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LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT HOLIDAY LOCATION?

Y O U R P E R F E C T L O C AT I O N

T h e S t a y c a t i o n G u i d e

An inspiring travel guide to help you plan your touring and camping holidays around Britain for 2022 EXPLORING

• Regional highlights • Top attractions • Hidden gems • Things to see and do P L U S L O T S M O R E …

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Cumbria

VisitEngland/Richard J Jones

xxx Ullswater Steamer THE CALL OF CUMBRIA

A favourite of the poet, Wordsworth, Cumbria is a feast for the eyes. Simply relax and breathe in the beauty

BORROWDALE VALLEY This runs from Scafell Pike, the highest summit, down to the shores of Derwentwater. The valley is a popular place for rock climbing and there are many scenic places to explore such as the Nati onal Trust-owned hamlet of Watendlath and the prett y village of Grange in Borrowdale.

SCAFELL PIKE At 978 metres, this is England’s highest mountain and not for the faint-hearted. There are three main routes up the pike that require map reading and compass skills. The reward for reaching the top is huge and you will see the highest war memorial in memory of those who died in World War I. LANGDALE VALLEY Located right at the heart of the Lakes, with notable att racti ons including the Nati onal Trust’s High Close Estate and Arboretum and Bowfell and Crinkle Crags. There’s also Grasmere and Rydal. The Wordsworth homes of Dove Cott age and Rydal Mount are popular locati ons to visit, along with an area of woodland known as Dora’s Field. At the western end of Rydal Water you’ll fi nd White Moss Car Park and from here you can enjoy walks of various lengths and may stumble upon Rydal Cave.

DERWENTWATER Known as the ‘Queen of the Lakes’, this lake is three miles long and one mile wide. You can hire watercraft or take a boat cruise right around the lake. There are various landing stages with the main ones just 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of Keswick town. Also near Keswick is the ‘Theatre by the Lake’ where you can enjoy a producti on in the stunning lakeside locati on.

ULLSWATER The second-largest lake in the Lake District. A great and leisurely way to explore this lake is by steamer boat. For 160 years the Ullswater Steamers have been operati ng on the lake, running a serpenti ne course for eight miles through stunning vistas. The steamers pick up and drop off at diff erent piers, allowing you to explore some prett y villages and att racti ons on foot, too.

‘‘ A cruise on Windermere’s waters will aff ord views of mountain scenery, secluded bays and wooded islands ‘‘

VisitEngland/Alex Hare Borrowdale Valley

Pixabay Derwentwater Scafell Pike and Wastwater

VisitBritain/Joe Cornish

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Pixabay

52 | YOUR PERFECT LOCATION WINDERMERE You can also experience England’s longest lake, Windermere, in the same way. A cruise on Windermere’s waters will aff ord views of mountain scenery, secluded bays and wooded islands, with piers at Ambleside, Bowness, Brockhole and Lakeside. Various trip ti ckets are available, such as a buff et cruise and sunset evening cruise in the summer months, but boat trips operate all year round.

HADRIAN’S WALL Built to guard the northwest fronti er of the Roman Empire, the vast 73 miles of Hadrian’s Wall passes through parts of Cumbria in places. One of the longest remaining stretches of the wall available to explore is located at Birdoswald Roman Fort. The Langdale Pikes

VisitEngland/Cumbria Tourism

CASTLERIGG STONE CIRCLE One of the earliest Briti sh circles, dati ng from the Neolithic period, Castlerigg is located near the town of Keswick. Expect panoramic views with the mountains of Helvellyn and High Seat as a backdrop. You can park in the centre of Keswick and walk to the stones in about 30 minutes. SOLWAY’S STUNNING SHORES On the southern shore of the great Solway Firth, that divides England from Scotland on the west coast, lies a land of stark beauty. The Solway Firth stretches from St Bees Head on the northwestern ti p of Cumbria all the way to the Mull of Galloway. The coastal area from Rockcliff e to Maryport is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area is known for its endless walking opportuniti es. A popular route to follow includes the six-mile Solway Villages Trail, tracing the history of old transport routes, streams that powered the corn mills, and ancient woodlands. This is also the place to observe wildfowl; the Solway Wetlands Centre at the RSPB Campfi eld Marsh Reserve being the ideal place.

