Campsites with good public transport nearby can make a big difference to your touring experience. Buses, trams, even ferries, can open up your options on a touring holiday, allowing you to make the most of the locations the best motorhome sites can provide.
With the freedom to let the day unfold, you don’t need to gaze wistfully at that inviting pub on your way back to the ’van – enjoy a pint (or two) and catch the bus instead! Leaving your vehicle at the site takes the stress out of day trips, especially if you’re heading for narrow roads or daunting city centres. Public transport will also save you money on parking and cut down the fuel consumption of your motorhome.
If you’re touring with children, family tickets are the way to go, and if you have a bus pass, that’s a bonus. All-day tickets will also let you enjoy your day to the full, without having to rush back.
Campsites near public transport – 10 of the best:
South Lytchett Manor, Poole
If you’re looking for a good base to explore Dorset without relying on driving, the dog-friendly South Lytchett Manor is perfect.
Two bus stops just outside the campsite entrance are serviced by the 40 Breezer and the X54 Jurassic Coaster. From here, you can easily get to Poole’s lovely sandy beaches or the pretty towns of Swanage and Wool. To go further afield, catch the number 9 bus into town to bring you to Hamworthy train station. From there, you can reach Poole (five minutes, £3.50 day return), Weymouth (40 minutes, £14.90 day return) and Bournemouth (20 minutes, £5.60 day return).
Timetable: First
Brook Lodge Farm, Bristol
On the doorstep of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Brook Lodge Farm is surrounded by rolling fields and mature woodland, with a bus stop just outside the entrance. Catch a U2 or FAL bus to Bristol’s vibrant centre and you can while away a pleasant day in the parks, cafés and museums.
To venture further afield, head to Temple Meads station, where you can get to Cardiff, Bath or Weston-super-Mare in under an hour. If you fancy something a little more serene, the 672 bus will take you in the opposite direction to Blagdon, where you can explore the Yeo Valley and Blagdon Lake.
Timetable: Traveline
Harrogate Caravan Park, Yorkshire
This well-maintained Harrogate Caravan Park sits on the outskirts of the gorgeous spa town of Harrogate. It’s in a great location, with a farm shop on site and Sainsbury’s just next door. You can catch the X70 or 7 bus from the supermarket, which will get you to Harrogate town centre in 20 minutes.
Explore the cobbled streets, charming shops and famous green spaces before hopping on the X7 back to the site. Travelling in the opposite direction, the number 7 goes through Spofforth, Wetherby and Boston Spa.
Timetable: The Harrogate Bus Company
Freshwater East CAMC Site, Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire has endless opportunities for coastal adventures. A six-minute walk from this picturesque CAMC site is the bus stop for the 388 to Angle.
In just 36 minutes, you can be at Stackpole Quay, a historic harbour that is popular with kayakers and wild swimmers. Stretches of golden sand can be found nearby and if you get off the bus at Trefalen Car Park, you can reach Broad Haven South Beach. If you’re feeling adventurous, the route will take you to Freshwater West Car Park, where you can alight to explore the beautiful Freshwater West beach via the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
Timetable: Traveline
Abbey Wood CAMC Site, London
You would never know that you’re just a stone’s throw from London at this leafy CAMC campsite in Abbey Wood. The park is perfect for dipping your toes into the city buzz, being just a 10-minute walk from Abbey Wood train station, where you can catch the Elizabeth line into the city centre.
You can shop on Tottenham Court Road or take in some culture at the Barbican without changing lines, or explore the rest of London from the many well-connected stations along the way. The station also runs Thameslink services, including a 20-minute trip that will take you to the charming streets of historic Greenwich and the Thames Path hiking trail.
Timetable: TFL
Brecon Beacons CAMC Site, Brecon
You don’t need to drive to enjoy the beautiful countryside of Wales. From this gloriously green CAMC site, Brynich Lock and Aqueduct are just a 20-minute walk away. You can reach the charming town of Brecon in seven minutes on the X43 bus, which stops outside the park.
If you’re not pushed for time,you can take an hour’s ride on the number 43 all the way to Abergavenny, the lively market town often called the Gateway to Wales. The route stops in plenty of beauty spots, such as pretty Talybont-on-Usk, where you can enjoy woodlands, waterfalls, canals and the reservoir. The X43 from Abergavenny brings you back to the site.
Timetable: Stagecoach
Coniston Park Coppice, Lake District
With its narrow roads, daunting hill starts and overcrowded car parks, if you can avoid driving in the Lake District, why wouldn’t you?
A lakeside site is a huge benefit, so Coniston Park Coppice is perfect. From outside the site, you can catch the X12 to Ulverston or get to Coniston in four minutes via the X7. In Coniston, you’ll be able to board the National Trust’s iconic Steam Yacht, which offers three scenic routes around the lake.
Buy a Southern Lake Explorer ticket (adults £19.25, children aged five to 15 years £6) and you can hop on and off cruises from all routes, whether you want to see Wild Cat Island or Brantwood, then catch the last boat back to Coniston at 4.30pm.
Timetables: Blueworks
Middletons Camping, Isle of Arran
You can really get away from it all in Scotland, but it can be tricky to navigate by public transport. Middletons Camping, on the Isle of Arran, is perfect for small-scale exploring, with a bus stop eight minutes from the site and two island ferry ports.
There are three buses you can use, with the 323 passing the site. Catch the bus to Brodick, where you can pick up the Arran Coastal Way or visit Ben Fionn. The ferry departs from Brodick and docks at Ardrossan Harbour, where the train station has a service to Glasgow. Take the 324 from Brodick and you can get to Lochranza, where the ferry runs to the Kintyre peninsula.
Timetables: Stagecoach
Swiss Farm, Henley-on-Thames
The pretty Swiss Farm is as scenic as nearby Henley-on-Thames.
If you can tear yourself away from the heated pool and tranquil surroundings, there is a bus stop right outside the site entrance. The 850 and 800 pass along the southern edge of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, stopping in charming towns such as Marlow before reaching High Wycombe. From the same stop, Henley-on-Thames is a nine-minute bus ride (or 15-minute walk), and you can either take the 800 all the way to Reading, or hop off at scenic Caversham Lakes.
Timetables: Arriva
Bank House Farm, Peak District
The riverside Bank House Farm in the Peak District is beautifully rural, with plenty of walking and cycle routes nearby, including Beresford and Wolfscote Dales. Despite its countryside location, the site is still easy to get to and from, thanks to the bus stop at the gate.
The 442 runs to the gorgeous spa town of Buxton, stopping along the way in several pretty villages, including Longnor and Earl Sterndale. Travelling in the opposite direction, a route goes to the historic market town of Ashbourne in 40 minutes, passing through Tissington and Hartington.
Timetables: High Peak Buses
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