France is a fantastic destination for a touring caravan holiday. Open roads, the relative absence of heavy traffic, wide-open spaces, history, and cuisine, it’s all there!  In this blog, we look at the need-to-know information when driving in France – and we’ll also suggest some travel ideas about where to visit on your next trip to the country.

Just how foreign is it?

Listen to the language, taste the food, and experience some of the local customs and it is likely to hit you pretty early on that France is, indeed, a foreign country – that is all part of the adventure and excitement, after all.

Inevitably, there have been some changes following Britain’s decision formally to leave the EU. But it might come as something of a relief to discover that the rules of the road and the law relating to driving whilst towing a caravan remain broadly the same as at home in the UK – though, of course, you are driving on the other side of the road!

It is imperative that you stick to any local laws and regulations when you travel – falling foul of the law could also invalidate both your motor insurance and the tourer insurance that safeguards your caravan.

What kit will you need?

When driving in France, there are certain things you need to carry on board to be legally compliant. These include:

Warning triangles

• these must be erected in the road behind your vehicle if it has broken down and is on the hard shoulder;
• note that even if it is off the road and on the hard shoulder, you must still erect your warning triangle behind it to indicate to other approaching drivers that a potential hazard is ahead;
• if visibility approaching your stopped vehicle is good, the triangle must be approximately 30 metres behind it and visible to approaching vehicles though not blocking the carriageway, but if visibility is obstructed by a bend, you must place your warning triangle on the other side of the bend so that drivers know there may be an obstacle as they round the corner;

Fluorescent jackets

• ideally there must be a high visibility (fluorescent) vest or jacket for each member of the vehicle;
• if your vehicle breaks down and is partly or fully off the road, passengers must exit the vehicle and stand a safe distance away from it whilst keeping well back from the road;
• all occupants of the vehicle must don their fluorescent vests;

Evidence of insurance

• you will need to carry with you evidence of at least third party insurance for the vehicle you are driving;
• driving licences issued in the UK, the EU and EEA countries are accepted. International driving permits are required in some countries, but, currently, not in France;

Spare bulbs

• you are not legally obliged to carry a spare set of bulbs for your vehicle, points out Auto Bulbs Direct (ABD), but you can be fined if you are driving with a bulb that has failed or is otherwise defective;
• the safest course of action, therefore, is to ensure you have a spare set;

Breathalyser kits

• after years of toing and froing about whether to enforce legislation about drivers carrying a breathalyser kit in their vehicles, the French authorities have finally decided that none is now necessary – though you may wish to carry one just in case;
• beware, however, that the alcohol limit for drivers in France is lower than that in the UK.

Your driving documents

By law in France, all drivers must carry their driving licence and what is effectively their registration document, with them at all times;

Random stops and checks of vehicles and paperwork are perhaps rather more commonplace in France than in the United Kingdom – so be sure you will be able to produce when requested:

• your vehicle’s registration document;
• its MOT certificate;
• the certificate of insurance;
• your driving licence – and, if you have only an old-style paper licence, an International Driving Permit (IDP), too;
• if the vehicle or caravan is not yours, a letter from the owner authorising you to take it abroad within specified dates;
• plus, you’ll need your passport (which should have at least six months left on it);

National identifier plate

• beware that “GB” plates are no longer valid – the correct national identifier is now “UK” for any vehicle registered in the United Kingdom;
• the new national identifier can be incorporated into the vehicle’s registration plate – together with the Union Flag, if you like – but the former designation of “GB” with the gold stars of the Council of Europe is no longer valid. Any of these older designations need to be removed or covered and replaced by the letters “UK”.

Also useful to perhaps have are:

• Camping Card International – If you’re planning to go camping, carrying a Camping Card International is a smart move. It not only serves as extra proof of your identity but also provides third-party liability insurance and offers discounts at a wide range of campsites.
• Clean Air Stickers – When travelling to certain cities, you’re required to display a Crit’Air sticker on your car. It costs from £3.60 (at the time of writing), and drivers without the sticker may face penalties.

Bonus travel tips for your tour de France!

