Feature
UK staycations: the best camp and caravan sites for 2023
We explore some of the best camp and caravan sites in the UK ahead of summer - which one will you try first?
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Published on 3 May 2023 | 0 min read
UK staycations are on the rise, with camping and caravanning an increasingly popular choice for families and adventurers alike - so where should you go this year?
Best campsites in England 2023
Where? Koa Tree Camp, Devon
Why? Glamping destination Koa Tree Camp offers “geodesic domes or rustic wooden cabins” in a relaxed farmland environment just a short distance from Devon’s beach. There’s a real emphasis on sustainability, and plenty to do including surfing, yoga and massage. Where? The Beadnell Bay Campsite, Northumberland Why? Just off the beautiful Benthall coastline, Beadnell Bay Campsite offers easy access to the beach and great facilities including a playground and a barbeque area. There’s a caravan park nearby too, so you have your pick of accommodation. Where? Norman’s Bay, East Sussex Why? Perfect for walkers and nature lovers, the Norman’s Bay campsite sits near sand and shingle beaches and is a short distance from incredible tourist spots like Pevensey and Herstmonceux castles. Where? Great Langdale Campsite, The Lake District Why? Nestled in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Great Langdale Campsite is a spacious site with plenty of room for campervans, and is surrounded by stunning lakes, mountains, and countryside – making it great for adventurers. Where? Wapsbourne Manor Farm (WOWO), East Sussex Why? Just two hours outside of London, this 150-acre site is popular with families looking for old-school entertainment like making camps, tree-climbing and getting back to nature. WOWO (as regulars call it) also offers free camping to musicians on Saturdays in return for fireside songs. Where? Northlees Camp Site, Hathersage Why? Nestled in the Peak District, this cool campsite is perfect for active holidays – offering climbing and bouldering alongside plenty of cycling and walking routes. There’s also plenty of views, with the nearby woodlands, farmlands and moorlands all managed for conservation.
Why? Glamping destination Koa Tree Camp offers “geodesic domes or rustic wooden cabins” in a relaxed farmland environment just a short distance from Devon’s beach. There’s a real emphasis on sustainability, and plenty to do including surfing, yoga and massage. Where? The Beadnell Bay Campsite, Northumberland Why? Just off the beautiful Benthall coastline, Beadnell Bay Campsite offers easy access to the beach and great facilities including a playground and a barbeque area. There’s a caravan park nearby too, so you have your pick of accommodation. Where? Norman’s Bay, East Sussex Why? Perfect for walkers and nature lovers, the Norman’s Bay campsite sits near sand and shingle beaches and is a short distance from incredible tourist spots like Pevensey and Herstmonceux castles. Where? Great Langdale Campsite, The Lake District Why? Nestled in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Great Langdale Campsite is a spacious site with plenty of room for campervans, and is surrounded by stunning lakes, mountains, and countryside – making it great for adventurers. Where? Wapsbourne Manor Farm (WOWO), East Sussex Why? Just two hours outside of London, this 150-acre site is popular with families looking for old-school entertainment like making camps, tree-climbing and getting back to nature. WOWO (as regulars call it) also offers free camping to musicians on Saturdays in return for fireside songs. Where? Northlees Camp Site, Hathersage Why? Nestled in the Peak District, this cool campsite is perfect for active holidays – offering climbing and bouldering alongside plenty of cycling and walking routes. There’s also plenty of views, with the nearby woodlands, farmlands and moorlands all managed for conservation.
