Cambridgeshire

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By Stephen Neale

One of my favourite adult-only camps. This 150-acre, family-owned farm provides fishing and tennis onsite. An 18-hole pay-and-play golf course is right next door.

Other facilities include a shop, café, bar and a-la-carte restaurant. The Barn Restaurant was awarded Best Restaurant and Best Home Grown Menu in Huntingdonshire’s Food & Drink Awards 2009.

Visit here for more food info: www.thebarnrestaurant-pidley.co.uk

Walking and cycling are good, with many miles of footpaths. Cambridge, Ely, Peterborough and Huntingdon aren’t too far away. web link

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A National Trust owned grass-site on the banks of the River Great Ouse. Perfect location for fishing, walking or cycling.

Footpaths and bridleways crisscross the area.

Watching the river traffic pass through the loch system is a relaxing way to pass a few hours. Boat trips are available if you forget to pack the canoe.

The river footpath leads to St Ives, where there are pubs and a few shops. Fresh bread is available from the mill across the water from the campsite.

Tents are allowed close to the river. Some caution is needed if arriving before 1pm as the access road is narrow, and kits leaving get priority. Best advice is arrive later.

Not among the best of sites for kids as facilities are limited.

Open from March to November. web link

VIEW: Pitches overlooking the Great River Ouse

Huntingdon Boathaven is surrounded by the Great River Ouse on two sides. Rare to come upon a pretty site so close to town (just a few minute walk to Huntingdon).

The A14 overhead is another strange feature, but the drone goes unnoticed after a few hours.

The toilets and showers are spotless.

We paid £15, which was good value at half-term with hook-up.

Perfect location for river lovers, walkers, cyclists, canoeists, anglers and campers who like to have pubs, supermarkets and restaurants on their doorstep.

The river is beautiful and full of colour during autumn.

The owners are helpful and friendly. Wi-fi at £5-per day is handy too.

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A CL site on the Great Ouse River with electric hook-up, disabled access, WC and hot and cold water.

Access for motorhomes and caravans.

Dogs are welcome, although the site is not ideal for young children as the river is unfenced. From £11-a-night.

Thornhill Lakes Camping is in the grounds of a family home just outside the village of Somersham, in Cambridgeshire.

Nestling up to the remains of the old orchard, this adult only caravan park, is registered with the Caravan Club as a CL with just five pitches. Each one has views over the main lake.

SUNSET: A view across the campsite lake

Access to the site is through electric gates. Fishing is only open to campers.

VIEW: Camping lakeside

A unique setting, offering some stunning views. Prices on request.

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Camp in the grounds of Bill Fen Marina, and at the centre of the Middle Level Navigations. With a name like a setting from Lord of the Rings trilogy, the waterways are a strange network of routes between the River Nene and Great Ouse.

There are two camping areas, one by a large pond that’s good for carp feeding, and another on open grassland.

Don’t be put off by the rustic scrapyard as you drive in, because the site itself is picturesque. Facilities include a shower, toilets, water, chemical toilet disposal and power. Ramsey village is just half a mile away. Pitches start from £5 or £7 with electric.

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RIVERSIDE: Camp on the Middle Level Navigations (by sean_hickin)

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On the banks of the Great Ouse. The town of St Neots is less than two miles away. more info

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RIVER: Banks of the Great Ouse border the site