Unusual places to stay
Caroline Mills selects 10 of the unlikeliest places you ever thought you’d go camping
Caroline Mills selects 10 of the unlikeliest camping spots in the UK, which might just surprise you
CORNWALL, DEVON, THE Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales are among the most celebrated places to camp in Britain. We visit them in droves. But what about Bradford – or perhaps Brentwood? Not on your touring sat nav? They might be now. We’ve found 10 alternatives you might like to add to your caravan tours this summer.
1 Bradford, West Yorkshire
Why? The official Curry Capital of Britain, but it’s not just about ordering lamb balti and poppadoms. Bradford’s architecture is striking, linked to its fascinating history as a textile town. Little Germany is a notable area of the city today, where 85 buildings originally constructed for German textile merchants between 1855 and 1890 remain, of which 55 are listed. Cartwright Hall, in the magnificent grounds of Lister Park, is the city gallery, with a fine collection of 19th- and 20th-century British art. In the park, don’t miss the Mughal Gardens. But for Bradford’s architectural masterpiece, head to the outskirts, where you’ll find Saltaire, the village built by mill-owner Titus Salt for his workers. The beautiful Salts Mill, built in 1853, and the surrounding village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Salts Mill also has one of the largest collections of David Hockney’s work. The mill is by the Leeds-liverpool Canal, with the towpath offering treks by cycle and on foot. The 90-mile Dales High Way begins here, too. Back in Bradford’s centre, a great attraction for families is the National Media Museum, which is devoted to film, photography and TV. Here you can watch films on a screen the size of four buses, play with light and lenses, and explore the wonderful world of animation, all for free. Where to stay...
Dobrudden Caravan Park
Baildon Moor, Shipley BD17 5EE
Web www.dobrudden.co.uk
Located on picturesque Baildon Moor, with views over Shipley, the site is two miles from Baildon Village station, with connections to Bradford. Hardstanding and grass pitches available with hookups, washing facilities and playground.
2 Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Why? Milton Keynes celebrated its 50th birthday in 2017. The shopping centre, concrete cows and network of streets are legendary. But less well known are its 5000 acres of parkland, woodland, lakes and rivers, and more than 22 million trees. Campbell Park is an oasis in the heart of the town, with its eye-catching Light Pyramid, which glows at night. Nearby Willen Lake is a vast outdoor playground with over 180 acres of lakes and parkland. There are walks in the ancient woods of Shenley and Howe Park, brimming with wildflowers and wildlife, while cyclists will appreciate the Redways, an extensive network of maintained paths. Milton Keynes is filled with history, most notably at Bletchley Park, home of the Codebreakers and a top-secret World War II site. Here you can see exhibitions about the life of Alan Turing, and a huge display of the famous Enigma machines. Where to stay...
Gulliver’s Milton Keynes Camping & Caravanning Club Site
Frobisher Gate, Milton Keynes MK15 0DT Web campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk The campsite is next to Gulliver’s Land Theme Park and close to Willen Park. The town centre is three miles away, with a bus stop five minutes’ walk from the site entrance.
3 Dungeness, Kent
Why? A vast shingle headland on the Kent coast, Dungeness is a National Nature Reserve, home to 600 species of plants, and an RSPB reserve. By contrast, Dungeness B was the first advanced gas-cooled reactor to begin construction in the UK and started generating electricity in 1983. The power station is a major employer in the area; visitors are welcome, too! The purpose-built visitor centre has an interactive exhibition about nuclear power and electricity generation. But the station also offers free, pre-booked tours with expert guides. The tour includes the reactor viewing gallery, the turbine hall and the cooling water intake. The visitor centre is open Mondays to Fridays (except bank holidays) from 9am to 4pm. For more details on how to book a tour, email dungenessbtours@edf-energy.com. Where to stay...
Camber Sands Holiday Park
New Lydd Road, Camber TN31 7RT
Web www.park-resorts.com
Direct beach access to Rye Bay from your touring pitch, within seconds, is the lure of this holiday park. All pitches are grass-based (with Tarmac access roads) and can be with or without hook-up.
Touring guests have use of the park facilities, including indoor pool, sauna, sports court, multiple play areas and entertainment complex. The site is on the western edge of Dungeness.
4 Swindon, Wiltshire
Why? Swindon’s Old Town is filled with quiet courtyards, traditional shops and delightful gardens. But the town’s heyday came with the arrival of the railway in 1840, and it’s the Museum of the Great Western Railway (steam-museum.org.uk) that you’ll really want to visit. Housed in a Grade Ii-listed building in the heart of the former railway works, the museum offers visitors the chance to climb aboard famous steam locomotives, have a go at signalling and be an engine driver. Where to stay...
Postern Hill Campsite
Marlborough, Wilts SN8 4ND
Web www.campingintheforest.co.uk Campsites nearby are thin on the ground, but the Postern Hill Camping in the Forest site isn’t too far away – it’s a beautiful place to stay, too.
