Ours was New Lodge Farm, Bulwick. Fantastic adult only, onsite farm shop that serves lovely food, great facilities, friendly staff and even a onsite swim spa!
Booked to go back next year, can't wait!
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Interesting question. We only went to 40 sites this year, others will have been to many more. None of the “first time” sites was particularly better than the favourites that we return to. New ones that we were iffy about were usually ones that the dog rated highly for her walks; she was neutral about sites that we enjoyed because of the lack of nearby off-site off-lead running opportunities.
In summary - we have recommended sites to friends who then refuse to stay there because it has not got whatever makes their perfect site. So I could mention one of our “first time” sites that we (all) enjoyed, but they didn’t like the look of it from the road & drove on past (CAMC Maragowan, because of Killin & Loch Tay).
Very much a personal view, suiting my needs at the time, not necessarily a recommendation to others, as I'm sure many would hate them for various reasons.
First site was in my beloved Lake District for a regular holiday of walking and relaxing with minimal need to use the car, in fact it didn't move for 2 weeks! Despite knowing the area well enough from countless previous visits, I'd never pitched my van at this site before, but will certainly return. CAMC Borrowdale at the foot of Derwent Water. No facilities other than service points (self contained units only allowed on site), most pitches under trees, no shops or other amenities near by, pretty much need to go into Keswick, about 5-6 miles away for EVERYTHING, but blissfully quiet, and direct pedestrian access to Derwent Water and numerous footpaths, AND cheap pitch fees! Fell in love with it, I'll be going back.
Second site was an odd one for me, firstly because I was looking for a base to set out to visit a number of people I knew scattered around 3 Counties of the West Country, rather than for the appeal of the location and it's immediate environs itself. I'd been invited to pitch my van on a friends farm field near Honiton, but it turned out to be far too waterlogged, so I had to find a hardstanding formal campsite at short notice. I chose CAMC Cadeside near Taunton. Hand was rather forced, as few campsites still open in November, and I wanted one that was not too deep into 'country lane' territory, hoping to keep my journey from and return to London as quick and straightforward as possible. Literally 5 minutes off the M5, it was easy to get to, and gave me good major road routes to all the people I wanted to visit. Typical high standard CAMC site in itself, again a site without toilet or shower though, but that's never a concern to me. Not the most desirable location as little of interest in immediate area, but a great site for my needs, and most other people who use it as a one or two night stop off on a longer journey. I wouldn't chose it as a destination, but would certainly keep it in mind and return to use it as a base or journey break, VERY convenient location for those purposes. It also had a decent sized Lidl right opposite the entrance, so great for essentials shopping.
So I feel I've discovered two sites of worth this year.
The OP asked which was your best new site this year. We stayed at 5 new sites, none of them are better than our all time favourites, and we are unlikely to use them again.
However, best of all was that one of our favourites reopened as a Campingcar Park, Mery sur Seine, we were overjoyed!
We went to Kendal c&cc club site and loved it . Central for a lot of places without being in the centre of the more commercial busy tourist attractions .
Another new location for us was Anglesey cmc site Again I loved it . I thought I might be bored but lots of places to visit . I think we need to go again .
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by Dot P on 11/12/2024
In Scotland - Rosneath Caravan Park - open for tourers this year, first class facilities and a beautiful drive to get there.
Thanks for that, Dot P, and thanks for your review too.
Not many touring sites thereabouts, quite frustrating! We were at The Hill House in Helensburgh a few months ago (CR Mackintosh / NTS), and we’d have made a longer MH trip of it (rather than a day trip) if we’d known Rosneath wasn’t just statics any more.
£25 is the going rate for independent / non chain sites in Dumfries & Galloway, good that this site fee fits that model.
We went to a number of sites we have not visited before but I think our favourite was Eye Kettleby Lakes. It was a lovely site, there were loads of places nearby to visit and as we had never been to that part of the country before, it was all new to us. The site is in Melton Mowbray so my husbands favourite bit was the pork pie shop in the town!
Quote: Originally posted by Dot P on 11/12/2024
In Scotland - Rosneath Caravan Park - open for tourers this year, first class facilities and a beautiful drive to get there.
Thanks for that, Dot P, and thanks for your review too.
Not many touring sites thereabouts, quite frustrating! We were at The Hill House in Helensburgh a few months ago (CR Mackintosh / NTS), and we’d have made a longer MH trip of it (rather than a day trip) if we’d known Rosneath wasn’t just statics any more.
£25 is the going rate for independent / non chain sites in Dumfries & Galloway, good that this site fee fits that model.
It's an off season offer at £25 - it's £35 in summer. We find most sites around that region to be £29 - £35 with only a very few exceptions, prices have certainly gone up.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Two new sites for me this year, both as I like them: back to basics, loads of space, very quiet. Neither take camper vans or caravans, or dogs.
Hawthorn Trench Campsite near Elham in Kent. Acres of beautiful meadow,
Cannington Farm near Lyme Regis , stunning backdrop of a viaduct (disused) , very pretty. Good facilities for a non-EHU / compost toilet type campsite.
Which reminds me, I should do reviews for UKCampsite!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: What was your best new site in 2024?
via mobile 11/12/2024 at 2:59pm
