Thorney Lakes Caravan & Camping Park

Thorney Lakes sits right on the Somerset Levels near Langport, and it's the sort of place that appeals to people who want their holiday park to feel a bit more like a retreat than a theme park. The 5-acre site has proper charm - it's set around a series of lakes, which means you get water views from most pitches without the artificial feel of some larger operations. Walking around the perimeter takes about twenty minutes, and the water itself attracts birdwatchers and photographers who seem genuinely happy with what they're capturing.

It works best for couples and small families after a quiet break rather than those needing constant entertainment. If your kids demand arcades and swimming pools, they'll be restless. But if they'll happily spend an afternoon looking for newts or throwing stones (supervised, naturally), this hits the mark. The proximity to Langport - just a short drive away - means you're not stranded if you need a proper shop or a pub meal.

The site sits nicely alongside 5 Acres on the Somerset Levels, which is rated even higher and sits 6 miles off. Both taps into the same appeal: that wide, open fenland landscape where you can actually see the sky. Come outside school holidays if possible. August brings families, and the quiet which makes the place special gets a bit lost. Spring and autumn are magic here - the light's proper lovely, and the birdlife goes quiet enough that you hear the water lapping.