Alan Rogers Awards – Results 2012
The Alan Rogers Campsite Awards were launched in 2004 and have proved a great success.
Our awards have a broad scope and before committing to our winners, we carefully consider more than 2,000 campsites featured in our guides, taking into account comments from our site assessors, our head office team and, of course, our readers.
Our award winners come from the four corners of Europe, from southern Portugal to Croatia, and this year we are making awards to campsites in 9 different countries.
Needless to say, it’s an extremely difficult task to choose our eventual winners, but we believe that we have identified a number of campsites with truly outstanding characteristics.
In each case, we have selected an outright winner, along with two highly commended runners-up. Listed below are full details of each of our award categories and our winners for 2012.
Progress Award
Progress Award
This award reflects the hard work and commitment undertaken by particular site owners to improve and upgrade their site.
Winner
A popular and efficient, family run park, Cofton is 1.5 miles from a sandy beach at Dawlish Warren. It has space for 450 touring units, including large motorhomes, on a variety of fields and meadows with beautiful country views. Although not individually marked, there is never a feeling of overcrowding and there are some pre-bookable, accessible pitches. The smaller, more mature fields, including a pleasant old orchard for tents only, are well terraced. While there are terraces on most of the slopes of the larger, more open fields, there are still some quite steep gradients to climb, rewarded by the views. There are some 450 electrical connections (10A), 63 hardstandings and 20 ‘super’ pitches. Self-catering accommodation on site includes holiday homes, cottages and apartments.
Runners-up
A family owned site, Castel Camping le Petit Trianon is situated halfway between Tours and Poitiers. It enjoys a countryside position within the lovely grounds of a small 18th-century château. Visitors to the site often return several times after their first visit for the calm and tranquil atmosphere here. There are 115 fairly open pitches, all with electricity (10A), set in seven hectares, which gives a real sense of spaciousness. Plants are well tended and shade is provided in parts by the many attractive trees. Access around the site is good and large units are accepted by prior arrangement.
Camping Kovacine is located on a peninsula on the beautiful Kvarner island of Cres, just 2 km. from the town of the same name. The site has just under 1,000 pitches for touring units, most with 16A electricity (from renewable sources) and a water supply. On sloping ground, partially shaded by mature olive and pine trees, pitching is on the large, open spaces between the trees. From the waterside pitches there are far reaching views over the sea to the coast beyond. Kovacine is partly an FKK (naturist) site, which is quite common in Croatia, and has a pleasant atmosphere. The site has its own beach (Blue Flag), part concrete, part pebbles, and a jetty for mooring boats and fishing.
Welcome Award
Welcome Award
This award takes account of sites offering a particularly friendly welcome and maintaining a friendly ambience throughout readers’ holidays.
Winner
A very welcoming, open site that is attractive and well-maintained. The 230 grass pitches are flat and well maintained, with some shade and 10A electricity. Ten pitches also have water and drainage. Thirty smart mobile homes are placed unobtrusively at one end of the site. A pleasant pool complex, fringed by attractive palm trees, has a lifeguard, and the brightly coloured play areas are clean and safe.
Runners-up
This site is unusual in that it is located in the heart of a village, yet is only 250 metres from a sandy cove. The entrance, with its code operated barrier and wonderful floral displays, is the first indication that this is a well tended and well organised site, and the owners have won numerous regional and national awards for its superb presentation. The 176 pitches (100 occupied by mobile homes) are separated by trees, shrubs and bushes, and most have electricity (16A, Europlug), water and drainage. A dedicated area has been created for motorhomes at a special rate. On-site facilities include a heated swimming pool, a circular paddling pool, a water play pool and a wellness centre with sauna and massage facilities.
Thoughtfully landscaped within a natural wooded coastal environment, the tall pines here give shade, while attractive flowers enhance the setting and paved roads give easy access to most pitches. The 261 pitches (130 for tourers) vary in size (55-90 sq.m) and shape, but all have 10/16A electricity, water and drainage. A sister site to IT60360 and IT60140, Vela Blu is a smaller, family style site and a pleasant alternative to some of the other massive sites on Cavallino. It is a popular destination for Italian families, booking is essential for high season and national holidays. There is a pleasant swimming pool with a mini water park. A clean, fine sandy beach with lifeguards runs the length of one side of the site with large stone breakwaters.
Active Holiday Award
Active Holiday Award
This award reflects sites in outstanding locations which are ideally suited for active holidays, notably walking or cycling, but which could extend to include such activities as winter sports or watersports.
Winner
This is a top class, all year round site suitable as a stopover or as a base for a longer stay. Attractively situated by the sea, it is large, mature (34 hectares) and well maintained. It has over 800 individual pitches (372 for touring) of up to 160 sq.m. in glades. Some are separated by bushes providing shade in the older parts, less so in the newer areas nearer the sea. There are many hardstandings and all pitches have electricity (16A), water and drainage. Some new rental accommodation has been added, including a ‘honeymoon mobile home’. A member of Leading Campings group.