5 Bedfordshire
Why? This county might not be top of your list for a summer fortnight, but a long weekend or extended stopover should be on the cards. Bedfordshire might be compact, but it is packed with interesting places to visit. ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and Woburn Safari Park will bring you close to magnificent beasts. If you prefer aeroplanes to animals, the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden Aerodrome is the place to go. There you can see a famous collection of vintage aircraft, including the world’s oldest airworthy plane, dating from 1909, and a Supermarine Spitfire, which you can watch being restored by the engineers. Dunstable Downs is the place for rural views, a picnic and a windswept hike. The chalkland downs are a local landmark, as is the chalk lion on the side of the hill. For a more refined walk, visit Wrest Park, to see the Capability Brown parkland, 90 acres of formal gardens and woodland. Where to stay...
Henlow Bridge Lakes
Bridge End Road, Henlow SG16 6DD
Web www.henlowbridgelakes.co.uk
There are 55 hardstanding pitches at this site all year round, and 125 grass pitches from March to September. All have electric hook-up. The amenity block has underfloor heating, baby changing and a disabled wet room.
6 Brentwood and Harlow, Essex
Why? The Essex coastline, Constable’s Dedham Vale and historic towns such as Colchester draw the crowds, but Brentwood and Harlow might not be uppermost in the minds of campers. Unless, of course, you happen to be fans of The Only Way is Essex and have visited to follow the TOWIE Trail. Not for you? You might prefer the town’s characterful old streets or a visit to Ingatestone Hall, a marvellous 16th-century private residence whose guests included Elizabeth I. For followers of more recent history, the Secret Nuclear Bunker in nearby Kelvedon Hatch, a former government HQ buried underground, will grab your attention. Those with young families should try the Gruffalo Trail, in Thorndon Country Park, or Old Macdonald’s Farm. Art-lovers should head for nearby Harlow, a Sculpture Town, where The Gibberd Garden has an outstanding collection of public sculpture by Rodin, Moore, Frink and Hepworth. Where to stay...
Kelvedon Hatch Camping
& Caravanning Club Site
Warren Lane, Doddinghurst CM15 0JG
Web campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk. Six miles from Brentwood and nine miles from Harlow, in the heart of the Essex countryside, this campsite has all of the usual amenities expected of a Club site (washrooms, play area, dog-exercise area and so on).
There’s a bus stop half a mile from the campsite, with services that take you to Brentwood and the train station, where you’ll find direct trains to London.
7 Kettering & Corby, Northamptonshire
Why? Perhaps rather better known for its steelworks, Corby might surprise you. The town centre has been transformed, with a smart pedestrian area, central library and entertainment facilities. Less than a mile away, you’ll also find Rockingham Castle and Deene Park. The latter is the ancestral home of the 7th Earl of Cardigan, who led the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854. Nearby Kettering offers Wicksteed Park, a theme park with 147 acres of parkland and attractions such as rollercoasters and rides. Charles Wicksteed, creator of the slide and swing, developed the park to encourage outdoor exercise. Activities here include the Sway Rider wave swing, specially designed for the park, and a 90m Tree Top Walk. Where to stay...
Wicksteed Park
Barton Road, Northamp’shire NN15 6NJ
Web https://wicksteedpark.org/ Wicksteed Park has its own campsite overlooking a lake; facilities include a new washblock and a café. The site is open to those not visiting the park.
8 Dudley, West Midlands
Why? Ever thought of Dudley for your summer hols? Maybe not, but the town has top-notch places to visit that give it the thumbs-up for a weekend break. At the award-winning Black Country Living Museum, you can find out what it was like to live and work in one of the world’s most industrialised landscapes. Discover the art of ‘legging’ inside Dudley Canal Tunnel and Limestone Mines, take a guided tour of the mines and watch the light show and the audiovisual display in the caverns. Or get close to lions, tigers, snakes and spiders at ‘Castle Creatures’, a fascinating interactive experience at Dudley Zoological Gardens. Meanwhile, nearby Stourbridge has been home to glassmaking for more than 400 years. Explore the Glass Quarter to see glassblowers at work. Where to stay...
Pillaton Hall Farm Penkridge ST19 5RZ Web pillatonhallfarm.co.uk
Nearer Dudley, you’ll also find Park Farm CL, Trysul, or Dayhouse Farm Fishery CS, Romsley.
9 Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire
Why? Milford Haven is known for its oil and gas refineries, but its history goes back as far as the Vikings, with a naval heritage and giant fishing fleets. The town’s fine Georgian houses are complemented by the new marina, with cafés, restaurants and shops. For hikers, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path goes through Milford Haven. And in honour of its heritage, the annual Pembrokeshire Fish Week (24 June to 2 July) kicks off with al fresco cooking. Where to stay...
Sandy Haven Camping Park Herbrandston SA73 3ST
Web sandyhavencampingpark.co.uk This is a quiet site for couples and families. The 27 pitches (no hook-ups) are a minute from the beach. Free showers and toilets are available.
10 Harris, Outer Hebrides
Why? The Isle of Harris is a very special place and it’s the west of the island that has the stunning beaches. This is a place for contemplation, bracing walks, wildlife spotting, or perhaps a round of golf at Scarista. Spend a morning learning about Harris Tweed and an afternoon touring the Isle of Harris Distillery. Reach West Harris by the Caledonian Macbrayne ferry from Uig on Skye, or take the ferry from Ullapool to the Isle of Lewis and drive over the road bridge. Where to stay...
Flodabay Farm
Isle of Harris HS3 3HA
Web http://flodabayfarm.co.uk You’ll find a peaceful retreat at this beautiful, adults-only campsite. Note that there are no toilets or showers at Flodabay Farm.