‘Sleep under the stars, in the company of nature’ has become one of the hottest lifestyles for a new generation of young people. Camping is also a very well established holiday option in the UK for families, couples and solos alike. The UK’s wonderfully protected nature has many desirable campsites offering a variety of natural landscapes and unique experiences.
Below is a list of the 10 popular campsites in the UK, compiled by asking local friends and combining online tips with their prices, facilities and booking information, to help you plan a perfect camping trip with ease.
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- 1. Woodside Lodges Country Park
- 2. Meldon Lake and Woods Wild Camping
- 3. Top of the Woods Eco Luxury Camping & Glamping
- 4. Nut Plat Retreat
- 5. Beech Estate Campsite
- 6. Burtree Country House
- 7. Stanley Villa Farm Fishing & Camping
- 8. Sweet Hill Farm Wild Camping
- 9. White Peak Camping
- 10. Celtic Woodland Holidays
1. Woodside Lodges Country Park
- Address: Falcon Lane, Ledbury, Herefordshire
- Facilities: 3 luxury camping pitches – 57 caravan/tent pitches – 14 tent pitches
- Price: £20-60/night
- Access: 1 hour 25 minutes drive from Birmingham
- Booking: Official website link
In a gloriously rural setting, luxury Scandinavian Lodges of Woodside Country offer you the peace and tranquillity. The former, nestled among tall pines, is simply furnished (bring your own bedding and camping gear) but is well insulated and spacious, with heaters, double sockets and lighting. There is also a dining and cooking area with five different rooms, each accommodating up to four people. Practicality outweighs luxury – the cosy indoor option is particularly popular in winter.
The 25-acre space is covered by a patchwork of woodland and nine different ponds. In summer, the largest, Cider Mill Pool, is a popular spot for families to gather, and children can splash around in the water like big ducks on the small jetty. It’s more reminiscent of the French countryside than the centre of England.
2. Meldon Lake and Woods Wild Camping
- Address: in Dartmoor National Park
- Transport: Bristol is a two hour drive away.
- Price: £20/night
This place is best suited to self-sufficient campers. This Hipcamp has no toilets, showers or drinking water. The closest thing to a shower that you can enjoy is a swim in the on-site lake, and the only secluded space is the one you have to carry with you, and as far as drinking water goes, be more than ready. Campfires are allowed here and logs are provided. All that is required is that no trace is left behind between coming and going.
The beautiful, peaceful, flat main area is backed by steep forest. There are other attractions around the lake and in the forest. Cycle paths nearby. Direct access to Dartmoor National Park. Remote, unspoilt and secluded, ideal for relaxation. Great for walks. Large reservoir nearby. At night, it also has the whole starry sky to itself~
3. Top of the Woods Eco Luxury Camping & Glamping
- Address: Penrallt Farm, Capel Colman Road, Pembrokeshire, Wales
- Access: 2 hours drive from Cardiff
- Price: £50-150/night
- Booking: Official website link
Top of the Woods in Pembrokeshire is a well-established campsite. Here you can choose from a wide range of eco-friendly accommodation. Boutique hunting lodges or brand new natural domes, or ‘Pioneer Camps’ (which have a large tent and large tented lodges, as well as a separate canvas kitchen). Of course, you can also bring your own tent.
If you’re travelling in a group, the camp offers additional services for larger events, such as a large barbecue, bell tent hire, and even help in finding local group activities. This is the place to go for a fun and hassle-free group get-together!
4. Nut Plat Retreat
- Address: Roughway Ln, Tonbridge TN11 9SH
- Transport: 45 mins drive from London
- Price: £80-160/night
This is England’s most iconic luxury glamping lookalike. The beautiful riverside setting (with horses munching on the grass on the other side of the river) and authentic vintage accommodation takes the ‘quaint’ out of the ‘pretentious’, and its convenient location just 45 minutes from London makes it the ideal luxury campsite for a short break.
Whilst retaining its historic feel, the interior has been refreshed to provide a cosy living space. There is a double bed, folding table, oak chairs, a wood burner and beautiful stained glass windows from Rye Cinque Port in Sussex. Meanwhile, outside, both vans have their own private kitchen space, shower room and toilet, as well as a fire pit and barbecue for late nights around the campfire (marshmallows provided!) . Both cabins come with their own wood-burning hot tubs!
