14 Stunning Autumn Camping Destinations in the UK in 2025

Last Updated on 14 September 2025

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I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy amazing campsites in the UK over the years with my family. Whatever the time of year, we enjoy camping, but autumn is a favourite as there are fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and clear, crisp nights perfect for stargazing.

Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, family adventure, or solo retreat, autumn camping offers experiences you can’t get during the busy summer months. Not only that, but UK campsites in autumn are magical. I love opening my tent and seeing the low-lying mist hanging in the air as I drink my tea and enjoy the silence (until my kids wake up).

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my top autumn camping destinations in the UK, which are, apart from one, family-friendly. Whichever one you choose, you’ll be able to create an unforgettable autumn camping experience.

Note: In this guide, I haven’t mentioned Northern Ireland as we haven’t camped there yet. When we do, I’ll update with suggestions for you to check out.

A tent near water at sunset. Autumn camping destinations in the UK. Photo by martin bennie on Unsplash — Photo by martin bennie on Unsplash

Why Autumn is the Perfect Season for UK Camping

I wasn’t sure what my first autumn camping trip would be like, but I’m glad I went on it with my family. Where summer campsites are generally busy with families fighting for the best pitches, camping in autumn in the UK isn’t, which is lovely with a young family.

I remember walking around Coalbeck Caravan Park in Keswick in the Lake District and having my pick of spots that would have been fully booked in July. The UK camping autumn deals were great too. We saved nearly 20% compared to peak season prices.

The one thing I love about our autumn camping adventures is the colours. Whenever we visit the New Forest or the Lake District, seeing the golden bracken is like someone has taken a paintbrush across the landscape. It provides endless entertainment as well. My kids can easily spend hours collecting different-coloured leaves, so we can make scrapbooks when we get home or watch the wildlife around us.

Autumn camping activities are different, too. Harvest festivals, apple picking, cosy pub lunches by roaring fires. And campfires? They’re not just nice-to-haves in autumn; they become the heart of your UK camping autumn break, well, they are for us anyway. We tend to spend every evening huddled around ours, toasting marshmallows and telling stories.

Autumn Camping Destinations in the UK: England

Camping in Keswick in the Lake District. Source: Rebecca Campbell Ltd — Source: Rebecca Campbell Ltd

The Lake District is one of our favourite autumn camping destinations in the UK. We’ve been going back to Gill Head Farm in Keswick every October for five years now, and it never gets old. We love the fact that it’s a working farm and has some stunning views.

The New Forest is another gem we like visiting in autumn. My kids love spotting the wild animals, especially the ponies and pigs. We’ve camped at the Holmsley Caravan and Camping Site, which is a great spot to avoid the summer crowds, and we like the fact that it’s situated on a former airfield with direct access to walking paths.

The Peak District offers some of the most dramatic autumn camping destinations in the UK, in my opinion. Newfold Farm in Edale is a great spot to camp, putting you right at the start of the Pennine Way. This is a popular location, which we discovered one autumn, so you should book ahead if you want to grab a spot.

I love visiting Devon and Cornwall, and autumn is a great time to visit for some autumn camping UK adventures. If you’re planning to stay, consider checking out Westland Farm near Barnstaple in Devon. This is another working farm located 10 miles from Exmoor National Park, which is a firm favourite of ours.

Or there’s the family-run Tremorvu Campsite near Helston in Cornwall, offering a wildlife habitat and plenty of space for children to play.

Scotland’s Most Beautiful Autumn Camping Spots

The Cairngorms National Park. Source: Rebecca Campbell Ltd — Source: Rebecca Campbell Ltd

Scotland in autumn is breathtaking! I did my first marathon in Glencoe and loved seeing the scenery. We’ve been to Scotland a fair few times and always come away wishing we were there for longer. Autumn camping destinations in Scotland don’t disappoint, and I think if you have the opportunity to visit, you’ll feel the same.

Cairngorms National Park is one place you should visit for your autumn camping adventures. Cairngorms Glamping is a quiet and scenic camping location, providing amazing views right outside your tent. It’s pretty rugged, but there is a small playing area for children and some farm animals to see. I love it here, and remember one October morning waking up to frost on the tent, giving us a fresh start to the day.

Cobleland Campsite near Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park in Stirlingshire is another winner. Situated by the River Forth, there’s plenty to do, such as fishing, walking, cycling, and even watersports. During our stay, we enjoyed going into the nearby Loch Ard Forest, where our kids could burn off some extra energy.

Set on the edge of Galloway Forest Park is Hensol Estate Holidays campsite. It’s pretty basic when it comes to amenities, but it has stunning views and access to two lochs. You can also go kayaking and paddleboarding, which we did when we visited last autumn. It’s also a great spot for stargazing.

The Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park is another firm favourite that’s located near Ben Nevis and Fort William. After a day scaling Ben Nevis or mountain biking, Glen Nevis is a great place to unwind (and the on-site bar helps too). We stayed here when our youngest was turning one, and we’d climbed up Ben Nevis, and found it a great place to spend a few days exploring the area.

