21 Family Campsites To Book For This Summer

21 Family Campsites To Book For This Summer

If exploring the great outdoors by day and stargazing by night sounds like your idea of a good time, a camping trip could be your ideal summer holiday this year. A great choice for the whole family, many campsites offer on and off-site activities for small children and teenagers, while adults can relax and enjoy some time away. Here are the best family campsites in the UK…
Photography: BIRDS & BEES/COLIN THORNTON

Caolasnacon Caravan & Camping Park, Scottish Highlands

For an off-the-beaten-track adventure holiday, pitch your tent in the Scottish Highlands. This rural site overlooks a loch, where campers can go boating and fishing, as well as kayaking and canoeing. There are also plenty of climbing and walking routes around Caolasnacon – if you’re lucky, you’ll spot a golden eagle. After a day’s mountaineering, settle in to watch the sunset over the loch and look out for the family of otters that often make an appearance on the bank. Unlike other campsites, there’s no need to book in advance at Caolasnacon, as the site is not divided into individual pitches. 

Visit KinlochlevenCaravans.com

Beryl’s Campsite, Devon

A hidden gem near Salcombe, Beryl’s is a charming spot with a focus on easy-going, chilled-out camping and oodles of room for young children to play. Pitch options run from shaded spaces to ones with stunning rolling hill views, and others near the swimming pond. Guests can relax in this peaceful site but, thanks to its prime coastal position, there are also many offsite activities to get stuck into, including boat hire, paddleboarding and pottery painting. Facilities are simple, but the charm of this secretive spot more than makes up for that. 

Visit BerylsCampsite.co.uk

Twitey’s Tipis & Camping Meadows, Stratford-Upon-Avon  

Venture just outside Stratford-upon-Avon and you’ll arrive at Twitey’s Tipis & Camping Meadows. Pitches are hidden by grass reeds and meadow flowers, offering families the privacy and space to enjoy themselves. Buy firewood at the on-site shop and light your own campfire to mark the end of a day exploring the local medieval castles and literary hotspots. For some added luxury, hire one of the site’s three charming tipis, which come fully furnished and equipped with a patio gas stove, BBQ and welcome hamper. 

Visit TwiteysTipis.co.uk

Birds and Bees Campsite, Suffolk

Birds and Bees Campsite is in Suffolk’s Ade Valley. Its 16 spacious pitches are scattered around three grassy meadows – each pitch covers half an acre of ground. For supper, pick up BBQ supplies from the Beehive reception, which stocks locally sourced produce, as well as home-grown herbs and luxury homemade ice cream. Off site, Dulwich Heath and Beach is 20 minutes by car, as are family favourites Framlingham Castle and Rendlesham Forest.

Visit BirdsAndBeedsCampsite.co.uk

Fox Wood Camping, Sussex 

In the South Downs National Park, Fox Wood provides all guests with a roomy private tent pitch as well as a secluded campfire area for marshmallow toasting and stargazing. Surrounded by 35 acres of forestland, there are plenty of opportunities for woodland exploring and animal spotting here, as well as space for dogs to make themselves at home. For families who crave sea air, Worthing beach is a short drive away, as is Devil’s Dyke, an ideal spot for kite flying. Big groups are welcome at Fox Wood, just be sure to call in advance if you want pitches next to one another.

Visit FoxWoodCamping.co.uk

Beryl's Campsite
Beryl's Campsite
Birds & Bees
Birds & Bees

COLIN THORTON

Cedar Valley, Hampshire

In an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty deep in the Hampshire countryside, Cedar Valley has something for everyone. In the picturesque Meon Valley, the site is easily reached from London, making it ideal for a last-minute weekend away. Guests can camp on one of two campsites: The Paddock welcomes families and children, while The Meadows is adults only. There’s a cool deli and café inside a renovated double-decker bus on site, as well as several good pubs in the nearby towns. Guests can head to the South Downs for a lovely day trip, or simply make the most of the beautiful surroundings on site.

Visit CedarValley.co.uk

Hooks House Farm, Yorkshire 

Between Whitby and Scarborough on the Yorkshire coast, this small, family-run campsite is part of a working farm, with sweeping ocean and countryside views that can be enjoyed from every pitch. A 15-minute walk brings you to Robin Hood’s Bay, a picturesque fishing village abundant with tea rooms and pubs, as well as horse-riding opportunities and bike hire services. For wildlife lovers, a trip to Ravenscar is a must – it’s home to families of seals as well as sharks and dolphins. This is a site for those who want a secluded setting, with fun family activities still within reach. 

