From royal retreats to Lawrence of Arabia: Six surprising UK escapes to enjoy all year round

With 50 UK Club and Affiliated campsites open all year, the Caravan and Motorhome Club reveals six bases for royal discoveries, literary adventures and spectacular countryside escapes beyond summer.

(20 October 2026) As temperatures fall, the Caravan and Motorhome Club is encouraging touring enthusiasts to keep exploring, with 50 Club and Affiliated campsites open throughout the year. From royal retreats and literary landmarks to wild coastlines and white-water adventures, the Club has picked six unexpected bases for an autumn and winter escape. 

With heated washrooms, hot showers and electric hook-ups available at many of these locations, touring can continue comfortably throughout the colder months, all for as little as £31.30 per night.

From Sussex to the Lake District, these six year-round campsites offer gateways to fascinating stories and unexpected adventures.

Brighton Club Campsite, East Sussex: Discover a royal seaside playground

Situated on the edge of the South Downs, just two miles from central Brighton, Brighton Club Campsite offers a convenient base for discovering the city's royal past. A visit to the nearby Royal Pavilion reveals King George IV's extravagant seaside retreat, with distinctive domes and richly decorated interiors that make it one of Britain's most unusual royal residences.

Brighton's independent shops and famous seafront are also easy to explore, with Lewes and countryside walks in the South Downs nearby. Back at the campsite, Chef Philippe's food outlet serves breakfast, coffee, pizza and pasta.

Prices start from £37.10 per night for two adults, hardstanding pitch with awning.

Minehead Club Campsite, Somerset: Walk Exmoor's wild coastline

Set on a hillside on the edge of Exmoor, Minehead Club Campsite has level pitching areas bordered by trees and bushes. Just a 15-minute walk from town, it offers a convenient base for exploring Somerset's dramatic coastline, including the start of the 630-mile South West Coast Path.

Nearby, explore Dunster's medieval village and castle, Porlock Weir's picturesque harbour, or the scenery around Selworthy, Lynton and Lynmouth. Coastal views, wooded valleys and open moorland offer plenty to discover as the seasons change.

Prices start from £33.70 per night for two adults, hardstanding pitch with awning.

White Water Park Club Campsite, County Durham: Find unexpected adventure

A relaxing campsite break might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about white-water rafting, but visitors to White Water Park Club Campsite can enjoy both.

Located beside the River Tees, the campsite sits next to the Tees Barrage International White Water Centre, home to an international-standard rafting and canoeing course. Visitors can watch the action from the campsite's viewing area or, subject to seasonal availability, explore opportunities to take part in watersports activities themselves. For those who prefer to keep their feet on dry land, waterside walking routes stretch between Stockton and Middlesbrough, while the surrounding area offers a mix of attractions for days when the weather is less inviting.

Prices start from £31.30 per night for two adults, hardstanding pitch with awning.

Hunter's Moon Club Campsite, Dorset: Follow Lawrence of Arabia and Thomas Hardy

Bordering Wareham Forest, Hunter's Moon Club Campsite is a welcoming base for exploring Dorset, with a children's play area, an on-site dog walk and a family washroom. Woodland trails lead directly from the campsite, while the nearby Wareham Forest Way offers more opportunities to explore on foot.

For a day out with a little history, nearby Clouds Hill reveals the secluded retreat where T. E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, escaped public attention and welcomed visitors including novelist Thomas Hardy. Guests can also visit Hardy's birthplace near Dorchester, explore the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle or discover the Jurassic Coast.

Prices start from £33.20 per night for two adults, hardstanding pitch with awning.

Black Horse Farm Club Campsite, Kent: Uncover Canterbury's history

Located in Densole on the Kent Downs, Black Horse Farm Club Campsite offers a refreshed base for exploring Kent following its reopening on 3 July 2026. The redeveloped site has 107 touring pitches, including 99 hardstanding pitches, electric hook-ups and a family washroom, with local footpaths offering opportunities to enjoy the surrounding countryside.

From the campsite, guests can discover centuries of history in Canterbury, from an original Roman townhouse at Canterbury Roman Museum to medieval streets and Canterbury Cathedral, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby bus services also make days out in Folkestone and Dover easy to enjoy.

Prices start from £31.30 per night for two adults, hardstanding pitch with awning.

Meathop Fell Club Campsite, Cumbria: Explore literary landscapes

Set in the Southern Lake District, Meathop Fell Club Campsite offers a peaceful base with separate pitching areas divided by shrubs and grass, a children's playground and an on-site dog walk. Local walking routes and the Cumbria Coastal Way provide opportunities to explore the surrounding countryside.

With 2026 marking 160 years since Beatrix Potter's birth and 2027 the 125th anniversary of The Tale of Peter Rabbit's commercial publication, guests can celebrate her legacy at local attractions or explore Wordsworth's Dove Cottage in Grasmere.

Nearby Windermere and Grange-over-Sands offer lakeside scenery and coastal charm, while autumn colours and misty winter mornings bring a fresh perspective to the fells.

Prices start from £33.70 per night for two adults, hardstanding pitch with awning.

Explore the full selection on the Club's open-all-year campsites page.

For further information about becoming a member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club or to book, please visit www.camc.com or call 01342 318 813.

ENDS

 

About the Caravan and Motorhome Club    

With over 1 million members and 119 years of experience, the Caravan and Motorhome Club is the UK’s No 1 touring club - as rated on TrustPilot - and helps its members get more from the great outdoors, whether glamping or touring.             

• Membership: £69 per year     

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More Ways to Stay: Experience Freedom        

Want to try glamping?         

Experience Freedom, from the Caravan and Motorhome Club, offers luxury stays in safari tents, glamping pods, yurts, motorhome hire, tent camping and more – across 11 beautiful UK locations. Open to both members and non-members, Experience Freedom combines comfort with the great outdoors. Operated by the Caravan and Motorhome Club, the brand benefits from decades of expertise in high-quality campsite management. Club members enjoy up to 20% off glamping stays for themselves and their guests.        

Find out more or join: www.experiencefreedom.co.uk | 01342 777533       

Media Contacts:      

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