Runners-up
Caravan Park Sexten is 1,520 metres above sea level and has 268 pitches, some very large and all with electricity (16A), TV connections and water and drainage in summer and winter (underground heating stops pipes freezing). Some pitches are in the open to catch the sun, others are tucked in forest clearings by the river. They are mostly gravelled to provide an ideal all year surface. It is the facilities that make this a truly remarkable site; no expense or effort has been spared to create a luxurious environment that matches that of any top class hotel.
Camping & Appartements Seehof is a family run site and excellent in every respect. It is situated in a marvellous sunny and peaceful location on the eastern shores of the Reintalersee. The site’s comfortable restaurant has a terrace with lake and mountain views and serves local dishes as well as homemade cakes and ice cream.
Innovation Award
Innovation Award
Our Innovation Award acknowledges campsites with creative and original concepts, possibly with features which are unique, and cannot therefore be found elsewhere. We have identified innovation both in campsite amenities and also in rentable accommodation.
Winner
De Papillon is perhaps one of the best and most enjoyable campsites in the Netherlands. All 245 touring pitches are spacious (120-160 sq.m), all have electricity (4/10/16A), and TV; a further 220 have water and drainage. An impressive, new sanitary block has state-of-the-art equipment and uses green technology. There is a new entertainment centre with an outdoor auditorium for children, and the water play area by the adventure playground and covered, heated pool are among the most imaginative and exciting we have seen, making it ideal for families. The restored heathland area offers opportunities for nature lovers; there is also a large fishing lake and a swimming lake with beach area and activities. A member of Leading Campings group.
Runners-up
This campsite is now permanently closed.
This picturesque and conservation-minded site is situated in an open, sunny lower valley in Madrid’s only beech forest in the Parque Natural Sierre de Guadarrama. The area is ideal for walkers and nature lovers and offers many opportunities for outdoor sports enthusiasts.
Small Campsite Award
Small Campsite Award
This award acknowledges excellent small campsites (less than 75 pitches) which offer a friendly welcome and top quality amenities throughout the season to their guests.
Winner
This is a tranquil and spacious campsite laid out on a hillside deep in the Parc Naturel Régional du Morvan, with views over their lake, across the valley and surrounding hills. The spring water lake is ideal for fishing and swimming. There is a small bar and restaurant serving good quality regional meals and a well-stocked shop with local produce. There are 81 terraced pitches, with 63 for touring, 58 with electricity (10/16A). Recent renovations have included redesigned, level pitches overlooking the lake, fewer steep paths, a new heated, outdoor pool and heated sanitary block. L’Etang de la Fougeraie is a place where you can sit back and relax after a day exploring the surrounding peaceful countryside lying within the Parc du Morvan.
Runners-up
A lovely site set just outside Redruth in the Tolskithy Valley and ideal for St Agnus and touring South & West Cornwall. Access is easy, although the site is on a steep incline.
Camping Country is a well cared for and attractively landscaped site close to the historical town of Znojmo. It is a rural location, in a wine-growing region close to a national park, and with its small wine cellar, wine tasting evenings, small stables and riding school, barbecue and campfire areas, is an ideal site for a longer stay. Visitors will enjoy the cycling routes which have been set out in the national park. Camping Country has 50 pitches (all for touring units), 30 with 16A electricity, on two fields – one behind the main house taking six or eight units, the other one larger with a gravel access road.
Seaside Award
Seaside Award
This award is made for sites which we feel are outstandingly suitable for a really excellent seaside holiday.
Winner
Camping Village Marina di Venezia is an amazingly large site (2,818 pitches) with every conceivable facility. It has a pleasant feel with cheerful staff and no notion of being overcrowded, even when full. Marina di Venezia has the advantage of being within walking distance of the ferry to Venice. It will appeal in particular to those who enjoy an extensive range of entertainment and activities and a lively atmosphere. Individual pitches are spacious and set on sandy or grassy ground; most are separated by trees or hedges. All are equipped with 10A electricity and water. The site’s excellent sandy beach is one of the widest along this stretch of coast and has five pleasant beach bars.
Runners-up
Le Pavillon Royal is located in an excellent situation on raised ground overlooking the sea (100 m. from the beach), with good views along the coast to the south and the north coast of Spain. The site's centre has a large heated swimming pool and sunbathing area.
Yelloh! Village Turiscampo is an outstanding site run by the friendly Coll family. The site provides 240 pitches for touring units, mainly in rows of terraces, 216 of which have 6/10A electricity, some with shade. There are 75 deluxe pitches with water and drainage. One hundred thirty-eight bungalows for rent occupy the upper terraces.
Country Award
Country Award
This award contrasts with our former award and acknowledges sites which are attractively located in delightful, rural locations.
Winner
Saint Gervais is a pretty spa town in the picturesque Val-Monjoie valley and this site is 2 km. from its centre, with wonderful views of Mont Blanc. It is 22 km. west of Chamonix and centrally located for discovering this marvellous mountain region. Nestled among the mountains, this sheltered, well equipped site provides 151 flat, grass pitches of a good size. About half have shade and there are 100 with 10A electricity (long leads may be needed). The remainder are on terraced ground and are used for tents. Third generation hosts, Stéphane and Sophie, will welcome you to the site and their passion for this area is infectious. An original Savoyard granary, converted into a superb two-storey chalet and finished internally to a very high standard, is for rent.
Runners-up
The Legg family run this attractive and aptly named family park to very high standards. In a sheltered valley setting between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe, beside a small stream and a lake (with ducks), it is convenient for several resorts, beaches and the surrounding countryside. The park is divided into two sections. The older section has pitches of varying size on three sheltered terraces, all with electricity and a TV point and many are fully serviced. The other section, the Kingfisher Meadow, is more open and has spacious grass pitches more suitable for campers with tents, also with electricity and a TV point. A member of the Best of British group.
Camping Waalstrand lies just outside the village of Gendt. It is stretched out along the banks of the River Waal and backed by a dyke separating the river from the town. Many of the pitches have good views of the various boats plying the river. Surrounding the campsite is an excellent nature reserve, the Gelderese Poort, an extensive delta of river dunes, lowland forests and meadows with many walks and cycle routes. This is a quiet campsite with no organised entertainment. There are 150 medium size, level, unshaded, grassy pitches with 90 for touring units. All pitches are fully serviced with 6A electricity and a TV hook-up. Access is good for large outfits.
Family Site Award
Family Site Award
Many sites claim to be child friendly but this award acknowledges the sites we feel to be the very best in this respect.
Winner
This amazing site is very large, offering absolutely everything a camper could wish for. It is extremely professionally run and we were impressed with the whole organisation. It lies along a 1.2 km. long, broad sandy beach which shelves very gradually and offers a huge number of sporting activities. The site itself is regularly laid out with parallel access roads under a covering of poplars, pine and other trees. There are 2,200 pitches for touring units, all with 6/10/16A electricity and 1,969 also have water and drainage. Because of the size of the site, there is an internal road train and amenities are repeated across the site (cycling is permitted on specific roads). A member of Leading Campings group.
Runners-up
This quite large campsite is to be found off the N284 at Bladel in Noord-Brabant. It is an ideal location for cycling and walking and is close to the Belgian border. A family oriented site, it offers good quality facilities which are well maintained and kept very clean. There are 390 touring pitches, all fully serviced and 22 with their own sanitation, sited near the lake. The touring pitches are 80-150 sq.m. in size with many amongst the trees, but some are on open meadows and some divided by young shrubs. There are also seasonal and static caravan places, but these are kept apart and mostly in one area.
A pleasant tree-lined approach road gives way to avenues of palms as you arrive at Torre del Sol. This large, well-designed site occupies a good position in southern Catalunya with direct access to a 800m. long soft sand beach.
Alan Rogers Readers’ Award
Alan Rogers Readers’ Award
We believe our Readers’ Award to be the most important. We simply invite our readers to nominate the site they enjoyed most.
Winner
FR85150 Camping La Yole - France
Winner
Camping Resort La Yole is an attractive and well-run site, two kilometres from a sandy beach. It offers 362 pitches, of which 91 mobile homes are either privately owned or available to rent. There are 133 touring pitches, most with shade and separated by bushes and trees. An area at the rear of the site is a little more open. All the pitches are of at least 100 sq.m. and have electricity (10A), water and drainage. The pool complex includes an attractive outdoor pool, a paddling pool, slide and an indoor heated pool with jacuzzi. There has been a recent extension to the pool area. There are also gym facilities and entertainment is organised in high season. This is a clean and tidy site, ideal for families with children and you will receive a helpful and friendly welcome.
Alan Rogers Special Award
Alan Rogers Special Award
A Special Award is made to campsites which have suffered a very significant setback and have not only returned to their former condition, but can fairly be considered to be even better than before. In 2012 we acknowledge a Spanish campsite which suffered a devastating forest fire and we feel is a worthy recipient of this award.
Winner
Camping L’Albera is a quiet site set among cork and pine trees and surrounded by mountain views. In July 2012, this area of the Costa Brava was devastated by fire, but the site is undergoing a remarkable regeneration and now offers 75 touring pitches with 6/10A electricity. The 75 privately owned mobile homes which were destroyed are rapidly being replaced. The pitches are flat and accessible and most have 10A electricity. In high season, there is a family run bar and a restaurant serving a tapas menu, and visitors can cool off in the modest swimming pool. This comfortable site is ideal for those who wish to enjoy the tranquillity and culture of the Costa Brava and Catalonia in a beautiful setting.