5 Magical Campervan Getaways for Christmas and New Year
The holiday season is upon us and what better way to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year than by embarking on a campervan adventure? The freedom to travel, the cosy interiors, and the joy of decorating your campervan with festive lights and holiday décor create the perfect setting for a memorable getaway. Add in the breathtaking natural landscapes and campervan getaways become an ideal choice for a festive escape. In this blog post, we’ll explore five of the best places to stay in your campervan in the UK this Christmas and New Year, from the stunning Highlands End in Dorset to the serene Keswick in the Lake District. If you're looking for even more festive fun, don’t miss the 10 of the Best Campsites for the Christmas Markets in the UK. For more inspiration, check out this Google Map of over 130 UK campsites open all year.
For a truly magical Christmas and New Year's experience, head north to Luss Campsite on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland. Surrounded by towering mountains and the serene waters of the loch, Luss is a picture-perfect destination for campervan enthusiasts. Luss Campsite offers facilities such as electric hook-ups, clean shower blocks and a convenient location just a short walk from the charming village of Luss. Enjoy traditional Scottish festivities, including ceilidh dancing, a dram of whisky by the campfire, and be sure to visit Loch Lomond’s special festive trail this Christmas.
Loch Lomond Shores is hosting its fantastic FREE Christmas festival on the 7th and 8th of December 2024, bringing family festive cheer to visitors looking for a great day out.
2. Sandringham Campsite, Norfolk
For a royal holiday experience, head to the Sandringham Campsite in Norfolk. Located on the picturesque Sandringham Estate, this campsite offers a unique opportunity to celebrate Christmas and New Year in regal style. Facilities here include electric hook-ups, modern amenities and proximity to the Sandringham House and Gardens. Explore the historic estate, enjoy festive events and take serene walks in the surrounding woodlands. It's a campervan destination fit for royalty! Read a full review here.
There are lots of fabulous festive events happening in Norfolk during the build-up to Christmas. The Sandringham Christmas Craft, Food & Gift Fair is back and this year it makes a welcome return on Friday 14th – Sunday 16th November 2025, plus the Sandringham Estate Winter Light Trail 2025, which runs nightly from Thursday 14th November to Wednesday 24th December 2025. And for the ultimate seasonal experience, don’t miss the world-famous Thursford Christmas Spectacular – a dazzling blend of music, dance, comedy and festive spirit that draws visitors from across the UK each year. Just a short drive from Sandringham, it’s the perfect way to add a touch of showbiz sparkle to your Norfolk Christmas adventure.
For those seeking a tranquil and family-friendly campervan holiday this Christmas and New Year, Clippesby Hall in Norfolk is an excellent choice. Set within a 106-acre estate, this campsite offers a range of pitches, including those with electric hook-ups. During the festive season, Clippesby Hall hosts special events like carol singing, holiday markets and visits from Santa Claus. Explore the nearby Norfolk Broads, go for scenic walks, or simply relax and soak up the holiday spirit in your campervan surrounded by nature.
Clippesby Hall Christmas Fayre 2025 date TBC
Saturday 30th November 2024 10am-4pm
Local crafts & Christmas gifts. Festive food, mulled wine & scrummy hot chocolate. Santa’s Grotto 11am-2pm
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, Derwentwater has you covered. Tucked between the fells and the water’s edge, this Camping and Caravanning Club site feels magical in winter. You’ve got electric hook-ups, great facilities, and best of all, Keswick is just down the road – a town that knows how to do Christmas properly. Think twinkling lights, independent shops, cosy pubs with roaring fires, and plenty of festive fun for the kids.
And if you are anything like us, you’ll want to mix in some seasonal adventures while you’re here. Luckily, the Lake District goes big on Christmas events. Here are a few highlights that are well worth planning into your trip:
Ambleside Christmas Lights & Fireworks – 15th November 2025
Kick-start the season with Santa Cruises on the lake, live music, stalls, and a family fun zone. The lantern parade and evening firework display are always a showstopper! The perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit early.Rydal Mount Christmas Fair – 5th & 6th December 2025
This is one for the whole family – a gorgeous festive fair with local crafts, live music, mulled wine and plenty of seasonal food. Your ticket also includes entry into Wordsworth’s former home and gardens, which makes it extra special.
Taste Christmas Cockermouth – 6th & 7th December 2025
Foodies, this one’s for you! Expect artisan stalls, street food, local producers and live music – basically everything you need for a delicious winter’s weekend!
Santa’s Secret Grotto at Honister Slate Mine – 15th November to 24th December 2025
This is such a unique experience – deep inside the mountain you’ll discover Santa’s grotto. From a bus ride up the fell to exploring tunnels and stumbling upon Santa’s sleigh, it’s magical from start to finish. And new for 2025? Underground sledging! It’s a proper family day out and something the kids will never forget.
World of Beatrix Potter Christmas Events – throughout December 2025
If your children love Beatrix Potter, make sure you head to Bowness-on-Windermere. There are wreath-making workshops for grown-ups, a festive theatre show with Santa (and a gift for every child), plus a magical Snow Queen puppet performance. It’s the kind of cosy, heartwarming day out that makes Christmas extra special.
5. Highlands End Holiday Park, Dorset
If you fancy swapping snow-dusted fells for salty sea air this Christmas, Highlands End Holiday Park on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is a brilliant choice. Perched high on the cliffs, you’ll get sweeping views of the coastline – the kind of scenery that makes you want to wrap up warm, grab a flask of hot chocolate and head out for a bracing coastal walk. The site itself has everything you need for a cosy festive stay: spacious pitches with electric hook-ups, modern facilities, and even an on-site bar and restaurant if you don’t fancy cooking every night. Bridport and Lyme Regis are both close by too, perfect for pottering around Christmas markets and picking up last-minute gifts.
And Dorset really comes alive at Christmas! Here are some of the festive highlights you won’t want to miss:
Illuminate at Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens
Wander through the beautiful gardens after dark as they are transformed with glowing lights, mirror balls, lasers, music and dazzling displays. Expect a glowing courtyard with a giant LED tree, delicious festive food Add in a visit to Father Christmas’s grotto and you’ve got a magical evening out for the whole family. Tickets always sell out quickly, so it is worth booking early.
Visit Father Christmas at Nutley Farm (28th November – 30th December 2025)
This is one of those experiences that feels straight out of a storybook. You’ll be welcomed by the Christmas Elf before a personal meeting with Father Christmas himself. Children can post their letters in the North Pole post box and soak up the atmosphere of the light trail, food stalls, hot chocolate hut and bigger-than-ever marshmallow toasting area. There is festive cheer everywhere you turn and it’s the kind of event that really makes Christmas feel special.
Christmas at Kingston Maurward (weekends from 30th November 2025)
Just outside Dorchester, Kingston Maurward will be transformed into a winter wonderland where children can meet Santa in an enchanting festive. Expect twinkling lights, seasonal entertainment and that magical feeling you only get when Christmas is just around the corner.
Between coastal walks, hearty meals, and these incredible festive events, Highlands End makes a brilliant base for a campervan Christmas by the sea.
This holiday season, trade your traditional festivities for a campervan adventure you'll cherish forever. From the dramatic cliffs of Dorset to the mystical lochs of Scotland and the tranquil beauty of Norfolk and the Lake District, these destinations offer a blend of natural wonders and festive charm. Pack up your campervan (check out The Ultimate Guide to Packing Quickly for a Weekend Campervan Trip and 5 Tips for Easily Packing your Campervan for the Road for handy packing tips), hit the road, and create unforgettable memories as you celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year on wheels.