Best campsites in Britain

It's  a pity there is no direct footpath but parking is free in Burford and Witney.   There is also a pleasant bike ride on back roads into Burford via Holwell, Westwell, then straight across the A40 and into Burford.

Those who want to walk into Burford can do that from Wysdom touring park at the school 

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Well it's clear that what one person finds a favourite others not so much. 

We are not fans of Chatsworth, Rowntree, Hawes and Tredegar but others clearly are.

We have lots of places still to explore in the UK. The pandemic has caused us to holiday here more in the last 2 years than we would have normally done. There is still plenty of time for us to catch up with the UK when we have finished abroad.

The Scottish Islands are awaiting a visit as is more of Scotland and Wales.

The lake district a favourite of many doesn't draw us so much, as we are not into hill walking. A nice coastal site with coastal cliff top walks or just nice sea fronts attracts us more.

Places where we can cycle unhindered by main roads or crowded tracks shared with padestrians, are more up our street. Towns and cities are rarely of any interest unless special.

Art galleries and museums again not really of interest though the one in Bristol along the wharf from the club site (name escapes me) we enjoyed.

In past years we have toured in winter in the UK which does tend to be so much different to summertime. Not sure if we will manage any this coming Jan/Feb. 

We liked the Burford site but not Burford itself, Broadway is better as easier walking into Broadway and now prefer it to Cirencester, Exebridge is another we would go to again, we are all different so some sites appeal to some and not others, Brighton does not appeal but Fairlight  Wood does as it is smaller.

Strangely I found Abbey Wood was pretty much perfect for a visit to London. Couldn't really find fault at all. Much nicer than Denham but not as handy for us if coming in from the North. Favourite though has to be Buxton, just because it was our go to site when working and I love the Peak District.

Finally I suppose it would be Wirral CP. I think this is the first year we haven't paid at least 1 visit to it since 1990 so I suppose it must tick the right boxes for us. I've always thought it was the situation rather than the amenities on this site as it needs some upgrades but I did miss not going this year.

As many have said it is so much a matter of personal taste. I avoid sites with facilities such as bars, restaurants and, even worse, entertainment venues. But it goes without saying that for many these are the big draws.

Location is a major factor for me, but the site has to have an open and spacious feel to it and be tidy and well tended and with big well spaced pitches. 

Cambridge is a pretty good location but the site was damp, cramped and gloomy. Brighton was so huge and I found the long, uphill walk returning from the bus a real drag, but otherwise it is a good site in a good location. I've have never been back to either and that is a good measure of what I thought of them. I doubt they would make my top thirty of sites I have been to.     

I have not been to the Canterbury site. I much like Black Horse at Folkestone and Canterbury is easily reached from there by bus or car. Contrary to above posts, I like Canterbury; but I think you have to appreciate the history to enjoy that city.  

York Beechwood, Ayr, Southport, Stonehaven and Littlehampton are among my favourites - but I have rarely been to non-CAMC sites. Also a special mention for Pembrey and Rosedale Abbey and Chapel Lane. The Cotswolds' sites have much going for them but Broadway was too busy and cramped for my taste and Burford had no transport for motorhomers - although Burford itself is my favourite Cotswold town. Bourton on the Water is way too far from the town to get any vote from me. Moreton is another that when full, as it usually is, feels cramped to me. 

I have not been to Onich for over 30 years; my modus operandi is now different, but, in those days, it was my favourite site.

If Baltic Wharf were bigger and less like a car park it would probably be my number one. But it isn't so it isn't!!

I am mildly surprised that most replies to the headline “Best sites in Britain” are simply giving a list of sites operated by one or other of the two big Clubs. 

I have been thinking about this since Tammy Girl posted the first question. On my website I have reviews of about 130 UK campsites. In all honesty I can't say that I would avoid any of them in the future. Obviously the ones that are close to destinations either by walking or local transport would now be further up the list than those in the middle of nowhere. But even those sites that we have been to which in my mind are in the middle of nowhere they wouldn't be ruled out as places to revisit as they might make good overnight stops. Where I perhaps differ from some is that a campsite is not usually a destination in itself. It's what you can conveniently visit from the site without taking the van off site which tends to be the deciding factor. We like towns and cities and that is often a problem when trying to find campsites nearby with easy access. I can't even decide on a favourite campsite!!!

David

But we have yet to discover what the criterion is by which we, in the context of this thread, judge a campsite as being the best? I suspect the reason why the two Clubs are mentioned so frequently, apart from this being the forum of one of the clubs, is that they often have sites convenient to the places that people wish to visit. Commercial sites can be simpler or have more bells and whistles but they are rarely conveniently close enough to use without transport when many would prefer to walk, cycle or catch a bus. 

David