Certificated Location (CL) of the Year winners 2024 announced by the Caravan and Motorhome Club

(15 October 2024) Six campsites across the UK have won in this year’s Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Certificated Location (CL) of the Year 2024 Awards for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as best newcomer and the Sustainability Award that recognises valuable work being undertaken to protect the environment.

The awards celebrate privately-owned, maximum five-pitch campsites CLs – that are open exclusively to Caravan and Motorhome Club members. Many CLs are found in the countryside and remote locations such as farms, country estates and inns, providing a valuable and additional income stream for the campsite’s owners and local communities, whilst offering more choice for Club members to get out in the great outdoors.

This year’s winners include:

Best CL in Wales & Overall CL Winner: Brambles in Anglesey

Brambles is the only campsite to win two categories in this year’s CL awards. The adult-only campsite is perfect for those looking for beach, waterside or peaceful stays. It is owned by Eric and Sue Marchbanks, avid caravanners themselves, who are members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club and have travelled far and wide in their motorhome, as far as Czechoslovakia. The campsite offers scenic walkways among three ponds, trees and shrubs, perfect for dog walkers and offers plenty of wildlife for those who like to get close to nature, tourers can expect to find red squirrels, rabbits and ravens. Owner, Eric comments: “Winning an award is recognition that we are making guests happy and they are wanting to stay here and are enjoying the area surrounding us.”

Best CL in England North: Drake House Farm in Lancashire

Drake House Farm is owned by Ann Chippendale and is located in the Ribble Valley just three miles from the market town of Clitheroe. The campsite is known for its gorgeous views, excellent dog walks and wildlife. The campsite has peaceful pitches, is an area of outstanding beauty, with its own woodland with a brook. Owner, Ann Chippendale comments: “It truly is a beautiful location, it’s like the Lake District without the crowds”.

Best CL in England South: Goodleigh Hill in Worcestershire

Goodleigh Hill is situated in an ideal spot to explore South Worcestershire and the North Cotswolds. The campsite is known for its scenic views, dog walks and its convenient location to nearby local eateries and pubs and a short walk to the town of Pershore. Owners, Matthew and Emily Horton, have ensured the CL is peaceful and clean. It is convenient for those who want to explore the beautiful Malvern Hills and the Malvern Spring. Emily comments: “Matthew really wanted to help increase the biodiversity here, and he saw that creating a CL that is viable in the fabulous rural countryside would allow him to fulfil his ideas and increase wildlife here.”

Best CL in Scotland & Northern Ireland: Firbank Park in Aberdeenshire

Firbank Park is set in the beautiful Royal Deeside within Cairngorms National Park, perfect for those who enjoy nature and tranquillity. The five-acre campsite has hardstanding pitches that are spaced out and each pitch offers an electric hook up and their own fresh water source. The campsite, owned by Archie and Justine Buchanan, is close to an abundance of walking trails, cycling tracks, and Munros (mountains at least 3,000 ft high) to climb. Additionally, fishing and horse riding are available on the nearby Glen Tanar Estate. Archie comments: “We have built somewhere that we would want to go to, so we’re hoping that other people will like that as well, and it seems to be the case. It’s like being on our holidays.”

Best Newcomer is The Courts in Essex

The Courts campsite, owned by Paul and Collette Murphy, is set in the serene woodlands of Little Baddow and is great for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Tourers can access a multitude of forest rambles and embrace the local wildlife, head off on their bikes for an off-road adventure or visit the local dock for boat rides, canoeing and paddle boarding. Despite the area’s rural setting, Little Baddow is also close to several larger towns and cities, including Maldon and Chelmsford. Owner, Paul Murphy comments: “We have lovely walks through ancient woods directly from the site. We’ve got a local pub, local restaurant, paddleboarding and the river nearby so we have a lot to offer.”

Sustainability Award: Birch Hill in Shropshire

Birch Hill campsite is located in the beautiful lake-lands of Shropshire. The campsite, owned by Major Ian and Janet Kelly, was established over 40 years ago and over the years has received various awards. This is the 2nd year for the Sustainability Award and Birch Hill has been recognised in this category for its Dark Skies initiative, local links with shops, restaurants and pubs, promotion of formaldehyde-free chemicals on site, and use of renewable energy and water consumption controls. The campsite is on one of the main Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle routes and Ellesmere is also a great spot for country walks, dog walking and bird watching. Owner, Major Ian Kelly comments: “Sustainability is not just about what we do around the site, but it’s also about what our guests do – whether it is efficient recycling or helping our local economy, it’s important to note that they’re the ones helping to keep our local shops alive for us.”

The Caravan and Motorhome Club is able to grant certificates to landowners to operate CLs due to the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act (1960). Members nominate their favourite site for the CL of the Year Awards, recognising the best in the country and rewarding hard-working owners who go above and beyond for guests.

Nick Lomas, Director of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “Certificated Locations provide Club members with an incredible opportunity to access a plethora of campsites located in quieter, rural areas.

“We would like to thank our CL owners for the hard work they do, and these awards are a way to give back and celebrate their efforts for going above and beyond to ensure that guests have a positive stay. I would like to congratulate all the winners for their great work and look forward to seeing what the next few months will bring to the CLs and our members.”

For small businesses anywhere in the UK and Northern Ireland such as a pub, a farm or a golf course with an expanse of land that would fit up to five caravan or motorhomes, registering via the Caravan and Motorhome Club is easy. Owning a CL can be a hugely gratifying experience and anyone with enough land can apply.

For further information about becoming a member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club or to book, please visit www.camc.com or call 01342 318 813.