Five Campsites Worth A Visit

With finances for many families having become increasingly tight in recent times, it might be the case that this year many people are considering going elsewhere in the British Isles rather than going abroad for a holiday. The daily newspaper `The Mail` published a story on their website outlining the top 50 Campsites in the United Kingdom, and from that we’ve taken five of the best sites at random from different sections of the article to help you make an informed judgment as to what site best suits your needs and preferences. 5. Beddgelert, Wales This site, well-positioned for Snowdonia, is a great choice for families because ranger-led activities let children explore the surroundings safely while parents have some breathing space to take a break from their busy lifestyles. Snowdonia is one of the UK’s finest areas of natural beauty, and the forest campsite Beddgelert is the ideal place from which to discover it. With many pitches having a view of Mount Snowdon itself, Beddgelert is an exhilarating location for some real camping. It offers plenty to do, including canoeing and hiking as well as numerous ranger activities. And above all if you’re a hiker or climber you’re sure to want to test yourself against the magnificent Mount Snowdon itself and experience the picturesque views first hand. As UK escapes are about getting back to nature, there are no fridges or electricity in any of their tents. They do however include a cool box though and lanterns with rechargeable batteries which are provided on arrival. There are clean and modern facilities as well which include toilets, hot showers and dishwashing facilities and there are other attractions such as castles at Caernarfon, Criccieth and Portmerion. In addition there are steam railways at Snowdon, Welsh Highland Railway and Ffestiniog, Voted as number one in the `family` category it appears this is the perfect location for parents and children alike, and with various attractions and top class facilities its sure to be fun, enjoyable and relaxing. 4. Bryher Camp Site, Isles of Scilly The Isles of Scilly are situated 28 miles southwest of Land’s End in the British Isles and offer a unique holiday destination. With beautiful, atlantic-washed and secluded beaches, breath-taking scenery and a warm island community it’s hard to beat.  It can be reached in around 25 minutes by air from the mainland and the Isles consist of five main, unspoilt, inhabited Islands consisting of St Mary’s, Tresco, Bryher, St Martin’s and St Agnes, all rich in wildlife which can be reached and explored by boat. The climate is unique and Scilly holds a special appeal to visitors all year round, especially for families, birdwatchers, artists and nature lovers. Bryher is the smallest of the inhabited islands of the Scillies and offers the visitor wonderful contrasts of scenery from the awe-inspiring Hell Bay at the north of the island, to the gentle southern slopes down to Rushy Bay with its magnificent beach. Bryher is a stunning island with everything you need to enjoy your stay, and the campsite itself is open from April to September and nestles in a sheltered valley. This site is for the true camper looking for a traditional outdoor experience and is situated near the northern end of the island, easily reached from the quay. The more active can enjoy activities such as sailing, windsurfing, fishing, kayaking, cycling or diving, and the gentler pursuits include boat trips, guided tours, swimming and simply relaxing and taking in the natural beauty of the Isles. Facilities include toilets, showers and washing rooms. 3. Tregildrans Quarry, Cornwall Wake up to the sound of birds singing; go swimming before breakfast in the clear water of a secluded lake. Cook your egg and bacon over an open fire while you plan your day, or just relax in the quiet atmosphere. In addition to that you can also walk along the cliffs and have a relaxing day by the lake as you fish. Staying in a canvas tipi with family or friends, living close to the earth and the rhythm of nature is an extraordinary experience. It’s a mixture of old fashioned camping in a beautiful place, with a very modern desire to be more environmentally friendly than just about any other holiday could be. CTH (Cornish Tip Holidays) offers something for everyone: couples wanting a romantic break and families on a summer holiday, older campers unconcerned by school terms, walkers, surfers, bird spotters, university reunions and special birthday weekends. Their tipis are arranged considerately around the valley so that they can offer a sense of both privacy and community to groups of all sizes. You have a choice of medium (sleeps 2-3 if one is a young child), large (sleeps up to 6) and extra large (sleeps 9-12 if some are young children). These can be booked either in the community space of the Village Fields (where you will have neighbours), or in your own clearing with a little more seclusion on a Private Site. We also have four double Private Sites where friends and family can book two tipis together. 2. Three Cliffs Bay, Penmaen, Swansea One of the major appeals of the park is the spectacular position with the panoramic views of Three Cliffs Bay. Infact the views are so good from this site that it was named as the “Number one view from a campsite in the World” by The Independent newspaper in 2006. It is situated overlooking Three Cliffs Bay with a public footpath leading down to the beach. They welcome families and couples, and enjoy a warm friendly atmosphere with many visitors returning year after year. Beyond Three Cliffs Bay, you have Tor Bay, Crawley Woods and Oxwich Bay whose sandy beach is always popular with young families. Here too, there is Water Skiing, Sailing and Wind Surfing and for the nature enthusiast, a 540 acre National Nature reserve. For those of you who have a particular interest in Golf there are six 18-hole golf courses within a five mile radius, with breath taking views from most holes. There are Pony Trekking centres at Penmaen, Bishopston and Mayals. You can explore interesting castles and Medieval Churches too. Designated as Britain’s first area of outstanding natural beauty, you will find this compact peninsular is an ideal location for the walking enthusiast, offering both coastal paths and inland paths. The site features traditional facilities such as toilet blocks, shower facilities and baby rooms which is incredibly useful for parents with smaller children. 1. Winshields Farm, Bardon Hill, Northumberland Set in the heart of the beautiful Northumberland countryside, Winshields is a working farm that’s convenient to both the East and West coasts of Britain being just half and hour away from Newcastle and Carlisle. Situated to the front of the main farm house, their campsite offers an open site with some sheltered areas on a gentle grassy slope. They also have a generous amount of picnic benches and BBQ facilities for your convenience. In total they have 60 generous pitches with camping prices starting at just six pounds per hour. There are toilets, hot showers and washing-up facilities, and as an added bonus which many campsites do not offer is the fact that you can buy great bacon butties from the farm each and every morning! Their traditional barn has been converted to offer basic accommodation for walkers, hikers and cyclists. It sleeps 12 people; has full sized bunks, heating, and use of hot showers and toilets. They supply a hearty English Breakfast to start your day and also provide excellent packed lunches to accompany you when embarking on day trips to explore the countryside. Towel and Sleeping Bag hire is available on request and they also have an on site shop which offers home baking and basic provisions. Kielder Water, set deep in the vast Kielder Forest, is the largest man made lake in Europe. It is one of Britain’s largest nature resorts and is home to the rare red squirrel, deer and some rare birds. Some of the activities on offer include fishing, boating and water sports.