Complete novices - location advice please

[stevejlfc]

Hello
Me and my hubby have hired a vw cali for 4 nights mid September for the first time. We are thinking of buying one next year so are trying it first! So excited! We would like to visit the New Forest, Devon and the Cotswolds but we only have Monday to Friday to squeeze all this in :crazy
I have booked into a site called Holmsley for the first night on the edge of the New Forest recommended by some members and I'm planning the next 3 nights. Are we better staying north or south coast Devon for nice coastal scenery and to be by the beach? We don't know the area at all...then maybe onwards north east direction towards the Cotswolds for the 4th night before dropping the van off not far from Portsmouth. Any recommendations would be much appreciated
Tracy J

 

[teeboy]

Be careful. We hired a T5 conversion and visited Holmsley. And now we are proud California owners.

Hiring a Cali can be very expensive, but we are also very happy

T

 

[TwentyOneThirtyFive]

That's quite a bit of travelling, but I guess you know that already.

I quite liked North Morte Farm (http://northmortefarm.co.uk/) near Woolacombe when we did a SW tour. It's quite big, so didn't think I'd like it, but it was okay. You can walk down to some beaches and the big main one isn't too far away.

On the Dorset/Devon border, Hook Farm (http://www.hookfarm-uplyme.co.uk/)near Lyme Regis is worth a try.

Some info here:
http://bettybus.wordpress.com/2012/10/08/cornwall-devon-and-somerset/
http://bettybus.wordpress.com/2012/03/2 ... r-cottage/

Have fun!
dan

 

[Californiaman]

Holmsley is nice. Although a little exposed if it is windy! If you're interested in your military history, they sell a little booklet in reception about the role of the airfield during WWII.

In the Cotswolds, you could perhaps try the campsite at 'Adam's farm' (him off Countryfile amoung other things) http://cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk/camping/pitch-in-with-us.html I wouldn't recommend it in the kids holidays but it looks like you'll just miss them. Some lovely walking from there.

If not there, then I would recommend the Caravan club sites at Broadway or Moreton in Marsh. Both in great areas. Double check they'll take non-members though.

 

[Martin]

Hi Tracy

Welcome to the forum.

Another +1 from me for North Morte Farm, make sure you have got your levelling blocks with you as some of the pitches are on a slope but there are great views and it is nice to walk down to the pubs in the village.

In the New Forest we prefer Roundhill as it is very peaceful out of season, you also get the ponies/cattle come into the campsite whereas Holmsley they are not allowed in.

Finally Moreton in the marsh campsite is in an excellent location as Mark says being walking distance to all the pubs, shops and the train station, only downside we found at this campsite is we were the only campervan and was surrounded by caravans.

Have fun and let us know how you got on

 

[Freeley]

And another vote for north morte farm from me!
It's local for me and have snatched a couple of bank holiday weekends there this year.
Nice coastal path walks to woolacombe one way and lee bay/ilfracombe the other.
Also another vote for cc site in moreton in Marsh cracking location and nice shower facilities as you usually get in main cc sites. You'll be swamped by caravans but if you don't mind that (we just pull the blinds down!) then you can't go wrong.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2

 

[stevejlfc]

Thank you everyone for your replies.
Now feeling much more well informed and having studied google maps endlessly with recommended location and sites, we now have a proposed route.
Sadly too much we want to see in too little time but hopefully we will have plenty of opportunity to explore further afield if we buy a cali next Springtime.
Great forum, friendly and informative, thanks again.