Never knowingly short-changing you with helpful tips and advice, here are some of our bonus travel tips for making the most of any “tour de France”:

Toilet paper

• on French motorways, stopping-off picnic and rest stops (called Aires) are far more commonplace and typically more picturesque than their UK equivalents;
• those that are formal service stations with food and other facilities will have excellent and well-maintained toilet facilities;
• those that are simply picnic spots will have reasonable toilets and water facilities but might be unlikely to have toilet paper;

A Europe-valid bank or credit card

• the tolls at some exits from motorways in France may be entirely unmanned and automatic;
• before being able to leave the motorway, you will need to pay your fees and if you don’t have a card in automatic situations, then this going to cause difficulties, delays, and embarrassment;
• check with your card provider, prior to departure, that you have adequate credit and that your card is valid for use in Europe;

Check for access with overnight stops

• it’s not unusual to see some caravan owners trying to get their vehicle and caravan into totally inadequate hotel car parks when treating themselves to an overnight stay en-route in France;
• remember, if you are using a hotel and not your tourer for en-route accommodation, check with your hotel in advance to make sure that it has caravan access – even some hotels specifically designed for motorway travellers may well be unsuitable;
• also, let your tourer caravan insurer know that you won’t be staying in your caravan overnight, to ensure that full cover remains in place.

Tour de France – destination ideas

The French Riviera, the Loire Valley, Mont Blanc, Paris … there are so many places to choose from when you take a trip to France – so where will you go? Here are just a few ideas to whet your appetite for any tour de France!

Unknown France

France is a vast and beautiful country but some parts of it are rather better known than others.

If you are going on holiday to France at peak times, you may be interested in a caravan tourer route where you may be less likely to find other British caravanners:

Avranches to Ducey

• if you disembark at one of the north-western French ports, why not take a drive towards the town of Avranches;
• this is very close to Mont St Michel and occupies a hilltop – it has a great ruined castle to explore, some nice old buildings, a pleasant public garden and something called The Scriptorial, which is an incredible museum housing ancient Normandy documents going back over 1000 years;
• head from there to the small village of Ducey – a nice place for lunch and you can also explore the small but charming local chateau;

Ducey to Mayenne

• a relatively short drive will take you to the very pretty town of Mayenne;
• this has a lovely chateau and museum on cliffs overlooking the river and you can hire a boat to explore stretches of the river through the town and into the countryside;

Mayenne to Laval

• Laval is the departmental capital of La Mayenne in France;
• it is a very pleasant town which offers an old quarter to explore with winding streets and ancient buildings;
• it, too, has a chateau overlooking the river, some nice eating places and if you need some retail therapy, some reasonably good and chic shopping;

Laval to Angers

• Angers is a very impressive town on the side of another major river and has some truly lovely streets, buildings, and a very impressive castle;
• in the medieval period, this town was once arguably as important if not more so than Paris and this shows today in some of its layout;

Angers to Chinon

• this route makes for a very pleasant drive through parts of the Loire Valley and the town of Chinon and surrounding villages.

Northern France

If you are touring north-western France in your caravan, there are still other less well-known places, including the following:

1. Bagnoles sur l’Orne. This is a small spa and lakeside town amongst some very pretty cliffs and hills in the Orne department of Normandy. It has a very genteel feeling to it, some great walking and climbing opportunities, the casino where you can try your luck, and you can even hire a pedalo on the local lake;
2. Chateau-Gontier. Sitting in another southern part of the La Mayenne department, this is a very pretty town with some impressive buildings overlooking the river. The surrounding countryside is also very attractive in a gentle way and while you are in the area you can visit the very large animal sanctuary and the local abandoned Roman town of Jublains;
3. Redon. This is a very appealing town in eastern Brittany with some lovely old ecclesiastical architecture in the centre. Even more attractive is the fact that it is at the junction point of a large canal and river system meaning that it is a popular stopping off point for river cruisers and longboats;
4. Jallouville and south to Avranches. Some of the beaches on the western Cotentin peninsular of Normandy are stunningly beautiful and often completely isolated. If you like quiet beaches and small towns, this area may be for you – though it is worth noting that the tide can go out a very long way here and the sea, at such times, may be almost invisible! Some care must be taken before walking across the sands when the tide is out due to quicksand and should be avoided by pedestrians and vehicles alike – unless accompanied by a local professional expert;
5. Nantes. This is one of the largest cities in France and may not perhaps immediately have occurred to you as being a natural holiday touring spot. But it is a fascinating city with a wealth of attractions and an incredibly important chateau at the centre. Of course, roads in the centre may not be ideal for the caravan but if you are parked up somewhere in the area, the city centre is well worth a visit;
6. Villedieu-Les-Poêles. This is a small town nestling in the Normandy countryside of France, but it is also famous as a centre of copper kitchen utensil production. It is a very pretty town in its own right but the multitude of shops selling copper items makes it even more so. While you are there, remember to visit the bell foundry in the centre of town, where they continue to make bells for churches around the world and all the bells for the ships of the French Navy.

