Discover the best places to go on a caravan holiday!
Caravan holidays are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their flexibility and cost-effectiveness. They are also an ideal way to explore nature and create priceless memories with family, including learning how to fish, birdwatch and cycle. A caravan holiday is the perfect setting for bonding with friends or family while enjoying scenic landscapes. From coastal routes to wilderness getaways, these holidays provide a unique experience with comfort and convenience.
The team at GO Outdoors have rounded up over 100 caravanning sites in the UK to reveal the best choice for a summer holiday, looking at cost, user reviews, amenities, and more. We have also uncovered the best countries to go caravanning abroad, sharing our findings in this handy caravanning hotspot guide.
Contents
- The best caravan sites in the UK
- The best family caravan sites in the UK
- The best UK regions for caravanning
- The best European countries for caravanning
- Gearing up for Caravanning Hotspots
The best caravan sites in the UK
1. Auchenlarie Holiday Park, Scotland | Caravanning score: 9.98/10
Auchenlarie Holiday Park is situated on the picturesque Dumfries and Galloway coast and is a popular destination for a caravan holiday. The site has an average user review rating of 4.57 stars out of five, with visitors citing the idyllic views of Wigtown Bay and affordable food at the on-site shop. The site is also pet-friendly, so caravanners can bring their furry friend along for the holiday. A games room, swimming pool, and on-site entertainment provide plenty of activities to enjoy throughout the day and make the park excellent value for money, considering a weekend stay in July costs around £75. The on-site shop means that daily necessities can be easily purchased, and the site is less than a five-minute walk to the nearest beach, Auchenlarie Beach.
2. Bucklegrove Holiday Park, Somerset | Caravanning score: 9.79/10
Bucklegrove Holiday Park is the best caravan site in England, situated between Cheddar and Wells in Somerset. The site is rated 4.44 stars out of five by users, and it is loved for its clean facilities and stunning views of the Somerset Levels and Brent Knoll. The park is pet-friendly, meaning your four-legged friend doesn’t have to miss out on the holiday. The on-site games room, swimming pool and entertainment facilities provide activities for everyone throughout the week, with a weekend stay in July costing around £79.
3. Tencreek Holiday Park, Cornwall | Caravanning score: 9.47/10
Tencreek Holiday Park in Cornwall is one of the best UK destinations for a caravan holiday. The site has an average user rating of 4.30 out of five stars, and reviews mention the clean facilities and friendly staff. A single-axle caravan can stay for a weekend in July for around £98. The site is pet friendly, meaning dogs can come along for the holiday, and the games room, swimming pool, and on-site entertainment facilities provide daily activities for family and friends to enjoy. There is a shop at the park with all the essentials you might need while caravanning, and it is less than a 10-minute drive to the local beach.
| Rank | Caravan park | Location | Average cost (2 nights) | Average visitor rating /5 | Pet-friendly | Games room | Swimming pool | Entertainment | On-site shop | Near beach | Caravaning score /10 |
| 1 | Auchenlarie Holiday Park | Scotland | £75 | 4.57 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.98 |
| 2 | Bucklegrove Holiday Park | Somerset | £79 | 4.44 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.79 |
| 3 | Tencreek Holiday Park | Cornwall | £98 | 4.30 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.47 |
| 4 | Whitehill Country Park | Devon | £119 | 4.66 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.45 |
| 5 | Watermouth Valley Camping Park | Devon | £66 | 4.92 | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | 8.74 |
| 6 | Atlantic Bays Holiday Park | Cornwall | £88 | 4.66 | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.47 |
| 7 | Stowford Farm Meadows | Devon | £96 | 4.69 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 8.45 |
| 8 | Lanyon Holiday Park | Cornwall | £96 | 4.92 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | 8.19 |
| 9 | Burton Springs Holidays | Somerset | £84 | 4.83 | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | 7.85 |
| 10 | East Crinnis Holiday Park | Cornwall | £98 | 4.85 | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.75 |
The best family caravan sites in the UK
1. Auchenlarie Holiday Park, Scotland | Caravanning score: 9.89/10
Auchenlarie Holiday Park is the best location for a caravan holiday and the best site to visit as a family. The site is rated 4.57 stars out of five by users who have visited, rated highly for its picturesque setting. A family of four can stay in a single-axle caravan for a weekend in July for around £75 and enjoy access to a games room, swimming pool, kids’ playground, and on-site entertainment – an ideal setting for families to enjoy and for kids to make friends. The site is also less than a five-minute walk to the nearest beach, providing the perfect setting for a family activity.