Things to s and do in Solway

MARYPORT Step into history with a visit to the ancient town of Maryport. Explore its history at the Mariti me Museum and you can also take a wander along the harbour to see the litt le lighthouse that features in several painti ngs by LS Lowry.

SENHOUSE ROMAN MUSEUM The museum is next to the remains of a Roman fort, and houses the largest group of Roman military altar

VisitEngland/Cumbria Tourism/Brian Sherwen St Bees Head stones and inscripti ons in Britain and unique examples of Romano-Briti sh religious sculpture.

ST BEES HEAD There are in fact two St Bees Heads – the North and the South Head –and between them nestles a coastal secret – Fleswick Bay, remote and accessible only on foot or by boat. To the south of the head, closer to St Bees village, is an RSPB reserve for seabirds, which is the only breeding place to be found in England for the black guillemot.

THE LAKE DISTRICT COAST AQUARIUM This is home to species all found in lakes, streams and rivers of the region. You can look into the depths of the ray pool, and then emerge to play mini golf or explore the adventure playground.

istockphoto/david evison

Maryport

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all-year adventure SUPER SI T ES

No season is off limits for an escape in the caravan with these campsites that are open all year round…

FOXTAIL HOLIDAY PARK Wrexham Chirk, Wrexham, Wales LL14 5DG T 01691 410134 W foxtailholidaypark.co.uk Just a few minutes’ walk from the Shropshire Union Canal, Foxtail Holiday Park is only a

mile from the Wales/England border, meaning you have the best of both countries on your doorstep. One-and-a-half miles from the town of Chirk in Wales, the site itself is actually in England. Chirk Aqueduct is just over a mile away and a 10-minute drive is historic Chirk Castle – a medieval fortress with over five acres of award-winning gardens and 480 acres of 1 estate parkland to explore. Foxtail has hardstanding fully serviced pitches. There are toilets and showers on site; plus, within a five-minute walk is a pub serving food and there’s a garden centre nearby. Other local activities include canal day trips on a traditional horse-drawn barge, or, for the adventurous, white water rafting at Llangollen.

Words: Claire Tupholme

Chirk Castle Greg Montani/Pixabay

Canterbury JackLondonPL/Pixabay 2

BROADHEMBURY CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK Steeds Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NQ T 01233 620859 W broadhembury.co.uk

Set in the Kent countryside, Broadhembury offers the best of both worlds as it is a family-friendly campsite, but with two separate areas – one for families with easy access to the playground, games room and sports fields, and the other for adults only, set aside on a quieter part of the campsite. Wherever you stay you can enjoy use of centrally heated showers, toilets and launderettes. Pitches for caravans are hardstanding with

electric or fully serviced.

Located close to Ashford, for a selection of shops and places to eat, Broadhembury is only 20 minutes from the coast and 30 minutes from Folkestone. The city of Canterbury is 18 miles away, with plenty of park and ride options available if you’d rather not drive into the city centre.

stock.adobe.com Boris StroujkoCanterbury Old Town

3HUNGERFORD FARM TOURING CARAVAN & MOTORHOME PARK Loveston, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire SA68 0NY T 01834 891463 W hungerford-farm.co.uk

Hungerford Farm is divided into two main areas – the first with 25 pitches with electric and grey water drainage, and the other area has 12 fully serviced pitches, which have the addition of a mains water tap, and then eight grass pitches. The site’s facilities include a toilet and shower block, four family shower rooms, accessible facilities a laundry room, designated dog walking fields and a dog shower. In the peak summer season, there is also a shop. Situated between Tenby and Haverfordwest, Hungerford

Farm is also close to parts of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, ideal for enjoying walks all year round. The pretty seaside town of Tenby, with its pastel painted houses lining the harbour, is just 20 minutes’ drive away, and the small cathedral city of St Davids is 45 minutes. There is a large car park on the edge of the city, giving easy access to explore.

