The Alan Rogers / Caravan and Motorhome Club Awards - Results 2022
Presented at the NEC, Birmingham on 22nd February 2023
Emerging from the pandemic, we've brought the awards back with a bang for the 2022 season. For the first time, we hosted our ceremony at the NEC, Birmingham, coinciding with the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2023.
As before, the awards have a broad scope, and before committing to our winners, we carefully consider campsites which are featured in the Alan Rogers guides and the Caravan and Motorhome Club 'Venture Abroad' program, taking into account comments from our site assessors, our head office team and, of course, our members and readers.
The award winners come from the four corners of Europe, from Ireland to Slovenia, and we are awarding campsites in eight countries across the.
For the 2022 awards, we've introduced three new categories; Most Attractive Site award, Most Accessible Site award and Exceptional Services & Facilities Award. It’s an extremely difficult task to choose our eventual winners, but we believe that we identified a number of campsites with truly outstanding characteristics.
In each case, we selected an outright winner, along with a highly commended runner-up. Listed below are full details of each of our award categories and our winners for 2022.
A friendly and very well-run site, Camping Sandaya Parc la Clusure is highly recommended. Set in a river valley in the lovely wooded uplands of the Ardennes, known as the l’Homme Valley touring area, the site has around 500 large, marked, grassy pitches (around 250 for touring). All have access to electricity, cable TV and water taps, mostly in avenues off a central, tarmac road. There is some noise from the nearby railway. There is a very pleasant riverside walk; the river is shallow in summer and popular with children (caution in winter). The site’s heated swimming pool and children’s pool have a poolside bar and terrace. You will also find over 200 rental accommodations.
Alannia Costa Blanca (formerly Marjal) is a fully equipped site situated 15 km. inland on the southern Alicante coast, close to the towns of Crevillente and Catral and the Parque Natural de El Hondo. Around 1,200 hardstanding pitches range in size from 90-95 sq.m, and all have electricity (16A), water, drainage, TV and high-speed internet connections (charged).
This award reflects the hard work and commitment undertaken by particular site owners to improve and upgrade their site. Candidates for this award included existing sites which have undergone a far-reaching improvement programme, or campsites which have passed into new ownership and benefited from substantial investment in terms of time and money.
This impressive site in the grounds of the Château des Ormes is in the northeast part of Brittany, in an estate of wooded parkland and lakes. With many facilities and a wide range of accommodations such as treehouses, floating cabins, wooden chalets, etc. Of the 696 pitches, 136 are for tourers (most with 6A electricity, some with 16A and their own water and wastewater). They are of varying sizes (80-150 sq.m), and there is a choice of terrain – flat or gently sloping, wooded, walled or open. The rest are occupied by tour operators (560) and mobile homes (120 to rent).
This well-run, modern site is pleasantly situated in Delft's park and forest area on the city's eastern edge. It has 200 touring pitches formally arranged in groups of four to six and surrounded by attractive trees and hedges. All have sufficient space and electrical connections (10A Europlug).
This award will take account of campsites offering a particularly friendly welcome throughout the season. Those creating the friendliest ambience for all Caravan and Motorhome Club members and Alan Rogers customers.
Le Coin Tranquille is a family-run site well placed for visits to the Savoie regions and the Alps. It is an attractive, well-maintained site of 192 grass pitches (178 for touring units), all with 10A electricity. Neat hedges of hydrangea separate them, flowering shrubs and a range of trees make a lovely environment doubly enhanced by the rural aspect and marvellous views across to the mountains.
Camping Bled is situated on the western tip of Lake Bled and is an excellent example of how a site should be run. Check-in is quick and efficient, and English is spoken. The site is large but well-spaced, with 244 touring pitches, all with electricity, 40 fully serviced pitches, and six with private sanitary facilities; most pitches benefit from shade. Pitches at the front are used mainly for overnighters. There are lovely views across the lake toward its famous island. This site is well-organised, and the facilities are modern and spotless.
We are all aware of the importance of doing all we can to protect the planet for future generations. We are aware of many of the outstanding initiatives taken by our partner campsites to protect and enhance their environments and want to recognise these initiatives.
Located in woodland and on dunes along a two-kilometre stretch of sandy beach, just east of the attractive little town of Noirmoutier on the island of the same name, this could be a paradise for those who enjoy a simple campsite in a natural setting. On land belonging to France’s forestry commission, this site is operated by Huttopia, whose aim is to adapt to the environment rather than take it over. On site there are 488 touring pitches, all of which have electric hook up points (10A), and are situated among the pine trees and accessed along tracks. Those on the sand dunes have fantastic views across the Baie de Bourgneuf. They cost a few euros extra – if you are lucky enough to get one. Some pitches may experience noise from a nearby bar.
Le Paradis is an excellent, well-maintained riverside site, halfway between Les Eyzies and Montignac in the Valley of the Vézère. The site is landscaped with a variety of mature shrubs and trees. The gardens are beautiful, which gives a wonderful sense of tranquillity. It is very easy to relax on this ecologically friendly site. Systems of reed filters enhance the efficient natural drainage.
