Escape to the countryside and get closer to nature

Touring holidays are synonymous with getting closer to nature – exposure to the great outdoors, a breath of clean, country air and the most stunning views the UK has to offer.

Our hand-picked selection of scenic sites are set in peaceful locations with breath-taking views, and lots of nature on and around the sites. There are always plenty of local attractions nearby to explore, making these sites perfect for a memorable break.

Book a stay at some of our Club sites and you’ll be amazed at the wealth of nature you’ll see - some of them are even neighbours of RSPB reserves.

 

Sites near a National Park

New Forest Club Site, Hampshire

There is no shortage of things to do in the New Forest. Walk across beautiful heathland, cycle, ride a horse, swing from the trees or just relax.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Arne

 

Scarborough West Ayton Club Site, North Yorkshire

Enjoy a beautiful landscape of stunning moorland, spectacular coast, ancient woodland and historic sites on the North York Moors.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Bempton Cliffs

 

Hawes Club Site, North Yorkshire

The Yorkshire Dales are perfect for walking, cycling, exploring underground caves and trying out some Wensleydale cheese. 

Nearest RSPB reserve: Baron’s Haugh

 

Troutbeck Head Club Site, Cumbria

Pitch up and experience the UK's most popular National Park. You'll be spoilt for choice with outdoor activities in the Lake District.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Haweswater

 

Coed-y-Llwyn Club Site, Gwynedd

Snowdonia National Park boasts the biggest mountain in Wales and England, spectacular cliffs, long sandy beaches and glorious estuaries. 

Nearest RSPB reserve: Mawddach Woodlands

 

Castleton Club Site, Derbyshire

Visit the Peak District and explore the Monsal Trail, take ranger-guided walks, hire a bike and cycle, or have a go at rock climbing and caving.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Dove Stone

 

Morn Hill Club Site, Hampshire

Explore ancient woodland, rolling farmland, lowland heaths, picturesque villages and majestic vineyards through the South Downs

Nearest RSPB reserve: Winterbourne Downs

 

Norfolk Broads Club Site, Norfolk

Join in the fun on the Norfolk Broads and enjoy tranquil walkways and cycle paths, spectacular wildlife and quaint towns and villages.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Strumpshaw Fen

 

Sites with nature on site

New England Bay Club Site, Dumfries & Galloway

Watch as around 25,000 barnacle geese arrive from Spitsbergen each year; you’re also likely to spot Icelandic whooper swans and pink-footed greylag geese. Our members have spotted roe deer, tawny owls and a golden pheasant that visits the site – some have even reported dolphins in the bay in the summer!

Nearest RSPB reserve: Mull of Galloway

 

River Breamish Club Site, Northumberland

River Breamish Club Site is set amid the Cheviot Hills, with excellent walking and cycling in the scenically beautiful surroundings. On site there is a blackboard encouraging members to report what they have seen, including swans, kingfishers, and salmon in the river. The RSPB have also placed treasure hunt posters on site so you can really make an adventure of your stay.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Coquet Island

 

Malvern Hills Club Site, Worcester

Malvern Hills Club Site has the great benefit of the beautiful Malvern Hills to explore, making this historic area an ideal touring spot in its own right. This site features bird boxes, bug hotels and plants to attract the butterflies and bees, so you can find nature right on your doorstep.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Highnam Woods

 

Gwern-y-Bwlch Club Site, Powys

A conservationist's paradise, with a bird hide and feeding station on site - watch out for the red kite, swallows, cuckoos and woodpeckers that have been spotted in the area.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Lake Vyrnwy

 

Longleat Club Site, Wiltshire

Longleat Club Site is one of the network's most unique locations - where else in the UK or Europe can you hear lions roaring at night from the comfort of your bed? Set in beautiful parkland, the site is located in the midst of the lovely Longleat Estate, on the doorstep of Longleat Safari Park.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Winterbourne Downs

 

Sites perfect for stargazing 

Exmoor House Club Site, Somerset

On the clearest nights on the north Devon moors the human eye can detect about 3,000 stars, with the best sites in the Exmoor National Park being Holdstone Hill, County Gate, Brendon Two Gates, Webbers Post, Anstey Gate, Haddon Hill and Wimbleball Lake. Exmoor House Club site makes a great base to explore the park at your leisure.

Nearest RSPB reserve: West Sedgemoor

Abbey Wood Club Site, London

Abbey Wood Club Site is a Club Golden Jubilee Site and feels positively rural when you reach this gently sloping grassy site. Nearby Greenwich offers a unique stargazing experience, with the famous Royal Observatory.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Rainham Marshes

 

Garlieston Club Site, Dumfries & Galloway

An ideal location for a relaxing holiday, Garlieston Club Site is both peaceful and picturesque. Garliestion is just a short drive away from Galloway Forest Park, which due to its lack of light pollution, is perfect for budding astronomers. Maps which give details of the best places for stargazing are available at the Forestry Commission Scotland.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Mull of Galloway

  

Freshwater East Club Site, Pembrokeshire

Freshwater East Club Site sits on the edge of the Pembrokeshire Coast national park, which is owned by the National Trust and run as a nature reserve. The beach at Broadhaven South is a dark sky discovery site, and the Stackpole Centre runs stargazing nights in a mobile planetarium.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Ramsey Island

