The 11 Best Family Campsites in the UK in 2026

Last Updated on 9 June 2026

Imagine this: it’s a warm summer evening, the kids are toasting marshmallows over a fire, and you’re sitting back with a cup of tea, relaxing. That’s the magic of family-friendly campsites in the UK, and it’s more accessible than ever.

According to research from Green Flag, 10.4 million Brits set off for a camping trip in 2025, an increase of 73% compared to 2024, making family camping in the UK one of the nation’s most beloved outdoor activities.

With more and more people looking for the best family campsites in the UK, knowing where to go is important, especially if you’re camping with kids.

In this guide, I’m sharing the best camping sites for families, and the ones we’ve been to as a family, helping you get ready for your next camping trip. Whether you’re after a wild coastal escape, a forest hideaway, or a fully equipped glamping experience, there’s something here for you.

Let’s read on to find out more!

Two girls resting on a hammock. Camping with kids. Photo by 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič on Unsplash — Photo by 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič on Unsplash

What Makes a Great Family Campsite?

For me, when it comes to finding the best family campsites in the UK, I always look out for these things to help make the trip a success for all involved. After all, I love camping and want to ensure my kids do too.

Space and Pitch Layout

Having enough space around where you’ve set up is a most. The last thing anyone wants when they’re camping with kids is to have another pitch close by. When my kids are running around or kicking a ball around, I want plenty of space so the ball doesn’t end up in someone’s dinner.

Also, look out for family-friendly campsites in the UK that are traffic-free. Safe camping for children means being able to let them roam without having to watch for cars every two minutes.

Playgrounds and Outdoor Space

A good playground on a campsite can be worth its weight in gold when you’ve got young children camping with you. Playgrounds are a great way for them to burn off excess energy in the evenings.

The best sites will have a mix of equipment, climbing frames, swings, maybe a zip wire, suitable for different age groups.

Location, Location, Location

If this is your first time family camping, you might want to pick somewhere that’s relatively close to home. If no one is enjoying themselves, you won’t have far to travel home.

If, however, you do enjoy camping as a family, whether that’s spring camping with kids, family camping in summer, or autumn family camping, then you need to think about what you all want to do.

If your kids love going to the beach, like mine, you don’t want to pick a campsite that’s 45 minutes from the nearest beach. Likewise, if you’ve a hiking family, trails close by are important. Most campsites we visit have trails leaving from the camp, making them perfect for finding new routes nearby.

Facilities

Make sure when you’re checking campsites online they have the following, as a minimum:

Clean showers and toilets (you might even find family shower rooms)
Drinking water
An on-site shop (a life-saver when you run out of milk)
Washing-up area

The Best Family Campsites in the UK: England

Overlooking Durdle Door in Dorset. The best family campsites in the UK. Photo: Rebecca Campbell Ltd — Durdle Door in Dorset. Photo: Rebecca Campbell Ltd

England has some of the best family campsites in the UK, and I say that as someone who’s tested quite a few of them over the years with my girls. Some trips were amazing. Some were learning experiences. But that’s half the fun, right?

Below are some of, what we think, the top family campsites in England.

South West England: Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset

These are some of my favourite counties to visit in England, in particular, Devon. With the idyllic scenery, the fresh air, access to beaches and woodland, it’s no wonder they are a firm favourite for family camping in the UK.

If you’re planning on visiting Devon, we love visiting Westland Farm near Barnstaple. Our girls love that it’s a working farm and get to help feed the animals. It’s also ideally placed, being around 10 miles from Exmoor National Park.

Of if you’re heading to Cornwall, there’s Tremorvu Campsite near Helston. This is a family-run site offering a wildlife habitat and plenty of space for children to play.

There are plenty of New Forest family campsites to pick, giving you a wide range of outdoor activities to do in the area. One of the best camping sites for families that we enjoy visiting is Holmsley Caravan and Camping Site. We really like that you can pitch whenever you choose and that it occupies what use to be Holmsley Airfield in WWII. There are also plenty of walking paths nearby.

The Lake District and the Peak District

Both of these places hold a special place in my heart and I love visiting them whenever we fancy going further afield on our family camping adventures. The best campsites in the Lake District for kids tend to be the ones with easy access to the lake shores or lower fell walks.

In the Lake District, we’ve been going back to Gill Head Farm in Keswick and it never gets old. We love the fact that it’s a working farm and has some stunning views.

