With the prospect of freedom slowly encroaching, and the sunshine returning after a bitter winter spent at home, Summer 2021 is set to be a good one. Perhaps even the best one yet.
For those of us both missing and craving an authentic experience of the great outdoors, here is a list of just some of the most beautiful campsites in the UK. From the lochs of Scotland and Northern Ireland, to the jagged coastlines of Wales and England, these spots are perfect for hikers, ramblers (or ‘stravaigers’), surfers, climbers, and nature enthusiasts alike.
Related: Shop for lightweight tents at webtogs.com
The unique landscapes of this weird little island, or rather, islands, are so vast and varying, the task of exploring them can often seem daunting. Indeed, the more you discover, the more you’ll find to uncover. In this sense, camping is the perfect answer; you can inhabit a space right in the heart of where you intend to explore. Whether that is inside a forest, on the shores of a loch, or the edge of a cliff (maybe not); beginning your day with the mountains on your left, and the sea to your right, is not a bad place to start.
(All season dates subject to Covid restriction reviews, and if not otherwise stated, they are yet to be confirmed.)
The 10 Best Campsites In The UK
After plenty of discussion amongst the Outdoors Magic team we’ve agreed on our list of the best campsites in the UK with beautiful views…
- Ocean Pitch, Devon
- Corfe Castle, Dorset
- Dale Farm, Derbyshire
- Gill Head Farm, Cumbria
- Three Cliffs Bay, Gower
- Trwyn yr Wylfa, Snowdonia
- Crom, County Fermanagh
- Glenbrittle, Skye
- Glen Nevis, Scottish Highlands
- Rothiemurchus, the Cairngorms
Ocean Pitch
Location: Croyde, Devon
Photo: oceanpitch.co.uk
Season: 12 April – 30 Sept
Price: From £15.00
Near: Croyde Bay, Croyde village
Overlooking the northerly point of Croyde Bay, Ocean Pitch is perfectly situated as a surfer’s paradise. With surf hire available, the bay is just 50 yards away, so you needn’t worry about missing out on a good swell.
Located on the North Devon coast, with access to various coastal paths, this campsite is also great for hikers and cyclists. One of the most popular walking trails takes you to Baggy Point, displaying exceptional views of the Croyde coastline, and the great expanses of sandy beaches that come with it. Alternatively, you can take the Tarka Trail by bike, which explores further inland landscapes as well.
Though Devon is a popular holiday destination, this location remains relatively untouched, with limited numbers of pitches to create a more authentic camping experience.
More info at:
oceanpitch.co.uk
Corfe Castle Camping & Caravanning Club Site
Location: Wareham, Dorset
Photo: The Camping And Caravanning Club
Price: From £9.25
Near: Corfe Castle, Studland Beach, Swanage
Further east, we have a more wooded option, though not far from the coast of Dorset. Indeed, some of the pitches are directly under and in amongst the trees for an extra wild and authentic feel.
Corfe Castle campsite is situated at the foot of the Purbeck Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A ruin from the English Civil War, the castle is a great site for history buffs and architectural enthusiasts alike. The area is also ideal for wildlife aficionados, located very near to the Arne RSPB Nature Reserve, boasting beautiful heathlands and ancient oak woodlands.
If water sports are more your thing, the site is a short drive away from Lulworth Cove, Poole Harbour, and the infamous Durdle Door along the Jurassic Coast.
And, lastly, to reassure the travellers on foot, the nearest pub is only one mile away…
More info at:
campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Dale Farm
Location: Bakewell, Derbyshire
Season: 12 April – 1 October
Price: From £30.00
Near: Monsal Head, Eyam Village, Bakewell
Dale Farm campsite is a working farm situated in Great Longstone, Derbyshire, right in the heart of the Peak District. With just thirty pitches, it’s perfect for those seeking peace, quiet, and a little dose of tranquillity and birdsong. If you go at the right time, you might even get to see some lambs.
The farm is situated on a hillside, though the pitches are level, so it’s perfectly placed for stunning views of the undulating landscape. It’s less than a mile away from Monsal Head, and the Monsal Trail, so it’s ideally situated for walkers. On this trail you can see the Headstone Viaduct and the River Wye, with views down and across the valley. This former railway route is now a walking and cycling trail so it will make for a unique and memorable trekking experience.
As an added bonus, as long as they are properly constructed, campfires are allowed at this site, so don’t forget your marshmallows. For more ideas on hiking trails, check out our guide to the Peak District’s best walks.
More info at:
dale.farm
Gill Head Farm
Location: Penrith, Cumbria
Photo: gillheadfarm.co.uk
Season: 12 April – November
Price: From £12.50
Near: Lake Ullswater, Keswick
Here we have another working farm, this time with the backdrop of Blencathra, a ridge of six separate fell tops in the Lake District National Park. This panoramic view of the fells stretches down the valley, all the way into Keswick.
The campsite is ideal for those preferring a rural setting, far away from the crowds more common to areas such as Windermere. They even provide a ‘secret’ field with its own waterfall for those craving a wild, and more secluded, camping experience.
It’s a five-minute drive to Ullswater, so it’s great for some lakeshore walking and paddling (if you can brave the cold). Situated right in the midst of walking country, you can also simply start from the campsite and see where your travels take you. Alternatively, check out our guide to mapped hiking routes in the Lake District.