2. Bucklegrove Holiday Park, Somerset | Caravanning score: 9.68/10
Bucklegrove Holiday Park is one of the best caravanning destinations in the UK for families to visit. There are endless opportunities for fun for the whole family, with an on-site games room, kids’ playground, swimming pool and even entertainment facilities. The site costs around £79 for a weekend stay for a family of four in a single-axle caravan, and there is easy access to a shop to suit family needs throughout your stay. Caravanners have rated the park 4.44 stars out of five, noting the cleanliness of shared facilities and helpful staff.
3. Stowford Farm Meadows, Devon | Caravanning score: 9.55/10
Stowford Farm Meadows in North Devon is an excellent choice for a family caravanning holiday. The park has a games room, kids’ playground, swimming pool and entertainment, including live singers to cater for families. The park has a user rating of 4.69 out of five, with reviews mentioning the family-friendly activities and picturesque location. It costs around £96 for a family of four to stay in a single-axle caravan during a July weekend.
| Rank | Caravan park | Location | Average cost (2 nights) | Average user rating /5 | Games room | Kids’ playground | Swimming pool | Entertainment | On-site shop | Near beach | Family caravaning score /10 |
| 1 | Auchenlarie Holiday Park | Scotland | £75 | 4.57 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.89 |
| 2 | Bucklegrove Holiday Park | Somerset | £79 | 4.44 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.68 |
| 3 | Stowford Farm Meadows | Devon | £96 | 4.69 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 9.55 |
| 4 | Tencreek Holiday Park | Cornwall | £98 | 4.3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.30 |
| 5 | Whitehill Country Park | Devon | £119 | 4.66 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.26 |
| 6 | Whitemead Forest Park | Gloucestershire | £145 | 4.87 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 8.69 |
| 7 | Watermouth Valley Camping Park | Devon | £66 | 4.92 | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | 8.65 |
| 8 | Woodovis Park | Devon | £126 | 4.83 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | 8.55 |
| 9 | Tehidy Holiday Park | Cornwall | £64 | 4.88 | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | 8.49 |
| 10 | Atlantic Bays Holiday Park | Cornwall | £88 | 4.66 | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.32 |
The best UK regions for caravanning
1. Isle of Wight | Caravanning region score: 9.91/10
Those planning a caravanning getaway in the UK should consider visiting the Isle of Wight for its abundance of hiking trails, attractions and campsites, making for a fun-filled holiday. The English Channel island has 289 hiking trails, 1,126 attractions and 63 campsites for every 1,000 km2. One popular hiking trail, the Western Yar Circular, takes around one and a half hours to walk and is renowned for its stunning views. Attractions in the area include Quarr Abbey, the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, and St Mildred’s Church, which are all free to visit.
The area’s largest settlement, Ryde, experiences more rainfall than many regions, with 824mm of precipitation a year; however, the average maximum July temperature of 21°C is ideal for a summer vacation. A quarter (25%) of the campsites on the island are rated four stars out of five or above by users.
2. East Sussex | Caravanning region score: 9.48/10
East Sussex is among the best UK regions for a caravanning holiday, thanks to its many hiking trails and attractions. There are 238 trails to hike and 932 things to do per 1,000 km2, including visiting Beachy Head near Eastbourne – the perfect destination to see the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain. There are also plenty of opportunities for camping, with 43 sites per 1,000 km2, over half (54%) of which are rated four stars out of five or higher by visitors.
Brighton and Hove, in East Sussex, has an average maximum temperature of 20°C in July, meaning the summers are the perfect time to enjoy time outside. However, it experiences more rainfall than some regions, at an average of 914mm per year.
