5 Magical UK Campervan Getaways for Christmas and New Year 2026
There is something pretty special about heading away in the campervan at Christmas. Twinkling lights, cold winter walks, hot chocolate back at the van and cosy evenings wrapped up under blankets – it is a completely different experience to summer camping, but one we absolutely love.
And you don't have to pack the campervan away once winter arrives! There are some brilliant campsites around the UK that stay open throughout the festive season, giving you the chance to squeeze in one last adventure before the end of the year, or even spend Christmas and New Year itself in your home-on-wheels. In this guide, we have picked five magical UK campervan getaways for Christmas and New Year, from the shores of Loch Lomond and mountains of the Lake District to the Norfolk countryside and Dorset's Jurassic Coast.
If Christmas markets are more your thing, have a read of our 10 of the Best Campsites for UK Christmas Markets 2026 too. And if you are simply looking for somewhere open during the colder months, our Google Map of more than 130 UK campsites open all year makes planning a winter road trip much easier.
Planning a campervan getaway at Christmas
Winter campervanning does need a little more preparation than a summer weekend away, but getting the van warm and cosy is all part of the fun. At this time of year, we tend to prioritise campsites with electric hook-up and good facilities. Hardstanding pitches are also worth looking for – nobody wants to spend Christmas trying to get a campervan off a muddy pitch! Before heading away, check your heating is working properly and pack plenty of warm bedding, blankets, thermals, waterproofs, hats and gloves. Insulated window covers can make a big difference on cold nights too.
If you are new to camping outside the summer months, our Autumn & Winter Campervan Camping UK: Tips, Essentials & Packing List which covers everything from keeping warm to dealing with darker evenings and wet weather.
And because it is Christmas, why not make the campervan festive too? A few battery-powered fairy lights, a mini Christmas tree and some lightweight decorations can completely transform a small space.
Our Campervan Christmas: Ideas for Making Your Home-on-Wheels Merry and Bright guide has loads of simple ideas for creating your own little festive home-on-wheels.
Right, Christmas jumpers packed?
Here are five magical places to take your campervan this Christmas and New Year.
1. Luss Campsite, Scotland
If your idea of a magical Christmas involves mountains, a beautiful loch and a tiny Scottish village, it is difficult to beat Luss. Sitting on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, Luss Campsite makes a gorgeous base for a festive campervan break. You can wake up surrounded by some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery, wrap up for a walk beside the water and then retreat to the warmth of the campervan afterwards. The campsite has electric hook-ups and shower facilities, while the pretty village of Luss is just a short walk away. This is definitely one for anyone who prefers peaceful winter scenery to the hustle and bustle of a city Christmas break.
Christmas 2026 around Luss
If you are visiting at the beginning of December, head to the Loch Lomond Christmas Festival at Loch Lomond Shores, taking place on 5th–6th December 2026. The free festival features a Christmas market with artisan gifts and local Scottish produce, festive street food, live entertainment and family activities – all with beautiful Loch Lomond as the backdrop. Back in Luss, the Lodge on Loch Lomond is also hosting Afternoon Tea with Santa on selected dates in December. Even without the festive events, we'd happily visit for the location alone. Crisp winter walks, mountain views and a cosy campervan beside Loch Lomond sounds like a pretty magical Christmas getaway!
GOOD TO KNOW: Scottish winter weather can change quickly, so pack proper waterproofs, warm layers and good footwear. If temperatures are forecast to drop particularly low, make sure your campervan and water system are prepared before travelling.
2. Sandringham Campsite, Norfolk
Fancy spending Christmas on a Royal Estate? Sandringham Campsite in Norfolk is set within the beautiful Sandringham Estate and makes a fantastic base for a winter campervan break. With electric hook-ups, good campsite facilities and miles of woodland on the doorstep, you can spend your days walking and exploring before heading back to your cosy campervan for the evening. It is also particularly good during the run-up to Christmas because there is so much happening nearby. It is a campervan destination fit for royalty! Read a full review here.
Christmas 2026 at Sandringham
The Sandringham Christmas Craft, Food & Gift Fair returns from 13th–15th November 2026, with more than 250 stalls selling crafts, gifts, food and drink. Then there is Luminate Sandringham, which runs from 21st November to 24th December 2026. The Sandringham Estate is transformed after dark with an illuminated winter trail through the Country Park. There are interactive installations, firepits and festive food and drinks along the way, and the trail takes around 60–90 minutes to complete. Tickets need to be booked in advance, so don't leave this one until you arrive at the campsite.
And if you want to go all-in on Christmas, the famous Thursford Christmas Spectacular is also back for 2026. Expect a huge festive production filled with music, dancing and entertainment. Between the estate, woodland walks and festive events, Sandringham is a brilliant option for turning a winter camping weekend into a proper Christmas getaway.
