UK van glamping October: 5 luxury autumn getaways

Autumn means… romantic breaks. But what if your partner is a determined on-the-road free/wild camper and you think colder weather necessitates a more relaxed and comfortable holiday? You might compromise on glamping , looking at UK accommodation like luxury yurts, glamping pods or shepherd’s huts, and in a specific area like the Brecon Beacons or the Cotswolds.

However, there’s a way to arrange autumn glamping in the UK to suit all types of traveller: book a luxury motorhome to go on the road, stopping at campsites along the way to have access to all the facilities you need as well as be in the great outdoors.

We’ve compiled a guide to van glamping in the UK this October , looking at five great destinations and our tips on October glamping.

1. North West England

A popular and scenic destination for UK glamping is England’s north west , a region taking in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire (see below), Cheshire, and Cumbria including the Lake District.

This is a beautiful and diverse area for all sorts of holidays, home to three of Britain’s national parks (the entire Lake District and part of the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales ), the Forest of Bowland and stunning coastline around the Solway Coast and Amside and Silverdale. Liverpool, Manchester, Chester, Bolton and Blackpool are all here too for urban sightseeing and nights out.

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a north-west England campsite , whether you want to stay inland, close to the Lakes, rurally or along the coast. Try award-winning and five-star**Manor Wood Country Caravan Park** in Cheshire for stays on a countryside park with two fishing lakes, a lakeside café, tennis courts and an outdoor pool.Harbourside Caravan Park is at Maryport Marina in Cumbria and a short walk from award-winning beaches.

2. Glamping in Somerset

Go glamping in Somerset in October to visit world-famous UK destinations like Stonehenge and Glastonbury or to sightsee in cities including Bath and Bristol. Somerset has a substantial section of coast too, taking in much of the Bristol Channel and seaside towns Weston-super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea and Clevedon; hike the Somerset part (starting in Minehead) of the 630-mile National Trail the South West Coast Path for hikes among breathtaking scenery. And don’t forget Cheddar Gorge , the 500-feet-deep cavern running through the limestone of the Mendip Hills.

Somerset campsites are abundant around the county’s towns, cities, countryside and coast. For a stay near Bath ,Tucker's Grave Inn is a 200-year-old Somerset cider house six miles from the city, an excellent option if you prefer luxury motorhome glamping but with a wild camping vibe. If you or your partner want a more glamorous site , The Old Oaks close to Glastonbury is a five-star and AA Platinum Award park that won Best Adult Site 2020 and Regional Winner 2020 in Practical Caravan’s Top 100 awards.

3. Glamping in Hampshire

The glamping opportunities in Hampshire are as varied as the many things to see and do in this ancient military county. Famously associated with the British army and navy, Hampshire is well known for naval city Portsmouth which includes Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the National Museum of the Royal Navy and Nelson’s ship HMS Victory.

Elsewhere, see the sights at Winchester and Southampton , go rock climbing at Calshot or try paragliding from the top of Butser Hill , the highest part of the South Downs. The South Downs is one of two national parks based in Hampshire; the other, the New Forest, also covers parts of Wiltshire and Dorset.

Recommended glamping sites in Hampshire include**Two Hoots Campsite** just outside Alresford, which has just five motorhome/caravan pitches on a peaceful countryside park. Two Hoots is open all year round. To the south at Milford on Sea,Lytton Lawn Touring Park is a four-star Shorefield Holidays park in the New Forest, in tranquil parkland a mile from the beach.

4. Glamping in Brighton

One of the UK’s best known party towns, Brighton is a perfect glamping destination for couples on a short break from London or on a holiday to explore the Sussex coast. Walk the lengthy shingle beach to neighbouring Hove passing the many colourful beach huts, then walk or catch the bus back for Brighton sightseeing at The Royal Pavilion, Palace Pier and Brighton Marina followed by dinner at one of Brighton’s many acclaimed restaurants. Nearby Hastings, Worthing, Littlehampton and Rye are all well worth a visit too.

Options for October motorhome glamping around Brighton includeBlackberry Wood Camping, Glamping and Treehouses in the South Downs National Park – this four-star campsite and glampsite offers private pitches in woodland glades, each with its own campfire spot. Alternatively,Brighton Caravan Club Site just two miles from Brighton has grass and hardstanding pitches, optional electric hook-up, wifi and a motorhome service point among its many facilities.

5. Glamping in Lancashire

You might decide to forgo a general north-west England motorhome holiday and focus on one county instead; if so, Lancashire is an excellent choice. This historic county is packed with things to see and do, such as sightseeing around county town Lancaster, home of Lancaster Castle and Lancaster Cathedral; hiking around Beacon Fell, part of the Forest of Bowland; exploring the West Pennine Moors or the Martin Mere wetlands nature reserve ; and seaside days at Morecombe Bay or the scenic Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Hire your motorhome and park up around Lancashire’s coast or further inland – there are plenty of Lancashire campsites to pick from.Donkey Creek Farm Caravan Park is a new and family-run campsite on the Flyde coast and the Lancashire Coastal Way, with super pitches, free wifi, a shop and firepit and barbecue hire. Also on the Lancashire Coastal Way is**Sandvilla Stays** near Lancaster, a small and scenic campsite with alpacas, a woodland setting and views across Morecambe Bay.

UK glamping in October – practical tips

While September can still be quite warm in many parts of the UK, October is the month where cold weather really starts to kick in. Pack plenty of warm clothes (layers such as T-shirts, jumpers and hoodies work well), including at least a couple of full changes. A waterproof jacket or raincoat is also essential, as is a sturdy pair of walking boots or wellies. Towels might be difficult to dry if you’re not staying on a campsite with a launderette/tumble dryers, so it’s best to bring a few spares.

October in the UK sees autumn in full flow, leading beautiful scenes of trees blazing with colour (plus this is perfect campfire weather). Visit the Forest of Bowland and the New Forest for glorious autumn scenes, followed by a relaxing evening around your campfire and a cosy night in your motorhome. Nature in the UK is spectacular too:this site gives an overview of what to look out for.

There’ll be plenty of events and festivals to take part in too, like theBrighton Music Conference on 1 and 2 October, theCheltenham Literature Festival from the 2nd to the 11th, theWhitby Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival on the 10th, and Halloween celebrations all over the country on the 31st.

The Camping and Caravanning Club has aguide to UK October events and attractions, with campsites nearby.

UK October glamping – the costs

Apart from popular holiday times like Halloween, October in the UK falls into low season for camping and motorhoming, meaning lower prices and more availability both for motorhome parks and motorhome hire. Park Holidays, for example, charges £12 per pitch from the end of September until 22 October, compared with £24 in mid season, £35 in high season and £50 in peak season.

If you opt for a Sunday to Thursday holiday without electric hook-up , pitches can be booked for as little at £5 per night, a perfect option for UK budget glamping.These sites allow one-night stays if you’re looking for one-night glamping.

Motorhome glamping is a foolproof way to glamp in autumn – why not try it this October? You can go at your own pace, explore much further and have all the safety and comfort you need for your best holiday. Start with a look at ourUK motorhome listings.

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