Best campsites in Wales 2023
Where? Gwern Gof Isaf Farm Campsite, Snowdonia National Park
Why? Snowdonia is most famous for Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, but it’s a beautiful national park with stunning lakes, forests, and many other hidden treasures. This campsite, nestled in the view of mountains, provides a stunning rural retreat. Where? Hillfort Tipis, Pembrokeshire Why? Somewhere between glamping and camping, there’s no electric but plenty of rustic cooking, beds and solar lighting in the tipis and bell tents. The site covers 30-acres, with the ruins of an Iron Age fort, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and dolphin-spotting all available nearby. Where? Three Cliffs Campsite, Penmaen, Swansea Why? 10 minutes’ walk from Three Cliffs Bay, 15 minutes’ drive from Rhossili beach and Llangennith surfing beach – you’re spoilt for coastal choice here. The site accepts tents, caravans and campervans and is super dog-friendly. Where? Castle Knights Camping, Usk Why? Camp or glamp in the grounds of Usk Castle, with access to kitchen and washroom facilities and plenty of verdant surroundings. Nearby attractions include the Forest of Dean and Sugarloaf Mountain, and you’re not too far from Cardiff. Where? The Caerfai Bay Caravan and Tent Park, Pembrokeshire Why? Pembrokeshire is a stunning coastal region in southwest Wales. It's home to some of the UK's most beautiful beaches and coastal walks, and this site offers a caravan field and two camping fields. Where? Fforest Fields, Llandrindod Wells Why? Based in mid-Wales, this 500-acre farm include two lakes, plenty of wildlife and stunning views. Accommodation covers camping, glamping and stone cottages. They also have a “Silent Night” policy for a peaceful sleep after 11pm every night.
Why? Snowdonia is most famous for Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, but it’s a beautiful national park with stunning lakes, forests, and many other hidden treasures. This campsite, nestled in the view of mountains, provides a stunning rural retreat. Where? Hillfort Tipis, Pembrokeshire Why? Somewhere between glamping and camping, there’s no electric but plenty of rustic cooking, beds and solar lighting in the tipis and bell tents. The site covers 30-acres, with the ruins of an Iron Age fort, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and dolphin-spotting all available nearby. Where? Three Cliffs Campsite, Penmaen, Swansea Why? 10 minutes’ walk from Three Cliffs Bay, 15 minutes’ drive from Rhossili beach and Llangennith surfing beach – you’re spoilt for coastal choice here. The site accepts tents, caravans and campervans and is super dog-friendly. Where? Castle Knights Camping, Usk Why? Camp or glamp in the grounds of Usk Castle, with access to kitchen and washroom facilities and plenty of verdant surroundings. Nearby attractions include the Forest of Dean and Sugarloaf Mountain, and you’re not too far from Cardiff. Where? The Caerfai Bay Caravan and Tent Park, Pembrokeshire Why? Pembrokeshire is a stunning coastal region in southwest Wales. It's home to some of the UK's most beautiful beaches and coastal walks, and this site offers a caravan field and two camping fields. Where? Fforest Fields, Llandrindod Wells Why? Based in mid-Wales, this 500-acre farm include two lakes, plenty of wildlife and stunning views. Accommodation covers camping, glamping and stone cottages. They also have a “Silent Night” policy for a peaceful sleep after 11pm every night.
Best campsites in Scotland 2023
Where? The Glenmore Campsite, Cairngorms National Park
Why? Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in Scotland, and home to some of the UK's most stunning mountain scenery. The Glenmore Campsite has pitches available for campervans and onsite facilities including a laundry room and a restaurant for a more homely stay. Where? Wheems Organic Farm, Orkney Isles Why? Encircled by the sea, this six-hectare “ecological and organic” hilltop site features bell tents, a Mongolian yurt and stunning cottage space alongside room for tents and campervans. At the farm, you’re a 10-minute walk from the beach and 20-minute drive from Kirkwall. Where? Sligachan Campsite, Isle of Skye The Isle of Skye is a stunning island located off the west coast of Scotland. It's home to some of the most dramatic scenery in the UK, including the famous Cuillin Mountains. The Sligachan Campsite is a great place to park your campervan and explore the island. Where? Sandwood Bay, Sutherland Why? Located by one of the “most unspoilt beaches in Britain”; Sandwood Bay’s nearby attractions include a mile-long beach, the Am Buachaille sea stack and a freshwater loch full of trout. Where? Comrie Croft, Perthshire Why? Based on traditional Scottish crofts, this cool campsite mixes space for tents with Nordic katas, a Tea Garden and an onsite bike shop – perfect for the woodland trails nearby. Comrie Croft also includes solar and wind-powered facilities. Where? Ardnamurchan, Acharacle Why? Ardnamurchan campsite is a couple of miles from the furthest western point in Britain – a rocky outcrop of land that you reach via ferry and a single-track road. Beyond that adventure, you’ll also be near the village of Kilchoan and the Sound of Mull.