CLIFF FARM HOLIDAYS Sinnington, North Yorkshire YO62 6SS T 01751 473792 W clifffarmholidays.com

For the chance to discover the North York Moors National Park in any season, head to Cliff Farm Holidays. The campsite is four miles from Pickering, surrounded by farmland and on the edge of the national park. Pickering is home to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which will take you on a scenic journey through the moors and onto Whitby at the coast. You’re also only 30 minutes’ drive from the national park’s Sutton Bank Visitor Centre, which is a great place for stargazing due to the lack of light pollution.

Cliff Farm has 30 pitches, all hardstanding with electric hookup, with views across the countryside. There is a toilet and shower block, a laundry room and accessible facilities. There are walks around the farm and surrounding land, which are dog friendly. The local village, Sinnington, is a 15-minute walk with woodland and river walks, plus a pub and restaurant.

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PARKLAND CARAVAN & CAMPING Sorley Cross, Kingsbridge, Nr Salcombe, Devon TQ7 4AF T 01548 852723 W parklandsite.co.uk

If you’re looking for an adults-only Devon retreat, Parkland is an ideal choice. Set just one mile from the market town of Kingsbridge, within three acres of mature landscaped grounds, there are hardstanding or grass fully serviced pitches available.

As a winter treat, why not upgrade to a deluxe pitch, one of only three, with your own private washroom and shared utility room with dishwasher and fridge/freezer? Site facilities include toilets, showers and baths, plus a launderette, campers’ kitchen and licensed shop. Why not enjoy a good ramble along the South West Coast Path, enjoy picturesque views and the fabulous beaches of Bigbury, Bantham, Thurlestone, Hope Cove and the beautiful South Sands?

Public transport is 400 yards from the site, with services to Kingsbridge and the popular seaside town of Salcombe, or historic Dartmouth and Totnes.

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Colin/stock.adobe.comScenery on the Deeside Way

DEESIDE HOLIDAY PARK South Deeside Road, Maryculter, Aberdeen AB12 5FX T 01250 878123 W woodleisure.co.uk

Just 20 minutes from Aberdeen and within an easy drive of several park and ride services, Deeside Holiday Park is set in the countryside, just a short walk from the River Dee. There is also a golf course and woods nearby. For walkers, the long-distance Deeside Way can be joined at nearby Peterculter and, in Aberdeen, there is plenty of historic architecture, fantastic museums and galleries to explore.

All pitches feature electric hook-up and you can choose between grass or hardstanding. There is the option to upgrade to a fully serviced pitch, too. The touring area is divided into smaller sections by trees and shrubs and is well sheltered.

Deeside Holiday Park’s facilities include toilets, showers, family bathrooms, and a launderette. For leisure time there is a children’s play area, a games room and a dog walk all on site.

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RUN COTTAGE TOURING PARK Alderton Road, Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3RQ T 01394 411309 W runcottage.co.uk

Situated close to Suffolk's heritage coast, seven miles from the market town of Woodbridge, this family run, adults-only campsite is located in a pleasant parkland setting. Run Cottage offers 45 pitches, all having electric hook-up, with 20 pitches being fully serviced.

The site has a toilet and shower block plus a dog exercise area. There's attractive landscaping throughout, with flower beds and an ornate lily pond.

Run Cottage is ideally situated for walking, cycling and birdwatching as there’s plenty of opportunities in the local area. The village shop and pub are both within walking distance, too. For those who like the coast, the tranquil site is just oneand-a-half miles from a shingle beach, and for the historians it’s six miles to the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon royal burial ground.

CONCIERGE CAMPING Ratham Lane, West Ashling, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 8DL T 01243 573118 W conciergecamping.co.uk Close to Chichester and the South Downs National Park, this 27-pitch campsite offers fully serviced hardstandings. For added space and style, you can choose to upgrade to an Emperor Pitch with the addition of a safari tent with dining area, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, sink and log burning stove to extend your daytime living area.

The luxurious washrooms include toilets and showers that are reminiscent of the facilities in a boutique hotel. There is also an on-site shop, laundry room and complimentary dog wash facility. This is one luxurious site!

For exploring away from the campsite itself, the Goodwood Estate, the cathedral city of Chichester, and quality beaches are just a short distance away. There’s something here to enjoy locally whatever the weather or season.

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