Sometimes you just want a camping, caravan or motorhome site with a hook-up point and a decent wi-fi signal to pitch up at for the night on your way somewhere else. But sometimes you want somewhere special, somewhere secluded, somewhere that feels like your own personal secret.
Here are some of the most perfect secluded or remote motorhome and caravan sites in the UK.
1. Little Switzerland, Kent
Nestled in the cliff overlooking the English Channel, Little Switzerland in Folkestone is as close as you can get to France without having to go over or under the sea - in fact, you can see across to the French coastline surprisingly clearly when the weather is right! The campsite is located in The Warren, a site of special scientific interest that's home to rare wildflowers and creatures, and surrounded by chalky cliffs which carry on down the coast to the famous White Cliffs of Dover.
The beach is a short walk away from the quiet campsite, and it's dog-friendly all year round. Walk east along the coast to get to Samphire Hoe, a new nature reserve created from excavated ground from the building of the Channel Tunnel and now home to rare butterflies and birds, or walk west to the seaside town of Folkestone for Edwardian architecture, the newly refurbished Harbour Arm (complete with a Champagne bar in the lighthouse) and an open air art trail.
Contact details
Little Switzerland Caravan Site, Wear Bay Road, The Warren, Folkestone, Kent CT19 6PS
Tel: 01303 252168
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2. Faerie-thyme, Carmarthenshire
Faerie-thyme is an adults-only camping and caravanning site in Carmarthenshire, offering secluded pitches, some of which are complete with their own fire pits.
The ethos of Faerie-thyme can best be summed up by the fact that the owners run an ‘honesty shop’ that sells firewood and provisions; this is not an overly regulated multi-site corporation!
If you are looking for a quirky woodland hideaway, then this might just be the place for you.
Contact details
Wish and Irene, Faerie-thyme, Crwbin, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, SA17 5DR
Tel: 01269 871774. Email: irenelaw@hotmail.co.uk
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3. Trellyn Woodland Camping, Pembrokeshire
If dark-sky photography is an as-yet-unfulfilled hobby, then Trellyn is just the place.
Located in beautiful Pembrokeshire, Trellyn has so little light pollution that it is the ideal place for a spot of astro-photography.
You can also book a place on one of the bush craft courses they run, cook your own pizza in the onsite pizza oven, or buy and cook a freshly caught lobster!
Contact details
Kev and Claire, Trellyn Woodland Camping, Abercastle, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 5HJ
Tel: 01348 837762.
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4. Downshay Farm, Dorset
Downshay Farm, located on the beautiful Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, offers a dozen caravan pitches set over three lawned terraces.
Because it is so small, booking is essential; however, it’s worth making the effort because the family-owned location is stunning, with the most amazing views over Corfe Castle to the Purbeck Hills beyond.
Contact details
Martin & Justine Pike, Downshay Tourers & Tents, Downshay Farm, Haycrafts Lane, Swanage, Dorset BH19 3EB
Tel: 01929 480316. Email: downshayfarm@tiscali.co.uk
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5. Fidden Farm, Isle of Mull
Fidden Farm is remote, but by the time you’ve made your way to the Isle of Mull, everywhere feels remote…
If you want to enjoy this unspoiled beachside caravan and camping site at its very best you’ll need to avoid the summer holidays. Otherwise, you can spend your days just watching the dolphins and eagles or paddling in the crystal-clear water before indulging in a wee dram and some freshly caught seafood to round off a perfect day.
Contact details
Knockvologan Road, Nr Fionnphort, Isle of Mull PA66 6BN
Tel: 01681 700427.
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6. Aeron View Camping, Aberystwyth
Aeron View Camping not only boasts the sort of views and wildlife that you’d expect from a top-notch rural campsite, it also features something you’ll probably never have seen before: red kite feeding. Yes, that’s right, at around 4pm every day the owners feed the local red kites!
Other than that, Aeron View is simply one of the nicest, most secluded and well-run sites you’ll ever come across. And if you do get bored of all that nature and seclusion, the bright lights of Aberystwyth are just 12 miles away.
Contact details
Aeron View Camping, Blaenpennal, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales SY23 4TW
Tel: 01974 251219. Email: info@aeronviewcamping.co.uk
7. Harry's Field and Harry's Meadow, Hampshire
These family-owned campsites in the heart of the New Forest have something for everyone. Traditional campsite Harry's Field is inspired by three generations of classic camping holidays (with added glamping options), while the 50 acre Harry's Meadow offers a wild camping experience among the trees, meadows and wild swimming holes of the New Forest, with beautiful views of the Avon Valley.
Both are excellent for miles and miles of uninterrupted walking routes and cycling trails, and include fire pits for hire, showers and flushing toilets. If you don't fancy cooking there are even pop-up food trucks, including a cocktail truck. Campervans and motorhomes are allowed but not large caravans.
Contact details
Harry's Field: Abbotswell Road, Frogham, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 2JA
Tel: 07968 136891. Email: camp@harrysfield.co.uk
Harry's Meadow: Hale Park, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 2RE
Tel: 07534 006137. Email: harrysmeadow@gmail.com
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