January, 2011

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On the shores the Moray Firth. Campers sometimes report seeing dolphins when the tide is on the turn. The Dolphin Listening Centre at North Kessock reveals the undersea world of dolphins and seals in the Moray Firth and is open during the summer months. Walk along the beach to the lighthouse at Chanonry Point. Loch Ness and the Monster Exhibition is nearby. web link

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Camping next to the sand dunes of the North Northumberland Heritage Coast. The National Cycle Route passes next to the site. web link

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Camp on the shores of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs inside the national park. The West Highland Way footpath passes the site. It runs for 95 miles from Glasgow to Fort William. Walkers can have their bags delivered to their next stopping point. Loch Lomond Shores Visitor Centre hosts many activities, including guided canoe trips, bike hire and guided hikes. web link

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A base to explore the Cotswolds. Fishing onsite. more info

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Inside the M25 and just 15 minutes from London. Walk along the river bank into Hersham. The local golf course gives a discount to campers. Fish and chip shop and supermarket nearby. more info

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Norwich is just a 30 minute walk. Set on the banks of a River Ware, anglers can access the water directly from the site. A great base from which to explore The Norfolk Broads. more info

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More than 100 pitches on Horsley Lake, on the edge of the North Downs. Important area for walks with a decent network of footpaths. Lake fishing is available. more info

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Named after the Millpond it rests alongside, this is a great site for fishing, walking and exploring the Wye Valley and Malvern Hills. Slimbridge Wetland Centre has over 300 hectares and a programme of walks and events throughout the year. more info

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Camp in a clearing of Bellister Wood, managed by the National Trust, on the River Tyne. Fishing is possible from the site. more info

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A site for the purists. Onsite fishing, but no showers or toilets. more info

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A campsite on the River Thames, in south west of London. The City centre is 30 minutes by train.

Canoes and boats can launch from the site, which regularly hosts canoe-camping events. Walk along the towpath to Staines using part of the Thames Path National Trail.

Three race courses nearby – Epsom Downs, Kempton Park and Sandown Park. more info

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Easy access from A1(M), this is a chance to explore the River Ure by boat or canoe. Fishing for roach, perch, dace, pike, chub, trout and grayling is avialable from the site. The market town of Boroughbridge is within walking distance. more info

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On the shores of Loch Long. Forest Park surrounds the site. Anglers can catch sea trout and mackerel from directly from the camp. A perfect location for launching small boats or kayaks. more info

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More Top 10 Campsites (by category)

The Caravan Club is the second oldest camping organisation in the world. Its Certificated Locations have a little bit of new-age magic about them.

It’s the sense of getting away from it all I like. CLs are small campsites (max five pitches) set on private land.

We stayed on a Caravan Club CL within a few hours of buying our first motorhome in Preston, and will never forget it. Paid £2.50 (no electricity or showers) but it was a wonderful adventure. Many campers choose CLs over the CC’s Full Services sites because other than peaceful, seclusion they offer great value for money.

A list of 92 waterside CL camps I like best is here. I’ve also listed what I consider CC’s 50+ best full service pitches here. Please let me know if I’ve missed out one of your favourites. Visit the Caravan Club website if your want to join up as a member.

Here’s my top 10 favourite Caravan Club Certificated Locations.

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1) River Thames, Friars Court, Caravan Club CL, Oxfordshire

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An island campsits on the non-tidal River Thames. One of the best canoe and fishing areas in England, just a few miles from Oxford. There’s no electric, but water, litter and a waste dump are provided. more info

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2) Traigh Beach, Inverness-shire, Caravan Club CL, Highlands

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On the west coast of Scotland, this quiet site sits next to a beautiful beach of sand and clear water. The campsite is part of the wonderful Traigh Golf Course, from where you can see the Hebridian island of Eigg and Rum and the Cuillins of Skye. more info

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3) Atlantic Ocean, Fegla Fach Farm, Caravan Club CL, Gwynedd, Wales

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WALK: The Maddack Train (by Andy Armstrong)

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Basic facilities don’t detract from this stunning coastal site. A boat ramp offers access to the water for boat users. Arthog is renowned as a centre for outdoor activities and Cregennen lakes are nearby. more info

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4) River Chet, Gale Cruisers Moorings, Norfolk Broads

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RIVERSIDE: Camp next to the River Chet (by Wit)

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A campsite based on a marina next the River Chet. Canoes are available onsite. There’s fishing too. This riverside position is pretty special, with plenty of facilities. more info

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5) Loch Soulseat, Greenloch House, Dumfries and Galloway, Stranraer

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FERRY: The boat to Belfast (by yellowbook)

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This site is almost entirely surrounded by Loch Soulseat. Perfect for kayaking, fishing or just watching the wildlife. The Belfast ferry is nearby. more info

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6) River Nene, Bill Fen Marina, Cambridgeshire

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HUNTINGDON: The Great Ouse (by sean_hickin)

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Camp at the centre of the Middle Level Navigations. With a name like a setting from Lord of the Rings trilogy, these waterways are a unique network of routes between the River Nene and Great Ouse. more info

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7) River Torridge, Atlantic Seaviews, Devon

