2009 is almost over. Looking for inspiration for winter camping trips? This article suggests some of the top camp sites open all year and festive breaks that they have on offer. Looking for a New Years Eve treat or a Christmas hideaway then read on.

As the year comes to an end and we are all running round planning our Christmas and New Year celebrations do you ever stop and wish you could escape it all. Put your feet up in front of a fire and take some time to relax. If you are addicted campers like us here at Perfect Pitch Magazine you never stop wanting to escape to a campsite and toast some marshmallows as you sip Mulled Wine. With the seasons being less predictable each year and Winter weather being warmer than Spring recently, more and more people are venturing out to campsites in the Winter months. As long as you pay heed to local weather forecasts and go fully prepared there is no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of winter camping deals available and pack up to escape the Christmas madness. There are plenty of campsites that stay open throughout the year but we wanted to recommend to you some of our favourite sites that offer that little bit extra and to give you some helpful suggestions for those festive breaks.

For campsites open all year Perfect Pitch Recommends:

Deepdale , Burnham, Norfolk
This is a Quiet family friendly eco-campsite on the North Norfolk Coast. In the beautiful little village of Burnham Deepdale and in an ‘Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty’. A perfect retreat for a winter break, allowing campfires, and with a variety of accommodation. Not only does this site offer traditional camping but there is also the opportunity to stay in Tipi’s or Yurts, and even a well established hostel. With a visitor information centre on site you will not be at a loss of things to do. There are often courses and walks or tours organised from the site as well as an abundance of things to do in the local area. Why not visit Blakeney Point to see the Seal pups, Fakenham for the races, Holt for shopping and a beautiful display of Christmas lights, or just explore the surrounding Norfolk Coast and Marshlands. There will be a Christmas Market at Deepdale from the 5th-6th December. If you really are brave why not take a trip to Hunstanton for the Christmas Day swim before a Christmas Dinner at Deepdale.

Festive Break: Christmas Dinner

Yurt Camp, South Devon
Fancy a Glamping and family camping experience in a Yurt. Yurt Camp is set in 40 acres of woodland and has accommodation in 15 Mongolian style Yurts with luxury furnishings. The Yurts are located through the woodland in a village style giving space to escape but also a sense of community. The Yurts are handmade and feature a clear central skylight to view the nights sky. On site there are facilities such as a Tennis Court, Table Tennis, Adventure Playground and Firepits for cooking. There is also plenty to do in the local area. Dartmoor is close by, the South Hams with its wonderful beaches a short drive away. Why not visit Becky Falls, River Dart Country Park and Adventures, Pennywell Farm or Woodlands Leisure Park. For Christmas shopping Exeter and Plymouth are a short drive away.

Festive Break: 4 night Christmas and New Year Breaks and NYE Party

Jolly Days, Yorkshire
Luxury camping in true Glamping fashion staying in lavishly furnished Lodge tents based in North Yorkshire. New Years and Christmas are already fully booked but if you are looking for Twixmas break then Jolly Days is the place to be. Jolly Days is located within a 200 acre woodland, currently with 10 tents but with plans to expand next year, and in the summer there are Bell Tents available to rent. Attention to detail is what makes this place so special with plenty of added luxurious touches such as fluffy hot water bottles, curtained four poster bed, and a Victorian roll top bath. The central communal campfire is a perfect place to gather for sharing a glass of warm cider and a chat about other campsites to visit. York is only a 15 minute drive away and will provide you with plenty of places to do your Christmas shopping with its many Christmas markets throughout December, or warm up in front of a fire in one of its many traditional pubs. Located on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds, and with the coast only a short drive away this is a great location for a winter trip.

Festive Break: Twixmas available

Turkey Creek Campsite, Bampton, Oxfordshire
Secret hidden away campsite near the Thames with a combination of accommodation, Log Cabins, Tipi’s, Yurts, and Farmhouse B&B. Compost Loo’s, farmhouse produce, and surrounded by woodland this would make a real back to basics winter break. Bampton sits close to the edge of the Cotswolds and is one of the oldest and prettiest villages in the area. And while it retains much of the character of the traditional Cotswold village it is also a hive of activity, with a multitude of events taking place throughout the year.

WOWO
Wowo has quite a reputation within the camping circle and is a firm favourite with Glampers and people living in the SE looking for a campsite a short drive from London. The campsite is based in the heart of Sussex and prides itself of being a family campsite, offering traditional camping as well as Mongolian Yurts and Native Indian style Tipi’s. With a Brook running through it’s centre and woodland to explore children and romantics will be charmed by this site. Sussex is full of beautiful places to visit, if it’s a clear sunny winters day Bodiam Castle would be a stunning place to visit, Brighton will win you over with hundreds of shopping opportunities, the Royal pavilion, and bars to relax in after a days exploring.