GOOD TO KNOW: Luminate is an outdoor event and you'll be walking around after dark, so pack warm waterproof clothing, sturdy footwear and plenty of layers.
3. Clippesby Hall, Norfolk
If you are looking for a quieter family campervan getaway over Christmas and New Year, Clippesby Hall is another lovely Norfolk option. Set within a large countryside estate on the edge of the Norfolk Broads, it gives you plenty of space to slow down after the madness of the Christmas build-up. Spend your days walking, cycling or exploring the Broads, then head back to the campervan, put the heating on and settle down for a cosy evening. Clippesby's location also makes it a good base for exploring more of Norfolk's festive attractions, including the events around Sandringham and Thursford. And if the weather behaves itself, winter is a beautiful time to explore the Norfolk Broads. The summer crowds have disappeared and you can enjoy a completely different side of this part of the country.
Christmas at Clippesby Hall
Clippesby really gets into the festive spirit, with previous Christmas celebrations including its annual Christmas Fayre, wreath-making workshops, visits from Santa, festive afternoon teas and Christmas food and drinks at BASECAMP. There have also been family Christmas quizzes, Christmas Eve celebrations and a New Year's Eve party, so you don't necessarily need to leave the campsite to find some festive fun! 2026 Christmas dates haven't been announced yet, so check Clippesby Hall's website for the latest events when planning your stay.
Keep cosy on your Christmas campervan getaway
There is no getting around it – December nights in a campervan can be cold! A few simple things make a massive difference. Warm bedding and blankets are essential, and we always pack plenty of layers rather than relying entirely on the campervan heating. Thermal, or insulated window covers help keep warmth inside the van, while hot water bottles are brilliant for warming up beds before everyone climbs in. Good lighting is useful too. Winter evenings arrive very early, particularly the further north you travel, so torches, rechargeable lanterns and outdoor lights are worth having in the van.
One other thing you'll probably notice when camping during winter is condensation. Four people, wet coats, cooking and cold windows can create a surprising amount of moisture inside a campervan! Our guide to The Top Causes of Campervan Condensation (and How to Fix Them) explains some simple ways to keep your van warmer, drier and more comfortable during colder trips.
4. Derwentwater Camping and Caravanning Club Site
If you are dreaming of a festive campervan break surrounded by mountains, lakes and a good dose of fresh Cumbrian air, the Lake District is hard to beat. Derwentwater Camping and Caravanning Club Site makes a fantastic winter base, with Keswick nearby and some incredible Lake District scenery right on the doorstep. Keswick is lovely during the festive season. Think twinkling lights, independent shops, cosy cafés and pubs, plus plenty of opportunities to warm up with hot chocolate after a chilly walk. And, of course, you've got the Lake District itself. Pull on your boots and head out for a winter walk, take a drive through the fells or simply enjoy the scenery before heading back to your little home-on-wheels for the evening.
Christmas 2026 in the Lake District
There are already some fantastic festive events confirmed for 2026.
Keswick Christmas Lights Switch-On – 18th November 2026 Keswick's Christmas lights switch-on takes place in November, with festive activities in the town centre. If you are staying at Derwentwater, it is a great way to start the Christmas season.
Ambleside Christmas Lights – 21st November 2026 Ambleside's annual Christmas celebration returns on Saturday 21st November. Expect a festive atmosphere, lights and the traditional Christmas parade as the town gets ready for the season.
Santa's Secret Grotto at Honister Slate Mine – 14th November to 23rd December 2026 This has to be one of the most unusual Santa experiences in the UK! Hidden deep inside a Lake District mountain, Santa's Secret Grotto takes families underground through the old mine tunnels to find Father Christmas. You'll travel up Honister Pass, explore the underground passages, visit the elves' workshop, see Santa's sleigh and eventually meet Father Christmas himself. There is even underground sledging on the way out. It's a proper Lake District Christmas adventure and one children are unlikely to forget in a hurry. Places are limited and the event regularly sells out, so book well in advance if this is on your Christmas list.
Rydal Hall Christmas Craft Fair – 21st November 2026 For something a little calmer, Rydal Hall's annual Christmas Craft Fair is another lovely addition to a festive Lake District trip, particularly if you fancy picking up a few locally made Christmas presents. Between festive events, mountain scenery, winter walks and cosy Keswick evenings, this is probably one of our favourite places for combining a proper campervan adventure with Christmas.
GOOD TO KNOW: Conditions on Lake District roads and passes can change quickly in winter. Check the weather and road conditions before setting off on longer drives or heading onto the higher passes.
