Christmas and New Year getaways

How would you like to wake up on Christmas morning or New Year’s Day in your cosy caravan or motorhome? Maybe a luxury glamping pod or a simple wood cabin is more your style.

We’re expecting touring parks in England to be allowed to reopen on 2 December and parks in Wales have been allowed to reopen for several weeks now. There’s plenty of festive fun in store – even though it might be a bit different this year with many popular markets and other Christmas events unable to take place.

If you enjoy walking, birdlife and scenery, our adult only parks around England and Wales are getting ready to welcome you. Our National Parks and beauty spots are less busy at this time of year. And for winter breaks outside of the Festive Season peak, there are the added bonuses of low tariffs and special offers.

This winter there are more opportunities than ever before to get away from it all at a peaceful child-free park! Due to the first COVID lockdown, some parks are opening this winter for the first time ever. This presents a rare opportunity because some of these parks may never open for winter again!

And let’s not forget that some parks provide a great Christmas experience, year in year out.

 

(Please note that the information given here is dependent on COVID measures. It is correct at the time of writing, 16 November 2020. Individual parks’ information is likely to change as they receive bookings.)

  • For low season special offers go to a park’s page on this website and click on the Special Offers section
  • Tranquil Parks Autumn-Winter Discount Scheme on stays of 7 nights or more ends 20 December – see details
  • See all the parks open over the Christmas and New Year period and through winter in our Autumn and Winter Opening blog

 

Christmas lights bring cheer for the Festive Season at Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park

Guests can look forward to festive illuminations that cheer up the winter evenings when Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park reopens on 2 December. Park owner, Keith Betton, says “Our Christmas lights are a very popular tradition at the park.  We decorate our lodges and switch-on the park illuminations from mid-November through to twelfth night.”

Many guests join with the park’s tradition by decorating their caravans and motorhomes. “There’s a free weekend prize for the owners of the best decorated unit over the Christmas and New Year week”, Keith explains, “But no-one loses. We give a complimentary bottle of wine to the owners of every decorated unit during that week!” Fiind out more 

Win a stay at Waterrow

Waterrow Touring Park in Somerset has also established some great festive traditions. The park is nearly full for new year, but has availability over Christmas. If you stay for more than four nights over the period, you’ll be entered into a the Golden Ticket prize draw to win a free week’s stay in 2021. They’ll also be holding a competition for the best decorated caravan.

Spectacular sights around Overbrook

Although now fully booked for New Year, Overbrook Caravan Park does have pitches available for Christmas. The team will be putting up trees and lights around the park. Located in the scenic North Yorkshire Moors National Park, Overbrook is just a stroll from the beautiful village of Thornton-le-Dale. This year the village will be holding its usual fantastic light display (but without the switch-on event) from 5 December. The park closes on 7 January 2020, reopening 1 March 2021.

First winter opening for Old Oaks

There are spaces for Christmas and the rest of December at Old Oaks Touring Camping & Glamping Park in Somerset (now fully booked for New Year). The park is staying open right through until November 2021 and fishing is free during the winter months. With its sweeping landscapes and amazing birdlife, Somerset is a wonderful place to visit at this time of year. December and January are, in fact, the best months to witness the stunning starling murmurations from the nearby Avalon Marshes. Find out more 

Pitches at South Wales Touring Park

South Wales Touring Park is usually open all year round. There are ‘Standard’ pitches remaining for the festive period. These are hard standing with EHU and free WiFi. Hywel Davis, park owner, is planning to put up lights and decorations and looks forward to welcoming guests from England when the lockdown ends.

Festive opening for Woodland Springs

There are just a handful of pitches available at Woodland Springs Touring Park in Dartmoor, Devon. The park is open from 23 December to 5 January.

Stroud Hill Park – and restaurant – open

Stroud Hill Park is normally open throughout the winter. Providing the government allow parks to open over the Christmas and New Year period, the team will be opening the restaurant as well, including Christmas Day lunch and meals on New Year’s Eve.

Back of Beyond’s first festive plans

Back of Beyond Touring Camping & Glamping Park in Dorset will be staying open until 2 January this year (it normally closes at the end of October) and will reopen on 1 March 2021. Glamping accommodation and pitches are available for the period. The friendly team are planning plenty of extra touches to get guests into the festive spirit, such as a treasure hunt and a quiz, and the outdoor pop-up bar will be opening. Located near the New Forest, the park is within reach of the Longleat Land of Light (see below). The local town, Ringwood, is planning to hold an outdoor Carole Service on Christmas Eve – see details on the park’s website.

Winter at Wolds View

Wolds View Touring Park, which normally stays open for 12 months a year, always makes a special effort with Christmas lights, decorations and deer. There’s no need to worry about feeling chilly in the luxurious facilities here as they have underfloor heating. Another new development is the completion of eight fully equipped glamping pods. The park’s winter discount on pitches means you get a free night for stays of four nights or more.  This discount applies right through the Christmas and New Year, as does the standard winter pitch tariff. It’s £22 per night for up to two people with two dogs, plus electric.

Spaces at Eye Kettleby Lakes

Another park that normally stays open year round is Eye Kettleby Lakes near in Leicestershire. They still have spaces for both Christmas and New Year. Although none of the traditional local events will  be taking place this year, at nearby Melton Mowbray the council is planning to deck the town with lights.

A warm welcome at Somers Wood

Somers Wood Caravan Park still has availability over the Christmas and New Year period. This friendly, family run site is located one mile outside village of Meriden in Warwickshire, once thought to be the geographical centre of England! The Bulls Head and The Strawberry Bank Hotel in the village will both be serving meals over Christmas and New Year. Festivities at the golf club restaurant next door have yet to be confirmed.

Extended season for Lamb Cottage

Lamb Cottage Caravan Park in Cheshire is staying open until 31 January this year. The park normally closed just after New Year. Guests enjoy the park’s decorations and local winter walks.

 

 

KEY EVENTS STILL TAKING PLACE

While most events over the Christmas period have been cancelled or postponed, a few are still going ahead:

Land of Light – At Longleat, the stately home and safari park in Wiltshire, Land of Light will be on until 10 January. Winter safaris will also be taking place. Longleat is near Warminster in Wiltshire, within an hour’s drive from Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park, Back of Beyond Touring Camping & Glamping Park, Plough Lane Caravan Park, Wells Touring Park and Old Oaks Touring Camping & Glamping Park.

Buxton Christmas Market – Buxton Market Place in the Peak District is the highest in England! The Christmas market on 12 December is due to go ahead. This is close to Longnor Wood Holiday Park.

Normanby Hall – The elegant regency mansion and country park near Scunthrope will this year be hosting Christmas Lunches on 6 and 20 December. It’s just two miles from Brookside Country Park which is open all year.

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