5. Beech Estate Campsite
- Address: B2096 Kane Hythe Road, Battle TN33 9QU
- Transport: Brighton 1 hour 20 minutes by car
- Price: £24-150/night
- Booking method: Official website link
Beech Estate Campsite – no electricity, no mobile phone signal, and the only way to get your gear to your tent is with a wheelbarrow through the woods. If this all sounds like too much effort, then there’s probably no way you’re going to fit in. If it sounds like the perfect escape from noisy city life, then you’re in for a real natural treat.
Each of the eight wild camping bell tents has its own separate open space, complete with beds, chairs, picnic tables, cooking utensils, fire pits, wood and eco cookers. It’s fair to say that these tents are practical rather than luxurious, but that’s exactly what this off-the-grid, back-to-basics haven is all about.
6. Burtree Country House
- Address: York Road, Thirsk YO7 3AY
- Access: York is a 35 minute drive away
- Price: £30-225/night
- Booking: Official website link
Burtree House and Retreat boasts some of the most exclusive luxury glamping tents in Yorkshire! For privacy reasons, the campsite has only 2 tents and both are situated in secluded locations so that you can be completely secluded during your stay. Each tent has its own private hot tub with garden, fire pit and luxury BBQ.
7. Stanley Villa Farm Fishing & Camping
- Address: Back Ln, Greenhalgh, Preston PR4 3HN
- Price: £65-160 per night
- Getting there: 1 hour 10 minutes drive from Manchester
- Booking: Official website link
Colourful purpose-built ‘lodges’ are fully insulated and equipped (although you’ll need to bring your own bedding). Explore the vast fields (the size of 4 football pitches!). When you’re feeling tired, it’s nice to come back to the cottage for the weekend. The communal lakeside lodge offers everything you need for a hassle-free stay, including laundry and cooking facilities, as well as a large communal lounge.
Imagine this: You & your loved one sat in the sparkling warm water of the Hot Tub, under the stars, sharing some real quality time together. What could be more magical and memorable?
8. Sweet Hill Farm Wild Camping
- Address: Sweet Hill Road, Southwell, Portland DT5 2DS
- Access: Off the beaten track between Southwell village and Portland Bill, access to the island is required.
- Price: £15/night
- Booking: Official website link
While the famous Portland Bill Lighthouse is an added attraction for visitors, Sweet Hill Farm, just a mile from the base of the lighthouse, offers an ideal location for those wanting to explore the island. Sweet Hill Farm provides a family-friendly centre for enthusiastic explorers, with a commitment to minimising the impact on the land.
60 spacious campsites are spread over several fields, in an environment that is as close to the island as possible. The ‘near wilderness’ setting of several fields means that handmade composting toilets, hot showers and cold taps provide basic amenities while ensuring that the surroundings remain intact. Open your tent every morning and you’ll have a perfect view of the sea!
9. White Peak Camping
- Address: Priestcliffe Road, Buxton
- Getting there: 45-minute drive from Sheffield
- Price: £10
- Booking: Official website link
Located in the Peak District, White Peak Camping is a simple setting in the centre of it all and in the middle of the wilderness at the same time. It is only a 15 minute drive from the Chatsworth Estate and just a mile from the vehicle-free Monsal Trail walking and cycling route. However, despite being within easy reach of the must-see attractions in this part of the National Park, it is fairly quiet.
It’s an on-leash campsite that allows dogs, feel free to pitch a tent and drive a campervan in, and it’s situated on a gently sloping site. They also sell you wood if you want a campfire. It’s a great place to relax with tree swings, toilets and taps – but no showers.
10. Celtic Woodland Holidays
- Address: Road Wood, Maesmynis, Wales
- Transport: 1 hour 50 minutes drive from Bristol
- Price: £90-150
- Booking: Official website link
Voted one of the best campsites in the UK to visit in 2023, Celtic Woodland holidays nestled between two stunning valleys: the Elan Valley and the Wye Valley – just outside the historic Wayside town of Bilswells. The campsite is an ideal base for outdoor adventurers, with Snowdonia to the north, the Brecon Beacons to the south, and the Cumbrian Mountains and Cardigan Bay to the west.
Five chalets make up the majority of the accommodation here, a design patented by owner Leigh herself. Known as moduLog, these unique chalets are both treehouse and log cabin, blending in with the surrounding forest. Inside facilities include a wood burning stove over a slate fireplace, a beautifully appointed kitchen space (including crockery) and box seats with built-in storage that convert into cosy beds. A must for those wishing to experience nature and want a great stay!