Why? Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in Scotland, and home to some of the UK's most stunning mountain scenery. The Glenmore Campsite has pitches available for campervans and onsite facilities including a laundry room and a restaurant for a more homely stay. Where? Wheems Organic Farm, Orkney Isles Why? Encircled by the sea, this six-hectare “ecological and organic” hilltop site features bell tents, a Mongolian yurt and stunning cottage space alongside room for tents and campervans. At the farm, you’re a 10-minute walk from the beach and 20-minute drive from Kirkwall. Where? Sligachan Campsite, Isle of Skye The Isle of Skye is a stunning island located off the west coast of Scotland. It's home to some of the most dramatic scenery in the UK, including the famous Cuillin Mountains. The Sligachan Campsite is a great place to park your campervan and explore the island. Where? Sandwood Bay, Sutherland Why? Located by one of the “most unspoilt beaches in Britain”; Sandwood Bay’s nearby attractions include a mile-long beach, the Am Buachaille sea stack and a freshwater loch full of trout. Where? Comrie Croft, Perthshire Why? Based on traditional Scottish crofts, this cool campsite mixes space for tents with Nordic katas, a Tea Garden and an onsite bike shop – perfect for the woodland trails nearby. Comrie Croft also includes solar and wind-powered facilities. Where? Ardnamurchan, Acharacle Why? Ardnamurchan campsite is a couple of miles from the furthest western point in Britain – a rocky outcrop of land that you reach via ferry and a single-track road. Beyond that adventure, you’ll also be near the village of Kilchoan and the Sound of Mull.
Best campsites in Northern Ireland 2023
Where? Cushenden Holiday Park, County Antrim
Why? Nestled in a woodland and five minutes from a beach, this cool campsite is close to plenty of stunning views, including the Glens of Antrim, Torr Road, Rathlin Island and the Cushendun Caves (as seen in Game of Thrones). Where? Causeway Coast Holiday Park, Ballycastle Why? As alluded to in the name, this campsite is close to the UNESCO-site and tourist hotspot, Giant’s Causeway. The site is also within walking distance of Ballycastle and the Glens of Antrim, and feature great views over Ballycastle Bay and the cliffs of Fairhead. Where? Dungannon Park Camping, Dungannon Why? Not far from the busy shopping town of Dungannon, this caravan site is a 70-acre parkland with a still water lake – offering you the best of both worlds. On-site activities include fly fishing, coarse angling and orienteering. Where? Round Lake Caravan Park, Clogher Valley Why? This leafy campsite offers something for everyone, nestled close to Fermanagh Lakelands, Blessingbourne Mountain Bike Trails, Carleton Trail, Fivemiletown and Enniskillen. It also includes space for campervans and tents, plus angling and children’s activities.
Why? Nestled in a woodland and five minutes from a beach, this cool campsite is close to plenty of stunning views, including the Glens of Antrim, Torr Road, Rathlin Island and the Cushendun Caves (as seen in Game of Thrones). Where? Causeway Coast Holiday Park, Ballycastle Why? As alluded to in the name, this campsite is close to the UNESCO-site and tourist hotspot, Giant’s Causeway. The site is also within walking distance of Ballycastle and the Glens of Antrim, and feature great views over Ballycastle Bay and the cliffs of Fairhead. Where? Dungannon Park Camping, Dungannon Why? Not far from the busy shopping town of Dungannon, this caravan site is a 70-acre parkland with a still water lake – offering you the best of both worlds. On-site activities include fly fishing, coarse angling and orienteering. Where? Round Lake Caravan Park, Clogher Valley Why? This leafy campsite offers something for everyone, nestled close to Fermanagh Lakelands, Blessingbourne Mountain Bike Trails, Carleton Trail, Fivemiletown and Enniskillen. It also includes space for campervans and tents, plus angling and children’s activities.
Where next?
If you're in the mood for an adventure, we're got plenty of starting posts for you this summer:
Take a look at our best cars for road trips, or take a look at campervans and motorhomes available under a range of budgets on Auto Trader.
Take a look at our best cars for road trips, or take a look at campervans and motorhomes available under a range of budgets on Auto Trader.