We hope you find this blog both full of useful information and good for travel ideas in France. Bon voyage!

Further reading: Guide to caravanning in France.

Please note that this information is based on our current understanding of the laws in the UK and the country you are travelling to. Laws can change, so please always check well before travelling with the relevant authorities to make sure you are legal. We cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions in this article.

Since the curbs on foreign travel and the surge in “staycations” during the pandemic, touring caravans have featured in a steady stream of UK news stories.

The underlying message has highlighted not only the caravan’s growing popularity but also a range of innovative developments within the industry itself. Here we discuss what’s in store for caravanners in 2025 …

Innovative caravan designs

A recent news story helped to unveil the possible shape of things to come – from the iconic Italian motor designer Pininfarina no less.

The concept caravan has an expandable core body and is variously described as a “home trailer” for towing, a static “home unit”, or a “drivable home”.

Although it currently goes by the somewhat inelegant name of the AI Transformer Home Trailer (or AI-THt), Pininfarina’s offering is a stylish and luxurious-home-from home, with interior dimensions of up to around 400 square feet.

With all the home comforts of a living room, office, bedroom (with fitted wardrobe), and appliances and water heaters powered by solar panels installed on the roof, this futuristic caravan cleverly combines comfort, innovative design, and integrated advanced technology to give us a glimpse of things to come in the caravanning world.

Celebs enjoying caravan holidays

An upsurge in the popularity of caravan holidays is no idle boast! The Sun newspaper featured five well-known British celebrities who have enjoyed caravan-based holidays recently. From Premier League footballers to television personalities, these include:

• Stacey Solomon – X Factor contestant and TV personality Stacey Solomon and her husband, Joe Swash, treated their young family to an action-packed break at Kent Coast Haven holiday park near Rochester;

• Harry Maguire – the ace footballer and long-time face of Premier League Manchester United also swapped the glamour of the pitch for a caravan holiday at Presthaven Sands in North Wales;

• Carol Vorderman – even the glamorous Carol Vorderman likes the comfort of her well-equipped motorhome to explore the country’s highways and byways;

• Helen Baxendale – you might still recognise this actress from her brief appearance as Emily in the American hit comedy Friends, but nowadays she’s given up the hotels near to film sets and exchanged them for relaxing caravan holidays; and

• Lorraine Kelley – among these famous names, Lorraine probably has the longest pedigree as a caravan enthusiast. It’s been 10 years and counting since the TV presenter was voted the best-loved caravan companion.

Economic considerations

Indulging a passion for caravan holidays doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg – as a story in the Irish Sun recently makes crystal clear.

Hayley Rubery and her partner spent the princely sum of £500 on the purchase of a clearly well-used and somewhat mouldy second-hand caravan – and transformed it into a more-than-comfortable and affordable holiday home.

Careful buys from budget stores such as Matalan, Poundland, and B&M kept the cost of refurbishing the trailer to the very minimum and they can now enjoy the comfort, mobility, and cost-effectiveness of their holiday home on wheels.

A very positive industry outlook

What kind of outlook can we expect for the caravan industry in the year ahead?

Out and About Live cites the views of one Shrewsbury-based industry insider who predicts an especially buoyant and active 2025, putting this down to an increased demand across the country for staycations and a quest for escapism.

What’s in store for the caravanning industry?

Whatever the combination of reasons driving the current upsurge in popularity, these brief stories illustrate the contribution made by advances in technology and design, shifts in consumer preferences for holidays in this country, and opportunities for flexible breaks away from home at affordable prices.

These winter months are often the cruellest of times – a glimpse of the sun, you’re rearing to go, then the skies ominously cloud over again. Thank heavens for our regular review of the latest UK caravan news to lighten your day.

While winter’s been sleeping, therefore, let’s look at some of the news on the caravanning front and events you can look forward to in the season ahead.

The UK’s longest-running caravan festival to feature top music acts, kids’ clubs, and a dog show

Members of the caravanning fraternity tend to like nothing better than a good festival. One of the oldest and longest-running of these returns to Cheshire towards the end of May.

Now in its 90th year, the Caravan And Motorhome Club’s ClubFest will be held against the sumptuous backdrop of Bolesworth Castle from the 23^rd to the 27^th of that month.

Not only is ClubFest one of the best-loved events on the caravanner’s calendar, but this year there’s even more action planned – so there should be something for everyone whatever their age during the 5-day festival. These include show-stopping musical acts – the Lightning Seeds and Boyzlife, together with a roll-call of tribute acts such as Go Your Own Way and Oasish.

