Easter has always felt like the true beginning of the caravanning season for us. While we often squeeze in a few winter trips, there is something special about that first long weekend in April when the daffodils are out, the days are getting longer, and the promise of a full summer of adventuring lies ahead. For Easter 2025, we decided to head to the historic city of Winchester, pitching up at the Winchester Morn Hill Club Campsite.
This trip was a mix of classic English heritage, stunning spring gardens, and a rather significant milestone in our towing history. It was the very last time we would hit the road with our Mercedes GLB pulling the Bailey caravan. While it had served its purpose for a time, by the time we unhitched at Morn Hill, we knew the partnership was coming to an end: and honestly, we haven’t looked back since.
Settling into Winchester Morn Hill Club Campsite
If you have stayed at a Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC) site before, you know exactly what to expect when you roll through the gates. There is a certain level of comfort in that predictability. Winchester Morn Hill is a prime example of why people stick with the club. It’s clean, it’s organized, and everything just works.
Located just a few miles outside the city centre, the site sits on a gentle slope with plenty of mature trees and well-spaced pitches. We arrived on Good Friday, and despite the site being understandably full for the holiday, the atmosphere was incredibly peaceful. One of the highlights of this particular site is the facility block. It’s modern and, most importantly for an April trip where the Hampshire breeze can still have a bit of a bite, it has underfloor heating in the showers. There is nothing quite like stepping onto a warm floor after a morning shower to set you up for a day of exploring.
The pitches are a mix of grass and hardstanding. We opted for a level hardstanding pitch which made the setup quick and easy: essential when you want to get the kettle on and start your holiday as soon as possible. The site wardens were as welcoming as ever, keeping everything ticking over with that characteristic efficiency.
The Final Tow: Farewell to the Mercedes GLB
Before we get into the sights and sounds of Winchester, we have to talk about the car. This Easter trip was the swan song for our Mercedes GLB as a tow car. On paper, the GLB seems like a solid choice for a compact SUV, but after several trips towing our Bailey caravan, we had reached our limit.
Towing is as much about confidence and stability as it is about engine power. While the GLB could technically move the weight, it never felt like it was truly "in charge" of the caravan. On the journey down to Winchester, particularly on some of the more exposed stretches of the A-road, you could feel every gust of wind and every passing HGV. It was a nervous tow, the kind that leaves you feeling a bit drained after a long drive.
We’ve had many conversations over the dinner table in the Bailey about what we needed next, and by the time we reached Morn Hill, the decision was made. This would be the last trip. We don’t miss that car one bit. It’s a great car for a trip to the supermarket or a school run, but for the demands of touring with a full-sized caravan, it just wasn't the right tool for the job. Looking back at the photos of it hitched up, it’s a nice-looking outfit, but looks only get you so far when you’re navigating the rolling hills of Hampshire.
Stepping Back in Time at Winchester Cathedral
One of the best things about the Morn Hill site is its proximity to Winchester. You can catch a bus from right outside the site entrance, which is a godsend if you don’t want to navigate the city’s notoriously tight parking with a large car.
Winchester Cathedral was our first stop. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe and walking through those massive doors is always a humbling experience. At Easter, the cathedral felt particularly alive. The light streaming through the stained glass and the scent of spring flowers everywhere created a wonderful atmosphere.
We spent a good few hours wandering through the nave and exploring the crypt. For those who enjoy a bit of literary history, the cathedral is the final resting place of Jane Austen. Her modest gravestone is a sharp contrast to the grand monuments surrounding it, but it’s a spot that always draws a crowd. We also took the time to see the Winchester Bible, a 12th-century masterpiece that is breathtaking in its detail.
After the cathedral, we spent some time simply walking the historic streets of the city. Winchester has a way of making you feel like you’ve stepped back a few centuries, with its timber-framed buildings and the imposing Great Hall where the legendary Round Table of King Arthur hangs.
A Day of Spring Splendour at Hinton Ampner
Easter and the National Trust go hand-in-hand, and we were spoilt for choice in this part of the world. Our first garden visit was to Hinton Ampner. This is a house that was essentially rebuilt in the 20th century after a devastating fire, but the gardens are the real star of the show.
Even in early April, the structure of the garden was magnificent. The topiary and the long vistas looking out over the South Downs are legendary. We were a little early for the full explosion of summer colour, but the spring bulbs were putting on a fantastic display. Thousands of daffodils and tulips lined the paths, and the orchard was just beginning to show its blossom.
What makes Hinton Ampner so pleasant is the layout. It’s designed as a series of "rooms," each with its own character. We spent a long time in the Dell, a sunken garden that felt like a little hidden sanctuary. It’s the kind of place where you can sit on a bench and completely forget that the rest of the world exists: a perfect escape during a busy bank holiday weekend.
The Riverside Charm of Mottisfont
Our final major excursion of the trip was to Mottisfont. Located near Romsey, this is another National Trust gem that we never tire of visiting. Mottisfont is perhaps most famous for its world-class rose gardens, but since we were there in April, we knew we wouldn't see the roses in their full glory.
However, Mottisfont has so much more to offer than just roses. The River Test flows right through the grounds, and the water is incredibly clear. Watching the trout hover in the current is strangely hypnotic. The grounds are expansive, and we took a long walk along the riverbanks, enjoying the fresh air and the sight of the ancient trees coming back to life.
Inside the house, there is a fascinating mix of history, from its origins as a medieval priory to its later life as a country home. The Whistler Room, with its stunning trompe l'oeil murals by Rex Whistler, is always a highlight. It’s a bit of an artistic surprise tucked away in the Hampshire countryside.
Easter at Mottisfont usually involves a flurry of activity for families, and there was a great buzz around the place, but because the grounds are so large, it never felt overcrowded. It was the perfect way to round off our sightseeing for the weekend.
Reflections on a Final Trip
Coming back to the caravan at Morn Hill after a day of exploring felt like coming home. There is a specific kind of tiredness that comes from walking through historic cathedrals and sprawling gardens, and the Bailey provided the perfect place to put our feet up.
As we packed up on Easter Monday, ready for the tow home, there was a sense of finality. We knew that when we parked the GLB back on the driveway, it would be its last job for us as a tow vehicle. It’s funny how a car can define a period of your travels. For us, the GLB represented a learning curve: it taught us exactly what we didn’t want in a tow car.
The trip itself, however, was a total success. Winchester Morn Hill proved once again why it’s a top choice for anyone visiting the area. Between the clean facilities, the friendly atmosphere, and the incredible history of Winchester and the surrounding National Trust properties, it was an Easter break to remember.
We left Hampshire with a few souvenirs, a lot of photos, and a very firm plan for a new, more capable car to take over the towing duties for our future adventures. The Bailey is still with us, and it’s ready for whatever comes next, but the GLB is firmly in the rearview mirror.