Blackberry Wood
Blackberry Wood is another campsite in Sussex that has become extremely popular with Glampers over the last few years. The campsite has space for a maximum of 20 tents and the camping pitches are in cosy little private woodland glades. There is also a Holiday Bus, a romantic Gypsy Caravan and a delightful Retro Caravan available to rent. Although the site is in the middle of the countryside it is situated near the hamlet of Streat, it is only 8 miles or 25 minutes by car to Brighton seafront, 5 miles from the lovely old country town of Lewes. If you want to get your Dad or your husband a present for Christmas pop along to Harveys Brewery and get some Christmas presents, or visit one of the Christmas markets in Lewes. The South Downs are on your doorstep to explore or simply spend your days around the campfire and exploring the woodland.

Ashwood Farm Woodland Camping,
Ashwood Farm is an alternative camping experience with the emphasis being placed on eco-friendly camping. The campsite is within a woodland and is a car free zone. Campfires are allowed and the smell of woodsmoke and the sound of children playing in the woodland building dens and hunting for fairies build lasting memories of this campsite. Also on offer at the campsite are Shepherds Huts, with wood burning stoves and a short walk from the farmhouse. Ashdown Forest is on the doorstep of this campsite and will provide plenty of winter walks, along with Pooh Corner and the Bluebell railway being a short drive away.

The Orchard, Wickham Market, Suffolk
The Orchard Campsite is a family friendly successful little campsite set in 4 acres of land next to a river. Alan Hammond and his family have been running the campsite for the last 15 years and its popularity throughout the year continues to increase. The Orchard is a great little campsite to visit no matter what time of year, and they make sure that there are events to cater for campers year round. If you are an avid star gazer then there will be a Star Party on the 18th-20th December. Keep an eye out for wild food weekends and each September there is a UFO party. Nearby Rendlesham Forrest is famous for its UFO sightings and there are many ghost stories that can be told about the local area. The Suffolk coast is a very short drive away and will certainly wash the cob webs away after a fish and chip supper. Southwold, Aldeburgh and the Snape Maltings are great places to pick up some luxury gifts at any of the boutique shops or pop along to any of the farm shops for some extra treats. The Orchard caters for boths tents and caravans but now also has a traditional Gypsy Caravan available to hire.

Festive Breaks: pitches available for Xmas & NYE

York Yurts
Year round camping in traditional Mongolian Yurts in secluded tranquil surroundings 10 minutes from York. The Yurts are luxuriously fitted, with bedding included, so no need to bring your sleeping bags. There is also a central marquee for miserable weather. With a wood burning stove and fluffy blankets there may seem no need to escape the Yurt, but if you decide to venture out there is more than enough on your doorstep to make sure your winter camping trip is full of things to do. Visit the York Minster for some Christmas Carols, The Jorvik Viking centre for some family fun, stock up on Christmas goodies in the many shops, and finally visit Betty’s tearoom for afternoon tea before heading back to your Yurt and the campfire. Or why not head off to Scarborough and Whitby for some coastal walks. York is only 3 hours drive from London and offers many attractions for a beautiful winter break.

Herston Yards Farm & Yurts, Swanage, Dorset
Herston Yards offers family camping all year round in the form of traditional tent camping, caravanning, log cabins, Park Homes, Farmhouse self catering and Yurts. This site is larger than the ones we normally like to recommend but its location on the Dorset coast and its closeness to Swanage and Corfe Castle makes it one to recommend for family campers looking for all season camping opportunities. Out of season camping gives you the chance to truly explore the Jurassic Coast and all that it has to offer.

Winter Offer:
Nov/Dec
3 Bedroom log cabin and Farmhouse is £400 per week or £300.00 for a 3 day break.
2 Bedroom log cabin and Rose cottage is £300 per week or £250 for a 3 day break.

Jan/Feb
This does not include School half term 13th February to the 22nd
3 Bedroom log cabin is £450.00 per week or £300.00 for a 3 day break.
2 Bedroom log cabin and Rose cottage is £350.00 per week or £250.00 for a 3 day break.
This includes the hot tub and the beds made up for you and towels provided.

Strawberry Skys Yurts, Powys, Wales
Set in the beautiful rolling countryside of mid-Wales on a 10 acre smallholding only 6 miles from Welshpool, Strawberry Skys is the perfect setting for a Yurt holiday or weekend break. Being situated at the “Gateway to Wales” the location is also ideal as a stop off point for exploring the rest of Wales.   The Yurts are fully decorated and have added luxurious features such as scatter bean bags, solar powered fairy lights and ethnic rugs. This small Yurt site is a peaceful retreat for a winters break.

Festive Breaks: Xmas and New Years sold out.