Camping. Love it or loathe it, camping is a cheap option for a family holiday in the UK. There are plenty of campsites to choose from throughout the British isles from forest locations to beach-side campsites. I’ve pulled together some of the best campsites for families in the UK for you to consider.
Campsites have come a long way since I was a kid and most have all mod-cons onsite including hot showers, toilet blocks and some even have freezer facilities for you to keep your wine chilled. So whether you will be pitching up under canvas or travelling in a campervan we have come up with a list of some of the best campsites in the UK for families.
- Best campsites for families – some to consider
- Trevornick Campsite, Cornwall
- Petruth Paddocks Somerset
- Catgill Farm Yorkshire
- Hickling Campsite Norfolk
- More of the best campsites for families in the UK
- Twitchen House – Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park, Devon
- The Secret Campsite Sussex
- Low Wray Campsite Cumbria
- Moreton Farm Wales
- Hill Cottage Farm Dorset
- Glenmore Campsite Scotland
- How did I do?
Best campsites for families – some to consider
Trevornick Campsite, Cornwall
Trevornick Holiday Park, Holywell, Newquay TR8 5PW
Trevornick campsite is set in a great location in Cornwall, right in the heart of Newquay. The site offers a great combination of pitches, facilities and value for money. The five-star facilities include a swimming pool and a spa and the stunning coastal location, makes Trevornick one of the best campsites for families in the UK. There are seven fields with several different pitch types, so you can find the perfect plot for your tent, caravan or motorhome.
There are traditional grass pitches as well as semi-hard standing pitches with electricity and waste water collection. You’ll enjoy views over Gull Rocks and Holywell Bay and the site is also dog-friendly. The campsite also offers pre-pitched Ready Tents which provide a hassle-free way to camp and come with all of the equipment you need for your stay. We did this once when the twins had just turned one (!), and it was a great way of trying out camping if you don’t have all the gear. You can read all about it here. Let’s just say it was eventful!
Petruth Paddocks Somerset
Labourham Drove, Cheddar BS27 3XW
Petruth Paddocks in Cheddar, Somerset except large groups, families with their dogs as well as scout groups and they even offer weddings and small festivals on their campsite. This lovely area is close to Cheddar village and Cheddar Gorge is within walking distance. There’s a children’s play park close by as well as a Sainsbury’s, Tesco’s Express and the village shops. The campsite has a relaxed, pitch-where-you-like attitude, it seems to have a very chilled out vibe encouraging music, games and campfires. Hot showers are housed in cabins with an adjacent toilet block on one side and washing up sinks on the other. There are also a number of drinking water taps dotted around the site.
Catgill Farm Yorkshire
Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6HA
At Catgill Farm you can pitch up your tent with a view of the magnificent Yorkshire Dales. They have an amenity block that provides modern 5 star facilities and there are electrical hook-up points. Catgill is a beautiful and peaceful setting with a small stream nearby it is the perfect campsite to relax at. The campsite field is spacious with both electric and non electric pitches which are suitable for tents and VW style campervans. You are really immersed in nature here with streams, hills and trees surrounding you, it’s the perfect spot to switch off. If that’s possible with kids!
Hickling Campsite Norfolk
Heath Rd, Hickling, Norwich NR12 0AU
This beautiful village campsite is in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, with a large space for tents on flat grassy pitches, as well as a choice of Shepherd huts and other glamping options. Hickling Campsite, one of the best campsites for families, is the perfect base to pitch up and go exploring. There are sandy beaches and village pubs within walking distance. Hickling Broad is a haven for wildlife, there are plenty of boat trips around the reserve for visitors to explore. Dogs are welcome to join you but must be kept on a lead. The campsite does offer fire pits which you are allowed to use and they have wood that you can purchase onsite. And if you want to find out what’s going on in the Norfolk area during your stay check out the Iceni digital magazine.
