3 Lundy Island, North Devon
One for aficionados of all things maritime, Lundy became the first statutory Marine Nature Reserve in 1986 and in 2010, the UK’S first Marine Conservation Zone.
This 1.5-square-mile island in the Bristol Channel is famous for its excellent marine life and habitats, and its visiting grey seals.
Even if you’re not a diver, you can still spot porpoise, dolphins and minke whales from boats or the shoreline.
Day returns on Lundy’s own vessel, the MS Oldenburg (departures from Ilfracombe and Bideford), cost £42 (book in advance); on the island you can see everything from Bronze Age settlements to a Georgian lighthouse. The island is also renowned for its birdlife, particularly puffins (C), after which it is named – ‘Lundy’ derives from the Old Norse word for ‘puffin island’.
› www.landmarktrust.org.uk/ lundyisland/discovering-lundy
Where to stay
Damage Barton Caravan and Camping Site is well placed for Ilfracombe and the golden
CBDsands of nearby Woolacombe. While you’re there, a visit to the chocolate box village of Clovelly is also within easy reach.
› www.damagebarton.co.uk/ camping_caravan_club.htm
4 The Lizard National Nature Reserve, Cornwall
The designation ‘National Nature Reserve’ (NNR) indicates an area of natural habitat that is of national importance.
The Lizard Peninsula, for example, is considered one of the best locations in the whole country for wildlife, as well as a wealth of rare plants and invertebrates.
It also has breathtaking coastline, with dramatic cliffs cut with natural coves. Coastal highlights include Kynance Cove, Lizard Point (D) and Black Head, a stretch of the South West Coast Path from which you can enjoy superb sea views.
Inland, Windmill Farm Nature Reserve, at Predannack Downs, is owned by the Cornwall Birdwatching and Preservation Society and Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and comprises grass- and heathland that is
Ehome to buzzards, sparrowhawks, cuckoos, skylarks, reed buntings and more.
› www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/ the-lizard-national-nature-reserve
Where to stay
Silver Sands Holiday Park is on the reserve and was the regional winner in our 2020
Top 100 Sites Guide.
› www.silversandsholidaypark.co.uk
The tidal island of Lindisfarne (E), or Holy Island, just off Berwick-upon-tweed in Northumberland, is a popular destination.
Although the island’s 16th-century castle is impressive, the real treasure has to be its incredible dunes, salt marsh and mudflats, home to a multitude of wildlife.
Butterflies, wildflowers, overwintering waterfowl and a variety of wading birds, ducks and geese make this a natural place of pilgrimage for ornithologists drawn by the unique landscape.
The dunes here are home to nationally important plants, including 11 species of
orchid, while unusual marine animals, such as brittle stars and top-shells, can also be spotted.
› www.northumberlandcoast aonb.org/holy-island/
Where to stay
Berwick Seaview Caravan & Motorhome Club Site is well situated for visiting both Lindisfarne and the nearby Farne Islands, ands, with their famed population of grey seals.seals. › www.caravanclub.co.uk
6 Malham, Yorkshire Dales s
The spectacular limestone pavementt that you can explore above Malham
Cove (F) gets top marks for sheer topographical wonder.
This marvel of nature, located in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, is the product of deeply eroded limestone that over time, has created an unusual pattern of natural crazy paving.
The cliffs from the cove below stretch up some 80m high, but the pavement can be reached fairly easilyy from a good footpath.
The beautiful waterfall at Janet’s Fossfoss is only a short walk from Malham, andnd the natural alkaline lake at Malham Tarntarn is home to an impressive amount of flora and fauna. This is England’s highest freshwater lake and forms the backdrop for several interesting walks.
› www.nationaltrust.org.uk/malhamtarn-estate/features/things-to-seeand-do-at-malham-tarn
Where to stay
Knight Stainforth Hall is just a short drive away, near the busy market town of Settle. › www.knightstainforth.co.uk
Part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Blakeney Nature Reserve is best known for its large populations of common and grey seals (G), which come to bask in huge numbers at Blakeney Point.
This is a vast landscape of salt marshes, shingle and sand dunes, and an important location for breeding birds.
Common seals are most abundant here in the summer months, while greys tend to arrive later in the year.
This beautiful and dramatic landscape is also great for birdwatching, with terns being especially prolific. An excellent way to see the nesting sites of common, Arctic, little and sandwich terns is from one of the many boat trips which operate out of Blakeney Harbour.
There’s plenty more to see here, with some 270 species of birds identified, and there are good walks to be had along the Norfolk Coast Path.
› www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ blakeney-national-nature-reserve
FHGWhere to stay
Old Brick Kilns Caravan & Camping Park, our Top 100 Sites Guide regional winner, is just half an hour’s drive away.
› www.old-brick-kilns.co.uk
8 Seaford Head, East Sussex
When it comes to imposing white cliffs, Dover often gets top billing, but we’d argue that those found along the Sussex coast make for a more beautiful landscape.
At Seaford Head (H), you can take in the views across the Cuckmere Valley and out towards the Seven Sisters, which stretch away towards Beachy Head.
The cliffs are home to many species of seabird. Below, the River Cuckmere flows into the Channel at Cuckmere Haven, used as a film location for the 1991 Hollywood movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
The Seven Sisters Country Park is great for cycling and birdwatching, although the hill walks are the star attraction.
› www.sevensisters.org.uk
of wildflowers, common spotted orchids and hedgerows rich in wildlife.
