Finally, back in our Swift Basecamp 2: a Halloween break near Skipsea
Sometimes life takes over, and getting away slips down the list. After a difficult couple of months, we were ready for a change of scenery—and a much-needed break in our Swift Basecamp 2.
With Caz now working Fridays, we needed to keep things local. Half-term and Halloween made finding a pitch tricky, with limited availability and mostly grass pitches left. After searching Pitchup and other websites, Caz found a space at Samara caravan site, near Skipsea. Perfect.
A slow start, then a cheeky pint
The caravan was packed and Dave was ready to go—but the traffic around Bridlington had other ideas. What should have been a 20-minute journey took over an hour. He finally arrived at around 2pm on Friday, ready to get the Basecamp set up.
The pitches were on the small side, but the site was pleasant. Once everything was sorted, Dave headed off to find the local pub for a cheeky pint. It was a damp day, and getting back to the caravan meant crossing the wet grass.
Caz joined him that evening, and we headed to the Board Inn in Skipsea for a few drinks. It was a busy, traditional local pub, and we soon got chatting to the regulars, including a lovely chap called John, a Navy veteran. A welcoming pub and good company were just what we needed.
Fog, Beverley and a little caravan admin
By Saturday morning, thick, cold fog had settled over the site. It wasn’t going to keep us indoors, though, so we headed out to Beverley.
Back at the caravan, we tackled a bit of practical admin: arranging its service. Our local dealer had closed, which was disappointing, but an engineer from the dealership had gone self-employed and was now offering servicing and repairs. We understood that his servicing would help us maintain the warranty, although we still need to confirm the approval scheme and its requirements.
Halloween decorations and campfire company
The fog lifted a little later, giving us a chance to wander around the site. Most of the caravans appeared to be on seasonal pitches, and we soon got chatting to some of the owners. Before long, we’d been invited to join them for drinks around a campfire.
Several caravans were dressed up for Halloween, with a few decorations giving us a proper jump as we walked past. Add the mist to the mix, and the site had quite the spooky atmosphere.
That evening, we put the Basecamp’s heating on before heading over to the campfire. The fire was lovely, and after a couple of beers and some friendly company, we made our way back. Thick, cold fog had rolled in again—a suitably spooky end to our Halloween evening, with a warm caravan waiting for us.
Our verdict on Samara caravan site
The facilities were decent, with a newly built amenities block. There were also changes underway, with static caravans planned for the site in the future.
Everyone we met was welcoming, and the site manager was helpful. The small pitches and wet walk across the grass were worth noting, but overall we enjoyed our stay. Samara felt like a little hidden gem—close enough for a local escape, with a friendly atmosphere that made it easy to settle in.
It looked as though the site might move towards being entirely seasonal, which would be a shame for those of us looking for a short break. We don’t know if or when that will happen, so it’s worth checking availability before planning a visit.
After a difficult couple of months, this was the break we needed. Nothing elaborate: just time away in the Basecamp, a welcoming pub and a campfire with good company. It felt good to be back out again.
Base To Beyond Rating: 8.5/10
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