Best Campsites in UK
To list off the United Kingdom's national parks, lochs, lively cities, mountain ranges and coastlines would be one great feat. The UK is best known for its green countryside and historic cities, castles and neolithic sites such as Stonehenge. However, that barely scratches the surface. That’s why staying at one of the best campsites in the UK is such an excellent way to spend a UK break. From these unique and top-rated campsites across Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, guests can get to know one area thoroughly, all while spending high-quality time with their loved ones.
In the ideal world, you’d be able to stay at all of your favourite UK campsites, whether it’s adventurous sites across Scotland or peaceful campsites in Wales. However, the reality is that you’ll need to narrow down your options. So, if you’ve already been busy browsing campsites in England, put your search on pause for a moment, and check out some of the best campsites in the UK we have found for you.
The 10 Best UK Campsites
Five Acres Farm Campsite
Narrowgate Lane, Wardlow
Derbyshire, England
SK17 8RP
Why here? If you’ve ever dreamt of staying on Peak District farm or at the very least planned to cycle down the national park’s old railway lines or finally try your first Bakewell tart, Five Acres Farm Campsite is an excellent place to spend your holiday. Surrounded by Peak District farmland, the dog-friendly site’s most popular residents are its pack of alpacas. For peaceful bike rides, the Monsal Trail is just five minutes’ drive from the site. Being within 20 minutes’ drive of other popular Peak District attractions such as Chatsworth House, Tideswell, Castleton and Bamford, there are plenty of extra attractions to keep you occupied too. When you return to this rural retreat, you might want to watch the sunset over the fields and warm your feet around a firepit.
Key facilities: Dog-friendly, fire pits and barbecues permitted, ice pack freezing, showers, toilets, washing-up area and communal freezer.
One last thing… The site allows barbecues, so you’re welcome to grill your sausages and vegetables while gazing over the surrounding Peak District landscapes.
Barley Meadow Touring Park
Crockernwell, Exeter
Devon, England
EX6 6NR
Why here? If hiking or cycling around Dartmoor National Park has been a dream of yours for some time, make your way to Barley Meadow Touring Park. The dog-friendly site is just 10 minutes’ walk away from the Two Moors Way and 15 minutes’ drive from the Granite Way and National Cycle Route 27, three popular and scenic long-distance trails. There’s a farm shop next door to the site, so you shouldn’t be short on ingredients for packed lunches or barbecues later in the evening. If you fancy a day sightseeing in Exeter, Barley Meadow Touring Park is also a great base, as the city is only 25 minutes’ drive away. The site is adults-only too, meaning that you won’t be disturbed by any kids running around.
Key facilities: Wifi, showers and toilets, washing-up area, chemical disposal point, games room, launderette, adults-only, dog-friendly and barbecues permitted.
One last thing… If you need any extra information or inspiration for your holiday itinerary, just visit the site's information centre. Dogs requiring plenty of exercise are also well-catered to, as there’s a secure area for guests to exercise dogs off lead.
Book Barley Meadow Touring Park
Tucker’s Grave Inn and Campsite
Knoll Lane, Faulkland
Bath, Somerset
England, BA3 5XF
Why here? Cider fans will appreciate Tucker’s Grave Inn and Campsite in the Somerset countryside. As part of one of the oldest cider pubs in Somerset, the site hosts regular live music and barn events. After a day at the Roman baths in Bath, 25 minutes’ drive away, you’ll be able to cradle a pint of traditional sparkling or still cider upon your return. Firepits are also permitted for those who’d like to talk about their adventures over the chalk hills of Westbury, which are also 25 minutes’ drive away. With a beer garden, tap room, toilet access and drinking water taps the site has an excellent variety of facilities too.
Key facilities: Dog-friendly, wifi, disabled facilities, washing-up area, chemical disposal point, pub toilet access, portaloos and firepits and barbecues permitted.
One last thing… Don’t worry about any late-night trips to the toilet, because guests at Tucker’s Grave Inn and Campsite have 24-hour access to the pub toilets. If you don’t want to walk those few minutes, there are also portaloos positioned around the pitches.
Book Tucker’s Grave Inn and Campsite
Lynmouth Holiday Retreat
Manor Farm, Lynton
Devon, England
EX35 6LD
Why here? One glance at the aerial view of Lynmouth Holiday Retreat will tell you that the site is in a very advantageous location for holidays on the Devon and Somerset coast. The dog-friendly site is five minutes’ drive from Lynmouth harbour, where there are fishing cottages and shops. It’s also half an hour’s drive from Exmoor National Park, a base for a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and horse riding. There’s direct access to the A39, so it’s easy to travel to your day trip destination. Otherwise, guests might want to hike directly into the surrounding countryside or track down the nearby South West Coast Path. With a food shop, launderette and a washing-up area on site, there’s no need to waste any precious time doing a food shop either.
Key facilities: Dog-friendly, food shop, wifi, washing-up area, launderette, shower and toilet facilities and chemical disposal point.
One last thing… Dogs and humans can expect plenty of exercise, considering that the site has direct access to local footpaths.
Cragg Hill Farm
Horton In Ribblesdale, Settle
North Yorkshire, England
BD24 0HW
Why here? Cragg Hill Farm isn’t short on scenery. Based in the Yorkshire Dales, the dog-friendly site has views over Pen-y-Ghent and the Settle-Carlisle railway line, and the river Ribble runs directly through the site too. It’s an excellent base for hiking the Yorkshire Dales or taking extremely scenic train journeys through the expansive countryside from Settle. However energetic your activities are during the day, the site has a relaxed atmosphere to return to and handy-but-simple facilities, including hot showers, toilets and a washing-up area. If you fancy a pint of a local brew, there are also three country pubs within walking distance of Cragg Hill Farm.