In the Peak District, we’ve visited Newfold Farm in Edale a fair few times, which puts you right at the start of the Pennine Way. This is a popular location, so you should book ahead if you want to grab a spot.

The Best Family Campsites in the UK: Wales

Watching a sunrise along Pen Y Pass toward Snowdon. Source: Rebecca Campbell Ltd — Source: Rebecca Campbell Ltd

I absolutely love Wales. Whenever I visit, I always call it the Land of Giants as I can imagine giants stepping over the mountains and wandering about the country. Camping in Wales as a family is a great place to consider regardless of the time of year you go.

If you’re looking for the best campsites in Wales for families, you’ve got a brilliant spread of options: coast, mountains, forests, and everything in between. Here are some of the places we like visiting.

Pembrokeshire

We think Pencarnan Farm Caravan and Camping Site is one of the best family campsites in the UK because it’s a family-run farm and campsite that’s along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

It also overlooks Porthsele beach where you can enjoy stunning views of the St George’s Channel connecting the Irish and Celtic seas.

Snowdonia

Snowdonia is a different vibe entirely; it’s dramatic, rugged, and brilliant for families with kids who like to get out and walk. The Cae Du Campsite is a lovely spot to camp that we’ve been to a few times. 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.

Brecon Beacons

Another lovely spot to consider for some of the best family campsites in the UK is the Brecon Beacons.

Pwllyn Farm Camping in the Brecon Beacons is somewhere to visit, especially if you’re going to hike up Brecon. Here, you can reach walks up the Pen Y Fan within a 15-minute drive. If you do decide to stay here, just be aware that it’s only suitable for guests aged 14 years and over.

The Best Family Campsites in the UK: Scotland

The summit of Ben Nevis with the three cairns marking the top. Photo by Ray Harrington on Unsplash — Photo by Ray Harrington on Unsplash

Scotland is another beautiful country that I think people should experience visiting in their lifetime. Sure, it might come across as rugged and the weather might be unpredictable (isn’t it everywhere in the UK?), but some of the best camping trips we’ve ever done as a family have been in Scotland.

If you’re serious about finding the best family campsites in Scotland, there’s a lot to choose from. Here are a few that we recommend:

Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond family camping is where most families start. Cobleland Campsite, near Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park in Stirlingshire, is a great spot to visit.

Situated by the River Forth, we love all the things there are to do, such as fishing, walking, cycling, and even watersports. During our stay a few years ago, we enjoyed going into the nearby Loch Ard Forest, where our kids could burn off some extra energy.

The Cairngorms

The Cairngorms National Park is the largest National Park in the UK by area, and camping with kids up here feels genuinely special.

Cairngorms Glamping is a quiet and scenic camping location, providing amazing views right outside your tent. It’s pretty rugged, but we love it here, and there’s a small playing area for children and some farm animals to see.

Ben Nevis

If you’re keen on exploring some of Ben Nevis and Fort William, Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park is another firm favourite.

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.

Your FREE Summer Family Camping Activities Checklist

Stuck for ideas on what to do when you’re camping with your kids? Download your FREE summer family camping activities checklist to help create a memorable camping experience.

Final Thoughts on the Best Family Campsites in the UK

When it comes to finding the best family campsites in the UK, there are so many to choose from that you’re spoilt for choice. Living in the UK means we’ve been lucky enough to visit them again and again.

Whether you’re after the rugged coastline of Pembrokeshire or are seeking the majestic peaks of the Scottish Highlands, the UK’s camping scene is rich, varied, and packed with adventure for families.

Regardless if you’re a first-timer or a seasoned camping family looking for your next great site, I hope this guide gives you everything you need to plan a trip you’ll all remember.

For more outdoor inspiration, check out our related guides:

Happy camping!

Have you found this best family campsites in the UK guide useful? What parts of the UK do you love camping in? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Rebecca

Rebecca is a journalist/content writer with over 15 years of experience focusing on topics ranging from cryptocurrency, outdoor sports, family adventures, and the environment. She has a strong background in camping, hiking, snowboarding, and trail running gained through years of personal experience. She holds a BA in Journalism and News Media and an MA in Environmental Journalism. She has been featured in Bitcoin Magazine, Forbes, The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI), REI, The Next Web, and The New Scientist. She is passionate about exploring more of the UK with her family and their Working Cocker Spaniel and enjoys helping readers find out the ways they can explore what’s around them together to create lasting memories.