Six UK camping hotspots

From family fun to adults-only, the UK offers a huge choice of camping experiences. We asked the experts at Pitchup.com to pick six treasures for an idyllic summer break

Best for BEACH
Ladram Bay Holiday Centre, Devon

Forget close to the waves, this site in Budleigh Salterton, Devon boasts its own stretch of private beach. It’s an idyllic spot where you can enjoy rockpooling and fishing or hire a kayak, rowing boat or motorboat from the Beach Shack and venture out to sea. Refreshments are also available – including doggy ice-cream, which pooches are welcome to enjoy from the decking although they are not allowed on the beach itself.

This iconic bay has a sand and pebble beach, backed by red Devonian sandstone cliffs, with views across to two further stacks. It sits within the East Devon AONB, and the South West Coast Path runs directly past along the fossil-hunters’ favourite Jurassic Coast.

While Devon’s scenery and cream teas offer good reasons to get out and explore, there are a good range of activities on site include a large pool complex with splash zone, indoor and outdoor play areas, crazy golf, games and amusement arcades. Usefully, there’s a supermarket, restaurant and takeaway.
Pitch essentials: Electric grass tent pitch for up to 6 people from £20 per night.

Best for YOUNG FAMILIES
Swallow Farm Campsite, Cheshire

Located in a secluded south-facing field with simple facilities, this farm camping site scored a full ten out of ten in reviews from guests staying in 2024. Young children can spend time feeding and petting the resident alpacas, goats, sheep, chickens and rabbits, and it’s a great opportunity for them to learn about animal care and farm life.

If the animal magic wears off or they need to let off steam and make a noise, there’s also a handy secure children’s play area with tennis rackets, space hoppers, footballs and nets.

There are just six pitches (for tents, touring caravans or motorhomes), as well as toilets and a shower, dishwashing area and a small on-site shop for freshly laid eggs and logs for the campfire.

Located around 20 minutes south-east of Chester, the site is close to a host of family-friendly attractions including the Ice Cream Farm at Tattenhall (the world’s largest ice cream shop with indoor and outdoor play attractions). There’s also the Crocky Trail, a mile-long adventure path with additional slides and rides. Both are within ten minutes’ drive of the campsite. Chester Zoo is under half an hour’s drive and, of course, the city itself has medieval galleried shops, Roman history and city walls to explore.
Pitch essentials: Pitches for up to 6 people from £30 per night (2-night minimum).

Best for GROUP FUN
Hengrave Meadow Glamping, Norfolk

Holidaying with other families keeps everyone entertained. To up the pleasure, head to a smaller glampsite where your group can have exclusive use. Hengrave Meadow Glamping, on the edge of a pretty village in rural Norfolk fits the bill perfectly, with three fully furnished bell tents, each sleeping up to four, in a gorgeous meadow with small pond. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, too.

Each tent comes with its own covered outdoor kitchen equipped with camping stove and utensils plus a private shower and toilet in a converted shepherd’s hut. There’s a communal pot wash and fridge in a converted stable with power points for charging phones – you’ll also find a small library there.

Hengrave Meadow is 30 minutes from the Norfolk coast, the ‘fine’ cathedral city of Norwich and the Norfolk Broads, making this an excellent base to explore the county of big skies. The nearest shops and pubs are in Reepham, half-an-hour’s gentle cycling using one of the courtesy bikes.

Nearby family attractions include the UK’s largest dinosaur-themed adventure park ROARR! (seven minutes’ drive). BeWilderwood treehouse and outdoor play park and Pensthorpe nature reserve are both within 30 minutes’ drive.
Pitch essentials: Bell tent for up to 4 people from £150 per night.

Best for ADULT-ONLY ESCAPE
Abbey Farm, Oxfordshire

Escape the everyday, and the children, with a stay at a luxury shepherd hut located on a 270-acre farm in the Chilterns. There are two huts, each containing everything needed for a cosy break for two, including a double bed, ensuite shower and a kitchenette with microwave, hob, fridge and kettle. Outside, each hut has a delightfully private wood-fired hot tub.

The huts’ namesake red kites are in abundance in this part of the world, so it’s worth taking binoculars for a closer look, although dozens can easily be seen performing acrobatics overhead. Skylark and curlew are regularly spotted thanks to the owners’ commitment to schemes that support ground-nesting birds. Other local wildlife includes barn owls, kingfishers, otters, hares and deer.

There are plenty of walks and trails close by, including a link path to the Phoenix Trail cycle route. Guests can also fish on the River Thame, which runs through the farm. For off-site treasures, Waddesdon Manor, Cliveden House and Blenheim Palace are all within half an hour’s drive. For a real treat, book in to Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons – just ten minutes’ away – for a Michelin-starred meal.
Pitch essentials: Shepherd hut from £280 per stay for 2 adults (2-night minimum).

Best for ADVENTURE
Bryn Bettws Lodge, South Wales

If exploring stunning (and uncrowded) beaches and hiking remote trails before building a campfire to cook up dinner sounds like a perfect way to spend quality time with the family, head for the Afan Valley to this family-run spot known as ‘The Great Welsh Adventure’.

Located on top of a hill inside the Afan Forest Park, with far-reaching views over the surrounding terrain, there’s an extensive hand-built wooden play area on site as well as a bar and regular live music. Amenities include a shower block and washing-up cabin, and there’s also an undercover barbecue area with hanging barbecues and tables – handy if the temperature drops or the rain falls.

There are spectacular walks and mountain bike trails to explore from the site. Alternatively, go for adrenalin experiences by ziplining at Zip World Tower – home to the world’s fastest zip line and the UK’s only underground bouncy playground. Hiking and horse-riding opportunities in the Brecon Beacons add to the adventure of a stay here. Complete a family challenge with a walk up, Pen Y Fan, the highest mountain in South Wales, or spend a day on the Six Waterfalls Walk to see the full force of nature.
Pitch essentials: Non-electric tent or motorhome pitch for up to 5 people from £22 per night.

Best for ACTIVE FAMILIES
Whitemead Forest Park, Gloucestershire

Close to standout attractions, including Puzzlewood and Clearwell Caves in the Forest of Dean, this site has plenty to see and do whatever the weather. With a free gym, sauna and steam room as well as an indoor pool with a kids’ area, basketball court, mini golf and plenty of walks and cycle routes in close proximity, daytimes can be easily filled with water and woodland fun. Evenings are sorted too, thanks to a choice of on-site bars and restaurants and live entertainment.

The site is well known by camping regulars and welcomes all varieties of camper and glamper, with pitches for campervans, touring caravans and tents. Four-legged visitors are made welcome – the dedicated dog exercising area even has a canine assault course where they can be put through their paces. There are also plentiful great walks on and around the site.

The local area offers plenty to see and do, from iconic Tintern Abbey to canoeing or kayaking along the River Wye at Symonds Yat. Under two hours’ drive from Birmingham and 40 minutes from Gloucester, this is a popular stop-off point for tourers journeying on to South Wales, Devon and Cornwall.
Pitch essentials: Pitch for up to six people from £28 per night.

* To book these sites or search more than 6,000 others listed by location and special features, visit pitchup.com