UK Camping & Cycling destinations

slowbike

I'm trying to find a sensible location for a camping holiday in the UK in the next few weeks ... spoilt for choice really ... but would appreciate some ideas ..

We've got a baby son who cannot be transported by bike (yet) and we're going to be using our campervan to stay in - so ideally we'd like an area with a campsite close to a village/small town for coffee/provisions - I'm also (probably) going to take my road bike so I can get some training in (seriously lacking since his arrival!) - preferably with some hills as I need to ride up some!

We've ruled out Scotland due to Midge season - looked around the Lake District but not concluded anywhere and I'm just extending my search into the Peak District.

Any suggestions?

mrb123

Weardale or Teesdale. Some of the best cycling roads in the UK and hardly any traffic compared to places like the Lakes or Peaks. Loads of hills to choose from including some of the highest roads in the country.

Chivers67

Worth looking at Shropshire or South wales, depends where you are and how far you want to travel, also I.O.W. (for a flatter experience)

craker

Tal-y-bont, inbetween Crickhowell and Brecon, is a local favourite.

Pencelli Castle is a well stocked (busy and quite pricey) campsite, worth staying in for a long weekend though. It's next to the Brecon - Monmouthshire canal, walking distance to the top of Pen-y-fan and you've got miles of mountain biking and road cycling on your doorstep. 'Bout an hour from Cardiff and Bristol.

ugo.santalucia

A few weeks ago we went to a very nice and quiet campsite in Dorset... nice cycling around and very quiet countryside spot... not on the sea, but not far from the sea... drop me a line if you want the contact... although they are probably fully booked for August, as you would expect

Sirius631

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19673289#p19673289]Slowbike[/url] wrote:

I'm trying to find a sensible location for a camping holiday in the UK in the next few weeks ... spoilt for choice really ... but would appreciate some ideas ..

We've got a baby son who cannot be transported by bike (yet) and we're going to be using our campervan to stay in - so ideally we'd like an area with a campsite close to a village/small town for coffee/provisions - I'm also (probably) going to take my road bike so I can get some training in (seriously lacking since his arrival!) - preferably with some hills as I need to ride up some!

We've ruled out Scotland due to Midge season - looked around the Lake District but not concluded anywhere and I'm just extending my search into the Peak District.

Any suggestions?

You don't say where you are from. It would be useful because it's no use us recommending somewhere near you as it won't be much of a holiday.

DeVlaeminck

If you aren't bothered about a coastline Derbyshire is nice, the cycling is underrated imo there are a huge number of routes compared to some of the more sparsely populated areas of the country which means the vast majority of routes are very quiet and traffic isn't an issue if you are on a bike. There are also quite a few things to see and do depending on what you like - no coastline though of course.

Myster101

Don't rule out the Lake District. Places like Keswick, Ambleside, Bowness, Windermere etc etc all make great bases for riding and all have a lively atmosphere with plenty of other family orientated stuff to do .......and pubs

clickrumble

Meon Valley, Hampshire. Not actually stayed here but it's close to where I live and it's in some very picturesque countyside in the Meon Valley; http://www.cedarvalley.co.uk/camping/campsites/

Joeblack

Ashbourne is good, we recently stayed on a campsite there (Ashbourne heights) and you are literally straight into the hills of Derbyshire, there's some great long climbs and short sharp b@$tards and then about 30miles away you have winnats pass, among others.

hugo15

North Yorks Moors. Options to explore the Moors and access to the coast. Also other stuff to do, e.g. Castle Howard, York. Oh, and the cycling is pretty good too!

There is a camp site at Rosedale, which would make a good base. You could test your legs on Chimney Bank.

If you decide to go for the NY Moors drop me a PM and I'll give you some options of where to go and what to do.

slowbike

Thanks guys. I'll have a lookup.

Meon valley and I.o.W are out as I can ride to them from home - but good suggestions as you didn't know where I was based

BelgianBeerGeek

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19673334#p19673334]ugo.santalucia[/url] wrote:

A few weeks ago we went to a very nice and quiet campsite in Dorset... nice cycling around and very quiet countryside spot... not on the sea, but not far from the sea... drop me a line if you want the contact... although they are probably fully booked for August, as you would expect

+1 to this. I'd go for Wareham/Swanage area. Some seriously steep, nasty little hills, loads of campsites, seaside, the lot. And it doesn't sound like you would have to slog for hours up a motorway to get there.

Dorset_Boy

Pembrokeshire.

Don't come to Dorset, you might like it too much and encourage others to visit our tranquil backwater!

ugo.santalucia

Cyclingwise and with an eye on the riviera, I did like Exmoor, although the slopes there might be a bit too hard for you...

Philly8mt

I'm currently on holiday in Devon and Cornwall.

Stopped in Ivybridge the first week, edge of Dartmoor (for cycling) and close to the beach (Bigbury) as well as Plymouth for the Barbican & Hoe.
This week we are in St Just In Roseland deep inside Cornwall. Seen a few camp sites around. Lovely beaches and reasonably lumpy.

Sadly I had to leave the bicycle at home due to fracturing my Collarbone recently .... Gutted ... Both areas would have been great to ride.

slowbike

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19674160#p19674160]ugo.santalucia[/url] wrote:

Cyclingwise and with an eye on the riviera, I did like Exmoor, although the slopes there might be a bit too hard for you...

atm they probably are ... I need something with a good downwards gradient ....

slowbike

yup - cornwall is another option - we regularly go down to the Padstow area ... dunno ... might end up that way, but I guess it'll be v busy with kids ....

Anonymous

Gower Peninsula?

mercia_man

If you are considering the Peak District, I can recommend the National Trust caravan site at Ilam. I've recently stayed there in my camper van and it's brilliant. It's cheap, there are electric hook-ups to each pitch and there are showers and toilets for exclusive use of campers a short walk away across the car park in the Ilam National Trust buildings. The Manifold tea room there offers drinks, cakes and lunches and there's easy walking in the lovely grounds and picturesque village. It's a 20-minute walk to Dovedale Valley and its famous stepping stones -very popular at peak periods. Plenty of scope for longer walks and cycling, including ex-railway routes like the Tissington Trail.

You don't have to be a National Trust member to stay there. Look up www.nationaltrust.org.uk/peakdistrict for info. Phone 01335 350310 to book.

KheSanh

Applecross, or Isle of Skye or Aviemore.

An didn't see the no Scotland. East coast is fine though so Royal Deeside / Braemar is lovley and plenty of great hills and cycling.

bikes`n`guns

Scotland

Just mtfu

FCE2007

My two favourite areas are NY moors and Woolacombe, Devon.
I camp at Lythe (Whitby) and Easewell farm (Woolacombe). Both recommended and the riding areas are epic.

Woolacombe especially good for families (4 linked parks with free bus service between them).
Lythe is 'quiet' but they do have pods for 'glamping' if canvas doesn't suit the missus.

rch30

Try Caravan and Camping site at Moreton Dorset. Challenging rides to the North, easy rides East and West along the river valley, supermarket within 1 mile, pub that serves food adjacent, trains to Dorchester and Weymouth within 100m of site entrance. Play area for kids, lots of local interests nearby, Bovington Tank Museum, Lawrence of Arabia's cottage, Monkey World etc. - enjoy!