 

Sites with wild swimming spots nearby

Salisbury Hillside Club Site, Wiltshire

More of a paddle than a full-blown swim, Houghton Bay is a serene country locale at the end of a bridleway - a large gravel-bedded pool with the crystal clear River Test running through it which both adults and children will adore. This hidden gem is just a short drive away from the site.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Winterbourne Downs

 

Strathclyde Country Park Club Site, Glasgow

Marathon swims are popular at Loch Lomond, but Olympian stamina is not a necessity for wild swimming in one of the largest freshwater lakes in the UK. Head for the northern part of the Loch where Rob Roy's cave can be found. From here enter the steel-blue, goosebump-inducing water down a steep tree-lined rocky side.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Lochwinnoch

 

Slinfold Club Site, West Sussex

Eight centuries after the Bishop of Winchester built this for his fish, the Frensham Great Pond is a favoured spot for families seeking a little gentle paddling and swimming. A sandy beach, easy access, a separate, designated swimming area 50m wide and a small café make for an easy-going atmosphere.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Pulborough Brooks

 

Troutbeck Head Club Site, Cumbria

Ullswater is one of the most popular and beautiful lakes in the Lake District, but to escape the crowds head for the Kailpot Crag. There are twisted oaks and rowan trees, and a brilliant jump from the crag into deep, clear water. Troutbeck Head is based within the Lake District National Park itself, so you’re never too far away from a beautiful waterscape.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Haweswater

 

Sites near nature trails

Incleboro Fields Club Site, Norfolk

Incleboro Fields Club Site is a great base to explore the banks of rhododendrons and azaleas at Sheringham Park, a superb National Trust landscaped woodland and garden in north Norfolk, where various paths offer undulating but ideal walks for families with young children.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Strumpshaw Fen

 

River Breamish Club Site, Northumberland

The local area of Ingram boasts a number of fine hillside walks - take a picnic along with you and enjoy the rolling green hills and countryside spread out before you. There is also a large nature walk and dog from that runs from the site, taking you past the River Breamish.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Geltsdale

 

Bromyard Downs Club Site, Herefordshire

A pretty woodland getaway, Bromyard Downs Club Site is well situated in the beautiful countryside between the splendid cathedral cities of Worcester and Hereford. The site features bird boxes, hedgehogs, wild flowers and bee-friendly plants, as well as guided walks on the Downs from the site.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Highnam Woods

 

Modbury Club Site, Devon

The handsome and friendly market town of Modbury hosts a great little walk offering wide open views across South Devon, and the soft rolling countryside of the South Hams.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Labrador Bay

 

Sites for peace and quiet

Clachan Club Site, Stirling

Tucked away in quiet woodland awash with wild flowers and wildlife, Clachan Club Site is perfect for exploring the mountains, lochs and glens of the Scottish Highlands.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Loch Lomond

 

Gwern-y-Bwlch Club Site, Powys

Situated in a lovely setting with beautiful views across the valley, Gwern-y-Bwlch is ideal for peace and quiet. It’s also a great location for bird watching with two RSPB reserves nearby.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Lake Vyrnwy

 

St Agnes Beacon Club Site, Cornwall

Located right at the foot of the Beacon, the peaceful St Agnes Beacon Club Site offers unforgettable panoramic views of the Cornish coastline.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Hayle Estuary

 

Borrowdale Club Site, Cumbria

Surrounded by beautiful fells and set in National Trust woodland, Borrowdale offers numerous walking paths to explore the stunning and tranquil northern lakes area.

Nearest RSPB reserve: St Bees Head

 

Beuatifully scenic sites

Trewethett Farm Club Site, Cornwall

Trewethett Farm offers incredible views overlooking Bossiney Cove. The coastal path borders the site and there are spectacular cliff-top walks to Tintagel and Boscastle.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Exe Estuary Reserves

 

Exmoor House Club Site, Somerset

This is a pretty and quiet site with views up the valley. Some pitches even overlook the River Barle! This is an ideal location for a relaxing holiday.

Nearest RSPB reserve: West Sedgemoor

 

Bunree Club Site, Scottish Highlands

Park your caravan or motorhome by the water’s edge of Loch Linnhe. This award-winning, Golden Jubilee site must be one of The Club’s loveliest in scenic terms. The view will take your breath away.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Glenborrodale

 

Bromyard Downs Club Site, Herefordshire

If you enjoy beautiful countryside, historic houses, steam railways, or just sitting back with a glass of local brewed cider then this is the site for you.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Highnam Woods

 

Gwern-y-Bwlch Club Site, Powys

Gwern-y-Blwch is a gem of a site in a lovely setting. The world slows to a stroll in this part of Wales. It's a place for country pursuits such as, birdwatching, walking or fishing.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Lake Vyrnwy

 

St Agnes Beacon Club Site, Cornwall

A perfect getaway, this site offers unforgettable panoramic views of the Cornish coastline from the foot of the beacon, and a chance to experience the charms of real Cornwall.

Nearest RSPB reserve: Hayle Estuary