Visit HooksHouseFarm.co.uk

Fisherground Campsite, Lake District

For a family camping spot in the Lake District, look no further than Fisherground Campsite in the heart of Eskdale valley. For children, the site’s adventure playground is the place to be, with its zip wire, rafts, treehouse and large paddling pond. Families with teens can walk up nearby Scafell Pike. The on-site shop is well stocked, with kindling for your nightly campfire and marshmallows for toasting. To make sure adults relax, and kids get a good night’s sleep, the site team asks that noise is limited after 10.30pm.

Visit FishergroundCampsite.co.uk

Cornish Tipi Holidays, Cornwall

This one prides itself on being eco-conscious, encouraging guests to switch off from the outside world as they pitch up in its flowery meadows, which are centred around a beautiful spring-fed lake. Activities include swimming in the lake, boating and picking wild flowers, as well as making friends with the local wildlife. Close to Port Isaac, guests can venture into the village to stock up on fresh seafood for an evening campfire, or drive on five minutes to reach one of Cornwall’s best surfing spots, Polzeath. In high season, count on the team at the on-site GastroPod Café to host dinner, including pizza, Thai and Mexican nights. 

Visit CornishTipiHolidays.co.uk

Wild Meadow Raynham, Norfolk

For a luxury glamping experience, head to Wild Meadow in Norfolk. On Raynham Estate, visitors can stay in one of four new handcrafted yurts and make the most of the beautiful surroundings. Open from June to September, the yurts, which sleep up to four, include luxury super-king beds, cosy rugs and blankets, an outdoor wood-burner, a barbecue and outdoor seating. There's also an undercover dining area, with separate showering facilities nearby. A lovely option for small groups or families, bookmark this for a summer weekend away.

Visit Raynham.co.uk

Cedar Valley
Cedar Valley
Wild Meadow
Wild Meadow
Cornish Tipi
Cornish Tipi

Nethergong Camping, Kent

Nethergong sits in 26 acres of woodland, surrounded by soft meadow grass and spring flowers. Yet historic Canterbury and seaside Whitstable are on its doorstep. Pitch your tent in the grass fields, woods or next to one of the site’s lakes, where children can spot the many different types of frog who call Nethergong pond their home. As well as the traditional campsite facilities, this site offers family amenities such as portable fire pits, local fruit and veg boxes, and nature conservation courses for both children and adults, as well as lake swimming and fishing. 

Visit NethergongCamping.co.uk

Karrageen Campsite, Devon 

In a beautiful valley surrounded by National Trust-protected Devon coastline, Karrageen Campsite is simple and rural. Choose from more than 50 pitches, many with both sea and countryside views. On-site facilities, such as heated shower blocks and utility rooms, all feature eco-friendly solar heating panels, and guests can use fresh water supplied from the on-site spring. For a day out, there’s the picturesque fishing village of Hope Cove, home to sandy beaches and rock pools that you can wade out to. Back on site, dinner is provided by a collection of visiting food trucks, with stone-baked pizza or gourmet kebabs often on the menu.

Visit Karrageen.co.uk

Cotswold Farm Park, The Cotswolds

Owned by Countryfile’s Adam Henson, Cotswold Farm Park is a short drive from Cheltenham town centre. It has a wide range of facilities, including a kitchen, laundry room and heated shower block, as well as a café selling local produce and gifts. Families can explore the surrounding countryside or visit the neighbouring farm, where there are plenty of activities to keep children entertained: ride in a tractor, run wild in the adventure playground or get to know the farm’s newest residents in its Discovery Barn. Finish the day by watching the sunset over Windrush Valley from your pitch, with a campfire to keep you cosy. 

Visit CotswoldFarmPark.co.uk

Doward Park, Herefordshire

Doward Park is a small family campsite in the Wye Valley near Symonds Yat in Herefordshire. Home to some of the most beautiful views on this list, the campsite is close to the Forest of Dean and guests will feel at one with nature in its secluded woodland location. On site, there’s a small shop selling local produce, separate showering facilities, and a pot-washing station. A great choice for kids, there are plenty of activities to get stuck into, including outdoor trails, forest walks and several good cycling routes.

