Winter camping sites
Seasoned campers will know that with the unpredictability of the Great British Summer, what should be a week of glorious sunshine can often lead to leaky tents, caravan fever and rain for days on end. The good thing about this is that campsite owners are prepared for all aspects of British weather, and so nowadays camping in winter is as easily done as in summer.
Whether you’re camping or caravanning, there are loads of options for snug and toasty breaks all around the UK at any time of year. Here we look at the best options and tips for winter camping, while you can also read our guide to winter caravan sites.
There are plenty of winter camping sites to be found on Pitchup.com. Just pick your area then do a search for our 970+ open all year campsites. For an added bonus, extend your search to around 130 that allow campfires.
For example, you can light a campfire in Somerset near England's smallest city, or stroll on the beach in Cornwall, or rent a tent at an eco camp in Argyll...we also have a couple of open all year naturist campsites for the very brave or foolish.
After all that pitching up and walking about in the cold (especially if you’re at a naturist campsite), take a look at the Pitchup.com listing of your winter campsite for details of pubs nearby; over 580 of our open all year sites also have a restaurant or café on site.
If it’s your first time winter camping, check out our top tips:
- Fire, fire, fire: If you're glamping, many yurts feature a woodburning stove inside – for toastiness as well as making hot drinks. If you have to have an outside fire, see our tips on how to make a campfire, keep it topped up and don’t forget to try our toasted marshmallow recipe.
- Check the wind direction: use any available trees nearby to shelter away from it. You can also use your bike as a windbreak if you have one: just make sure it won’t fall on the tent if it topples over.
- Eat, drink and be merry: this is not the time for diets or sensible eating – your body needs energy and loads of it. Pile your kit high with starchy carbs and the ultimate camping in winter must-have, a whiskey-filled hip flask.
- Invest in the best sleeping bag you can (or two – one to lie on and one to sleep in), and sleep with your clothes for the next day inside the bag with you so they’ll be nice and warm when you’re putting them on.
- If you’re not sure you’ll be able to handle the cold, do a practice run one night in your garden first. It should at least give the neighbours something to talk about.
- Don’t be a hero! If it gets too cold or too tough, leave the winter camp for another time and take yourself off to the pub for a hot toddy. Or, y'know, you could go and find a static caravan to stay in instead...
