10 Best Autumn & Winter Campervan Campsites in Southern England (2026/27)
Post 1 of 6 in our UK Autumn & Winter Campervan Series.
Introduction
The kettle works in November too.
So does the van. And southern England gives you plenty of reasons to keep using it: New Forest leaves underfoot, a cathedral market after dark, a Sussex bonfire night that you will still be talking about on the drive home.
This is the slower southern route. A few nights in one place. A walk while there is light. Something good to eat when there isn't. We've picked ten campsites for that sort of trip, from London woodland to a comfortable Devon finish.
There is no price cap in this series. The shortlist is about a worthwhile seasonal stay: ten named bases, each with its opening season, practical details and a direct booking link. Check the season line before falling for a January plan at an autumn-only site.
What will it cost? Follow each site’s booking link for the total for your van, people, dates and pitch. Electric, membership rates and extras can change it. Festival tickets and transport are separate unless a package explicitly includes them.
Quick tools
- Book the pitch: use the official website under each stop, selecting a touring pitch for your actual vehicle and dates.
- Plan a walk: check the local trail information, daylight and UK weather forecast before leaving.
- Check recent access reports: Park4Night can help with recent visitor observations; the operator’s booking and access instructions take priority.
- For an extra en-route stop: members can consult Brit Stops. Handy for breaking up the drive between the longer stays in this guide.
Festivals & seasonal events
Jump to a stop: 1. Abbey Wood · 2. Alderstead Heath · 3. Brighton · 4. Blacklands Farm · 5. Winchester Morn Hill · 6. Setthorns · 7. Longleat · 8. Bath Waterside & Marina · 9. Bath Chew Valley · 10. Cofton Holidays
The route: London → Surrey → Sussex → Winchester → New Forest → Longleat → Bath → Devon
For four nights, choose Abbey Wood, Winchester Morn Hill and Setthorns. For a festive week, pair Winchester with Longleat and Bath, allowing two nights where you have evening tickets. Cofton is the westward extension; there is no need to squeeze Devon into a short city break.
Choose two or three bases for a short break and let yourself settle in. Use the campsite’s own directions for the final approach; that is the part where a little preparation pays off.
1. Abbey Wood (London) — AUTUMN & WINTER
- Postcode: SE2 0LS
- Official website: Site details, opening and booking
- Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
- Type: Wooded touring campsite with hardstanding
- Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
- Season: Autumn & winter — open all year
Local highlights: London outside the window usually means traffic. Here, you get trees. Spend the morning in Lesnes Abbey Woods, then take the Elizabeth line into town for museums, lights and dinner. Greenwich makes another good day out. Book two nights if you can; there is no prize for doing London in an afternoon.
Seasonal draw: Woodland colour by day, London’s lights and museums after dark.
Caveats: Allow time to walk to the station. The site gates are locked overnight; check access arrangements if returning late.
Safety: Use a torch on the return walk and keep to lit streets after dark.
Suggested arrival: After the published 1pm check-in, leaving daylight to find the station.
Etiquette: Keep evening arrivals quiet: this is a wooded campsite, even when the city is still awake.
Photo: Stephen Craven / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0.
2. Alderstead Heath (Surrey) — AUTUMN & WINTER
- Postcode: RH1 3AH
- Official website: Site details, opening and booking
- Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
- Type: Touring campsite beside North Downs countryside
- Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
- Season: Autumn & winter — winter 2026/27 opening announced
Local highlights: Start with the North Downs: a path through the trees, a patch of chalk downland and a flask that is still hot when you finally stop. London is there when you want it, via a transfer to Coulsdon South. This is a useful base for having both kinds of day.
Seasonal draw: North Downs autumn colour, with London available as a day trip.
Caveats: Winter opening is specifically being offered during the Gatwick site redevelopment. Confirm your dates and pitch type.
Safety: Chalk and leaf-covered paths become slippery; choose a shorter loop after heavy rain.
Suggested arrival: Book an afternoon arrival and collect a local walking map before heading out.
Etiquette: Close countryside gates and keep dogs under control around grazing animals.
