With the heatwave set to continue, there’s no better time to experience the truly great outdoors at some of the wonderful campsites the UK has to offer. Often expertly hidden by clouds and rain, when the sun does appear, the natural beauty of these isles comes to the fore making it the perfect place for a staycation. With camping being increasingly popular among the masses the choice out there has grown too and it can all get a bit confusing. Fear not, we’ve scoured the length and breadth of Blighty and indeed slightly further ashore to bring you (in our opinion) the best campsites the UK has to offer.
Gwithian Farm, Hayle, Cornwall
Who wouldn’t want to wake to the sound of gently lapping waves and the smell of sea air at one of the UK’s many gorgeous coastal campsites and Gwithian Farm Seaside Campsite is one of the very best. It’s a 10-minute stroll to top surfing beach, Gwithian, and has miles of lovely coastal walks nearby. There’s electricity, free wi-fi, and lovely luxury hot showers, as well as an on-site shop and nearby pub. The perfect getaway by the sea. Grass pitches start from £16 a night.
Fisherground Campsite, Eskdale, Lake District
Fisherground Campsite is set in the heart of Eskdale, one of Cumbria’s loveliest valleys. And with the West side of the Lake District getting less rainfall, that’s just one very good reason to pitch up here. This peaceful site is great for kids with an adventure playground and a pond they can mess about in. There are walks up to England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike and just over the hill from the site you’ll find the stunning Wastwater, Englands deepest lake. After a day of exploring you can sit back and enjoy the roar of an open fire as you toast marshmallows over one of the many fire pits on the site. It’s £7 per adult each night and there’s plenty of optional extras you can purchase to make your stay even comfier.
Grange Farm, Brightstone Bay, Isle of Wight
If you like a lovely panoramic view to go with your tent pitch then Grange Farm on the Isle of Wight might well be for you. This most unspoiled of campsites has two fields that go right to the edge of a cliff that leads down to Brightstone Bay’s beach. It’s a bit of a paradise for walkers and cyclists alike and the beach is a hotspot for fossil hunters hoping to find dinosaur bones, the daredevils among you may fancy having a go at paragliding. There’s plenty of farm animals on the site to keep the kids quiet with alpacas, goats and even water buffalo not to mention a play area. A standard pitch for two adults with a car or motorhome is £28 per night.
Inver Coille, Inverness-shire, Scotland
Any monster hunters in search of Nessie should look to Inver Collie to be their base for such missions. Situated close to the famous Loch this family-run site offers a tranquil campsite with space for 40 pitches. With it being pretty brand spanking new the facilities are top notch with lovely showers, toilets, drying room and running water filtered from a burn on the site. A pre-pitched bell tent and two modern looking geo-domes will satisfy anyone looking for a little more in the way of comfort. Adult pitches start at around £8 per night.
For those looking to experience the great outdoors with a touch of the luxurious, former dairy farm, Caalm Camp, set in the beautiful North Dorset countryside offers original Mongolian Yurts to bed down in. It was voted the best Glamping Site in the South West by campsites.co.uk for good reason. Their 6 yurts come equipt with comfortable wrought iron beds, white cotton linen, fur blankets, cushions, electric lighting and sockets, a private bathroom with a flushing toilet, and hot showers. Hold on this sounds better than out actual homes! There’s even a wood burning stove in each yurt so you can cosy round the fire in the evening. Midweek Breaks for 4 nights start from only £190 per yurt. Each yurt sleeps up to 6 people.
Swattesfield Campsite, Suffolk, East Anglia
Set in the idyllic countryside of North Suffolk, Swattesfield Campsite is a seven-acre area with around 15 tent pitches on the site, so plenty of space for those looking for a bit of rustic charm who don’t want to be hemmed in. There’s ample clean facilities (no need to be too rustic!) and an onsite shop for all your camping needs. With plenty of stunning walks all around the local area, there’s plenty to do for those on foot or bike and a short drive opens up a host of other possibilities like having a go on a Canadian canoe on the Norfolk Broads. A large tent pitch is priced at £20 per night.
Embers Camping, Bentley, East Sussex
Embers Camping Bentley is a tents-only campsite surrounded by beautiful woodland in the heart of the East Sussex countryside. This large off-grid site has limited itself to just 30 pitches so there’s no danger of campers tripping over each other. On your doorstep there’s the Bentley Motor Museum with its own miniature railway for all dreamers of steam and even a wildfowl reserve boasting the most diverse private bird collection in Europe to keep even the vaguest of twitchers enthralled. There’s also plenty to do in the surrounding area with the pretty town of Lewes only a few miles away and some life-affirming walks through the South Downs National Park. The site offers a genuinely authentic camping experience, allowing the things that makes the great outdoors special like a proper campfire. Don’t miss the delicious wood-fired pizza made fresh on site. Adult pitches start at £19.50.
Swanns Bridge, Northern Island
Swanns Bridge in Northern Island is nestled in an old apple orchard, on a working, family-run farm. Spacious bell tents come adorned with vintage bunting and pretty, chintzy bedding for a quintessential countryside holiday. Located at the foot of Binevenagh Mountain, you might even spot some scenes familiar from TV’s Game of Thrones. A modern toilet, shower, and kitchen block sit at the heart of the site, and you’ll also get your own barbecue for a spot of outdoor cooking. Luxury bell tents are around £65 per night including breakfast.
This may well look like a Western themed holiday park and that’s probably because it is. Pinewood Park situated just two miles from Scarborough is a family run, dog-friendly site with an emphasis on camping cowboy style for all the city slickers among you. There’s a roomy camping field with electric hook ups, or there are tipis cabins and shacks, with options for woodfired hot tubs for those looking for an extra special stay. Being so close to the lovely seaside town of Scarborough you’ll never be short of something to do in the local area, but it’s so nice here you might not want to wander too far. Tent pitches start from £16
Three Cliffs Bay, Swansea, Wales
Last but not least is this is little gem situated in the gorgeous, unspoiled Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower Peninsula in Swansea. The star of the show is the view with some pitches looking out onto the stunning coastline. Walkers will relish the 35 miles of the Gower Way which meanders around different bays allowing you to take in the full natural beauty of the area. Onsite there are enough facilities for all and a shop open seven days a week for anything you might have forgotten. Large pitches with a sea view and electric hook up, start from £30. You’ll definitely be happy campers after a trip here.
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