Understanding UK Camping:
Your Gateway to British Outdoor Adventures
Why Camping in the UK is Actually Brilliant
Here’s what most people don’t realise, Britain’s small size means you’re never more than a few hours from stunning landscapes. And with stunning landscapes, incredible campsites are never too far away to use as bases to explore these areas.
Fancy dramatic coastlines? North, East, South, West coast, take your pick.
Ancient woodland? Over 100,000 designated woods in the UK, so there’s probably at least one in your area.
Mountain peaks? Wales, Scotland, Peak District, Lake District, one of these areas is bound to be within 3-4 hours drive of where you are now.
And here’s the best bit, UK camping won’t break the bank especially if you’re smart about gear (that’s where we come in, wink, nudge!). On top of this, we’ve got this incredible network of public footpaths, national parks, and heritage sites. Basically, unlimited exploration right from your tent door.
Types of Camping Available in the UK
Traditional Campsite Camping: So, you’ve got two main flavours here. Smaller campsites that are usually more chilled, think beautiful locations, fewer crowds, basic but clean facilities and are perfect if you want peace without the holiday park chaos. These are often family-run places where you’ll get proper local knowledge about the best walking routes or that hidden pub down the lane. They’re usually cheaper too, which is always a bonus. With most of these places, ring ahead rather than just booking online. Smaller sites often have the best pitches that aren’t shown on booking websites, and the owners often love a chat to share their local secrets!
Then you’ve got the bigger holiday parks, think Parkdean Resorts or some Haven Holiday sites. Most have more facilities than you can shake a stick at. We’re talking swimming pools, play areas, shop on-site, maybe even evening entertainment. It’s more expensive, but if you’ve got kids who need constant stimulation or you want the security of knowing everything’s sorted, then these places know what they’re doing and they deliver. Your best bet, if this is what you’re looking for, is to book direct with the park rather than through third-party sites. You’ll often get better pitch allocation and, for peace of mind, they’re more likely to help if something goes wrong.
Glamping – The British Way: Never been camping before? Don’t worry this is where we Brits got pretty clever. We took the best bits of camping, waking up in nature, being outdoors, escaping the city and then ditched the worst bits like soggy sleeping bags and midnight loo trips in the rain. Glamping pods give you that outdoor experience without the “will my tent collapse at 3am in the rain” worry. You get everything from basic wooden pods to luxury setups with hot tubs. It’s camping for people who like their creature comforts, such as bedding and heating, and, whilst it pains us to say this, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!
Glamping isn’t exactly roughing it outdoors, you can test the camping waters without committing to loads of gear. You’re still waking up in nature, still getting that outdoor vibe, but with way less stress about weather or forgetting essential kit. However, glamping often costs more than a decent hotel, so beware of that! So if you want to test whether you like sleeping outside and waking up in nature, it’s brilliant, especially when the weather turns nasty.
Wild Camping: First time campers will find it a daunting prospect, so don’t panic, we’ll cover this properly later. For now, just know it exists. The brief version is: England and Wales are pretty restrictive (except bits of Dartmoor) on wild camping, but Scotland’s got this brilliant “Right to Roam” thing where you can camp almost anywhere as long as you’re sensible about it.
Wild camping is basically the ultimate freedom, no booking fees, no facilities, just you and the landscape. But it comes with serious responsibilities and definitely requires more experience and planning. Remember the key is to leave no trace.
Youth Hostel Association (YHA) Camping: If you’re new to camping, YHA often have the best camping spots and are the smart option for first-timers. Places like Borrowdale in the Lake District give you proper camping but with the backup of established facilities. It’s like camping with training wheels and we mean that in the best way! You get clean toilets, hot showers, often a kitchen you can use, and staff who know the area inside out. Plus, there’s usually a crowd of like-minded people around if you fancy some company or local tips.
A Winter Wild Camp In The Cairngorms, Not For The Unprepared!
When To Go Camping In The UK
Spring (March-May): After months stuck inside, spring camping is the cure for winter blues you didn’t know you needed. If you’re lucky you get decent mild weather, definitely fewer crowds, and you’ll dodge the peak season prices. Bluebells are everywhere, lambs in the fields, proper countryside vibes. BUT (and this is important) pack for everything! April showers aren’t just a saying, they’re a promise. Reliable waterproof gear is non-negotiable, you don’t want to be caught out as the nights are usually still pretty chilly and it can be a bit of pain to dry wet clothing.
Summer (June-August): This when everyone has the same brilliant idea, so expect crowds and higher prices. Book early (around the backend of the year before) or you’ll be disappointed. The upside though? Long days (light until nearly 10pm up north) means maximum adventure time, so if you like sleep make sure you have a blackout tent (we have some great Fresh&Black 2 man tents for hire that’ll do the job FYI). Just don’t expect to have those Instagram-worthy spots to all to yourself.
Autumn (September-November): Here’s an insider secret, September is often the best month of the year for camping. Stunning colours, comfortable walking weather, occasional showers to keep you on your toes and best of all, the crowds have gone back to work! Daylight disappears fast though, so plan accordingly. Cooler nights roll in quickly too, making a warm sleeping bag and a reliable headlamp a must have for evening comfort.
Winter (December-February): Look, winter camping is definitely possible, but it’s not beginner territory. It requires serious gear and know-how to best the worst of the weather. Christmas camping can be magical, but let’s get you confident with spring camping first, yeah?
You’ve Got This Sorted
The brilliant thing about camping in Britain? You can start small and build up. Glamping pod this spring, small campsite next summer, maybe wild camping in Scotland when you’re feeling confident. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, just what works for you and your situation.
What matters is getting out there. The dramatic coastlines, ancient woodlands and mountain peaks we mentioned? They’re not going anywhere, but your weekends are. So whether you’re hiring a tent to test the waters or ready to commit to your own gear, the UK’s outdoor spaces are waiting.
Go enjoy yourself. Britain’s landscapes are brilliant, and you’re ready for them.
You’ve Got The Knowledge. We’ve Got The Gear
From festival camping to Peak District adventures, you know what’s out there. Test it all with hired tents before deciding what camping style becomes your thing.