With stunning scenery, unforgettable experiences and (largely) predictable weather, the best campsites in the UK tick every box.
Crack out the marshmallows and escape the commotion with my collection of fantastic UK campsites. I’ve included where to find them and what not to miss during your stay – ensuring a quintessentially British time in the countryside.
Best campsites in the UK: England
England is spoilt with uninterrupted areas of natural beauty. There are thousands of incredible campsites to visit across the country. Here are my all-time favourites.
1. Kestrel Lodge, Keswick
- Price: From £11 per night
- Season: March to October, weather-dependent
- Don’t miss: Nights around your own personal campfire
Kestrel Lodge is a tranquil campsite nestled among the northern Lake District fells, one of the most beautiful places in the UK.
Each pitch is earmarked with its own sunken firepit, and the onsite honesty shop offers an endless supply of firewood and marshmallows. I’ve never been more than 10 minutes away from a s’more at Kestrel Lodge, and that’s a record I intend to keep.
Fry morning eggs from the site’s own hens (watch out for Mad Meave, supposedly the oldest chicken in Cumbria), hike the surrounding Wainwrights, enjoy a swim in Bassenthwaite Lake or simply settle into nature and watch the hours float by.
2. Sandy Acres, Cornwall
- Price: From £18 per night
- Season: March – October
- Don’t miss: Atlantic dips with the Sunday Swim Club
Mention Cornwall to my partner and he’ll talk about Sandy Acres for hours. This family-run campsite is a short walk from the secluded Cornish beach, offering a haven for saltwater seekers.
Take surf lessons to (safely) challenge the swells of the Atlantic, or join beachside yoga sessions to bathe in the sea air. I recommend joining the Sunday Swim Club on their weekly dips or hitching onto the site’s ‘Mid Week Walk’ along Cornwall’s coastal paths.
Sandy Acres is as close as you can get to beach camping in Cornwall. Shake off the outside world with one of the best campsites in the UK.
Best campsites in the UK: Scotland
Rugged coastlines and the right to roam These are my top recommendations for wild camping in Scotland and a more comfortable alternative for families and groups.
3. Rackwick Bay, Orkney
- Price: Free
- Season: Year-round
- Don’t miss: Burnmouth Cottage/Rackwick Bothy
Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and you can enjoy most hills, forests, and moors across Scotland. Rackwick Bay is one of my favourites for wild camping.
Found on Hoy in the Orkney archipelago, Rackwick Bay is home to towering cliffs, spectacular beaches and heather-covered hills.
Check out Burnmouth Cottage for the perfect wild camping spot – this traditional Scottish bothy provides safe yet scenic shelter for visitors to hunker down for the night.
Sleep inside or pitch your tent within the walled garden. Both options are entirely free of charge. The bothy works on a first come, first served basis and you’ll share with others who arrive throughout the day.
4. Sands Caravan and Camping, Gairloch
- Price: From £19 per night
- Season: March to October
- Don’t miss: Unrivaled views of the Isle of Skye
Families and groups looking for a wild camping experience without ruffling any feathers should check out Sands Caravan and Camping. Just 10 minutes off the NC500 route and set against the atmospheric Scottish coastline, this place ticks every box.
In true wild camping style, Sands allows you to choose your own pitch upon arrival. Whether you choose to seek shelter among the sand dunes or brave a raised pitch in favour of the views is up to you.
This site offers the perfect family-friendly experience without sacrificing a hot shower or a real toilet. Sands is also a dog-friendly site, has its own wash area for your furry friends and several beach access points for walkies.
Best campsites in the UK: Wales
From Eryri National Park to Bannau Brycheiniog, Wales is packed with scenic grounds for every adventure. Here are my two favourite campsites in the country.
5. Trellyn Woodland Camping, Pembrokeshire
- Price: From £360 per week + £12 membership to the Greener Camping Club
- Season: May to September
- Don’t miss: Pizza oven socials
Dark skies, woodland surroundings, and only seven pitches? Trellyn Woodland Camping caught my attention. Located within a Pembrokeshire woodland valley, this premium site allows campers to experience the Welsh coastline in a new way.
Trellyn offers the perfect romantic getaway for couples or quality time for families. Peace and quiet are almost guaranteed here, with only seven camp pitches and three glamping yurts across the site. Each pitch even has its own name – I personally think Lower Meadow is the best choice, but Dandelion’s Home and Rockwood Pitch look equally as beautiful.
The site organises a weekly make-your-own pizza night to hang out with fellow campers, and a communal barn for access to books, board games and even a wood-fired sauna. Book this site well in advance.
6. Pytingwyn Woods, Brecon
- Price: From £12 per night
- Season: July to September
- Don’t miss: Morning birdsong wake-up calls
Pytingwyn Woods offers an ‘almost wild camping’ experience bordering the Brecon Beacons. This has been an informal camping location for hikers, couples and families for quite some time, only recently gaining a presence in the online world.
Found on just over four acres of land, little has changed since Pytingwyn Woods first opened. I’m always happy to immerse in the truest form of camping with no showers, electricity or Wi-Fi – but I was pleased to learn of the onsite composting toilet.
Hike Pen-y-Crug directly from the campsite for striking views of Pen-y-Fan or float down the River Honddu to cool off during the summer months. Make sure to say hello to George the horse, Pytingwyn’s only permanent resident – he’s quite the character.
Best campsites in the UK: Northern Ireland
Thinking of taking the Causeway Coastal Route or visiting the Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty? I’ve hand-picked the locations for you to camp along the way.
7. The Meadows Camping Field, Omagh
- Price: From £15
- Season: March to October
- Don’t miss: Waterfall views from Sloughan Glen
Found on the Central and South Sperrins Scenic Route, The Meadows is the perfect pitstop on any Northern Ireland adventure. This quaint campsite neighbours the market village of Gortin and sits at the foot of the Sperrin Mountains, one of Ireland’s largest upland areas.
Enjoy sheltered pitches beside a babbling brook for an idyllic camping holiday. The Meadows has several pitches with access to electricity, but there are also plenty of back-to-basic spots if that’s your preference.
The river path is excellent for a stroll in the sunshine, and the waterfall views from Sloughan Glen are nothing short of spectacular. On rainy days, it’s possible to take shelter in nearby restaurants and bars – there’s even a local cinema to put your feet up after a day on the trail.
8. Trench Farm Campsite, Ballycastle
- Price: From £15 per night
- Season: March to October
- Don’t miss: The Trench Farm Alpaca Experience
Trench Farm is one of the best campsites in the UK for its location – wake to the sunrise and you’ll find everything Ballycastle has to offer on your front (tent)step.
Trench Farm is a family-run site with huge 10m x 10m pitches, incredible dark skies for stargazing and several children-friendly activities on offer.
I’m particularly intrigued by the exclusive Alpaca Experience which gives families the chance to make friends with the site’s resident pets and take a picnic between the trees. This picnic is set to be amazing if Trench Farm’s grazing platters are anything to go by – I highly recommend the Breakfast Box if you have an action-packed day ahead.
Best campsites in the UK FAQ
Wild camping in the UK is limited to Scotland and Dartmoor in England. It is illegal to wild camp in all other areas of the UK unless you have landowner permission. Those found to be camping illegally can be moved on and potentially fined.
The only way to camp entirely free of charge in the UK is to wild camp. The Peak District and the Lake District are great places to camp for free in England if you are granted landowner permission. It is legal and free to camp responsibly across Scotland.
Camping is legal in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park of Scotland and Dartmoor National Park in England. To camp in other UK national parks like the Lake District and Snowdonia, you need to receive permission from the landowner.
