10 Best Autumn & Winter Campervan Campsites in Northern Ireland (2026/27)

Post 6 of 6 in our UK Autumn & Winter Campervan Series.

Introduction

Start with the woods. Work in a city evening. Leave time for the loughs.

Northern Ireland makes a good autumn and winter van trip because those things sit within reach of each other. You can have Belfast one day, river paths beneath the Mournes the next, then a quieter stretch beside Lough Erne.

These ten bases are for that mix. Some keep their full campsite offer, others switch to a simpler winter aire. Choose the pitch that gives you what you need, then spend the daylight on the good bit.

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.

The route: Dundonald → Castle Ward → Castlewellan in autumn → Tollymore → Clare Glen → Gosford → Glenpark → Castle Archdale → Draperstown → Antrim

For four nights, pair Dundonald with Tollymore. For a longer autumn trip, add Castle Ward and Gosford, then choose either Tyrone or Fermanagh rather than racing around both. In winter, remove Castlewellan and Six Mile Water from dates they do not operate, and check the service changes at Dundonald and Castle Archdale.

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. Dundonald Touring Park (County Down) — AUTUMN & WINTER

• Postcode: BT16 1XT
• Official website: Site details, opening and booking
• Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
• Type: Full touring park in season; serviced motorhome aire in winter
• Cost: Paid pitch or winter aire; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
• Season: Autumn & winter — winter aire from November to mid-March

Local highlights: Dundonald is the Belfast base that gets the practical job done. Go into the city for food, museums and the Christmas market, then use the Comber Greenway for a daylight walk or cycle. In winter, bring your own onboard facilities. The city can provide the evening out.

Seasonal draw: Belfast access and greenway outings through the colder months.

Caveats: The winter aire keeps electric, water and waste services, but the amenities block closes. A self-contained van is essential.

Safety: Plan your return transport from Belfast and use lights on the greenway after dusk.

Suggested arrival: Within the booked arrival window, before travelling into the city.

Etiquette: Use onboard facilities in winter and empty waste only at the authorised points.

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2. Castle Ward (County Down) — AUTUMN & WINTER

• Postcode: BT30 7BA for the estate approach; follow campsite instructions
• Official website: Site details, opening and booking
• Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
• Type: National Trust touring pitches on the estate
• Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
• Season: Autumn & winter — open to 23 December 2026; 2027 dates not yet published

Local highlights: Castle Ward gives you woods and Strangford Lough in the same stay. Follow an estate trail, spend time watching the water and make Strangford village a separate outing. The appeal is having enough close by to stay put for a while.

Seasonal draw: Woodland colour and winter wildlife around Strangford Lough.

Caveats: Check campsite access instructions: the entrance has a height restriction of about 2.95m. House opening and estate attractions are separate checks.

Safety: Keep back from the water in rough weather and follow signed trail closures.

Suggested arrival: At an agreed daylight time, with reception and gate arrangements confirmed.

Etiquette: Stay on authorised trails and give wintering birds space.

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3. Castlewellan Forest Park (County Down) — AUTUMN ONLY

• Postcode: BT31 9BU
• Official website: Site details, opening and booking
• Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
• Type: Council forest-park touring campsite
• Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
• Season: Autumn only — selected October dates through 31 October 2026

Local highlights: Catch Castlewellan while the autumn touring dates are open. The lake, arboretum and Peace Maze are a good reason to leave the van alone for the day. Take a slow lap through the trees. October does some of its best work here.

Seasonal draw: Arboretum colour, woodland and a lake-side day out.

Caveats: The 2026 booking calendar has selected October openings, including 23–31 October. Do not assume November–January camping.

Safety: Take care on leaf-covered paths and stay clear of lake edges in wind.

Suggested arrival: In daylight within the booked check-in period.

Etiquette: Share paths with other forest users and follow the park’s dog rules.

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4. Tollymore Forest Park (County Down) — AUTUMN & WINTER

• Postcode: BT33 0PW
• Official website: Site details, opening and booking
• Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
• Type: Forest touring campsite with electric pitch options
• Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
• Season: Autumn & winter — camping open all year

Local highlights: Tollymore is the forest stop we'd give a full day. Follow the Shimna, find the old stone bridges and choose another short loop if there is light left. The Mournes are the backdrop. The trees and river can be the whole plan.

Seasonal draw: River woodland, autumn colour and quiet winter forest walks.

Caveats: Reserve through the official forest booking service and check which pitch services you are booking.

Safety: River rocks and bridges can be slippery; keep to the trails and respect storm closures.

Suggested arrival: In the afternoon, before setting off on a first short loop.

Etiquette: Leave fallen wood and natural material in the forest; take your rubbish away.

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5. Clare Glen (County Armagh) — AUTUMN & WINTER

• Postcode: BT62 2ET
• Official website: Site details, opening and booking
• Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
• Type: Small council caravan park beside a wooded glen
• Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
• Season: Autumn & winter — open year-round apart from a Christmas closure

Local highlights: Clare Glen is for a smaller sort of day. Walk beside the River Cusher, come back for lunch and decide whether you need another outing at all. It is a good place to take the hurry out of the trip.

Seasonal draw: Glen woodland and short, unhurried winter outings.

Caveats: Confirm the three-day Christmas closure and the gate or access arrangements with the booking team.

Safety: Wet leaves and river-edge paths need care; carry a torch even for an afternoon walk.

Suggested arrival: At the agreed daylight arrival time, with access details already to hand.

Etiquette: Keep the glen peaceful and leave riverside wildlife undisturbed.

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6. Gosford Forest Park (County Armagh) — AUTUMN & WINTER

• Postcode: BT60 1GD
• Official website: Site details, opening and booking
• Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
• Type: Council forest touring park with hardstanding and electric options
• Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
• Season: Autumn & winter — year-round touring offered

Local highlights: Make Gosford the woodland half of an Armagh break. Spend a day among the trees, then go into the city for the Georgian Festival when the programme fits. Country mornings and a town dressed for an occasion make a good pairing.

Seasonal draw: Armagh Georgian Festival: a late-autumn outing, subject to the confirmed 2026 programme.

Caveats: Awnings are not allowed from 1 November to 15 March. Confirm holiday access and your chosen pitch services.

Safety: Keep a respectful distance from deer and avoid forest walks in high winds.

Suggested arrival: In daylight, before your planned city or forest outing.

Etiquette: Observe the winter awning rule and keep dogs controlled around wildlife.

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7. Glenpark Estate (County Tyrone) — AUTUMN & WINTER

• Postcode: BT79 7UG
• Official website: Site details, opening and booking
• Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
• Type: Estate touring pitches with water and electric
• Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
• Season: Autumn & winter — touring open all year

Local highlights: Glenpark gives you an inland Tyrone pause, with Gortin Glen Forest for a separate day out and Omagh when you want town. Choose a walk that fits the weather and keep something good in the van for afterwards. There is no need to make this leg complicated.

Seasonal draw: Estate surroundings and Gortin Glen woodland.

Caveats: Estate visitor admission is separate from the touring pitch. Check the current package before assuming walks or attractions are included.

Safety: Check forest access after storms and avoid unlit rural road walks.

Suggested arrival: Within the booked afternoon window, allowing time to understand estate access.

Etiquette: Respect the difference between touring areas and ticketed visitor areas.

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8. Castle Archdale (County Fermanagh) — AUTUMN & WINTER

• Postcode: BT94 1PP
• Official website: Site details, opening and booking
• Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
• Type: Seasonal touring park switching to a winter motorhome aire
• Cost: Paid pitch or winter aire; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
• Season: Autumn & winter — winter aire offered November–February

Local highlights: Lough Erne is worth the westward leg for woods, birds and a quieter landscape. Put Castle Archdale on the route, give Enniskillen a town day and leave the rest reasonably loose. A changing sky over the lough can hold your attention for quite a while.

Seasonal draw: Lough Erne wildlife and wooded lakeside scenery.

Caveats: The winter aire is a different offer from the main touring season. Confirm exactly which services are available and travel self-contained.

Safety: Stay away from exposed lough edges in strong winds and follow forest notices.

Suggested arrival: A confirmed daylight arrival, before exploring the grounds.

Etiquette: Use the designated aire spaces and authorised waste services.

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9. The Shepherds Rest (County Londonderry) — AUTUMN ONLY

• Postcode: BT45 7BH
• Official website: Site details, opening and booking
• Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
• Type: Rural campsite in the Sperrins area
• Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
• Season: Autumn only — published season runs 1 March to 31 October

Local highlights: Base yourself near Draperstown for the Sperrins and a separate outing to Davagh Forest. A booked dark-sky experience gives a clear evening something special. The pub does not currently serve meals, so bring dinner. The stars, if they appear, can look after the entertainment.

Seasonal draw: Forest walks and the chance of a dark-sky evening.

Caveats: Confirm festive opening beyond 10 December directly. Do not plan on a pub meal: the operator says no food and private-function pub use only.

Safety: Book evening transport or plan the drive before dark; rural roads are unlit.

Suggested arrival: An agreed afternoon arrival, before any forest or evening outing.

Etiquette: Keep exterior lights low and avoid disturbing neighbouring campers.

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10. Six Mile Water (County Antrim) — AUTUMN & NOVEMBER WEEKENDS

• Postcode: BT41 4DG
• Official website: Site details, opening and booking
• Map: Locate this stop — follow the operator’s vehicle approach instructions.
• Type: Council touring park beside the Lough Neagh area
• Cost: Paid touring pitch; check the linked booking page for your dates, party and required services.
• Season: Autumn & November weekends — not a December–January option

Local highlights: Antrim is a useful last autumn stop before Belfast or the ferry. Give the Castle Gardens a proper wander, then take a separate daylight outing towards Lough Neagh. A gentle finish is often better than one more ambitious detour.

Seasonal draw: Gardens, autumn colour and Lough Neagh wildlife.

Caveats: The published season is February–November, with November weekend opening. Check the minimum stay, including two-night weekend bookings.

Safety: Keep to established waterside paths and avoid exposed sections in rough weather.

Suggested arrival: Within the booked daylight arrival window.

Etiquette: Give birds space and leave shared service points clean for the next van.

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Stopover summary

Festivals worth planning the trip around

There is room for a big night between the forest days. Pick the event that appeals, then give yourself enough time to enjoy it without an awkward late drive.

Derry Halloween — 28 October–1 November 2026

Derry goes all in: costumes, illuminated streets and a city that makes Halloween its own. The 40th-anniversary festival is our pick for a lively autumn detour. Add it as a planned extension to the inland Tyrone leg. Glenpark Estate is an overnight base back in Tyrone, not a walkable Derry pitch; arrange the whole journey, including the late return, before booking your festival activities. Check individual programme dates within the festival window.

Armagh Georgian Festival — a late-autumn date to watch

Armagh's Georgian streets give this festival a setting with some substance. Put it on the list for a town day between woodland walks at Gosford or Clare Glen. Use the official tourism listing for the programme, tickets and confirmed 2026 dates before fixing your stay; 2026 dates remain unconfirmed in this guide.

Belfast Christmas Market — a festive city evening

City Hall lit up, stalls to browse and dinner happily decided as you go. Give the Belfast Christmas Market an evening from Dundonald, with the return transport sorted. Check the official listing for the 2026 opening dates before booking. Dundonald's winter aire has reduced facilities, so make sure the van can cover the overnight basics.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Can we use the winter aires without an onboard toilet?

Dundonald closes its amenities block for the winter aire period, so you need onboard facilities. Confirm Castle Archdale’s exact winter services directly; do not assume a summer shower block remains available.

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

1. Southern England
2. The Midlands
3. Northern England
4. Wales
5. Scotland
6. Northern Ireland

Cover image: Lough Erne, photographed by Jon Sullivan; public-domain source. The photograph illustrates the region in summer, not current campsite or winter conditions.