The Kids’ Club will tap into the boundless energy of children as they clamour for face painting and art sessions or try their hand at balloon modelling or science experiments.

For the grown-ups there is archery and axe-throwing. When you’re in need of some quiet relaxation, there will be yoga classes around the lake.

UK Government said to be planning electric car loan subsidies to push sales

Have you noticed that the initial enthusiasm for electric vehicles (EVs) seems to be on the wane somewhat?

In an attempt to revive consumer excitement and help to meet net-zero targets, the government is discussing ways in which it can subsidise the purchase of EVs by subsidising or guaranteeing loans, according to the Guardian newspaper recently.

The prospect of interest-free or low-interest loans would be welcomed by EV motor manufacturers – and, of course, the customers who are in the market for such cars.

National forest walking festival returns

Your caravan is your home in the great outdoors. What better way to enjoy that freedom than a walk through one of England’s great forests?

The popular National Forest walking festival celebrates its 16^th year throughout the 10 days from the 16^th to the 26^th of May, Out and About Live has announced.

The National Forest covers 200 square miles across the Midland counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire, linking the ancient woodlands of Needwood and Charnwood – restoring a living breathing green landscape to what was once heavily industrialised and scarred by coal mining.

The walks are by no means gruelling – more than 20 of them are less than 3 miles and perfectly suited even for those with limited mobility or families with young children.

Motorhomes and seatbelt laws

How well do you know what the law says about wearing seatbelts in your motorhome? For the safety of you and your passengers – not to mention the risk of prosecution or penalties – it’s as well to make sure you’re familiar with the rules, urged a story in the Caravan Times on the 23^rd of January.

Any motorhome manufactured after 2006 – the majority, therefore – has the same seatbelt rules as your car. In other words, the driver and those in seats designated for passengers must always wear a 3-point seatbelt. Passengers in other seats in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt with at least 2 fixed points.

For motorhomes built after the 1^st of October 1988 but before 2006, the 3-point seatbelt rules apply only to forward-facing passengers while others are advised to use at least a 2-point seatbelt.

It is only in older motorhomes that you’re likely to find side-facing seats and it is generally inadvisable to travel while seated in them.

Any child (below the age of 12 or less than 4ft 4in in height) must travel in a seat with a 3-point seatbelt.

The outdoor life is all very well – if only it wasn’t so exhausting!

Caravan owners have for a long time made the most of their love for a healthy outdoors lifestyle clear by taking a bicycle or two with them on their outings and holidays. Rides in the countryside – or even a quick trip to the farm shop for that extra pint of milk – nicely round out any caravan adventure.

If you are navigating the hills and valleys of the gloriously rolling English countryside, though, pushing those pedals around can get pretty tiring.

That’s where an electrically-powered bicycle – an e-bike – can come to your rescue, providing many of the benefits without quite so much pain.

A wider choice than you might have imagined

You might have thought that it was simply a question of choosing a bike with or without any power-assistance. How wrong you would be. If you are opting for a more comfortable ride, electric bikes these days come in all shapes and sizes, designed for all manner of users, which can be carried by large caravans and small.

So, here are just some of the considerations you might want to keep in mind when choosing your e-bike:

Crank or hub?

• for a machine as simple and straight forward as a bike, it might seem strange to dive straight in with the technical terms – but choosing between a crank or hub drive can be one of those critical first decisions;
• just as the term suggests, a crank drive applies electric power to the crank which turns as you pedal – it’s also called a “mid-drive” – and, as you’ll notice when climbing hills, is an especially efficient motor;
• a hub drive drives the hub, of course – and are smaller and lighter, so, may influence your choice on those features alone;

Pedal assist or throttle?

E-bikes work in two ways:

• pedal assist means the motor kicks in when you pedal, making the ride feel more natural;
• throttle control allows you to move without pedalling;

Mountain bike or roadster?

• just as with bikes that have no electric assistance at all, there is a huge range available when it comes to the type of bike you choose – regular, on-street bicycles to off-road mountain bikes, or hybrids of the two;
• power-assisted or not, a mountain bike works very well indeed when you are negotiating off-road terrain – it can be more than usually hard work to ride one on paved roads;
• only set your heart on a rugged-looking mountain bike, therefore, if most of your cycling is going to be off-road – if not, save yourself unnecessary effort, and cash, by investing in a regular roadster;

Power-to-weight and size

• the amount of power needed for your bicycle depends on how you intend to use it – in challenging off-road conditions, of course, you are likely to need more power;
• but more power is also likely to mean greater weight and size – making your e-bike potentially more difficult to transport within the confines of your caravan, on a roof-rack or strapped to an external rack;

Folding e-bikes

• an answer to the size problem is to buy a folding e-bike;
• as an article on the website We Love Camping explains, a folding electric bike solves the problems of stowing and transporting a bicycle in a way that keeps it securely locked away from the hands of thieves.