› www.rutlandwater.org.uk
Where to stay
Lyndon Top Caravan & Camping Park’s site borders the shores of Rutland Water. › www.lyndontop.com
10 Minera Quarry Nature Reserve, North Wales
The restorative power of nature never fails to amaze, and such is the case here. This former quarry, which was first mined for lead and then quarried for limestone, is now a precious haven for a huge range of flora and fauna.
Invertebrates, such as butterflies, bees and moths, can be seen in grassland areas, while in the newly established woodland, birdlife, such as redstarts, blackcaps and spotted flycatchers, are all in residence.
The area has become noted for its wild orchids (I), including frog, salmon, spotted and fragrant orchids.
› www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/ nature-reserves/minera-quarry
Where to stay
Chapel House C&MC CL Site is a short drive away from the nature reserve, while a 20-minute journey will bring you to the historic city of Chester.
› www.caravanclubcl.site
11 Oxford Island NNR, Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland
Another majestic place to view birdlife, Lough Neagh is the largest lake (by area) in the British Isles and is rich in freshwater fish. It is also home to eels that swim more than 4000 miles to breed in the Sargasso Sea, in the North Atlantic – one of nature’s most remarkable migrations.
Over 100,000 wintering wildfowl will arrive at this beautiful lake from across the northern hemisphere, including the very distinctive whooper swan, which flies from Iceland to feed here in the winter.
Visitors are spoiled for choice, with boat trips, marinas and watersports centres all available. There are also excellent walks through the mixed conifer forests, such as Randalstown and Tardree.
› www.discoverloughneagh.com
IWhere to stay
Ballyronan Marina and Caravan Park is on the western shores of Lough Neagh. › www.midulstercouncil.org/ ballyronanmarina
12 Smardale Gill, Cumbria
JThe grasslands around the Smardale Gill viaduct are one of only two sites in England that are home to the Scotch Argus butterfly.
There’s an interesting contrast between the industrial architecture you can see here, and the natural grassland, which is packed with inverterbrates, orchids and primroses.
Birdlife is also prolific on the reserve, with green woodpeckers, sparrowhawks and ravens joined in summer by redstarts and pied flycatchers. If you’re lucky, you’ll also spot red squirrels (J) and roe deer.
› www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/ nature-reserves/smardale
Where to stay
Pennine View Caravan Park is a brief drive away, and a mile from the centre of the historic market town of Kirkby Stephen.
› www.pennineviewpark.co.uk
Who are you?
Sarah Wakely, editor in chief of Practical Caravan. I’ve been working on the magazine for many years now, and grew up in a caravanning family! Until recently I also owned an ageing Bailey Pageant, which I loved.
How do you know about the area?
I have family there and spend lots of time exploring the beautiful countryside surrounding this fascinating town – in the car, on foot and on two wheels.
What do you love about it?
There’s so much to see in Wiltshire – Stonehenge, of course, and numerous ancient settlements, as well as chalk hill carvings and other fascinating monuments.
Warminster High Street has a nice mix of cafés and shops, and if you want to learn more about the town, try the Blue Plaque Trail (http://warminster-tc.gov.uk/ documents/blueplaquetrailv2.pdf).
What’s your favourite place to visit?
Longleat makes for a great day out – as we went to press, it had reopened its famous Safari drive-through, as well as some of the walk-through areas. Pre-booking online is essential for your visit; you can find out more at www.longleat.co.uk.
Stourhead, meanwhile, is operated by the National Trust and is also now partly reopened. It’s a glorious 18th-century Palladian mansion, with stunning grounds to wander around; you can even pre-book a special ticket that will allow you to walk your dog among these beautiful surroundings.
Which campsites would you recommend? If you’re planning to visit Longleat while you’re in the area, then an obvious choice would be the Longleat Caravan and Motorhome Club Site (BA12 7NL), which is well placed for exploring the popular attraction.
Members of The Camping and Caravanning Club might like to consider staying at the adults-only Chalcot Park Farm CS, which is also handily located, a little further north at Dilton Marsh, near Westbury (chalcotcaravancampsite.co.uk/wp).
What food/drink is the area known for? Cider! There are some great places for tastings (after you’ve nominated someone else to do the driving), as well as shopping for bottles to take back to your van. Lilley’s Cider, over the border in Somerset, has a great range to choose from, such as Rhubarb, Mango or Rum.
Tell us somewhere great to eat!
La Campagna in Upton Scudamore, a nice combination of pub and Italian brasserie. The set lunch costs from just £13.95 for two courses.
Where can caravanners get spare kit?
The Motorhome Showroom (themotorhomeshowroom. co.uk) has an accessories shop. Or try Wiltshire Caravans (wiltshirecaravans.co.uk), a bit further north.
Where can you find the cheapest petrol/diesel in the area?
Morrisons petrol station (44 Weymouth Street BA12 9NT), in the heart of the town, has reasonably priced fuel, and it’s relatively easy to get into if you’re towing.
Where should you avoid in the area and where might be overrated?
You could never describe Stonehenge as overrated, but if you’re travelling along the A303 to this part of Wiltshire, the section of road that runs alongside the historic monument is notoriously busy, and there’s a very good chance you’ll get stuck in a traffic jam.
A few years ago, the AA announced it (along with the M27/A31 New Forest interchange) as one of the two worst bottlenecks in the country, particularly at weekends and during the summer.
I’d recommend a decent traffic-sensitive (and towing-friendly) sat-nav to help you bypass the area.
Share a secret highlight that only a local would know…
The beautiful grounds of Stourhead come to life at Christmas, with a walking trail that’s illuminated by thousands of festive lights – music helps make the whole experience even more magical. As we went to press, this year’s event was still set to go ahead (from 27 November to 3 January); you can find out more about it at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead.