Recommendations please. (1 Viewer)

[Happy Jack]

This is out first year vanning, in a MWB Ducato with 300w Solar, fixed bed, diesel hob, diesel air heater, shower/ toilet and fridge/freezer. No hot water yet and things like b2b and better suspension will wait for the first "winter" layup.
Until we have experience and confidence, we will stick to campsites and cl/cs sites from March to Octoberish.
Not against park4nite etc but not this year.
We like coast/country scenery, walking, stately/country homes/gardens, market towns/villages; and sites within walking distance would be brill (or good bus routes , would our bus passes work anywhere?)
Have queries about "clubs" but will start another thread.
We intend to do 10 to 14 days each trip once a month and typically 2 to 3 nights each campsite (a good reason to get b2b earlier?)although perhaps just one night enroute at say a cl, unless there is plenty to do in the area. Used to do long distances but would prefer no more than 150m in one go these days. We are based in Tyne & Wear.

SO, recommendations please for campsites whether club or private in North & West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Staffs, Cheshire, Shropshire, North &Mid Wales and SW Scotland.

I know this is a big ask but would much appreciate your time. At our age, time is pressing. If all goes well, we will seriously consider Spain in our second winter.
Thanks,
Happy Jack.

 

[hja]

Remember to use CAMC CLs & CCC CSs you have to be members of the relevant clubs.
There is a nice private site at Southwell, New Hall Farm. Up a steepish track but good views.

 

[Happy Jack]

Thanks HJA, yes I know. Need to decided whether to join the "biggest" club or the "friendly"club or both.
Will check Southwell out on Google maps to find out where it is and the surrounding area.

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[Jane And Rog]

A bit further south than you prefer but not too much - Broadway Caravan Club site is an easy walk into Broadway, and the Cotswolds are good for all the things you mention.

 

[Jane And Rog]

I’ve not been here but made a note of it for walking hols.

The Meadows Touring Park
Maeshyfryd, Bryncrug

The Meadows Bryncrug is set within the beautiful Snowdonia National Park amidst mountains, streams and waterfalls, with some lovely walks and cycle rides.

Within 400 yards is the Peniarth good food pub, and many other good choices in the local area, Tywyn, Aberdovey and Taly-Llyn-Lake to name but a few. The coastal town of Tywyn is just 2.3 miles away with its shops, the Magic Lantern 3D cinema, numerous eateries and wonderful sandy beaches where dolphins are frequently seen close to the shore. Dog friendly to most parts. Try not to miss some of the spectacular sunsets from the beach.

Rhyd-yr-onnen single gauge railway request stop is a 3/4 mile walk from the Meadows, this can take you either to Tywyn or inland to the Dolgoch Falls and Abergynolwyn.

We are also on the bus route to Tywyn, Machynlleth and Dolgellau etc.

Barmouth's single track wooden railway, crossing the River Mawddach estuary is a favourite for walkers, cyclists or just taking the journey on the train up to Pwllheli, further up in the North of Wales.

Local dog walks. 1 mile around Bryncrug village is known locally as the globe. Or 1/2 mile through the field. Further afield following the river from the Meadows down to the estuary past broadwater and on to Bailey Bridge.

A haven for bird watches, buzzards, kites and smaller wildlife.

Well behaved dogs on a lead are welcome.

We have satellite TV and Wi-Fi.

W3W: sleepers.promotes.kind

Shared from Mundus, an iOS app by Jane Sales

 

[Happy Jack]

Thanks Jane and Rog.
The Meadows sounds perfect for us. Will heck it out and Broadway. Have already checked area and reviews for New Hall farm, looks lovely for "enroute" stopover.

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[Spriddler]

Thanks HJA, yes I know. Need to decided whether to join the "biggest" club or the "friendly"club or both.
Will check Southwell out on Google maps to find out where it is and the surrounding area.

If you are like me at 77 with far more money than time join both for a year and decide which club suits you best.
(Alternatively join just one club and when unable to m/home any more you can enjoy spending time counting the £50 you saved by joining just one. )

 

[Happy Jack]

Thanks Spridler; was thinking of both to start with.

 

[xsparks]

One thing I've noticed over the years, the certificated sites often don't want your membership number frequently have more than 5 vans and are usually more expensive than the site book would lead you to believe. But it is probably still the cheapest way to camp in this country.

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[Happy Jack]

Thanks xsparks. Will use cl & cs sites on the way & coming back as appropriate.

