Beate Allerton's Campsite Reviews

Camping La Lesse in the Ardennes is ideally placed for tourers off the Oostende and Zeebrugge ferries. However, being futher inland it avoids the atmosphere of a site simply used as a stopover; in fact we were the only British tourers there.

Compact and level, the 94 pitches are set in open, leafy surroundings next to the river Lesse. The picturesque village centre with its restaurants is only two minutes' walk. So is the entrance to the fantastic Grottes de Han, Belgium's second largest caves. A nearby track leads to a small river beach and a large adventure playground, which is brilliant for children.

The clean toilet blocks have individual cubicles, showers and washbasins. Other facilities include dishwashing area, laundry room, electric hook-up, phone and a large barbecue.

For stocking up with supplies a large Carrefour supermarket in Wavre can be found straight off junction 6 on the E411.

How to get there: Leave E411 at junction 23. Turn onto A94 following directions to Rochefort. Turn right on to N86 and follow directions to Han Sur Lesse and Rochefort. On reaching the village, drive straight into centre. When the curch is on your left, turn right into a narrow street,signosting Camping de la Lesse. The site in on the right.

Nearby attractions: Grottes de Han, a one hour guided walk through the amazing caves, finishing off with a short boat trip.

Set against the backdrop of the spectacular Cairngorm Massif, Glenmore Caravan and Camping is managed by Forest Holidays. This spacious site is split into several sections, offering 220 level pitches on grass or hard-standing under the ancient trees of Glenmore Forest or in an open setting with uninterrupted mountain views.

There are plenty of electric hook-up points and the 6m distance rule means you do not feel crowded. The two large heated toilet blocks are very clean and include facilities for the disabled, launderette and chemical disposal points. A shop and café are within walking distance.

Glenmore makes an ideal base for a vast range of outdoor activities. A definite highlight is the site’s access to the sandy beach of Loch Morlich, perfect for relaxing and water activities. We took our own dinghy and noticed other people with canoes parked next to their camper van.

From A9 south turn right at B9152 signposted Aviemore, continue along until the junction, turn right into B970 and follow road for approximately 6 miles. Glenmore Caravan and Camping is located on right

1 January - 30 October 2006 (reopens for winter season on 15 December 2006)
Nightly costs

Prices vary depending on season; the website has a detailed list. We paid £12.50 per night for 2 adults, two children, a campervan, electric hook-up. Advance booking is recommended during high season and for Highland Games in early August

The Cairngorm National Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty with many way-marked cycling and walking tracks; Cairngorm Funicular Railway, Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, Strathspey Steam Railway, Loch Garten Osprey Centre, Landmark Forest Theme Park.

Located near the end of the scenic Black Forest Highway, award-winning site Naturcamping Langenwald is a little oasis. Set amidst tall pines by the Forbach stream and close to a peaceful lake, this friendly site offers 90 level touring pitches in partially terraced, quiet surroundings.

There are excellent facilities with two sanitary blocks, dishwashing, laundry, recycling area and plenty of electric hook-up points. In addition, it offers a shop selling fresh bread rolls every morning plus adjoining café, a swimming pool, adventure playground, nature trail, wellbeing treatments, solarium, bike hire, boule pitch, table tennis, table football plus a programme of organised activities from baking bread to guided walks. The old saw-mill turned homemade museum features an interesting collection of oddities.

Naturcamping Langenwald is an ideal base for a walking and cycling holiday. But it also makes a great stopover for anyone heading further south.

How to get there: the most scenic route is via the Schwarzwald Hochstrasse. Head south on the B500 from Baden-Baden and after 50 km turn left onto the B28, signposted to Freudenstadt. Shortly after Kniebis turn right by the signpost and enter the campsite.

Nearby attractions: picturesque spa town Freudenstadt boasts Germany’s largest market square and a huge outdoor swimming pool, the Schliffkopf Nature reserve includes the unusual Lothar Trail, a tribute to the forest’s power of regeneration after it was hit by a hurricane in 1999, Alpirsbach and its local brewery, Black Forest Ham Smokehouse, Dornstetten Barefoot Park.

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Campsite Reviews

Han Sur La Lesse, Belgium

Han Sur La Lesse, Belgium