After a long drive, there is nothing better than arriving at the campsite. My ideal campsites are those where you feel connected to nature and ready for an adventure. Set up for tents and camper vans, with a mini-festival feel.
When choosing a campsite, I look for places where we can pitch up with the camper-van and go on long walks or bike rides without having to drive. My favourites are campsites surrounded by forests, close to beaches, and with animals that the kids love. I especially love spots that are good for stargazing and campfires, with the feel of wild camping but a few home comforts too. Coffee vans and pizza ovens are a welcome bonus.
As much as I enjoy the great outdoors, I do like to be cosy when camping, wrapped in a warm blanket, enjoying the sunset, whilst chatting with friends and family, or sketching things that have inspired me that day. Yet I found most camping gear to be made for extreme adventures and lacking warmth. That is why I designed my collection of camping blankets and accessories to bring joy and comfort to your camping trip.
Here are a few of my favourite campsites here in the UK that I have been lucky enough to stay at; many of these campsites are hidden gems:
- Catgill Farm (Skipton) – Great family campsite with everything you need. Great views, walk to Bolton Abbey, pizza oven and even a field for dogs to play.
- Takeroo Cannock Chase (Staffordshire) – Get the wild camping experience, set deep in the forest surrounded by trees and a short walk to the Gruaffalo trail.
- Mendip Base Camp (Somerset) – Large campsite, great for tents and campervans with an onsite activity centre.
- Coastal Stay (Pembrokeshire) – Small campsite with stunning sea views and just a short walk to the Blue Lagoon, with the bonus of a pizza shack and sauna.
- Ullswater Holiday Park (Lake District) – Fantastic family-friendly site near Ullswater with easy access to lakeside walks, paddleboarding, boating, and fell hikes. Large pitches, excellent facilities, a playground, dog field, shop, bar, and beautiful mountain views all around.
- Coast and Castles (Northumberland) – Short walk to the beach, this campsite has a min-festival feel, with a play area and pop-up street food vendors.
- Sherwood Pines (Nottinghamshire) – Camping in the heart of Sherwood Forest, great for cycling and is next to a Go Ape.
If you are looking for more alternative campsites, check out Hip-camping or my blog post ‘Best Camping Staycations in the UK’.
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Happy camping!
Collette Costello