Stretch Out The Camping Season This Autumn And Winter
The seasons might be changing but The Camping and Caravanning Club has 26 great sites open until the end of the year.
It means campers – and especially caravanners and motorhomers – can continue to enjoy a much-needed staycation break and even celebrate Christmas on a campsite.
To whet the autumn appetite, the Club is suggesting three Club Sites where campers can pitch up to enjoy the changing of the season:
- Blackmore Club Site in Worcestershire: Located on the edge of the Malvern Hills with the village of Hanley Swan just a mile’s stroll from site. Pitches from £12.80 per night (2 adults)*
- Chertsey Club Site, Surrey: Kew Gardens and Hampton Court are within easy reach of this pretty site, which lies on the banks of the Thames . Pitches from £21.55 per night (2 adults)*
- Scone Club Site, Perthshire: Situated in the grounds of Scone Palace, this pretty tree-lined site has great walks along the banks of the River Tay direct from the site . Pitches from £19.10 per night (2 adults)*
Simon McGrath, Head of Communications at the Club, said: “The Club has 26 sites that will be welcoming campers throughout the autumn and into the winter and what’s more, 14 of these are open all year-round. As the nights draw in and the weather gets chillier, people can still enjoy pitching up on campsites especially in caravans and motorhomes, most of which are well-equipped with insulation and heating to keep you cosy.
“Why not banish the winter blues and even celebrate Christmas this year from the comfort of your caravan or motorhome?”
This summer has seen a big increase in people new to camping, caravanning and motorhoming. Club membership is booming with new joiners up 36% one week in August compared to the same week in 2019. So to help people prepare for the autumn and winter, Ian Hewlett, Technical Manager at the Club, has compiled five top tips for caravanning and motorhoming:
- Complete vehicle checks: Checking over your unit is important in any weather but more so when roads risk being slippery or wet. Always check tyre pressures before setting off and check for uneven wear or signs of bulging or cracking. Don’t forget to check oil and water levels too.
- Check the power: Most modern caravans and motorhomes come equipped with solar panels or as an optional extra. However, travelling in autumn and winter will mean you need to up your power game. Check your leisure battery is maintaining its optimum power level while in storage and before you head off. And why not make the most of your gas supply for caravans or motorhomes – it packs a lot of energy for its weight making it ideal for touring in colder months.
- Keep your eyes and ears on the weather: Your ’van might be cosy and warm, but the elements might have plans to derail your trip. Keep an eye on the forecast and if possible, try to avoid travelling in high winds or heavy rain. Call on ahead to the campsite if you anticipate arriving later than first planned.
- Think about where you pitch up: Pitching under a tree is to be avoided where possible and never more so than in autumn when bird droppings and falling leaves might damage bodywork. Find shelter such as hedges, walls and other units, which can give protection from the elements.
- Prepare your pipes: You rarely need to insulate your fresh water container in cold weather, however the inlet hose can freeze up. So if a frost is expected, draw off a bottle of water for drinks and then remove the inlet hose to store in the vehicle overnight. You just refit the hose in the morning.
The following Club Sites are open year-round:
- Blackmore, Worcestershire
- Canterbury, Kent
- Chertsey, Surrey
- Conkers, Derbyshire
- Delamere Forest, Cheshire
- Devizes, Wiltshire
- Hertford, Hertfordshire
- Keswick, Cumbria
- Kingsbury Water Park, West Midlands
- Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway
- Oxford, Oxfordshire
- Tavistock, Devon
- Teversal, Nottinghamshire
- Theobalds Park, Hertfordshire
Club Sites with extended opening:
- Bellingham, Northumberland: Closes for the season on 3 January 2021
- Bowness on Windermere, Lake District: Closes 2 January 2021
- Cheddar, Somerset: Closes 4 January 2021
- Derwentwater, Lake District: Closes 4 January 2021
- Hereford, Herefordshire: Closes 3 January 2021
- Polstead, Suffolk: Closes 7 January 2021
- Salisbury, Wiltshire: Closes 4 January 2021
- Sandringham, Norfolk: Closes 4 January 2021
- Scone, Perthshire: Closes 2 January 2021
- Winchcombe, Gloucestershire: Closes 4 January 2021
- Windermere, Lake District: Closes 14 January 2021
- Wolverley, Worcestershire: Closes 5 January 2021
For more tips on autumn and winter camping check out the Club’s Datasheets:
To explore Club Sites that are open year-round use this link
Please note, some Club Sites this year have closed toilet and shower blocks.
Check out Club late-availability Here
* Prices based on three-night stays for two adults between 5th and 8th October 2020, and are subject to change.