26 Feb

UK campsites you should visit in 2018

Are you among the many families and couples looking to go camping as soon as the spring and summer arrive? Then check out this guide compiled by Flogas, a camping gas bottles supplier, to ensure you pick a campsite that will be filled with pleasant memories:

The Secret Campsite

Opening times: Between March and October

How to find the campsite: Brickyard Farm, Town Littleworth, Cooksbridge, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 4TD

Contact number: 07730 525560

You’ll be exploring a natural way of living throughout your time at The Secret Campsite. This is because this campsite is for tents only — no cars or pets allowed unfortunately — and is based on a stretch of land that was once occupied by rail tracks, but has since seen countryside foliage reclaiming the land.

Don’t be put off by the thought of camping in a wild manner, though. After all, you’ll soon feel relaxed as you sit around a campfire pit in a scene that is surrounded by a beautiful collection of ancient oak and hornbeam trees. Just be sure to keep an eye out for a passing deer, as they are known to live close to the site.

Amenities to look out for:

Campfires permitted | Disabled facilities | Perfect for a romantic retreat

How large is the campsite? Pitches for 15 tents, as well as a Tree Tent and the Gridshell facility.

For more details: http://www.thesecretcampsite.co.uk/

Pleasant Streams Farm

Opening times: Between Easter and September

How to find the campsite: Pleasant Stream Barn, Lower Sticker, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 7JL

Contact number: 01726 74837

Pleasant Streams Farm is aesthetically appealing be being located near to a lake in a rural part of Cornwall. It also plays host to an entertaining summerhouse that’s filled with exciting games to play and books to read should the weather take a turn for the worse. The site is home to ducks, goats, hens, and pigs too — perfect if you’re an animal lover!

Not wanting to stay around the campsite during the entirety of your stay? There’s a beach within a ten-minute drive and you’ll also be in close reach of the Roseland peninsular, where even more picturesque beaches and peaceful villages can be found.

Amenities to look out for:

Caravans & campervans permitted | Campfires permitted | Electrical hook-ups

How large is the campsite? Pitches for 50 tents within the site’s main camping field, as well as five vintage caravans available for rent.

For more details: http://cornwallfarmcamping.co.uk/

Ninham Country Holidays

Opening times: Between May and September (though, ‘Willow Brook’ camping area is only open between July and August)

How to find the campsite: Ninham Farm, Shanklin, Isle of Wight

Contact number: 01983 864243

Within the ‘Garden Isle’ portion of the Isle of Wight, which is towards the south-east of the island, is the Ninham Country Holidays campsite.

As well as being in a fascinating part of the Isle of Wight, the campsite also appeals by having a fascinating choice of sleeping arrangements available. Do you choose to pitch up in the ‘Orchard’ fields with its ultra-modern eco-facilities and both solar and rainwater-harvesting tech, or select a spot on the ‘Willow Brook’ field with its more basic facilities but which are still very functional and well kept? Whichever option you go with, you’re guaranteed to make so many wonderful memories at this family-run and award-winning campsite.

Amenities to look out for:

Caravans & campervans permitted | Children’s playground on site | Disabled facilities | Dog friendly | Swimming pool on site

How large is the campsite? Pitches for 140 tents in the ‘Orchard’ camping area, as well as pitches for 80 tents in the ‘Willow Brook’ camping area (though only between July and August).

For more details: https://www.ninham-holidays.co.uk/

Lee Valley Almost Wild Campsite

Opening times: Infrequent dates, though mainly weekends between March and September

How to find the campsite: Nazeing New Road, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire EN10 6TD

Contact number: 03000 030 632

You’ll find the Lee Valley Almost Wild Campsite right next to the River Lee, as is suggested by the site’s title. However, just be aware it is hidden within a collection of ash and birch trees.

There’s so much waiting to be seen and done once you’ve set up camp. You can choose to take a walk or cycle along from Stratford to the Olympic Park, for instance, try your hand at some canoeing, or simply relax on hammocks that swing from the trees at the site.

Amenities to look out for:

Campfires permitted | Dog friendly | Waterside campsite | Woodland camping

How large is the campsite? 17 pitches altogether, which includes 12 riverside and 5 woodland glades.

For more details: https://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/en/content/cms/where-to-stay-and-short-breaks/lee-valley-almost-wild-campsit/

Hooks House Farm

Opening times: Between March and October

How to find the campsite: Whitby Road, Robin Hoods Bay, North Yorkshire YO22 4PE

Contact number: 01947 880283

Just wait until you glimpse the spectacular views upon arriving at Hooks House Farm, which is granted thanks to the campsite found atop a hill away from the town next to Robin Hood’s Bay. Therefore, you will be able to relax on a grassy field and choose to look out to sea, along the neighbouring fields, woods, rolling hills, and moors.