Visit DowardPark.co.uk

Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park, Swansea

This award-winning campsite is ten minutes’ walk from dog-friendly Three Cliffs Bay, with its golden sand dunes, rock pools and glistening turquoise sea. The on-site shop provides all the essentials, including homemade cakes and locally brewed beer, as well as the must-have toys for a day on the beach – there’s even a bodyboard and wetsuit rental service. Fancy eating under the stars? The team will deliver picnic benches and fire pits to your pitch, or you can order in one of the luxury family hampers. Choose from BBQ or breakfast bundles, both of which are filled with plenty of local produce. 

Visit ThreeCliffsBay.com

Nethergong
Nethergong

​Hollands Wood, Hampshire

In 22 acres of forest, guests share Hollands Wood campsite with an array of wild animals – ponies often make their way up to tents to say hello. Although the site has space for over 600 campers, the cover of oak trees ensures pitches remain private, and you can pick a spot at the back of the site if you want extra peace and quiet. There are plenty of toilet and shower blocks, as well as washbasins, drinking water taps and a dog shower for furry friends. There are cycling and walking trails to explore the New Forest. Nearby Brockenhurst village is a flurry of picturesque country pubs and tea rooms, as well as bike rental services.

Visit CampingInTheForest.co.uk 

Finchingfield Camping, Essex

In nine acres of wildflower meadow and a lavender field, this off-grid eco site makes for a lovely Essex hideaway that can be reached in just over an hour’s drive from London. Finchingfield has been updated in time for its reopening this summer with new washing facilities. Each camping pitch is spacious and accommodates one family. There are plenty of activities to enjoy in the surrounding area too, from wild swimming spots and a fishing lake, to nearby farms and woodland play areas.

​Visit FinchingfieldCamping.co.uk

Treen Farm, Cornwall

A family-run cliff-top campsite, Treen Farm has some beautiful viewpoints that look out to the Isles of Scilly. Guernsey cows greet guests on arrival and pass by the camp gate each day on their evening walk – the on-site farm shop sells their organic yogurt and milk, as well as eggs and locally sourced meat and veg. Activities wise, along with local walking routes, cycling trails and surfing spots, the site offers yoga classes and foraging walks for guests in summer months. Come meal times, your pitch’s private picnic-bench area makes an ideal spot for taking in the vast sea views. 

Visit TreenFarmCampsite.com

Holland's Park
Holland's Park
Lepe Beach
Lepe Beach

Lepe Beach Campsite, Hampshire 

A stone’s throw from the sandy shores of the Solent, Lepe Beach Campsite is an ideal spot for families who want a traditional camping experience coupled with sea views. While away the hours exploring the beach or relaxing on the sand, before taking part in some afternoon beach fishing and picking up some homemade treats at Lepe Beach Cafe, which can be found perching on the edge of the water. With no campervans or caravans permitted, this laidback site has a simple, peaceful atmosphere. If you want home comforts, stay in one of the pre-furnished tents that come with beds, camping chairs and cooking utensils.

Visit CoolCamping.com

Grange Farm, Isle of Wight 

Hop on the ferry to the Isle of Wight and pitch up at Grange Farm, which is just minutes away from Brighstone Bay beach. Families can spend the day surfing, kayaking and open-water swimming as well as getting to know the friendly farm animals. The site itself offers all the traditional campsite amenities, as well as a well-stocked farm shop that sells eggs from the farm’s hens and freshly baked bread. If you’d rather not navigate the ferry timetable, Grange Farm will book your travel for you – tell them when you’re coming and they’ll do the rest. 

Visit GrangeFarmCamping.co.uk

Ten Acres Vineyard, Devon

Ten Acres Vineyard is a family camping spot that both adults and kids are bound to enjoy. It has just ten pitches, making this tranquil little campsite ideal for a secluded stay. Children can explore its rugged, rural surroundings, learning about the fauna and flora as they go, or head to the well-equipped play area. There are plenty of cycling and walking routes close by and adults can take part in vineyard tours, as well as on-site wine tastings. Dogs are welcome at Ten Acres, so the whole family can pitch up together. 

Visit TenAcresVineyardCamping.co.uk

 

*DISCLAIMER: Travel restrictions are changing daily, so please check the latest government advice before you book anything. Visit Gov.uk for more information.

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