 

[Fraggle 22]

The CCC temporary holiday sites (THS) offer excellent value for money usually in very good locations. Once you have joined the club you will be able to access the Out and About section with details in all parts if the UK. Although we don't belong to the CAMC I believe they have similar

 

[Riverbankannie]

Use the app Search for Sites, small charge but shows all types of stops from all singing/dancing got everything sites , both major club sites and their Cl/Cs, pub stops etc.
We really enjoyed East coast of Yorkshire and Northumberland last summer and North Wales year before.

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[Orion]

The CL sites also have their own CL Booking website and an app for Smartphones.

 

[Happy Jack]

Didn't know about the "out and about", THS, or CL booking website.
Think I will need to join 1 or both clubs to access more info.
Want to tour regularly so budget will be a factor.

 

[seasideBill]

I note you included Cheshire. We stated at a CL this year - ‘Burtons Acre’ in Saughall which I’d highly recommend, It’s within walking distance of a great Chinese take-away, Coop, tea room and Pub. Direct bus into Chester at the end of the road - 10 mins.
Easy access from M56 and cycle routes nearby.

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[Outdoors Dad]

We stayed at Bedale caravan and camping site in early October last year it was very good. We also stayed at a site in Newark next to a lake that was also very good but I can't recall exact name.
Happy vanning you will love the adventure!

 

[Happy Jack]

Seaside Bill, checked out Burtons Acre Green farm; looks good fits the bill if you pardon the pun. Outdoors dad, checked Bedale and Newark , (looks like Smeatons Lakes) both look good.

 

[Happy Jack]

Thanks by the way.
Keep them coming please.

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[Cal54]

If in the north west - there is a nice site at Garstang, just off the A6 between Preston and Lancaster. Bridge House Marina, is on the canal with a nice walk into Garstang with plenty of pubs, shops etc. It isn’t particularly cheap but is well located and you can walk along the Canal in either direction. There is a bistro on site and the nearby pub has been voted one of the most dog friendly in the country.

 

[Jane And Rog]

Also don’t forget the Lakes - the Keswick site is particularly well placed and has just been refurbished. Although beware - it was flooded when we were booked there in October and we were relocated to another site with much less in walking distance.

The Bowness site on Windermere is also an easy walk from town, and you can get the ferry to do some excellent walking on the other side of the lake.

 

[Happy Jack]

Cal 54, Jane & Rog. Will have a look later today at them and get back to you.
Got to get on with Diesel heater install today.
Main unit is in, exhaust and air intake routes OK and secured.
Need to route the fuel line then I can jump inside to fit up the air ducting and do the wiring.I
Keith.

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[ChrisSue]

We find Ukcampsite useful if only for the reviews. The site may say public transport within one mile but the reviews often say something like "the bus stop is ten minutes away" which we find much more use

 

[Happy Jack]

Thanks ChrisSue, will look at it.
Having 10 minutes now but must get back to diesel heater install. Ran into a snag, It's an Autoterm 2D and the instructions are a bit ambiguous about the Fuel line. The drawing says 1m max from tank to pump and 1.5m max from pump to heater but written instructions say 1m & 4m !!! Also, seems the pump has to be below minimum level of fuel tank(am using vans own tank) which means it has to be mounted outside under the van
I want to mount it inside near the pump.
Have E-mailed Autoterm technical, they don't t take phone queries.I
Keith.

 

[meanders]

Need to decided whether to join the "biggest" club or the "UN-friendly"club or both.

I've corrected that for you. The rudest and most unwelcoming rallies we have ever attended were with that club.

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[Happy Jack]

Thanks Meanders. Have seen the UNfriendly remarks a few times on the forum.
Could be just the biggest one for us.
Keith.

 

[LesW]

Thanks Meanders. Have seen the UNfriendly remarks a few times on the forum.
Could be just the biggest one for us.
Keith.

We've used lots of THS with the C&CC (the Friendly one) and have never found any unfriendly organisers, the THS are the main reason we stay as members.

 

[Happy Jack]

Thanks Jim.

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[Jimbohorlicks]

Have a look through the planned funster rallies for this year, quite a few have spaces still.

 

[MisterB]

Hijack .....

I see that a lot of people have given some really good info, might I suggest when making such a request that you add a bit more info on your thread title. I'm sure some people just skip over such ambiguous titles, so you may miss some other really good recommendations if people dint click !!

Best wishes and have a great time, do as much as you can, time is the one thing you can never get back !!