Like to see as much of your surroundings as you can when away? If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, it is advised that you take up the challenge of the coast-to-coast walk that will take in the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors and parts of the Lake District.

Amenities to look out for:

Caravans & campervans permitted | Dog friendly | Electrical hook-ups

How large is the campsite? Pitches for 50 tents and 20 caravans or campervans.

For more details: https://www.hookshousefarm.co.uk/

Gimme Shelter

Opening times: All year round

How to find the campsite: 2 Dales Farm Cottage, Duloch, Nr Dunfermline, Fife, KY11 7HR

Contact number: 01383 417 681

Greener living is assured at the Gimme Shelter campsite. You won’t find any showers or access to hot water at this site, while the toilets are of a sawdust-composting style.

Sound a bit too I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here for you? Not to fear, as everything at this campsite — based in the meadows and hills, just a few miles from the Forth Bridge — is self-built and sublimely improvised. Just wait until you’re feeling at your calmest around a campfire that is set amid rich woodland and playing host to fantastically designed hand-carved wooden furniture.

Amenities to look out for:

Campfires permitted | Woodland camping | Forests nearby

How large is the campsite? No size given, as the site consists of a campsite and a holiday cottage.

For more details: https://coolcamping.com/campsites/uk/scotland/near-edinburgh/fife/1094-gimme-shelter-campsite-and-holiday-cottage

Deepdale Backpackers & Camping

Opening times: All year round

How to find the campsite: Deepdale Farm, Burnham Deepdale, North Norfolk Coast, PE31 8DD

Contact number: 01485 210256

You will want to try your hardest to get checked into one of the Deepdale Backpackers & Camping campsite’s tipis. As well as being well-maintained, each tipi comes with a stove — perfect for heating — as well as comfy faux-fur mattresses, a barbecue and a lantern.

It’s not just your sleeping arrangements which will be filled with exciting things to do. Why not take up one of the cookery classes which sees meals being prepared using local produce? Or enjoy some stargazing once the sun goes down.

Amenities to look out for:

Campfires permitted | Campervans permitted | Short walk to a nearby pub

How large is the campsite? 75 grass camping pitches, as well as seven hard-standing, fully serviced pitches.

For more details: https://www.deepdalebackpackers.co.uk/

Cleadale Campsite

Opening times: Between March and October

How to find the campsite: Cleadale Campsite, 13 Cleadale, Isle of Eigg, Scotland, PH42 4RL

Contact number: 01687482480

Did you know that beloved author, JRR Tolkien, enjoyed some of his holidays at the Cleadale Campsite during his lifetime? Inspiration for the fantasy landscapes that he created in the well-loved series as The Lord of the Rings can certainly be seen all around the site, from the imposing mountains of Rum that serves as a stunning backdrop, to its grassy vantage point that looks out towards the sea.

Even the travel to reach the Isle of Eigg where Cleadale Campsite is based can be filled with many memorable moments. In fact, it’s not uncommon for dolphins, minke whales and orcas to all be spotted during the ferry crossing.

Amenities to look out for:

Dog friendly | Wi-Fi available on site | Remote location

How large is the campsite? Pitches for ten tents.

For more details: http://www.eiggorganics.co.uk/index.html

Baysbrown Farm

Opening times: Between March and October

How to find the campsite: Great Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9JZ

Contact number: 01539 437150

Located within an 800-acre farm is the Baysbrown Farm campsite. It also lies underneath the rocks which make up Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and the Langdale Pikes — three sights which should already be making up your list of places to visit while here.

Baysbrown Farm takes the stress out of booking a designated pitch, too. Instead, you get to choose the spot that appeals most to you and then visit the nearby farmhouse to let them know about your arrival.

Amenities to look out for:

Caravans & campervans permitted | Remote location | Forests & mountains nearby

How large is the campsite? Around 200 pitches, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more details: http://www.baysbrownfarmcampsite.co.uk/

Aberafon

Opening times: Between Easter and September

How to find the campsite: Gyrn Goch, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL54 5PN

Contact number: 01286 660295

Prepare to be amazed by the sights and sounds that await you upon arriving at Aberafon. This is because you will find a scenic, private sandy beach on one side of the site and the mountains of the Llyn Peninsula in the other direction.

From paragliding to canoeing downstream, there are so many extreme sports which can be undertaken around Aberafon. The nearby Glas Fryn Park sports facility even accommodates wakeboarding lessons, too!

Amenities to look out for:

Campervans permitted | Children’s playground on site | Dog friendly | Waterside campsite

How large is the campsite? Pitches for 65 tens and tourers.

For more details: http://www.maelor.demon.co.uk/aberafon.html

Sources:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/camping-holidays/coolest-campsites-in-britain/

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/may/01/10-best-cool-campsites-britain

https://www.wanderlust.co.uk/content/top-10-cool-campsites-in-england/