There are several directories of UK campsites, both the printed variety and on the internet. Here are a few of the best:
The Internet
This is one of the most all encompassing campsite directories online for the UK. It allows you to look for campsites all over the UK and France and you can narrow your search down to look for sites that feature; open all year round sites, those with fishing facilities, and those which cater for caravans and motorhomes in addition to tents. There are literally thousands of sites on there to choose from with names, addresses, contact details and, where available, links to the campsite’s own website itself. Furthermore, it also features a directory of practically every kind of camping equipment supplier you could need, such as equipment specialists for sanitation, for cooking and tow-bar specialists.
There are features, camping tips and competitions and even little puzzles which can keep the youngest of kids amused. There is also a message board which allows you to communicate and pick up tips from other campers and a place to buy and sell camping equipment.
It also has a review facility so you can see what previous campers thought of a particular site.
All in all, it seems hard to think of anything that would be of interest to the camper that this site hasn’t overlooked. Highly recommended.
Another good site which, although it doesn’t feature quite as many sites as the one above, does have a useful search by date and geographic facility which allows you to select the date for your trip and the location you wish to camp and will run a search and narrow it down to your specified criteria.
It has also recently introduced a regional section which is particularly useful if you are visiting a specific location by county as it allows you to find out where the campsites are situated, camping retailers nearby and interesting places to visit, whilst you’re there.
It also features a classified section where you can buy and sell the whole range of camping gear from other camping enthusiasts.
Books
This details over 1000 annually inspected caravan and camping parks throughout the UK and Ireland and is very precisely set out alphabetically and a useful immediate reference if you are driving along and suddenly decide you want to pull over and stop at a campsite. It has good maps which illustrate where all of the good sites are located in a particular area and they can easily be cross-referenced with the part of the book that gives detailed campsite descriptions along with their phone numbers.
This is published by the English Tourism Council and covers over 1200 camping and caravan parks in the UK. It features English Tourism Council and National Tourist Board star ratings and unique quality awards and covers holiday parks, camping parks, touring parks, hostels and holiday villages.
The above books and websites will give you plenty of opportunity to discover more about the places you want to go to, find out more about the leisure activities whilst you’re there and things you can see or do, although you will find plenty more on the internet.
