THE South West is well and truly the camping capital of the South West, with Somerset ranked in the top five of the AA Caravan and Camping Guide 2021's list of destinations.

Four of the top five counties for campsites are in the South West, with Somerset in fifth spot behind Cornwall, Devon and Dorset - and only North Yorkshire breaking up the region's monopoly.

Cornwall, in top spot, has 86 campsites included in the AA guide, with Devon home to 59 AA-rated campsites, North Yorkshire 46, Dorset 39 and Somerset 30.

Rounding out the rest of the top 10 counties for camping, according to the AA, are Cumbria, Gwynedd (Wales), Norfolk, Dumfries & Galloway (Scotland) and Lancashire.

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that the 2021 guide does not feature the traditional 'Caravan and Camping Award' winners, but instead it showcases those that have received Platinum Pennant awards, marking them as the very best campsites in the country.

Of the 42 sites receiving Platinum Pennants in the guide, 24 were located in the South West, with Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset once again coming out on top.

All the destinations featured in the guide have been inspected and rated by AA professional inspectors, grading sites from one to five Pennants, based on their facilities and hospitality.

Each entry within the guide includes location, ratings, contact details, directions, prices, opening times, facilities, and a description to help holidaymakers select the right site for their needs.