3. Brighton (East Sussex) — AUTUMN & WINTER
- Postcode: BN2 5TS
- Official website: Site details, opening and booking
- Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
- Type: Hardstanding touring campsite in East Brighton Park
- Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
- Season: Autumn & winter — open all year
Local highlights: Brighton is good company in the colder months. The Lanes, the Pavilion, a long lunch that gets longer when it starts raining. Add a South Downs walk when the sky clears. Lewes brings another side of Sussex: steep streets, independent shops and the bonfire tradition featured below.
Seasonal draw: Town exploring and downland walks, with cafés close enough to rescue a wet afternoon.
Caveats: Plan the bus journey into Brighton. For a Lewes Bonfire break, see the festival section and confirm permitted event-night transport and campsite re-entry before booking.
Safety: Downland paths are exposed in wind. Choose the city when the weather turns.
Suggested arrival: After 1pm, with time to check the evening bus home.
Etiquette: Return quietly and use marked paths through the surrounding park.
Photo: ragespinloss / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0.
4. Blacklands Farm (West Sussex) — AUTUMN & WINTER
- Postcode: BN5 9AT
- Official website: Site details, opening and booking
- Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
- Type: Rural family campsite among meadows and mature trees
- Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
- Season: Autumn & winter — caravans and motorhomes year-round
Local highlights: A Sussex pause near Henfield, with meadows, mature trees and footpaths to give the van a day off. You do not need an elaborate itinerary here. Walk out, come back hungry, cook something slowly. Blacklands makes a useful country stop between the city stays.
Seasonal draw: Oak trees, country walks and a proper change of pace.
Caveats: Year-round motorhome opening does not mean year-round tent camping. Ask which winter pitch surface suits your vehicle.
Safety: Check ground conditions before leaving firm tracks after prolonged rain.
Suggested arrival: In daylight, after agreeing the arrival window with the farm.
Etiquette: Leave access tracks clear and respect the working countryside around the pitches.
5. Winchester Morn Hill (Hampshire) — AUTUMN & WINTER
- Postcode: SO21 1HL
- Official website: Site details, opening and booking
- Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
- Type: Touring campsite with hardstanding outside Winchester
- Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
- Season: Autumn & winter — open all year
Local highlights: Winchester gets the balance right: cathedral streets and Christmas stalls for one day, the River Itchen for another. Morn Hill lets you settle the van first and make an outing of going into town. Leave room in the cupboard for whatever seemed essential at the market.
Seasonal draw: Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, 20 November–22 December 2026.
Caveats: The site is outside the city. Use the operator’s approach directions rather than following every campsite sign or satnav suggestion.
Safety: River paths can be muddy or flooded; turn back if a section is closed.
Suggested arrival: After 1pm; settle in before travelling into Winchester.
Etiquette: Keep muddy boots away from shared washroom floors and take market litter home.
Photo: Des Blenkinsopp / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0.
6. Setthorns (New Forest, Hampshire) — AUTUMN & WINTER
- Postcode: BH25 5WA
- Official website: Site details, opening and booking
- Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
- Type: Forest camping for self-contained vans; electric pitches available
- Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
- Season: Autumn & winter — open all year
Local highlights: Setthorns is the one for the trees. Old railway tracks, forest paths and the sound of very little when you stop walking. Bring the onboard facilities the site requires, then enjoy having your own small home in the woods. Sway or Brockenhurst will supply the café change of scene.
Seasonal draw: Autumn leaves, quiet winter woods and slow mornings among the pines.
Caveats: There are no toilets or showers. Bring the required chemical toilet and follow the site’s approach instructions for your vehicle.
Safety: Watch for roaming animals on forest roads, particularly around dusk.
Suggested arrival: While it is light, allowing time to locate your pitch and service points.
Etiquette: Never feed ponies or wildlife; dispose of toilet waste only at the designated point.
Photo: Jonathan Kington / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0.
7. Longleat (Wiltshire) — AUTUMN & FESTIVE SEASON
- Postcode: BA12 7NL; follow site directions using BA12 7PH
- Official website: Site details, opening and booking
- Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
- Type: Hardstanding touring campsite beside Longleat
- Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
- Season: Autumn & festive season — campsite closes 4 January 2027
Local highlights: Give the Festival of Light a whole evening. Come for the lanterns, take your time, and keep the next morning free of an ambitious drive. Shearwater makes a separate daylight outing for woods and water. The pitch and the attraction tickets are different bookings; line them up first.