Wales’ Hidden Autumn Camping Gems

Snowdon mountain range. Photo by Zihao Chen on Unsplash — Photo by Zihao Chen on Unsplash

I always call Wales the land of giants. Whenever I visit, I can just imagine giants stepping over the mountains. The landscape is amazing, and camping in Wales as a family is a great place as one of your autumn camping destinations in the UK.

Snowdonia is a good starting point. The Cae Du Campsite is a lovely spot to camp. If you’re heading up Snowdon, you can access Snowdon’s Watkin Path, a more challenging route, after a five-minute drive.

Tip: If you’re taking the Pyg Track or the Miners’ Track up Snowdon, get to the Pen Y Pass car park (at the bottom of Snowdon) early and pre-book your parking tickets, as this car park gets busy.

We’ve stayed at this campsite a few times and always enjoy our time there. If you’re not hiking up Snowdon, you can always try some wild swimming or paddleboarding, or for something a bit more unusual, there is Zip World Llechwedd. All of these are great autumn camping adventures.

Pwllyn Farm Camping in the Brecon Beacons is another gem for autumn camping destinations in the UK. It’s small and simple, but if you’re going to hike up Brecon, you can reach walks up the Pen Y Fan within a 15-minute drive. One thing to note with this campsite is that it’s only suitable for guests aged 14 years and over.

Pencarnan Farm Caravan and Camping Site is a family-run farm and campsite along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, overlooking Porthsele beach. Here you can enjoy stunning views of the St George’s Channel connecting the Irish and Celtic seas. This is a lovely place to visit for autumn with children, as it’s a great spot for swimming and kayaking, and exploring rock pools at low tide.

If you’re after another coastal location, Anglesey is somewhere to consider. We’ve stayed at Llain Ffynnon and loved every minute. Waking up to the sound of the sea each morning is great for the soul, and we love that it’s so close to the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path and the beach.

Autumn Camping Gear and Preparation

An autumn camping checklist. Source: Canva — Source: Canva

Before heading off to these autumn camping destinations in the UK, you need to ensure you have the best camping gear for this season.

Here are a few things we take with us:

Tent Essentials

3-4 season family autumn camping tents
Footprint groundsheet
Extra tent pegs

Sleeping Bag Setup

3-4 season sleeping bags: these are some of the 3-season sleeping bags we’ve tried before for our autumn camping
This sleeping pad from Term-a-Rest or this HiiPeak sleeping pad: both offer great options for various budgets and provide extra insulation from the ground when camping
A polycotton sleeping bag liner adds warmth when you’re cold-weather camping and keeps your sleeping bag clean for longer
A camping pillow or inflatable pillow (if one doesn’t come with the sleeping pad)
Hot water bottle

Autumn Clothing and Personal Items

Here’s what we have on our autumn camping checklist:

Merino womens top and pants set: I use this set for all my cold-weather activities from camping to snowboarding, and it always keeps me warm and dry. (I usually bring two sets with me)
Synthetic layers as a backup
A fleece
A lightweight jumper
A gilet for evening wear
A waterproof jacket
Rain pants
A changing robe: I never leave home without mine and use it year-round, not just for autumn camping trips
A neck buff
A warm hat
Waterproof gloves
Spare hat and gloves

Shoes and Accessories

Waterproof boots: These are what I wear when we go walking or hiking on our autumn camping trips
Hiking socks plus spares (I tend to pack three extra pairs)
Camp shoes, such as Crocs or flip-flops
Hiking gaiters

Reliable Camping Equipment

Campingaz chef folding double burner stove and grill
Firemaple stove
Biolite Campstove 2: you only need sticks to fuel it
Odoland windproof camping stove
Backup lighter and waterproof matches
Windshield for your stove
Extra gas canisters

Eating Utensils

Cooking pot set
Cutlery
Plastic plates
Cups

Final Thoughts on Autumn Camping Destinations in the UK

Autumn camping in the UK offers some of the most rewarding outdoor experiences you’ll ever have. From the fiery colours of the Lake District to the mystical mists of the Scottish Highlands, there’s an autumn camping destination perfect for every adventurer.

Remember, the key to successful autumn camping is preparation and embracing the season’s unique character. Pack those extra layers, bring a good book for cosy tent evenings (ready for when your kids get to sleep) and don’t forget your camera, as you’ll want to capture those incredible autumn sunsets!

Ready to plan your adventure among these autumn camping destinations in the UK? Start by choosing your destination from our list above, check the weather forecast, and book your spot. Trust me, once you experience the magic of autumn camping, you’ll wonder why you ever limited your camping to summer months.

For more outdoor inspiration, check out our related guides:

Happy camping!

Have you found this autumn camping destinations in the UK guide useful? What’s your favourite autumn camping memory? Is there anywhere else we should add to our list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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14 Stunning Autumn Camping Destinations in the UK in 2025

Why Autumn is the Perfect Season for UK Camping

Autumn Camping Destinations in the UK: England

Scotland’s Most Beautiful Autumn Camping Spots

Wales’ Hidden Autumn Camping Gems