It’s the end of another year of amazing adventures in our campervan and time for our 2024 round-up.
Our year started with a week away in North Wales in January through to a one night getaway in December to test out our new van. In total we spent 63 nights away, staying in 27 campsites and February was the only month that we didn’t manage to get away.
We have scored our trips again this year - we came up with 4 nominees for each category which we then ranked and there are also many honourable mentions as limiting our nominations to only 4 per category was very difficult!
Best site overall
- Hillcroft Park
- Glen Nevis
- Kip & Nook
- Thornbrook Barn
Honourable mentions; Rosneath Castle Caravan Park, Sandfield Farm, Tantallon Caravan Park
Hillcroft Park was a resounding winner due to it’s proximity to Pooley Bridge and it’s excellent facilities and relaxing atmosphere.
Best location for a site
- Hillcroft Park
- Tantallon Caravan Park
- Silverburn Park
- Sandfield Park
Honourable mentions; Harbour Lights, Rosneath Castle Caravan Park
Once again, Hillcroft Park came out on top! Pooley Bridge was an amazing place to visit (not just because of the amazing weather we had) and this campsite was right on the doorstep and it was a quick, easy journey to get there.
Best on-site facilities
- Rosneath Castle Caravan Park
- Hillcroft Park
- Thornbrook Barn
- Harbour Lights
Honourable mentions; Braithwaite Village, Little Acre Holiday Park, Paddocks Touring Park
Rosneath had wonderful separate shower rooms - they were spacious and warm and provided a real feel of luxury.
Best on-site amenities
- Kip & Nook
- Glen Nevis
- Auchenlarie
- Rosneath Castle Caravan Park
Honourable mentions; Elie Holiday Park, Hillcroft Park, Paddocks Touring Park, Cobleland
With a wood-fired hot tub on our pitch and the various entertainments available on site (pool, darts, playstation, …) and a relaxing, eclectically decorated, lounge and bar space this site was a clear winner. There was pizza on site and amazing cocktails and a breakfast room for a relaxing start to the next morning.
Most picturesque site
- Rosneath Castle Caravan Park
- Glen Nevis
- Tantallon Caravan Park
- Thornbrook Barn
Honourable mentions; Little Acre Holiday Park, Witches Craig
Situated between two lochs, the views from Rosneath were truly breathtaking.
Best meal of the year - lunch
- The Round, Keswick
- Beefy Boys, Shrewsbury
- Auchenlarie
- Manor House Hotel, Haltwhistle
Honourable mentions; McGregors at Aberfoyle, Vindolanda cafe
We were in the queue for The Round opening and noted the queues that continued throughout the day, and there is a reason why the restaurant is so popular and why it was our winner for best lunch, the burgers were absolutely spectacular!
Best meal of the year - dinner
- The Haven Bar at Cellardyke
- Glen Nevis
- Palomino’s at The Paddocks
- Boathouse restaurant at Loch Tay
Honourable mentions; Crooklands Hotel at Little Acre, Twice Brewed, Lakeland Spice at Keswick, Marton Arms at Ingleton, Kip & Nook pizza.
A cold, windy, walk brought us to The Haven Bar and a great meal.
Best meal cooked in the van
- Penne alla rustica at Cruachan Farm
- Sausage casserole at Witches Craig
- BBQ pack with potato salad & slaw, Herding Hill
- Cottage Pie at Silverburn Park
Honourable mentions; Wild mushroom penne at Castle Howard, BBQ with couscous & slaw at Thornbrook Barn, Sandfield Farm butcher food.
Best walk of the year
- Tantallon to Gullane
- Cobleland to Aberfoyle & Queen Elizabeth Forest Park
- Leven to Elie
- Anstruther to Bowhouse
Honourable mentions; Ingleton waterfall trails, Clach Mackenny at Rosneath, Whitby Bram Stoker trail, Drummhor to Aberlady
This was a very difficult category to pick a winner for as we had so many spectacular walks through the year and we came up with two very deserving joint winners.
Best new campervan accessory
- Air fryer
- GSI pans
- Plastic mat squares
- Trangia cookset
Honourable mentions; bento boxes
Best trip experience
- Hot tub & activities at Kip & Nook
- Star gazing at Twice Brewed
- Vindolanda
- Treasure trail in Whitby
Honourable mentions; Glenridding steamer, Keswick Brewery tour & taproom, squirrels at Aberfoyle, Keswick Christmas lights
Another very difficult category to pick a winner for as we had so many amazing experiences on our trips
Best new town or city
- Whitby
- Pooley Bridge
- Malton
- Aberfoyle
Honourable mentions; Elie & Kingsferry, Shrewsbury, Anstruther