Seasonal draw: The Festival of Light runs on selected dates, 7 November 2026–10 January 2027.
Caveats: The campsite closes before the festival finishes. Book a compatible pitch date and separate event tickets.
Safety: Use the marked visitor routes after dark and check the return arrangements before entering the event.
Suggested arrival: After 1pm, well before your timed event booking.
Etiquette: Keep external lights low when returning; other campers may already be asleep.
8. Bath Waterside & Marina (Somerset) — AUTUMN & WINTER
- Postcode: BA1 3JT
- Official website: Site details, opening and booking
- Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
- Type: Hardstanding caravan and motorhome park by the marina
- Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
- Season: Autumn & winter — open all year
Local highlights: Bath after dark earns a place on a winter route. The stone streets, the lit-up chalets, the decision to have one more hot drink before heading back. Stay at Waterside for the more direct city option, then use a dry daylight spell to explore beyond the stalls.
Seasonal draw: Bath Christmas Market, 26 November–13 December 2026.
Caveats: The centre is about two miles away. Check the route and return transport rather than assuming every riverside section is suitable after dark.
Safety: Stay back from the river edge and use an alternative route during flooding.
Suggested arrival: From the published noon check-in, leaving time for a daylight orientation walk.
Etiquette: Respect marina users and keep access routes clear.
Photo: Roy Hughes / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0.
9. Bath Chew Valley (Somerset) — AUTUMN & WINTER
- Postcode: BS39 5TY
- Official website: Site details, opening and booking
- Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
- Type: Adults-only touring park with serviced hardstanding
- Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
- Season: Autumn & winter — open all year
Local highlights: Chew Valley is the quieter Somerset choice: an adults-only base, birds on the lake and time to notice what is happening in the reeds. Bath and Bristol can have a day each if you fancy it. They do not need to take over the trip.
Seasonal draw: Winter birdwatching and a relaxed alternative to staying in Bath itself.
Caveats: Adults only. Check access to individual lake paths and viewing areas; do not assume a complete waterside circuit.
Safety: Carry a torch on village lanes and give wet verges a wide berth.
Suggested arrival: An agreed afternoon check-in, followed by a short local walk.
Etiquette: Keep noise down near birdwatching areas and follow reservoir access signs.
10. Cofton Holidays (Devon) — AUTUMN & WINTER
- Postcode: EX6 8RP
- Official website: Site details, opening and booking
- Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
- Type: Large touring holiday park with woodland and indoor facilities
- Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
- Season: Autumn & winter — book the winter touring offer for your dates
Local highlights: Cofton is useful when you want a Devon break with a bit of comfort behind it. Woodland nearby, Haldon for a separate forest day and Exeter when you want old streets and an indoor afternoon. On a wet week, having options feels like money well spent.
Seasonal draw: Woodland walks, Exeter’s historic centre and a comfortable wet-weather base.
Caveats: Confirm the winter pitch type and which leisure facilities are included or charged separately. Exeter needs a transport plan.
Safety: Choose marked woodland paths and avoid exposed forest sections during strong winds.
Suggested arrival: During the booked check-in window, before dark if possible.
Etiquette: Observe the park’s quiet hours and keep dogs on the designated routes.
Stopover summary
| Stop | Best for | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Abbey Wood (London) | London & woods | Autumn & winter — open all year |
| Alderstead Heath (Surrey) | North Downs | Autumn & winter — winter 2026/27 opening announced |
| Brighton (East Sussex) | Brighton & Sussex | Autumn & winter — open all year |
| Blacklands Farm (West Sussex) | Quiet countryside | Autumn & winter — caravans and motorhomes year-round |
| Winchester Morn Hill (Hampshire) | Cathedral market | Autumn & winter — open all year |
| Setthorns (New Forest, Hampshire) | Forest immersion | Autumn & winter — open all year |
| Longleat (Wiltshire) | Festival of Light | Autumn & festive season — campsite closes 4 January 2027 |
| Bath Waterside & Marina (Somerset) | Bath on foot or by bus | Autumn & winter — open all year |
| Bath Chew Valley (Somerset) | Adults-only wildlife break | Autumn & winter — open all year |
| Cofton Holidays (Devon) | Devon woodland & Exeter | Autumn & winter — book the winter touring offer for your dates |
Festivals worth planning the trip around
A good winter trip can have a big night in it. Pick the occasion first, book a nearby pitch for two nights and leave the following morning pleasantly empty.
