Part of the appeal of leisure vehicles is that you can go away at any time of the year and as the mood takes you. You’ll always be able to find options for places to pitch your motorhome or caravan, with many club sites open all year round.

The Camping and Caravanning Club and the Caravan and Motorhome Club sites network stretches the length and breadth of the UK and offers everything from large club sites to small family-run Certified Sites and Certified Locations respectively.

Do you need a Club membership?

Before you stay at these sites with your motorhome or caravan, club membership is something worth considering (and required for some sites). For both clubs, you’ll get discounts off your pitch fees and access to the Certified Locations (at the Caravan and Motorhome Club) and Certified Sites (at the Camping and Caravanning Club) of which you can only stay at if you are a member of the respective clubs. There are a whole host of other member benefits when you join either club as well.

Here’s the membership information for the Camping and Caravanning Club and the Caravan and Motorhome Club.

Although not all, both clubs offer some sites that are fully serviced caravan park sites should you wish to have a more relaxed trip. Some sites even have their own swimming pool.

If you’re the planning type, take a look at these great ideas for places to visit with your family close to the Caravan and Motorhome Club sites and Camping and Caravanning Club sites that are open all year round.

Many of these ideas can be enjoyed year after year. Remember to check the opening times, availability and booking requirements before travelling. For timed events later in the year, remember to double check the event closer to the time.

Spring brings the longer days, lighter evenings and the chance to get out and about with the Easter holidays. For many, this is when the holiday season really gets going with family trips, BBQs and country walks.

UK-Wide

Why not celebrate the start of the warmer months with a trip to a bluebell wood? The National Trust manages many around the country. Check here to find a bluebell wood in your region or near your favourite motorhome and caravan sites.

Devon

Springtime is the perfect time to visit the many national parks, also known as county parks, the UK has to offer. One example is Dartmoor National Park in Devon, an area rich with wildlife and natural beauty.

Wales

If you’re looking for somewhere fun, educational and free to take the children that’s also entertaining for adults, then St Fagans National Museum of History in Wales is a great choice.

The museum is supported by the Welsh Government and located just 4 miles west of Cardiff. The area has over 40 rebuilt buildings from different historical periods. The story of Wales is told through these buildings, galleries, traditional crafts, festivals and events.

Scotland

If you are looking further north, then there are many Scottish castles to choose from that are perfect for a spring holiday where you never quite know what the weather is going to do. From Balmoral to Cawdor, there’s sure to be a castle within reach of your chosen UK club site.

When the summer and school holidays come around, the whole country is ready for some sun, sea and sand.

That’s not all the UK offers though, and with a caravan or motorhome, you can spend a longer trip in the summer months touring around.

Here are some ideas for holidays that could become a UK tour or offer the chance to do something different:

Isle of Wight

If you are looking for that overseas experience but are staying in the UK due to choice or restrictions, why not try the Isle of Wight. The Island (as it’s known by the locals) enjoys an average of over 37 hours of sunshine a week compared to the UK average of 29.7.

It’s renowned as a holiday island with attractions and fun for all the family, but is also steeped in history.

From dinosaur discoveries and kings and queens to Roman villas and pirates or smugglers – there is an amazing amount packed into the 147 square miles of this island and more than enough to keep you entertained for anything from a short break to a multi-week stay.

Once you’re there it’s easy to get around to different places either by driving or public transport.

Both clubs have a site on the Island and at the time of writing can offer discounts on ferry travel for members – just make sure to check well in advance for availability and book as early as you can as this is a popular holiday destination.

UK-Wide

Why not try something different this summer and plan a UK tour of Harry Potter filming locations?

The films were shot all over the UK from London to the Scottish Highlands, so you could plan to stay near one or two or create an epic tour itinerary to tick all of them off your list.

This would be a great way to see plenty of the country, have some fun days out and stay at plenty of new places in both the Caravan and Motorhome Club and Camping and Caravanning Club sites network.

Here’s a list of Harry Potter filming locations to get your planning started.

If you’re looking for something a bit more laid back, how about these two ideas from the Visit England website that can start in the spring, continue through the summer and end in the autumn – pick your own fruit or a visit to a vineyard.

The fruit you can pick is dependent on the seasons. Still, there is a lot of choice between the months of April and October at various sites around the country. It is an excellent option for families with many sites offering extra entertainment on top of your fruit picking.

Visiting a vineyard can be a relaxing day out for adults with tours and wine tasting. Both days out also offer you the chance to bring delicious produce back to your van to create a tasty evening meal.

Gloucestershire and Nottinghamshire

If you’re a fan of watching the leaves change at this time of year, how about a trip to Westonburt Arboretum in Gloucestershire or Sherwood Forest in Nottingham.

At both sites you can walk through the forest and see the leaves changing to their beautiful autumn colours.

Westonburt is also home to one of most beautiful and important plant collections in the world, holding 15,000 specimens and 2,500 species of trees from all over the world.

At Sherwood you can find an ancient woodland that is home to the Major Oak, that is estimated to be around 1,000 years old, and the legend of Robin Hood.

UK-Wide

As we head towards Halloween, you could also try some of the National Trust’s most haunted places for a weekend trip away to celebrate all things spooky and ghostly.

Many of the properties that the National Trust cares for have a ghost of two, and they have listed some examples here.

As the witching season approaches, why not try combining a trip to one of these locations with some spooky fun in your caravan or motorhome?

Apple bobbing, baking, decorating the van and spooky bedtime stories can all combine to make a fantastic family Halloween to remember.

Just because we’ve reached the winter months, doesn’t mean that you have to pack your caravan or motorhome away until the spring. There are still adventures to be had out there.

Whether you are using your caravan or motorhome during this season, or putting it into storage until the summer, we have winterizing tips for both situations here to help you through the colder months. If you are going to carry on using your van during the winter, read on for some of our trip ideas for this season.

UK-Wide

If you are considering visiting London for some Christmas shopping, both Camping and Caravanning Club sites and Caravan and Motorhome Club sites are available near the capital.

This is a great way to have a fun weekend Christmas shopping and seeing the lights.

Added bonuses to this trip are that you are not paying for an expensive city hotel and you have all your own cooking and washing facilities to hand in your self-contained caravan or motorhome.

Campsites are also often within walking distance of the nearest train station, so no need to drive into the city for your days out.

Christmas markets and Christmas light displays are another classic seasonal option and also give the opportunity for touring – why not make a holiday of this and travel around to several markets and light displays around the country?

Watch these pages for events to be scheduled for December 2023 in England, Wales and Scotland within reach of some of the club sites open all year.

We hope this has given you some new ideas of where you can take your Bailey caravan or motorhome beyond the summer. We’d love to hear about new places that you’ve visited. Don’t forget that you can follow us on social media for more travel inspiration and don’t forget to tag us in your holiday posts.

Enjoy your next motorhome or caravan holiday!