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BEACHSIDE: Coast at Appledore (by me'nthedogs)

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The clue is the name, because the nicest thing about this campsite really is the panoramic sea-view. Great for coastal walks. Dogs are allowed, but children aren’t. more info

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Westhorpe Water Sports Centre, Buckinghamshire

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Five lakes for fishing, water-skiing, jet-skiing and waterboarding. A fully licensed members’ bar is open seven days a week, with bar snacks available from 9.30 am until 7pm. Just a 40 minute drive from London. more info

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9) Loch Earn, Drummond Estates Boat Hire, Lochearnhead

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A small touring park, on the banks of Ben Ouhr. Fishing, boat hire, water skiing, golfing, cycling and walking are just some of the activities available nearby. Drummond has direct access to the loch and its beach, with its own slipway. more info

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10) Atlantic Ocean, Muldaddie Farm House, Dumfries and Galloway

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VIEWS: A village with one pub and great scenery (by E & H Baxendale Ltd)

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Stunning sea views and direct access to sandy beach. Ideal site for water sports and sea angling. A sloping site, so don’t forget the levelers. The village pub serves good food, drink and views of the coast, but there’s not much else around in the way of shops. more info

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More Top 10 Campsites (by category)

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The Caravan Club provides one of the most important camp networks in the UK.

The world’s largest camping organisation has almost 1million members, and more than 900 wardens and staff. The Caravan Club runs about 200 main sites and 2,500 smaller ones, known as certificated locations (CLs).

Hundreds of the Caravan Club’s sites are located on beaches, rivers. lakes, lochs and canals. I’ve listed what I consider CC’s 50+ best full service pitches here. I’ve also visited many of the smaller and cheaper, privately owned CLs. A list of 92 waterside CL camps I like is here. Please let me know if I’ve missed out one of your favourites. Visit the Club website if your want to join.

Here’s my Top 10 Caravan Club favourites for 2012 (not including CLs):

1)   Loch Linnhe, Bunree Caravan Club Site, Fort William, Highlands

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An absolute gem from the Caravan Club. My number 1 by some way. A campsite with its own boat launch and free fishing. Ben Nevis, cable cars, the Isle of Skye and Oban are a short drive away. more info

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2)   River Nene, Ferry Meadows Caravan Club, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

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Steam trains, boating lakes, river fishing, two golf courses and a watersports centre in the Nene Valley. Oh, and more than 60 miles of off-road cycleways and footpaths. Walk the three miles to Peterborough along the railway track and River Nene if you get bored. more info

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3)   River Ouse, Rowntree Park Caravan Club, York, North Yorkshire

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This is how to enjoy one of Britain’s most exciting and historic cities on a budget. Camping on the banks of York’s River Ouse. A great base for exploring North Yorkshire, Whitby and Scarborough. more info

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4)   River Wye, Lucksall Caravan & Camping Park, Hereford, Herefordshire

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Considered among the best places in the UK to canoe. The local tackle shop offers angling advice. Miles of forest track for rambling, cycling and dog walking outside the camp entrance. Free maps from reception. more info

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5)   Dee Estuary, Wirral Country Park Caravan Club, Merseyside

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Pitches overlooking the Dee Estuary inside Wirral Country Park. More than 2,000 acres for walking and cycling.  Private sailing clubs offer temporary membership. This is how to explore Liverpool. more info

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6)   Grand Western Canal, Minnows Caravan Park, Tiverton, Devon

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A private gate from the campsite leads onto the water, with fishing and boating permits available from reception. Walk for 12 miles along the canal towpath, which is part of The National Cycle Route. Exmoor, Dartmoor, Britain’s best surfing beaches nearby. more info

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7) North Sea, Old Hartley Caravan Club, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear

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On a grassy overhang, overlooking the sea and the light-house at St Mary’s Island. The beach resort of Whitley Bay is a 40 minute walk, or visit Europe’s largest indoor retail centre, at Gateshead, across the River Tyne from Newcastle. more info

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Loch Naver, Grummore, Caravan Club, Highlands

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No showers or toilets, but the scenery is priceless. Fly fishing, canoeing, sailing and silence are a premium. Pack as much as you can and wallow in the beauty of it all. more info

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9) River Ure, Brown Moor Caravan Club, Hawes, North Yorkshire

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The perfect location, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, on the banks of the River Ure. Walkers can hike from the camp to Aysgill falls near Gayle, or Cautley Spout falls. The Pennine Way is a ramblers’ paradise. more info

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10) North Sea, White House Beach Caravan Club, Kessingland, Suffolk

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Overlooking the shingle beach, this site is all about location. The Broads, The safari park Africa Alive and Pleasure Wood Hills Theme Park are a short drive away. A footpath leads from the camp to Southwold. more info

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On Loch Lomond’s western shore, with stunning views, I reckon this site would be Number 1 for many campers.

Kayaking and swimming on the loch. A cycle path passes alongside the campsite. Luss centre is a five minute walk away. Pack repellent for the midges or else hope it rains if you decide to visit during the warmer months.

Best pitches are furthest from the road and away from the trees with a full view of the water.

Glasgow is just a 45 minute drive.

web link

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