Family Holidays to Switzerland camping at Manor Farm Interlaken with Canvas Holidays

Family Holidays to Switzerland. Over Easter half-term, we headed to Interlaken in Switzerland to stay with Canvas Holidays for a week. Staying at Manor Farm Interlaken campsite, with its own lakeside setting. It was the first time we had been camping in Switzerland. We visited just as the season was starting. This meant that the local area was much quieter both in the Swiss holiday park. And also Interlaken itself and its many local attractions, with some only just starting to open for the season. Although it turned out a great time to visit Interlaken camping, giving us the last of the snow on the Jungfrau mountains and beautiful blue skies during our family holiday.

It is worth mentioning that if you wish to visit the area without staying with Canvas Holidays, there are many other campsites where you can also pitch your own tent, if this is what you are after. Nevertheless, if you are travelling with children or if you are fairly new to camping holidays, it’s best to go with a service like Canvas Holidays to avoid any bad surprises and hassles.

We were invited to Interlaken camping in return for this review all words and opinions are my own.

Family Holidays to Switzerland

Who are Canvas Holidays?

Canvas Holidays are part of the Vacanceselect group and specialise in European camping holidays, to popular destinations including France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Holidaymakers who book a stay with Canvas can enjoy great accommodation options ranging from modern mobile homes to well-equipped tents, as well as premium mobile homes featuring hot tubs. Voted “Best Camping & Mobile Holiday Company” at the British Travel Awards in 2020, Canvas Holidays are a great choice for outdoor family holidays in Europe.

Where is Manor Farm Camping Interlaken?

Manor Farm camp site is located directly on the shores of Lake Thun on the outskirts of Interlaken in Unterseen. Nestled in the heart of the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland, it is a great location for a family holiday to Switzerland camping. With beautiful views of alpine scenery and majestic mountains. It offers easy access to scenic walks, hiking trails and a wide selection of activities. The campsite is incredibly easy to find, just to the west of the centre of Interlaken. We found it to be well signposted. The campsite grounds straddle the main road around Lake Thun. Interlaken Ost train station is around a ten-minute drive away for rail journies. There is also a bus stop right outside the campsite which prides a regular bus into the town and good bus links to other areas.

Checking in with Canvas Holidays

Unlike some other campsites, we have visited the main reception of the campsite does not to check you in. Instead, you are directed to the Canvas Holidays check-in, which opens at 4 pm. Here we were met by Tracy and Tony who looked after us and the canvas accommodation during our stay. Having been fortunate enough to stay on a number of European campsites. This was our first holiday with Canvas Holidays and our first time in Switzerland camping. In our experience, your hosts can be the difference between a great stay and an average one. We actually moved onto another campsite in a different after our stay in Switzerland. And let’s put it this way… that campsite could do with Tracy and Tony!

Always on hand and happy to help Tracy and Tony gave us lots of information about the lakes, and the activities available to us during our stay. They also advised us about how to use the tourist card and camping card to get discounts on the local attractions. This came in handy as we saved quite a bit of money over the week. 

There is no cash point on site so make sure you pick up both the tourist tax of 40CHF and accommodation deposit of 60 CHF/€ before arriving. The nearest cash point is in Interlaken. 

Our Accommodation – Manor Farm Interlaken

A mobile home is a great option for staying in the Jungfrau region, especially when looking for some extra home comforts. We stayed in a Canvas Holidays Comfort Cosy 3 bed mobile home. It was spotless, a testament to the hosts. It has a master bedroom with a double bed and two twins, the boys decided to each have a room to themselves. You can either bring your own linen or hire it online when you make your booking. As we arrived when it was snowing… very excited kids (less excited parents) I was pleased to see that we had duvets ready and waiting. 

Considering just how cold it was on the first night we were lovely and toasty throughout our stay. This is because there was a heater in the living area and the bathroom. Exactly what you needed after getting out of a shower. The bathroom had plenty of storage, hooks for towels, lovely hot water and powerful shower. 

The living area consisted of a corner sofa, table and chairs and kitchenette. The kitchen is fully equipped with a kettle, toaster, microwave, a good size fridge/freezer and gas hob. Not to mention everything you need to cook a meal. BBQs are also provided in the Summer months.

Eating out in Switzerland is not cheap so by opting for self-catering accommodation with your own kitchen. Gives you the flexibility to eat in some evenings which will save a lot of money. Our Canvas van also had air con which we were also grateful for during our trip. We definitely experienced four seasons in one week when we stayed. The widows to the bedrooms all have built-in blackout blinds and mosquito nets. 

One of the things we really enjoy about this sort of holiday is being able to sit outside in the evening. Our Comfort Cosy mobile home had a large wooden veranda that ran the whole length of the mobile home. One end was covered in what looked like a brand new awning and had a bench underneath. We spent several evenings outside playing card games or having a glass of wine. Enjoying the beautiful spots peacefulness of the campsite and the stillness of the surrounding mountains which we could enjoy from our veranda. 

