Sunset in Old Hunstanton ©Pitchup.com

Laura Canning from Pitchup.com shares some of her favourite campsites around England that are perfect for soaking up the Indian Summer or any type of weather for that matter…

Camping makes for the perfect last-minute weekend break. You can literally book on a Friday morning and be at a campsite that evening and of course, in most cases, camping is as cheap as chips. I’ve a list of favourite sites as long as my cosy cuddly sleeping bag; here are just a few from the past year:

King’s Lynn Caravan and Camping Park, Norfolk

It was one man, one woman and a pooch here for a winter break, picked by his nibs for its motorhome pitches and because it takes dogs. It’s also open all year round, which is helpful when it’s the depths of February, the bank balance is flashing red and it’s time to take to the road or burst. We didn’t plan to do anything for the weekend than complain about being broke, but ended up walking the Norfolk Broads instead – the dog insisted.

Etherley Farm, Dorking, Surrey

Sparking up a campfire and cooking dinner is one of the best things about camping. I also always want to sample the local food wherever I end up (mainly cheese, it has to be said), so when I was planning  a trip to Surrey, Etherley Farm had to be the place. Campfires are positively encouraged here, and I was able to buy fresh produce from the Etherley poultry farm to roast over the fire for dinner. Yum.

Higher Moor Farm ©Pitchup.com

Higher Moor Farm, Weymouth, Dorset

As there was some big sporting event starting in London in July, I thought it was  my patriotic duty to take a holiday to check it out. Being contrary, I headed away from London, and being a boat-loving type I wanted to see sailing. Weymouth it was then, for the start of the Olympic Sailing. I booked an electric grass pitch at the tranquil Higher Moor Farm, and stayed an extra night to visit Hardy’s Cottage a few miles away. Well, you can’t go to Dorset and not explore the luscious pastures of Thomas Hardy country…

Callow Top Holiday Park, Derbyshire

After the cushily comfortable weekend I had at Broadway House Holiday Park, another holiday park had to be booked when meeting up with friends in Derbyshire. Callow Top Holiday Park is great for a family or group, as there are loads of things to do on site for all tastes – even when the weather is typically British. We’d planned to cycle the Tissington Trail – Callow Top has cycle hire on site – but as the weather became a bit, yes, British, we stayed on site instead, which was no problem at all. We used the outdoor pool, sampled the beer from Callow Top’s own micro-brewery, did a Bill Oddie in the bird-watching hide and took in the live bands during the evening entertainment.

Cheddar Gorge ©Pitchup.com

Broadway House Holiday Park, Cheddar, Somerset

It’s long been my wish to visit the Grand Canyon, but as this can’t really be done on a weekend break Cheddar Gorge is the next best thing. And there’s no denying I was looking for comfort for my sore feet too, so I wanted a park I could stagger back to of an evening and not have to move, and with an electric hook-up for my tent pitch. Broadway hit the spot – bar and restaurant with homemade food, a shop and a laundry room brave enough to take on my socks. Best of all, there was a bath to sink into after a long day hiking the cliffs – and yes, I did bring a glass of wine from the bar in with me.

Next up is another wander around Hadrian’s Wall, some climbing in Cornwall and walking the Tolkien Trail around the Ribble Valley. I’d better book some time off…