The summer holidays are the perfect time to pack your bags and explore the UK one campsite at a time. There are thousands of camping locations in the UK but to save you the whole trial and error experience, I’ve asked my blogging friends to help me compile a list of the best family-friendly campsites in the UK.
Camping with kids
If you’re a camping newbie, check out my blog post full of top tips for camping with kids or pop over to Halfords for their camping guide for families before you head out into the great wide open. It’s packed to the brim with information on the best camping activities, a packing guide as well as the best camping equipment to get.
Now that you’re well-prepared for your family camping trip, here are some of the most popular family-friendly campsites in the UK as voted for by my blogging buddies. They’re scattered all over the country, so you should get a good mix of locations for your next family adventure.
Best family-friendly campsites in the UK
Family-friendly campsites in the West Country & South Wales
First up, we’ve got Croft Farm, Bredon Nr Tewkesbury, a top tip from my friend Helen who blogs over at The Crazy Kitchen. She says: It’s a family-friendly site where you can take your own tent, caravan or motorhome, or stay in one of their glamping pods, cabins or luxury lodges. There are watersports aplenty, whether you’re looking to learn how to sail or windsurf or take a leisurely paddle around the lake in a pedal boat. The site is just off J9 of the M5, giving it easy access from most parts of the UK, and close to the historic riverside town of Tewkesbury
Donna from Little Lilypad spent a weekend at Haven in Burnham on Sea and absolutely loved it. There’s the option to stay in a tent on the campsite or in a caravan and the facilities for both are brilliant. There’s so much to do for kids and the outside pool is just amazing.
Suzi, who blogs at Raising Badgers, and her family have been going to Trewan Hall nr St Columb Major in Cornwall for about 35 years. It has great facilities, nice staff and is really conveniently situated. She says: You’ve got lots of nice beaches on the doorstep and plenty of places to visit, like Padstow. There’s loads of space to play and explore - it’s just perfect a lovely family holiday.
When Joanne from Kids Days Out Reviews told me about River Dart Country Park in Devon, she couldn’t have been more excited. She says: Words cannot adequately describe my love for it. The campsite is lovely – roomy pitches, nice ground, clean and plentiful toilet blocks and there is so much to do and discover on site. There is a brilliant pirate adventure lake with rope swings and a barriered beach area for little ones as well as adventure playgrounds, nature trails, and paid activities such as canoeing and kayaking, water zorbing, and high ropes. We were sad to go after three days!
Family-friendly campsites in the South & East
Katie from Mum of 2.5 absolutely loved her family’s stay at Holmsley campsite in the New Forest. ‘It has a fab play park, excellent facilities, lovely staff, plus a great little shop with a takeaway service. Right outside the gate are wild ponies and plenty of forest/heathlands to explore. It’s perfect!’ If you want to find out more about Katie’s stay, check out her review of Holmsley campsite.
Charlotte who blogs at Looking After Your Pennies recommends a weekend at Outney Meadow Caravan Park in Bungay. She says: We had a fabulous weekend there and what it lacks in facilities, it makes up for in location. The site is on the River Waveney and has canoe hire. You can also swim in the river and there is a rope swing, too. We had a great time swimming and rowing as a family.
Hale Farm in East Sussex comes with Sarah’s seal of approval. She blogs at The Tale of Mummyhood and says: We stayed last summer and it is a lovely setting. The campsite is next to an actual farm, so kids can go and feed the animals in the mornings. It also offers amazing clear skies for star gazing.
Tracey from Pack the PJs loves Long Beach Touring and Camping in Hemsby, Norfolk. It is 80 steps from campsite to dunes and the most amazing beach you’ll ever see! Check out her full review here.
Family-friendly campsites in the Midlands & North Wales
If you’re looking for the perfect place to get away from everyday life, head over to Pack Horse Farm in Derbyshire. Zoe from The Tale of Mummyhood loves how quiet and peaceful it is!
Becky who blogs at A Beautiful Space comes with a recommendation for Holme Pierrepont in Nottingham. She says: We have camped right by the National Watersports Centre and it was awesome. There are great walks, white water rafting, a high ropes course and e-combat all within 5 minutes walk. What more could you ask for?
Family-friendly campsites in the North of England & Scotland
Eileen from Your Money Sorted loves Loch Ken Holiday Park in Dumfries and Galloway. It is small and family-friendly right on the edge of a beautiful loch, with spectacular scenery all around. It’s the most relaxing place ever.
A top tip from Samatha, the blogger behind North East Family Fun, is Loch Ness Shores. It has a gorgeous location, a caravan selling delicious food, a play park on site as well as fire pits by the loch and the chance to go kayaking, too. If you want to find out more about the campsite, check out Samantha’s review of Loch Ness Shores.
Are you into camping? If so, which family-friendly campsites in the UK get your deal of approval?
This is a collaborative post
What a great list! I’ll be taking a look at these next time we go camping!