Check the battery life and range

The bigger the battery, the further your bike will go on a single charge. Battery capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh), and the most appropriate one for you depends on how far you plan to ride:

• for short rides (10-20 miles), a 250Wh-400Wh battery should be enough;
• for longer journeys (30 miles or more), a 500Wh battery or higher is a better option;
• removable batteries can be charged separately, which is useful if you store your bike outside;

Choose the right frame and wheels

• lightweight aluminium or carbon fibre frames make the bike easier to handle;
• larger wheels (28”-29”) roll better on roads, while smaller wheels (20”-26”) are good for folding bikes or rough terrain;

Brakes matter for safety

With the extra weight and speed of an e-bike, good brakes are essential:

• hydraulic disc brakes may offer the best stopping power in all weather conditions;
• mechanical disc brakes are a cheaper alternative but require more effort to use;
• rim brakes are common on budget bikes but don’t perform as well in wet weather.

Find a comfortable riding position

Comfort is key, especially for longer rides. Step-through frames make it easier to get on and off the bike while adjustable handlebars and seats help you find the best riding position. Suspension forks absorb bumps, which is useful if you’ll be riding on uneven roads or trails.

Look for useful features

Some extras can make your rides safer and more enjoyable:

• built-in lights and reflectors improve visibility;
• mudguards and racks make commuting more practical;
• GPS tracking and strong locks help prevent theft;
• digital displays let you monitor speed, battery level, and distance;

Test ride and compare models

• try different bikes to see what feels best for you.
• look for reputable brands that offer good warranties and support.
• read customer reviews to check reliability and performance.

Final thoughts

An electric bike gives you all the joys of cycling while on holidays in your caravan – without so much pain in pushing the pedals. As we’ve explained, however, there are a number of points you might want to consider before settling on your choice of e-bike. By considering the motor, battery, frame, and safety features, you’ll hopefully find a bike that makes your journeys easier and more enjoyable.

Further reading: Read about UK e-bike laws here

Date of Visit:     December 2024

Overall View

This is a Camping and Caravan Club site in Winchcombe in the North of the Cotswolds, near Tewkesbury to the West and Evesham and Broadway to the East.

Access is straightforward, either from the A46 or the M5, Junction 9 – please have a look at the Site Arrival Video.   

The site is level, surrounding a deep, fishing lake in the middle of the site, there is a fence round half of the lake but care will be required with little ones and your pets.  There is a path to walk round and there are fishing bays.

Facilities

This is a full facilities, members only site, offering a range of pitch types, both hardstanding, grass and electric hookup and non-electric hookups numbering a total of 80 pitches. There are no fully serviced pitches.

It is usually open from March to January.

There is a Reception, stocking the basics including caravan consumable supplies.  There is a laundry and well stocked information room in this block by the entrance.  At the time of writing, the one washing machine and one dryer cost £4.50 for a full load and £1 per 20 minutes drying time.  There are sinks and an ironing board and iron costing 20p per use,  We found the facility to be of a very good standard indeed.  The information room was very well stocked and contained all the local information you might want.

The site is secured using a rising barrier and passcode.  It is locked between 11pm and 7am each night, however, there is a large car park in which to park if you return outside of these times.

In the other block, adjacent to the Reception block is an amenities facility.  Here you will find a resident’s lounge with a pool table, a range of board games for you to borrow or play there.  There is a TV as well.  There are plenty of comfy seats to sit in if you wish.

Alongside this are the toilet, shower and dishwashing facilities.  There are toilets/showers for men, women, family room and accessible room, RADAR key required.  These comprise the usual facilities but should be noted that there are no shower curtains in any of the rooms.  In the men and women rooms, the showers are of the push button, time limited variety.  This is not the case in both the family room and accessible room where a normal shower is available.  Cleaning times are between the hours of roughly 10:30am and 12 noon.  During that time it is not allowed to use the accessible and family room other than for toilet usage only.  They were kept immaculately clean at all times.

There is also a semi open aired dishwashing area with the sole CDP at the end in an enclosed room, access is completely separate.  Again, all kept to a very high standard indeed.