More info at:
gillheadfarm.co.uk
Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park
Location: Gower, Swansea
Season: 1 April – 31 October
Price: From £39.50
Near: Swansea, Pennard Castle
Situated on North Hills farm, a family-run business dating back five generations to 1951, this campsite is famous for its views of the Three Cliffs Bay. Sometimes referred to as one of the best views in Wales, from certain points you can see the entire Gower peninsula, showcasing sandy, untouched beaches.
Related: Best Things To Do On Gower | Area Guide
Though there is some sloping ground, being so close to such eye-catching views should be a fair trade. Perhaps most interesting about this bay are the unique rock formations laid bare for us to examine by the seas of the Bristol Channel. On a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse across the channel to Ilfracombe, Devon.
Though it is closest to Swansea, it is also not too far a drive to the edge of Brecon Beacons National Park if you fancy a big day out.
More info at:
threecliffsbay.com
Trwyn Yr Wylfa Caravan & Camping Site
Location: Penmaenmawr, Conwy
Photo: visitconwy.org.uk
Season: 2 April – 1 September
Price: From £17.00
Near: Conwy, Dwygyfylchi, Penmaenmawr
Further up to the North Wales coast, situated in Snowdonia National Park, is Trwyn yr Wylfa, fittingly translated to ‘Watching Point’. This campsite is the perfect hybrid for both sea lovers, and keen hikers. In this sense, there is something for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. Perhaps for this reason, it is a fairly understated campsite without any gimmicks. Indeed, the views alone can tell you why.
With on-site walking and cycling routes, you can choose coastal paths through villages, mapped routes of Snowdonia National Park, or more local walking routes such as The Sychnant Pass over Conwy Mountain.
From the campsite, on a clear day, you can see views of Puffin Island, the Menai Strait, Llandudno, The Great Orme, and even sometimes the Isle of Man.
More info at:
coastalview-camping-conwy-northwales.co.uk
Crom Campsite
Location: Newtownbutler, Fermanagh
Photo: nationaltrust.org.uk
Season: 6 March – 31 October
Price: From £11.00
Near: Newtownbutler, Enniskillen
Further afield, and across the sea, we enter the beautiful boggy landscapes of County Fermanagh.
On this National Trust campsite, you will be situated on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, a place famed for its landscapes and immense water sports culture. Common activities available here include canoeing, water skiing, wakeboarding and fishing.
The campsite itself is on the 2000-acre Crom estate, wherein you can explore Crom castle, and examine the area’s ancient Yew trees. This is the perfect place to get away from top tourist destinations, and surround yourself with the friendliest, and most accommodating, rural communities.
More info at:
nationaltrust.org.uk
Glenbrittle Campsite & Cafe
Location: Carbost, Isle of Skye
Photo: dunvegancastle.com
Season: TBC – 31 October
Price: From £11.00
Near: Carbost, Dunvegan Castle
On the west coast of Skye, Glenbrittle campsite is located on both the shores of Loch Brittle and the feet of the Cuillin mountains. Waking up to these towering dark peaks is nothing short of spectacular.
Founded in 1961, this campsite is an excellent base for hill walkers, surrounded by ridge trails, and more experienced rock climbers. With this neighbouring landscape, you gain a real wild camping experience, with some added luxuries as an often much-needed respite from the infamous Hebridean climate. Don’t forget your waterproof jacket!
The winding road on the way in makes for a jaw-dropping drive (or cycle) into the campsite, though make sure to watch out for potholes. You pass by streams, forests, and long grass left to grow wild and tall around the site itself. And as a bonus, for those in need of a wee nip for warmth (and pleasure), Glenbrittle is only a short drive from the Talisker distillery…
For more ideas on hiking this beautiful island, check out our Isle Of Skye hiking guide.
More info at:
dunvegancastle.com
Glen Nevis Holiday Park
Location: Glen Nevis, Fort William
visitscotland.com
Season: 15 March – 5 November
Price: From £10.50
Near: Fort William
Situated right at the foot of Ben Nevis, this campsite is ideal for those looking to conquer the mighty mountain. On the other hand, you can explore Glen Nevis more widely on trails through forests, and alongside the River Nevis. In this sense, it is a good location for many different experience levels of walkers.
Popular sights include the Munros of the Mamores, Steal Waterfall, and Highland wildlife such as red deer, pine martens, otters, red squirrels, and even golden eagles. There are purpose-built cycle paths and quiet roads, as well as over 25 miles of forest cycling tracks for a more ‘off-piste’ ride.
Climbing and abseiling are common activities throughout most of the year. For skiing and snowboarding, the nearby slopes of Aonach Mor are open in the winter.
For more ideas on exciting mountains to climb, check out our article on the most dangerous mountains in Britain.
More info at:
glen-nevis.co.uk
Rothiemurchus Campsite
Location: Coylumbridge, Aviemore
Price: From £25.00
Near: Aviemore, Inverness
Rothiemurchus is located on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Ideal for those who love forest camping, it is most famous for its plethora of trees and indigenous Caledonian woodland. Common sights include Scots pine trees, Birch trees, Juniper forests, and wood shrouded lochs.
This campsite is most certainly for those seeking a wild camping experience, priding itself on its commitment to conservation. The woods exist pretty much in their natural state.
With cycling and walking trails starting from your tent entrance, you can also go quad biking, climbing, fishing, and wildlife watching. Many people report seeing red squirrels, Scottish crossbills, crested tits, and ospreys. This eclectic mix of wildlife can be seen from the neighbouring Loch an Eilein (‘loch of the island’), displaying exceptional views, including a ruined castle, and peaceful lakeside trails.
More info at:
rothiemurchus.net
Main Photo:
glen-nevis.co.uk
Original content:
https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/best-campsites-uk/