Facilities on Manor Farm Interlaken camping 

Quite a large element of the campsite is residential mobile homes which think is responsible for the relaxed atmosphere and modern facilities. With many local Swiss families having holiday homes. So although Manor Farm Camping is classified as a large campsite. It does not have the busyness of some we have stayed at in the past. It is not loud or noisy and therefore suits young families very well. Its good location provides unforgettable alpine panoramas and beautiful views.

The focus of a holiday in this part of Switzerland is very much on the outdoors and the natural beauty of the area. The five-star campsite provides all that you would need for a stay and it does it well. On-site there is a shop selling basics and fresh bread in the morning. There are also three children’s playgrounds in different locations, table tennis tables, a sports pitch with football nets and mini golf. Although the biggest selling point has to be the direct access to Lake Thun and the range of water sports and its own private beaches. Although there is no swimming pool on the camping site. There is a large indoor pool in Interlaken which is easily reachable by public transport.

For those who are not ready to switch off completely, we found the wifi and internet to be very good throughout the campsite. Although you do have to pay for it, 15 CHF for the whole week for three devices is good value.

Manor Farm Interlaken – Lake Area

As mentioned the campsite straddles a road. Our Canvas mobile home was on the side furthest from the lake. I was pleased to find an underpass which meant that we did not have to cross the road each time we wanted to go down to the shore of Lake Thun. Although to be honest there was not a lot of traffic on the road when we visited. 

It only took about five minutes to walk from the mobile home to the main attraction – the lake area. With easy access to the lake via a shallow run into the lake for paddleboards and kayaks. The boys enjoyed paddling in this area, although as they got braver it wasn’t long until they were jumping off of the wooden pier. There are several places to sit including a concrete BBQ area for your to grill your own. There is also some grassland with no camping pitches. Giving the kids plenty of space to run around, kick a ball about or set up a picnic by the lakeside. Despite it only being April they loved being in the water.

There is also another private beach which is further round the lake. This has a wider pebble beach although it has less seating and no grass area. So we tended to stay near the pier side. Lake Thun is flanked by the Swiss alps and there is something special about sitting and listening to the water lapping on the shore, surrounded by white peaks.

It is also a great spot to watch the sun go down over the mountain peaks. Although it sets further than the eye can see. The setting sun reflects off the snow tops and the sky turns a marvellous pinky, purple colour giving spectacular views. Point to note you will need water shoes to enjoy swimming in the alpine lakes and getting in and out.

READ MORE – Tips for your Switzerland camping family holidays 

Restaurants at Manor Farm Interlaken

The main restaurant pizzeria Landhaus is stated very close to the lake and also has a small playground right next door. With outside seating, it is easy to watch our young children play while the adults have a sundowner. The Italian restaurant serves various pizza and pasta dishes. As well as some Swiss cuisine. They also have Pizza Thursday. Every pizza on their menu (which can be up to 24.95 CHF) is 12 CHF if eaten in or 15 CHF if taken away. Their pizzas are delicious and I would highly recommend taking advantage of this special offer at dinner time. There is also a snack bar which is open in high season and another restaurant and laguna beach bar on the neighbouring campsite. 

Things to do camping Interlaken

As well as offering the best camping facilities. There is so much to do for the whole family in and around Interlaken that you will have trouble deciding what to do first. The destination is the ideal place for kids of all ages and caters for teens as well. With a variety of water and adventure sports, such as tandem paragliding and outdoor activities on offer. There are also a number of local attractions including boat trips, mountain cable cars and mountain railways. Making Switzerland camping Manor Farm an ideal base to explore the Berner Oberland region and Jungfrau Park Interlaken. One of the best campsites we have stayed on it is a perfect choice if you are looking to visit the Interlaken region or to go to Switzerland camping. 

We had a fantastic stay with Canvas Holidays and will no doubt be looking to visit Switzerland camping again as it really stole our hearts. It really is the perfect place, if you would like to see more about Manor Farm Interlaken then check out the Canvas website. A week with linen during the Easter holidays costs a very reasonable £385. Sign up for their newsletter as they often offer discounts throughout the season. 

Below are some of the day trips we got up to during our family holiday to Switzerland camping with Canvas Holidays. 

A trip to Grindelwald First

The Eiger Express Cable Car – Everything you need to know

7 nights in Interlaken with kids

Ballenburg Swiss Open Air Musuem

Our trip to Giessbach Falls

Lake Brienz Cruise from Interlaken – everything you need to know

Thun Castle

St Beatus Caves – what to expect

Jungfraujoch Top of Europe – How to plan your visit

Harder Kulm by night

 

Have you visited Manor Farm Campsite, or been to Switzerland camping? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. 

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Switzerland Camping, Camping Interlaken