Christmas at the World of Beatrix Potter – November 2026 to January 2027 Christmas activities begin with wreath making and Letters to Father Christmas in late November, followed by Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle Christmas crafts on 5th December. From 19th–24th December, there's even more festive fun, including gingerbread crafts and The Gingerbread Boy, a Christmas theatre show followed by a visit from Santa. You can also book a special Gingerbread Boy Afternoon Tea Experience from 20th–23rd December. Staying through New Year? Tomte's Yuletide Tale, a magical Nordic-inspired family theatre show, runs from 28th December–2nd January, alongside a 'Take a Tomte Home' craft activity. Find all the dates and book tickets on the World of Beatrix Potter Events website.
5. Highlands End Holiday Park, Dorset
If you'd rather swap mountain passes for salty sea air, Highlands End Holiday Park on Dorset's Jurassic Coast is a brilliant choice. Perched above the coastline, the site has fantastic views and is perfectly positioned for winter walks beside the sea. There is something we really love about the coast in winter. Wrap up warm, fill a flask with hot chocolate and head out for a blustery walk before retreating to the campervan afterwards. Highlands End has spacious pitches with electric hook-up, modern facilities and an on-site bar and restaurant – particularly handy if you don't fancy cooking every night. Bridport and Lyme Regis are both nearby too, giving you plenty of options for exploring, eating and picking up any last-minute Christmas presents.
Christmas 2026 in Dorset
There is loads happening around Dorset this Christmas. Illuminate at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens. The gardens are transformed after dark with colourful lights and illuminated displays, creating a completely different way to explore this beautiful attraction. Illuminate is scheduled to run on selected dates from 20th November to 31st December 2026, so it works particularly well if you're planning a Christmas or New Year stay at Highlands End. There are also special Santa events and Christmas activities at the gardens on selected December dates.
Nutley Farm Christmas – 27th November to 30th December 2026 Nutley Farm returns for 2026 with its illuminated Christmas light trail, resident reindeer, Christmas Courtyard and Father Christmas experience. The light trail is suitable for the whole family and there is live festive entertainment on selected dates too. It's another lovely way to add a proper dose of Christmas magic to a winter campervan trip. Between coastal walks, festive light trails, Dorset towns and evenings back at the van, Highlands End makes a brilliant alternative to the more traditional mountain-and-snow style Christmas getaway.
What should you pack for a Christmas campervan trip?
Packing for a campervan trip in December is really about preparing for cold, wet and changeable weather. We'd rather take too many layers than spend an entire weekend wishing we'd packed another jumper! For the campervan, think warm bedding and blankets, hot water bottles, insulated window covers, torches or rechargeable lights and anything else you use to keep the van warm and comfortable. For days out, pack waterproof coats, warm layers, hats, gloves and decent waterproof footwear. A flask or insulated travel mug is really handy too, particularly if you are travelling with children. And don't forget that winter camping usually means muddy shoes and wet coats, so having somewhere to store or dry them will make campervan life much easier.
For a full list, download our:
More winter and Christmas campervan inspiration
Not quite decided where to go yet? If you fancy combining your trip with some serious festive shopping, have a read of our 10 of the Best Campsites for UK Christmas Markets 2026.
For even more places to stay, we've also rounded up 10 of the Best Campsites Open All Year for Winter Camping, and our Google Map of 130+ UK campsites open all year is really useful when you're planning a winter road trip.
Before setting off, you might also find these useful:
3 Essential Tips for Autumn Camping and Vanlife Preparation – practical advice for keeping warm and comfortable when the temperature drops.
The Top Causes of Campervan Condensation (and How to Fix Them) – because wet coats, cooking and cold winter nights can make condensation a real pain in a campervan.
Campervan Christmas: Ideas for Making Your Home-on-Wheels Merry and Bright – simple ways to decorate the van and make it feel properly festive.
And if you're still Christmas shopping, don't miss our 30+ Best Gifts for Campervan Owners for practical and fun gift ideas for campers and vanlife lovers.
Spending Christmas in your campervan
Christmas doesn't have to mean putting the campervan away until spring. Whether you choose the mountains and lochs of Scotland, Christmas festivities in Norfolk, a cosy Lake District escape or winter walks beside the Dorset coast, travelling by campervan gives you the chance to experience some beautiful parts of the UK at a completely different time of year. Yes, you'll need more blankets. Yes, there will probably be muddy boots and wet coats. And yes, you'll almost certainly spend more time talking about condensation than you ever imagined possible! But there is something pretty magical about coming back to your own little home-on-wheels after a cold winter walk, putting the heating on, making a hot chocolate and settling down for the evening. Just remember to check that your chosen campsite is open for your dates, book popular Christmas events well in advance and keep an eye on the weather before travelling. Then pack the Christmas jumpers, fill the cupboards with festive treats and get ready for one last campervan adventure of the year.
Happy Christmas travels!
