Watch the sun rising or setting
Yes, it’s dark at 4pm and rather cold. But instead of huddling inside the ’van, why not take advantage of that gloomy afternoon? Put on a few cosy layers of clothing and sit outside, watching the glorious sunset.
Photographers don’t call the hour just before sundown the golden, or magic, hour for nothing. A cloudy sky and clear, frosty air make for red, pink, orange and purple skies as the sun sinks below the horizon.
A very good spot to enjoy brilliant sunsets – or sunrises, which are at a more amenable hour in winter – is Blue Skies campsite (blueskiescamp site.co.uk, no electric hook-up), near Wells-next-the-Sea (wellsguide. com) in beautiful Norfolk.
A coast-hopper bus service stops just outside the site if you don’t fancy the short walk or drive into town (but check the timetable). Wrap up warm to sit on the beach, or at one of the town’s pubs or restaurants, and watch the sun go down and the world go by.
If it’s a clear night, you can enjoy a spot of winter stargazing – how many constellations can you recognise? And what better way to start the day than a morning walk as the sun comes up?
You don’t have to be on the coast, either. Climb a hill in the countryside for views of the evening sky (watch the weather, and be careful not to get caught out in fog or heavy rain), or visit one of the UK’s many glorious historic buildings.
Fountains Abbey (nationaltrust.org. uk), Ripon, North Yorkshire, provides a great backdrop to a wintry sunset. Stay at Ivy Bank Caravan and Camping Site (ivybankcampsite.co.uk) and take advantage of their hot tub if you prefer to watch the sunset nearer your own comfortable home on wheels.