There are water filling up points dotted around the site and these also include grey waste water disposal points.  The sole rubbish disposal point is to the side of the CDP and rubbish is not required to be separated for recycling.  There are a number of dog waste points around the site.

There is a main dog walking area but as it is not secure, leads are required at all times.  Unfortunately, during our stay it was not safe to use this area due to the very deep mud area leading up to and just inside the entrance.

There is also a public footpath which runs to the site and the bottom of the site which is clearly waymarked.

Finally, there is a separate area which comprises lodges, either privately owned or available for hire.  There is an additional rising barrier and passcode required.

Review of Site Pitch

The site is predominantly level and the pitches are well drained covered in Cotswold stone.  Most hard standings will permit either a caravan, motorhome and an awning.  There are car parking areas spread around the site for people to use if they are unable to park on their pitch.

As we were pitched overlooking the lake, we were allowed to pitch front in and we had a lovely view as a result.  The pool is oxygenated each day from about 10am to 4pm.  It is not very noisy and we did not find it at all disturbing.

The site is alongside the B4077 – this can be busy during the day but not overly intrusive. 

There is free Wi-Fi on site, provided by the club. Good enough for emails, general browsing and social media. Mobile wise EE was particularly strong up to 5G inside and out. Three offered 4G but struggled to stream video, Vodafone indicated good 4G indoors and out, as did O2.

TV reception was reasonable with some deterioration depending on the weather conditions and was worse at night.

Out and About

There nearest bus stop is over a mile away, the nearest train station is in Cheltenham.

Vets – there is a comprehensive list in the Information room

For groceries there is a Budgens at Toddington, approximately 2.5 miles away. Additionally there is a Lidl and Co-op at Bishops Cleeve, just under 8 miles away. Bigger supermarkets can be found in Cheltenham.

For fuel the best price locally was Morrisons and Gulf, on the way to Tewksbury after crossing the M5. Plenty of options in Cheltenham too.

Do and See

Winchcombe site benefits from good access and is well placed for the North of the Cotswolds, Vale of Evesham and over to Tewkesbury and slightly further afield to Gloucester. 

www.cotswolds.info/ 

This website is a general one for the whole of the Cotswold area and further to the South of the Cotswold and is a good starting point. 

https://www.visittewkesbury.info

https://www.visitgloucester.co.uk

https://www.visitevesham.co.uk

There is a particularly pleasant, fully accessible walk along the River Avon in Tewkesbury.  It starts in Victoria Gardens where there is a car park, with free accessible parking, toilet facilities and winds its way along the River – there are historical boards along the way explaining what you are seeing.  It is also possible to cross a small bridge onto an island – this is not accessible, nor is the route advised after point No. 6.  However, turning right up the alleyway brings you onto the High Street and turning right will bring to a coffee shop – No.7.  It comes highly recommended, accessible with facilities and allows dogs in too – especially welcome on a very cold Boxing Day morning.  One note of caution though, the area floods regularly and at certain times of the year, it is recommended that you check before setting off.  Wellingtons are a must if you go after a flood as it can be quite muddy on the pavements afterwards.   

https://www.victoriagardenstewkesbury.co.uk

In terms of food, there are a couple of places we visited which we enjoyed.  The first and probably the nearest is Ye Olde Hobnails Inn dating from 1492. 

The other pub is in Cheltenham itself, plenty of free accessible parking throughout the town centre and clearly  marked.  The Old Courthouse is a Brunning and Price pub/restaurant in stunning surroundings.  The Everyman Theatre is but a stones throw away if you wish to combine the two.  The pub is totally dog friendly, as are all their pubs.  Superb food, ambience and service.

In terms of Winchcombe and nearby Toddington – these are both stations on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway.  Both have cafes and visitors are welcome whether you use the trains or not. 

Another place to spend a day for all the family, including a rainy day, is the Cotswold Farm Park run by Adam Henson of BBC Countryfile fame.  There are both indoor and outdoor activities, a cafe, shop and full facilities.  In wet weather, sensible footwear is advised. 

Summary

We were staying over the Christmas and New Year fortnight.  Whilst it was quiet over the Christmas Day, the site is now virtually full until after New Years Day when it closes on 3 January 2025 until the spring.  The Wardens were always very friendly, approachable, and willing to help where requested.  It was our first time staying on a full site – we have found their offering to be very acceptable indeed and we would both return to this site in warmer weather and consider other CCC sites in the future.

A very tidy and well kept site which is a credit to the Wardens.