We're a workshop, not a campsite review website, so this isn't a definitive ranking. It's a shortlist of sites our customers come back from grinning about — chosen for the practical things that actually matter: hard-standing, good water pressure, working EHU and somewhere to walk the dog without crossing a main road.
Scotland
Glenmore (Aviemore), Caledonian Tourers' recommended pitches around Loch Ness, Invercoe (Glencoe), Sligachan (Skye), Sango Sands (Durness). Sango Sands' sunsets over the Atlantic are something every motorhome owner should see once.
Lake District
Castlerigg Hall (Keswick) for the views, Park Foot (Pooley Bridge) for families, Low Wray on Windermere if you want lakeside without the crowds. Book six months ahead for July–August.
North Yorkshire & Dales
Wharfedale Caravan Park (Kettlewell), Bainbridge Ings (Hawes), Studfold Adventure Trail (Horton-in-Ribblesdale). All three have hard-standing pitches and good facilities.
Cornwall & Devon
Trevedra Farm (Sennen) for the surfers, Cofton Holidays (Dawlish) for family-friendly with proper amenities. Anywhere near Padstow needs booking by January for school holidays.
What we actually look for in a site
Hard-standing first. A grass pitch after three days of Scottish rain is how a two-tonne motorhome ends up being towed off by a tractor, and most sites will not warn you. After that it is electric hook-up rating — 10A is fine for lights, a fridge and charging, 16A is what you want if the kettle and a heater are going on at the same time. Then water pressure and how far the tap is from the pitch, because filling an 80-litre tank from a slow tap eats an hour. Waste disposal matters too: a proper chemical disposal point and a grey water drain on site saves a detour on the way out.
Booking and timing
For July and August in the Lakes, Cornwall and Skye, six months ahead is not cautious, it is normal. Outside those months the same sites often have space a week out. May and September are the sweet spot in Scotland — the midges are manageable, the roads are quieter and the prices drop noticeably. Bank holidays are the one time we would avoid the popular sites entirely: the A9 and the A82 turn into a queue, and arriving at 9pm to reverse onto a tight pitch in the dark takes the shine off the trip.
Getting there without breaking the van
Long single-track sections, steep passes and days of stop-start touring are harder on a camper than motorway miles. Before a big trip, get the coolant condition, the auxiliary belt, the brake fluid and the tyre ages checked — camper tyres usually time out long before they wear out, and anything over six years old is worth a look regardless of tread. Load the van and check the weight; overloaded rear axles are the single most common cause of the suspension and handling complaints we see after a tour.
Campsite electrics and your leisure system
A hook-up post is only as good as the cable and the van's own charger. Carry a 25m orange arctic-grade lead, not a household extension, and an RCD adapter so you know the post is safe before you plug in. If your leisure battery goes flat overnight on hook-up, the charger or the battery is the fault, not the site. Lead-acid leisure batteries rarely last more than four or five seasons, and a tired one will look fine on the dashboard right up until the first cold night.
Common questions
Do you recommend Caravan and Motorhome Club sites? Yes — consistent standards, usually well-maintained, and the affiliated certified locations (CLs) are five-pitch hidden gems if you want quiet.
How far ahead should I book a UK campsite? Six months for July and August in the Lakes, Cornwall or Skye. Outside the school holidays, a week ahead is usually enough.
Is hard-standing worth paying extra for? In Scotland and the Lakes, yes. After heavy rain a heavy motorhome will sink into a grass pitch, and recovery costs far more than the pitch upgrade.
What electric hook-up rating do I need? 10A runs lights, a fridge and charging. If you want a kettle and a heater on together, look for a 16A post and use a proper arctic-grade hook-up lead.