Key facilities: Dog-friendly, hot showers, toilets, washing-up area, chemical disposal facilities and barbecues permitted.
One last thing… While Cragg Hill Farm is in a fabulous rural setting, the coastal town of Morecambe is an hour’s drive from the site. Closer by, go golfing or swimming in Settle, 15 minutes’ drive from the site.
Pencarnan Farm Caravan and Camping Site
Pencarnan Farm, St Davids
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
Wales, SA62 6PY
Why here? Based on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and with direct access to Porthsele beach, Pencarnan Farm Caravan and Camping Site is a splendid coastal getaway. Between your hikes over Pembrokeshire’s cliffs and activities such as surfing or swimming, the 96-acre farm site has plenty of space for you to spread out, unwind or play ball games. The site has been around since the mid-1950s, so there are plenty of facilities that will save you time and simplify your holiday. These include a shop selling food and camping gear, wetsuit hire, a coffee hut and a bar and pizza available at peak times. If a sunset firepit on the beach sounds appealing too, the site sells logs for fires.
Key facilities: Family-run, dog-friendly, shop selling food and camping gear, coffee hut, bar and pizza in peak times, logs available and direct beach access.
One last thing… Private vehicles can access the site, so it’s easy to shift any heavy camping gear or surfboards to your pitch.
Book Pencarnan Farm Caravan and Campsite
Lilliardsedge Holiday Park
Jedburgh, Scottish borders
Scotland
TD8 6TZ
Why here? The Scottish Borders is well-known for its green hills, lochs and forests, and Lilliardsedge Holiday Park is no exception. The peaceful family-friendly site is spread across 100 acres of lush, green fields and woodlands, and it’s also within walking distance of the local lochs. A nine-hole golf course and 18-hole putting green are some of its biggest assets, but it also has its own bar-restaurant, which serves local beer and runs bingo, karaoke and pub quizzes.
Key facilities: Family-friendly, dog-friendly, golf course, putting green, bar-restaurant, playground, woodland walks, barbecue-friendly and events like bingo and karaoke.
One last thing… Those of you who are fans of long-distance hikes can access the 62-mile St Cuthbert’s Way within five minutes’ drive of the site.
Book Lilliardsedge Holiday Park
Treacle Valley Campsite
Orestone Lane, Daccombe
Newton Abbot, Devon
TQ12 4ST
Why here? As a working farm with views over Dartmoor National Park, Treacle Valley Campsite provides guests with the full rural Devon experience. Since the local area is so well-appreciated for its golden-sand beaches and seaside amusement parks, guests will also be pleased to find that the site is only 15 minutes’ drive from Torquay, 20 minutes from Paignton and 20 minutes from Teignmouth. The site is thoroughly family-friendly. There’s a play area, a cafe and shop stocking snacks and plenty of space to set up a barbecue or a firepit. Those who’d like to taste and rate the local pub food can also walk 20 minutes to the local pub.
Key facilities: Dog-friendly, family-friendly, play area, café, shop, laundry room, free freezer block service and firepits and barbecues permitted.
One last thing… When you’re done admiring the views, there are countryside walks that will take you to the local village and pub.
Riverside Caravan Park at The George
Cambridge, Gloucester
Gloucestershire, England
GL2 7AL
Why here? You won’t be short of tasty pub food when based at the Riverside Caravan Park at The George alongside the river Cam in Gloucestershire. A short drive from the Welsh border, eight miles from the Forest of Dean and well-situated for those travelling southwest, the dog-friendly site has plenty of advantages. With the family inn’s home cooked meals and local ales and cider available in the pub, you should have plenty of energy for spotting otters and wildfowl along the river or coarse fishing on the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal. That’s not to mention hiking, canoeing and archery in the Forest of Dean. For any picnics, the site’s riverside has a selection of benches and for those travelling with kids, there’s a play area.
Key facilities: Dog-friendly, fishing on site, play area, pub serving food and drink, takeaway, accessible shower and toilets, washing-up area and chemical disposal point.
One last thing… The George hosts regular steak nights and it has an impressive steak selection. There’s also a generously large beer garden for those wanting to drink a pint in the open air.
Book Riverside Caravan Park at The George
Beltonville Farm
Millers Dale, Buxton
Derbyshire, England
SK17 8SS
Why here? The Peak District National Park has some of the UK’s finest landscapes, including limestone valleys, gritstone ridges, underground caverns and extensive moorlands. A 15-minute drive from Buxton and Bakewell, Beltonville Farm is a back-to-basics site well-based for exploring it all. The site is a mile from the Monsal Trail, a cycling route that passes through the tunnels of an old railway line. It also sells its own fresh farm produce, so it’s likely that any firepit food you rustle up on site will be particularly fresh and tasty. With views over Miller’s Dale, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, you might want to hold off closing your eyes too soon in case you miss any passing wildlife or birds gliding by.
Key facilities: Dog-friendly, food shop, shower and toilet facilities, washing-up area, local produce available, drying room and car parking by the pitch.
One last thing… You don’t need to search far for firewood because the site sells wood. The facilities are also varied, despite the back to basics atmosphere; they include a washing-up area, showers, toilets and disabled facilities.
If you’re looking for more inspiration for your UK break, Pitchup has a huge selection of campsites across the UK. They’re all unique, so follow the links below to check out what new pastures you might visit next.