3. Derbyshire | Caravanning region score: 9.43/10
Derbyshire is an excellent destination for a caravanning holiday in the UK. Known for its stunning landscapes, including the Peak District National Park sights, the region has 422 hiking trails and 413 attractions per 1,000 km2. Some of the most popular trails in the area include the Bakewell, Hassop and River Wye Circular and the Curbar Edge and Froggatt Wood – both under 6km in the Peak District National Park, taking around an hour and a half to walk each entire trail. There are also many opportunities for a caravanning stay, with 38 campsites per 1,000 km2, almost two-thirds (63%) of which are rated four stars out of five or above. Barn Farm Campsite, for example, is a picturesque and clean location in a quiet village. The area’s largest settlement, Derby, has an average maximum temperature of 22°C in July, making it ideal for spending time outdoors, and experiences just 779mm of rainfall a year.
| Per 1,000 km2 | Largest settlement | |||||||
| Rank | Location | Hiking trails | Attractions | Campsites | Average annual precipitation (mm) | Average maximum temperature (July | °C) | Campsites rated +4* | Caravaning region score /10 |
| 1 | Isle of Wight | 289 | 1,126 | 63 | 824 | 21 | 25% | 9.91 |
| 2 | East Sussex | 238 | 932 | 43 | 914 | 20 | 54% | 9.48 |
| 3 | Derbyshire | 422 | 413 | 38 | 779 | 20 | 63% | 9.43 |
| 4 | Kent | 146 | 989 | 25 | 743 | 20 | 47% | 9.24 |
| 5 | Dorset | 136 | 586 | 57 | 918 | 22 | 77% | 9.14 |
| 5 | West Sussex | 314 | 454 | 28 | 778 | 22 | 36% | 9.14 |
| 7 | Hampshire | 250 | 521 | 17 | 837 | 22 | 34% | 7.93 |
| 8 | Cornwall | 121 | 613 | 78 | 893 | 17 | 42% | 7.84 |
| 9 | Cheshire | 158 | 545 | 15 | 1,012 | 21 | 44% | 7.50 |
| 10 | Somerset | 133 | 451 | 35 | 865 | 22 | 21% | 7.30 |
The best European countries for caravanning
1. Germany | Caravanning country score: 9.92/10
Germany is the best destination for those planning a caravanning holiday abroad. Germany’s proximity to the UK means you can get there in just six hours and 30 minutes from Portsmouth, although the driving time will be longer for those departing from areas further north in the UK.
There are 61 campsites in Germany per 10,000 km2, with half (50%) rated four stars out of five or above by visitors. Highly rated Campingpark Erfurt in Erfurt, Thuringia, is loved by caravanners for its peaceful location and swimming facilities. The country is less likely to experience rain than most countries we looked at, with Berlin receiving 677mm of rainfall a year on average. 1,927 Google searches were made last year by people looking for caravan holidays, making it one of the most searched-for countries in Europe. Germany is also an excellent country to explore nature, including the Wutach Gorge – a scenic valley trail in the heart of Germany’s largest nature park, the Southern Black Forest Nature Park.
2. Denmark | Caravanning country score: 9.83/10
Denmark is one of the best countries for a caravanning getaway. Those driving from Portsmouth can reach Denmark in around 12 hours, although drivers from further north in the UK will take longer to arrive at the Danish border. Plenty of caravanning campsites are on offer, with 119 per 10,000 km2, and half (50%) of those are rated four stars out of five or higher. One highly-rated campsite is Skiveren Camping, a coastal location that offers plenty of activities for children.
Denmark’s largest settlement, Copenhagen, has an ideal maximum average July temperature of 21°C, providing a perfect climate for enjoying the outdoors, and receives around 750mm of rainfall a year. There are also plenty of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to get out and explore Denmark. The lake district, Søhøjlandet, is the highest-lying region in the country and is famed for its high density of lakes and picturesque views. The area has plenty of trails for all abilities, including walking or cycling along Denmark’s longest river, Gudenåen.
