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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Milo Boyd

UK's best campsites and caravan parks revealed in AA Awards - see the full list

A peaceful caravan park filled with trees and boasting a stunning view of the coast has been crowned the country's best campsite.

Silverdale Caravan Park in Lancashire has won the top prize at the AA Campsite of the Year awards, bagging a glowing five star review from the travel firm.

The site is hidden away amid dense woodland while sitting close to the Minthorpe Sands estuary and looks out over Morecambe Bay sands and mudflat.

"All areas of the park are maintained in excellent condition with mature trees, shrubs and seasonal flowers; creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere," AA's inspector wrote of Silverdale.

Silverdale Caravan Park has two indoor swimming pools (Rated Trips)

"The pitch density is generous and the spotlessly clean amenity blocks are conveniently located.

"There is a choice of two superb indoor swimming pools, a well-stocked, licensed shop, a stylish bar and restaurant, bowling alley with amusements, toddlers' soft play area and a state-of-the-art gym."

Top of pile in the Scotland and Northern Ireland category this year is the Rushin House Caravan Park, which lies close to Loch MacLean and the picturesque village of Belcoo.

Touring Scotland in a caravan became a very popular pursuit as the coronavirus lockdowns began to lift and people sought a safe way to get out of their homes.

Silverdale was praised for being "spotless" (Rated Trips)

Rushin has been charming many of them during that period with 24 "very generous, fully serviced pitch" standing on a terrace overlooking the loch.

"Facilities include a lovely, well-equipped play area and a hard surface, fenced five-a-side football pitch," the AA inspector write.

"There is a slipway providing boat access to the lough and, of course, fishing; there is an access path to the lake that is suitable for less mobile visitors to use.

"The excellent toilet facilities are purpose-built and include family rooms."

(Rated Trips)

Islawrffordd Caravan Park in Tal-Y-Bont, Gwynedd was judged to be the best in Wales, in no small part because of its private beach and on-site bistro.

Those who stop off at the site can enjoy everything that the stunning Snowdonia National Park has to offer, including a view of Cardigan Bay, the Llŷn Peninsula and the Snowdonia and Cader Idris mountain ranges.

"This is an excellent, family-run and family-friendly park that has seen considerable investment over recent years," the inspector writes.

"Fully matured, the touring area boasts fully-serviced pitches, a superb toilet block with underfloor heating and top-quality fittings; there is private access to miles of sandy beach, adjacent to which is an excellent enclosed children's play area with imaginative quality equipment to satisfy small children, including a pirate ship.

Rushin was praised for its fishing lake (Rated Trips)

"An amenity block – The Cader Suite – has luxury, private bathrooms. A superb restaurant and bar, 'Nineteen57', offers both formal and relaxed areas for enjoying locally-sourced food."

Full list of winners

AA Campsite of the Year

AA Regional Campsites of the Year

AA Glamping Site of the Year

AA Most Improved Campsite

AA Small Campsite of the Year

AA Holiday Centre of the Year

The UK underwent a camping boom in 2021 as the second lockdown was lifted, with 4.5million adults making their first camping or caravanning trip.

The total number of domestic camping and caravanning trips increased by 71% in 2021, reaching an estimated 16.4m.

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