Ah, the Great British campsite. Many Brits have fond childhood memories made by parents on the hunt for a summer holiday that doesn’t cost a fortune, and camping trips make for great fun as adults, too. One of the main differences between camping as a kid and as a grown-up is that, as the latter, you care quite a lot more about the quality of your campsite.
Planning your next weekend at a UK campsite? The AA is here to advise. Every year, insurance-broker-turned-travel-experts AA celebrate the very best campsites in the UK with the appropriately named Caravan and Camping Awards’. There are several categories, covering everything in the industry from ‘Holiday Park of the Year’ to ‘Most Improved’, but the big one is the overall ‘Campsite of the Year’.
This year, the top prize went to St Helens in the Park, a large 36-acre plot in Wykeham near the stunning North York Moors National Park. It’s right on the doorstep of some of the best scenery England has to offer.
Judges were impressed with the landscaping at St Helens, noting that it was ‘thoughtfully laid out over terraces, with tree screening creating smaller, more intimate areas’ and ‘featuring an abundance of colourful, seasonal flowers’ in its well maintained gardens. For the glampers, there are a number of ‘pods’ with all your basic amenities and a larger lodge if you want ultimate comfort.
Once you’ve had a great night’s sleep at St Helens in your pod/tend/caravan/lodge, you can head to the dog-friendly café, get your essentials in the fully stocked (yes, including with alcohol) shop, or take the kids to a huge play park. If you’re travelling without little ones, and would prefer a little bit more peace and quiet than the family areas offer, there’s also an adults-only campsite available to book.
In a statement on St Helen’s website, campsite manager Simon Roe said he was ‘so proud’ of the win, adding that ‘everyone on the team pitches in – pardon the pun – so it is fantastic that their hard work has been recognised.
‘Here’s to an incredible year ahead as we approach our 50th anniversary celebrations’.
You can find out more and book a pitch on the official St Helens in the Park website here.
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