3. France | Caravanning country score: 9.30/10
France is an excellent destination for those seeking a caravan holiday overseas. One of the most popular destinations for Brits caravanning in Europe, France is the closest country to drive to, with those departing from Portsmouth reaching the border in around three hours. The country was by far the highest searched for ‘caravan holidays’ amongst Google users from the UK last year (32,806) and has 164 campsites per 10,000 km2. Camping Le Grand Large in Normandy is rated highly for its cleanliness and value for money. France’s largest settlement, Paris, receives, on average, 746mm of rainfall each year, the lowest out of our top three, and has a maximum average July temperature of 25°C. In the summer, many cyclists enjoy the outdoors by heading to campsites close to the Alps. Campings les Alicourts, in Val de Loire, is a campsite with a swimming pool, golf course, adventure play area, and 7-hectare lake where visitors can fish and canoe.
| Largest settlement | ||||||||
| Rank | Country | Average driving time from the UK | Campsites per 10,000 km2 | Campsites rated +4* | Google searches for caravan holidays | Average annual precipitation (mm) | Average maximum temperature (July | °C) | Country caravanning score /10 |
| 1 | Germany | 6h 30 | 61 | 50% | 1,927 | 677 | 23 | 9.92 |
| 2 | Denmark | 12h | 119 | 50% | 1,410 | 750 | 21 | 9.83 |
| 3 | France | 3h | 164 | 20% | 32,806 | 746 | 25 | 9.30 |
| 3 | Netherlands | 6h | 607 | 29% | 1,422 | 942 | 21 | 9.30 |
| 5 | Belgium | 4h 30m | 102 | 21% | 2,404 | 814 | 22 | 9.03 |
| 6 | Austria | 13h | 40 | 67% | 1,697 | 717 | 24 | 8.32 |
| 7 | Croatia | 16h 30m | 63 | 45% | 1,991 | 951 | 27 | 7.69 |
| 8 | Czechia | 12h 30m | 46 | 30% | 709 | 709 | 23 | 7.51 |
| 9 | Italy | 13h | 52 | 35% | 5,763 | 943 | 32 | 7.42 |
| 9 | Sweden | 15h | 16 | 39% | 1,555 | 635 | 22 | 7.42 |
Gearing up for Caravanning Hotspots
Are you ready to head out to one of our beautiful caravanning hotspots? Make sure you get the most out of your caravanning holiday with GO Outdoors’ huge collection of caravanning equipment and other essential outdoor gear –
Shop Caravanning:
Roof Boxes – carry your outdoor essentials to your hotspot of choice more conveniently with a durable roof box.
Caravanning Appliances – ensure you have all the appliances necessary for a comfortable caravanning experience, such as heaters and hotplates.
Awnings – extend the space available in your caravan with a top-quality awning.
Caravanning Accessories – everything from blinds to covers, steps, and carpets to enhance and personalise the motorhome experience.
Shop Outdoor Essentials:
Waterproof Jackets – be prepared for the weather to take a turn for the worse on your next caravanning trip.
Walking Clothing – with an array of popular walking trails to choose from in our hotspots, ensure you’re kitted out with the right clothing before heading into the outdoors.
Walking Shoes – hit the hotspot walking trails and traverse all terrains easily and comfortably.
Travel Bags – ensure you have the right bag to fit all your luggage and outdoor essentials.
Methodology:
We built a seed list of the best UK caravan sites using Campsites: Best Caravan Parks and Campsites: Best Campsites for Families. We looked at caravan sites with at least 20 user reviews. We did not include static caravan parks and holiday parks due to a lack of data across the relevant factors for caravanners.
To reveal the best places to go caravanning in the UK, we used Campsites to source:
- The cost of a two-night stay, arriving on 27/07/24 for two adults and two infants in a single-axle caravan on the cheapest available pitch, rounded to the nearest pound. For adults-only caravan sites, we looked at the cost for two adults.
For Ewes Water Caravan and Camping Park and Briarfields Motel and Touring Caravan Park, due to a lack of availability for the arrival date of 27/07/24, we sourced the cost of a two-night stay, arriving on 03/08/24.