We are delighted to work with campsites, which although they have a relatively small number of pitches, offer superb service and a charming environment for customers.
This popular site is in a quiet location with fantastic views of the dramatic mountains of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. Neat, orderly and well-maintained, the site is situated in a wide valley just 1 km. from Lake Thun and 1.5 km. from the centre of Interlaken. The English-speaking owners lovingly care for the site and will endeavour to make you feel very welcome.
The owners of one of Ireland’s neatest parks, George and Rosaline Drew, are campers themselves and have created an idyllic park in a stunning location. This three-hectare park is set in one of Ireland’s most picturesque valleys. From every pitch, there are beautiful views of the wooded and hilly areas of Slievenamuck and the Galtee Mountains.
For many people, it would be unthinkable to take a holiday without their four legged friends. Dogs are generally made welcome on most campsites across Europe but many sites have added special facilities to ensure that they really are ‘dog friendly’, so this award recognises the very best in this respect.
The manicured grounds surrounding Lou P’tit Poun give it a well-kept appearance, a theme carried throughout this very pleasing site which opened in 1989. It is only after arriving at the car park you feel confident it is not a private estate.
This is a beautiful campsite between Lot & The Dordogne and close to the picturesque village of Rocamadour. With just 75 touring pitches over 4Ha, there is plenty of space between emplacements, many of which are riverside. The area itself is famous for its Gastronomy and fresh produce, including, of course, the local cheese from Rocamadour; you will also find three cycle routes crossing the Lot Valley that are suitable for all ages and abilities, as well as many opportunities to walk and enjoy the local rivers. English is spoken, and you will receive a warm welcome from Thibaud and Anne; the reception area is also where all the facilities are located, including a small shop and both indoor and outdoor bar. The campsite is also level, which makes access very easy.
Many sites claim to be family-friendly, but this award acknowledges the sites we feel to be the best in this respect. This award will be presented to campsites which provide excellent facilities for children, and which can guarantee truly memorable holidays for all the family.
In a quiet location arranged around two lakes and set amidst beautiful alpine scenery, this site, founded in 1930, is renowned as one of Austria’s top sites. Over the last few years, many improvements have been carried out, and pride of place goes to the innovative, award-winning, multifunctional building at the entrance to the site. This contains all the sanitary facilities expected of a top site, including a special section for children, private bathrooms to rent, and a dog bath.
Located close to the Morbihan gulf, Yelloh! Village Mané Guernehué is a smart, modern site with excellent amenities, including an equestrian centre and a variety of pitches. Some are terraced beneath pine trees, others in a former orchard with delightful views of the surrounding countryside.
UK customers appreciate campsites that make a special effort to maintain a well-tended and cared-for environment with floral displays and pleasant green areas in which to relax. This often goes unrecognised, which is why we want to present this award.
Camping Kikopark Playa is a smart site nestling behind protective dunes alongside a Blue Flag beach. There are sets of attractively tiled steps over the dunes or a long boardwalk near the beach bar (suitable for prams and wheelchairs) to take you to the fine white sandy beach and the sea. From the central reception point (where good English is spoken), flat, fine gravel pitches and access roads are divided to the left and right.
Pyrénées Natura, at an altitude of 1,000 m. on the edge of the national park, is the perfect site for lovers of nature. The 66 pitches (47 for tourers), all with electricity (3-10A), are in a landscaped area with 75 varieties of trees and shrubs – but they do not spoil the fantastic views. A traditional-style building houses the reception, bar and indoor games/reading room.
We strongly believe that travel should be open to all, so we've been working with campsites to encourage them to become more accessible. This new award recognises our desire to encourage a more inclusive holiday environment for everyone, regardless of their physical needs. This could include adapted facilities and activities or more spacious and accessible areas across the whole campsite.
Set in the heart of the château region, Sites et Paysages Camping Les Saules has developed into a popular, friendly campsite run by a local family, Laurent and Isabelle, who are dedicated to the environment and nature. They have their own bees, honey and over 50 species of birds present on the site.
The campsite was initially opened in 1949, and since 1984, it has been run by the Richter family. It is located directly next to the romantic River Rhine. The colourful seven-acre touring site offers level pitches on grass with shade from trees, and the arrangement is open plan. All pitches have 10A electricity and 40, normally allocated to motorhomes, and also have hardstanding, water and drainage. This is a major tourist area, and the site may become quite busy, although usually quiet and peaceful.
Exceptional Services & Facilities Award - NEW for 2022
This new category recognises campsites that offer exceptional services or facilities, which may include special or unusual events, activities, entertainment or facilities.
Two brothers, a wine producer and a hotelier opened Domaine de Massereau in August 2006. It is set within a 50-hectare vineyard dating back to 1804, and the idea was to promote their wine, so tours are arranged, and they now produce their own olive oil as well.
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.