Lewes Bonfire — 5 November 2026
Torchlight, drums, bonfires and a town fiercely proud of its traditions. Lewes belongs on the autumn wish list if this is your sort of night. Cliffe Bonfire Society is selling tickets for its 5 November 2026 firesite and fireworks; these admit you to that firesite only.
Make it work: Brighton or Blacklands Farm can be the Sussex campsite part of a planned break, but neither booking solves the event-night journey. Establish a permitted way in and out, and agree your campsite return, before buying tickets. Visit Lewes currently advises against travelling into town for Bonfire Night, with major transport restrictions. Cliffe also says its firesite is unsuitable for children and anyone unable to stand for long periods; no animals are allowed. Check the society's current advice and council travel updates. This is a night to plan properly, rather than turn up for in the van.
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market — 20 November–22 December 2026
The cathedral setting does a lot of the work. Add wooden chalets, something hot to drink and time to browse, and you have a very good reason for a Winchester weekend. Stay at Morn Hill, arrange transport into town and save the River Itchen for the next daylight outing. Official dates and market information.
Longleat Festival of Light — selected dates, 7 November 2026–10 January 2027
Give the lantern trail an evening of its own. The 2026 show, Legendary Worlds, is the big after-dark outing on this part of the route. Match your Longleat pitch to an event ticket: the campsite closes on 4 January, before the show finishes.
Bath Christmas Market — 26 November–13 December 2026
Bath's old streets are made for a slow festive wander. Go for the market, stay for dinner and leave yourself another morning for the city. Waterside is the more direct base; Chew Valley suits an adults-only country stay with the journey arranged. Official market details.
A few things that make a winter stay better
- Get the pitch right. A dry place to park, the facilities you need and clear arrival instructions make the evening easier. Ask what stays open in winter.
- Spend the daylight outside. Arrive while you can see the pitch, keep a torch handy and have a café, museum or good lunch in reserve for a wet day.
- Make room for wet boots. Give muddy kit somewhere to live, use the proper waste points and leave shared washrooms as you'd like to find them.
- Leave a little slack. A shorter walk or another night in the same place can be the best decision of the trip when the weather changes.
Less rummaging. More time outside.
A torch you can find. Kit with a proper home. The small things make a wet evening in the van much easier. Browse our adventure essentials and lights and gadgets before the next trip. Keep room for the good food you find along the way.
Frequently asked questions
Which stops work without relying on beach weather?
Setthorns is the woodland choice; Abbey Wood, Winchester and Bath work for city days. Cofton adds facilities for a Devon stay when the forecast is wet.
Are all ten campsites open throughout winter?
Some are autumn picks; others are ready for the colder months too. The season line tells you which is which. For January or February, check the site’s live calendar before making plans.
Are these recommendations for tents too?
The guide is written for campervans and motorhomes. Some sites also take tents, but winter tent opening and facilities can differ. Check directly before booking.
Why are there no “from” prices?
Because the useful number is the one for your actual stay. A low headline rate can leave out people, electric or the pitch you want. Follow the booking link and compare the whole bill.
Do festival tickets come with the campsite?
Usually you book the pitch and the event separately. Match the dates, sort the journey back and check the campsite gate hours. It is a much nicer evening when that part is already handled.
Campsite opening research checked on 9 September 2026; festival details and photography reviewed on 10 September 2026. Dates awaiting confirmation are marked above. Check live pitch availability, services, prices and the forecast before travelling. Festival photographs show previous editions; landscape photographs illustrate the area, rather than current conditions at your pitch.
Read the rest of the series
- Southern England
- The Midlands
- Northern England
- Wales
- Scotland
- Northern Ireland
Cover photograph from the Van Life Emporium image collection; regional illustration, not a photograph of every listed campsite or current seasonal conditions.