- The average user rating out of five.
- Pet friendliness.
- Availability of a games room.
- Availability of a swimming pool.
- Availability of entertainment.
- Availability of an on-site shop.
- Proximity to a beach.
We sourced all data on 08/03/24. Each caravan park was given a normalised score out of 10 per factor and an equal weighting for each. The average ‘caravanning score’ was then calculated for each caravan park, forming our ranking.
We looked at all family-friendly caravan sites from our previous list to reveal the best places for family caravanning in the UK. We used Campsites to source:
- The cost of a two-night stay, arriving on 27/07/24 for two adults and two infants in a single-axle caravan on the cheapest available pitch, rounded to the nearest pound.
For Ewes Water Caravan and Camping Park, due to a lack of availability for the arrival date of 27/07/24, we sourced the cost of a two-night stay, arriving on 03/08/24.
- The average user rating out of five.
- Availability of a kids’ playground.
- Availability of a games room.
- Availability of a swimming pool.
- Availability of entertainment.
- Availability of an on-site shop.
- Proximity to a beach.
We sourced all data on 08/03/24. Each caravan park was given a normalised score out of 10 per factor, with an equal weighting for each one, except for the availability of a kids’ playground, which was given a double weighting due to the relevance of this factor for family caravanning. The average ‘family caravanning score’ was then calculated for each caravan park, forming our ranking.
To reveal the best UK regions for caravanning, we built a seed list using the regions of each caravan park from our first list, looking at the following factors:
- The number of hiking trails using All Trails, calculated per 1,000 km2 of each region, was sourced from City Population.
- The number of attractions using Tripadvisor was calculated per 1,000 km2 of each region.
- The number of campsites sourced from Campsites was calculated per 1,000 km2 of each region.
- The average highest temperature and annual precipitation in July in each region’s largest settlement using Holiday Weather.
For Ryde, Nuneaton, and Bath, the relevant data was unavailable. Therefore, we used Weather and Climate.
We calculated the deviation of the average highest temperature in July in each region from the ideal outdoor summer temperature of 21°C sourced from YouGov.
- The percentage of campsites rated four stars and above sourced from Campsites rounded to the nearest whole number.
We sourced all data on 08/03/24. Data from Holiday Weather was sourced on 14/03/24. Data for the number and percentage of campsites rated four stars and above was sourced on 12/03/24. Each region was given a normalised score out of 10 for each factor, with hiking trails, attractions, and the number of campsites given double weighting due to the relevance of outdoor activities and sites for a caravanning holiday. The average ‘caravanning region score’ was then calculated for each region, forming our ranking.
To reveal the best countries for caravanning, we looked at all EU countries, except the UK, and sourced:
- The number of campsites in each country sourced using Camping, calculated per 10,000 km2 using the most recently available figure for land area sourced from the World Bank.
- The percentage of campsites rated four stars and above, rounded to the nearest whole number, using Camping.
- The number of global Google searches in the last 12 months for caravan holidays in each country using Google Ads Keyword Planner.
For Czechia, we included searches for Czechia and the Czech Republic.
- The average highest temperature and annual precipitation in July in each country’s largest settlement using Holiday Weather.
For Ljubljana, the relevant data was unavailable. Therefore, we used Weather and Climate.
We calculated the deviation of the average highest temperature in July in each country from the ideal outdoor summer temperature of 21°C sourced from YouGov.
- The average driving time from the UK to each country to the nearest 30 minutes using Google Maps. We used Portsmouth as the departure point and sourced the time to drive to each destination country’s border or mainland.
Times may vary depending on the specific destination in the relevant country and the specific departure point in the UK.
We sourced all data on 09/03/24. Data from Holiday Weather was sourced on 14/03/24. Each country was given a normalised score out of 10 for each factor, giving each one an equal weighting, except the number of campsites, which was given double weighting due to the relevance of sites for a caravanning holiday. The average ‘country caravanning score’ was then calculated for each caravan park, forming our ranking.
