PITCH UP FOR A PINT
Pubs across the country are opening campsites in their glorious grounds
We kneW it all along, but did we realise quite how much we love beer gardens? And now pubs can serve outside perhaps it’s time to take a holiday in one?
More and more pubs are offering camping to help their business recover after lockdown. Their campsites are usually small and intimate, budget-priced and, of course, have food, drink and company on tap.
Right now, you will have to take turns to use the toilets and you must book the showers but all facilities and indoor service should be available from May 17. Wherever you go, check which facilities are open as landlords may interpret rules differently.
DARTMOOR HALFWAY INN: DEVON
PReTTy riverside campsite under trees behind the pub with free wifi, children’s playground and new showers. Already open with ‘one out, one in’ toilets and showers. DON’T MISS: Order pub takeaway breakfast, food parcels for your barbecue or even marshmallows to roast on campfires. HOW TO DO IT: Pitches from £15 pn ( dartmoorhalfwayinn.co.uk).
LIGHTHOUSE INN: NORFOLK
Blue-PAinTed pub with ten tent spaces between the church and beach. it’s open with one-ata-time toilets and showers. DON’T MISS: Brancaster oysters and mussels on the menu. HOW TO DO IT: Pitches from £10 pn ( lighthousecamping.co.uk).
TAN HILL INN: N. YORKSHIRE
AT 1,732 ft, Britain’s highest pub attracts intrepid campers who can eat outside in all-weather domes overlooking moors. The campsite is already open with an outside bar, food service and live music. DON’T MISS: Bigger-than-you– expect bands: the Arctic Monkeys played here, The Jam and Big Country are due this summer. HOW TO DO IT: Camp from £ 15 pppn ( kids £ 8), including breakfast ( tanhillinn.com).
THE BULL’S HEAD: E. SUSSEX
enJOy outdoor service at a terrace restaurant or pergola. Campers get eight acres and a new shower block from May 17. DON’T MISS: Footpaths to romantic Herstmonceux Castle. HOW TO DO IT: Pitches from £20 pn ( bullsheadborehamstreet.com).
WASDALE HEAD INN: LAKES
THis campsite and pub next to england’s deepest lake and highest mountain is open with outside dining, toilets and showers. DON’T MISS: dine on roast local Herdwick lamb and breakfast on egg & bacon butties. HOW TO DO IT: Camp from £6 pn, showers £1 ( wasdale.com).
DUKE OF YORK: PEAKS
THis adults- only camping site with Peak district panoramas is perfect for anyone hoping to avoid noisy children. Camping, takeaway and beer garden are open, toilets and showers from mid-May.
DON’T MISS: ‘Banger of the Week’ ( local speciality sausage with mash and gravy). HOW TO DO IT: Pitches from £23 pn ( thedukeofyorkpomeroy.co.uk).
MARLBANK INN: MALVERN
A TWO-ACRe Worcestershire site outside a Victorian wood-panelled inn. ‘self-contained’ camping and outside food open now, showers and toilets from May 17. DON’T MISS: Acclaimed curries from indian father and son chefs. HOW TO DO IT: Pitches from £30 pn ( themarlbankinn.co.uk).
NORTH INN: CORNWALL
THis site with sea views at Pendeen is open at weekends with toilets and restricted use of showers. The ivy-covered inn is in TV’s Poldark country and the landlord appears as an extra. DON’T MISS: sunday roasts (meat, five different vegetables and yorkshire puds) are a village institution. Booking advised. HOW TO DO IT: Camp from £7 pppn ( thenorthinnpendeen.co.uk).
SUTHERLAND, SCOTLAND
CAMP alongside the Halladale inn near a remote sandy beach and retreat to timber glamping pods if it starts raining. Planned opening: May 1 (pods and campervans, restricted numbers in shower block), tents May 28. DON’T MISS: Pub speciality — sweet chilli haggis. HOW TO DO IT: Pitches from £10 pn, glamping pods from £60 ( thehalladaleinn.co.uk).
KENBRIDGE: GALLOWAY
A leAFy RiVeRside campsite next to a Georgian coaching inn, the kenbridge inn hopes to open in May. DON’T MISS: Campers get free fishing rights on the renowned River ken. HOW TO DO IT: Pitches from £ 10 pn including electricity, shower, toilets and hairdryer ( kenbridgehotel.
YE OLDE SWAN: COTSWOLDS
THis riverside Oxfordshire pub is already open for self- contained campers. Book glamping teepees and tent pitches with shared facilities from May 17. DON’T MISS: Private luxury Thames cruises in the pub’s boat come with a bottle of prosecco. HOW TO DO IT: Pitches from £8 pppn, ( yeoldeswan.co.uk).
SNOWDONIA PARK: N. WALES
A MOdeRn riverside pub with its own brewery sits alongside a dogfriendly campsite four miles from snowdon. The site is open for campervans and self- contained campers. Outside service from April 26, other facilities ‘when possible’. DON’T MISS: Catch steam trains to Caernarfon or Porthmadog at the station next door. HOW TO DO IT: Pitches from £ 12 ( single tent) to £ 70 ( two in glamping pod), ( snowdoniapark.
THE WHISTLE INN: S. WALES
CAMP alongside lakes above Blaenavon World Heritage site at this site, which is open now for the self-contained. Awaiting guidance on full re-opening. DON’T MISS: Pontypool & Blaenavon steam Railway for adventures down the valley. HOW TO DO IT: Pitches from £10 pn ( facebook.com/The-Whistle -Inn-and-Campsite-Blaenavon).