insofar as the sites at Wirral C.P. and Southport would be good places to start. Further afield then Bridlington site is directly off the main road. If you want sites that do not include beaches nearby then almost of all of the club sites in the Peak District are accessed from the main road. Might be an idea to try these out to give yourself confidence in towing and they will be near to your Cheshire base.
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Best advice is to take your time. In narrow situations keep well to the side and let the rest sort themselves out.
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If I were you Mama I would leave the Devon and Cornwall sites until you are really confident. It’s not just the site entrances, we have seen many caravan drivers having real difficulty when taking the wrong turning or a road that they thought was ok. We had to sit with one lady passenger while she calmed down when her husband took a road that he thought was ok and ended up in country lanes, his wife was distraught, we eventually helped them out. A friend visiting recently shouted, while in our car, when a car came the other way on one of our quieter roads, she thought it was one way! We still giggle about it with her.
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Where we live narrow lanes are a way of life but if it's a concern it's probably not worth the worry. We visited a CL in our motorhome a few weeks ago which required a lengthy maze like narrow laned drive on the approach. The owners had sent detailed instructions with photos, we remarked how difficult it would be towing a caravan...when we got there a big fifth wheeler was on site, the owners said it was fine getting there! Everything depends on your level of confidence so the OP is being sensible but may find that confidence improves.
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Thanks everyone, super advice. Great to have a good steer when starting to plan our adventures.
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Northumberland shouldn’t pose too many problems. Lovely Sites all over. You just need to check out your route using a small scale map to get an indication of road sizes, either paper or digital. Cornwall and Devon are a bit more challenging, but there are thousands doing it, so you will be fine.
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Have you thought of Norfolk, pretty good access to the three main site.
David
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+1, Norfolk & Suffolk are a fave’s of mine. Quiet & peaceful beautiful countryside with warm welcoming folk. The Broads areas are stunning👍🏻
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Our first holiday with our caravan in 2015 was to Exeter Racecourse for an overnight, then onto Watergate Bay, then Trewhethett Farm and home via narrow lanes to the M5 as the main drag was closed due to an overturned caravan
The journey to Exeter was in a storm that flooded the A30 to Honiton.
To add to the mix the tow car was a Disco hired that day that was unknown to me.
Take it easy, it's a holiday not a timetable. Remember the caravan will follow the car basically. Use your mirrors.
Hope you don't encounter the current greeting from the locals, as image below
You'll be fine.
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There’s certainly a problem brewing when one of the parties can’t backwards, but usually resolved by the ones that can. However, if neither can drive backwards there is a problem.
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If a combine harvester can go down that lane and tractor with trailer mobile home on lorry so can caravan dont worry just go for it
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We have found a new route off Dartmoor today. It’s categorised “interesting, motor home only, not towing a van”. A few tight squeezes in places, and the ability to reverse is required.
We have our own touring road classification system, ranging from “motorway, boring” to “ holy ****, never again!” 😁
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Cae Mawr on Anglesey. Easy access, short walk to Traeth Bychan (beach).
No facilities block.
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I find google maps -satellite view, a good option on which to check sites & approach roads to any site - be it club site or CL.
You can always then ring a site owner or club warden in advance of booking of booking, to chat about access and they will be delighted to help you.
Enjoy tugging!
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