More of the best campsites for families in the UK
Twitchen House – Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park, Devon
Mortehoe Station Rd, Woolacombe EX34 7ES
Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks have heated indoor and outdoor pools, a Segway safari, zorbing, daytime and evening live shows, bushcraft, golf courses, craft activities and a spa – phew! There’s dedicated camping and touring areas where you can set up a base including Twitchen House in North Devon which we went to last year. From grassy pitches to a fully serviced all weather pitch, there are all mod-cons available on site.
Set up your tent in the perfect spot or if you are in a motorhome there is electric hook-up, TV aerial point, fresh and waste water points with all weather bases for your tourer. There are shower blocks with family bathrooms, baby changing and dish washing areas as well as a laundrette. It’s a busy, bustling site, but the kids loved the pools and entertainment. And it’s in a great position to explore beautiful North Devon. We loved it there and can definitely say it’s one of the best campsites for families that we’ve been to.
The Secret Campsite Sussex
Brickyard Farm, Town Littleworth Rd, Lewes BN8 4TD
Each pitch at the Secret Campsite in Lewes is large and naturally screened, creating privacy throughout your camping trip. Each one of their pitches can accommodate most sized tents, up to a small circus marquee and they are flanked by trees which will provide dappled shade in the summer months. The campsite provides you with hot showers, a freezer and the electric car plug-in which are all solar powered. There’s a great farm shop 200 yards down the road, and an on-site shop for beer, ciders, ice lollies and hot drinks and a number of nearby village shops. Being located in East Sussex this is also a great base for a day out in Brighton.
Low Wray Campsite Cumbria
Low Wray, Ambleside LA22 0JA
This spacious campsite on the shores of Windermere in the Lake District has a wide range of pitch locations to choose from. You can pitch your tent on the waterfront or lake view area, or settle in the woodland or a meadow. All parts of Low Wray Campsite are linked by paths and a footbridge over the stream that flows through the site down to the lake. England’s largest lake is close by, for cruises and water activities, while on land you can hike in scenery that sparked the imaginations of people like William Wordsworth. The National Trust has a big presence in Ambleside, conserving parks, historic monuments and natural beauty spots.
Moreton Farm Wales
Moreton Ln, Moreton, Saundersfoot SA69 9EA
A luxury holiday park, in a peaceful and quiet part of Saundersfoot in Wales. You’ll be in the middle of the Welsh countryside and an ideal location for exploring the Pembrokeshire coastline. Many beauty spots and ancient castles are very close by. The camping and touring areas of Moreton Farm are completely self-contained with great facilities, hot showers, toilet blocks and water points. If you are in a caravan there is electric hookup, TV hook-up and chemical disposal points.
Hill Cottage Farm Dorset
Sandleheath Rd, Alderholt, Fordingbridge SP6 3EG
Set in 40 acres of Dorset countryside close to the New Forest, Hill Cottage Farm is a family-owned site. Each hardstanding pitch is huge with dividing hedges offering privacy. During the summer months kids can enjoy the outdoor family play area. The camping field also offers electric hook up with modern facilities including toilets, showers, a family bathroom, covered washing up area, chest freezer and laundry room. If you prefer glamping to camping the site has a Shepherd’s Hut and lodge holidays. The local area of Fordingbridge provides a great place for you to explore and there is plenty to do for all the family. Hill Cottage Farm is a great base if you want to go to Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World. Read my How To Make The Most Of Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World blogpost here.
Glenmore Campsite Scotland
Glenmore Campsite, Aviemore PH22 1QU
Glenmore Campsite offers everything you could want for a forest camping holiday in Scotland. The site offers a unique combination of landscapes and mountainous views with complete woodland immersion. There is also direct access to the beaches of Loch Morlich. The Cairngorms National Park offers a breath-taking backdrop with mountains, lochs, heathlands, forests and grassy expanses. Facilities on-site include toilets, showers, dishwashing and laundry areas. The 206 pitches are suitable for tents, caravans and motorhomes. Glenmore campsite sits in the Cairngorms so there is an endless stream of outdoor activities for you all to try out as a family.
So there you have it. Some of the best campsites for families in the UK. Don’t they look great? If you want to read more about camping and holidays, have a look at these posts:
How did I do?
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